"So, let me get this straight..." Melody stated, scratching her head in confusion. "You actually agreed to participate in the contest?" Melody finished, her eyes widening in disbelief as she finished her statement.

Seth took a deep breath and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Something like that," Seth paused, "but only to help you and mom out. She's never been able to make enough to open the restraunt she's been wanting. And you want to get into the art school, which costs a fortune by the way," Seth added.

"This is true. But that still doesn't explain one thing. What's in it for you? Because in case you've forgotten, the winner of the game is given Princess Allie's hand in marriage," Melody reminded. "Or was that not part of the agreement?"

"Negative. The Queen just wants to help us out since I am sorta the reason why her daughter still breathes at this very moment," Seth stated with a slight frown. "Half of me wishes it had been a rocky landing, but I don't think my body would have appreciated taking a tumble no matter how much it would have satisfied me to mess up her dress."

"Big brother, you're far too noble for that," Melody said with a warm smile. "You know that a lady is still a lady and no matter how...irritating, they deserve to be treated with care. Though I must admit, seeing her reaction after you caught her was good enough for me," Melody grinned.

"Sis... please tell me you didn't," Seth pleaded.

"Didn't what? Oh... you mean this?" Melody inquired, holding up a photograph of Seth cradling Princess Allie right after he'd caught her.

Seth palmed his face and sighed.

"Of course you did," Seth muttered.

"You know, if it weren't for the fact that the two of you clearly can't stand each other, you'd make a pretty cute couple," Melody smiled.

Seth raised a brow and glanced at the photo that was taken. Allie was staring up at Seth, a look of wonder in her eyes, pink tinted cheeks and a slightly gaping mouth. Her arms were about his neck while he carried her bridle style.

"I can't argue with you on that one sis. This picture is pretty amazing," Seth added, his face sliding into a more serious expression. "Just don't go thinking anything is going to come out of that."

Melody rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Come on bro. Even you can't deny that a lot of girls are into you. You're the head of the fencing club, you jump with the grace of a fricken Lopunny and you run like a Jolteon. I swear bro, sometimes you're oblivious to what you can do," Melody stated.

"As true as all of that is, I still doubt little Miss Spoiled will be too thrilled that I'm in the competition. I think what will bring her the most relief is her finding out that I'm simply in it for you guys and nothing more," Seth smirked.

"And there's that noble aspect again. You know, it's almost a shame that you aren't interested in her. Because unless my eyes deceive me, which they usually don't, it looks as though she's a little smitten here," Melody grinned.

"Don't even go there sis," Seth deadpanned.

"Don't be a party pooper. I'm just trying to have a little fun," Melody laughed. "But seriously...if we didn't know her at all, just looking at this picture, people would see a woman in love," Melody smiled. "Oooo! That gives me good idea for my novel!" Melody exclaimed, darting up the stairs into her room.

Seth shook his head and flopped down onto the livingroom sofa, leaning forward to crack open his notes to study for his final exam.

"Mother, has the list of participants been drafted yet?" Allie inquired, tactfully grooming her Furfrou to perfection as she sat in her parent's room.

The queen simply smiled and turned to meet the eyes of her daughter.

"Thus far, we have about thirty names. Several of which, I believe you'll be pleased with," she responded simply.

"Is the Montague boy in there?" She inquired hopefully.

"Hmmm... yes, he's on the list, as well as Charles from the Dubois family, Thomas from the Petit family. Most of the one's you'd hope to be on here are on the list," her mother added with a bright smile.

"Excellent. Then all is going as I'd hoped," Allie beamed, standing up to embrace her mother in a tight hug.

"Of course dear. And we are going to make this as special as possible for you," the queen replied, her voice cracking a bit due to the tears she was restraining.

"Mother, is everything alright? You sound upset," Allie deduced, her answer coming in the form of a tighter squeeze and a few choked sobs.

"I-I'm sorry sweatheart. It's just... I almost lost you. Just thinking about it scares me. If you hadn't been rescued like that, well, I'd be planning your funeral instead of your wedding-"

"Which is why we've resolved to give you everything you desire on that day," came the voice of the king as he stepped into the room, making his way over to embrace the two loves in his life.

"Oh thank you!" Allie exclaimed, a bright smile appearing on her visage as she heard this news.

"But you need to promise us that you will try to be more careful. We nearly lost you once. We don't want to go through that experience again," her father added sternly.

"Don't worry daddy. From here on, I shall be as careful as possible," Allie promised.

"Okay Pawniard, time to run some drills," Seth said as he pulled out a blindfold and placed it around Pawniard's eyes.

Seth stepped away from Pawniard and placed a protective helmet over his head. He wore fencing armor that was reinforced with Aggron steel. At his waist was a rapier made of the same material. Withdrawing the blade, he pointed it towards Pawniard who readied himself. After a brief pause, Seth lunged forward. Sensing the movement, Pawniard swung his blade-hand upwards to parry the strike away before launching his free blade forward, only for Seth to sidestep the counter-strike.

In a swift motion, Seth brought his blade down upon Pawniard's head, steel clashing with steel as Pawniard raised his arms in X formation to deflect the strike. Pawniard rushed forward and delivered a Metal Claw to Seth's abdomen, forcing him back a few feet. Seth staggered a bit and then recomposed himself.

"Good. You're getting better at this. Now let's pick up the pace a little," Seth grinned under the helm as he pointed his blade towards Pawniard.

The little Steel-type prepared himself as his master went on the offensive. Within seconds, Seth was right in Pawniard's face, thrusting his blade at every weak point he could find with deadly precision. Pawniard, feeling the vibrations in the air, matched the speed of Seth's blade and parried each strike as it came before going on the offensive himself.

"Seth! Dinner time!" Came the voice of his mother as she called out the window, prompting the two to pause their drill for the time being.

Seth sheathed his blade and removed his helm, breathing a sigh of relief as he felt the cool air hit his face.

"Good work buddy. Let's take a break for now. Maybe we can pick this up later," Seth stated, getting a nod of agreement from Pawniard before returning him. "Coming mom!" Seth replied, walking towards the house, passing his sister who was watching while scribbling down ideas in her notebook.

"So, let's see... the valiant knight rescues the princess from a terrifying fall off her balcony," Melody mumbled as she wrote. Glancing back at her brother, she continued, "the shimmer in her eyes upon seeing her savior could rival that of the shine of his Aggron steel armor," she added, nearly squealing at what she'd written.

Taking her notebook, she hurried back into the house and up to her room to put it away. When she got downstairs, she met her mother in the kitchen, Seth meandering in after taking off his armor.

"Another training session with Pawniard?" His mother inquired, getting a nod from Seth.

"The final exam is coming up so I need to be prepared. Mrs. Rosseau doesn't play around when it comes to battling," Seth replied, slumping down into his chair.

"Just make sure you're careful when you're doing that. I don't want you getting hurt again," Miss Da Silva added with concern in her voice.

Seth waved her off. "No worries mom. My new armor is a lot better than the old one I had," Seth said with a smile. "Aggron steel doesn't dent easily," he added.

"Well I'm relieved to hear that," she responded, glancing over at Melody. "And how are you doing young lady?"

"I'm just peachy mother," Melody smiled brightly. "Oh! And Seth entered the competition!" Melody hastily added.

"The one for the hand of the princess?" Miss Da Silva inquired, slightly flabbergasted at this revelation.

"It's not what you think," Seth muttered. "Trust me, she's the last person I'd consider marrying," Seth finished.

"Well if you're not in it for her, then why did you enter the competition son?" His mother inquired with a raised brow.

"Because I want to help you and Melody out. You've been waiting forever to open your restraunt, and Melody here wants to have enough money to go to that school she's always dreamed of being a part of. I figure if I get far enough, I might have a shot at doing just that," Seth stated as his mother shoveled the leftover pasta onto his and his sister's plate.

"That's our Seth, always looking out for everyone eh mom?" Melody beamed.

"True Melody, very true. And I'm happy to hear you've found something you want to do. We'll be rooting for you all the way. After all, we are your biggest fans," Miss Da Silva smiled. "And who knows, maybe somewhere along the way, you might change your mind about the other part of the contest," she smirked.

"You're funny mom," Seth deadpanned.

"Mother? What is the meaning of this?" Princess Allie demanded as she looked over the list, spotting Seth's name written.

"The meaning of what, my dear?" her mother replied, glancing down at the parchment in her hands.

"Why is he on the list?" She frowned, a look of dissapproval on her face.

"Oh, you mean Seth? The boy who saved your life? I asked him to be."

"You what!? Mother, how could you!?" Allie fumed.

"How could I? I'm your mother Allie. That's how. Besides, he's made it perfectly clear that he's not after you at all," the queen retorted.

"He's not? Th-then...what's he in it for? The prize money? Wait. What do you mean he's not after me at all? Am I not good enough for him!?" Allie said, clenching her fists in agitation.

Seeing the irritation that her daughter felt, sparked an idea in the queen's head.

"Well, he did say that you were bratty, entitled and self-centered. If he thinks that, what does he have to pursue?" She replied with a shrug.

That no good, filthy pauper! Just who does he think he is!? First he insults me to my face, and now behind my back? And then he has the nerve to say I'm not good enough for him!? Allie fumed mentally, her anger shown clearly on her face as the thoughts raced through her mind.

"What's the matter Allie? You seem frustrated," her mother asked with a concerned tone.

Allie took a deep breath and unclenched her fists. "I'm fine mother," she replied, a smile dawning on her features as she spoke. "So fine in fact, that I might just check in on Seth every now and again to see how he's progressing," she said with a deceptively sweet smile.

"My goodness. What inspired the change of heart? I thought you didn't like him?" Her mother blinked, feigning confusion.

"I don't. But knowing that there is someone out there who doesn't consider me the whole package, irritates me to no end," Princess Allie grinned. "So, I'm going to make him regret ever saying such things," Allie smirked, placing a kiss on her mother's cheek before walking out of the room to hers.

As she left, a smile curved onto the queen's features.

My dear Allie. How easily baited you are. This should get interesting...

Ah mothers. Don't you just love them? Especially when they scheme and plot against you? No, not in the bad way, but the way that teaches you a lesson. Anyway, the journey begins soon and so does the competition. Please remember to vote and comment if you liked what you read! Feel free to leave me some feedback on what you've read. I appreciate any and all feedback (save for flaming. If you're going to flame, you can go take a hike ^.^). Ciao for now!