Many thanks go to Wade Wells, CMS and BlueLionSTL for their thoughts and inputs on this story. When I became stuck and didn't work on the story for a while I received a lot of encouragement and great ideas from these ladies so I could move forward again.

I make no claims to Voltron or any other WEP characters.

Enjoy Chapter 1

Mertz

Innocence Lost:

Allura sighs as she watches the sun set from the balcony. It is her favorite time of day, the peace she feels from the knowledge that her planet has survived another day without Drule attacks. Whenever possible she stands on the balcony and enjoys watching the setting sun. She hears the door to the balcony open and looks over at her shoulder. She smiles at the tall, dark haired man walking towards her. He stops next to her and looks out at the setting sun, "Beautiful…" His dark eyes turn toward her, "Almost as beautiful as you."

Glancing at him, Allura nods her thanks and turns back to the setting sun. He sighs as he takes her hand in his, "Allura, please…can you look at me?"

Allura turns to him and watches him closely as he smiles at her warmly before bending down on one knee. He kisses the back of her hand before beginning, "Princess Allura, with all of the time we have spent together I've come to realize that you are the only woman in the universe that can match my mind, body and spirit. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Her eyes widen a bit in surprise, she had expected a proposal, but not this soon. She squeezes his hand before responding softly, "Please, don't take offense…but I need some time to think about this. This isn't just about me, it is about my people and my planet."

The smile freezes on his face as he slowly rises, "Of course Allura…" he leans forward and kisses her lightly on the lips, "But don't make me wait too long." He smiles at her again before walking toward the balcony door.

Allura watches as Prince Robert glances back at her just before the door, "Good night my dear Allura, sleep well. I look forward to your answer." She manages to smile at him as he turns around and walks back into the castle.

Allura turns back to finish watching the sun set, but her pleasure in it has gone.

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Keith sighs as he walks down the hall to the dining room the next morning. While walking he rubs the temples above his eyes. Keith had awoken with a headache and it isn't showing any signs of getting any better. He had swallowed some aspirin but he is hoping the caffeine from coffee with help as well.

Entering the dining room he smiles his greeting to Pidge who is putting some jam on his toast. He looks up and returns the smile, "Morning Cap!"

Keith grimaces at the loud greeting and pushes on his forehead again with his fingers, "Not so loud Pidge…my head is killing me this morning."

Pidge grimaces and whispers, "Sorry." as Keith walks to the table and pours himself a cup of coffee.

Keith slowly lowers himself into his normal chair, closes his eyes and begins sipping the coffee, praying for anything to cut through the headache. As Hunk and Lance enter Pidge frantically waves at them to get their attention and holds a finger to his lips before pointing to Keith and then his head.

They nod and quietly wish Keith a good morning. He opens his eyes briefly, smiles at them then closes his eyes once more to go back to his coffee. Moments later Allura walks in but misses Pidge's waving and smiles as she says good morning in her regular voice.

Keith grimaces in pain as he opens his eyes and quietly wishes Allura good morning. She finally notices the paleness of his face and the stress in his eyes before asking, "Are you feeling alright Keith?"

Before Keith can answer Prince Robert walks in behind Allura and loudly greets everyone in the room. He stops beside Allura and kisses her. Allura turns her face away from Robert, her eyes moving back to Keith's face as she pulls away.

Allura pauses in her movement, amazed by the emotions that had briefly crossed Keith's features. She saw horrendous pain and for a moment, a blazing anger before he dropped his eyes back to the table and smoothed out his features once more. Did I see what I think I saw?

She pulls away from a disappointed Robert and walks over to sit across from Keith, "Are you alright?"

Pulling his eyes up from the table, Keith manages a small smile, "I'm fine except for a nasty headache."

Allura continues to watch him, Reaction to a headache…was that all I saw? Growing uncomfortable with Allura's scrutiny, Keith looks away and then slowly rises from the table. He watches as Prince Robert sits beside Allura and places his hand on top of hers. Feeling the anger licking at his insides like fire and making his head pound even more, Keith turns away to address the rest of the group, "I can't get rid of this headache. I'm postponing practice until this afternoon and going to rest."

Without waiting for an answer, Keith walks around the table and leaves the room. Hunk looks up a bit shocked, "He really must be in bad shape, Keith never skips a practice."

Lance looks away from the door his best friend had just walked through before turning back to answer Hunk, "No kidding, he even flies when he has the flu."

Allura looks from Hunk to Lance, "Do you think we should make him see Dr. Gorma?"

Lance shrugs but before he can verbally answer Prince Robert speaks up, "I'm sure the man is fine Allura. If he needs the doctor he is old enough to go find Dr. Gorma himself."

Trying to change the topic, he smiles ingratiatingly at Allura, "So have you thought about what I asked you?"

Allura glances around the room at the puzzled looks on her friends' faces and becomes furious with Robert for bringing it up, "Not yet. You will know when I know Robert."

Lance studies Allura as she turns away from Robert and refuses to meet his eyes any further. In fact she wouldn't meet anybody's eyes as she pours herself a cup of tea and picks up a piece of toast. Knowing he would get the information out of Allura later, Lance goes back to his own breakfast.

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A few hours later Keith rubs his temples while taking a momentary break from his paperwork. Most of the headache was gone, but the lingering pain is occasionally making itself known with a stab to the temples. Unwilling to fly with the continuing pain unless absolutely necessary; Keith had finally cancelled practice for the day. He knows he could make a serious error in judgment while the headache continues to plague him and destroys his concentration.

He winces when he hears a knock at the door, "Enter."

Lance wanders in smiling at him before asking in a soft voice, "Head any better?"

Nodding slightly, Keith sits back in his chair, "What's up?"

Lance watches him for a moment before noticing the redness of his eyes and slight tightening around his mouth. He lounges back in his chair, "Liar…your head is still killing you. Why don't you go see Dr. Gorma?"

Shaking his head at Lance, Keith sits forward in his chair, "It will pass. Is this the only reason you came in here or did you actually need something?"

Lance grimaces, "Prince Robert…"

A slight tightening of his jaw is the only sign of Keith's irritation with the subject of Prince Robert. The man had begun visiting six month ago. From Planet Oron, Prince Robert had come to Planet Arus with one goal in mind, convincing Princess Allura to marry him. For all intents and purposes it looked like he may succeed. His visits have become more frequent and the duration of each one longer.

He was about Keith's height, with dark brown hair, ebony eyes and classic features. Keith had almost puked when he heard Nanny describe Prince Robert as dreamy. Coran seemed to respect him and was pushing Allura for what he calls an "advantageous marriage" between Planet Arus and Planet Oron.

Lance, Pidge and Hunk seemed to get along with Prince Robert alright. About the only one the prince didn't seem to like was Keith and Keith knew why. Somehow the prince had picked up on Keith's feelings for the princess and seemed to take perverse pleasure in making Keith angry by holding Allura's hand and pressing his attentions on her in front of him, knowing that Keith would never have Allura and the pain that knowledge brought Keith.

Keith sits back in his chair once more, trying to maintain his outward sense of calm, "What about Prince Robert?"

Watching him closely, Lance answers, "I think he proposed to the princess. He asked her about an answer to some question he asked her last night and she became very embarrassed and wouldn't look at any of us as she told him she didn't have an answer yet."

Keith tries not to show the pain and panic he is feeling inside as he responds to Lance, "She hasn't said anything to you about it?"

Shaking his head, Lance sits forward, "No and she has been avoiding me all day. I was hoping since you two are such good friends she would have said something to you about it."

Hoping his voice sounds calmer than he feels, Keith waves a hand at Lance in dismissal, "I wouldn't worry about it yet. Allura wouldn't make that kind of decision without some serious consideration."

Lance grimaces as he stands up, "I hope you are right. Prince Robert seems like an ok guy, but it would seriously change how things run around here if he becomes king." He watches Keith for a moment more before adding, "Why don't you go get something for your head…it's stupid to suffer like you are."

Keith shakes his head at Lance, "I'm fine…now get out of here so I can get my work done."

Lance shakes his head at his stubborn friend before turning around and leaving the room.

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Allura leaves Coran's office, a bit irritated and still no closer to making a decision on Robert's proposal. She sighs; Coran had been no help at all. When she had told him of the proposal, Coran had wanted to make the announcement immediately. After informing him she hadn't accepted it yet, Coran had been a bit upset and confused asking, "Why wouldn't you immediately say yes Princess? With all of his visits, isn't this what we've been hoping for?"

Rubbing her temples slightly as the stress mounted, Allura had attempted to explain to Coran about her reservations only to be cut off, "Princess, Prince Robert is a good man, even if he is a little vain. He will bring a lot of good things to Arus with the marriage. We have gone over all of this since he started visiting, why are you hesitating now?"

After pushing her to make her decision soon before he withdraws the proposal, Coran had changed the topic to other pressing matters. Allura sighs deeply, Coran wants her to accept the proposal, Nanny had wanted Allura to ask Prince Robert to marry her the day he first visited and she didn't know what to think.

She liked him alright; he could be charming and witty. Handsome, the man almost was vain about his appearance, which Allura found amusing. But what bothered her the most, is that when Robert has kissed her she has felt nothing. Not a hint of passion or desire, the thought of sleeping with him didn't interest her at all and sleep with him she would if she agreed to become his wife.

Her mind floats back to the image of Keith and the expressions she briefly saw on his face that morning at breakfast. Lately he has been an object of many of her thoughts. Her best friend, besides Lance, Keith had always been supportive of anything Allura has tried, from becoming a pilot to the various projects she has initiated to try to bring Arus back to its former glory. However with Prince Robert, Keith has been very quiet and withdrawn. The one time she brought up the subject to gain his opinion on the man, Keith had shrugged off the question and quickly changed the topic. Now she wonders if he truly dislikes Robert and didn't want to let her know or if he is feeling something else.

Sighing deeply she thinks, Does he care for me as more than a friend and is afraid to show it? Or does he just dislike Robert? As she walks she finds herself in the hallway outside of Keith's office, I must find out before I agree to marry Robert. If there is a chance that Keith could love me…

Shaking her head before she finishes the thought, Allura knocks on the door to Keith's office and enters when bidden. He looks up from his papers and smiles at her before standing, "Princess, is there something I can do for you?"

Waving him back into his seat, she walks around his desk to stand by the window, looking out. She speaks softly, "Keith, I need some advice." before turning around to face him. She smiles tentatively at him, "You are my dearest friend. I know you will give it to me straight and not sugar coat it the way everyone else seems to."

Keith arches a brow at her in puzzlement as she takes a step closer to him, "Keith, I've been considering an alliance between Prince Robert and myself, merging the power of our two worlds." Keith's eyes show no response so she continues, "If I agree to this I want to go into it with my eyes wide open. Both Coran and Nanny support him, but I just don't know."

Her sapphire gaze locks onto Keith's dark eyes as she finishes. Keith watches her for several moments, keeping his face impassive and his emotions out of his eyes as he tries to slow the beating of his heart. He finally sits up in his chair when he feels calm enough, "Princess, I can't tell you whether you should or shouldn't marry this man…"

Waving a hand away to stop him, she kneels in front of him and grabs his hand, "I'm not asking you that Keith. I'm asking what you think of Robert. Would he be good for Arus?" Please Keith show me something…

Sighing deeply, Keith leans forward while placing his other hand on top of hers, "Allura, marriage is about more than alliances. You have to live with this man, not Coran. You will have to go to bed with him every night, wake up to him every morning and have…well, bear his children. This isn't about Arus, it should be about you. Is this what you want?"

Allura stares deeply into his eyes for several moments before pulling away from him. My friend, nothing more…he wouldn't be this calm if he felt more. She moves to the window again, "Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of waiting for love Keith." She turns to face him, smiling sadly, "Princesses rarely do."

Keith stands up and begins to walk to her, "Look Allura…" then stops when someone knocks on the door. Keith turns around as the door opens and Coran walks in, "Ahh Princess, here you are. Prince Robert would like to speak to you. He is waiting for you in your office."

Trying not to growl at the interruption, Keith turns back to Allura, "We can continue this later if you wish Princess."

She smiles at him slightly, "No need Keith, I think I know what your position is." She walks past him and out of the office with Coran.

Keith drops his head to his chest as the door closes, Please Allura…don't choose him. He walks back to his desk and sits down in the chair before lowering his head to his crossed arms on the desk and saying a silent prayer.

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Allura walks into her office and becomes irritated when she sees Prince Robert sitting in her seat. She walks around her desk, "Excuse me…" and raises an eyebrow at him. Robert grits his teeth as he smiles up at her and rises. He manages a, "Sorry my dear, I didn't think you would mind." before he walks around the desk to sit in the seat in front.

Smiling at him as she sits down as she says, "Apology accepted, no harm done." She sits back in her chair, "Coran said that you wanted to see me?"

Robert raises an eyebrow at her, "I was hoping you have come to a decision."

Allura sighs as she stares at him, "Why the rush?"

Sitting back in his chair, Robert crosses his arms as he states, "Couldn't it be I want you for my wife and the waiting for your answer is disheartening to say the least."

She snorts at him, "You don't love me anymore than I love you Robert." He opens his mouth to argue but Allura holds up her hand to stop him, "As a matter of fact I have made a decision."

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That evening Keith walks into the dining room and approaches Lance, "Why were we called in here?"

Shrugging Lance takes a glass of wine from one of the maids, "Coran said something about making an announcement."

A sense of dread fills Keith as he watches Coran enter the room a moment later followed by Allura and Prince Robert. His stomach tightens in knots as he notes the possessive way Prince Robert is holding Allura's arm.

Coran clears his throat, "I have an announcement to make." He smiles back at Allura and Robert before turning to the others in the room, "Princess Allura and Prince Robert wish to announce their engagement."

Lance walks forward to congratulate the couple as Keith stands there stunned. He closes his eyes briefly as he tries to breathe in, but his lungs feel constricted as pain fills his chest.

Lance finishes hugging Allura and shaking Robert's hand then turns around. His eyebrows go up as he notices the paleness of Keith's face. He quickly walks up to him, "Keith, are you alright?"

The sound of Lance's voice manages to make it through the roaring sound in his ears as Keith finally settles his gaze on Lance, "I'm fine." Lance stares at him suspiciously as Keith pushes past him to walk up to the couple.

Allura watches Keith, worried about the paleness of his skin, as a smile that doesn't reach his eyes crosses his face, "Congratulations Princess Allura, Prince Robert."

Prince Robert smiles a gloating smile as he wraps his arm around Allura's waist, "Thank you Commander."

Keith's eyes briefly darken in anger before he faces Allura again, "I'm not feeling well Princess. I will excuse myself for the evening and see you in the morning for practice."

Allura nods to him, then turns and watches him carefully as Keith leaves the room. Not liking the direction of her attention, Prince Robert leans over and kisses her lips. Allura pulls back from him but doesn't comment as Nanny gushes at them, "Finally my baby will be married."

Lance looks at Nanny in disgust before he quietly slips out of the room, following Keith.

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Keith manages to make it into the garden before he stops by a bush and retches. He chokes as he begins to dry heave then looks up when he feels a hand on his arm, "Keith are you alright?"

Shrugging off Lance's arm, Keith wipes his mouth as he walks away. Lance narrows his eyes on him as he follows, "Keith, what's up? You were fine before the announcement."

He doesn't face Lance as he tries to bury the pain that is still constricting his lungs and making him wish he were dead. Unable to contain it anymore, Keith turns his face to the night sky and screams out in pain. As the last of the scream escapes his lips he drops his head to his chest, breathing deeply.

Lance walks up behind him and forces Keith to turn around. He studies him as a look of astonishment covers his face, "You love her, don't you?"

Keith pulls away from Lance as a tear escapes his eye and runs down his cheek. Lance grabs him again, "Why haven't you told her?"

Anger and frustration fill Keith as he pulls his arm away from Lance and swings a fist at him. Lance ducks the fist and holds up his hands. Keith tries to punch him again and Lance ducks, then grabs Keith from behind, "STOP KEITH! JESUS!"

Breaking free from the hold, Keith turns around and faces him once more. He takes several deep breaths before trying to turn away again. Lance grabs his shoulder, "You have to tell her Keith."

Shaking his head, Keith pulls away and wearily sits down on the nearest bench and mumbles, "Princesses don't marry pilots." He raises his tearstained face to Lance, "We could never be together, so why torture her with what can never be?"

Lance glares down at him, "What utter bullshit. You owe her the truth Keith."

Keith stands up as fury fills him once more, he raises his voice, "What good would it do Lance? She is engaged to Prince Robert now; nothing can come of it but misery for her. I will not do that to her." He grabs the front of Lance's shirt and glares at him as his tone becomes low and dangerous, "You will say nothing to her about this."

Flabbergasted by the fury in Keith's gaze, Lance nods silently at him. Keith continues to glare into Lance's face for a moment more before he walks out of the garden. Lance sadly watches him go before turning his gaze up to the night sky.