Allura's POV

"As you know," Melenor, started, "Altea's 10,000th Anniversary Ball is coming up." Allura nodded her head at this.

Melenor continued. "As you should also know, Altea has very ancient traditions and customs."

"Every year an anniversary ball is held, but every 50 years, the eldest princess is given the favor of dancing with the Captain of The Royal Guard."

Allura looked up at her mother sitting opposite her. She had not known this custom. She had also never met any of her father's royal guards before. She only knew his royal advisor Coran and his assistant Pidge, who weren't really guards.

"That being said, you will meet the captain tomorrow," Melenor announced. "I will get you when the time comes." The queen left Allura's bedroom, allowing her daughter to wonder.

Who might the Captain of The Royal Guard be? Allura thought.

Lance's POV

"What did he say?" Hunk asked. Lance had just come back from Officer Shirogane's office looking very red in the face.

"Nothing," Lance replied, trying to shrug off the question.

"Oh, c'mon," Keith said, slapping him on the shoulder good naturedly. "Did you get in trouble or something?"

"Knock it off you guys," Lance grumbled, pushing Keith's arm away. He stormed out into the hall.

Hunk looked in the direction that Lance left. "Must have been something really bad."

Keith shrugged his shoulders and turned away.

•••

Out in the hallway, Lance replayed his conversation with Officer Shirogane in his mind.

"You wanted to see me?" Lance had asked. The Officer nodded his head and gestured to the empty seat in front of him. Lance sat down.

"In one week is the Anniversary Ball," Shiro started. "Since it is one of the 50th year dances, you will be dancing with Princess Allura."

Lance felt himself blushing. He had never met the Princess face-to-face before. What if he tripped over himself while they danced? What if she didn't like him? Many horrible scenarios flashed through his mind.

Shiro saw the panicked expression on Lance's face. "Relax, you'll be fine."

Lance took a look at his strong mentor's face, and calmed down a bit.

"You're scheduled to meet her tomorrow," Shiro continued.

"WHAT?!" Lance had nearly shouted, getting out of his chair.

"Shh..." Shiro put a hand to his lips. "We can't have Iverson coming to question the cause of your yells."

"But tomorrow?" Lance stuttered. "I'm supposed to meet her? Tomorrow?"

Shiro nodded his head.

Lance's shoulders sagged. If this was his duty as captain, he would obey, as any good soldier would. He just wished it would be less embarrassing.

Lance came back to the present. He walked back to the barracks and collapsed on his bed. He didn't sleep, but instead stared at the ceiling, thinking about how the next day would play out.

•••

Allura's POV

Allura bolted awake in her bed. Today was the day. She rushed over to her wardrobe and tried to find something presentable to wear in front of a Captain.

She glanced to her right and saw a traditional Altean dress waiting for her on a chair. On it was a note from Melenor wishing her good luck.

Allura quickly slipped on the dress and walked to the throne room, where she was supposed to meet the Captain.

On her way there, she walked into somebody. It was her mother.

"Good morning, Allura!" Melenor greeted her daughter. "I was about to come get you, but I see you've already done my job." The queen smiled and held out her hand. The two royals finished the walk down the hall together.

The big doors to the throne room swung inward at a touch. Melenor continued forward.

Allura looked across the room and saw two people she recognized to be guards. One wore blue, and the other wore black.

The younger one, the one dressed in blue, began fidgeting as Allura and Melenor walked closer. When they were within talking distance, he stopped. His face gave conveyed nervousness.

The two guards bowed. Then the one dressed in black spoke. "I am Officer Takashi Shirogane."

He pushed the younger one in blue to the front. "This is Captain Lance McClain."

Lance gave a weak smile. Allura flashed one back.

They held each other's gaze for a moment before it was disrupted by the queen.

"Introduce yourself, Allura," she coughed into her hand.

"Of course," Allura said, taking a bow as well. "As you know, I am Princess Allura."

There was silence for a moment.

"Well... now that you two have met," Melenor said, "It's time to rehearse!" She gently pushed Allura forward the same time Officer Shirogane pushed Lance forward.

Lance and Allura almost bumped noses. They both blushed as they stood up straight.

Someone came over to position the them. They put Allura's hand on Lance's shoulder, and his hand around her waist.

Music began playing. A director was constantly telling Allura and Lance what to do and where to go. She could tell that Lance was trying very hard not to trip over himself.

Lance and Allura glided across the ballroom. The music carried a lovely tune.

As they danced, Allura took the time to study her dance partner. He looked handsome in his blue captain's suit. The gold badges and ribbons on his chest added a nice touch.

If Lance noticed her staring, he didn't say anything. She was still trying to count the number of badges on his chest when Lance tripped.

Both of them fell to the floor. Melenor and Officer Shirogane hurried over to help them up.

"We're okay," Allura said, taking her mother's hand.

"How about we rest for the day?" Melenor offered.

"No," Allura said. "We're up to it." She turned around and faced the Captain. "We can keep going."

The captain and princess grabbed hold of each other again and continued dancing.

Allura didn't realize the music had stopped until Lance stopped. She was kind of glad; her feet were beggining to tire.

Officer Shirogane walked over again. "Nice work you guys!" Lance and Allura gave him tired smiles. "Now you just have to keep going for the rest of the week!"

"What!?" Lance exclaimed. "You didn't tell me I would be dancing all week!" But the Officer had already walked away.

Allura stood there awkwardly, looking between the Officer and the Captain.

"You're not that bad of a dancer, you know," she said. "I could've fallen anytime too." Lance turned to face her.

"But you're the Princess," he said. "Princesses never mess up."

"Even princesses mess up from time to time," she smiled.

"No one's perfect," the two said in unison.

Allura smiled. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"Absolutely," Lance replied.