svetikya Chapter 464 The Princess and the Knight's Promise
Chapter 464 The Princess and the Knight's Promise
After the awards ceremony ended, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Unlike the other contestants, Kolusha did not leave through the exit, but instead went to the contestants' lounge alone.
She gently closed the door, shutting out the noise.
There was no sound in the room except for her soft breathing.
Lusabbia walked up to a mirror and gazed at herself in it.
The girl in the mirror looked different from the elegant and glamorous image she had in mind; she seemed more "ordinary" and more "free."
But what's most eye-catching is the ribbon medal she's clutching tightly in her hand.
The ribbon medal shimmered softly under the light. Rusabbia's fingertips gently traced the edge of the medal, feeling its cool yet real touch.
Her thoughts seemed to drift back to the stage she had just been on.
"So this is what it feels like to fully showcase your charm on the Grand Contest stage..."
Lusabbia muttered to herself, a slight smile unconsciously creeping onto her lips.
She had always longed to stand on the stage of a Pokémon Contest, just like an ordinary Pokémon Coordinator, and work hard for her dream with her Pokémon.
And today, she finally did it.
"And, she won..." Rusabbia took a deep breath, as if trying to force back the emotions that were already starting to get out of control.
However, the joy of victory had been suppressed, but what followed was a sense of loss after the excitement had ended.
Is this... the end?
Lusabbia lowered her eyes, clutching the ribbon medal in her hand, as if trying to hold onto the last vestiges of the competition.
......
Just then, a slight noise came from outside the lounge door.
"Eh?"
Lusabbia was slightly taken aback, thinking that a staff member had come to urge her to leave.
So she quickly put away the ribbon medal, tidied her appearance, and was about to apologize.
However, when the door opened and she saw the person standing there, Rusabbia was stunned.
"Xiaozhi?"
Rusabella never expected to see Ash here.
She had already told Ash and Brock that they could go back first after the match, and she would catch up with them soon.
Congratulations on winning!
Completely ignoring Rusapia's surprise, Ash simply walked in with a smile and congratulated her.
"You... how did you get here?" Rusabbia was still a little dazed and asked in confusion.
"I came because I understand how you feel."
"?" Lusabbia was even more confused.
"Generally speaking, after a major event, many athletes will return to the venue and do nothing but stand there in a daze. I've been there before."
After his defeat in the Kanto League, he once returned to the stands at night to look down at the night view of the stadium.
"The contrast between the excitement during the competition and the tranquility afterward is huge. In such an environment, we always think about when the next competition will come and look forward to it... The feeling of looking forward to it is not bad, but if you stay here alone all the time, you might feel a little sad."
Xiao Zhi was at least accompanied by Xiao Xia and Xiao Gang.
But Rusabella was all alone.
"That's why I came to find you."
"Oh, how thoughtful of you."
Rusabella responded to Ash's smile.
Indeed, Ash had guessed her feelings perfectly. Even though they had only met twice, she felt that Ash understood her better than her maid, Frigg.
But this feeling is really nice.
The feeling of being genuinely cared for and valued.
"Because Xiaoguang is often like that too. He always has some little emotions that he doesn't want to express. He likes to find a place where no one is around in the middle of the night. And I feel that your personalities are quite similar, um... so are your appearances."
"To say that I'm similar to Miss Hikari is quite a compliment~" Rusabella smiled, her eyes narrowing, then lowered her head and murmured:
“But your relationship with Miss Hikari… is really good.” Rusabbia said softly, with a hint of envy in her voice.
"After all, we've been traveling together for so long," Ash said with a smile, then sat down next to Rusabella.
"So how are you feeling today? Are you happy?" Ash asked.
"It felt..." Rusabella recalled her experience on stage and said slowly, "Just as I had imagined, that feeling... was truly amazing. To be able to fully showcase my and my Pokémon's charm on such a stage, and to win, I am already completely satisfied."
Lusabbia wore a relieved smile.
Xiao Zhi listened quietly, but this time he did not agree.
Before Rusabbia could even react, Ash suddenly turned around, looked directly into her eyes, and asked, "Are you really... satisfied with this?"
Rusabella felt a little uncomfortable under Ash's gaze, so she lowered her head slightly to avoid his eyes.
After a while, she slowly raised her head, revealing a somewhat downcast yet gentle and beautiful smile.
“I know what you mean, Ash,” Rusabella said softly, her voice filled with tenderness and gratitude.
"But as a princess, I also have responsibilities and obligations that I must bear. I... cannot do whatever I want as I please."
Ash looked at Rusapia and remained silent for a moment.
Then he stood up, walked over to Rusabbia, and squatted down.
“Of course I know,” Ash said. “I’m not asking you to escape your current life and completely abandon your responsibilities as a princess, but rather…”
He paused, his tone softening slightly: "Instead, it allows you to be a little 'willful' and secretly enjoy your own life, but that will require the help of Pokémon."
Upon hearing this, Rusabella immediately understood what Ash meant.
She chuckled softly, looking directly into Ash's eyes, and asked, "So, do you have any Pokémon recommendations?"
Xiao Zhi stroked his chin, thinking for a moment.
"Not yet, but it should be available later. Don't worry, I'll definitely help you, I swear!"
Looking at Ash's confident smile, Rusabella felt a warm current surge in her heart.
Help me?
Rusabbia murmured to herself.
They then turned to look at the mirror reflecting their current posture.
If I weren't wearing Xiao Guang's clothes, but instead my own custom-made suit, the two of them would really look like the princess trapped in a tower in the fairy tales I've heard since I was a child, and the prince who vowed to stay by her side until death.
"Thank you, Ash."
Lusabbia smiled again.
This time, however, Rusapia's smile finally shed all the constraints of the past, and she finally revealed her true self to Ash.
Just like any other person, she longs to go out and relax, and she longs for someone to be by her side.
She looked at Xiaozhi, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
"Only at this moment do I truly understand and envy Hikaru."
She really...
How lucky...
She'd only just begun her journey when she met her knight in shining armor...
Lusabbia said softly, her tone tinged with relief.
"By the way, Rusavia, this is my Pokémon Watch email address." Ash said, taking a piece of paper out of his pocket, which looked like it had been prepared in advance, and handed it to Rusavia. "If you need any help from me, you can contact me anytime."
Lusabbia took the note and carefully put it away.
"Hmm, I understand, but is this also part of the agreement?" Rusabbia asked, her expression suggesting she had thought of something interesting.
"of course."
"Since that's the case—"
As Lusabbia spoke, she then extended her little finger.
Ash immediately understood her meaning and extended his little finger, gently hooking it together with Rusapia's little finger.
"Then let's pinky swear... If I ever need help, please, great knight, put down your busy work and come to my aid," Rusabella said softly.
"Of course, but could you please change how you address me? It sounds a little strange and embarrassing..."
Ash looked troubled, but after meeting Rusapia's eyes, the two couldn't help but smile.
This promise, which belonged to the two of them, remained deeply in the hearts of Ash and Rusapia.
......
PS: Thanks to Xiang Yunyan, Wangshengtang Hutao Miao, and Xinghunyan for their love of Beanspur Orchid and Bobo Milk Tea!
A small foreshadowing has been planted~