Chapter 4

Not Just Any Girl


For any girl, is just a girl.

But you weren't just any girl to me.

You were my shining light.

My precious, Pearl.

She read the four lines over and over again, it had been another message from him, she knew the man hidden behind the false name. She had no doubts in her mind, it was her childhood friend and longtime love, Ashton Ketchum the Prince of Kanto. She had no doubts that he knew who she was, he had to have suspected something, especially when she used the nickname he had given her all those years ago as a code name. She knew from this little inscription that he knew who she was, she had to smile at this fact. His letters were the highlight of her days in this house of lies. She knew the promises he wrote to her weren't empty; she believed he could get her out of this hell. She would be free from her stepfamily and finally be reunited with her one true love.

She sealed the reply she had written down and gave it to the carrier Pidgey, "Here you are."

The bird nodded before flying off to the palace. Today was the coming-of-age soiree of her stepsister, Ursula. She did hope he would come. The day went by as any other day; she didn't see him in the forest that morning though… he must have been busy. Sunset came upon the Kingdom, and everything was in full swing. The guests arrived, from the highest-ranking aristocrats to the lowest-ranking business owners. The three women greeted them with smiles; Dawn curtsied and took their coats or capes to the coat closet. She shook her head as her stepsisters tried to charm the young men that came, while the shrew was eyeing the rich fathers trying to find a new man to swindle into her clutches. Silence soon filled the room as everyone looked through the double doors, trumpets sounded as a white carriage had drawn up the cobbled path leading to the mansion.

A deep voice loudly announced, "Please welcome the esteemed Prince, Ashton Ketchum!"

There he was decked in his Aura Guardian attire, his hair still a mess. His Royal Sash hung across his torso and his medals adorning his jacket, he truly embodied the Legendary Hero, Sir Aaron. Dawn was struck breathless by his appearance, he looked every bit the strong man she had dreamed he would become, and he surpassed her dreams. She broke from her reverie when she heard a shrill voice from behind her.

It was her stepmother, "You stupid girl! How dare you make a fool of this family by not curtsying the Prince? I apologize for her…"

She was stopped by Ash who had raised his hand after he watched the wretched woman slap Dawn in the face! He hid his anger with a smile as he waved away the apology.

"Now, now. There is no need to be so hasty in reprimanding her good Madam, It was an honest mistake after all, and we are all human. I do not mind her unintentional lack of politeness. I am sure she can redeem herself, can't you miss?" He says looking towards the blue-haired beauty, his eyes shining with slight amusement.

Dawn took this as her queue as she played along curtsying, "Good evening Your Highness. I do hope you enjoy the festivities."

"See. And I thank you for the greeting miss. Would you mind taking care of this?" Ash says taking off his cape and handing it to her. She accepted the piece of clothing with her arm.

She nods smiling, "Of course Sire. You'll have this back by the end of the night."

"I trust that you will return it to me, Miss." He replies smiling at her.

A girl with honey blond hair came and greeted the young Prince, "Good Evening Prince Ash. How are you?"

"Princess Serena! A pleasure as always, how are your parents doing? I hope King Alexander is well." Ash greets smiling at the Kalos Princess.

Serena shakes her head, keeping her smile, "My family is doing well. As for my father, he had finally agreed to have me engaged to Count Richie! I hear May has been officially engaged to Prince Drew Hayden of Jonto, I hope he isn't up to his old tricks."

"He seems to have straightened up his act. He truly is devoted to May, though I think Norman had something to do with his change of heart. I am happy for her though, she's been pining for him for a while." Ash responds.

Serena took a covert look at Dawn then shifted to Ash, "So you've noticed then?"

"I've noticed alright. And if the rumors are true, then Ms. Elesa has a few allegations to answer for. I find it hard to swallow that she is being treated this way!" Ash says eyes burning with a hidden rage.

Serena smiled nodding, "I'll be there to help and so will the others. If she has caused half the amount of trouble being told around the regions then she'll be called into the courts for sure. Her daughters will be branded as accomplices to her whole charade."

"Those harlots, they treat her like trash. That shrew of a woman has somehow swindled her way into the high class. There's a flame coming up and I want to stuff it out before it grows worse." Ash says, rubbing his chin in thought.

Serena shakes her head and smiles; "You'll figure it out, Ash. And when you do, I'd love to lend a hand and get my best friend back. I've missed her so much, May and Leaf are amazing to be around but Dawn would always shine a light in any place she entered." Serena says placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it in comfort.

Ash took her hand in his and placed a kiss on the back of her palm, "How about a dance?"

"Of course! I'd love to dance." Serena says letting him lead her to the dance floor.

Dawn smiled seeing her two best friends having fun. She saw Gary and Leaf dancing, well Gray trying to dance and Leaf just baring the pain of having her feet trampled on. She giggled watching the two brunettes argue, they haven't changed a bit. She heard a hum behind her.

"Good evening Sir." She greeted the elderly man who took an interest in the board filled with finger foods.

The man smiled and bowed his head, "Good evening Miss. I see you are enjoying the festivities, though I do hope that you'll be joining it soon. It would be such a shame for a young lady such as yourself to be stuck doing work all evening at your sister's party."

"You're kind, good Sir. I do hope some luck will grace me tonight. May I serve you some appetizers?" She responds by lifting the tray slowly with her right hand.

Professor Oak smiled, taking the croquet off the board, "I'll have one of these. I seem to be feeling a little peckish."

"I hope you enjoy it, Sir," Dawn says all the while thinking of why the man looked so familiar to her.

Professor Oak smiled and said, "Everything will come to a head young one. The day will arrive when those who have wronged you and others will get a taste of justice."

Truth be told, the old man was here on royal business, not only to escort the Young Prince but also to investigate the matters of this home and its inhabitants. He did not like what he was seeing, Joanna's daughter was not meant to be treated this way! Wearing rags and doing housework, though Dawn never shied away from doing chores at home, always willing to help her mother or the maids of the Berlitz estate. Here, however, it was clear that the shrew unfairly let her do all of the work! The young girl was worn and physically spent.

Samuel swore to take this up to the royal courts if needs be. He was just glad Ash and their friends were being vigilant during this entire investigation. He knew the young Prince would do the right thing.

/ A FEW HOURS LATER /

Dawn had been busy serving the various guests, while also speaking with a few of the nobles, it was nice to talk to Serena and Leaf again despite being undercover. Seeing Ursula and Cassy dancing and cozying up to Ash had been painful, but seeing the disgusted expression on his face was enough to quell her jealousy. Though the elder sister seemed to look a little ashamed of flaunting this towards Dawn, or so the blue-haired heiress thought.

His voice suddenly calls out, "Hello Miss."

She jumped startled, clutching her chest. She gave him a cold glare trying to calm her rapidly beating heart.

"Arceus! Has anyone ever told you not to sneak up on people, good Sir? You nearly sacred my soul right out of me." She says breathing deeply as she tries to catch her bearings. She hit him on the shoulder for this transgression.

Ash chuckled sheepishly and properly cowed, "Ah. I am truly sorry for startling you so. That was not my intention at all."

Seeing his contrite state she gave him a gentle smile patting his hand. She knew that he had not meant to do so, and knew that his apology was genuine. She could always tell when Ash was being truthful, as skilled she was glad he hadn't lost that youthful flare even though she had not seen him in years.

"It is alright. What may I serve you tonight your highness?" She says waving her hand over the table presenting the many finger foods and punch bowl to the Prince.

Ash rubbed his chin, contemplating his choices, "I'd love some punch, please. I'm a bit parched from all the dancing. The youngest of the two sisters has some less than graceful movements that could leave a man's feet bruised that's for certain."

"She is rather poor in her footwork, Sire. The madam has placed her in many classes throughout the years but so far very few have worked to improve her rather abysmal skills in the art of fancy footwork. I often wonder if she'll ever learn the skill." Dawn says bluntly, her brows creasing in faux worry.

Ash chuckles, taking her hand in his, "Yes. Well, you are quite forward with your assessment. No maid or servant would dare speak the way you do to those they serve."

"Are you implying that I should lie to you Prince Ash?" She asked with a raised brow as she smirked.

He laughed a little louder, "Oh, no, no. It is rather refreshing to speak to someone who can be boldly honest. I often meet people, noble or not, who put on pretenses that it's hard to discern if they are honest or deceitful. You're one of the few people who I can say are quite the opposite, and I am greatly thankful for your candor."

"Mm… I suspect that those you're speaking of are people in your inner circle of friends and a few of lesser-known nobles, Sir. I take pride in my assessment of the character of others, it saves my friend and me from dealing with the unsavory types. My dearly departed mother taught me how to be shrewd when dealing with people, while my father often told me not to judge a book by its cover." The blue-haired girl replies with her shoulders hunching, feeling saddened at the reminder of her parents.

Ash frowned as he read her rapidly declining mood. He knew what she was thinking; he felt empathy for her knowing how dearly she must still miss her parents. This made him more determined to oust the ladies who dared to swindle Dawn of her rightful inheritance!

Ash took her hand and kissed her knuckles, "Thank you for the drink, Ms. Pearl. I best head back into the fray, as much as I enjoy your company more than those of the crowd, I need to socialize with the other nobles."

She flushed slightly at his charming gesture, feeling a sense of calm fill her. She detected a tone of displeasure in his voice as they looked towards the sea of aristocratic leeches, well leeches about most of them - with the exemption of a few - of the crowd that is. She shook her head and interlocked her finger with his squeezing hand, garnering a smile from him.

"I thank you for that compliment, Sire. I will not hold you here any longer than. But I do hope we get to interact more tonight." She tells him with a soft smile.

He returned her gesture, "See you later."

He winked cheekily at her, which she just shook her head at giggling. She saw his shoulders relax as he got pulled by Princess May of Hoenn over to a group of their close friends. She had to grin observing the dynamic seeing Leaf hit Gary behind the hit head; he must have done something again. She then sighed as another sleazy young man approached with a nefarious smile; she straightened her posture and went to greet the noble.

"You were laying it a bit thick there, Ash." Teased May pinching his cheek.

Ash laughed, batting her hand away playfully, "Well, when the heart wants what it wants it can't be helped. I placed a note on the table. I hope she sees it."

"I have no doubt she will. She is quite astute when it comes to spotting things. I hope we can get her out of this snake pit." Leaf responds scowling as she looks at the three other women.

Gary nods scowling, "I've seen some unsettling activities around here Ash. This place is filled with false fortunes. And Elsa seems to be cozying up to a few of the noblemen, I just saw her getting a little too close to Duke Wateru by the buffet table moments ago."

"I was a little concerned when I heard her talk about the state of the nobles in Kanto with Lord Waterflower. Bless the man for being so astute on her rather than forward questions about his family." Informs Richie who looks disturbed.

Serena went to Ash and placed a hand on his shoulder, "We'll get them, Ash. The government of Kanto won't stand for this, and Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Kalos are behind you as well. We've all been getting rather worrying reports about certain Lords dying sudden deaths without prior cases of sickness."

It was later that evening when the two would see each other again...

/ LATER THAT EVENING /

Dawn had read the note hiding a smile, that sneaky young man.

Of course, she knew Ash would make the move this early on, and that he would be discreet about it. They both had a habit of being sneaky; they were partners in crime that way. After making sure that the guests were well tended to, she had Zoey fill in for her, the redhead was happy to help out her best friend. Zoey knew who Dawn was; her mother and father had served the Berlitz estate before the shrew bought everything down! Zoey also knew the Prince and the other nobles having grown up with them, the Ketchum household had brought her family in and her father had become one of the King's most trusted advisors. When she heard Dawn was in Kanto through Leaf she quickly sent the girl a missive and they agreed to meet. Under the instruction of Commander Koga she was to go undercover as a maid to find out what was going on in this estate, she agreed wanting to expose the lying woman and her daughters and to see Dawn and Ash together again.

A male voice spoke, "Ms. Zoey good to see you here."

She turned to see a purple-haired teen wearing a trench coat, "Mr. Shinji, what brings you to this fine abode? Isn't it off of your jurisdiction to be here?"

"Not tonight. I'm here as the Prince's escort and was given the order to observe any dubious activity. Dawn has grown into a strong young lady, none of the other noble girls would be able to endure years of servitude like she had. The rumors about this woman have been alarming, it's a wonder why she hadn't been caught yet." Paul responds taking the punch Zoey had offered him.

The redhead shakes her head; "I was surprised when I saw her just a month ago. She didn't seem like the same person she had been back then, but then again still the same girl at heart. They may have taken her nobility but they haven't taken her heart. She is still fighting."

"Ash and the rest will get her out of this. We'll catch this woman and put her behind bars, and her daughters well… we'll see."

Meanwhile, Dawn went to the backyard the crisp night air greeted her. She shivered a bit; it was chilly as mid-autumn always was in Kanto. She felt a heavy coat being placed upon her shoulder, she turned to see the sleeves of his cotton button-up collared shirt rolled up showing his muscled arms. She smiled at him in thanks; he nodded his head smiling back.

"It is a shame that I've been stuck working this entire evening. It would have been nice to have a dance…" She tells him sighing in disappointment.

He turned fully offering her a hand and asked, "Would you honor me with a dance then?"

She turned towards him, studying his eyes looking for any sign of deception. She need not fear though, his word was genuine and she knew that out of everyone she could trust him. She placed her hand on his and he spun her into his arms, her other hand going onto his shoulder.

"You were always the best dancer," Dawn says sighing as she places her head below his chin.

Ash chuckled placing his chin above her head, "My mother taught me well back then. Of course, I could also say I've inherited my fancy feet from both my parents, my father isn't a slouch on the dance floor either."

"Wasn't it Young Lord Oak who suffered from two left feet? He would always grouch about dance classes back then until Lady Diana would tell him to suck it up." The blue-haired girl says giggling.

The man laughed whole-heartedly, "Yes indeed. Sir. Gary had the unfortunate curse of being born with two left feet. But he had since learned to live with it and has become an adequate dancer. He's my right hand in battle."

"I've missed you, Ashton." She says pulling away to look upon his face.

He nods feeling that all pretenses were shed, "As have I, you, Dawn. It has been decades since we last saw each other. I've been worried about you."

"I know. Your letters have shed some light on your worries about my family and me. I never meant to worry you or anyone, I greatly apologize for my lack of communication over the years." She responds, takes his cheek in her hand, and gently runs her fingers on the bearded surface.

He smiled, humming contently at her touch, "I do not fault you for our worries Dawn, no one in my family or our friend circle blames you. Some of the lords in Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Kalos suspect Elesa of adultery and supplanting the noble code. We have Chief Inspector Gareth looking through her past to see if there is anything untoward."

"She will finally get what is coming to her. I know it will take time; I've gotten a few things that might help your research on her too. I've been asking around in Sinnoh before we moved here, and some people in Unova have given me some tips over the last few years as well. I've kept them all in my 'quarters'." She tells him with a smirk her eyes shining like diamonds.

He laughs shaking his head at her sly thinking, "Such a fox you are my lady. Which works well for us, I'll meet you near the river tomorrow so you can give me all of those files. She has been walking too freely for my tastes."

His right-hand takes a stray hair away from her face and places it behind her ear, his left taking her right and lifting it to his lips. Both knew they'd have to contend with these little gestures of sweet contact when they wanted nothing more than to take the leap and express their unyielding love for the other. Dawn steps up and kisses him on the cheek. They grew closer through the distance between them, their foreheads touching. Dawn placed her hand on his chest running her fingers on the slightly exposed skin of his chest he had undone a few buttons of his formal cotton button-up shirt.

"You know, this isn't how princes should dress. But you aren't like other princes. You were always more of a free spirit, it would drive Madam Agatha mad." Dawn teased giggling as she fixed the opened buttons.

Ash chuckles shaking his head, "She still considers me her favorite grandson. She still teaches in the capital you know, she loves the children. She would often use our shenanigans as examples of ways not to act. Gary, Leaf, Paul, Zoey, and I would visit the school to give some lectures to the kids. Most would end up working in government, becoming knights, the interior police, or other public officials."

" I would love to do that! I have always found it amazing that you guys have been giving lectures on the future of this kingdom. There." Dawn responds smiling after softening the creases on the shirt and then straightening out the collar.

He grinned lopsidedly, "Thanks."

"No problem, highness. But, something tells me that you did that on purpose." She says raising her brow with a sly smirk.

He cupped her cheek while pulling her closer to him his lips ghosting over hers, "Maybe I just wanted you to straighten me up. You always did that back when we were school kids. You would tell me off for being too… what was it?"

"Being too roughshod?" She teased giggling at their game of words.

He laughed freely nodding, "That's it."

She shared his mirth, laughing softly with him. They were glad for their reunion. The relief of falling back into their youthful banter despite being estranged for a decade permeated through their renewed bond. A soft but upbeat song played both teens shared a look recognizing the song, as it was often played in their childhood during those shared dance classes with their friends. Ash offered his hand and Dawn grinned taking his hand, and they started the dance slowly, gently swaying to the beat. As the song went on their moves became slightly faster, keeping up with the other's pace perfectly. Soft giggles and chuckles littered the late evening air, with no one inside the house being the wiser to their activities, except one that is.

The elderly Professor Oak smiled at the scene from the small kitchen, "Ah, young love like the sweet scent of a rose gentle and smooth."

The man was happy for the two youths finding each other again, and he could already see the young Berlitz heiress as their future Queen. The nobles would not mind this pairing at all, everyone who knew the Berlitz family adored Joanna and respected Thomas so this match-up of their daughter and the future King of Kanto wouldn't be frowned upon in the slightest. He just hoped that they could solve this mystery and reinstate Dawn's place as a Duchess of the realm. He left them to finish their little meeting as the night was nearing its end. As the song ended Ash spun the blue-haired beauty into his arms, her back to his chest.

Dawn giggles feeling his breath ghost the shell of her ear, "We best be getting back to the party Ashton. The night is about to end."

"Right you are. I'll be there." Ash responds letting her go.

Laying one more kiss on the back of her hand before walking to the front yard. He entered the main hall and rejoined the party seeing Zoey leaving the table while Dawn went back to her positions. They shared a look hiding their smirks, no one was the wiser to their disappearance except their friends and the Professor. Gary signaled the young prince that it was time to leave, Ash smiled and nodded.

"We best be going young man." Says Samuel smiling at the black-haired heir to the Kingdom who nods. They walked to the hosts of the party.

It was Ursula who spoke, "Oh! Must you go so soon your Highness?"

"I am afraid we must take our leave, Madam and young madams. We have a busy day tomorrow and a very busy week as well." Ash responds cordially shaking their hands politely.

The mother smiled at the entourage, "We thank you for your visit to our abode my lords. We hope to see you another time."

"Wher-" Ash gets cut off by Dawn's entry with his cape on her arm.

Dawn gave him a sweet smile as she placed the cape across his shoulders, "Here you are My Prince. I do hope you enjoyed your visit here and come back sometime."

"Ah, thank you, Miss Pearl! Would you mind seeing me out?" He asked, offering his arm to her.

Cassy went to intercept Dawn, "Are you sure you want to…"

"You dare question my choice miss?" Ash questions the pink-haired girl with a raised brow.

Elsa gave her eldest a glare, "She did not mean to step out of line your highness. Dawn see the Prince out."

"I would be honored to escort you out, Sire," Dawn says, slipping her hand on the crook of her arm.

Out they went following the Professor and followed by Gary. The three women were better than to follow, but they couldn't help but shoot a glare at Dawn's back. The blue-haired heiress felt their jealousy from behind, she felt a bit smug at this hiding her smirk.

"You are smug. Anything I should know?" Ash says teasing her as they neared the carriage.

She giggles stretching up to kiss his cheek, "I forgot about that part of your aura abilities. Can you blame me for feeling that way? They don't know a thing about us."

"I guess you have the right to feel a little smug. I can feel their envy as well. They'll have to live with it." Ash responds grinning holding in his laughter.

"They deserved to be snubbed anyway. As always, you two do it in style. Great to see you again Lady Berlitz." Says Gary chuckling at the two.

Samuel smiles at the three, "It is great to see you again Dawn. I do give my condolences on behalf of myself and the royal family, your parents were amazing people."

"Gary, a joy as always. Thank you, Professor. I am sure my parents would be happy to know that I reunited with Ash, though I wouldn't really say we reunited conventionally." Dawn says laughing softly.

The three men laughed, all agreeing with her. Though their reunion was not conventional, both teens would not change it the world over, it seemed like their story ended up being a fairytale. The professor went in followed by the young knight both wanting to give Ash and Dawn their time alone before making their way back to the palace. Ash smiles in thanks to the men before raising Dawn's hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles.

"I guess this is goodbye," Dawn says softly, flushing at his gesture.

Ash smiles, "I'll see you tomorrow Dawn."

"I'll be sure to bring those files." She says smiling giving his cheek one last time.

He gets into the carriage, waving to her as he closes the door. Dawn followed the carriage until it disappeared from her sight, she sighed dreamily before walking back inside thinking about the next day… Ash smiles in thanks to the men before raising Dawn's hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles.

"I guess this is goodbye," Dawn says softly, flushing at his gesture.

Ash smiles, "I'll see you tomorrow Dawn."

"I'll be sure to bring those files." She says smiling giving his cheek one last time.

He gets into the carriage, waving to her as he closes the door. Dawn followed the carriage until it disappeared from her sight, she sighed dreamily before walking back inside thinking about the next day…


Another chapter! Lots of SatoHika fluff as promised. A little bit of flirting from the pair happening over here, our little temptress is wearing down her Prince's self-control slowly. The next chapter will have a risque scene in it, just an early warning for those who are not fans of lemon of any amount. Tell me what you think of this chapter; drop those thoughts in the comments or dm them at your leisure. Ping me on discord.

Discord: s_mika24

Stay lovely and healthy everyone!

Signing off,

WL_17