Chapter 1: Coran and Nanny

"You cannot be serious, Coran!" Nanny replies as she leans across the advisor's desk, her face flush with anger.

"I am quite serious, Hys," Coran replies nonchalantly. "He is perfectly suit-"

"He is practically barbarian!" she says seething.

Coran laughs aloud. "He is nothing of the sort, and you KNOW it." he replies. "He would walk through the gates of Hell itself to protect her, Hys. And he would die for her, for our people, without hesitation. He's more noble than many of the so-called princes you've had coming around this past year and a half. He has faced Lotor one on one to save her, knowing it very well could mean his death. He has never asked to be more than the pilot of black lion. And throwing out that he holds nothing of value as a commoner? Even Queen Ariana was once deemed as too far below the status of a future queen, or have you chosen to forget that part of their history? "

"I recall that she was not from here. She and Alfor met at university. She was not Alfor's parent's choice for the next queen initially. They saw her as simply the daughter of a wealthy commoner, not worthy of marrying their son and future King. Until Alfor saw what they refused to see in regards to Zarkon; and her father became one of those who helped create Voltron. Her father was bequeathed a title, so she was then permitted to marry him. The fact that they loved each other had nothing to do with it. It was convenient, yes, but it did not play into his parent's subsequent acceptance of her as his betrothed. Keith is nothing of the sort; nothing like Ariana's family. He has nothing to offer to better this world. The princes I've had coming about could at least offer financial security."

"Keith has already offered himself to this world. He and those boys are all willing to die for Allura and the people. That none of them have asked for more is surprising."

"He has asked for Allura," Hys points out.

"He has not," Coran replies firmly, with a shake of his head for emphasis. "He has done the opposite, actually. He has requested two pilots and to be transferred once they are trained."

Hys scoffs. "So why are we having this conversation?" she asks.

"Because Keith looks at Allura the same way King Alfor did Queen Ariana. It is rare to see that look. Alfor was willing to hand the throne to Pollux to be allowed to marry whom he wished. I could see Allura doing the same; offering it to her cousin Romelle, as she would not inherit the Pollux throne unless Bandor refuses it. Just to have the chance to marry for love."

"She wouldn't!" Nanny says obviously mortified at the thought. "Those on Pollux are as bad or worse than these pilots."

"I believe she would," he replies simply. "She looks at him the way he does her, yet neither one will act on their feelings, too afraid of messing up their friendship. But I'm not sure they can continue this charade between them much longer, the tension between them grows more taught by the hour."

"The people will revolt," she retorts as she plops down into the chair across from him, the solid wooden desk serving as a barrier between them.

Coran lets out an undignified snort. "I hardly think so. The people here owe their very existence to those same pilots that you've deemed 'barbarians'. I think they will rejoice that someone who they know will protect them and their future queen will be beside her, and not treat her as some would. Many see her as a warrior princess and should someone treat her as less than that, I could see a revolt for certain."

"And if they do revolt?" she counters.

"Then they will work together to prove everyone wrong," he stated simply. "The boy does not want power. Nor does he wish to hide her away as a possession, unlike so many who have attempted to court her. He has shown that he respects her as a fellow pilot and as his sovereign," he pauses to ponder the phrasing of his next words carefully. "Need I remind you that she granted all of them the same rights as any citizen born here? She could just as easily give them all titles of nobility. We lost so many of ours in the war. "

"I do not approve of this match, Coran. I will make my feelings known to her on the matter. I am her governess. As such, I have every right to say whom she can and cannot associate with."

"She is a legal adult who has not only seen her world destroyed and those she loved killed. But she has seen battle first hand. She is no longer a child who needs coddling. It took me this past year to see the woman she's become, she was even willing to marry Prince Lotor just for the chance to spare her people! I feel that proves her dedication to her people and that she has earned the right to choose, Hys. I'll be damned if I allow you to take that choice from her."

Nanny flinches at his choice of language and sits nearly motionless for some time, as she processes what he's has said to her. Looking around the room at the few worn tapestries that hang on the walls to either side, she finally takes a long slow breath and goes to the window behind his desk, her hands clasped in front of her. "She has become a strong, beautiful woman. And he has had a hand in forcing her to grow up and face some harsh realities. I know he would die for her," she begrudgingly concedes. "He nearly has a few times. But we know nothing of his history. How do we know that he won't change should they marry? That he is not looking to put himself in a position of power?" she asks.

"Because despite everything, he has shown himself to be loyal, fearless, caring, compassionate, and able to put her needs and those of the people above his own. To the point it is causing him physical pain. He is willing to leave Arus, just to force her to act as you feel she should; despite knowing that it would hold her back. He thought it was what she wanted," Coran replies. "I have talked him out of the transfer, for now at least. I do agree we need another pilot, or two. It would be best to train while we're not fighting for our lives day in and day out. But I do not feel he desires power. If he did, surely by now he would have made a play for it," he stated as he joined her at the window. "And I just don't see him doing that to her, or the people."

"That would also mean that the Princess would not need to fly," she mutters.

"Indeed. Though I doubt she will just give it up completely."

"Why not?" she asks as she turns to look at him where he stopped beside her in front of the large window.

"It makes her feel closer to her father, I think."

"I see," she replies quietly. "I suppose there's no swaying you from your decision?"

Coran gives a small shake of his head.

"I wish to talk to her. I want there to be rules set in place."

Coran stifles a smile and laugh, a slight nod, his only sign of agreement to her terms.

"I shall go and speak with her now. She should still be in her office," she says with a new determination as she stalks out of Coran's office, the door opening with a hiss, then swishes shut behind her.

Coran plops back down into his chair before he opens the bottom left drawer and pulls out a small bottle of whiskey and a shot glass. He carefully pours himself a glass, then places the bottle back and holds the glass up, the sunlight glistening off the amber coloured liquid. "To the future of Arus. May Allura prove she has the right to choose." he says aloud before he downing the shot, leaving the empty glass on his desk as he once again turns his focus to the papers on his desk.