I am almost to the point of where I can connect a part of this story that I have already written. Should be only one chapter until I can add it, so I'm really excited and happy about that. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

I make no claims to Voltron or any WEP characters.

Chapter Ten

Keith wearily rubbed his forehead as he looked over several forms the Galaxy Alliance had sent. Since Wade had been removed from office the entire Voltron Force had been pardoned of any wrongdoing and were now all fully restored to their commissions. Which, also, meant Keith had paperwork to do. Lots of paperwork.

He sighed and leaned back in his chair and looked around his office. "One thing I didn't miss was the paperwork," he murmured. He checked a clock and groaned, grabbing a leather bound planner. "Time for the weekly planning meeting."

X x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Allura found Duvessa after the Cadets were out of class. "Duvessa?"

Duvessa turned and stopped in the hallway. She had been on her way to the Control Room from having just taken a shower. "Yes, Allura?"

Allura handed her a leather planner with the seal of Arus stitched into the cover.

Duvessa looked at Allura, a puzzled look on her face. "What is this?"

Allura smiled. "You're a member of the Royal Family. You will need a planner."

Duvessa chuckled. "I thought I would be going back into cryostasis soon."

"Not if that Seer was correct," Allura answered. "I thought since you would be with us, you could possibly take on a few duties. To help me out a little bit."

Duvessa smiled, but nodded. "I'm here, I may as well. What have you got?"

Allura laughed. "Come on, we've got a meeting to attend," she stated and led the way to the main conference room.

Duvessa shook her head, but followed her.

X x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Keith stood up when the court caller announced Duvessa. He had gotten so used to the routine that once Duvessa took her place at the table across from him, he almost sat down immediately. He blinked in confusion when the court caller announced Allura. He shook his head, finally realizing that Duvessa had been announced. That paperwork has me in a daze if I'm missing things like that, he thought.

Allura took her seat and everyone else followed suit. She smiled at everyone present, glad that Duvessa was seated to her left while Keith was in his usual spot to her right.

"Your Highness, why was Commander Duvessa announced?" one of the lords seated at the table inquired.

Allura smiled at him and looked to Duvessa. "Would you like to tell him or shall I?" she asked softly.

Duvessa nodded towards Allura. "This is your meeting," she answered.

Allura giggled, but nodded. "Lord Manneville, Commander Duvessa is a member of the Royal House. She has requested that her position not be fully revealed as it may be seen as an attempt to claim the throne, which she is fully against at this time."

"Duvessa," Lord Manneville murmured, softly. He stared down the table at her and Duvessa straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin at his scrutiny. "Oh, Gods!" he whispered. "Her Highness has returned? Cryostasis?"

Allura and Duvessa blinked, shocked that he would know that information. "How do you know of that, Lord Manneville?" Allura inquired, her eyes narrowed.

"Your Highness, my family was one of the scientists that had helped to build the cryostasis units five hundred years ago," he explained. "We were, of course, sworn to secrecy when Her Highness was ordered to…"

Duvessa closed her eyes, finally realizing where she had heard the name before. "Yes, he's right, Allura," she whispered. "I remember a Doctor Bromleigh Manneville being a part of the team that…" she drifted off and opened her eyes, looking at Allura.

Allura nodded. "Very well," she murmured. She sighed and looked at Manneville. "Yes, Lord Manneville, Her Highness has returned. Please, keep what you know to yourself for now." She glanced at Duvessa before back to the lord she was speaking to. "I may ask you about things later."

Lord Manneville nodded. "As you wish, Your Highness."

Allura turned worried green eyes to Duvessa, who shrugged and opened her planner. She sighed and looked down at her schedule. "All right, let us begin, shall we? Coran, I see you have a question mark next to a diplomatic trip to Planet Sylanka on Thursday. What can you tell us of that?" she asked, looking at the older gentleman seated next to Keith.

"Princess, King Sylvester has requested the presence of you or an ambassador to discuss a possible alliance," Coran stated. "He is worried about Drule activity on one of his neighboring planets and would like to ally himself with Arus and Voltron."

Allura looked at her confirmed schedule and frowned. "It seems I have a conflict. I'll be on the other side of the planet touring the new dam facility," she stated. She looked at Duvessa. "Duvessa?"

Duvessa looked at her. "Yes, Princess?"

"Think you need to brush up on your diplomatic skills?" Allura asked.

Duvessa touched a small computer panel on the table top, bringing up a file on Planet Sylanka. She quickly scrolled through the information and nodded. "If you wish it, I will be honored to go in your stead," she stated.

Allura smiled at her. "I wish it," she answered.

Duvessa nodded again. "Then it shall be done. I will meet with you after this meeting to discuss the terms I can present for the alliance."

Allura nodded back. "Very well," she agreed and watched Duvessa mark her planner with the trip.

"With all due respect, Princess," Keith injected. "I don't think Commander Duvessa should go off alone to Sylanka alone without an escort. As Coran mentioned, there is a Drule threat within their star system. How do we know it isn't a trap to capture someone of importance to Arus?"

Allura nodded at Keith's logic. "Commander Keith has a valid point. Coran, would they be alright with a contingent of our guards to accompany Commander Duvessa?"

Coran made a face. "Probably not a whole contingent, Princess. Perhaps a single ship with some guards on board…"

Keith shook his head. "If you're sending a ship there needs to be at least two fighters to escort," he stated. He frowned, but looked to Allura. "If the diplomatic rule of thumb less is more, in this instance, I think one of the Lions should be used."

Duvessa's eyebrows shot up in surprise and she looked to Allura, to gauge her reaction.

Allura nodded. "It would also be a good show to promote the return of Voltron," she agreed. "I was going to use Blue Lion to go to the dam, but I could change so that Duvessa could…"

"I will take her," Keith offered.

Allura smiled at him. "An excellent idea," she stated. She looked to Duvessa. "Keith will take you in Black Lion."

Duvessa nodded and her eyes moved to the man across the table from her. "Then I know it will be a successful mission, Princess."

Keith arched an eyebrow at Duvessa. Problem with me going to ensure your safety, Princess?

Duvessa closed her eyes. You will be the one with a problem, Commander, if you call me Princess again.

Keith chuckled and wrote the trip into his planner.

The meeting continued for another hour, Duvessa picking up several other duties and engagements that Allura couldn't attend to.

"Lady Larmina will be turning sixteen next month," Allura stated, glancing at her planner. She looked around the room. "I was hoping to have a ball in her honor near her birthday."

Coran nodded. "I will begin working on the arrangements, Princess," he offered.

Allura smiled and nodded. "Very good," she stated. "Well, unless anyone else has anything to add, then I say we should conclude this meeting." She rose to her feet. "Duvessa, I will see you in my office in ten minutes."

Duvessa carefully closed her new planner as she stood. She nodded to Allura. "I will see you then," she stated.

Allura walked out of the room.

Coran nodded to Duvessa. "You were announced as well, you need to follow," he whispered.

Duvessa picked up her planner and followed Allura out the door.

X x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Keith found Duvessa in the hallway outside the conference room, her planner open and she was furiously scribbling on the tablet inside. "Duvessa," he murmured coming to a stop beside her.

Duvessa finished the note she was on before she looked up. "Sorry," she murmured. "Just wanted to get that thought out of my head before I see Allura." She closed the planner, sliding the stylus into its slot. "What is it, Keith?"

He grinned at her. "I think I should come with you to your meeting with Allura. I am your guard on this trip," he stated.

Duvessa nodded and turned, heading down the hall towards Allura's office, Keith falling into step beside her. "Why did you volunteer?" she asked, looking up at him.

"It was the smart thing to do," Keith answered. "The Drule threat being just a planet or two away…"

Duvessa nodded and gently touched the Voltcom on her wrist. "Well, then it is a good thing that you told me to finish activating my Voltcom."

"How did that go, by the way?" Keith asked.

Duvessa smiled. "It went very well. My weapons manifested and I got a good workout."

Keith grinned. "Lance is a good fighter. He enjoys it."

They reached Allura's office door and Duvessa rang the buzzer.

Duvessa looked up at him. You mentioned my brother earlier. In your dream?

Keith nodded. "I did," he answered. "He wanted me to tell you something."

Allura called for them to enter and the two walked into the spacious office.

And what did he want you to tell me? she asked as she made her way to a chair across from Allura's desk.

He tried to bring you out of stasis once your father and grandfather died. The computer wouldn't allow him to, he answered. He looked over at her from the chair he stood in front of. He wanted you to know that.

Duvessa frowned. Hmm. I wonder why.

"Duvessa. Keith," Allura said with a smile. "Please, sit."

Duvessa and Keith took their seats and Duvessa flipped open her planner and withdrew the stylus.

Allura smiled at Keith. "I'm glad you're going with her," she stated.

"Well, can't have her running off alone," he joked.

Allura smiled and nodded. "The Sylankans are a technological planet," Allura stated. "Which I'm sure you saw when you pulled up the file on them."

Duvessa nodded. "Indeed," she answered. "Although, from what I understand, the Baltans are more advanced."

Allura nodded again. "Yes," she agreed. "They don't really have much to offer us other than their support and decent trade for their electronic goods," she stated. "No matter what, marriage to me is not a part of the bargain. Period. And Larmina is too young."

Duvessa grinned as she made notes. "Understood," she answered. "What can we put forth for them?"

Allura giggled softly. "Well, there is you…"

Duvessa stopped writing and frowned darkly, her eyes narrowed. "I think not."

Allura nodded. "Good. Then that is one thing that is completely off the table."

I can't believe she even said that, Keith murmured to Duvessa.

Perhaps she thought I would agree to it?

No. That was a Coran move. But, I, also, think it was a test, he stated.

I hope I passed, Duvessa answered.

"We can offer crops, the protection of their planet via Voltron," Allura stated, ticking the items off on her fingers. "And various other natural resources."

Duvessa nodded again. "Alright. I will keep you informed on how the negotiations progress while we are there."

Allura nodded. "Take the crown with you," she stated, leaning forward. "They won't know the significance of the color, or they shouldn't, anyway. They may hold a ball for you so you will need a dress or two. Trust Keith's instincts. They're right more often than not," she advised. "Keith, I'm sure you know what to pack as her escort."

Keith gave her a brief nod.

Duvessa nodded and looked to the man sitting in the chair next to her. "I will keep that in mind, Allura."

Keith's blue eyes blazed with some unknown fire as he looked back at Duvessa.

Duvessa swallowed and looked back to Allura. "If you have any further ideas or suggestions, I look forward to hearing them."

Allura laughed softly. "You're going to have to lose the formal streak, Duvessa. At least here at home," she murmured. "Save it for King Sylvester." She sighed and looked down at her desk. "Paperwork."

Duvessa smiled and stood. "Then we will leave you to get it done," she stated.

Keith rose to his feet and he and Duvessa left Allura's office.

X x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

The week passed quickly and soon, Duvessa found herself packing a case for the trip to Sylanka. She opened the drawer where she had put the Black Crown and stared at it for several long minutes. She closed her eyes. I don't want to take it.

They might not acknowledge you as a princess if you don't, Allura answered.

But, if I put it on, to me it will mean that I'm back in line. I don't want to take that from you, Duvessa stated.

Duvessa…

Not to mention the Drule threat. If they realize a princess of Arus is on Sylanka, what's to say that Lotor won't come thinking it's you? Duvessa quizzed.

Allura was quiet for a moment. That is a good point, she stated after a long pause.

Duvessa nodded. Don't get me wrong, I'll fight if I have to, but if I can avoid it…

No, I understand. Take it with you, in case you decide it is safe to put it on while you're there. If not, leave it locked in the Black Lion and introduce yourself as an ambassador, Allura stated.

Duvessa nodded and pulled the crown out of the drawer and put it into her suitcase with her toiletry bag and smaller items. She walked to the wardrobe and pulled out a silver gown, sliding it into a garment bag with a pair of matching shoes. She looked back to the wardrobe and selected a simpler dress, in case she did decide that it was safe to put on the crown. She slid that one into the garment bag with a pair of shoes for it. She frowned as she looked around the room. "I hope I packed everything," she muttered. She zipped the bags and made her way to the Control Room.

X x x x x x x x x x x x

"What was that all about?" Lance asked, looking over at Allura as the two of them relaxed on the balcony that overlooked the gardens.

"Duvessa," Allura answered. She smiled. "She was wondering what to pack for the trip."

Lance laughed, a dark and evil sound. "A black see through nightie. Keith would love it," he stated.

Allura laughed and looked to Lance. "You are relentless, aren't you?"

Lance grinned and pulled her into his arms. "You got that right, sweetheart. Don't you forget it."

Allura kissed him softly. "I don't think I ever could," she answered, laying her head on his shoulder. "I just hope they will be alright and that this isn't a trap they're walking into."

"Well, if they are, we're still in a position to where we can rescue them" Lance stated. "Keith told me if they don't check in at least once a day, we're to go after them."

Allura nodded and rubbed her hand up his chest. "I just hope Duvessa is the one for him."

Lance chuckled. "Well, if Keith lets her go back into stasis…well, I just know he would regret it."

Allura looked up at him. "You've accepted that she isn't a threat?"

Lance nodded. "Yeah. She could have blown up the Castle or worse while we were gone, but she swore her vow and you accepted it…Well, let's just say, I was blown away to come back and find the Castle still standing and her actually filling in to teach the Cadets," he confessed. "A written Ancient Arusian test, at that."

Allura laughed and gently swatted him. "You are so mean to her," she teased.

Lance laughed with her. "I know. Allura, what if she did want the throne?" he asked, sobering.

Allura sighed. "Well, realistically, she has the better claim for it. And, to be honest, if I could, I would step aside for her. One, it's hers. Two, it means I could be free to marry the man I love," she answered.

"You could do that if you honored a tradition," Lance whispered.

"Which one?" Allura asked, looking up at him.

"Knighting and titling the Voltron Force," Lance stated.

"Where did you hear…"

Lance grinned. "Duvessa told the Cadets. Keith and I were schooled."

Allura frowned. "I had heard of that, but I thought since you were Alliance personel, they wouldn't approve of the titles. Even Coran advised against it."

"True, we are Alliance personel, but you can request to be able to award them to us. Or, you can just do it and have the Alliance just deal with it," Lance stated.

"I'll think about it," Allura answered.

Lance nodded and his gaze went to the sky. "Thought they were leaving today," he muttered. "Why haven't they left yet?"

Allura giggled. "What?"

Lance released her. "I should go see what is taking Keith so long to get out of here."

Allura laughed. "Probably still waiting on Duvessa to finish and get to the Control Room."

X x x x x x x x x x x x x

Keith paced the Control Room. He had already stowed his formal dress uniform in Black Lion and was now waiting on Duvessa to finish packing.

The Control Room door swished open and Duvessa walked in.

"I'm sorry, Keith," she murmured as she approached him. "I wasn't quite sure what to pack."

Keith nodded. "Your first off world diplomatic mission?"

She nodded. "Yes. I packed as lightly as I could," she stated, indicating the small case of clothes and the garment bag.

Keith took the bags from her. "Well, let's get going. I'd like to get there before nightfall on Sylanka," he stated, turning to the hangar.

Duvessa quickly followed him.

Keith packed her case and garment bag into the largest compartment with his garment bag and shut the compartment door. He turned to face her. "Ready?"

Duvessa nodded. "I am," she stated. "Though, I'm a little nervous."

Keith grinned. "So am I," he confessed. He waved to the co-pilot seat behind his. "Shall we?"

Duvessa sat down and Keith slid into his seat and the Black Lion roared to life.

X x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Lance and Allura turned, hearing the roar of Black Lion just before it rocketed out of the hangar and into the sky above the Castle.

"Finally," Lance murmured. He slid his arm around Allura's shoulders and watched Black Lion disappear into the atmosphere. "They'll be alright. Her Voltcom is fully activated and he's been through more scrapes than I care to know about."

Allura looked up at him and grinned. "Are you trying to convince me of that or yourself?"

Lance frowned. "Both," he answered as the Lion disappeared from sight.