Hey everyone! Here's the fourth part. Sorry for the delay but you know there is this thing called real life. It tends to get in the way... Also, remember that reviews are what makes fanfics go 'round.

Chapter four

Clark rested his chin over the window sill of the loft and smiled. There she was.

That night, she was wearing that pink dress he liked so much and her black hair was set in a ponytail. He had missed observing her now that she had been living in Metroporis, working in the royal castle of Tehm-El.

He was so glad she was back, even if it was only for a short time.

"So, Are all farmboys in Smallville stalkers?" a voice whispered in his ear. He turned to find Lois standing over him with a mocking smile. It was unusual for Clark to be surprised like that; he more often than not could feel when someone was behind him. How had she managed it?

"Wha--?"

"I decided to come to see how you were doing. Now I have," she expressed with a hint of humor while she looked around the loft.

"It's Littleville, not Smallville," Clark said and looked at her; she had gotten rid of the dirty clothes, wearing one of her mother's dresses instead and had already cleaned herself. Her combed, brown hair was loosened and it cascaded down her shoulders. He had to accept that she was a pretty girl.

"Lois? Is that really you?" he asked, pretending surprise, and she acquiesced with a short, proud nod. He went on with a mock of his own; "incredible, I didn't recognize you without all that mud on your face." He stood up and dusted his pants.

"My, if I were you, I would not pursue a career as buffoon of the court, you might get your throat slit which those kinds of jokes. So, who is the pretty girl you are so avidly… observing?" Lois looked at the small house next to the Kent's, where, in the parcel, a girl about her age was performing some late domestic chores.

"She seems familiar to me," she commented.

Clark rolled his eyes, "Her name is Lana and I wasn't observing her, I was only… uh… I was …"

"Right, Smallville." She raised an eyebrow, a gesture that, he found, got on his nerves.

"I said it is Littleville and that's the town's name, not mine. Anyway, what I do is none of your business, and Why are you here? Is my bed not comfortable enough for your highness?"

"Why it is, thank you for asking, but as I said, I just came to see how you were doing and to express my gratefulness for covering for me and ceding your room, but if I had known you were going to behave in such an impolite way, I would have saved myself the effort."

"I am the impolite one, now?"

"Was there ever a doubt?" she smiled sweetly at him. "Well, now that I said 'thank you'--"

"You didn't," he interrupted her, yet she went on.

"I will go back to sleep. Tonight I learned that stalkers tend to get grouchy when interrupted from their activities. Sleep well."

Lois turned to leave but Clark had something else to say; "I know you didn't tell us the truth about you."

She looked back at him. "What are you implying? I said no lies."

"Well, then, you didn't tell us all of it. I don't know what you represent for the Luth-Ors but I know one thing for sure; they wouldn't mobilize their whole army only to look for a fugitive maiden. Prince Alexander would get any other girl easily, if that were the case, but it is not. Is it? Who really are you?" he said and his eyes penetrated into hers, as it trying to decipher the complicated person that had stormed into their lives.

Lois looked down and shifted uncomfortably, but she only sighed and raised her chin again.

"Good night, Smallville. Enjoy the view," she said with a tired smile and left.

Clark watched her descend the stairs and leave when he noticed something strange on his face. He was smiling.

The girl had mocked him, called him a stalker, lied to him, apparently decided to change his name and… he was smiling? What was wrong with him?

He shook his head and returned his attention to the window, but it was too late. Lana Lang was no more into view.

That Lois Lane…

And while Lois' demeanor left young Clark Kent pondering, another scene took place at the royal palace, in Metroporis.

Impatient, Prince Alexander paced in front of the girl, his arms behind his back, his face barely hid his fury and his breath deep. He paused as if trying to contain himself from screaming.

"I will ask this one more time. Lucy, where is she?" He stood in front of her. She bit her lip and looked behind Lex, where General Samuel stood with a lowered gaze and fists held in tense balls.

"No, do not look for help in your father. He is loyal to the crown and knows his duties, as you should have known yours before helping your sister to flee." Lex pointed at her with an accusatory finger. He was getting carried away by his anger and he knew it, but he couldn't help himself.

"I—I did n-not help—"

"DON'T lie to me!" He clutched the armchair where Lucy sat and brought his face in front of her, grinding his teeth. Lucy closed her eyes, fearful of what the man she had known since he was a boy would do to her. Behind, General Samuel fought against his impulse to stop the interrogation.

"My son, hold your temper. You are scaring Lady Lucy. How do you expect her to respond to your questions if you only scream for the answers?"

Lionel Luth-Or, King of Kryptonia, stood from his seat and walked toward Lucy and Lex, who glared at him with contempt but stepped aside nonetheless.

"Lady Lucy, excuse my son's rude manners, as you well know, he is used to getting what he desires immediately, and… you are not giving him what he wants. Why is that?"

Lucy kept her eyes in the ground as she spoke; "K—king Lionel… I am sorry… I wish I could help you but—"

"Lady Lucy, spare me the lies. You know, better than anyone what your sister represents for this kingdom, what would happen to the Luth-Or house were she not to be found. Why do you refuse to cooperate? Are you not aware of the situation?" Lionel said with a patient voice.

"Y—yes, I am---."

"Then, save your name and family further shame and please, answer this simple question. Where is Lady Lois? You know I have other means to obtain the information from you."

Lucy eyed the blue stone that adorned the golden ring resting in Lex's finger and shuddered involuntarily.

"I… I know, and that is why you have to believe me my Lord, she did not tell me where she was going. I have known nothing of her since the night she left."

"And you expect us to believe--"

"My Lord! Please…" General Samuel finally stepped beside his daughter and placed a hand on her shoulder. Lucy smiled gratefully at him.

"Please, Lucy has never lied to me. She is also smart and does not wish to submit herself to your magic. If she says she knows nothing about Lois, then she tells the truth. I will take her declarations under my responsibility."

The General had had enough, his younger daughter had been already interrogated three times in two weeks and the child had been deeply affected. She hardly ate or slept, half worried for her sister, half worried for what the Prince might do to her.

Lex put a hand to his temples. He liked to think of himself as a man in control of his own emotions and usually he was, but he had lost his future in a single night, just because a stupid child decided she was scared.

He would get that future back, no matter what.

"You are putting your head under the blade, General," the Prince said with a cooler tone, but as General Lane-Eh was about to answer, a knock resounded through the chamber and a second later, a man entered without waiting for permission. He would have never dared to do so if he didn't bring such important news with him.

"My Lord, I must speak to you!"

Those in the chamber turned their attentions to the blonde youth. Lionel growled annoyed and said; "How dare you enter this way, Whitney?"

"I—I apologize, my Lord, but this is of great importance for you. It is about Lady Lane-Eh." Whitney Fordman was young, but he had known how to make his way up until he became one of the most trustful men in the court.

Lucy stood up, Samuel's heart beat faster, fearing the worst and Lex gave two steps to the front.

"What is it?" Asked Lionel and Whitney looked at the Lane-Ehs, unsure if to speak freely. Lionel sighed irritated. "It is fine! What do you have to say, Whitney?"

"W—well, we have found a horse that belongs to the castle, it carried with it fine clothes, gold coins and provisions, we believe this all belonged to Lady Lois."

"And my daughter? Did you find any sign of her?" inquired Samuel. Whitney moved his head negatively.

"Where was the horse found? Is there any sign of struggle? Was it wounded?" Lex questioned.

"No, the horse was alright, we found it in the eastern fields. I have already a hundred men searching the entire area. We believe Lady Lane-Eh lost her mount."

"Oh, for El!" Lucy exclaimed and Lionel had to stop himself from slapping her for pronouncing that name. After all, in the eyes of the people, the El were supposed to be the honorable predecessors of the Luth-Or house.

"What if she is hurt? What if she broke a leg and can't walk?" the young Lane-Eh asked to no one in particular with her hands over her mouth. She was starting to fear she had helped her sister to find death.

"Lois is strong and knows how to ride and fall from a horse. I am sure she is fine," Samuel provided, although the words were mostly for himself.

"Send three times those men to find her and try not to arouse questions from the villains. But I want you to stay here, in case I have need of your services," Lionel ordered and Whitney left after a reverence.

Then Lionel offered; "you shall go and rest as well, Lady Lucy. We are done with you. Why don't you go with her, General Samuel?"

"Yes, my Lord." And so, the Lane-Ehs were excused to keep worrying by themselves.

"This complicates it all. If something happens to her we will have to take drastic measures," Lionel commented with a casual tone.

Lex heaved a sigh of annoyance and put his hands behind him. "She in not dead," he commented with little emotion. "I know her better than that. She is only hiding and it's only a matter of time before we find her, then I'll marry her, take the crown and after that, she will pay for what she has made me go through."

"Well, son, I hope you are right, for the Luth-Ors' name sake, otherwise the nobles will get restless and the council… well, you know the council." Lionel's laid-back tone enervated the young prince and brought out his irritation again, yet, he tried to moderate his tone.

"And what is the reason of this demeanor? I tend to think you are pleased at this situation. Is my possible failure so amusing to you, dear father?"

"Of course not, don't be childish. I am merely trying to remain calm. After all… my life's work is about to crumble before my eyes because you were unable to show respect toward that brat and maintain your wicked habits away from her ears…"

And with those words, Lionel left the chamber.

Lex set his jaw as the rage crept inside him once again. He turned his head to the chair where Lucy had been sitting and abruptly raised his hand. The blue ring started shining with an eerie greenish beam.

The chair elevated from the floor several inches and with a brusque movement of his arm, went flying through the room and shattered in hundreds of pieces against the wall.