That afternoon, Lucien, carrying food, herbs, and healing supplies meant to attract and treat wild Pokémon, rode out on a Bouffalant that was hauling a cart of clay.
Two knights rode alongside, keeping watch to protect the Bouffalant from any possible attacks.
Fortunately, the forest seemed peaceful. No aggressive Pokémon appeared along the way, only a few timid Grass-types like Sewaddle, Petilil, and Foongus, peeking out from behind rocks and roots, their eyes wide with caution.
Lucien noticed their presence and couldn't help but smile in surprise.
"I didn't expect to find Petilil in this area," he murmured.
From what he remembered, Petilil had very specific habitat requirements, they thrived only near clean water and in rich, moist soil. If their environment deteriorated, they would migrate in groups to find a better home.
More importantly, the leaves on their heads were valuable medicinal ingredients. Though bitter and slightly intoxicating when chewed, they possessed restorative properties.
In certain regions, those same leaves were used to brew a pungent herbal soup. Its strong aroma repelled Bug-type Pokémon, making it a natural insect deterrent.
Lucien imagined how useful Petilil could be for their loggers in the woods, if they raised a few, the workers wouldn't have to worry about Bug Pokémon like Venipede or Joltik attacking again.
That thought alone was enough to make him stop.
He raised a hand, signaling the knights and the buffalo to halt.
"Your Highness?" one of the knights asked, puzzled.
Lucien dismounted lightly from the wagon and approached the three Petilil.
However, the moment he got too close, the trio panicked. With frightened cries, they turned and tried to flee into the brush.
"Snivy, Vine Whip!" Lucien commanded calmly.
"Snivy," the Grass Snake Pokémon responded softly.
In an instant, thin green vines shot from Snivy's collar, weaving through the air with snake-like precision. They coiled gently around the three Petilil, binding them together before they could escape.
With controlled strength, Snivy drew the trembling Pokémon back toward Lucien.
"Lilil!"
"Liliii…"
The three Petilil struggled anxiously, and Snivy glanced at Lucien for direction.
Lucien raised a hand in reassurance. "Easy there. Don't be afraid, little ones. We're not here to hurt you."
He knelt down and opened his satchel, taking out a few berries. Their sweet scent wafted through the air.
The Petilil froze, their trembling gradually easing as curiosity replaced fear.
"See?" Lucien smiled gently. "I'll let you go now, but please stay for a moment. There's something I'd like to tell you."
"Lili…?"
They exchanged glances, then nodded slightly, their leaves rustling softly.
Lucien nodded to Snivy.
Obediently, Snivy retracted the vines, and the three Petilil floated gently down onto the grass. To Lucien's satisfaction, they didn't bolt this time. Instead, they looked up at him with cautious interest.
Lucien cleared his throat lightly before speaking again, his tone calm and sincere.
"Listen," he said. "I've built a settlement just beyond this forest. There's clean water, fertile soil, and it's safe from predators. I'd like to invite you to live there, with us."
The Petilil tilted their heads, blinking in confusion.
"In return," Lucien continued, "we'd harvest a few of the leaves from your heads now and then. I promise it won't harm you, they'll grow back quickly, won't they?"
He smiled gently. "We'll take care of you, and you'll help us heal others. It's a fair trade."
The three Petilil exchanged uncertain looks. To them, Lucien's calm, patient voice was unlike any human they had encountered before.
He thought for a moment, then added softly, "How about this? Let me take you there first. If you like it, you can stay with us."
Lucien planned to entrust the three Petilil to the territory's healer, Lila, for care.
He remembered that Lila had recently fenced off a herb garden beside her cabin, where she grew a wide variety of medicinal flowers and herbs.
It would be a perfect new home for the Petilil, quiet, fertile, and well-tended.
"Lili…"
The trio were still hesitant, their leaves quivering faintly.
But when they glanced up at Snivy, poised and serene, they seemed to draw courage from its calm demeanor. Finally, one of them chirped softly, and the others followed.
"Lili!"
Lucien smiled. "Very good."
It wasn't far to the settlement, so he guided the three Petilil back. Soon, they arrived at Lila's riverside cabin. She was kneeling in her garden, gently watering a patch of herbs when she heard the hoofbeats and turned.
"Your Highness Lucien?" Lila blinked in surprise and quickly stood, bowing respectfully. "How rare to see you here today!"
Lucien waved it off with an easy smile. "No need for formality. I came to ask for your help."
He glanced toward the cart behind him. "Come out."
At his call, Snivy stepped aside, and three shy green figures peeked out from behind him, the Petilil.
Lila gasped, her eyes widening.
"Your Highness… where did you find them?!"
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "You recognize them?"
"Of course!" she exclaimed, stepping closer in awe. "Their leaves are a rare medicinal herb, even in the royal city, they're precious. A tea made from them can cure headaches, restore clarity, and even replenish energy. With these little ones here, we'd never have to worry about fevers or exhaustion again!"
Lucien chuckled at her excitement. "That's exactly why I brought them. But whether they stay or not is their choice."
He turned to the three Petilil, his tone gentle. "This is the place I told you about. What do you think?"
"Lili…"
The Petilil turned their gaze around the small garden, the fragrant air thick with herbs, the soft hum of bees, and the gentle murmur of the river nearby. The place was brimming with life and healing energy.
A faint sparkle of interest flickered in their eyes.
Lucien smiled knowingly. "It seems you like it."
Petilil were timid by nature, but also kind and easy to bond with. Once they sensed warmth, their trust came easily.
"In that case," Lucien said, his tone warm, "you can rest assured. Stay here. You'll be safe, and we'll make sure no wild beasts harm you."
"Liili."
Pokémon were remarkably intelligent creatures. Realizing that these humans meant them no harm, the three Petilil gradually relaxed, their leaves trembling less as their nervousness faded.
"I'll leave them in your care, Lila," Lucien said softly. "Take good care of them."
"Understood, Your Highness!" Lila replied at once, her face bright with determination.
Although she had never raised Pokémon before, she had watched others do it plenty of times, and besides, she'd learned enough from tending herbs and animals to manage.
After Lucien left, Lila turned back toward the three little Pokémon standing curiously among her herbs.
"Ahem," she said with mock seriousness, hands on her hips. "From today onward, you'll be living here with me! I promise I'll take good care of you."
"Lili!"
The three Petilil twirled their leaves in delight, their soft chirps full of warmth.
Lila couldn't help but smile.
'So adorable,' she thought, her heart melting.
'Maybe magical beasts aren't as frightening as I once believed.'
...
Bonus @600 PS