Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters. There will be a few in this story arc that I do own, but you'll have to wait a few chapters to meet one of them. ;-D
Beta: Poor Dawn, I've made her read that whole Mistletoe story arc, and now I've thrust this one upon her!
Rating/Setting: Rating is T for some mild violence in later chapters. Setting is... what else for me? DotU
Author's Note: I love all my stories or I wouldn't have written them, but unlike with your children, sometimes you have favorites. ;-) This story is one of mine.
*I just couldn't wait. I decided to go ahead and post today instead of waiting several days. But the last chapter was short and so is this one. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter Two
Keith practically burst into Nanny's office less than an hour later. Throwing the leather bound book on her desk, he placed both palms on her desk, leaned over, and growled at her, "What the hell does this mean?"
Leaning back in her chair, Nanny shrewdly regarded him as she crossed her arms in front of her ample bosom. "It means exactly what you think it means."
All the fire went out of Keith, and he dropped into the straight-backed hard chair that sat across from Nanny's desk. It was made to make a person feel uncomfortable. Usually, anyone sitting in this spot was either interviewing or in trouble. Either way, he knew she didn't want the person feeling at ease. Running a hand through his already rumpled hair, he sought clarification. "So, I need to get this straight. According to Arusian law, someone with bloodlines from the Arusian royal court can challenge the crown for the right to marry an unmarried monarch."
Nodding her head at his understanding, she continued, "Correct, Commander. The challenge can be made once a year at the spring solstice. It can only be made in regards to a female monarch who is unmarried or widowed with no children."
Keith stared straight into Nanny's eyes, "Lotor's mother was a member of the Arusian royal court and, as disgusting as he may be, he has the blood of Arusian nobility flowing in his veins."
"Therefore, even though this law is over two thousand years old, Lotor can challenge the Crown to marry Princess Allura. The law makes no provision for discounting a suitor's petition for any reason." At this point, Nanny finally showed some emotion as her voice cracked. "He will not be discounted, no matter how despicable he is. Mystical powers will come into play, and Allura will not be allowed to refuse him. Refusal will cause the mystical elements involved to remove her breath from her body, and the suitor will then be crowned King of Arus."
Hating that he knew all of this, and knowing what Nanny would say to his response, he stated, "But if the monarch already has a suitor of royal blood, they have to marry that night to avoid the challenge."
"Yes, Commander, a suitor of Arusian royal blood. We have none here."
He didn't mistake the air of haughtiness in her tone and even though he was angry at her attitude, he shared her worry. "That leaves us with only one alternative. That's the reason you gave me the book to read." He leaned back and looked into her strong unyielding eyes and demanded with a quiet, low tone, "Go ahead. Say it, Nanny."
Nanny's eyes narrowed at his demand, but then, she supposed she could allow it this time, considering what he would be asked to do. "The only option is for you to volunteer to be her Champion."
