Edie cleared his throat, feeling his face heat up under Lady Katharine's steady, scrutinizing gaze. He stepped forward, trying to appear more confident than he actually felt.
"With all due respect, Lady Katharine… but Alyssa and I… we don't have that kind of relationship. We're just friends."
The viscountess slightly raised her eyebrows, a faint smile playing at her thin lips. She leaned back into her white velvet armchair, adjusting the sleeve of her tailored suit with elegant movements.
"Just friends?" she repeated, her voice calm yet tinged with an almost amused irony. "My dear Edward… forgive the frankness of an old, curious woman, but there's something in the way you two look at each other… something suggesting bonds far beyond mere friendship."
Before Edie could even stammer a reply, Alyssa's blonde cousin Ane snapped her book shut with a sharp click and leaned forward in her chair, grinning like a Meowth about to steal a gem.
"That's right, Grandma. I'm inclined to agree with you." Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. "Alyssa has always been so… indifferent toward guys. And suddenly, here comes this… scruffy musician." She gave Edie a long, slow look up and down, almost assessing him like rare merchandise. "I wouldn't be surprised at all if this supposed friendship was, let's say… spiced up with other interests."
Alyssa turned as red as a Rapidash ablaze.
"ANE! For Arceus's sake, shut up!" she exclaimed, her voice coming out shriller than she'd intended.
The viscountess raised a delicate hand to her lips, hiding a light laugh, like the tinkling of tiny bells.
"There's no need to get so upset, my granddaughter. We're no longer in times when young ladies fainted at the slightest hint of gossip." Yet her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "So, Edward… if there's truly nothing between you two, am I to presume that your heart is… free?"
Edie opened and closed his mouth several times, completely clueless on how to respond.
Ane rested her elbow on the sofa's armrest, chin in her hand, watching them as though attending a theater performance.
"Honestly, you two would make an interesting couple. Alyssa might finally learn how to smile more. And Edward… well, he certainly needs some lessons in etiquette." She smirked wickedly. "But that's what good company is for, isn't it, Grandma?"
Alyssa let out a strangled noise, burying her face in her hands.
"I swear I'm moving to Alola…"
Trying to end the conversation, Alyssa lifted her chin and turned to her grandmother, clutching Edie's arm as though he were her lifeline.
"Grandma, if you don't mind… I'd like to take Edward to the guesthouse so he can get some rest."
But Viscountess Katharine raised her hand in a graceful gesture, cutting her off.
"Don't be silly, dear." Her tone was gentle but authoritative. "Everyone in the family stays in the main house. And Edward, being your friend, is naturally considered part of the family." Her lips curved into a serene smile. "Besides, I intend to host a small dinner tonight to celebrate your return. Something… simple."
Alyssa's eyes went so wide it looked as if she might faint.
"A small dinner?!" she exclaimed, nearly out of breath. "Grandma… don't start!"
The viscountess tilted her head, looking at her as one might look at a stubborn child.
"Don't exaggerate, Alyssa. It will merely be a small gathering. A few close friends, distinguished neighbors, some acquaintances from the club and… perhaps one or two members of the Pokémon League. Nothing grand."
Alyssa opened her mouth, shut it, opened it again, until she finally burst out:
"Grandma, to you, 'small' means THREE HUNDRED PEOPLE, live music, endless speeches, and twenty dishes just in the main course!" She pointed a trembling finger. "And I am NOT going to spend the entire night being paraded around so you can introduce me to some duke's son who looks like a Slowpoke!"
Ane let out a muffled giggle.
"Oh, Alyssa… sometimes I think you were born into the wrong family."
"Shut up, Ane!"
After several more minutes of heated arguing, Alyssa, visibly exasperated, finally managed to drag Edie out of the office. In the hallway, she released his arm with a sigh.
Edie scratched the back of his neck, trying to understand the commotion.
"Geez, Aly… why all the drama over one dinner?"
Alyssa turned to him, her expression tight with frustration.
"Edie… you have no idea." She raised her hands as if describing something mystical and terrifying. "Rich people don't know how to do anything small. To my grandmother, a 'simple dinner' involves at least three hundred people. There'll be politicians, businessmen, nobility, artists, sponsors, journalists… even Gym Leaders. And every single one of them will want to know who you are, what you do, how many Pokémon you have, where you're from, how much money you make, and whether you plan on marrying me…" She took a deep breath, equal parts exhausted and furious. "I hate this world, Edie. I HATE it. It's all appearances. It's all a performance. And in the end, I'm just another pawn on her chessboard."
Edie blinked, struck by the intensity of her words.
"Wow…"
"Welcome to my nightmare." Alyssa spun around, huffing. "Now come on. I need to show you your room before Grandma decides to come over and officially introduce you to the entire high society."
Alyssa led him upstairs. When they opened the door to the bedroom, Edie lost his breath.
The room was bigger than any living room he'd ever seen. The high ceiling boasted crystal chandeliers, and the red carpet looked so soft that Edie was afraid to step on it. To the left, a white marble bathroom gleamed under the lights, and even a smaller bed lined with fine sheets was prepared for Houndour.
On the king-sized bed lay a black suit, tailored from fine fabric, with dark green details that shimmered subtly under the light. It was obvious it cost more than Edie's entire music equipment combined.
Alyssa crossed her arms, glaring at the outfit as if she wanted to set it on fire with her eyes.
"My grandmother had that made for you to wear to dinner. Don't… embarrass me." Her tone came out curt, but a faint blush colored her cheeks. "I… I'm going to change as well."
She slammed the door behind her, leaving Edie alone in the room.
He let out a long sigh and, almost automatically, released Houndour from its Poké Ball. The Pokémon barked happily, its tail wagging like it had springs inside. Edie smiled, crouched down, and started brushing the sleek black fur of his partner, offering it a few treats.
"Man… I still can't believe Alyssa's family is… all this." He glanced around, astounded. "Feels like I fell into a parallel universe."
Houndour tilted its head in confusion and let out a short bark.
Edie gave a half-smile, beginning to unpack his suitcase. His eyes fell on the simple clothes he'd bought to perform at the show with Alyssa in a few days. Next to them lay a crumpled flyer for the Pokémon Battle Competition. He picked it up, staring at it thoughtfully.
"Hey, Houndour… what do you think about entering this competition? Want to fight?"
Houndour barked loudly, eyes gleaming with excitement. Edie laughed.
"All right… let's see how it goes."
Time passed, and soon Edie stood dressed in the elegant suit, adjusting his collar in front of the room's huge mirror. He took a deep breath, trying to look confident.
When he opened the door to leave, he almost collided with Alyssa, who was about to knock.
She was wearing a long, stunning gown in black and green, perfectly matching the green streaks in her hair. The fabric looked like liquid under the lights, draping around her figure in an elegant yet modest way. The neckline was discreet, but the cut accentuated her silhouette, and delicate silver embroidery glittered like stars.
Edie froze completely, eyes wide, feeling his heart pound. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind — about how different she looked, almost like a princess from an ancient tale… and yet, at the same time, so perfectly right, so… Alyssa.
In the end, all he managed to say, his voice rough, was:
"Perfect…"
Alyssa immediately blushed, clutching the edge of her dress and lowering her gaze, her voice small:
"Y-you don't look… bad either, Edie…"
Edie snapped out of his trance, his cheeks burning as he blushed too, feeling even more lost in
that gigantic mansion — and now, standing before Alyssa, who seemed both so different and so familiar all at once.