Author's Note: Okay, so I'd like to announce that thanks to all you who has continued to stay tune for updates on KKM Rewrite, this story has finally reached over 2000 hits! Well over that actually. Five of my chapters even have 3 digit numbers of hits! So… I thought we'd celebrate with a new Chapter. Thanks for your support, All!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kyou Kara Maou or any of its characters but the OC and plot are mine… xD silver lining…

Chapter 11

Ysabel walked down the fire lit corridors of Blood Pledge Castle. The place was enormous and not to mention highly confusing.

Conrad was called away by one of the maids on some urgent matter. Silently, Ysabel wondered how the castle could continue functioning properly with only three maids that not only did the cleaning, but cooking and relaying of messages.

Ysabel stopped with she came to a cross junction. She turned left and right… then left again.

"Let's see…" she pondered aloud. "Which way was it to Julia's room again?" She closed her eyes. Suddenly, she felt a slight pull towards the right. Ysabel shrugged. Right it was then.

Basically, this was how Ysabel made her way anywhere. Being here for such a short amount of time, she couldn't really make her way through the maze of corridors. All this time, she was relying on her… 'Body Memories', as Shinou referred to them as. Ysabel wasn't complaining of course, no. As long as she got to where she needed to go. Plus, going through experiences like this helped her trust her instincts more.

Ysabel put one foot in front of the other, passing portraits, pottery and doors until she came to a stop again. "Damn cross junctions…" she muttered as she gazed down the there options, slightly annoyed. She raised an eyebrow. That feeling… She couldn't explain it. It was as if it was natural for her to feel that way. She sighed. So may mysteries. Straight on.

More walking… until something caught her eye.

She turned to the two large portraits hanging on her left. "King Shinou and the Great Sage," she said unconsciously. She chuckled slightly when the image of Josak slashing the portraits up came to mind. Mentally, she noted she would spare the castle such a loss. It was, after all, a very nicely painted piece of art.

Footsteps pulled her out of her thoughts. Instinctively, her hand flew to her hilt.

"Ysabel?" a voice called out. Ysabel immediately identified who is was and relaxed.

"Günter," she smiled. Honestly, she thought it was funny calling people she logically knew for only a few days by their first names but somehow it felt… right.

"Isn't this familiar," Günter said as she came to a stop beside her, gazing at the portraits. He was in his usual attire. He had his glasses on and a book under his arm.

Ysabel cocked her head. "Familiar?"

(Flashback)

A little girl in a violet dress ran down the corridor. Her hair trailed behind her and the hem of the dress flapped wildly around her ankles.

Cross junction. The girl scowled. Why were there always so manycross junctions in a castle? Didn't any of the grown ups get lost too?

She closed her eyes. It was a trick her mother had taught her. If she ever got lost, all she needed to do was close her eyes, calm down and let her feelings take over. "Edels are known for their almost second nature sixth sense, after all," her mother had said. Not that she understood what it meant but hey, as long as she got to where she needed to go.

Her eyes shot open. Right.

Julia's room was somewhere around here, right?

She skidded to a stop. "Another one?" she wailed. Forcing herself to calmness. Straight. She was off again.

As she ran, she looked left and right for a door that looked familiar. Suddenly, she stopped. Two great portraits hung of the wall.

Mother had explained these pictures to her before. Her brows knotted. What did she say again? She remember the pictures were of really important people… a light bulb sprung to life above her head.

"King Shinou and the Great Sage!" she cried in triumph. And Father said she forgets all the lectures she goes through.

"Ysabel?" a voice said.

She turned towards the origin.

"Lord Günter," she said politely.

A man in white came to stop beside her. A book was tucked underneath his arm. He took his glasses off. "There's no need for formalities outside of court," he smiled.

Ysabel paused. Her face then broke into a smile as she nodded.

"So," he said as he squatted down to the same level as she. "What's a young lady like yourself wandering through the hallways at this time?"

"Julia's sick," the girl said grimly. "I came to visit her."

"Is that so?" Günter said in feigned surprise. "I didn't know Young Julia was sick. Shall we visit her together?"

"Okay!" the little girl said brightly. Her smile broadened.

(End Flashback)

"Familiar indeed," Günter confirmed. Her expression turned doubtful. "Though you might not remember… I heard from Gisela…"

"No, no," Ysabel said quickly. "I remember. It was the first time I met you outside of court."

Günter nodded. "That's right." He turned to Ysabel. "Can I assume you're headed to Julia's room?"

Ysabel gave him a lopsided grin. "Some things really don't change…"

"I'll walk with you," Günter offered.

Ysabel accepted and they set off again.

"How is your stay so far?" he asked after a moment of silent walking.

"Things are… different now," Ysabel answered truthfully. "So many thing have changed."

"You've been gone a long time," Günter stated. "Things weren't as … simple as they were so many years ago."

"So many things I didn't think would happen happened," the words fell from her lips unconsciously. Ysabel blinked in surprise.

"Well, among other things, at least something we foresaw before happened now," Günter said, oblivious to her shock.

"Really?" Ysabel asked as they rounded a corner. "What?"

Günter smiled. "You've bloomed into a beautiful flower."

Ysabel couldn't help but blush at that comment.

The rest of the way to Julia's room was relatively quiet. They halted before a oaken double door. "Well, I shall take me leave here," Günter said. He turned to leave. "Oh, and I almost forgot," he said, looking over his shoulder.

"What is it?"

"We received a letter today," he said. "Military representatives of the Edel Royal guard are coming. They should arrive somewhere within the week as soon as tomorrow morning, if they push their horses, that is."

Ysabel wasn't sure how to react to the news. In other words, the head of the Edel Aristocrats' Bodyguards are arriving as soon as tomorrow morning. And they only tell her now? What would they think of her? Would she know the head? Was she suppose to know the head? What was she going to do?

"I'm sorry," Günter said suddenly. "You don't have to come to terms with your past so soon if you feel you're not ready."

Ysabel snapped out of her daze. She shook her head. "No, I'll have to face it soon or later," she smiled. "Thank you for informing me."

"It was my pleasure," Günter said with a nod of the head. Jokingly, he added, "The Edels outrank the Christs in court after all." Before Ysabel could say anything, he was gone.

Ysabel lifted a hand to knock when the entrance opened. A little girl with long streaming hair walked out. Her gaze met Ysabel's.

"Oh, Lady von Edel," she said.

"Ulrike," Ysabel said.

"Ysabel," Julia said as she too appeared at the doorway. "Do come in." She turned to Ulrike. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Ulrike."

Ulrike nodded and left.

"I wasn't interrupting anything, was I?" Ysabel said as she walked through the door.

"Oh, no," Julia said. "Ulrike and I just finished our talk, in fact."

Ysabel moved to the chair beside the window and Julia took the seat opposite her. "So, how's Shinou treating you?" Julia asked.

Ysabel snapped towards Julia. Did she know? Did she know she was on Earth all this time? Or was it just some way of asking 'How's the world treating you'?

"Alright, I suppose," Ysabel answered, slightly uncomfortably.

"Really? I thought he would be pretty hard on you considering all that's happening," Julia said as she poured tea. "Have you made progress in your maryoku training with him?"

Ysabel's jaw dropped.

"Yes, I know," Julia smiled as she passed the a cup to her guest. "Though only recently when His Majesty told me. I have to say, I'm sorry that you have to be tied to him like that. I know he's not exactly the easiest person to get along with."

"O-oh…" was the only thing Ysabel could say.

"And so that means you know my decision," Julia said before taking a sip of her tea.

Ysabel snapped out of her daze. "Julia, you can't. What about what's it's going to do to Conrad?" Ysabel noticed what she had ended the sentence with and hastily added, "and the others."

If Julia was aware of her discomfort, she didn't show it.

"I don't think I'll have to worry," Julia said. Ysabel couldn't help but feel Julia wanted to add the words: 'about Conrad'. She quickly shook the feeling. "Though honestly, I do still feel worry."

Ysabel didn't know what to say.

"I love them all, Adalbert, Conrad, Gisela, Her Majesty," Julia said, fingering her cup. "They're like family to me."

Ysabel heaved a sigh. "I feel like a ghost… Like I don't belong here."

"You mustn't think that way," Julia chided lightly. "Conrad would indeed feel sad if he heard you say that," she added with a chuckle.

Ysabel suddenly grew scarlet. "I… er… don't know…" she stammered. "what you mean…" she finished lamely.

Julia merely continued to chuckle, causing Ysabel to feel more discomfort.

"Tell me something…" Julia said suddenly.

"What?"

"Are they happy?" Julia asked seriously. She looked off out the window. "After such black times, are they happy?"

Ysabel was taken aback by the question. Flashes of laughter and smiles entered her mind. "Yes… they are."

Julia didn't say anything. She smiled.

Ysabel couldn't help but feel uneasiness behind that smile.

a/n:

Yay! Another chapter up! And so, so, so much faster than the last one. I'll grant though. This chapter isn't very long is it? Oh well… So what didcha guys think bout this chappy? Was it good? Was it bad? You can flame me if you want to, really you can.

To iloveathrun:Thank so much for your support! Means a lot to me!

ToTwilightVixen:I'm so glad you like my story and am even more glad you think I'm a good writer! (blush) I hope I didn't disappoint you with this chapter!

ToErisabeisuu:Wow, I'm so happy you actually liked the last chapter. And yeah, I, myself, liked the Army bit too! Lol, go Ysabel!

Tomunch007: Thanks so much for the complitment! Oh dear me, I'm blushing again! And yes, I do strife for that quality in my stories so I'm glad I've somewhat achieved it!

ToAll my Readers: Thank you all for sticking with me so far, I know I made you guys wait really long for some of there chapters. Your support is loved and reviews are even more loved. Lol So go on, gimme a review! You know you want to!

Hehehe… I got 4 reviews on my last chapter! Yay! New record for me! Hehe… I'm still so happy I got 4 lol. (yea, I know people get like 1020 reviews per chapter but hey, I'm a simple person.Don't take too much to make me happy.)

I'd be happy to get maybe 5 reviews on this chapter? Of course if you guys wanted to give me more, who am I to object. Lol. I live to serve (the readers).

Dang, I think I'm about half done with this story. I think I'll have to keep childhood memories to a minimal cause… well… I can't think of any lol. If you guys have any ideas, drop me an email.

Stay tuned for my next chapter! Things are starting to get more interesting from here on end.

Until my next update,

Forever,

Val.