Part Four – Body Guard
"Why," Allura objected.
"This is not Arus," Crown Prince Alec stated in a hard voice. "The customs and morals are very different on Terra. Your body guard will teach you to blend in so you may do as you wish, inconspicuously. Allura, I have worked tirelessly, firstly to ensure your inclusion on this visit to Terra and then to grant you the freedom to explore this world at your leisure. There are sacrifices that must be made but you must be prepared to make them of your free will. Fighting against what must be will not make you happy. Content yourself with the small victories, saviour and enjoy them. Learn all you can while you have this opportunity, for it is not likely to come again."
"You think me ungrateful," Allura cried, flinging herself into her brother's arms. "I am not. I understand the risks you took to ensure my inclusion Alec, and I am more grateful than you can know."
"Then demonstrate it by accepting that which we cannot change," he smiled down at her, kissing his sister's forehead lovingly, "and do so with gladness in your heart. Arus will need you to be strong when you join the Royal Family publicly in a few months. Until then, enjoying being just Ally Smith on a world where you are unknown and nothing is expected of you."
Clearing his throat, Keith felt embarrassed to witness such a heartfelt moment. It seemed he'd interrupted the young lovers before they were to be separated by their respective duties. They sprung apart, each appearing guilty. Yet, it explained why the dignitary's daughter required a body guard, if she was soon to be married to Crown Prince Alec of Arus. The exposure to different cultures could only aid the young woman in her future role as Queen of Arus.
"Lieutenant Keith Kogan of the Alliance, your Highness," he bowed slightly to Prince Alec. Understanding the gravity of the situation, and therefore the importance of his mission, Keith addressed the young woman. "I have been assigned to protect you while you remain on Terra, Miss Smith."
"Do you always sneak up on people," Allura asked, her tone slightly irritated. Annoyed at being interrupted, for this would be the last few minutes she'd spend alone with her brother, the Princess wore a scowl.
"Ambassador Coran and Captain West bid me enter," Keith responded respectfully. Watching the body language between Alec and Ally, it seemed very familiar. Obviously, they'd associated with each other for many years.
"Are you to be Ally's body guard?" Alec frowned, looking the young man over and assessing him with a warrior's perceptiveness.
The crown Prince was the same height as Keith and equally well proportioned. It seemed the young royal did not sit about his castle but kept himself in shape. Lieutenant Kogane expected nothing less with Arus at war. Having seen King Alfor on the news, Prince Alec resembled his father in colouring with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. The young woman, Ally Smith was as different from Prince Alec as night from day. Large blue eyes, set in an elfin face and framed by blond curls, they made a stunning pair.
"I am," Keith replied. "I assure you, Your Highness, nothing will occur while Miss Smith is in my care. I have black belts in three martial arts along with hand to hand combat and weapons training."
"Was there not a female graduate available?" Alec demanded.
"Not with the same skill set," Keith explained. "The Alliance felt a woman would not be able to protect Miss Smith adequately."
"How so?" Alec hid his smirk, waiting for the young man to elucidate his reasoning. The Prince understood and waited for conformation of his thoughts.
"May I speak freely, Your Highness?" Keith suddenly felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. With the obvious bond between the Prince and Miss Smith, he knew he had to step carefully. When Alec nodded, Lieutenant Kogan expanded. "I understand Arus has a very different culture and morality to Terra. As such, you wish to keep your loved one's safe from being unduly influenced by behaviours that are not compatible with your world. The Alliance feels it would be better able to protect Miss Smith with a male escort who could pretend to have a closer relationship than that of protector. By pretending to be your, ah…"
"I understand Lieutenant," Alec smiled. After that speech, the Prince knew the Alliance chose the right man and had given him the perfect alibi to be at his sister's beck and call. He'd walked in at the right time to make assumptions. Allowing the young officer to assume Allura to be his future wife made little difference to Alec. In fact, it worked in Arus's favour, as the young man would lay down his life to protect the future Queen and avoid a diplomatic incident. It seemed his sister didn't catch the double entendre.
"So, I'm to pretend you're my suitor," Allura said, before turning to face her brother once again. "Alec, you will allow this?"
"It is a very good ruse, Ally. Being with Lieutenant Kogane, pretending to be romantically involved, you will not be troubled by other men and if you are, this world allows him to use violence to protect you," Alec explained.
"Let us get one thing straight, I do not belong to anyone, Lieutenant Kogan," Allura stated, coming to stand almost nose to nose with the Alliance soldier.
"I understand, Miss Smith," Keith offered. "If you will allow me a moment of your time, I would like to go over your plans for the next few days before we venture out of the hotel."
Taking his sister in a fierce hold, Alec hugged her tight, perpetuating Lieutenant Kogane's assumptions. "I shall wish you good travels, dear one. Father and I have our time scheduled down to the minute. I shall not see you again until we board the transport to return to Arus."
"I am going to miss you Alec," Allura couldn't stop the tears pooling in her eyes as she kissed his cheek and pulled away. "Stay safe."
Keith watched as the pair separated. Ally couldn't take her eyes from following the handsome Prince as he strode from the room. Boy, has she got it bad, he thought, at least it'll make my job a whole lot easier.