Lieutenant Paladine: Aww thanks! I'm really happy to hear you like my work! ^.^ I ought to read your own story and review too, eh?

BAMS: Heh, yeah. XP

Hound Akragth: Yeah, I'm pretty sure Raegas was messing with Miranda on purpose. After all, she said so herself. I'm glad you liked it and all. I wonder if Raegas will make up with her later. Or Adel, even. I just hope the Cerberus woman will keep from attacking Raegas again for fear of getting killed in her sleep by other Vertoak, of course.

Hopelessly Blue: No! Don't mess with me on purpose- I can't take it! I can't help but get jealous… you're mine. DX And yes, I did actually scowl; you know me all too well. (Jasin apologizes for taking Liara) Oh yeah… I don't think she feels guilty though. Oh well. I agree with the whole 'father hate-club' thing. Maybe Raegas and Miranda will be able to work it out later. And Adel. I wonder what her history is too. Lulz, totally with you on the little bro subject! XD

Liege Lord: Nooo! Now I have to write the damned flashback chapter! Man, I told you I skipped it for a reason. *sighs* But I'll write it anyway just 'cause you've been with me from the beginning and I appreciate you. Interesting ideas there, Lordy. You just might see a few things such as that happen. Well, unless I decided to change something.

Kachie Takahashi: Awesome. I wonder what the challenge will be? Anyway, I'm so happy that you like the story and all. ^.^

A/N: So… I'm late this time because I kept spacing off about HB instead of what I should write for the next chapter. Don't judge me.

Adel scowled to herself as she exited the lounge hall quickly. She hated to be mocked. She knew Raega meant only the best intentions but with the tensions between races of late, it was hardly the time for jesting. The princess' thought process was all too complicated; how was she expecting to do so much for so many races in such a strict amount of time? Let alone how she was going to 'break' it to her father just how special this Shepard was. Raega hadn't even mentioned the small fact of the Commander being her alleged Soulmate- nor had she confirmed it to anyone. At this point it was mere rumors in the Emperor's mind.

Adel's train of thought was interrupted by an excited voice calling out her name. She turned around to see the youngest heir, Kareck, with two of his Sentinels and Miranda. Hadn't that human stormed off after gravely insulting Adel's closest friend and princess? How ignorant she was of the Vertoak. Even after spending six months with their team, that irritating human still had no idea what attacking one of the royal family meant. Not even how insulting it is to be threatened by such pathetic mammals- lookalikes or not. Adel had no idea how Raega dealt with such a species for so long, let alone found love in one of them.

"Adel, have you met Miranda? She's on Shepard's team!" the young prince grinned, all too happy to be recognized as a Royal. Their entire line had always had the dark types and 'black sheep'. But Kareck was one of the only ones who inherited the rare gene of carelessness.

"Yes." She ground, barely hissing the reply as she sent daggers flying toward the human female. "We have met." She finished, breathing out her irritation and looking back to the young heir. He hesitantly smiled, no doubt seeing the coals of anger deep in Adel's eyes. Yet still, he said nothing of it.

"I can't show her around right now as much as I'd love to, but I was hoping…" the prince glanced down, suddenly shy. That was one quality he shared with his elder sister at least.

"What is it?" she asked, trying to keep her face from twitching at her own irritation. No matter what the human woman had done, it was extremely rare for Adel to feel such intense… emotion- toward anyone. Let alone someone she'd only 'met' once. Of course, her protective nature over Raega rivaled only Vetrali's own.

"Well I was hoping you could show her around instead." At the prince's suggestion, Adel's brow finally twitched as her face grew to a look of stone, her eyes narrowed and mouth fighting between a smile of respect and frown of disdain. "-If you're not busy!" he suddenly amended, sporting the expression of a worried and panicked child.

…

Kareck knew that look. The one Adel had on her face looked just like Raegas' when she got really annoyed at something. He just hoped Adel wouldn't punch a dent in something- namely him- like his sister tended to do. He had wondered what was bothering Adel, Raegas' right-hand woman, but if he knew her it would only make things worse. But then she might be angrier at him just for making her show a human around. After all, she didn't seem to like her much at all. Not that it looked like it was one-sided…

"I have some time I may allot to this activity." Her uptight voice said otherwise. Kareck saw the human's expression grow into a scowl when she crossed her arms like she was a stubborn child not getting her way. He didn't know what to do, so he did what he always did when in similar situations: smile it away and hope it doesn't stay. Tali had come up with that when they met so long ago… He didn't feel like smiling anymore. But he had to. He was a prince and Raegas' little brother. He had to be strong like she always was when Shepard was dead.

"Well I have work to do. Excuse me." the human lady turned around to leave down the hallway but Kareck's sentinels stepped in the way, staring forebodingly down at her. She stopped before they hurt her at least, so that was good. The only problem with being a little prince was how you always had to have 'handlers' with you to make sure you don't get in trouble. And so your authority as a future sovereign wasn't stained or abused. Wow, that was the textbook reference… Kareck needed to stop hanging around Old Greavus or he'd be a talking bookworm soon. Oh! So that was why the humans called smart people bookworms!

"The Prince has asked you to accompany Lord Adel on an enlightening tour." Shale said, narrowing his eyes on the human who was glaring at him.

"Please do not refuse this rare opportunity." Kael, Shale's twin, added, getting the human's attention. Kareck knew it was insulting to be refused of such gracious behavior in the Vertoakan culture but when it came to humans it was different. Unfortunately his two handlers refused to treat the woman as patiently. Just like with everything else.

"Please, your majesty. I am quite able to escort Miranda to the exit." Adel's graceful tone caught the young sibling off-guard but he was just as happy to have her less angry than before. Not that he knew why she mad or why she wasn't anymore. In response, he smiled and looked to the human lady.

"Miranda? I like your name!" he announced, knowing his goofy persona would put her off. Humans always took things so seriously. But then, so did the Vertoak. At least with humans they didn't glare all of the time.

Before the human named Miranda replied, Kareck bounced off toward the lounge to see if he could find his big sister.

After all, he was here to deliver big news!

…

Miranda glared at Adel as the woman gestured for her to follow. She stubbornly refused at first, but when Adel glared back and pressed a hand to her lower back, she stepped forward.

"I can walk myself out." Miranda hissed. Adel's expression darkened and she leaned closer.

"You have no idea where you are or where you are supposed to head. Without me you'll end up insulting someone again and I can't have that out of respect for both of our races. Now move." The displeased Vertoakan hissed, pushing Miranda forward again.

"You don't need to interfere with my own business!" the human scowled, looking back at Adel. She only blew out a smirk and leaned close once more, making sure no passing ears could hear what she had to say.

"Interfere? I saved your life not two scant minutes ago and I still am." She stated.

"What?" Miranda scoffed, narrowing her eyes on Adel as she moved back.

"Back in the lounge you threw a challenge at our princess- my cousin. A moment ago your attitude almost did the same. I highly doubt you could move twenty paces without insulting another of my people. Come with me and you can avoid causing a rift between both of our races." She explained, crossing her arms. Miranda did the same and raised a brow skeptically.

"If I refuse?" she asked.

"I won't be responsible for your safety." Adel took a few steps forward, down the hallway, before pausing. She turned only her face to the side to show she was about to speak once more. "I do this only for my burdened cousin. Please do not force me to watch you unceasingly." She said it quietly. Almost gently. It was a rare tone, but she truly felt something stirring inside of her. Perhaps instinct.

Whatever it was, it was telling her that there was something more to this Miranda.

"Whatever." The human muttered, choosing to follow Adel.

Adel could only hope they wouldn't run into Emperor Haieven…

A/N: So, it seems I'm already writing 'companion chapters'. Maybe they'll turn out as complicated or as awesome as Raega. Who knows? XP