New Beginning (Pearlshipping-AshxDawn)

Chapter Twelve

After parting ways with Salvia, Ash, Dawn, and Johanna were walking through the palace's halls, admiring the decorations. Salvia had gone all out with decorating for the ball and spared no expense. Some people were standing off to the sides, talking.

"Remember, we can't tell anyone about us being related to Salvia. If anyone asks why Dawn and Salvia looking alike, just come up with something. No one can know that we're related." Ash said and Dawn and Johanna nodded in agreement.

After looking around, they made their way to the dining room. Some people were in line for food and wine at the buffet table, some were sitting and eating at the dining tables, and others were standing and talking while they ate and drank.

Looking around, they could see that some guests were important people, high class, or from wealthy families, so, naturally, Salvia would invite them to a royal ball. But they could also see ordinary people that live ordinary lives there, too. Salvia had made different kinds of friends since becoming Queen.

"It's great seeing everyone getting along, despite where they come from and what types of lives they live." Ash commented.

"Yeah, it's nice. Even though people may be from different walks of life, they can still talk and get along and even become friends. Salvia did a great job on deciding who to invite." Dawn added.

"Also, Christmas is the time of year that brings people together like this, along with family and friends." said Johanna.

Ash and Dawn walked over to the line for the buffet while some older people around Johanna's age approached her and started talking to her. Ash and Dawn walked over to a table after getting their food and sat down to eat.

"Master Ketchum? I didn't expect to see you here." a man said, looking over at Ash.

"I live in Sinnoh now, so the Queen invited me." Ash replied.

"You're Dawn Ketchum, right? You took pictures of Ash and Cynthia's battle, didn't you?" a wealthy young woman asked.

"Yes, ma'am. I did." Dawn said with a hint of pride.

"Would you consider taking pictures for an event that I'm hosting next month?"

Dawn agreed, happy that people were recognizing her for her work. Ever since she began taking pictures for people more regularly, lots of people were now taking notice of her, hiring her for photography jobs, and liking her work. It kept her more busy than before, but she was doing what she enjoyed.

Everyone at the table continued to eat and talk with them and once Ash and Dawn were finished, they excused themselves. They started to walk away when a familiar face appeared and walked over. It was Serena!

"Hi, Ash, Dawn! How are you?" Serena greeted.

Dawn was shocked to see Serena. She hadn't expected to see her at the palace. The last time that she had seen her, she had flirted with Ash. Dawn looked at Serena cautiously and her eyes narrowed slightly, but Serena didn't notice. She was too busy looking at Ash.

"Hello again, Serena. It's good to see you." Ash greeted with a friendly smile. "Why are you here? I didn't expect to see you here."

"I'm in the middle of my tour across Sinnoh and Queen Salvia found out about me and invited me to the ball." Serena replied.

"That makes sense. Being the former Kalos Queen, you're an important and well-known person, like many of the other guests here."

"Ash, could I have a dance with you at the ball tonight?" Serena asked.

Ash, not wanting to be rude to his friend, gave a smile. "Of course, Serena."

Dawn felt a little anger towards Serena for asking Ash that, but she trusted Ash and knew that nothing would happen between him and Serena. In a relationship, trust is very important, and the last time that trust had been broken between the two of them, their relationship had nearly been destroyed. Dawn knew that Ash felt nothing towards Serena, even though Serena had feelings for him.