Author's Notes:
I think the biggest question on everyone's mind is who walked through the princess's door, and what kind of drama will ensue? Don't worry; the question will be answered.
I will be out of town the next several days for the Best Buddies Leadership Conference in Bloomington, IN. Best Buddies is an organization that pairs students and adults with intellectual disabilities (don't use the R word people; it's as offensive as any racial slur) with typical peer friendships. I am working to establish a chapter at my school. I love someone with special needs and it's a great organization to help make their lives better and more fulfilling. Anyway, enjoy this chapter; I probably won't get to post again until Tues. or Wed. of next week.
I am not addressing individuals this time because of needing to pack and get ready. I also have to spend time with my 4 yo. Eep! I have never been away from her for more than 12 hours. Four days is going to be hard on us both.
Enjoy! I hope this satisfies! Allura's reaction is realistic.
Rated M for adult themes
Disclaimer: Voltron and its characters and locations are property of WEP. I make no claim to them. The story is mine.
Chapter 7
The events of the preceding hour transpired in such a whirlwind, that neither Keith nor Allura were exactly sure what happened. One minute they sat kissing in the princess's bed; the next minute they stared in horror as Hurricane Nanny screamed at them. When they realized that they had been caught, the couple immediately separated and tried to offer an explanation. But their words fell on deaf ears as the governess stood at the foot of the princess's bed, shaking her fist at Keith and yelling so loudly that her words were unintelligible. The last words out of her mouth were, "I have to tell Koran," before she flew from the room. Almost immediately, Allura summoned Koran to her office for an emergency meeting so that she could talk to him before Nanny did. The meeting was to start at any minute; they were just waiting for the royal advisor to arrive. Prepared for a battle that would make Zarkon look like a teddy bear, Keith decided to join Allura so she wouldn't have to face her guardian's questions alone.
From one side of the office to the other, Allura paced back and forth. Sitting on the couch, Keith watched his hopefully soon-to-be fiancée wear a path into the cream colored carpet. "Why don't you come sit down?" he suggested, patting the cushion beside him.
"I'm too nervous," Allura replied. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was almost four. "He will be here any minute."
As if on cue, the chime to Allura's office rang. The princess jumped, and she saw that Keith sat up a little straighter as they both turned towards the office door. "Come in," Allura called in greeting.
The door slid open to reveal not only Koran, but also Nanny. Scowling, the advisor and the governess walked into the room. Noticing the commander seated on the couch, they exchanged an angry glance.
"Hello, Commander," Koran greeted Keith coldly. "We didn't realize that you would be part of this meeting. I thought I was to meet with the princess alone."
"Why wouldn't he be here?" Nanny interrupted. Placing her hands on her hips, the governess looked pointedly at Keith. "You are the scoundrel who compromised my sweet's virtue."
The commander glared angrily at Nanny, but didn't bother to try and defend himself. Gritting his teeth, he sat quietly on the couch so that the princess could begin the meeting.
"Nanny, please sit down," Allura suggested, motioning to the overstuffed chair near the door. Nanny threw another dirty look at Keith before she sat down with a huff. "The reason I requested this meeting," she began, "is because I wanted to let you both know that I have officially chosen a suitor."
Before Koran or Nanny could protest, Keith stood up to join Allura. Wrapping his arm lightly around her waist, he turned to face the princess's guardians. "That suitor is me," he stated simply.
Expecting an explosion, the young couple watched the pair as a myriad of emotions washed across their faces. Koran was at first stunned, then confused, and finally angry. Nanny was just angry. Keith and Allura waited for the fireworks.
Koran broke the silence first. "You wish to court the princess?" he asked, the question directed toward Keith. "I didn't even know that there was anything beyond friendship between you two." The advisor narrowed his eyes at the couple. "But of course, considering the fact that you were caught in bed together, I realize I was very wrong."
Choosing to ignore the last comment, Keith explained patiently, "There wasn't anything more than friendship going on between us until the trip to Dradin. We realized during that trip that our friendship had deepened into love."
"So you became a couple in Dradin. That was two months ago," Koran repeated with a hurt look in his eyes. "Have you been sneaking around behind my back this entire time? What Nanny witnessed in the princess's room has been going on for weeks?" The advisor's tone was cold and accusatory.
"Yes, Koran," Allura admitted, looking down at her hands in shame. "We have been trying to keep up normal appearances since we returned to Arus. We have been conducting our relationship in secret."
Raising a hand to stop any more explanation, Koran just stared at the girl he loved like a daughter as he shook his head. "Don't you think I saw the pictures? Don't you think I heard the gossip? I am not dumb. I had my suspicions after your trip to Dradin." A hurt look crossed Koran's face. "I had hoped you would come to me, but you didn't trust me enough to confide this in me. So you snuck around like a common harlot." he accused, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Now wait a minute, Koran," Keith interrupted, clenching his fists at his side. "That's uncalled for. We kept our relationship quiet because we were concerned you wouldn't approve."
Nanny had been quiet through the whole exchange when she finally exploded. "Of course, he wouldn't have approved," she yelled. "She is a princess; you are a commoner. She is meant to marry royalty!"
Glaring at Nanny to silence her, Koran stood and walked over to the window. Looking out across the lake at the majestic Black Lion, he said quietly, "When have I ever given you reason to doubt me? I have always suspected that there was something between you two. I am not the least bit surprised that you are her chosen suitor, Commander." He turned to look back at the couple. "What does surprise me is that you went along with this secret affair, Keith." He looked back and forth between the princess and the commander. "I am very disappointed in the both of you."
Struggling to keep his temper, Keith glanced over at Allura who had been very quiet during the whole exchange. She was sitting on the edge of her desk, her head down. Her shoulders were shaking slightly as she cried quietly. Walking over to her, Keith wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his chest. Turning to face Koran as he stroked Allura's back, the commander fought to keep his voice even. "We love each other. We want to be married. May we please have your blessing?"
"Of course not!" Nanny shouted. Standing suddenly, she reached to take Allura into her arms. "There, there, your Highness. Now come along. Let's forget this ever happened. You cannot be left alone with this hooligan."
"No!" Allura screamed, pulling away from Nanny. Turning to Koran and grabbing his arms, she pleaded with her father figure. "Koran, I am sorry. Please, give us your blessing. Please! I love him!"
Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, the old advisor sighed as he turned away from Allura. "I don't doubt the love you have for each other. I would not have hesitated to give you my blessing if you had trusted me enough to tell me the truth. Now, I just don't know. I need time to think about it." Moving toward the door, Koran stopped suddenly when he heard Allura's cry of anguish.
"You have to be ok with it! You have to!" she shrieked. "I lost my baby, and now you will probably take Keith away from me, too!" Collapsing to the ground, the princess sobbed uncontrollably. Her whole body shook.
Looking bewildered, Keith bent down to scoop Allura up into his arms. Sitting down on the couch with the princess in his lap, he hugged her tightly and rocked gently to try and quiet her cries. Glancing up at the princess's guardians, he watched the confusion play across their faces at what the princess had just blurted out.
Walking back to the couch, Koran sat down beside Keith. "Commander, what is she talking about?" he asked quietly. "What baby?" The anger was gone from his eyes; he stared at the princess with a look full of worry and love.
Letting out a long, slow breath, Keith admitted, "We were pregnant." When neither Koran nor Nanny interrupted, he continued, "We found out last week. It was an accident; it was unplanned. But then on Friday, Allura started bleeding, and she suffered a miscarriage. We weren't going to tell you, but, well, here we are."
Understanding dawned across Nanny's face. She mumbled under her breath, "That explains why the princess had been so sick and why she was so tired all the time." Unshed tears glittered in her eyes. "Oh my poor baby!" she exclaimed. "I know how hard a miscarriage can be!"
Both Keith and Koran turned to the governess in surprise. Noticing their eyes on her, the governess growled, "I suffered from one before I had my son. And let me tell you, it is not an easy thing to go through. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy." Crossing her arms, she looked at Keith. "Has she been to see Dr. Gorma?"
"Of course," the commander replied, rolling his eyes. "He has given her a clean bill of health. Now we are just dealing with the emotional after effects." Keith turned toward Koran again. "Koran, we are both sorry that you have had to find out this way. As you know, we have already consummated our relationship. We want to be married as soon as possible," he begged. Pleading with his dark eyes, Keith glanced helplessly between Koran and Nanny as he continued to stroke Allura's back.
Koran's eyes never left the still form of his adoptive daughter. Lying in the protective arms of the man she loved, Allura stopped crying. Her blue eyes bore into Koran's brown ones. "Koran, I love you with all my heart," she whispered hoarsely. "But I love Keith, too. He is the person I want to spend my life with."
Sighing in acceptance and defeat, the old advisor relented. "Of course, you can have my blessing," he said. "But you must be married as soon as possible before rumors start spreading." Looking at Nanny, he asked, "Betta, can you prepare a small ceremony in three months' time?"
The governess looked thoughtful. "I think so. It may not be the grand affair I had always envisioned, but it will be lovely." Bending down to kiss the princess, she murmured, "You will be a beautiful bride." The door swished open as the governess went off to begin preparations.
Standing slowly, the princess's advisor stated quietly, "Your Highness, Commander, I am truly sorry for your loss. I wish circumstances were different." He walked toward the door. Turning back toward the couple still seated on the sofa, he continued, "I accept your apology for your secrecy. Nothing can be changed; the past is the past. Now, let's plan your future." With a final nod, he walked out the door.