After having tea with Serena, Sonia was full of bliss again. Though the person Sonia thought was a man rejected her again, she chose to be giddy and full of confidence that she and Satoshi's page were meant to be. Her staff were confused by their mistress's demeanor, having seen her happy one day, depressed another, and then happy again.

After informing a maid that she was done with her tea in the courtyard, Sonia went to her family library on the top floor. She spent the next two hours reading a love story while lying on a sofa with her feet on the arm of the sofa. Sonia was enjoying the tale of a princess and her suitor wooing each other while walking in her garden or holding each other closer when no one else was around. Yet, the further Sonia read, the more restless she became until she stopped reading.

"Why can't Timothy and I be like the people in this book?" Sonia asked herself. "It feels like we have so much in common that we have more cause for both of us to be in love. I just don't understand why he doesn't see it."

With a sigh, Sonia got up from her seat and put the book away. She then walked to a window where she could see the city's east side, knowing that Satoshi's estate was in that direction. Sonia gazed as though she were looking at Satoshi's house, imagining the page she loved tending to the duke's every whim without complaining, no matter how trivial. The edge of Sonia's mouth curled upon thinking of Serena's dedication to her master. Simultaneously, it made her jealous, wishing all that devotion would go to her.

As Sonia looked beyond her estate walls, she saw someone walking down the street, and her heart leaped with joy. She gasped with excitement and pressed her face and hands against the window.

"Timothy?" Sonia asked.

But this was not the Timothy Sonia had known for the past few days. This was Serena's dear twin brother she thought was lost at sea and whose name she took to hide her identity. The real Timothy walked down the street wearing a red suit. His hair and goatee were trimmed, and he had a new sword attached to his belt. To anyone else, it would seem odd that Satoshi's page was in an expensive outfit instead of their page clothes only a couple of hours after meeting with Sonia, but the countess didn't care. All she could think was how happy she was to see Timothy dressed so well.

"There is my prince dressed like a king," Sonia said with a blissful sigh. "Satoshi must pay his staff well if Timothy can afford such a striking outfit. Oh, I wish he would come to see me again and hold me close while dressed like that."

Sonia giggled as her cheeks turned pink upon imagining Timothy holding her tight. Then her smile faded to a pout, thinking of how Serena continued to reject her feelings and asked her to be in love with Satoshi. Her pout was followed by a frown of determination as she moved away from the window and put her hands on her hips while watching Timothy.

"That settles it. The time for mere words is over," Sonia declared. "If Timothy can't be persuaded by my words alone, then my actions will prove my sincerity and win his heart at last. I don't care if all of Kanto witnesses what I will do. My beloved is there, and I must seize my moment whatever it takes."

With newfound determination, Sonia raced out of the library and took the nearest staircase to the ground floor. Halfway through the main floor, Sonia stopped by a mirror hanging against the wall and checked to ensure her hair was neatly done and her aqua dress was straightened. Sonia checked her figure before smirking in satisfaction and began running again, bursting through the front doors as she went outside. As she ran to the gate, the countess hoped Timothy hadn't walked too far away before she could catch him and make her move.

*******************************************************************************

In the time since he and Coovers split up, Timothy focused on getting himself groomed. With the help of bystanders giving him directions, he dropped by a tailor for a new suit, the barber to trim his hair and goatee, and the blacksmith to buy a sword. When Timothy was done with his errands, he began making his way to Duke Satoshi's estate, confident that he was presentable to meet the region's ruler.

The only problem was that Timothy didn't know how to get to Satoshi's estate. When he asked for directions, people asked why he wanted to know. When Timothy answered, citizens either laughed at him or were suspicious, finding his story about a street performer's sister meeting the Duke of Kanto when they were children ridiculous at best. Eventually, Timothy gave up on getting directions, resigning to wander around the city until he found the duke's home.

Timothy was thinking of giving up and meeting Coovers at the inn when he found himself by the walls of the Magnolia estate. He walked to the gate, hoping to find the duke's crest above it or a K for Ketchum, but the gate was engraved with a cursive M for Magnolia. Timothy grew uneasy as he wondered how many other estates for nobility were in the city apart from Satoshi's.

At that moment, the gate opened, and Lando exited dressed as a priest. He was warming his throat to have a low voice for the prank against Giovanni. Lando took a few steps to buy a fake beard at a costume shop because his old one was worn out when he saw Timothy standing by the gate. He noticed how nicely dressed Timothy was and raised his eyebrow.

"Decided to get married, did we?" Lando asked teasingly.

"I beg your pardon?" Timothy asked.

"Come now, sir. You don't need to play oblivious with me," Nando said. "You must hope I summon the lady of the house so she could be so captivated that she'll give you her hand. Your chances of impressing her are good, but making such a move is no less bold considering the circumstances."

It took a moment before Timothy looked at the estate's walls and realized the person he thought was a priest was talking about a noblewoman living in the house.

"Oh, no, good father. You misunderstand. My appearance is not for the lady you are referring to," he said. "I'm looking for the Ketchum estate to see the duke."

Lando looked at Timothy confused before he chuckled and said, "Good job keeping up this trick of yours and playing along with mine, though my act isn't ready yet. That said, what a page like you hopes to gain dressed like nobility before your master is quite the riddle."

"Page? What are you talking about? I'm not a page," Timothy said.

"Oh, of course, you're not," Lando said sarcastically. "And this isn't my nose, these aren't my ears, Lady Sonia doesn't want to see you, and your name isn't Timothy. Nothing is what it is."

"What? How do you know my name?" Timothy asked.

As Timothy and Lando talked, James and Faba returned from the marketplace. Faba was laughing with tears in his eyes while James told the story of Giovanni attempting to woo Sonia. But as soon as they saw Timothy talking to Lando, their cheerful smiles disappeared like flames blown out. Faba grew livid upon seeing Timothy nicely dressed, thinking the duke's page was about to see Sonia again.

Faba marched toward Timothy, with James coming behind. He grabbed Timothy by the shoulder, turned him around, and punched him in the face. Timothy took a couple of steps back upon impact. It wasn't a powerful punch so much as it made Timothy wonder what had just happened.

"You dare step foot here again, you fiend? Have at thee!" Faba said

Faba punched Timothy again, taking advantage of the fact that he was still confused. It took a moment for Timothy to realize he was being attacked just in time to knock Faba's fist away before he could hit him again. Nando looked at Faba and James, surprised by the Alolan knight's drive for violence.

"Sir Faba, what's gotten into you?" Nando asked. "Do you dare risk what Duke Satoshi will do to you for attacking this man?"

"If the duke witnessed what we've seen not too long ago, he would take my side and discharge this pissant," Faba declared.

"For heaven's sake, has everyone in this city gone mad?" Timothy asked.

"If witnessing deception and betrayal causes a man to go mad, we would all end up in an asylum thanks to you," James said.

"Indeed. Though I cannot draw my sword anymore, I must show a cur like you discipline," Faba said. "If I cannot win the lady's love by gaining an audience, I shall -"

Faba was so focused on his speech that he didn't notice Timothy holding up his fist and punching him in the face. The impact left Faba dazed, leaving him open for Timothy to punch him in the nose. Timothy followed by punching Faba's left cheek with a right hook, making him spin around while still clueless about what was happening around him. Finally, Timothy punched Faba in the gut, and Faba bent down, leaving him open for an uppercut, knocking him off his feet.

James and Nando stood stunned by Timothy's fierce counter. Timothy drew his sword and held it to Faba's neck with a stern glare. Faba squealed and held his hands in defense. Tears ran down his face as he thought Timothy was going to stab him in the throat. James drew his sword and knocked Timothy's sword away from Faba, forcing him to step back. He stepped between Timothy and Faba, exchanging glares with his opponent while Faba stood up behind him.

"Put your sword away, sir. You've gotten excited by a taste of battle twice now," James said.

"And you're trying my patience," Timothy said. "If there's a misunderstanding, I suggest you make your friend tell me what he has against me. Perhaps we can clear it up if you two have the intelligence to try."

"How dare you speak that way to me and my friend!" Faba shouted while still hiding behind James. "We are knights of our respective regions, and you will show us the respect we deserve from lowlives with you."

Timothy scoffed and said, "If a rawboned coward like you deserves my respect, then I'm the queen mother of the Sinnoh region. Now, get out of my sight lest you want your blood spilled by my new sword."

Faba screamed and hid his face behind James. James looked back to see Faba quivering before he turned back to Timothy with a dark glare.

"If that's how you choose to behave, I will spill an ounce or two of your impudent blood," James said.

With no other words, Timothy began swinging his sword first, aiming to put James on defense. James swung his sword fiercely to keep himself from losing ground while Faba backed away for fear of being cut. Nando stood puzzled as he watched Timothy and James fight, thinking neither acted like themselves. Any other day, James would be staying in the estate drinking yet he was clashing swords fiercely as though he never drank a day in his life. With Timothy, Serena had been a person of words and a calm demeanor, making it odd that the person Nando, James, and Faba thought was Satoshi's page behaved so violently. Combining that with Timothy not dressed in attendant clothes, the fool wondered if this was the same man his mistress fell for.

While Timothy and James fought, Sonia came out through the gate. She beamed as she searched the area for Timothy the Page, ready to hold him tight. As Sonia debated which way to go, she turned to where she heard swords clashing, and her face fell in horror.

"Halt, James!" Sonia screamed.

The men were so focused on their fight that only Nando and Faba heard Sonia. Sonia raced toward Timothy and James, frightened for Timothy's life. Timothy and James were caught in a blade lock, wrestling with their swords, until Sonia pushed James away from his opponent. James raised his sword to attack, only to see Sonia standing in front of Timothy, her arms spread apart to shield Timothy from her cousin.

"On my life, I command you to stop!" Sonia shouted. "Are you so drunk that you will attack men more noble than you without cause?"

"Nay, this man is not more noble than me, as Sir Faba can testify," James declared.

"Sir Faba?" Sonia asked before turning to Faba, who walked to stand beside James, trying to pretend he wasn't scared for his life. "You would have this scrawny dimwit back up your frivolous claim to be better than sweet Timothy? You ungrateful wretches are better off living in the mountains and caves far from civilization, where good manners are unnecessary."

James, Faba, and Nando looked at Sonia, flabbergasted, having never heard her speak this way before. Tears began to run down Faba's face again, feeling his ego shatter from Sonia's harsh words as though it was made of thin glass. Timothy, on the other hand, stared at Sonia, wondering where she came from. The countess turned to Timothy, and his cheeks turned pink upon looking at her face. Sonia's mouth quivered as she looked at Timothy, still shaken that his life was in danger. She hugged him tight and rested her head on his shoulder, taking Timothy aback as his cheeks went from pink to red.

"M-m-madam, what are you doing?" Timothy stuttered.

"Please, don't be offended, dear Timothy. I swear on my life I don't know what has become of my cousin and his friend," Sonia said. "Let your wisdom, not your passion, guide you through these uncivilized actions against you."

"U-u-uncivilized? Us?" Faba asked, trying to sound tough again. "If anything, the cur you're holding is uncivilized."

"He is right, Sonia, my cousin," James said. "We've found this man to be -"

"Silence!" Sonia barked, breaking her hug with Timothy to look daggers at James and Faba. "I will not allow you to say another word against this man! The only curs I see are you two, and I forbid you to lay a finger on Timothy! Be gone!"

James and Faba stood taken aback, having never seen Sonia be so angry. After a moment, they hung their heads and walked back to the estate, accepting that Sonia was too infatuated to listen. Nando looked at his friends and then at Sonia, equally surprised by Sonia's demeanor. Then he looked at Timothy, who stared at Sonia with a look of amazement and confusion, with his cheeks still red. The Magnolia family's fool raised his eyebrow, for though he couldn't put his finger on why, he felt confident that this was not the same Timothy everyone knew based on how Timothy looked at Sonia as though he were looking at her for the first time. Sonia noticed Nando standing near her and Timothy and was confused with him dressed like a priest until she concluded that he was dressed for an act to amuse her as her jester.

"Nando, whatever act you're putting on, hold it off for another day. I would like to speak with Timothy alone," Sonia commanded.

Nando stood still hesitantly, feeling sure the man beside Sonia was a stranger. After a few seconds, he reluctantly complied, returning to his errand. He looked back as he walked, hoping Sonia didn't put herself in danger before he went in. As Nando left, Timothy snapped out, gazing at Sonia and took a few seconds to remember what was happening before he spoke to Sonia again.

"Madam, I-"

"Hold, Timothy. Allow me to speak," Sonia said. "I understand you must be offended that my kinsman and his friends have treated you so poorly. What in God's name could've possessed them to want to hurt a sweet soul like you I'll never understand. Curse James and that moronic Sir Faba. My heart was startled when I saw James clashing swords with you. Please, don't leave me and go to the duke. Come to my house. There's much I must say to you in private."

Timothy stammered, unsure that a beautiful high-class lady truly knew his name and invited him to her house. Yet, as strange as it was, Sonia was by far the most sensible of the people he had just encountered. If nothing else, she intervened in a duel that might have resulted in his death. Hence, Timothy felt he owed Sonia in some way.

"Madam, I shall," Timothy said.

Sonia's face lit up, and she said, "Oh, say it is so."

Sonia jumped into Timothy's arms to squeeze him again. Timothy's blush returned as he stood still momentarily before hugging Sonia back. The countess held on to the embrace in bliss before she took Timothy by the hand and led him through the gate.

Timothy was astonished to see beyond the walls of Sonia's estate, for unlike his sister, he had never seen the inside of a high-ranking person's property. The sheer size of Sonia's courtyard on top of the fountains and gardens looked like something from a dream. When they reached the front door to the house, Sonia opened it and gestured to Timothy to come in first. Timothy took a bow as thanks before he went in. He walked a few steps before he stopped in awe of how fancy the interior looked. Timothy took another step to look around before Sonia stepped in front of him and put her hands on his face.

"Timothy, I know your thoughts about me, and you might find this too forward, but I cannot hold back anymore," Sonia said. "If words are useless between us, then let my actions reach out to you."

Timothy opened his mouth to ask what Sonia meant before she pulled his head toward her and smashed her lips together with his. Timothy let out a sound of surprise muffled by Sonia's mouth, and his face turned red. Sonia let out a soft moan of pleasure as she continued to move her lips against Timothy's. After half a minute, Sonia pulled her head back to look at the stunned Timothy lovingly, her hands still on his face.

"Words cannot describe how happy I am to show my love for you this way, sweet Timothy," Sonia said. "I understand that you may be concerned about the outcome of a countess like me loving someone of your status, but you mustn't let that keep you from a life of love that neither you nor Serena ever knew."

"Did you say Serena?" Timothy asked, befuddled.

"Yes, Serena. I wish she could see you now in the arms of a woman full of love for you, just as I wish my brother, Milo, could see me with a man like you," Sonia said. "But we mustn't let the loss of our dear siblings keep us from seizing this moment. Come with me to the little chapel nearby. There, before the priest and under the sacred roof, you can swear your everlasting love for me, make your marriage vows, and soothe my jealous and doubtful soul. I promise to comfort you for losing Serena and only ask that you do the same for me for losing Milo until the end of our days. The priest will keep our marriage a secret until you're willing for it to be made public, and then we can have a full wedding ceremony and celebration that fits our rank as count and countess. What do you say?"

Timothy stood motionless, his face still red and his mouth hanging agape. After half a minute, he backed away from Sonia and turned his back on her to think about what was happening. Sonia's heart sank, thinking she was going to receive another rejection and request to marry Satoshi instead. She clasped her hands together in a silent prayer while Timothy stared at the floor, pondering what was happening.

"What is this? What is happening before me?" Timothy thought. "I'm invited into the house of a countess who, despite never meeting me, knows my identity and the grief of losing my dear sister. I'd think I'd gone mad had her arms, hands and lips not felt so real. I wish Coovers were here to tell me what he knows, if anything, of this countess and give me advice about her marriage proposal."

Timothy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, stressed by making such a big decision on the spot. He turned to Sonia and saw how her aqua eyes glimmered upon seeing his face, while the rest of her face showed that his lack of response put her in suspense. Timothy looked away again, debating with himself until the edges of his lips curled up.

"There is no hint of deception in her eyes. Despite all reason, Sonia loves me sincerely and is ready to build a marriage by comforting each other. It seems like fate is making restitution for taking away my sister by leading me to this woman ready to love me as my wife," Timothy thought. "Well, if this is where fate has taken me, what else can I do?"

Satisfied with his logic, Timothy walked back to Sonia and took her by her hands. Sonia's heart leaped from the sudden action, and she looked into Timothy's eyes with hope. Timothy and Sonia's cheeks heated up as Timothy got down on one knee and kissed Sonia's hand.

"My lady, if you mean well, I'll follow you to this chapel and pledge to be faithful forever," Timothy said.

Sonia's face lit up, and she screamed with joy. She got on her knees and hugged Timothy, kissing him all over his face. Timothy laughed as Sonia's lips tickled him before they stood up hand in hand.

"Then let us be off at once, and may God recognize and bless our marriage," Sonia said.

With that, Timothy and Sonia exited the house and began racing to the gate hand in hand. Sonia led with a skip in her step, laughing with joy. When they reached the gate, Sonia stopped to kiss Timothy a few more times before going through the gate and took a turn to the chapel. As they ran, Timothy and Sonia looked at each other and smiled, not knowing the misunderstanding that led to their moment of bliss.