After carefully formulating a plan in his mind—though it only took a few seconds—Arthur carefully maneuvered his way through the throng of villagers.
"Arthur? What are you..." His sister Lena's concerned voice reached him as she tugged at his shirt, trying to pull him back. He glanced over at her, offering a reassuring smile and a nod that silently conveyed, Everything is under control.
Lena hesitated, her brow furrowing, before she sighed softly and released her grip, reluctantly allowing Arthur to follow through with whatever it was he was about to do.
The moment he stepped beyond the village gates, standing alone and distinct, the Kros Knights immediately picked up on his movement. Their eyes snapped to him in unison, sharp and fierce.
Arthur felt a bead of sweat form on his brow, though he masked it with practiced ease. He immediately dove into the act he had rehearsed in his mind.
With a face torn between anxiety and relief, he called out with exaggerated joy, "Ponyta! I finally found you!"
Princess Rosaria, who had been secretly smiling while gently petting the fire horse, froze at the sound of Arthur's voice. Her gaze returned to indifferent as she cleared her throat and turned her piercing eyes on him.
Arthur flinched involuntarily, taking a step back before tripping over his own feet and collapsing onto the ground. His face paled, though it was all part of his act.
Years of pretending to be a helpless infant had honed his acting skills to an impressive degree. His ability to manipulate his expressions had become second nature. The knights and the princess's intense stares indeed made him nervous, but he blended that subtle tension into his performance, making it feel all the more authentic.
Meanwhile, at the sound of his call, Ponyta's ears perked up, and with a joyous whinny, she bounded toward him, her hooves kicking up the earth in excitement. "Ponyta~!"
She tackled him to the ground, nuzzling his face and licking it affectionately. The reunion was filled with an undeniable warmth.
The brief separation had clearly taken its toll on her...
Regardless, Arthur had to keep up the facade. His purpose now was to probe Princess Rosaria's reactions further.
Without missing a beat, he knelt on the ground, his forehead touching the earth in a deep bow. "Thank you, Your Highness, for finding and protecting my beloved Ponyta!" he said, his voice filled with awkward gratitude. "I swear, this debt will be repaid in full."
His tone was neitherr formal nor rough—he was just a simple villager, after all, and speaking like a learned person would have been very out of place.
Behind him, the villagers murmured in hushed tones, though they couldn't help but be intrigued.
"That fire horse is Arthur's?"
"Goodness, its worth probably surpasses all our lands combined."
"Is she the princess? She's so stunning..."
"Idiot son! What are you blabbering about?!"
Arthur heard a faint, suppressed smack, but he kept his head low, not daring to raise it. He made his body trembled ever so slightly, as if he were quaking in fear of the princess.
After a moment, the murmurs of the villagers behind him gradually faded into silence. He then heard the sound of footsteps drawing closer.
"Raise your head," came a commanding, deep voice from the side.
Arthur lifted his gaze and immediately realized it was one of the princess's royal guards who had spoken.
"The princess wishes to know your name, and anything you can tell her about the horse called Ponyta."
'Anything you can tell her?' Arthur thought to himself, realizing that the princess had no intention of addressing him directly. Instead, she was using her bodyguard as a spokesperson. He wasn't sure if this was customary for royalty or simply a quirk of the princess, but it didn't matter much to him.
In fact, the bodyguard's words only served to elevate Arthur's impression of the princess. After all, in his eyes, the likelihood that a noble would try to seize his beloved Ponyta was as close to certain as it could get.
Which noble could resist such a majestic fire horse as their mount?
The prestige it would bring them would be immense. No one could resist the temptation—not even the royalty.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Arthur said with a humble tone, bowing his head slightly. "My name is Arthur, and this is Ponyta, a very affectionate and friendly horse who has been my companion and friend for many years. She's incredibly strong, smart, and can even breathe fire! Miraculously, her fiery mane does not harm anyone she deems trustworthy. It is truly a wonder!" He deliberately spoke in glowing terms, hoping to increase Ponyta's value in their eyes, knowing full well that greed would be the driving force behind any decision to claim her.
As expected, some of the Kros Knights standing behind the princess couldn't mask their interest, their eyes flickering with barely contained desire. However, they quickly subdued their expressions, knowing full well that even if they wished to take the fire horse for themselves, they would have to first present it to the princess.
To attempt seizing such a treasure before royalty? Anyone with common sense knew that would be a death sentence.
But Arthur didn't concern himself with the thoughts of the two royal guards or the Kros Knights. His entire focus was on Princess Rosaria, eagerly awaiting her reaction.
To his surprise, there was no trace of greed in her gaze—only a faint, almost imperceptible sadness that she didn't quite manage to conceal.
It wasn't that Arthur was particularly skilled at reading expressions, but her sadness was so blatant that even the two royal bodyguards also noticed it.
Arthur paused, his mind racing as he weighed his next move. He decided it best to wait and observe her further, hoping the princess would reveal more of her true thoughts.
After a brief silence, he saw the princess glance at the royal bodyguard on her right—a woman with a fierce, scarred face, her expression cold and unreadable.
The bodyguard hesitated for a moment before giving a small nod and declaring, "From this moment on, your Ponyta will be under the protection of Princess Rosaria. Should anyone attempt to harm you or steal Ponyta, they will be hunted down by the royal guards!"
The first part of her statement made Arthur's heart sink, but the second half left him confused. He lifted his gaze, looking toward the princess for clarification.
But to his surprise, she had already left her luxurious carriage behind and was walking into Rastor village, flanked by her two royal bodyguards and followed by the squad of Kros Knights. Many of them wore expressions of regret, casting occasional glances at Ponyta.
That's when it clicked. Princess Rosaria had no intention of claiming Ponyta at all! In fact, she had realized that his life might be in danger from now on, which was why she had immediately declared protection for both him and Ponyta
As for the sadness in her eyes, it became clear to him. She probably felt a deep affection for Ponyta, but upon realizing the horse already had an owner, she didn't even attempt to ask him to sell her. Instead, she seemed content to simply satisfy her curiosity about the creature.
For a brief moment, Arthur was left feeling strangely unsettled.
Princess Rosaria was the perfect candidate to be his backer—powerful, compassionate, and temperate.
But then, doubt crept in. Is this a trap?
When something seemed too perfect, it was natural to question whether it was too good to be true. Could she be leading him into a carefully laid snare?
He hesitated for only a moment before deciding to take the gamble.
Now that Ponyta's existence was no longer a secret, it was becoming increasingly dangerous to keep her. While the princess had promised protection, human greed was insatiable. Someone, eventually, would try to steal her.
So, despite the feeling that he might be walking into a trap, Arthur chose to let himself be caught.
"Please wait, Your Highness!" he called, running to catch up with the princess. He knelt and bowed before her once more.
It was a bold and somewhat rude gesture to make before royalty, but it was another test—one to see how the princess would react.
As expected, her knights immediately reached for their weapons. But they froze when the princess raised her hand, signaling for them to stop. Her gaze was fixed on Arthur, watching him kneel with an expression of quiet anticipation, her eyes sparkling with expectation.
Perhaps I'm overthinking this? Arthur thought, studying her reaction. Maybe she really was the perfect backer, and he was just too cautious for his own good?
"I wish to present Ponyta to Your Highness!" he declared with resolve, his voice steady.
The princess, clearly excited, restrained herself with great effort. She gave a small shake of her head, her expression still tinged with a hint of regret.
The same royal bodyguard spoke again, her voice unwavering: "The Princess thanks you for your generosity, but she cannot accept your gift. It seems that Ponyta is very attached to you."
Arthur couldn't help but think, How could she possibly understand what the princess wanted to convey? But he quickly pushed the thought aside.
Also, Ponyta clearly shows more affection for you than for me! he secretly fumed, though his face remained calm and composed.
"Of course, Your Highness," Arthur replied humbly. "But how about we let Ponyta choose her Trainer?" He placed extra emphasis on the word Trainer, giving it a slight weight.
Princess Rosaria was in thought for a moment before giving an affirmative nod.
Turning to Ponyta, Arthur asked, "Ponyta, do you want to stay with her, or be with me?" His words hung in the air, drawing curious glances from the villagers, the royal bodyguards, and the knights, including the princess. They all stared at him, some with confusion, others with skepticism.
Does it understand human language? seemed to be the unspoken question echoing in the minds of everyone watching.
Some powerful monsters could understand and even speak human language, but that usually only happened after years of training and exposure. The one exception, of course, was the dragon race, known for their incredible intelligence.
But no matter how extraordinary Ponyta seemed, it still looked like a newborn. There was no way it could have learned human speech so quickly, was there?
Then, to everyone's astonishment, Ponyta turned her head, looking back and forth between Arthur and Princess Rosaria.
It understands! The shock rippled through the crowd as they watched, dumbfounded, at the unmistakable sign that Ponyta seemed to comprehend Arthur's question.
Some of the onlookers, familiar with the tales of dragons, couldn't help but wonder—Could this fire horse be a dragon in disguise, using illusion magic?
After a moment's hesitation, and with a reluctance that was nearly palpable, Ponyta stepped toward Princess Rosaria, nuzzling her affectionately.
The princess's face immediately lit up with joy, though she quickly reined it in, maintaining her composure as she gently stroked Ponyta's fiery mane. Just as Arthur had said, the mane felt warm but didn't burn—proof of the bond between the two.
Although this was the outcome Arthur had been hoping for, a twinge of sadness lingered in his chest. His acting had a layer of truth to it, as he spoke with a slightly melancholic tone, "It seems Ponyta has made her choice."
He quickly masked his emotions with a smile, bowing deeply. "Please take care of Ponyta, Your Highness."
Princess Rosaria gave a soft nod, her smile faint but genuine. She then cast a brief, almost imperceptible glance at the fierce royal bodyguard beside her, who immediately seemed to understand the unspoken instruction.
The same royal bodyguard spoke calmly, "The Princess wishes for you to follow her to the village chief's house, where she will be staying for the night. She will fulfill your wish and ensure Ponyta is well cared for. However, she also needs to learn how to properly take care of Ponyta. Since you are the previous owner, you have experience and can offer the much-needed guidance for Ponyta's growth. Furthermore, she wishes to—"
Her words were suddenly cut off by a light 'Ahem' from the princess.
Arthur blinked in confusion, How could she possibly interpret such a long message from just a single brief glance? he continued to marvel at the mysterious power of this fierce-looking royal bodyguard.
Despite his intrigue, Arthur didn't falter in his actions. He bowed once again, a polite smile on his face. "It would be my honor!"
At that moment, out of the corner of his eye, Arthur noticed his sister Lena among the crowd of villagers, who seemed eager to join but was too afraid to voice her thoughts.
After a moment's thought, Arthur considered that having another female of similar age to the princess might make things less awkward. Besides, Lena had been a huge help in raising Ponyta—both of them could truly be considered Ponyta's Trainers. It felt only natural to invite her as well
"My apologies, Your Highness, but may I also invite my sister? She has helped me raise Ponyta and put in much effort in grooming her," he asked after being allowed to stand and moving a little to the side of the princess.
Once again, the royal bodyguard was the one to respond. "The Princess agrees."
Arthur smiled gratefully, bowing his head. "Thank you, Your Highness."
With that, he followed the group toward the village chief's house.
Arthur and Lena were told to wait outside the village chief's house for a short while, and as they stood in the quiet afternoon air, the other royal bodyguard, who had remained silent up until now, gestured for him and his sister to follow her to the backyard. There, they discovered a small tent had been set up in place of staying inside the village chief's house.
The tent appeared quite small from the outside. However, he quickly considered space magic, a technique he had used in the development of his Pokéballs. It seemed highly likely that the interior had been enlarged using the same magic.
As he passed by the Kros Knights stationed around the small yet luxurious tent, Arthur was greeted by an unexpectedly spacious and lavish interior.
Is this really just a camping tent? Or has she somehow packed her entire bedchamber into this portable tent? Arthur couldn't help but wonder as he took in the luxurious surroundings.
The princess's bedchamber is a lavish, elegant room adorned with rich tapestries, soft velvet curtains, and ornate furniture. A grand canopy bed with intricate carvings sits at the center, surrounded by delicate lace and plush cushions. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the room. Soft, fragrant flowers fill the space, and the walls are lined with golden accents, exuding royalty and comfort.
At the center of the room, Princess Rosaria sat at a small tea table, her two royal bodyguards standing attentively behind her. Meanwhile, Ponyta had discovered a stash of apples and was happily munching on them near the table.
Arthur had never known that his Ponyta loved apples so much, but the sight of the fire horse happily indulging in the treat brought a small smile to his face.
After being invited to sit opposite the princess, the door to the room shut with a soft click. Princess Rosaria stretched in an uncouth manner, completely disregarding royal decorum.
"Hah~ It's exhausting, pretending to be all high and mighty!" Her voice was pleasant, yet utterly devoid of the refined grace expected from a royal.
The two royal bodyguards exchanged a brief but telling glance, their faces tightening as they shot daggers at Arthur and Lena. The unspoken message was clear: Do not spread rumors about this.
Arthur gave a resigned nod, remaining silent as he searched for the right words but couldn't find any. Meanwhile, Lena was frozen, still in shock, before offering a tentative nod a moment later.
But in that instant, Arthur's lingering doubts began to fade. It became apparent that this princess was, indeed, genuine—down-to-earth and kind.
For a royal, even if they intended to have him or Lena executed later, they would never allow themselves to appear so unrefined in front of commoners. What he saw now was likely her true self.
Princess Rosaria's eyes sparkled with excitement as she lovingly petted Ponyta. "My brothers and sisters will be so jealous when they see Ponyta! No, even my father and mother will be envious!"
Arthur glanced at Lena, who sat utterly dumbfounded, processing the true personality of the princess. He knew it would take her some time to reboot her brain.
Keeping his composure, Arthur, still maintaining his role, suppressed a smile and said, "Ponyta is indeed a rare breed. I hope she becomes your trusted companion."
Princess Rosaria nodded enthusiastically, her eyes alight with genuine affection. She tapped her chest solemnly. "Yes! I'll take good care of her. You needn't worry!"
With that, she gently tapped the table and leaned forward, resting her chin on her bridged hands, her elbows placed lightly on the surface as her red eyes stared into his sky-blue eyes. "On that note, will you teach me everything you know about raising a mythical creature like Ponyta?"
So they view Ponyta as a mythical creature?They'll probably faint if they ever lay eyes on a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon… Arthur thought to himself, a quiet chuckle bubbling inside.
Instead, he calmly replied, "Before we get to that, please take a look at this first."
With that, he reached into his small waist bag and carefully retrieved the Poké Ball, placing it gently on the tea table. The princess and her two bodyguards exchanged intrigued glances, their curiosity evident.