"I can make any demands I want?"
Damian scans Diantha from head to toe, grinning with a wicked air in his smile and gaze.
This immediately catches Diantha's attention.
After all, besides being Kalos League Champion, she's a renowned actress, and she's always sensitive to others' expressions.
"I, Mr. Damian, am coming to you with sincerity; as long as your demands aren't excessive, we're willing to accept."
Diantha quietly steps back, speaking to Damian with seriousness.
As an actress, Diantha isn't some naïve girl who doesn't know anything.
The world is indeed beautiful, but it also has greedy, lustful people, and in the entertainment industry, those who are "lustful" are plenty.
However, Dawn doesn't notice this; she's currently wearing a rather proud smile.
See! This is Mr. Damian's intimidation at work!
Even the Kalos League would be forced to have its Champion come visit to negotiate!
Mr. Damian is really formidable! I wonder if I'll ever be this intimidating in the future?
The young lady from the House of Dawn appears to be embracing this ideology and longing, and a single name seems to shake the entire Region League.
This is so cool!
"That's natural; I believe in your sincerity."
Damian narrows his eyes slightly, enjoying the reaction he's seen from Diantha.
"Miss Diantha, there's no need to be so tense. We Team Rocket are a legit organization, but since you're so sincere, I do have one small request."
Damian's tone is leisurely, calm.
In truth, as he says, so long as Kalos League doesn't poke the bear, Damian isn't really inclined to target a Kalos League.
From his view, given Team Rocket's current size, going out of their way to mess with Kalos League would be a petty move.
There's no need, nothing entertaining.
In Damian's view, the only thing the Kalos League can really play with is Diantha.
"Please, go ahead."
Hearing this, Diantha lets out a sigh of relief; this is fine, this is good!
"Anyway, I've got a bit of a bad habit—being pampered all the time, I'm not very good with Pokémon care, so I actually need a maid to take care of me."
Damian's smile now looks especially sharp, and Diantha's smile stiffens on her face.
What does that mean? What does that even mean?
And hearing this, Caitlin and Dawn react differently.
Dawn looks puzzled at Damian's profile.
Caitlin remains expressionless, sizing up Diantha, then shows a barely perceptible sneer.
Just an old woman, after all.
As for Damian's maid matter, Caitlin doesn't really care; every region, Damian plays this game a bit.
Kanto's Erika, Hoenn's Courtney, Unova's Elesa, Sinnoh's Cynthia.
Except for Cynthia, the other three mostly started out serving Damian and ended up in his bed—shameless.
But nothing came of it.
None of them were competitive; it was mostly Damian playing with them.
As for Diantha, Caitlin doesn't view her as anything special, just an old woman with some celebrity and Champion identities.
Damian doesn't usually play this kind of thing with her, so perhaps he's a little curious about her.
"You mean, I should help you find a professional maid?"
Diantha still tries to push back, though she kinda understands what Damian means; she doesn't want this.
She is Kalos Region's Champion, the most famous woman in Kalos, a world-renowned actress.
To be Damian's maid? And more importantly, does Damian want a maid? He's clearly after her body!
Diantha is very reluctant!
"Miss Diantha, you think I'd lack the funds for a maid? It seems you're not very sincere."
Damian gives Diantha a half-smile.
He's not acting!
Diantha is torn; her eyes flicker constantly—what should she do?
Agree to Damian? That would be feeding a sheep to a tiger; after all, if she goes today, tonight she'd be spread out on Damian's bed.
But if she declines?
What if Damian loses his temper?
If only Malva had come instead!
And just as Diantha wavers—
"Miss Diantha!!"
A young, surprised female voice rings out not far away.
With the sound of boots galloping, a tall, curvy woman runs over.
Damian turns toward the sound; he recognizes her.
Dressed in tight jeans that outline long legs, a black-and-red fitted long-sleeved coat, a slim waist on display.
It's Alexa, a well-known reporter from Lumiose Press.
"Miss Alexa."
Diantha is a bit surprised.
"From afar I saw you, Miss Diantha; I didn't expect to meet you here—how lucky."
Alexa's fair, pretty face carries a kind smile; for a reporter, encountering a Champion like Diantha is a lucky thing indeed.
"Quite a coincidence."
Diantha and Alexa have crossed paths several times; she holds a certain fondness for this beautiful reporter.
"Who are these people? This Miss here is the trainer who beat Serena yesterday, right?"
Alexa, evidently a socially anxious reporter, looks toward Damian and the others with a bold attitude, then shifts her gaze toward Dawn with a spark in her eyes.
"Yesterday someone posted your battle video on the forum; though that person probably intended to film Miss Diantha."
Alexa reveals the reason.
"To be able to beat Serena, you're really amazing, Miss Dawn."
Alexa obviously has a good sense of Serena's strength.
"By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet; my name is Alexa, and I'm a reporter."
Alexa beams a contagious smile and introduces herself to Damian and the three.
Seeing Alexa's approachable attitude, Diantha is momentarily at a loss for words.
But Alexa has always been like this, and she doesn't know the identities of Damian and the three either, which isn't surprising.
But still, we need to send Alexa away; after all, Damian and his crew aren't good people, and more contact with Alexa wouldn't be beneficial.
"I know Lumiose Press' star reporter, and she's Viola, the Santalune Gym Leader's sister."
Damian's lips curl slightly.
"Huh? This handsome guy knows me so well."
Alexa looks at Damian curiously.
"After all, someone as capable and beautiful as you is rare."
Damian glances at Diantha, smiling with intent.
Diantha's heart tightens.
"Haha—you're really good at talking; you're from out of town, right? Interested in doing one of my interviews?"
Alexa openly smiles, showing interest in Damian and the three.
Although Damian's trio aren't famous, their aura isn't ordinary.
Especially the blue-haired girl who beat Serena yesterday—Alexa is curious.
"Is this appropriate? We're just ordinary people; even if we accept Miss Alexa's interview, it won't bring much traffic to your publisher."
Damian pretends to hesitate.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I'll consider the interviews."
"But I still like Miss Alexa and Miss Viola; if Miss Diantha can approve, that would be best."
Damian smiles.
What does "Miss Diantha can approve" even mean?
As a famous reporter, Alexa's reading of people and ability to pick up on cues is excellent; she senses something off.
"Alexa, I have something to discuss with Mr. Damian; with outsiders present, it isn't convenient."
Diantha's expression changes slightly; her good acting helps, but the implication is clear.
"Very well; I have an appointment for interviews anyway; we'll meet again another time."
Alexa still has good instincts; she bids farewell to Diantha and Damian, then leaves quickly.
Not good! This is getting hairy!
Alexa feels the eyes on her back; she speeds up, thinking, Alexa, Alexa.
Why did she approach Miss Diantha—didn't she check the scene?
Alexa's inner monologue is full of worry; as the best at reading people, she senses trouble.
Although she's a modestly famous reporter and her little sister is White Sand City Gym Leader, this is clearly not a simple matter—and Diantha's stern, even telling her to go away, suggests something bad.
Alexa's silhouette vanishes; Diantha's stunning face grows dark.
"Tsk～Miss Alexa's figure is really nice; what do you think, Miss Diantha?"
Damian doesn't hold back his blunt assessment of Alexa's appearance.
"Mr. Damian, Alexa is just a reporter; she didn't mean to interrupt our talk."
Diantha's tone is serious.
"Miss Diantha, what are you saying? I didn't do anything to Miss Alexa; I was merely commenting on Miss Alexa's figure—loving beauty is a universal trait, isn't it?"
Damian shrugs innocently.
Are you sure? You were clearly eyeing Alexa, and also her little sister!
Diantha now understands Steven's words: Damian isn't exactly a big villain, but he's far from a good man.
He's a total lecher!
"But I do remember your earlier request; you're not overly enthusiastic; I'm a kind person, so I won't force Miss Diantha."
Damian beams at Diantha.
Damian lets himself off, but Diantha can't be happy about this.
"I'll switch to two people—have Miss Alexa and Miss Viola take care of my daily needs for a while; as long as Miss Diantha agrees, Team Rocket will mind their own business and grow here in Kalos."
"And after I leave Kalos, Miss Alexa and Miss Viola will be returned to you, and there will be no psychological trauma."
Damian speaks with a laid‑back air.
Even Diantha can't fully keep it together—this is exactly the Team Rocket vibe she imagined.
Reasonably, letting Alexa and Viola be used as hostages to secure Damian's guarantee would be a solid deal.
But Diantha can't bring herself to do it.
How can she ask Alexa to do this?
Yes, Damian said he would return them after leaving Kalos and that there would be no emotional trauma.
But Diantha doesn't trust that last part.
Damian is clearly after Alexa's body; otherwise, why name her so explicitly? After such an experience, who would not carry a mental shadow?
Diantha's expression flickers; as a woman herself, she doesn't want to push Alexa into a tiger's maw.
"Mr.Damian, forced harvest isn't sweet."
After a long moment, Diantha manages to come out with this.
"Not sweet, but it quenches thirst."
"And Miss Diantha, you aren't Miss Alexa or her sisters; how could you know they wouldn't mind?"
Damian smiles warmly at Diantha.
Is that even a question? Alexa and her sisters wouldn't mind.
Diantha is silent; her mind is a battlefield.
"Becoming my maid to take care of me isn't necessarily a bad thing; for them, this could be a turning point in life, what do you think?"
Damian asks.
"Anyway, that's my demand—please give me an answer soon."
"Either you come work as my maid, or you bring Alexa."
Damian studies Diantha's struggle with genuine interest, a mix of mockery and nastiness in his voice.
"Or you both could take care of me together; I don't mind either."
Seeing Diantha hesitate, it's clear this is a very entertaining situation.
Sacrificing herself or sacrificing those innocent sisters—this would be a huge dilemma for Diantha.
"Diantha, so tell me, how will you choose?"
A devilish whisper cuts in.
Diantha's mind is a jumble; she has one guiding principle.
Why take this on with Damian when Malva could handle it?
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