ONCE AGAIN I found myself alone and more afraid than ever. It was strange how Louis disappearing from my sight managed to unnerve me so much - to the point where my mind was forced into a tight little ball of anguish. I couldn't recall it ever having been quite so distressing up until that point but keeping in mind that it was most likely Klaru behind that door, I realised I couldn't have felt any other way.

I pressed my front against the barrier between Louis and I, listening out for that sickly sweet voice to begin verbalising some untrustworthy parlance.

As always.

The strangers entered the room soundlessly, like ghosts. The silence was painful. As soon as the door clicked shut behind them it didn't take long for the small talk to begin.

The first person that spoke was a woman but her words were unintelligible. Her voice however, was not. As I listened intently, Klaru continued to rattle on in her native language, her voice hitting highs and lows so rapidly that I got the impression she was taunting whoever she was speaking to.

Of course it could only be Louis. She'd been taunting him from the moment her secret had been uncovered, so what was to stop her now that we were finally on Junito? She probably took pleasure in upsetting him.

When Klaru finally shut her mouth, there was a long silence. My heart began to race as I waited for Louis to reply but he said nothing.

The princess released a loud sigh and then, "Really?"

As soon as the English hit my ears I realised they were both in their human forms.

Louis scoffed. "What? Does my lack of enthusiasm to speak with a traitor displease you? Does it offend you? Anger you? Good."

"Hmph," Klaru exclaimed. I could envision the scowl on her face as she looked angrily at her betrothed. "Are you truly so childish as to remain in your, quite frankly, hideous human form so as to render your own language to nothing but ... gibberish? Do you hate our little talks so much, my prince?"

"Yes," he instantly replied without missing a beat. I reminded myself to give him a high-five for that line later on. "Quite frankly Klaru, if I must remain in this form for the rest of my life just to be ignorant to your words, then I shall."

"Really? I don't believe you," Klaru drawled presumptuously. "In fact, I don't even think you'd be able to do so."

"Oh? Do elaborate on why," Louis said.

"Alright, I shall cut right to it – you wouldn't be able to walk around like this for several reasons. One; you would baffle all the citizens in the kingdom, have them questioning why you have shifted forms oh-so suddenly and without explanation. Two; as your wife, we shall have to communicate in order to rule the planet and I'm sure your kind heart would rather we do what's best for the people of Junito. Plus, if you think I'll be sporting that awful look then you are mistaken. Finally, and possibly the most valid reason, your father."

The mention of his father must have shocked Louis for he wasn't quite so quick to reply that time. He cleared his throat. "What do you mean by that?"

"By what?" she asked innocently.

"You know what," Louis growled. "My father."

"Well, taking into account that our human disguises are just that – a disguise, a camouflage that awakens from dormancy only when necessary, don't you think that your father would be a little confused to see you walking around in a layer of skin that is unattainable unless having set foot upon the planet of origin?"

Unfortunately, Klaru was right. After everything Louis had told me about his dad and his reluctance to be open-minded, it was highly unlikely that Louis could walk about freely without being questioned. That sadly meant that my own chances of survival were next to nothing if I happened to get caught.

Louis surprised me by saying, "Wouldn't that be a shame?" His remark was spoken in a sarcastic manner and I found myself smirking as I listened to him taunt Klaru back. "How unfortunate if I were to show up for the wedding in human skin. People would wonder - like you said - how I acquired such an odd complexion, so I guess there would be no other way to resolve the matter, than to tell everyone the truth."

"Do that and I kill her," Klaru snapped. Her pitch had lowered several octaves making her sound more terrifying than ever. She sure was determined to have me killed.

"You won't touch her," Louis said strictly. I could tell that he meant every single word and my heart swelled. He was so heart-warmingly protective of me but not in the same way that Jason was. Louis would go to extremes to keep me safe even if it meant he would get hurt in the process whereas Jason, having never been in a situation where he needed to risk his life for me, tended to be more over-bearingly possessive type. Not to mention he often let his jealousy get in the way.

"Don't leave it as my last option," Klaru returned. "I do not care much for your little friend, Loudrix. After all, she's the main reason it was so difficult to find you."

"Find me and kill me," Louis corrected. "Forgive me for coming across as slightly underwhelmed at your failed attempts but I like being alive, Klaru."

"And, my prince, I assume most of Junito's population feels the same way. Just think – one is all it takes to start a movement, a rebellion, and this little human of yours is that one. So as I see it, the prince, soon to be king, would rather protect a foreign creature than his own people."

"If you are implying that one human has the ability to destroy an entire planet then you are insane." Louis chuckled. "Do you honestly think she could do such a thing?"

Klaru was silent for a moment. "Perhaps not destroy a planet. Jeopardise the loyalty between a prince and his people? Yes."

"I... That's preposterous!" Louis stammered, his words clipped. "How dare you even suggest such a thing?"

"Am I wrong, Loudrix?" she taunted. I heard her heels clicking against the polished floor and I could almost picture her pompous smirk as she made her way over to Louis. If she ever got all up in my face I'd swing my fist at her. Part of me hoped Louis would too but it was unlikely that he would ever strike another; he was too kind to lash out, even towards Klaru.

"Flora is a friend. The Junites are like family. I know where my loyalties lie – my friends and family."

"Hm," I heard Klaru muse. Her footsteps had come to a halt right outside my hiding spot and I instantly began to hold my breath, paranoid she would hear it behind the wall. "Interesting how friends appear to come first on your list."

"Stop twisting my words, Princess," Louis warned. "At least my intentions are not treacherous or undefined."

Klaru sniggered. "Treacherous? So ensuring the safety of our race is a crime now?"

"Trying to have the heir to the throne killed, is," Louis told her. It sounded like he was speaking through his teeth. "I'll have you know that when this little game of yours comes to the attention of my family, there is nowhere on his planet you can run, nowhere safe that you can hide where we will not find you."

Klaru laughed boisterously as if what Louis had said were a joke. Her defiance to truly listen and take into account everything that Louis said made my blood boil. She was so intolerable to say the least and as soon as Louis plucked up enough courage to tell his parents about what she had been up to, the better.

"I'm sorry, do I amuse you?" the prince questioned. He sounded angry.

Klaru's laughing ceased to a giggle that she tried miserably to talk through. "I-it's just how serious you sound! Ha! Oh, my prince, you do know how t-to make me laugh."

"Get out!" Louis bellowed suddenly. "Get out of my chambers this instant! I've had enough of this pointless conversation."

"But I'm not finished with you yet," Klaru informed, her footsteps echoing around the room once again. "We haven't even had the chance to talk about the marriage yet."

I heard Louis groan, like a little kid would before getting ready for school; grumpily and with reluctance. "Must we? It's still going to happen if that's what you're implying."

"Oh, I know. I'll make sure of it. But I meant in more detail; the place, the time, my gown and so on. Does getting married not excite you? Would you not like to take part in arranging your own special day?"

"No, not really," Louis told her bluntly.

"Well, you can pretend to enjoy it then," she snapped. "The rings are in the process of being crafted, so as soon as they are ready we can choose a date. I was thinking next week. The sooner the better, right, wouldn't you agree?"

"Next week," Louis drawled, like he was drunk and trying to correctly say a tongue-twister. "You can't be serious?"

"Why not? Give me one good reason why next week won't suffice?"

"Perhaps because I don't want to marry you?" he threw at her and I had to clamp a hand over my mouth to stop myself from squealing. Had he really just said that? If it were anyone else, the brutal honesty would have been a shock – however, with it being Klaru it was all too amusing. I wish I could have seen her face right then.

"Ouch," she muttered. As if she's truly hurt, I thought. She was the living embodiment of a drama-queen. "I must say, I had expected you to drop that on me from the moment I mentioned a wedding. It would appear, Loudrix, that marrying me doesn't disgust you as much as you claim it does."

This time, Louis laughed out loud. "You really are delusional, Klaru. Truly."

"Maybe," she murmured. I wondered if she was aware of how insane she actually was. "But I meant what I said about discussing details for the big day. You may not be looking forward to it as much as I am, but I will give you the honour of pitching in ideas."

"The honour," he scoffed. "I'd rather leave that to you," he said. "That way I shall look even more miserable when the time comes."

"Loudrix, Loudrix, Loudrix," she cooed. "Won't you try and be happy for your betrothed?"

"If you were not so evil, things may have been very different between us, Klaru. When we first met, I liked you very much. I thought you were unique, the most interesting woman I'd ever met. I was completely willing to accept the arranged marriage tradition back then but now ... now this has just grown too silly. You are out of line and down-right evil. You won't win this."

"I already have," she said. "As soon as you announced that we were to be wed you made it easy for me. Now that we are definitely together, there is no way for you to wriggle out of the hole you've dug for yourself."

I heard Louis laugh and then he smugly commented, "We'll see."

"Hm," Klaru returned, seemingly unable to think of a smart reply to throw his way. I was thankful because anymore rubbish she spouted at him would leave me with an insatiable urge to jump and tackle her to the ground. Perhaps if she bumped her head on a piece of furniture she would forget everything.

"I think it would be best if you left me alone now," Louis said slowly. I heard him walk past her towards the door and then a sudden grunt as his movements came to an abrupt stop. "Take your hands off me," I heard him practically snarl.

"Release him, gentlemen," Klaru chimed from the other side of the fireplace. "The prince would appear to not quite be in the fettle for a chat this evening."

"Yes, I agree," Louis said. "Good evening, Klaru."

Her heels began to click towards the exit in a painfully slow motion, just like the ticking of a clock. "Until we meet again, my prince," she drawled, the door slamming shut after her.

Quiet descended upon the chambers for one final time and I was itching to be by Louis' side. I felt safer there, where I could see him and he could see me. We worked at our best when we were together.

I patiently bid my time in the shelter, straining to hear the footsteps fade into the distance. Only once the coast was clear did I ever so slowly begin to push the door open. Louis was right there, looking at the door to make sure no-one was going to enter all of a sudden. Who knows what would have happened if the unfortunate were to occur?

"Louis," I hissed when he refused to move out of my way. I reached out to push his arm down but he wouldn't budge.

"Stay hidden," he warned. "I'm not convinced she's gone yet."

"Go check?" I suggested.

"Yeah... Right, one second." He straightened his collar and rushed towards the door, throwing it open and walking out into the hall. "Klaru!" I heard him yell as he disappeared from sight.

She sounded surprised. "Yes?"

"I will have a say about this wedding," he began, matter-of-factly. "I want there to be a huge celebration - here, at the palace, out on the balcony platform over-looking the kingdom. There shall be invitations sent out to families from all over Junito, all the Lords and Ladies from the sub-kingdoms too. Your parents shall be brought here personally tomorrow morning. And there has to be several tables full of food for our guests through-out the week until the big day."

"Well," Klaru gasped, "that certainly was unexpected. Is this you finally coming to terms with our agreement?"

"I don't recall whole-heartedly agreeing to it in the first place so I'm putting these conditions on the table and I expect them to be granted."

For a moment she was silent and then, "Done. Your conditions shall be met but I must warn you ... I shall be planning the majority of our honeymoon."

I shuddered at the thought of Louis and Klaru officially consummating the marriage but the idea of them together alone was gross enough without thinking about them being intimate. At the end of the day, Louis was in danger whenever he was near that woman and the farther I could separate them the better.

Louis slammed the door shut behind him as if to say, Point proven.

"That was interesting." My comment brought his gaze back to my face and he just grimaced.

"You have no idea."

"I'm pretty sure I do," I said as I pushed the door open a little further. "So, what's the plan?"

Louis sighed deeply. He was obviously mentally drained after that little spat with Klaru and instantly I regretted asking him so soon.

But I was mistaken, for he crossed that room in an instant and said, "I'll do it. I'll talk to my parents but I cannot guarantee everything will go as you plan."

I only managed to nod, surprised that he'd changed his mind so suddenly. His talk with Klaru must have really taken it out of him. Perhaps it had been the kick he'd needed all along, the only thing that helped him see how desperate the situation was.

"Right," I managed to blurt. "Well, that's good. What have you got in mind then?"

He shook his head. "I have no idea. I can't just blurt it out at random, so I'll have to think of a perfect time where my parents – my father in particular – can't lose his temper at me. If I could have his full attention and he, mine, then it would be perfect. And Klaru would have to be there too so the guards can stop her if she tries to silence me before I can alert everyone of what has been happening."

"So you need there to be a big event," I concluded, nodding along with him. I grinned. "You're in luck then."

Confusion clouded his features and I just laughed at how obvious it all was. The timing was perfect, almost like the universe were trying to help us. I raised a brow at him as he continued to stare at me, awaiting an explanation.

"Well?" he urged. "Do define."

I sighed, disappointed he hadn't realised himself. I grinned and said, "Thanks to you, we have everything we need for this to work. The big event? That will be the wedding, stupid."

Thank you for reading as always! Hopefully the next update will be quicker but I can't promise anything cos I've still got lots of extra shifts in the next three-four weeks.

Who has seen IT? Talk to me right now in the comments or through PM if you have, I wanna know your thoughts :O

Space joke: How does Jupiter hold up its trousers? With an asteroid belt!

Cazza