Questions and Answers.

By: KidHeart4

Heart:

A week had passed since our second bout against Aten. Duke had stolen me back along with my memories back and our connection had resealed itself in most aspects. Yet a lingering concern weighed on my shoulders as I looked back on things now uncovered. I almost wished those secrets had remained as such so I wouldn't have to question it. Sitting on the sofa beside Duke in our room I looked over the royal circlet I would have worn. Distain filled my eyes that Duke noticed as he set his book down.

"That crown doesn't dictate where ya have ta stand sweetheart. Ya know that," he told me as he slipped it from my hands, "but at the same time you should be proud."

He then rested it gently on my head as he smiled encouragingly.

"Duke...this crown has no meaning to me. I feel sad in a way knowing of my parents, as I did with Mother...but I don't feel bonded to those memories. You and the others, that's what I am connected to."
"Heart, did ya ever think that jus' maybe that magic ya have didn't have much ta connect to before ya met us? Your memories have been tampered with before an' they came back on their own."

"I know your parents loved ya, an' wanted ya ta find someone that accepted ya," he smiled warmly as he said this, "as did Mother...but I get the sense no one really knew ya beyond t that."

He then rested a hand on my shoulder, "But we do. Since we first became a team we have seen ya fight an' stand beside us...even for us back then."

I looked up at him bewildered by his words towards the end.

"There have been times before your past was uncovered where ya stood up for us, an' have since done the same without question an' without that crown. Since gainin' that magic you've used it ta stay with us."

Duke could see me trying to accept these words, but something was still tugging at me.

"Maybe I'm too close ta help right now?" He pondered aloud, "An' so are our teammates. Perhaps another perspective could help ya?"

I tilted my head curiously at this.

"Well, as much as I am fascinated by magic an' things like that, I am not an expert," Duke admitted, "but we do know someone that is. Maybe spendin' time with Lucille could help ya?"

"That's right...you told her what I was..." I said with a sigh. "Well she would have asked why I was usin' a tiara ta find ya otherwise."

Duke:

At that Heart shyed away a bit. I was admittedly surprised by this reaction. Then looking her over in her usual jersey and black cargos I wondered a bit if something else were eating at her. Something that usually didn't.

"Heart, I do think ya should reach out ta her, it might help?" Heart gave a bewildered look before sighing and starting to focus her magic in connecting with their vampiric feline friend.

Elsewhere:

Lucille, off in the the master bath, slowly lowered herself into a tub. A thick layer of bubbles sat atop the warm water, as she let out a content sigh. Illuminated by soft candle light, the plump feline laid back, enjoying a relaxing soak... until she feel a tinge in her mind. Raising a brow, she placed a finger to her temples. "Awh... hello deary? Something the matter? Ya know ya always welcome to mah humble abode."

Duke:

Upon approval Heart gave me a nod. I then got up and offered her a ride that she accepted. Taking a duckcycle we headed out. As we drove off I felt the familiar grasp of Heart's hands upon my shoulders. Hearing her sigh with some comfort made a smile creep over him, ensuring their connection at the very least. As the mists greeted us Heart slipped her arms around my lean waist to hold onto me. As we came to a stop Heart took a deep breath and got up from the bike.

"I think you should visit a bit without me love," I mentioned.

"Don't you want to visit with Stryx?" Heart asked.

"I will when I come back," he said as stood up from the bike to kiss her cheek.

Then Heart walked up to the doors, but not before I slipped something into her shoulder bag she was carrying with her art supplies in it. I waited until Heart was allowed in before driving off.

Heart:

The doors creaked open, and peaking his head from the opening was the messy haired rodent. Looking up with a smile of crooked teeth, he wheezed out. "Why... hello again! What brings you here to the mistress's estate?"

I froze a moment, remembering her first and only encounter with this one. With another deep breath I answered, "Lucille invited me."

Duke watched from his bike carefully.

"Oh, of course. Of course." He nodded, letting ne in, hobbling in with his twisted tail dragging behind him.

Once I was inside Duke drove off, finding the city again. Inside I waited quietly, nervously with my hand gripping the strap of my bag. I gave a nod to Anton for allowing me inside.

Hunched over, he lead me in, occasionally peaking back at me to check that I was still following. Soon enough, they came to a pair of greatly decorated doors, and tilted his head towards it. "Go ahead... I am not allowed to disturb her while she's in there. You are her guest though..."

With that, he limped away, snickering to himself.

I went ahead and stepped inside the room. With the door closed behind me I looked around the elaborate room. Something about it echoed my childhood memories long tossed aside. In a way they stung at me, but quickly the feeling went away.

"Lu-Lucille?" I attempted.

The door squeaked open, revealing a large bedchamber within. A great canopy bed stood as the centerpiece, red satin sheets draped across it. Across from it stood a great mirror. Sitting on the bed, in a more relaxed black evening dress, she gestured towards me, "Why, hello deary. Ya wanted to have a little chat with me?"

I nodded my head, though I felt daunted by all of this around me. I also felt incredibly under dressed when looking at my feline friend.

"Duke thought it might help. He says they're too close to the situation to offer advice," I tried to explain looking at my jersey with worry in my eyes, "Duke also mentioned he told you what I am...about what I was in the past I mean...and then my magic is still something I am getting a handle on..."

Then I thought of my thief...not questioning how I felt for him, but wondered for the first time since being with him just what he saw in me in the first place. Looking at how Lucille dressed, Mallory at times, etc. My head was spinning with confusion that was a bit different this time around.

Patting the bed next to her, she tilted her head back, "Come shugah, take a sit. Lay it all on me. Hopefully Ah'll be able to help."
Giving a soft smile, the woman who originally tried to eat my family and I not too long ago again carried a surprisingly sweet tone in her voice. Her fluffy tail swished behind her rump, as she awaited me.

I took a seat beside my recently made friend, setting my shoes on the floor to pull my knees up to my chest.

"Everything we uncover causes more problems. I have magic, our enemies want to harness it. I am part dragon, they try to tame me. Now I am royalty and suddenly foes want to rip Duke and I apart to claim we aren't meant for one another. And...being a princess means nothing, but Duke keeps saying be proud of it. What's to be proud of? I ran away when my kingdom crumbled to the ground, and i have no desire to return."

I then felt something poking at my side from my bag, looking in I about threw the item across the room. In my hand was the tiara Duke had retrieved from my lost home.

"Before all of this...I knew where I stood and why. Now I have to be split between two worlds when I jyst want to be in one...theirs!"

"Besides...what kind of princess wears street clothes?" I shrugged while scoffing at myself a little.

"That is quite alot to deal with..." Lucille said sympathetically, looking over me.

Placing a hand on her chin, she took a moment to ponder, "While ya choice in fashion is... pedestrian, that isn't what matters, is it? It's all in how ya carry yaself dear. Ah am not royalty, but, one should take pride in the station of one's birth. But even that doesn't define ya... it's what ya do with it."

"I just don't see it like he does. How he looks at me hasn't changed...but at the same time...he keeps saying it's something to be proud of." "It doesn't help that I am not attached to the memories from that time...my parents were lost to me then and more so when I hit my head...but even that... " I trailed off, "I have always been proud to wear this jersey, these colors. When someone threatens the team I don't question a thing." She winced as she then remembered that Lucille had seen that first...paw?

Raising her hand, she placed it on my shoulder. Giving a weak smile, she nodded. "Ya know... Ah lost mah first family too... but, family's what ya make of it. Now Ah have Stryx, Mina, Anton, and all of mah loyal followers... they mah family now. Do Ah miss mah parents and brother? Of course... and Ah especially miss Victor... but, Ah have a new family now, and they need me, as your new family needs ya."

I gave a light smile to this. Then I looked at the tiara hanging from my hand now with lingering frustration, "Why does he think this is a good thing? Will how he looks at me change eventually because of this?"

I then thought back to things when they started on Earth, "Lucille, how do you know how to balance things? You're confident, you don't doubt how you carry yourself?"

Duke:

Elsewhere a presence was making their way through the fog uninvited and undetected. With this came harsh weather as I drove towards the city and went to pull to the side. In the road someone stood, causing me to nearly wreck. As my bike went to collide with a tree I leapt off of it and summersaulted out of harm's way. Looking up I was surpised by the figure standing before me as they stepped forward and leaned over my crouched form.

Heart:

Still in Lucille's chambers I looked over the crown before setting it between my friend and I on the bed. "What does he see?"

"Well, it's simple darhling.. Ah'm magnificent. But, ya are too, just... ya haven't been taught how to project your royal aura. Ah can help ya, deary! Teach ya how to project your inner strength." She replied, as she pulled out a brush from her bedside.

I looked at her curiously.

"You can?" I asked, "What do I do? How do I stay as who I am and learn this?"

"Oh, it's simple really... Ah'll train ya, deary. Ah'll teach ya mah way of self empowerment. Bring out that inner strength, and show it to the world." As she spoke, she brought the brush to my hair, gently running it through, "Of course, that is, if ya will let me."

I didn't pull away. In the deepest parts of her mind I recalled this kind of scene playing out when I was very, very young. I pulled the ribbon Duke had given me loose, allowing my burgundy hair to cascade down my back. This in a way was my answer.

I found myself in the parlor, under the watchful eyes of the matron of the house. Circling around the me, Lucille held a crop in one hand, analyzing me as her guest. Stryx and Mina stood to the side, at the ready for the beck and call of their master. Given one of Lucille's dresses from when she was slimmer, it was still fit loosely on my frame, given our great height difference. Drawing in close, Lucille took the crop, and pushed my chin up. "How you move and hold yaself not only shows your confidence to others, but also builds up your own. No slouching, chin up, back straight, shoulders even..."

I made a note to myself to "thank" Duke for this. I sat up straight and listened. I had been force changed into the dress I now wore, dragged behind the screen and all. Now I raised a brow at this remark, "How I move?"

I thought of how my teammates each stood with purpose, and moved with skill. These things were natural though to me in the battlefield. "I don't understand?"

Lowering her own shoulders, the feline shook her head. "It is one thing to move around like ya ready for battle, as Ah've seen ya are familiar with that. It's another thing to walk with confidence and poise. From what I've seen, ya move like ya are scramblin to survive combat, but not as an honored and decorated war hero. Go ahead, and just walk around the room abit, and Ah'll guide ya."

I stood up and took a few cautious steps, placing my feet as I overly focused. "It's odd..." how many times had I followed Duke or Wildwing without question? I walked as though I were following one of my teammates now, echoing steps I had taken countless times before. Though my head remained looking ahead for some sort of trouble.

Observing me as I walked about, Lucille followed closely after, narrowing her eyes. "Ya abit too guarded hun. It looks like you're waiting for somebody to attack. Ya need to be a tad more relaxed... though, not too relaxed. Your stride feels like a in a rush. It feels like ya ready to go to war in the front lines." Stryx and Mina stayed to the side, though the moth looked over the owl, who shrugged back at her.

"Relaxed?" I thought of our battles, the readieness I had when it came to a mission, "How? We fight crime and have to be ready to defend this world?"

Then I pondered over my teammates and how they carried themselves. I took a breath and slowed my steps as though I were following Duke along in the hallway, or about to meditate with Grin. "I am not really sure?"

"Deary, just because you're relaxed doesn't mean ya not ready. Why, look at mahself." She replied, as she placed a hand over her chest. "Ah have had to deal with.. interlopers in mah home here, but, Ah am always prepared for them, and, if Ah may brag, Ah remain unflappable when dealing with them as well. Ya need to find a balance between being ready and being at ease with yaself... does that make sense hun?"

"I guess so...when I am with Duke or Dive or any of my teammates this usually happens...but I guess I am usually looking ahead to defend them as well...like I did..before..." I trailed off a bit remembering a very early conflict when we had arrived on Earth and tried to shake it off. I relaxed my shoulders before asking, "What about our conflict from before this friendship? We both seemed to reach our limits that night?"

"Pish posh... it's all water under the bridge now. No need to worry about that... now..." Snapping her fingers, Stryx rose up and came to Lucille's side, with a rather thick book in hand. "Now... hold still.." With that, she placed it upon Heart's head, balancing it. "Now... walk without it falling."

I gave a bewildered look before trying to balance. Then I walked as though trying to stealth through something.

"How does this train me for anything?" I asked before catching the falling book without a hitch, my hand flowing out from instinct and holding it firmly.

"Good catch. Now, what it helps with is balance, finding your center of gravity. Ah understand that ya and Duke are thieves, so, this shouldn't be a problem for ya." Taking the book in hand, she placed it back atop my head. "Ya must be in full control of yaself before ya can be in control of the situation."

I tried to do as I was told, but kept having to catch the book and did each time.

"Thing is...I am used to it being a group of us...that and I am not a leader like you are..." I trailed off while trying to balance still.

I tried to imagine myself following Duke as I would to steal something from a foe, this helped for a bit. But I soon dropped the book and caught it once more. "I am used to adapting, following Duke or Wildwing, or any of the others when needed."

"Yes hun, but ya royalty! Ya need to carry yaself with the pride that comes with such a lineage." Lucille retorted, taking the book back. "Ya need to be firm, to be able to stand tall, as well as adaptable." Pondering for a moment, she tapped her chin. "Tell me, when has it been last when ya had to take charge, and have others that relied on ya?"

A bit taken back by this question, I thought over our adventures.

"Well usually I am with Duke or someone that tends to take charge and we rely on each other through..." then I remembered something, a small handful of instances where I had to act alone and defend my teammates unaware or otherwise, "Well, there is one foe that pulled me towards the frontlines I guess. LuCretia DeCoy, she was a traitor from Puck World. When we first came to Earth she came to our headquarters acting as a...friend..."

My hands ballef into fists at the memory as I explained further, "Tanya knew of her, but had been unknowingly captured at the time, but the whole time I felt something was off. A few of the others felt unsure of her, but Dive...and Duke didn't believe me. They refused in a way..."

"Is that so..." Lucille replied, taking this in. "That must've been awful for ya hun... but, ya can draw on that. Draw on the strength ya had to push yaself through, but let it manifest. Show that ya won't be dragged down. Ah've been through my hardships, and Ah haven't been dragged down mahself, and Ah let the world know that with how Ah present mahself."

I looked back on that day, "It was just before Duke and I were together, and LuCretia knew I was on to her, but I couldn't act outright. Otherwise I would have simply appeared as jealous. So I just stayed close, I remember thinking that it didn't even matter whether Duke loved me or not, I still wanted to fight for him, Dive, and the others."

I recoiled slightly as I remembered that day. Duke and I had come far from that, and stronger from it, but some part of it always bothered me, "Perhaps it's because I couldn't rely on him that day...? I had been able to before then, and since then I have. Though Wing, Mal, and Grin tried to lift me up through it, I remember just feeling destroyed abd kept fighting because I knew she was trying to hurt them...and him..."

"Hmmm... that must've been rough, deary. Especially with Duke not believing ya. Ah am certainly glad to see ya two have grown past that." She nodded, placing her hands on her hips. "What became of her, if Ah may ask? Perhaps... Ah could deal with this LuCretia?" She gave a grin, revealing her sharp, long teeth.

"Last I know of her she is stuck in Limbo. She came back half a year ago to try and use a spell to sort of swap places with me. She locked away everyones memories of me and placed herself there...sort of. Her and Duke weren't married, and for some reason she couldn't erase my stealth suit. She tried to pull me into limbo by making a deal with Shadow. That day I had to act alone because no one remembered who I was for a bit...those are the only times I've had to take charge in a way...that and...well Dive says he and I shared the lead when you hosted that...party...for us." I winced slightly before giving a nervous laugh, "I hope the key isn't someone trying to take my thief from me?"

Letting out a laugh herself, just gave mea nudge, "Well dear, focus that same energy. Ah know it may not seem natural for ya, but, in time, it'll help ya." Giving a grin, she clasped her hands together. "That's enough of that now, let's move onto the next task at hand! Table etiquette! Follow me deary!"

I wanted to run, but was dragged along instead.

However I was taken, like it or not, through what could be called a quick crash course in the refinement of the upper classes. First I was sat down at the dinner table, with an empty plate and various utensils, shown which to use, with the occasional light whap on the hand when I picked up the wrong one. Next I was forced to talk with a mouthful of cotton balls, to make me more precisely pronounce my wordings. Through lesson after lesson, I was brought through all manner of seemingly pointless tasks, each one Lucille implored was vital to me carrying myself properly. I honestly think she just wanted to put someone through what she had been put through.

After spitting out the cottonballs I proclaimed, "What do you need a torture chamber for again?"

Then I added, "Remind me to thank Duke for this when he gets back...?"

Saying this I looked at the clock to see it was rather late into the night. Sitting up and then getting to my feet I walked to one of the windows to try and see if his bike came into view. All of my meek or overly cautious mannerisms from before were gone as her my focused on the mists. "Duke...?" I asked no one.

"There we go hun!" She exclaimed, clasping her hands as she approached behind me, "Just like that. Ya see, Ah knew ya had it in ya. Now, if ya just carry yaself like that, it'll be natural in no time!"

I would have felt some manner of pride in this had I not been focused on the mists still. Lucille had taken my comm so I couldn't quick change into her battle gear or street clothes to escape the dress I now wore.

"Something feels off..." I said as the mists remained unmoved. I wasn't panicked, nor did I seem frightened other than carrying worry for the drake that would have come back for me. A storm rolled in overhead, bringing a guest I couldn't see.

"Hmmm...Ah see..." Standing behind me, she looked over me, pondering. "Oh yes, your corset isn't quite tight enough. Allow me!" Taking the strings in the back, she pulled on them, making it uncomfortably snug.

I tried to breath as Lucille did this.

"Not what I meant...Duke should have been back by now," I then said looking to Lucille, "The weather's getting bad too..."

Outside the gates creaked briefly, but no one seemed to be there.

Lucille's ears twitched, as she patted me on the shoulder, "Oh.. Ah'm sure he's fine. He's a rather capable man, if I recall correctly. Now, come with me deary, to the study. There are a few things Ah'd like to show ya."

Meanwhile, outside the manor, Anton slunk about, mumbling to himself as he pushed the combed over hair out of his eyes. "Always with the new guests.. bah... if we had our original ways with her, that girl would've made a nice mince meat pie... and that human could've been used for more candles." He snickered to himself, his own illumination being a candle within a lantern.

I followed Lucille trying to listen to my friend's words and simply breath. Outside I could hear the rain picking up and the thunder followed.

"Please be okay..." I managed to say through a tight breath. I looked to Lucille, "How do you move in such a fashion? I understand a dress, but this I don't."

While outside a presence slipped by the snickering ratfolk. Grabbing the keys swiftly from his belt they looked for a way inside the manor, knowing who they were seeking was inside. Slipping through the garden opening and patio doors. Then the presence giggled to themselves before heading down the hall to find the study where magic called to them from.

In the study I found myself rubbing the back of my neck with unease.

Deep within the mansion, Lucille sat at her desk in the study, going through the drawers. "Now... where is it... oh.. Ah know Ah left it in here last. At least Ah think.."

In the study were all manner of occultic curious. Scroll with eldritch writings, heavy tomes filled with forbidden knowledge, strange sigils on tapestries, and even a mummified hand within a glass case, occasionally twitching weakly. "Now... he has been treating ya well, hun?"

I was surpised by the question.
"Of course he has," I said without a waver in my voice.

I thought over our last adventure, when Aten had taken me and tried to use my nobility as a reason to claim me.

"Finding out my past, and my lineage I think bothered him at first as it did me. He mentioned wondering if I would be better off with a prince. And Aten demanded to know how a princess would deem Duke worthy of my affections."

My eyes seemed to narrow and darken slightly in shade at this as I caught a glimpse of them in a window nearby.

"Perhaps that's why my noble birth doesn't mean much to me, if it meant not meeting him..." I trailed off, then I blushed and smiled as I recalled Duke's and my interactions after the fight with Aten, "Despite those concerns we look at one another just the same...and he treats me as he always has, crown or not."

"Ah ha!" Lucille exclaimed, as she listened to me.

"Here we go now." From the drawer, she pulled out what seemed to be a simple hand mirror. Offering it over, she smiled ear to ear, "Here ya go deary. Now... what do ya think of what ya see?" It was a rather nicely framed mirror, gilded with gold on the frame, curled around the reflective surface.

I raised a brow at my friend and then my reflection.

"I...I see..." I wasn't sure how to really answer as I held it in my own hands now. I gave a frustrated sigh, "I think I am not meant to be a leader, in a way I should feel ashamed of this...but at the same time I am not. I see a girl that..." I stopped for a moment before giving a true answer, "Standing on my own I don't see much. I don't see the maiden Duke sees. Only around the others do I feel I am of worth and of use."

Letting out a sigh, Lucille leaned against her chair. Pushing herself up, she walked over to me, "Ah feel ya have more in ya than that... but, if that is what ya feel comfortable with hun, Ah won't push further."

A voice giggled from the doorway, "I would say she spoke too highly of herself!"

I spun on my heel, my hands balling into fists. There LuCretia stood with a sneer in her eyes and a grin on her beak, meeting me eye to eye. She stood with her hand placed confidently on her hip, keeping the satchel she had closed.

"I never understood what he saw in you either!" She scoffed boldly.

Raising a brow, Lucille made her way between the newcomer and myself. Standing firm, she looked down at the duck, "Hmmm.. Ah don't remember inviting ya, dear. And just who would ya be?"

LuCretia laughed, "I don't need an invitation. Heart knows me rather well don't you?" The look in my eyes was all Lucille needed to see.

Then I realized what LuCretia had said before and asked, "Where is he?"

"What's that girl?" LuCretia taunted. I didn't ask again.

Letting out a laugh, Lucille loomed over the bird girl. "Rather presumptuous, aren't we? Ya come into mah home, and start to mock mah guests... oh dear, Ah don't think Ah can tolerate that." She said, licking her lips as her mouth widened, revealing her long, dagger like teeth.

LuCretia stepped back cautiously, but smiled still, "Do you think I would announce myself without reason?"

She then looked straight at me, "You trapped me in limbo you little wisp!"

"You put yourself back by trying to take my teammates! You should have stayed away now that you're out, because I can send you right back!" I said firmly.

"Not so fast," LuCretia scoffed while patting her satchel, "I wouldn't be so quick if I were you."

Raising a brow, Lucille crossed her arms, clearly not amused. "Ah dare ask, what ya have in there, little lady? Some toy ya think ya can threaten us with?" Her tail swished with agitation behind herself, as she rapped her fingers on her arms. "Ah do advise ya see yaself out the door, before Ah have to tend to ya mahself."

LuCretia gave a smirk, "Let's just say I have something very...important to this pathetic princess."

She opened the satchel to retrieve an orb of whirling shadows, and she held it up to show them, "Did you know shadows carry so much after being attached to someone for so long? Their memories, their raw emotions, their essence so to speak. And if you take out parts they become very manageable," she snickered, "and wouldn't you know i found the perfect test subject on the way here!"

My knuckles grew sheer white with anger. Then I realized LuCretia herself was transparent, like a projection.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Why to get back at you of course, and once I am through with you I will go after your friends with your thief at my side. We will look far better together anyway I'm sure!"

Then she paused before adding with twisted glee in her voice, "However I will give you a chance to find him, a chance to save him. Find us before I pick his memories apart and we'll see if you can save him. If not, well!" She started laughing before her image faded away.

Lucille's eyes twitching, she turned towards me. Her cold, icey blue eyes were absolutely piercing, and mouth crossed over her face in a twisted grimace, before returning back to her usual visage. "Seems like Ah have an interuder in mah house... well, best for us to make short work then. Come on dear."

I nodded my head, my usual demeanor gone. In fact all traces of my nature were absent and replaced by a hardening resolve. The look in my eyes was not unlike when I staired down Lucille in our scuffle not long ago as I asked, "Why is it that others think it's wise to try and steal my thief from me?"

I wasn't trying to stir anything up, it was rather a question pulled up from anger and determination as I walked beside her friend.

"To be fair, he is quite a catch." She smirked, as we began to look around. Bumping into Mina, Lucille related to her what was going on, for the moth to give a nod, and hurried off to tell the others. "Now, Heart, where would ya think they would be?"

Through my frustration I blushed slightly at Lucille's comment. Taking a breath I said a bit calmer, "But I never caught him...not like that..."

After meeting with Mina briefly I shook my head, "I am not familiar enough with your home. Nor can I sense magic..."

It was strange though, I could have sworn I felt someone else nearby, as I always had. Yet looking around in the darkened hallways I didn't see anyone else with us, "She will be setting a trap though, and I have a feeling she has made a contract with Shadow to even be here."

"Blast it... well, the others will be looking as well now. Guess we have no choice but to search about mah home..." With that, Lucille lead me, looking through the dark corridors, each room, and occasionally revealing a few hidden passages.

I walked steadily, looking ahead, but couldn't shake the feeling from before. It were as though someone were echoing my steps as opposed to me echoing...his? I turned around every so often, but no one was there it seemed. Aside from that my steps were steady, my stance stable, and eyes focused. I tried to think of where LuCretia would be waiting, and then felt something tug at my hand.

Lucille, on the other hand, could taste the presence in the air. Coming to a stop, she placed her hands on her hips for a moment, glancing around... before spinning around with speed that was surprising for her figure, lunging behind me with claws outstretched. "Ya think ya know mah own home better than me, ya tart?!"

I turned around quickly, barely saving whoever Lucille had lashed at as they moved with me. It was too dark to tell, but I felt someone grasping my shoulders as though my own shadow had come to life almost.

"The devil?" Lucille exclaimed, as she turned towards the shadowy figure, snarling. Upon seeing who it was, her expression softened to one much more concerned. "Oh... oh dear..."

I was able to turn slowly, casting my shadow carefully in front of me with the light brought forth. My hands covered my mouth as I gasped and my eyes widened in shock to see his sillouette standing before me and then give me his signature heart felt bow to me. He had no voice, as shadows don't tend to talk. Yet as he met with my shadow he was able to lean forward towards it and I felt my cheek kissed by him. I looked to Lucille trying to maintain my composure. Though in an attempt to reassure him I used my shadow to grasp his hand and he kissed it as well to let me know he was connected to me. Then Duke in this shadowed form tried to motion as though placing something upon my head.

Lucille quickly connected the dots, snapping her fingers. "Quickly, come with me. Ah think Ah know what can help!"

Grabbing me by the hand, the much larger felines dragged me along, rushing to the bedchamber there were in not too long ago.

Duke followed after them, sticking himself to my shadow. I tried to remain calm while asking Lucille, "How did this even happen? How did he connect himself to me like this? What are we looking for?"

Duke without words set his hands along my shoulders of my shadow to try and ease my nerves somehow, letting me know that he was not in pain at least.

"Ah'm gonna be frank, Ah am not familiar with shadow magic all that well. Ah know a few cantrips, but not much else... however, if mah hunch is correct..."

Soon, they would arrive at the bedchamber, and grabbing the crown, she shoved it into my hands. "Take this, don't let that trollop get her hands on it. This is infused with his blood, so, whatever she did to him, if she can get this, it'll only be worse."

I stood with the crown on my head, but nothing happened. Frustration rose within me as I removed the circlet and held it, "This thing is not helping. All this does is make it worse!"

Duke shook his head and with it's sillouette put it back over my head.

"Since when do you want a princess?!" I demanded, "This isn't saving you!"

Duke couldn't answer. Then he motioned as though something were being pulled from him and tried to stay together. I took a deep breath to try and focus on finding LuCretia. Through the air they heard her giggle at us, "Better hurry now. I am running out of patience. I can hardly wait to have him to myself. Together we'll get rid of your friends one by one!"

Growing more annoyed, Lucille bit her lower lips, pondering what to do next. A grin crossed her face, as she went into one of the drawers of her bedside. Pulling out a small ball of string, she started to make a cat's cradle with it wrapped around her fingers. Uttering strange and unknown words, I watched as she made strange gestures, the strings tightening and digging into the flesh on her digits.

"Lucille?" I asked worriedly when seeing this.

Duke's sillouette suddenly dropped to his knees, indicating LuCretia wasn't waiting anylonger.

I tried to pull him back up as I saw his dark shadow lightening, "Duke? Hang on! We'll figure this out! I'l find a way to stop her!"

Duke's sillouette turned his head upward as though looking at me.

I then started out of the room to look down the hall as Lucille got her reading.

As she continued with her ritual, her chanting intensifying, until with the tightening of the string, a droplet of blood came forth as it cut in.. "Ah ha! She's in the ballroom! Quickly, we must make haste!" With that, she rushed off, rushing by me as she began leading the two of us through the mansion.

Upon hearing where to go I began sprinting down the hall past Lucille, though as I did the long skirt of my dress got in my way.

"Sorry," I said quickly as I tore some of the skirt of the gown to run easier until it was like a slightly long tunic and kicked off my dress shoes. Duke followed after me.

Letting out a pained fasp, Lucille stopped to look at the torn fabric on the floor. Covering her mouth for a moment, her eyes narrowed. "Oooh... she is gonna pay for that, Ah swear!"

I didn't stop until I was at the doors of the ballroom. Behind me I didn't see Duke's silouette fade before he was pulled forward. I focused my eyes, took a breath, and calmed my breathing. Then I quietly opened the door slightly, slipping into the shadowed ballroom, the lights dimmed by magic. Looking into the room I could see LuCretia standing, draped over someone. Looking closer my blood began to boil. Duke stood in a solid form again and looking at LuCretia as he had in a way when first seeing her those years ago, only without any reserve he may have had in regards to me.

Stepping forward, Lucille's eyes narrowing on the avian woman, she curled her lips in agitation. "Now, Ah don't mind having mah guests make themselves at home, but, ya have gone too far dear. Either ya find ya way out of here and leave mah friends alone, or, Ah will have to teach ya some manners, dear."

LuCretia only smiled as she clung to the drake beside her. I had not made myself known.

"She sent you instead? I thought she cared for this thief, not that he belongs to her anyway," LuCretia giggled.

I would continue slipping around the room, using the pillars to shield me to assess things better.

LuCretia then asked, "You wouldn't happen to have her crown would you? I've heard she hates wearing it anyway?"

Drawing closer to the fowl, Lucille grinned, placing a hand to her cheek, "Oh, well, it's part of mah personal collection. Put alot into it, ya could say. But, Ah have a feeling that it wouldn't compliment ya looks well... perhaps a sprig of parsnips and some redwine instead?"

Duke kept an arm around LuCretia and his saber drawn with his free hand.

"Very funny," LuCretia scoffed before looking up at the drake, "Doesn't he look better with a woman on his arm instead of that wisp of a girl? I don't know what he saw in her."

I held my breath to keep calm as I looked for an opening. My weapons were gone, all I had was skill alone...and my magic? I allowed my claws to emerge from my hands in preparation for a fight.

Stopping in place, Lucille placed a hand over her mouth, letting out a mirthful laugh. "Oh sweet heavens, how hilarious! From what Ah've heard, ya were supposed to be a master seductress! But, ya need to use magic to bend the wills of men now? Oh, that is truly amusing. Yes, Ah admit Ah've used magic to toy with the minds of mortals, but, Ah am fully capable of doing so without. But ya... well, ya had ya chance before... and blew it. So ya have to cheat~"

With that, she placed a hand on her hip, and jutted it towards the duck in a mocking manner. "Besides deary, Ah know what men like~ And men would much prefer a lady such as Ah over a two bit trollop as yaself."

A few hours before I might have worried over these comments. Yet as I risked a glance at Duke, this didn't matter. I didn't care whether I was a high class woman or fair lady or whatever. I just wanted him back and out of her harmful hands.

"Cheat?! And that little princess doesn't? She must have enchanted him in the first place. The first time I encountered them I had him wrapped around my finger without magic, he wouldn't even listen to a word she said!" LuCretia laughed while holding onto Duke's arm, it were as though her words didn't affect him, "I have no quarrel with you madam, only the human witch. From one woman to another, I really need that crown."

I quietly used my claws to scale one of the pillars.

Smirking, Lucille waggled a fingers towards LuCretia, smirking. "Oh, but ya have made this mah quarrel. Ya come invade the sanctity of mah home, insult and antagonize mah guests, and cost me one of mah favorite dresses from when Ah was mortal. Ya could've waited until she was else where, but ya are an impatient, insecure little duckling."

Drawing closer, the nails of her claws extended, as her mouth widened ear to ear, showing off her horrific maw of fangs. Her icey blue eyes focused on LuCretia, looking upon her like a succulent piece of meat. Shortening the gap between the two, her movement went from that of a dignified lady, to that of a powerful predator forcing her prey into a corner. "Foie gras, Pâté en Croûte, Cassoulet... oh... too many choices..."

LuCretia glared at her as Duke stepped forward to defend her from the vampiric feline. Above I grew out her wings, tearing the dress further in the back. Duke held out his saber and laughed apologetically, "I would rarher not fight a lady of any stature, but I have little choice it seems. I have ta protect her."

My eyes didn't waver in their focus as I took a breath from above still.

Swooping in from the darkness, a tall, lean figure emerged, rapier in his taloned hands. Looking over his sparring partner, he shook his head, getting between Lucille and him, "I do apologize, my friend, but I am obligated to do the same. Or more so, allow her to do as she pleases with such distractions."

And so, Stryx darted at Duke, ready to engage him, while Lucille licked her lips, allowing her ever loyal servant to keep Duke busy, as she went to grab the other duck.

LuCretia jumped back as Duke readied himself for a fight. Duke blocked the owl's blade when I, having enough of waiting, glided down close behind LuCretia to grab for the orb. LuCretia turned and called for Duke quickly for aid. I stood in my torn dress, wings on display before pulling them back in with a slight grimace. The cautionary side of me was gone, my stance steady, and my focus set.

"Steal that crown!" LuCretia ordered with a glare in her eyes.

Duke turned to see what LuCretia was ordering for him to take. For a second I thought I saw him pause while looking over me.

Taking the opening, Stryx used Duke's distraction to quickly disarm him, twirling his thin blade around to force Duke's saber from his grasp. Lucille, taking the same opportunity, pounced upon LuCretia, using her significant weight to pin her down. Squishing LuCretia under her bulk, she let out a dark chuckle, as she watched the duck squirm and struggle to get out from under her, "What's the matter hun, can't handle a woman with real curves?"

At this LuCretia became a shadow herself, slinking away to the pillars.

Slamming a fist into the floor, Lucille let out a huff. "Ah should've saw that coming... slippery thing."

LuCretia watched carefully over the group from the pillars.

Stryx headed over to grab Duke's sword, making sure that neither he or LeCretia could get a hand on it.

Duke glared at Stryx before stepping back and turning towards me again. He saw the crown he was commanded to take and gave a confident smirk as he disengaged to come after me. I saw this and stepped back a bit before noticing we were now in a strange dance, as he stepped forward I stepped back or to the side. He would reach for me and I would slide quickly just out of his grasp. Was he smiling? He slid behind me, finding ourselves back to back as he spun around to grab me as I slipped from his hands again.

"I didn't know ya wanted ta dance sweetheart. What a shame your dress is all torn up," he commented looking over her.

I proceeded to move without hesitation as Duke stepped forward towards me again, this time catching my wrist and spinning her beneath his hand in a familiar elegance. My torn skirt twirled with me until he caught me in his other arm holding me firmly against his lean frame.

"What kinda fairytale did ya come from?" He asked me with a charming smile.

As Duke held me still he began to slip a hand up from my wrist upwards.

Quickly I answered his question, "the kind where the maiden steals the thief's heart for once."

Duke looked at me surprised before I pulled him forward by his shirt and kissed him. As I did the crown upon my head began to glisten, just as he tried to pull it from my hair. He paused and instead his hand fell gently, caressing my hair instead as he leaned into my kiss. His velvet grasp tightened as he gripped the base of my neck and hair passionately.

From the side LuCretia watched in anger and shock.

Looking towards the sight of the two of us, Lucille, returning to her less monstrous appearance, smiled, which only grew wider as she glanced up towards the infuriated LuCretia. "What is that deary? The third time ya floundered? Oooh... how sad, isn't it?" Getting back to her feet, she dusted off her dress.

Duke:

Nearly breathless Heart and I stepped back from one another slightly. I couldn't help but notice Heart blushing a bit as she caught her own breath.

"I like this fairytale sweetheart, but ya always had my heart," I told her as I embraced her, "An' by the way, that was quite a dance my love."

"I don't get it?! You were head over heels for me when I first came here! It has to be her magic!" LuCretia snapped.

Heart grimaced at the memory before I rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Actually you were a distraction back then LuCretia," I admitted, "Ya see back when ya showed up I thought I didn't deserve someone like Heart, nor did I believe she wanted me. Turns out luckily I was wrong," I smiled at Heart, "an' this was before she had magic an' before I knew she was of nobility."

Heart smiled as she heard me say this before noticing LuCretia's movements as she went for her satchel. In her hand she held out the orb from before, "This was supposed to change everything, and it will once that little freak is out of the way and her crown will be in my hands to give to shadow!"

"Can't handle rejection, Ah see? Oh... that truly is sad... And truly unappealing. Why, if ya keep on with this pathetic display, Ah may lose mah appetite." She added, to rub salt into the wound.

Heart seeing LuCretia holding up the orb towards me, knowing now how she had changed me before narrowed her eyes at her as she turned towards LuCretia. Her wings burst from her back to give her a boost forward as she swept the orb out of her hand and smashed it upon the ground. As LuCretia tried to become a shadow Heart grabbed her shoulders with energy bursting around her. It wasn't explosive, but enough to send the message as Heart spoke, "I will never let you try to pry us apart again! You never pushed me away from them before and you certainly won't now! I am a part of this team as they are a part of me!" LuCretia's shadow was overwhelmed quickly with light, evaporating it seemed as she stumbled back from Heart's grip.

She toppled back against something big and soft, as a cruel laugh emerged from behind her. Clawed hands grasped her shoulders, as Lucille leaned in, whispering to her. "If ya think ya should've been scared of me, hun, well... don't get between a woman and the man she loves...especially if she has the power to back up her fury." With a shove, she tossed LuCretia back towards Heart. "Have with her what ya will, Ah don't feel like duck tonight after all."

Heart's eyes darkened slightly, but as she was shoved forward LuCretia reached for a device in her satchel and switched it on to aim it at Heart and me now behind her. Heart pushed me back instinctively and ducked down while lashing out a whip of energy to warp the device's ray, causing it to backfire. Only this merged with a lack of a shadow created an odd effect. Instead of being pulled back into limbo, LuCretia began to fade from it instead. Her very form nearly departing from existence with a shriek of horror as she started to fade away.

Heart:

Yet as I looked upon this woman, a shred of mercy was pulled from me as I breathed out a crystal based energy, giving her back her shadow to allow her to pass through back to her prison alive at the least. As I did this LuCretia glared at me, and then grimaced as she looked at Duke and I knowing she'd lost, as it showed in her eyes. Then she was gone and I destroyed the device with a burst of energy and took a breath as Duke walked up behind me.

"... well.. that happened." Lucille said grimacing, looking over the spot where LuCretia was mere moments ago. "Now then... after this eventful evening, Ah believe it is time for us to take some rest. Ya two can stay as long as ya like here, but, Ah'm gonna take some well deserved relaxation."

I stood in my quite torn up dress now, my stance still steady and eyes looking ahead.

Duke:

I watched Heart, taking in an almost regal quality she was giving off even in what were rags at this point. The now quiet princess looked to Lucille and Stryx before me once again, unsure of what would be said.

"... there we go! This is precisely what Ah was talking about. Confident! Determined! But, not without grace and dignity... though, ya could've been more gentle on mah dress..."

Heart looked down at the dress she was sort of wearing. Even the corset had been pulled off from her while running down the hall earlier. She then pulled off the crown on her head, frustration coming forward, "But it was this that did it!"

I now stepped forward shaking my head, "Ya misunderstand darlin'. This isn't what brought me back ta ya. You did that yourself with that dance an' kiss. The crown was ta keep you safe."

Heart looked up at me bewildered by this as I continued, "LuCretia put a spell on it that if she got her hands on it that she would send ya right to shadow. That's why I insisted on ya keepin' it on so she couldn't. Ta keep ya safe my sweetheart."

Heart looked up at me with widening eyes. I in turn smiled at her, "An' for the record, she never really had me...not entirely. Jus' as our delightful hostess found out," he gave a smirk to Lucille, "some part of me holds on for ya after bein' with ya so long."

"Ya are a stubborn bird, Ah'll give ya that." Lucille said with a smirk, before heading out of the room. "Ah think Ah'll leave ya two alone for now.. come along Stryx."

"Sorry about your dress...and pillar..and ceiling..." Heart winced with each memtion as I looked at what she was talking about before looking over her torn gown again.

Her eyes twitching, Lucille took a deep breath, composing herself. "It's... alright dear... now, Stryx will go fetch ya things... Ah'll have him take care of the mess later... and since ya are stuck here for the night, Ah'll have Mina set out some clothes and ready a room for the two of ya."

"Thank you madam Lucille," I answered before we were escorted to a guest room.

Once we were inside Heart found an evening night gown to change into of blue. When she stepped out from behind a changing screen I looked over from the window to her. In my chest my heart skipped a beat as she stood before me with the same nature from before, but softer in a way. She had woven her hair into a loose braid with the ribbon I'd given her long ago.

"Ya alright sweetheart?" I asked her softly as she approached me.

She had long before then set the circlet upon the side table that she glanced at.

"It...it's not that crown that makes me proud to fight. It's not my title that made me want to stop her from taking you," she told me, "I became a part of this team because I chose to. My life with you and the others gives me the strength to stand."

I smiled at her lovingly as I reached out to her and caressed her cheek now before leaning forward to kiss it, "Sweetheart I fell in love with ya well before ya had magic an' a crown. You could be without both an' you would still hold my heart in your hands. How many times do I need ta tell ya this?"

"Then why were you so worried about me being proud of it? Why keep telling me to see it as you do?" She asked.

I sighed and answered, "Heart, since findin' these memories of yours the strong maiden I fell for started ta doubt herself. Ya never did that before, not like this. I wanted ya ta see yourself as ya did then, ready ta stand strong an' proud."

Heart looked down unsure until I held her cheek gently, having her look up at me as I added, "I wanted ya ta see that how I look at ya will never change, that ya don't need magic or nobility ta make me want ya. As long as you're still you, the angel that bothered lookin' at a thief like me in the first place."

Heart blushed as I offered my other hand to her, "an' my love that I always adore seein' blush when I ask ta dance with ya?"

Heart:

I smiled as Duke lead me down back to the ballroom to do just that. Though it was dark we could see one another just enough.

As we did Duke grasped my hand as he had before, spinning me elegantly entwined with his fingers. My nightgown twirling with me before he pulled me against him and gave me a charming smile. I in turn smiled just before pulling on his shirt, kissing him again as he gave in entirely this time. Though this time he wasn't surprised by this it seemed, and yet as he stepped back he felt his breath stolen away once more along with his heart once again. Knowing this I smiled up at him, holding it safely in my hands along with the answers I needed. Then we continued to dance as we had before, only this time catching one another's hands and remaining entwined.