Soft
"It's okay, Zarkon..." breathed the emperor paladin. "Just like Alfor said, just be yourself and don't get too nervous. Oh..."
Tonight was his first date with Honerva. The moment he asked her out for dinner, his heart raced faster than ever in his life time. What was even better and more surprising was she said yes.
"Lord Zarkon," called the guard. "Honerva has arrived."
"Oh, thank you…" nodded Zarkon. "Send her in."
The alchemist soon walked in.
She nodded at the emperor, "Emperor Zarkon, it's so nice to see you…!"
"Please, Honvera…" he looked to the floor as he presented her with a bouquet of flowers. "Zarkon's just fine. After all, we are friends, aren't we?"
Honvera chuckled. "Silly me, I'm just so used to calling you emperor…"
The flowers were in her hands. "They're beautiful, you shouldn't have."
"I don't know how different Altean courtship rules are from Galran ones, so if I had offended you in any way during the entirety of our friendship… I do apologize."
Zarkon had to thank Alfor and Melenor for all the tips they gave him.
"Offended me, Zarkon you never did…! You were polite from the start."
He smiled to himself.
He gestured to the table. "Shall we?"
After he pulled the chair out for her, they began to have dinner.
He found himself more attracted to her as the night went on. When they first met, he thought she was the most beautiful thing in the galaxy. Honvera was intelligent, graceful, and warm. It was that same warmness that drew him to her.
He was corse, intimidating.
How could Honerva even take interest in a guy like him?
"Zarkon, may I ask something?"
He blinked. "Of course, Honvera, what is it?"
"If you choose to settle down with someone, why didn't you find someone back on Daibazaal?"
He found himself blinking again. "I'm not sure… I guess fighting along side the Paladins and Voltron's got me traveling so much, I haven't much time getting to know the court back in my own kingdom."
Plus, the Galran women were just as gruff as the men.
"My parents wouldn't be too happy if I saw someone out of my species," began Honvera. "My mother would eventually come to forgiveness, but when I first saw you, Zarkon, I don't see a Galran. You're not just emperor of an entire planet. You were always Zarkon to me."
Everyone on Daibazaal saw him as their leader. With Honerva, he can be himself.
"Thank you, for saying that," he smiled, looking at the table.
They walked through the garden, watching the sun set to conclude the night.
Honvera held his hands in hers. "I had a great time tonight."
"Do… do you wish to do something again together another time…?"
Honvera smiled. "Of course…! Spending time with you is always a treat."
She kissed his cheek. His insides pounded the hardest more than ever in his lifetime. His face flushed the deepest shades of red.
"See you some other time…?"
"Of… of course. I will."
She still lingered on.
Softly reaching for her, he closed his eyes as their lips met.