I know, I know. Chapter delay. Well it's for the reasons I delayed last time. But you know what? I'm rereading this story and getting into it all over again. I won't make a promise such as, "Next chapter in one week" but I will try my hardest to get out this chapter as soon as possible.

This is the 18th (Woo for me) chapter of Slaves or Royalty and I've got something to say. "I am back and working hard on it...I think." (*Laughing for no reason* Just kidding)

Thanks to:

Chapter 18: More Secrets, some Impending Danger and How do You Give a Speech?

Quatre runs into his room, catching his breath as he places Adriana down on the bed. 'I'm glad no one saw me. But what do I do about Adriana? What can I do except hope she doesn't remember anything...Wait a minute. I think I can do something.'

A few minutes later...

"Augh..." Adriana groggily opens her eyes, and blinks a couple of times before her full vision comes back. "Huh?" She asks, as she sees the blue ceiling above her. "Where am I?"

"Oh Lady Adriana, you're awake." Adriana turns her head to see Quatre come into the room.

"Sir Quatre? What happened to me? Why am I in here?"

"You don't remember?"

"Remember what?"

"Oh, you passed out."

"I...I did?"

"Yes."

"Am I okay? Did Sally say anything about it?"

"No not really. Did you eat breakfast?"

"No, I haven't had the time. I've been planning my share of the Ball."

"That might have been it."

"But I haven't been working that hard."

"Well still..." Adriana gets up, but then stumbles a little. "Oh!" Quatre catches her quickly, picking her up into his arms. "I got you." Adriana looks up at him surprised.

With Angel and Trowa...

"Oh, I...I don't know what you're talking about Lady Angel."

"You kissed me. I felt it. I still feel it."

"Lady Angel--"

"Why did you do that?"

"Because you were...No, never mind."

"Tell me. Tell me why you did that."

"You wouldn't understand."

"I wouldn't understand? What do you mean by that?" Suddenly Trowa's eyes widen slightly in surprise. "What? What is it?" Trowa points behind her and when Angel turns around she gasps, taking a step back.

Meanwhile...

"Ooh look at this one. Oh wow."

"Hilde are you sure about this?" Duo asks, as he and Hilde walk through a nearby village's market.

"What are you worried about Duo? No one will recognize us. Will they?"

"I doubt it. No one will likely recognize me and you're wearing that hood. It's just that there are people--"

"Who want me dead? There are villagers like that?"

"No, no the villagers. But people with only evil intentions do. They want to us you and your po..." He stops.

"My what?"

"Never mind."

"Duo, stop keeping secrets from me."

"I'm not."

"Okay, fine, it's not like I care anyway." She says, and then walks away from him, picking up her pace.

"Hilde, wait. Come on wait." He starts following after her, but then gets stopped as a large man stands in front of him.

"This is far as you go."

"Huh?" Duo looks up at the man.

'Who does Duo think he is anyway? If he's going to keep secrets from me, then he might as well not talk to me...Why isn't he talking?' Hilde turns around to look for Duo, but finds him gone. 'Where did he go? Did he really think I was that mad at him?' She starts heading back, but then feels a hand grab her arm. "Oh there you are Duo. I thought--" She stops, as she turns around to look at Duo, but sees it's not him. She's about to scream out, but doesn't get the chance as she feels dizzy and passes out.

With a nervous Relena...

"Okay...How about Ladies and Gentlemen...No, no, too showy. Um...Vill--No. Oh, how do I do this?" Relena sighs, as she looks down. "I'm never going to be able to do this."

"Sure you will. You were destined for it." Relena turns around to see Heero standing in the doorway, in his "position". (AN: Heh)

"You keep saying that. But I just can't come up with anything."

"Here put this on."

"What?" Heero brings over a small jewelry box.

"Just open it."

"Why are you giving me this?"

"Because it will help you."

"It has some sort of power?"

"In a way."

"Hmm..." Relena opens the box and then gasps.

End of chapter. I know this is short too, but please bear with me. This story is almost over and I still have a few things to reveal so you know. Oh well, until the next chapter. As for my other stories, I'm working on those too. I apologize for any mistakes in this chapter. Until next time. Later!