Back again for Chapter 6, I see. Only got about one or two more chapters to go and then it's done. After lots of thinking, I decided to change Duzell back to his old form, cuz it's the only way to make the rest of the story work. Hope it's not too weird.

The Lost Secret

Jill and Krai, who were still guarding Ishtar's room, distinctly heard Ishtar talking.

"Who the hell can she be talking to?" said Jill, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't ask me, how should I know? Personally, I think she's finally lost it," said Krai dismissively.

But then, they heard another voice answer back. The second voice sounded exactly like Ishtar's. No, not exactly. It had a hint of masculinity. Jill and Krai gulped and exchanged nervous looks. It couldn't be. Could it? They pressed their ears against the door to listen and heard snatches of conversation.

"...to make sure they don't get in our way..."

"...have to kill them if they do..."

Jill and Krai managed to keep their mouths shut. They exchanged looks again, this time scared.

"Oh, man. This doesn't sound good. We gotta let the captain know about this," said Jill in a low voice.

"No shit, man. Especially if they're talking about us," said Krai.

Quietly, they both left to go look for Darres.

In Ishtar's room

Duzell(who had returned to his kyawl form) was curled up in Ishtar's lap. Ishtar was lazily scratching him behind the ears, when Duzell stared up at her.

"What is it, Duzie?" she said.

Duzell leapt off the bed and onto the carpet. As he did, he transformed, but this time, it was different. Instead of the usual Ishtar clone, a tall, pale-skinned young man, with silver hair and crimson eyes stared back at her. He was wearing a long black cape.

"Duzie? Wow! So this is what you really look like, huh? Love the red eyes," said Ishtar.

Duzell looked into her eyes and smiled.

"Yes, I'm strong enough to return to my previous form," he said.

"Oh, Duzell, now that you're back to how you used to be..."

"I can finally put the plan into action," he finished for her.

Meanwhile

Jill and Krai were telling Darres what they heard.

"I swear, she's plotting something," said Jill.

"Gimme a break! What can she possibly do? It's always the same routine: Ishtar sneaks out the window, we bring her back, I yell at her. Nothing to get stressed over," said Darres with a yawn.

"But I heard her talking to someone in her room. He sounds like her but different," said Krai.

"Are you even listening to yourself? 'He sounds like her but different?' What the hell is that supposed to mean anyway? She was probably talking in her sleep or something," said Darres dismissively.

"You know Darres, they do have a point there."

Darres turned to see Yujinn strolling down the long hallway wearing his usual look of amusement on his face.

"We didn't ask for your input, Yujinn," snarled Darres.

"But they do have a point. And may I remind you of your recent concern with the princess's strange behavior? Perhaps this is connected to that," said Yujinn.

Darres opened his mouth to retort, but something stirred in his memory: the way Ishtar stared at him with hatred in her eyes, the way she slapped him, her cool attitude toward him, the countless hours she spent in her room.

"Okay, maybe you're right," admitted Darres. "But that still doesn't mean she's plotting something with someone. I mean, who could possibly be in her room with her?"

"True. Who could be in her room? Maybe she has a lover," said Yujinn.

"Yeah, right! How can anyone love a spoiled little brat like her?" said Darres in disbelief.

"See that, Darres? That's the problem right there," said Yujinn.

"What are you talking about? What problem?" asked Darres.

"You seem be under the false impression that Her Highness can never be loved. No wonder she hates you now, she used to adore you. I won't be surprised if she actually does have a lover," said Yujinn.

"And what makes you think she does?" Darres snapped.

"Well, I think she's kept him a secret long before you hurt her. I'm pretty sure she already loved him, only her feelings toward you were...in the way. Yes, that's a good way to put it. And when you unwittingly insulted her and made her cry, well, what could she do? She ran to the only person whom she knew cared about her. And since her feelings toward you were crushed...well, you can imagine, right?" said Yujinn calmly.

"That's pretty fancy brainwork there, Yujinn," said Darres with his eyebrows raised.

At that moment, he caught a glimpse of Ishtar. Quickly, he hurried after her, careful not to be seen. Sure enough, the princess was climbing out the window. Darres heaved a sigh rolled his eyes. He turned to Jill and Krai, who knew what was coming.

"Follow Her Highness. See where she went and drag her back here. It's time I took matters into my own hands," he ordered.

Jill and Krai grumbled in protest, but they did what he said. Five minutes later, they found themselves in the fields, tailing Ishtar and her cat. They seemed to be going pretty far into the fields because the grass kept growing longer, until they could barely see what's in front of them.

After what seemed like half an hour, they heard her stop. Quickly, they crouched low to the ground. Then they heard an odd squelching, crunching sound and saw a dim flash of light, but they didn't dare look up. They heard Ishtar talk, and at first, they didn't know who she was talking to, until a male's voice answered her back. Managing to keep quiet, they listened to the conversation, which grew more horrifying with every word.

"Sorry I couldn't get us out sooner Duzie. They're keeping an eye on me up at the castle. Here, put this on."

"Oh, thanks. And no worries Princess. I know how tough it is being royalty. After all, I was a king."

"Yeah, that's true. Everyone's still planning my future up there, it's irritating. But whatever, I don't care. It's not like I'm really gettin' married to Darres anyway."

There was a silence, then the male voice spoke again (note: this is Jill and Krai's POV).

"You know, Ishtar. It's funny how I came into this world, looking for Phelios's soul. Instead, I found you, or rather, you found me. You knew what I was-who I was-almost immediately after, and yet, you still kept me. And when you learned what I was searching for, you offered to help me."

"But Duzell, we still haven't found his soul yet."

"That's not important anymore. The only thing that matters to me is you."

"Yes. But we have to be careful, cuz those idiots up at the castle are starting to suspect me. And Sasha walked in on us. I know I told her to keep quiet, but what if she tells them? If that happens, then we'll both be finished."

"You don't have to worry about that. My plan for us is nearly complete. When that time comes, when the House of Phelios has fallen, I will reclaim my throne as King Duzell, and you will rule with me as Queen."

Jill and Krai looked at each other, terrified. This must mean that... Forcing themselves to be quiet, they quickly ran back to the castle. They had to warn the captain. They had to warn everybody.

Note: For all you readers(and reviewers), I wrote this whole story before even Volume 5 came out. So I revised this chapter a bit. Oh, and since so many people kept telling me to update soon, I thought I should get one thing cleared. This story is finished(I think it ends with next chapter), but since a lot of people liked it, I'm working on a sequel. Well, bye now. Enjoy the rest!