Hi guys!

Well, it has been a little over a week and the story already has eleven followers! In my opinion, that's huge news! Thank you everyone that's followed so far!

As I did in the last chapter posted, I'd like to respond to reviews:

dreamingawake94: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying it.

I'd also like to give shoutouts to the Tumblr blogs cute-commoner, ask-the-ouranhosts, ask-the-lady-manager and ouran-imagine for posting links to this fanfic. On top of this, I received very positive reviews from ask-theouranhosts, cute-commoner and ouran-imagine that I'm incredibly grateful for. These reviews have been a great source of encouragement.

To all of my anonymous readers: I see you guys in the view and visitors counts. It makes me happy and I hope you keep coming back!

Seeing interest like this really keeps me going. I've gotten through writing another three chapters that follow this chapter and I definitely credit all of the support and interest I'm getting for that productivity. I promise I'll try to keep from fawning over my readers too much in the future, but I do want you guys to know that your support does not go unnoticed!

Now, in my opinion, this is a fairly short chapter. But, to keep consistent with my per-kingdom chapter splits, it's necessary. Due to the shorter length of this chapter, I will be posting another within the next two or three days.

So, without further ado, let's get onto the next chapter-in which Haruhi is summoned by a mysterious dark duke.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Ouran High School Host Club series. This is a work of fanfiction and has been written for fun, not monetary gain.


Haruhi waited a week before visiting the courtyard she had been arrested in again. Even though she went as Princess Haruhi rather than the commoner Haruki Fujimoto, she was still worried that someone might connect the two.

But, a surprise awaited her after she meandered about the courtyard's garden. She passed by the wall she used to escape to the city and stopped.

The hole she usually crept through had been filled in. The mortar had hardly dried between the stones.

For a moment, she stood there, stunned.

"Highness, are you alright?" A gardener passing by asked.

"Oh, yes. This stone looks new. Was there a hole there?" she asked, pointing to the wall.

"There was. Some commoner snuck into the palace last week. One of the guards finally found where he came in and had it filled in," the gardener replied.

"Right, of course. Thank you," Haruhi said. The gardener offered a slight bow then ambled across the courtyard to trim back a hedge shaped like a swan.

Haruhi sank down on a nearby stone bench. She couldn't believe it. Her one escape route from the castle was gone. It had taken months to find that hole. What could she do now?

After a few minutes, she felt eyes on her. She raised her head and saw a dark figure retreating from one of the windows.

"I wonder who that was…"

Haruhi thought about her situation for a while longer. There had to be another way out of the castle. She would just have to be patient and observant and careful. In the meantime, she could always spend time with Mei. The other girl's company was always a relief from her royal life. And there was always the library…

"Highness! Your Highness!" a high voice chirped. Haruhi glanced up to see Kirimi, her junior lady-in-waiting, rushing across the courtyard.

"What is it, Kirimi?"

"My big brother wants to see you. He said he'd like you to come to the library as soon as possible," Kirimi said.

"The library? That's a strange coincidence," Haruhi thought.

"Thank you Kirimi," she said, rising from the bench. "I'll go see him now."

Haruhi left the courtyard and headed for the peaceful quiet of the library. She found Duke of Tokare province lounging at a table well within the shadows. The dark, hooded cape he typically wore in the sun was draped back over his shoulders, revealing his angular features and pale blonde hair.

"Highness," he said with a nod.

"Nekozawa," Haruhi replied as she sat across from him.

"I was terribly sorry to hear of Haruki Fujimoto's arrest. I trust he's doing well?" Nekozawa inquired.

Haruhi stiffened. "What do you know about that arrest?"

"Please, no need to be defensive, Your Highness!" He leaned across the table and said in a conspiratorial whisper, "Who do you think told Mei of your arrest?"

"What? You did?"

"Of course. I may have sworn fealty to the king, but my loyalty lies with you. After all, you fulfilled one of my little sister's dreams by taking her on as your lady in waiting."

"It was nothing," Haruhi protested.

"Perhaps to you. But Kirimi's happiness means everything to me."

Haruhi's next questions came quickly. "How did you know I had been arrested? Do you know who alerted the guards?"

"I watched it myself from the courtyard window. And unfortunately, I do not. I've endeavored to find out, but that's been of no avail."

Haruhi sighed. "Well, not that it matters now."

"Your Highness, if there is anything I can do for you, I would be glad to."

"I'm afraid there's nothing you can do, Nekozawa. I couldn't expect you to find another way out of the castle."

"Actually, I believe I could."

Haruhi blinked and straightened. "Really? How?"

"I could speak to the castle cats. If anyone could find a way out of the castle, they could," Nekozawa answered.

Haruhi tried not to grimace. She had forgotten about Nekozawa's obsession with dark magic. Of course she couldn't actually expect him to find another way out.

"Well, if you don't think it would be too difficult, I would be grateful," Haruhi said diplomatically. There was no reason to offend him. Who knew? Maybe there really was something to his magic and he would find another way out.

"As you wish, Highness. I will send Kirimi to you when I have news," Nekozawa declared, pulling the hood of his cape over his head.

With a whirl of the black cloak, he disappeared.


Be on the lookout within the next couple of days for the next chapter! The troupe from Alsance will be getting on the road...joined by a rather enthusiastic, but uninvited, guest.