Serena didn't sleep much the night before. When she woke up in the morning, she had to put on her spare green lens and adjust her fake goatee, for she was still wearing them when she fell asleep. Serena didn't say a word to her fellow pages when they joined together for breakfast, nor did she look Brock in the eye when he came to bring her to Satoshi. When she entered the duke's dining hall, she averted her gaze from Satoshi, for she feared it would hurt to see the man she loved, knowing he was sending her to see Sonia again. Satoshi gave Serena a gold ring with a blue sapphire to give to Sonia with instructions on how to present it to the countess. Serena half-heartedly acknowledged Satoshi's instructions and bowed before leaving for the Magnolia estate.

When Serena knocked on the gate to the Magnolia property, Jessie was quick to open it and let her in. Jessie told her to wait by the gate, so Serena sat on one of the benches by the gate while Jessie went into the house to inform Sonia. The honey-blonde woman in disguise leaned her back against the wall and played with the sapphire ring in her pocket as she mentally prepared herself to meet with Sonia again and tried to think of ways to convince her to accept Satoshi's love.

After half an hour of waiting, a maid escorted Serena to the other side of the courtyard. Serena looked at the maid, confused, wondering where Jessie was before she complied. The maid led Serena down a path around the house, where an outdoor table and two chairs were set up near a fountain. Sonia said on one of the chairs, waiting for Serena in a bright pink dress. Serena grew uneasy as she noticed the tea set and tray of sweets on the table, making it clear that Sonia intended to keep Serena around for a while. When Serena and the maid stopped before Sonia, the countess stood up and took a bow, which Serena returned.

"Most elegant lady, you are looking well today," Serena greeted.

"And you look very distinguished even as you stand before me dressed as a page, good sir," Sonia said before turning to the maid. "Leave us to our hearing."

The maid curtsied and bowed her head before she went inside the house. Sonia turned to Serena and gestured to her with her hand to sit down. Serena mentally sighed before giving Sonia another bow and sitting on the chair opposite her. Sonia sat back down and poured herself a cup of tea before turning to Serena.

"How do you like your tea? Any cream or sugar?" Sonia asked.

In truth, Serena already had a cup of tea when she had breakfast with the other pages. Still, she resigned not to refuse Sonia's offer to not upset the countess in any way.

"Just one lump of sugar, thank you," Serena said.

Sonia smiled and said, "You have manners fitting for nobility, Timothy. Please, help yourself to some sweets too. You'll find the blueberry lemon cornbread tasty."

Against her better judgment, having still recently eaten breakfast, Serena took a slice of the blueberry lemon cornbread for no other reason apart from keeping Sonia happy than out of curiosity about the sweet. Sonia poured the tea and put a sugarcube in it before handing the cup to Serena. The women quietly took sips of their tea, with Sonia watching Serena looking away from her. The countess thought the page avoided eye contact either out of bashfulness or was uncomfortable after her last visit. Sonia waited until she was half done with her tea before she put it down and looked at Serena with a calm face.

"Listen, Timothy, I'd like to apologize for my behavior yesterday," Sonia said. "Looking back, I may have been a little too forward with you when expressing my feelings, and I imagine that it might have made you uncomfortable, especially when you're here to woo me on your master's behalf. I behaved in an inappropriate manner, and I am sorry for that."

Serena stared at Sonia, unsure if she heard her correctly. Of all the things the countess might say upon Serena meeting her again, she did not expect her to express remorse in confessing her feelings. Yet, it gave Serena hope that Sonia might have been serious when she told Serena that she might accept Satoshi's love after all. After a moment, Serena smiled politely and gave Sonia a nod.

"I appreciate that, my lady," Serena said. "I confess that I was so confused about how you didn't commit to pursuing me or letting go of your feelings for me. Although, it makes me curious. Do you still possess your affection toward me?"

Sonia smiled sweetly and said, "I do. In fact, I have a gift for you to express my feelings more properly. Please, accept it."

Serena winced as Sonia's words dashed her hopes. Sonia reached into her dress pocket and took out a golden locket on a chain. She laid the locket beside Serena's cup of tea and waited for her to take it. The woman in disguise hesitated before reluctantly taking the locket and opening it to reveal a portrait of Sonia.

"I ask that you always wear it," Sonia said. "Unlike me, it has no voice to upset you with. You can wear it under your shirt so no one else can see it. Only you can see me outside my house as I want it to be."

Serena sighed and said, "It is a thoughtful gift, my lady, but I can't accept it. What's more, I also have a gift my master sent me to give you to further express his love."

Sonia's smile disappeared upon Serena bringing up the duke. Serena reached into her pocket, took out the sapphire ring, and laid it on the table in front of Sonia. The countess picked up the ring and stared at it with a bitter frown before turning to Serena.

"You return the ring I gave you yet offer this one on your master's behalf. I'm disappointed in you, Timothy," Sonia said. Though I suppose it was Duke Satoshi's decision, so it can't be helped. You haven't told him about my love for you, I wager."

"Of course not. I could never bring myself to do such a thing," Serena said. "I especially have no reason to tell him when I hope you will officially accept or reject his feelings, so it doesn't matter."

"I could never love him the way I love you," Sonia said.

"You don't know that," Serena said. "If you would only accept that whatever praise I give you comes from him and not me, you would surely benefit from meeting the duke. In fact, maybe I should suggest that he gives you a locker through me containing a picture of him. That way, you can realize how Duke Satoshi Ketchum is more dashing than any man could ever be. Including me."

"That is enough. Please don't say any more about him," Sonia said. "I admire your devotion to your master, Timothy, but what I have for you is something I could never let go. You must understand that what I feel for you is the only thing that makes me happy. Before that, I had my father and my brother, who loved me deeply. When my father passed away, I was devastated, but my brother, Milo, was there to cheer me up. I thought he would always be there to help me pull through our loss until he himself died. I was sure I would never smile again until the day we met. You cannot imagine what it feels like to lose a sibling when they're the only family you have left."

"Be that as it may, my lady, I can say with utmost certainty that I am not for you," Serena said. "You fell for me after I said praises to you that came from the duke. Not me. It's his words that touched your heart. All your happiness should be directed to Satoshi, who wants to always be by your side. I wished you joy ever since I heard of your story, especially after losing a sibling myself, but I don't have it in my heart to give you what you seek."

Sonia's frown disappeared, and she looked at Serena, unsure if she heard her correctly. Serena looked at her, confused, until she realized what she said. Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hand as she watched Sonia grow curious.

"You lost a sibling too?" Sonia asked.

"N-n-no. No, I didn't. I messed up my words," Serena fibbed. "What I meant to say was I wished you joy after learning you lost a sibling."

"You're lying. I don't know why, but I can see in your eyes that you're lying," Sonia said. "Who is this sibling you lost?"

"No one. Forget I ever said anything," Serena said.

"Who did you lose?" Sonia asked.

"I'm telling you, I don't have a sibling," Serena insisted. "I am an only child and -"

"Timothy Durbin, you've insulted me already by giving me your master's ring after rejecting mine, and you're upsetting me more by lying," Sonia rebuked. "Tell me who your sibling is, or I will make sure your master knows that my heart goes to you, and you've been hiding that fact from him."

"What? You wouldn't dare go that far," Serena said.

"Try me, my darling," Sonia said.

Serena's heart sank as Sonia glared at her warningly. She shut her eyes and mentally kicked herself in the head for being so careless. Though Serena couldn't imagine how it would benefit Sonia to be true to her word, the fear of losing Satoshi by having the truth of Sonia's feelings revealed scared Serena.

"How am I going to answer her? I can't tell her I had a brother named Timothy when I'm Timothy," Serena thought. "Maybe I could tweak the story a little so I'm not entirely lying to her. Now that I think about it, I technically would be telling the countess the truth since I've renounced my identity as Serena Durbin by becoming Timothy Durbin. I just hope Lady Sonia will drop the matter for good after I tell my altered story."

Serena opened her eyes to see Sonia still glaring in impatience. It looked as though the countess might suddenly decide that Serena was taking too long and make good on her threat. The woman in disguise sighed and let the feeling of losing her brother fill her mind to strengthen her performance.

"I had a twin sister. Her name was Serena," Serena said. "We were born an hour apart and always stood together with our mother. We used to travel all the time as performers, even after our mother died some time ago."

Sonia's impatient glare melted into a look of sadness, immediately invested in Serena's story.

"Were you identical twins?" Sonia asked.

"Not exactly. We looked the same facially, but Serena had inherited our father's blue eyes and honey-blonde hair," Serena answered.

"And what happened to Serena?" Sonia asked.

"She was lost at sea," Serena answered. "We were sailing from our home in the Kalos region where we were born to Alola when our ship got hit by a storm. I fell off the edge, and the captain rescued me and led me to shore, but Serena wasn't so lucky. Shortly after that, I made my way to Viridian City and was hired to be Duke Satoshi's page, and I've been devoting my life to him ever since."

Sonia put her hand on her heart when Serena talked about the storm. Serena eased up as it was clear her performance fooled the countess, yet she felt a tear in her eye as the feeling of losing her brother replayed in her mind. The women sat in silence as Serena took the opportunity to sip her tea, trying to fight the tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Timothy, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine losing a sibling like that," Sonia said. "But why didn't you just tell me?"

"Er, well, you know. Losing someone so important in your life, like your only sibling, is something some people don't like to talk about," Serena said. "I mean, doesn't it hurt to talk about your brother sometimes when it still hurts that he's gone?"

Sonia took a moment to think about it and said, "I suppose it does. I haven't really talked about Milo since he died, though that's mainly because I wanted to focus more on grieving than talking about him."

Serena smiled in understanding. She remembered how emotionally closed off she was from the other survivors because of the pain of losing Timothy. The honey-blonde woman's smile grew as she thought of how nice it was to relate with someone, even if she wasn't entirely telling the truth. Her moment was interrupted, however, when she felt Sonia's hand on top of hers and she looked at the countess to see her giving her a loving smile.

"In any case, thank you for telling me, Timothy. I now understand why you wish for me to be happy," Sonia said. "Furthermore, I now know more than ever that I can never love Satoshi as much as I love you."

"What? My lady, surely you jest," Serena said. "I told you all my praise for you came from my master, not me."

"I know, but who came up with the words that filled my heart with joy doesn't matter anymore," Sonia said. "I've never met the duke in person, so I have no idea what spending time with him would be like. But you? You made me smile when I thought it was impossible to ever smile again. You knew I was a woman in mourning and aimed to cheer me up, even if it was to try to make me fall for someone I've never met. Even when you rejected me, you were considerate of my feelings. And now that I know that you've gone through the same thing I have, what else can I do but be more in love with someone who fills my every thought?"

"That doesn't mean you are meant for me. I knew we shared the same type of loss before you, and having these feelings for you never entered my mind," Serena said.

"But there must be a way I can help you understand that we are meant to be," Sonia said. "What could you possibly want from me to make you happy?"

"Nothing but to give your true love to my master, Satoshi Ketchum," Serena said.

"How can I possibly give him what I've given you? Far as I'm concerned, a devil with your face could lead me to hell," Sonia said.

"Then I will release you from any obligation to me so you can find the happiness you deserve without me being the center of it," Serena said. "In any event, since you haven't changed your mind about my master like you said you might, I shall take my leave and tell my master once and for all that you'll never love him."

Serena stood up and bowed to Sonia before she walked away. Sonia shot up from her seat, took the locket and the ring, and ran after Serena. The countess stopped before Serena took her hand, put the ring and locket in her hand, and closed it.

"If you truly believe telling Satoshi that is the right thing to do, you have my blessing, Timothy, my darling," Sonia said. "But whatever you do, I beg you to come again tomorrow. I'll want to hear more about your sister, Serena, and I would love to tell you all about Milo if that is your wish. Until then, farewell, my sweet. I shall count the moments till you come again."

Without another word, Sonia walked past Serena, making her way to the house. Serena opened her mouth to protest, but she could only stammer until the countess was inside. Serena stood still momentarily before she shut her eyes, put her hands on her head, and let out a frustrated scream. She ran her fingers through her wig with the hand not holding the ring and locket as she clenched her teeth.

"I'm such a fool!" Serena yelled. "How could I have been so careless? I had to put on another act, and now she loves me more than ever! Why don't I just take off my disguise and tell her I'm in love with the man trying to woo her?! 'Hey, Lady Sonia, sorry I tricked you this whole time, but if you're not gonna marry the duke, why don't you help me become his wife, and I'll look for the right guy for you? Help each other out woman to woman?'"

Serena let out another scream of frustration, taking advantage of the fact that no one was around. Then, with a growl, she began walking down the path to the front gate, pinching the bridge of her nose. As Serena walked toward the gate, she looked at the ring and locket in her hand, and her face softened. She stopped waking and looked back at the house, imagining Sonia looking at her with a blissful smile. Guilt filled Serena's heart as she realized she was building the countess up for heartbreak.

"If it's come to this, then maybe I should tell her the truth. Better yet, maybe I should confess to the duke who I am and what's been happening when I see the countess," Serena said. "He'll be furious and discharge me if I'm lucky, but maybe it's for the best. I thought I could keep my disguise without any repercussions, but it looks like I'm causing harm to Duke Satoshi and Lady Sonia through my deception without them knowing it. I must end it before it gets worse."

Sighing, Serena hung her head and put the ring and locket in her pocket. She turned to walk to the gate again, thinking of how to confess to Satoshi as she reached for the handle. Serena's mouth quivered as she realized whether by being terminated from her job, imprisoned, or banished, she was never going to see Satoshi again.

Serena opened the gate and walked a few steps before she stopped to find James standing a few feet away from her. James looked at Serena with a grim face that made her uneasy. He walked toward her, put his arm over her shoulder, and guided her away from the marketplace. Serena grew more uncomfortable as she silently walked beside Sonia's cousin, wondering if he had found out about her disguise.

"Bad business, my good man. Dreadful business indeed," James said.

"I beg your pardon, but what are you referring to?" Serena asked.

"I'm afraid you must prepare yourself with whatever fighting defenses you have, sir," James said. "I don't know what you've done to insult him, but Sir Faba of Melemele Island in the Alola region is full of defiance and bloodthirstiness towards you and awaits you.

"What? Surely you are mistaken, sir," Serena said. "I'm sure no man has any reason to quarrel with me. I can't remember ever offending anyone."

"You'll find the truth to be otherwise, I assure you. If you value your life, be on your guard, for your opponent has all the youth, strength, skill, and anger that God can give a man," James said. "His sword has never been used in battle, and he was knighted through his court connections rather than his battle skill, but he's a devil when fighting a private duel. He's run three men through in duels without breaking a sweat."

"But, I don't know anything about this man, nor have I ever heard of him till now. You must be mistaking me for someone else," Serena protested. "I've heard of some men who pick fights with people just to test their bravery. This man must have that kind of personality."

"Oh, I wish it were true for your sake, but there is no mistake here," James said. "Sir Faba was raving about how Duke Satoshi's attendant, Timothy Durbin, had insulted him greatly. His anger is so great that the only thing that will subside it is seeing you dead and buried. 'Kill or be killed, it doesn't matter' is his motto."

"But this doesn't make any sense when I've never met this knight of Alola, nor have I ever been to his region," Serena said. "Please, sir, speak to him if you truly fear for my life. Ask how I've offended him. It must be something I've done without knowing it. Perhaps I can make amends without shedding blood."

James looked away from Serena and sighed, pretending to be reluctant about her request.

"Very well. I shall do my best to make him see reason. All the same, you should draw your sword and prepare yourself swiftly, for your assailant is quick, skillful, and deadly," James said.

Serena nodded in gratitude and whispered a prayer while looking away from James. They walked until they were at the southeast corner of the Magnolia estate walls, where Faba waited. The Alolan knight stood with his back facing Serena and James, swinging his sword with a cocky grin. Serena's eyes widened in fear, thinking her opponent would easily cut her to pieces. Serena and James stopped walking when they were 30 yards away from Faba, and James held his finger to Serena to silently tell her to wait there. Serena nodded and watched James walk up to Faba, whispering another prayer. James cleared his throat to grab Faba's attention, and Faba turned to him and grinned upon seeing Serena at a distance.

"Ah, there is that mettlesome fiend. I hope my challenge has angered him well before my blade makes him realize he is doomed," Faba said.

"Indeed, it has, but perhaps a little too much, Sir Faba," James said. "Timothy has claimed to be the Devil himself in combat. He said he's slain dozens at one time with a single stroke and has faced 3 of the bravest nights in the Paldea region. He said he worked for the Maharaja himself once upon a time."

Faba's cocky grin vanished, and his face grew pale. He turned to Serena and quivered as though she were giving him a bloodthirsty glare. In reality, she was looking away and still praying for fear of death.

"Oh, God, save me. Had I known how deadly this fellow is, I would never have challenged him in a million years," Faba said.

"Don't be so quick to judge, dear Faba. You mustn't take Timothy Durbin at his word," James said. "Such accomplishments deserve him to be Duke Satoshi's personal knight, if not captain of the guard. If he ever gave his fellow man a scratch with a blade, what is he doing delivering messages from the duke to Sonia like a homing pigeon? It's an obvious bluff to try to intimidate you. You mustn't let him get the better of you before you can show your valor."

Faba stared at James and then looked at Serena, still shaking. He looked down and stopped shaking as he contemplated James's words. After half a minute, Faba snapped his fingers, and he looked at James with another cocky grin.

"Once again, you make an excellent point, my friend," Faba said. "It is clear now to me that this low life is not only a mettlesome brat but a liar. He must think that words alone can strip me of my courage so he can continue to hold on to sweet Sonia's heart. That's two reasons now to face him in combat and snuff out his lowly existence once and for all.

"That's the spirit," James said. "I will inform him that you have called off his bluff, and we will settle the score as you have declared."

James patted Faba's back and walked back to Serena. Serena turned to James upon hearing his footsteps with a look of hope, only for James to give her another grim expression that made her heart sink. James put his arm around Serena's shoulder and sighed dramatically, as though he was going to tell Serena that a relative passed away or she had a terminal illness.

"Frightfully sorry, sir, but Sir Faba refuses to back down," James said.

"He won't try to talk out what I might have done against him?" Serena asked.

"He's so hell-bent on fighting that he refuses to tell me what you have done wrong," James said. "I'm afraid we'll only find out what you've done if he runs you through and cools down. There's nothing left but to draw your sword and face him."

Serena's mouth quivered, and the blood drained from her face. She turned to Faba, who continued to grin with his sword drawn, making her fear that she was at death's door. After a moment, the woman in disguise put on a brave face and drew her sword, hoping her fencing lessons with Brock and her fellow pages would save her. She whispered a prayer a third time, asking the Lord to comfort Satoshi and Sonia if she didn't survive the duel.

James led Serena toward Faba until they were six feet away from him. Serena gulped and made her fencing pose as she raised her sword. It took Faba a moment to realize what Serena was doing, and he posed with his sword up. James took Serena and Faba's hands and moved them so their blades touched before he backed away and raised his hand.

"Gentlemen, may God have mercy on either of your souls," James said. "Now, fight!"

James threw his hands down quickly as he gave the command. But instead of attacking, Serena and Faba remained still as though they didn't hear James. James smirked as he looked at the fear of death in Serena and Faba's eyes, confident that his plan was working.

After half a minute of standing still, Serena's face fell in confusion as she noticed that her opponent's fencing pose was sloppy. His feet weren't far apart enough, his forward foot wasn't placed straight, he had his free hand to the side instead of above his head, and his chest faced Serena instead of away from her. Upon further inspection, Serena noticed Faba's sword hand shaking, and she looked at him to see that his mouth was twitching and his eyes were wide with fear. The blood drained from Faba's face as he watched Serena put the pieces together and look at him with a severe face. The Alolan night was too scared to fight and they both knew it.

Serena swung her sword at Faba with a severe glare, scaring him into a defensive position. Faba screamed and frantically blocked Serena's attacks, backing away as he parried. James's eyes widened as Serena relentlessly kept on the offensive, worried that she might kill Faba if he made one wrong move. But, the woman in disguise had no desire to end Faba's life, regardless of what hate she might have for him to want to fight her to the death for no apparent reason. She hoped her attacks would be so aggressive that she would either disarm the coward or force him to yield.

Suddenly, in desperation, Faba lunged his sword at Serena and barely missed her side. The sudden movement took Serena aback, allowing Faba to swing his sword with both hands and knock Serena's sword out of her hand. Faba looked at the sword on the ground and laughed boastfully before he raised his sword over his head to strike Serena down.

Fortunately, Faba took so long to realize he had the chance to kill Serena that he gave her the opening to put her hands on his shoulders and knee him in the groin. Three times, Serena hit Faba's privates before Faba dropped his sword and got down on his knees with his hands on his crotch. James squirmed as he watched Faba whimper in agony with a tear in his eye.

"Good Lord, I cannot believe Satoshi's servant would stoop so low," James thought. "Then again, he's showing more bravery and quick thinking than Faba. Maybe Timothy is a better suitor than Faba, after all. At the very least, he may be the only one who can give Sonia children after this."

Serena picked up her sword and pointed it at Faba. It took the Alolan knight to realize his opponent expected him to yield before he grabbed his sword and stood up. Faba tried to go on the offensive, but his movement was limited as he had his free hand on his crotch.

As Serena and Faba fought, Coovers walked down the street wearing his disguise. On his way to the Elegant Elephant Inn, he saw a group of officers nearby and turned from the main street to take a detour. But, as Coovers tried to find another route to the inn, more officers passed by, forcing him to take a different turn, turn around, or hide inside a shop until they passed. By the time Coovers was near the Magnolia estate, he had avoided a dozen groups of officers, making him worry whether he would safely reach the inn.

Coovers turned to the street where the Magnolia estate was and walked south, hoping he wouldn't bump into any more officers. Walking down the street, he heard swords clashing and looked ahead to see Serena and Faba fighting. Coovers's eyes widened in shock, instantly thinking Serena was Timothy. It didn't matter if she was dressed differently than Timothy was when Coovers last saw him. All he could think was his friend was in danger.

"Put away your sword!" Coovers shouted.

Faba and Serena stopped fighting, and they and James turned to see Coovers racing toward them. Coovers took off his hat and glasses as he ran, putting his friend's safety before his own. He took Serena's sword from her hand and stepped before her, aiming her sword at James and Faba.

"If this man has done anything to offend you, then let the blame fall on me," Coovers said. "If you have done anything to offend him, then allow me to fight instead."

"And who are you?" James asked.

"I am this man's friend," Coovers said, turning to Serena.

Serena looked at Coovers, puzzled, certain she had never met him before. Faba furrowed his brow, thinking Serena was going to use this opportunity to have someone else die on her behalf rather than him killing her to prevent her from wooing Sonia. He removed his hand from his privates and stood straight, trying to ignore the pain as he held his sword toward Coovers.

"Listen here, sir, this is a private duel. I will not allow you to interfere with my business," he said.

"When you mean to cause harm to Timothy Durbin, that makes it my business," Coovers said. "Either put away your sword and let's attempt to settle this matter like gentlemen, or face the consequences of attempting to harm my friend."

"How dare you defy me, you nosy knave," Faba said. "I am Sir Faba of Melemele Island in the Alola region. I am a man of great connections and wealth, and if I wish to end your friend's life for his transgressions, I will see it done."

"And I am a man who has killed many men either by sword or by cannon. Judging by your scrawny appearance, you must have been lying on your bum having someone hold your silver spoon while you sucked it while I sent dozens of men straight to hell," Coovers said. "I don't care if you are a knight or the ruler of this region. If you so much as give Timothy a scratch, I will take your hands with me to my home region to have them mounted on my wall."

Faba yelped and dropped his sword as he ran behind James. James looked at Coovers, appalled that he would unashamedly threaten someone above their rank. He picked up Faba's sword and pointed it at Coovers while Faba stood behind him, using him as a human shield.

"You've got some gall, you dog," James said.

"Even a dog wouldn't hesitate to come to his companion's aid regardless of who he is up against," Coovers said.

"If that's how you speak to your superiors, I shall fight in my friend's place, too. Prepare to learn your place, sir," James said.

"Whether I face you, your friend, or both, I will gladly teach that your ranks have no power in matters of life and death," Coovers said.

James clenched his teeth and lunged at Coovers. Coovers blocked the attack with Serena's sword before pressuring James to back away with multiple strikes. Serena clasped her hands as she watched the person fighting on her behalf stay on the offensive while Faba stood beside her, muttering, "Come on, James," with his fists up.

But as Coovers and James fought, five officers were patrolling nearby. They were on their way to meet with another group at the marketplace when they heard swords clashing. As though in one mind, the guards drew their swords and followed the sound.

When the officers reached the street where the duel was happening, Coovers and James were in a blade lock with James's back against the wall. James tried to push Coovers back, but the sailor was stronger than him. Serena felt a semblance of hope, and Faba grew afraid for his friend until they heard footsteps behind them. They turned around, and their eyes widened to see the officers rushing toward them.

"Gentlemen, the officers are coming!" Faba shouted.

Coovers and James turned to see the officers and backed away from each other. Coovers dropped Serena's sword, turned around to have his back on the officers, and lowered his head. His eyes widened, and he mentally kicked himself in the head for taking off his disguise. The officers stopped in front of James, Serena, and Faba, aiming their swords at them until they realized that one of them was Countess Sonia Magnolia's cousin. They lowered their blades, and the captain leading the group stepped up while two officers went to grab Coovers on opposite sides.

"Sir James, what is the trouble here?" the captain asked.

"This is a private duel between my fellow knight and this man," James said, pointing at Faba and Serena.

The captain turned to Serena and noticed the crest of Satoshi before studying her face.

"Wait a minute. I recognize you," he said. "You're the new page the duke sent to see Lady Sonia the other day. I remember escorting you."

"Yes, that is me. I was returning to my master from an audience with the countess when Sir Faba challenged me to the death without telling me what I had done that drove him to want a duel," Serena said before pointing to Coovers. "I was fighting Sir Faba when this man came in and challenged him in my place."

Coovers looked at Serena in disbelief, thinking Timothy had unwittingly drawn attention to him, forgetting that the officers were his enemies. He turned his head from the captain just as the captain turned to him, but the sudden movement made the captain suspicious. He walked to Coovers and turned his head to face him. Other officers gasped in surprise while the captain looked at Coovers with an amused grin.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here, men," the captain said. "Coovers Woodward has the gall to show his face in our region again."

"You have me confused with someone else, sir," Coovers said.

"Oh, no, I haven't, Unovian scum," the captain said. "I fought in that battle near Cinnabar Island years ago. I'd recognize you anywhere, even without your sailor uniform. Duke Satoshi will be most pleased to see we have the Unovian who refused to contribute and killed so many in battle. Take him away."

The guards standing beside Coovers grabbed him by both arms. Coovers sighed and hung his head, fearing for his life and what would become of his family. He turned to Serena, who watched him get arrested, surprised yet confused that the stranger who came to her aid was some sort of criminal.

"I don't know if you meant to oust me or not, Timothy, but I knew the risk of coming here, and I must answer for what I've done," Coovers said. "I only ask that you return my purse to me."

"Your purse?" Serena asked.

"Yes, my purse. Maybe I can make amends by giving the duke what he deems I owe to his region," Coovers said.

Serena looked at Coovers befuddled. The guards waited for her response, wondering if she was a friend of Satoshi's enemy. Finally, not wanting to fail to show her appreciation, Serena took out her purse and counted her coins before taking half out and walking to Coovers.

"Here, sir. It's not much, but I hope it'll help with what debt you owe my master," Serena said as she put the coins in Coovers's hand.

Coovers held up his hand to find Serena had only given him five bronze coins. He stared at the coins for a moment before noticing that the purse Serena held was blue and had Satoshi's crest. The woman in disguise grew uncomfortable as Coovers shook his head and looked at her in disbelief.

"What's this? Where is my purse?" Coovers asked. "Did you spend all I earned from working at the docks and then trade my purse for another? Have you tracked how much of my money you've spent?"

"Sir, I don't know why you think I have your purse. I've never met you before," Serena said. "Nevertheless, this is my purse, and I have given you half my money. If I could give you what you need as thanks for what you've done, I would, but this is all I can spare as someone who only recently became employed."

Coovers's face fell as Serena's denying to have known him felt like a sword pierced his heart. In his mind, it appeared that Timothy had squandered Coovers's money and was pretending not to know him in front of the officers. Coovers's heart broke as he stared at Serena with a look of betrayal. After a moment, his devastation turned into rage. He lunged to attack Serena, only for the guards to push him back.

"Liar! Leech! Backstabber!" Coovers barked. "I snatched you from the jaws of death and gave you a roof over your head while you mourned! I risked coming here while you're in need, and this is how you repay me?! Curse you, Timothy Durbin! Curse you and what's left of your house!"

"That's enough out of you," the captain said. "Take him to the duke."

"Yes, sir," the other guards said simultaneously.

The two guards holding Coovers began dragging him toward Satoshi's estate. The captain and the other two officers followed to watch their prisoner. Coovers continued to scream insults at Serena even after she was no longer in his line of sight. Serena stood motionless, more confused than before, before she looked down in thought.

"First I'm challenged to a duel by someone I don't know, then I'm accused of having a purse that belongs to some enemy of Duke Satoshi who I never met," Serena thought. "I would think they all confused me with someone else if they didn't say my name. But, how could I have caused so much trouble without ever meeting these men? Surely there's no way they can confuse me with any other Timothy Dur -"

Serena's eyes widened, and she let out a sharp gasp. She put her hand on her fake goatee and then moved it to her wig as she put the pieces together. Her pupils shrank, and she covered her mouth with both hands as her heart leaped with hope.

"No, it can't be. It's too good to be true. It was by chance that I survived the shipwreck. How could he have survived, too?" Serena thought. "Yet, even if there's more than one Timothy Durbin in the Kanto region, no one could imitate my brother's appearance but me. If my disguise tricked Mr. Woodward into thinking I'm the Timothy he knows, then that must mean my brother is alive. He might be here in Viridian City right now."

Tears emerged from Serena's eyes as the possibility lifted her spirit. She looked around the area, imagining Timothy walking down the streets at that moment with no idea she was there. The edges of Serena's mouth curled up before her face fell in realization.

"If Timothy is here, then someone might confuse him for me in disguise," she thought. "What would happen if he comes across Lady Sonia or any of her staff? Worse yet, what if he bumps into Duke Satoshi? The man I love might learn the truth about me before I get a chance to tell him myself. I got to get to Mr. Woodward. If the officers could give me a chance to talk to him privately, maybe I can explain what is happening, and we can find my brother before anyone else discovers the truth."

With fear covering her face, Serena raced in the direction the guards were taking Coovers, hoping she wasn't too late. Unbeknownst to her, James and Faba watched her leave with looks of disgust and anger. Faba shook his head in disbelief as he watched Serena turn to the street the officers went before turning to James.

"Can you believe this? It's revolting," Faba said. "Not only would he lie to try to scare me out of a fight, but he abandoned his friend without remorse."

"Indeed, I've never met a man so dishonorable and cowardly. To think this is the man Sonia gushes over," James said. "If you didn't have a justifiable reason to challenge him to a private duel before, you certainly do now."

"Quite right you are, Sir James. The facts are clear. Timothy Durbin is a man who woos women of the court, disregarding his lowly rank, tries to scare off his opponents with lies about so-claimed accomplishments with a sword, and wouldn't hesitate to deny knowing his friends in their time of need. Dealing with him is no longer a matter of simply getting rid of the competition for Sonia's hand in marriage. It has now become our duty as gentlemen to put the rat in his place, servant of the Duke be disregarded."

"Masterfully said, my friend," James said before looking away with a look of concern. 'Although, I don't think a private duel is an option anymore lest we risk catching the attention of Duke Satoshi's officers again."

"Then, my fists will deal with him in my sword's place," Faba said. "If I ever see Timothy again, I'll beat him until his face is no longer recognizable. Sonia will be disgusted by his appearance and will never want to see him again."

"A solid plan if I've ever heard one," James said. "Until then, what say you to a trip to the marketplace? Let us buy fruit from the stands to snack on after an intense duel."

"Yes, I think a juicy Oran Berry or two would be just what I need. Lead on, my good fellow," Faba said.

James nodded and put his arm around Faba's shoulder. As he led the deluded knight to the marketplace, James tried to think of how to assist Faba in facing Serena again, knowing he could not make good on his threats. To ensure Faba would finally begin to court Sonia, James would have to find a way to put Satoshi's page in her place, with Faba earning the credit. Yet, even if they succeeded, James worried that no wrongdoing, however despicable, would convince his cousin to let go of her feelings.