Chapter 20: A Lihnea is Drawn

In a surprise demand, Sue tackled and shook Ash, wishing to be married immediately instead of waiting for years to come. "Come on, Ash!" she cried as she shook Ash violently. "Why don't you want to marry me now!?" Worried about Ash's health, Touya grabbed and pulled Sue off and away from Ash.

"That's enough, Sue!" he warned.

"LET ME GO!" she shouted repeatedly as she flailed. Leim came around to help control Sue as Ash soon sat up before Sue tired herself out.

"Are you okay?" asked Touya.

"Yeah," Ash replied. "But what was that all about?" Sue cried about being denied hanging onto Ash.

"To be blunt, Miss Sueshie has received a notice of proposal to an arranged marriage," Leim briefed. "However, the news has left Miss Sueshie rather distraught." Ash gasped to the news.

"You got a marriage proposal?" he repeated. "And I just proposed to you the other day!" Sue nodded, not agreeing to the turnout.

"Leim, prepare some tea and to the balcony," Touya ordered. "We'll need to discuss this further." At the balcony, Pikachu, Storm, Tempest, Noctowl and Kougyoku joined on the balcony.

"Whoever this guy is, I only have my heart on one person and that is Ash!" proclaimed Sue. "And that's that!" Everyone else sighed to Sue's outburst.

"Obviously, someone is trying to claim Sue from me," Ash gulped.

"That may be…" itched Touya. "Anyway, what's the ordeal? Who would be making an arranged marriage to Sue?" Leim bowed his head.

"It is the First Prince of the Kingdom of Lihnea, Zabune," he identified. Touya, Ash and the creatures awed the news.

"First Prince?" voiced Storm.

"Yeah, that would mean that he's the next heir to the kingdom, making him the future king," Touya clarified.

"But by that, Zabune would have to be the oldest of the other members of the family's generation," Tempest pondered.

"But if that's the case, why go after Sue when there are others like-" wondered Ash before stopping. A thought came over him. "Wait, something doesn't make sense."

"Agreed!" snapped Sue as she flailed her arms. "Would you like to be married to a stranger for the rest of your life!?" Pikachu became worried for Sue.

"I gotta ask," Ash spoke up. "Aside from being the First Prince, what do you know about Zabune?" Leim sighed, expecting that question.

"Personally, I see more of a harmonious match with you and Miss Sueshie as a couple," he judged. "Not to mention that Prince Zabune has a rather tainted reputation…" That's when he covered his mouth. "Especially with his previous relationships." Pikachu lowly growled to the concept. "Rumors have been brought to light that the women he's had relationships before have been brought to tears due to his violent and abusive treatment… which may explain why he has yet to ascend to the throne, despite being past the age of 30." Ash slammed his fists on the table, jostling the teacups, saucers and spoons.

"He's over 30 years old!?" he snapped while Touya and the creatures gasped. "And he wants to make an arranged marriage with Sue!? Heck no! I'd rather give my life to her and not allow someone like him to take her hand!"

"Tell me about it!" added Touya. "This is a huge age difference! Tell me, are they waiting for Sue to be older before he marries her?" Leim shook his head.

"They're insisting that they marry immediately," he muttered. "From what I've gathered, he saw her at a social event, and it was love at first sight."

"That's right, it came right after I asked the Duke and Duchess for Sue's hand and while Linze got her first Pokémon!" reminded Ash. "If this was back in my world, I wouldn't let him go after Misty!" Standing up, he came to and held Sue's hands. "Sue, I promise that he will not have your hand. You are my girl, and that's that." Sue started shedding tears before she leaped onto Ash, hugging him.

"I'm scared!" she cried. "I don't want the old prince to take me!" Ash hugged Sue back. Touya sensed a problem with this.

'I can tell this will cause conflicts between nations,' he thought. 'All I can do is consult this with the other girls.' Inside, the other girls heard the disturbing tale.

"We can make arrangements to have the wedding here!" offered Linze.

"Hearing about how old Zabune is," Lucia gasped. "Ash is a more suitable choice."

"There's no way we'd let the First Prince take you with this information!" argued Leen.

"We wanted you to be with Ash, cousin," Yumina added. The overwhelming support made Sue feel better about the situation.

"How do you feel?" asked Ash. Sue's cheeks became red as she stood by her fiancée.

"I wish it stays this way," she hoped. Yumina placed a hand on Sue's shoulder.

"We will make sure that you two are a couple," she promised.

"Thanks, cousin!" cheered Sue. Ash had to think about a method to resolve the matter.

"We still need to think of a way to decline Prince Zabune's arranged marriage," Ash pondered.

"Easy, we can say that I've been engaged to you for some time," Sue suggested.

"I don't think it's that easy," Lucia doubted. "Leim, what say you?" Leim nodded to Lucia's concern.

"Indeed, as it can lead to a whole new series of problems," he voiced. "According to those same rumors, Prince Zabune is incredibly vindictive. Conflicts could arise and he can sever any relations between Brunhild and Lihnea." The boys and Sue gasped to the threat.

"He can do that!?" gulped Ash. Sue felt guilty for the mess from the social occasion.

"I wish I never had gone to that gathering and have him spot me," she whimpered.

"It's not your fault that he happened to be at that same gathering," Linze eased. "Still, how do we solve this conundrum?" Francesca entered and rose her hand.

"I can see one solution being to cut his life short," she offered.

"Cesca, we're trying to come up with a solution diplomatically," Touya bragged. "We don't want violence."

"I don't see it as violence," Francesca disagreed. "It's justice for a selfish monarch who doesn't care about others. If some obsessed man with a lolicon-complex in his Dirty 30s is treating women like sexual objects, then he should be put out of his misery." Ash nodded to Francesca's description.

"Aside from some words that I don't quite understand, she's not wrong about Zabune," he agreed. "Still, we need to do it without physically harming him, let alone killing him. I mean, I wouldn't want Zabune to go after Misty."

"Yeah," Touya acknowledged. "What we can do is look to the Duke and Duchess about this. It makes sense since it's about Sue."

"That also means we'll need to use Gate and get there fast," Ash added. Treasure flew to Ash and a concern formed.

"So, you don't need my help again?" he wondered. "I mean, how else did I help get Master and the girls home while I visited the dragon by Reflet?" Everyone shrugged their shoulders. Touya used Gate to cross into the Ortlinde Home. There, Ash and Touya told Alfred the news.

"This is rather disturbing to learn," Alfred mulled as he rubbed his head. "The thing is, we've been wanting to inform the Kingdom of Lihnea that Sueshie has been claimed and their proposal for an arranged marriage is being vetoed."

"But Duke," Ash voiced. "You make it sound like they have a target against Touya's mansion."

"Pretty much. It's almost frustrating enough with the limits we have, opinion-wise."

"And I doubt a Cease & Desist letter will stop the prince as well." The idea made Alfred blink, somewhat confused.

"A… Cease and… Desist?"

"It's something Touya told me about which tells the recipient to stop their forceful acts or harassment. It's like telling them, 'If you don't stop what you're doing, I'll give you a fierce punishment'!" Alfred didn't think a letter of such had an opportunity to have an effect. "Anyway, back to the topic: After what we've been told, Zabune is still the prince despite his violent reputation. How is this possible?"

"We believe it has something to do with the Kingdom of Lihnea's Prime Minister Wardack. He's used his power and authority, and that's not an understatement. Here's another rumor, they claim that their highest figure, King Schlaf Zeph Lihnea, is just a figure head." The turmoil in Lihnea had Ash bracing while Pikachu growled in Touya's arms.

"What else is there about Prime Minister Wardack? Something tells me that he has undeserved power."

"From the rumors, it does sound like Prime Minister Wardack had usurped King Schlaf, though it remains uncertain. He comes from the same family as Queen Dacia, and it makes sense since she's Prince Zabune's mother. However, you may be onto something since Wardack has quashed all allegations of crimes Zabune committed. In fact, there may still be hope as the second heir has an honesty that might rival yours, Ash." The news of a second child among the family made the rest gasp.

("Another heir!?") squeaked Pikachu.

"What do you mean a second heir?" repeated Ash. "Are you saying that Zabune isn't the only prince of Lihnea?"

"Correct," Alfred confirmed. "The son of a concubine, and apparently, he's been forced to live outside of the castle walls and the royal family in shame."

"Yeah, I'd classify that as usurping material," Touya gulped.

"But I've heard that the second prince is a man of good character," Alfred brought up.

"But that doesn't mean anything if he isn't Wardack's kid," Ash assumed.

"Yeah, wouldn't that mean he's an illegitimate son?" pointed out Touya.

"It is sad," Alfred shook. "The second mother has been kept quarantined due to her illness with no aid of any kind. He's been able to stay afloat with side jobs to make sure his mother is still among this world." Ash and Pikachu became suspicious as Leim knocked on the door.

"Your highness," he called. "An emissary from the Kingdom of Lihnea has arrived." Everyone inside prepared for the worst.

"We must be out of time," Ash believed. "Your highness, let me also talk with him." Alfred bobbed his head. Before long, a young brunette man arrived, wearing a lavender uniform and boots. He bowed to the duke; his arm passed his body.

"Your grace," he greeted. "I do apologize about the interruption. My reason for my arrive is to hear your response about the proposal." Alfred and Ash bowed their heads to the emissary. Touya and Pikachu weren't in the room, but Touya had his smartphone out so he and Pikachu could watch the discussion in private.

"I certainly thank you for coming by to hear my reply," Alfred mentioned. He, Ash and the emissary sat at the table.

"We'll see how Ash responds to this," Touya whispered. "I hope all that Yumina and I taught him will be enough." After sitting down, Alfred started.

"To get to the point," he spoke up. "While we're all honored by this gracious proposal, I must simply refuse." Ash watched as the emissary remained somewhat stoic.

"And would you kindly provide me with a reason, sire?" the emissary questioned.

"Honestly, my daughter has chosen another young man to marry instead. The proposal had been long decided before the social gathering that we hosted."

"I see… and who is this new young man that your daughter has cited?" The response from Alfred was a hand pointing to Ash.

"This young man right here: this young prince to the Duchy of Brunhild and beast tamer, Ash Ketchum." The emissary gasped and faced Ash.

"Wait, the same one who survived the trials in the temple down in the Great Sea of Trees!?"

"Not to mention the ambush from the Kingdom of Sandora," Ash added. The emissary left his seat and dropped to all fours. It spooked Ash. "Hold on, what's going on!?"

"Please forgive me!" he pleaded. "I was unaware that it was someone from the Duchy of Brunhild! I feel incredibly fortunate!" Ash left his seat and knelt to the emissary, palming his head.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked. "What's wrong?"

"I do apologize… I've heard many a tale about the accomplishments that the Duchy of Brunhild has performed!" He looked to Ash. "Tell me, do you or your harem know Teleportation Magic?"

"First, it's not my harem, it's the other male in the mansion. Second, I've been getting training by one of my Divine Beasts as he has shown me, but I'm not the only one who does Teleportation Magic." Something bothered Ash about the emissary. "But what's going on that you're begging for my help?" The emissary was back groveling to Ash.

"Because I need your assistance to save my mother's life!" An eyebrow rose on Ash's face.

"Your mother?" Suddenly, he had a guess. "Hold on… Could it be that you're…?"

"I figured that your intellect would help you understand." The emissary risen to a kneel and his hand over his chest. "For you see, I am Cloud Zeph Lihnea, second prince of the Kingdom of Lihnea." Ash was taken aback by the emissary's true identity. Touya and Pikachu gasped to the news as well.

"He's… the illegitimate son!?" gasped Touya.

("This deserves a deeper look!") growled Pikachu. Drama has grown among the room as the second heir, Cloud Zeph Lihnea, has revealed himself. What else could come from a family of such dysfunction?

TO BE CONTINUED...