Saffron City · Joy Family Residence
"Miss Clarissa Joy… have you really decided that after making your debut at ten years old, you'll travel together with Ash?"
"Before this, even the marriage proposal arranged by the old clan head was politely declined by Ash's side. Why would you take the initiative to approach him now?"
"You're the treasured jewel of the Joy Family—the future heir of the Joy Family."
"You don't need to lower yourself to win someone over like this."
Inside the Joy Family estate, within a standalone villa surrounded by blooming red morning glories, a young maid dressed in a Joy uniform puffed out her cheeks as she spoke.
"Lavina, you silly girl—what do you mean by lower myself?"
Seated at the vanity, a beautiful Joy girl raised an eyebrow as she selected hair accessories from a jewelry box and asked calmly.
"Am I really that 'noble'?"
"Of course you are!" the maid replied without hesitation.
"You're the Joy Family's precious pearl, the clan head's direct daughter, the old clan head's legitimate granddaughter—the future leader of the entire Joy Family!"
"In my heart, Miss, you're the most noble young lady in the entire Pokémon world!"
"Oh?"
The girl's smile was as warm as spring as she carefully fastened a hairpin.
"Then how do I compare to Elite Four member Lorelei, the Ice Queen of Kanto?
Or Cynthia, the Champion Valkyrie of Sinnoh?
Or Diantha, Champion of the Kalos League?"
"Who do you think is more noble—them, or me?"
"This…"
Lavina immediately fell silent, stammering and unable to answer.
"Am I a princess? A queen?"
"I'm merely the heir of the Joy Family."
"In Kanto alone, there are families whose influence rivals ours. So tell me—how high can my 'status' really be?"
Though her expression remained gentle and composed, there was a faint trace of self-mockery and disdain hidden in her words.
"The Joy Family may be spread across the entire Pokémon world, but we aren't a single unified entity," she continued softly.
"We have the Kanto Joy Family, the Johto Joy Family, the Hoenn Joy Family… We share the same name, but each branch is independent."
"And if we weren't doctors who strictly maintain neutrality, even small families could pressure us. Tell me—how noble can the heir of such a fragile family truly be?"
"Most members of the Joy Family are doctors or nurses. Yes, it's a respected profession—but at the end of the day, it's a service profession."
"Do you really think doctors and nurses are 'noble'?"
She turned slightly and asked the maid behind her.
"Miss… I-I didn't mean it like that…"
"But Ash is just a boy from a common family," Lavina persisted.
"And the marriage proposal arranged by the old clan head was already declined. For you to approach him now—it doesn't suit your status. You are the Joy Family's heir, after all."
"Our Joy Family women only fall in love with men from common families," the girl replied calmly.
"Ash comes from a common family—doesn't that make him a perfect match?"
"What, Lavina? Are you suggesting I break Joy Family tradition and marry into some major clan instead?"
"Do you want me to destroy the Joy Family—turn us into someone else's vassals?"
She spoke the harshest words in the gentlest tone.
"Miss… you know I didn't mean that, I…"
"Alright, alright."
The girl sighed lightly, her tone softening.
"You grew up with me—we're like sisters. I know you're just upset because Ash rejected the so-called marriage arrangement."
"But marriage proposals are inherently transactional."
"Our Joy Family wanted the healing-type psychic bloodline Ash possesses. Whether out of personal unwillingness or objective reasons, he couldn't pass that power on to our family."
"Accepting or rejecting was entirely his right."
"And back then, Grandmother only asked Daisy Oak to sound things out—there was never any formal engagement, let alone one tied specifically to me, the Joy Family heir."
"So why are you so worked up?"
"Just because an unnamed, unofficial proposal was declined—does that mean my reputation is ruined?"
"Am I suddenly unmarriageable?"
The girl smiled as she gently curled her hair with a curling iron.
"Of course not!" Lavina said hurriedly.
"Miss, you're beautiful, gentle, intelligent—if people lined up to court you, the line would stretch from Saffron City all the way to the Galar region!"
"You really know how to sweet-talk," the girl laughed.
"Besides," she continued casually,
"Ash is far more outstanding than you imagine. Yesterday afternoon, he fought a 3v3 match at the Viridian City Arena and won 3–0."
"Afterward, professional battle analysts concluded that Ash already possesses Advanced-tier Trainer strength."
"…And he's only had Pokémon for a little over a month."
"Someone even asked Lance on social media whether he could do the same at age six—and Lance openly admitted that he couldn't."
"Now, throughout Kanto—ordinary citizens and Trainers alike—people are calling Ash the Light of Kanto and the future Indigo League Champion."
"With a boy that outstanding, who knows how many people are lining up, eager to marry him?"
"As for me—a Joy from the Joy Family—there's no guarantee Ash would even look my way."
As she finished speaking, the girl shook her head slightly, a rare hint of uncertainty flashing across her face.
"How could that be?" Lavina said immediately.
"Miss, you're so beautiful—what man could resist your charm after seeing you in person?"
"Oh?" the girl asked with a teasing smile.
"Then why did Ash reject the proposal last time?"
"Well—that's because he's never seen your true beauty!" Lavina blurted out.
"If he met you in person, there's no way he'd say no again. Miss, should we go to Pallet Town and meet him?"
"Lavina, you little," the girl laughed.
"Just now you were saying I'd be lowering myself and that Ash wasn't worthy of me. Now you're encouraging me to chase after him. That's a pretty fast change of attitude."
"M-Miss…"
Embarrassed by the teasing, Lavina's face turned bright red.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing you."
"Ash is handsome, immensely talented as a Trainer, and very gentle by nature. In my eyes, he is an ideal partner."
"But he's so outstanding that there's no guarantee he'd choose me."
"Besides, when I set out on my journey at ten, I plan to travel with Ash—but I don't have high expectations when it comes to romance."
"From a personal perspective, Ash is someone worth forming a deep friendship with."
"And from the family's perspective, a civilian genius Trainer like Ash is also someone well worth drawing closer to."
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals