Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is DotU but is definitely AU – see challenge info below.

Response to Cheetoy's KAEX Challenge "A Royal Twist." "What if Keith was the surviving Arusian Royal Prince and Allura was an Earth born hometown girl turned GA Starpilot? How will the prim and proper Prince deal with falling for a strong-willed GA pilot of no royal line? Sadly, Nanny and Coran insist on a Princess for our dear Kogane... But how shall they deal with the Drule Prince(ss)? Can they find their Happy Ever After?"

Chapter Twenty-One

Allura was disgusted with her male teammates. Well, all but Keith. The three Alliance pilots had to pick their jaws up off the ground. They were practically drooling over Princess Bocara. All Keith had done, was turn to give her a somewhat concerned looked and then stepped forward.

Keith realized that Lance wasn't going to say or do anything; he was too dazzled by the beauty. Reaching up, Keith removed his helmet and put it under his arm. Walking up to the princess, he bowed and said, "Greetings Princess Bocara, I am Prince Keith of Arus."

Merla's eyes widened at his admission and then before she could stop herself, her eyes raked over his body in a predatory fashion. Then in the blink of an eye, she was back under control. The witch's images of the prince didn't do him credit. Haggar didn't have any images of him without his helmet, so she had supposed that he was going to be ugly. Nobody, can be royalty, have magic, Voltron and be handsome. It seemed, however, that Keith had beaten the odds and was such a person. Smiling at Keith, she dipped into a modest curtsey. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Prince Keith. I am also glad that we were able to destroy the meteorites before they did any serious damage to your planet."

"We thank you for your assistance." Gesturing toward the castle, he said, "Would you eat and refresh yourself with us before continuing your journey?"

With a sparkle in her eyes, Merla responded, "Why thank you, I would greatly appreciate that."

"I'm in the Black Lion. Follow me to the castle; I'll have them open the landing bay doors for you." Keith put his helmet on his head. "Wait for me in the hanger. I'll come to you and escort you to your room."

Inclining her head, she said, "As you wish, you Highness."

When Keith turned to leave, he found a variety of facial expressions. Walking up to Lance, Keith said, "What is it?"

Lance looked at the Princess and said, "Nothing I can put my finger on yet."

However, Allura had no such qualms about pinpointing a problem and fell into step beside Keith as he moved toward Black. "I don't like it and I don't like her."

Keith looked at her curiously. "She helped us destroy the meteorites. I don't see an ulterior motive."

"You don't?" Allura asked incredulously. "She's getting into the castle and you are escorting her."

"She won't be unattended in the castle and I'll have the computers in her quarters restricted. As for me escorting her, what's the big deal?" Keith was genuinely puzzled.

Allura reached out and grabbed Keith's arm, pulling him to a stop. "You didn't notice how she looked at you once you introduced yourself?"

"No. Was there something wrong in how she looked at me?" Keith was starting to get a little annoyed at the lieutenant's tone and manner.

"She looked at you like you were some exotic dancer or something." Allura was becoming flustered now. She really would have thought Keith would have seen that look.

Keith's brows drew together in confusion. "Exotic dancer? What is an exotic dancer? Should I be offended?"

With cheeks pinker than her uniform, Allura tried to straighten things out. Taking a deep breath, she said, "She looked at you like you like she wanted to rip your clothes." Her eyes dropped to the ground. "Anyway, I think she might want more than just a chance to freshen up. That's all I wanted to say." Without looking back at him, Allura made her way toward Blue Lion.

Watching her go, he thought about what she said. However, it didn't make sense to him. What good would sleeping with him do Princess Bocara? She was on her own journey. He didn't want some fling. Shrugging his shoulders, he began his climb back up Black.

Merla watched as the two pilots parted. She should have been more guarded in her reaction to the prince. It was obvious that the female pilot had noticed her reaction. The pilot would be on guard and might make things more difficult. The princess' eyes narrowed. It was possible the female pilot was in a relationship with the prince. That was something she couldn't and wouldn't allow. Starting up her fighter, she followed Black Lion into the sky.

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Keith unconsciously ran a hand through his hair as he made his way to the hanger bay. He was more than a little confused. When the team had entered back into control, he was followed for awhile by Coran. The advisor was ecstatic about Princess Bocara. He was talking about the quality of her fighter and the possibility of an alliance with her planet. Keith had told Coran to stop being ridiculous, that they knew nothing about the woman and she knew nothing about them. However, he was a little concerned. He knew how Coran planned to garner that alliance and he wasn't ready for marriage yet, at least not to her.

Stepping into the bay, he saw Bocara standing next to the fighter with a small bag. Walking toward her, he took in her fitted navy pants and top. The top was a little unusual for a flight suit as it was cut like a halter top with two thick bands of material going up and around her neck. It left her arms and upper back completely bare. She wore matching navy gloves that came up to her elbows. She was indeed a very attractive woman.

"Princess, forgive the delay. The return process for the Lions takes a few moments." Keith bowed as he stopped in front of her.

Merla looked around the bay. "It should be of no worry to you, Prince Keith. I have enjoyed looking at the workings of your hanger bay. In addition, it gave me chance to stretch my legs better."

Keith picked up her bag and offered her his arm. "Let me take you somewhere where you can rest and freshen up before we eat. On the way, maybe you can tell me about where you are from and where you are going."

Taking his arm, Merla let out a sigh. "It's a long story, but I can give you the short version. My father is the King of Lanai. He wanted me to marry the son of his best friend. That would be fine, except I hate him. So I left. I told my father I'd be back when I found someone I wanted to marry."

Keith was silent; he wasn't sure what to say. Was Allura right? Did Princess Bocara have her eye on him? "Um. I'm sorry that you had to do that Princess. I've already told my advisor that I don't have any plans to marry soon. You should have that option too." Having reached her room, Keith keyed open the door and walked in to put her bag on the settee. "I hope you like this room, Princess." The prince looked around the room and then back to the princess. She seemed to be fidgeting a ring on her finger.

Merla activated the small needle in her ring. She hadn't expected to get him alone so quickly or so easily. There was no time like the present. "I think this room will be perfect." Walking over to the prince, she gently placed her hand on his chest and then pressed.

Letting out a small gasp, Keith pushed the princess away. Putting his hand to his chest, he could feel a burning sensation, but didn't see any blood on his shirt. As he sank down onto the settee, he saw Bocara walk to the door and activate the closing sensor. His vision was blurry as he saw her walk back to him.

Reaching out a gloved hand, she caressed his face. "This room is fine for now, but my rooms on Doom are better. I'll enjoy showing them to you, my Prince." She watched as his eyes focused in and out. Soon he would be open to suggestions from her about how to act. After supper, when everyone had gone to bed, she would get the prince to take her out in Black Lion. She had left a small bomb in her fighter. When that went off, there would be chaos. In addition, she had a surprise in her bag for anyone who came to investigate her room. Between the bomb and the surprise, she would be well away with Prince Keith before anyone had a chance to find them. She smiled as Keith sat up and looked at her.

"What happened, Princess?" Keith asked as he lifted a hand to his head.

"You just got dizzy. It's nothing to worry about. Do you understand? It's nothing to worry about."

Keith nodded, "I understand."

"Now go about your business. After we eat this evening and everyone has gone to bed, I want you to come here to my room. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

Merla looked in his eyes, "Tell me again what you are to do."

"After everyone is in bed, I'm to come here to your room." Keith said in a monotone.

"Very good, my prince. Now go about your normal routine."

Standing, Keith looked back at the princess as he stood at the door. His mind had cleared and things seemed fine. But something was off. He looked back at the smiling princess. Shaking his head, he left her room, uncertain why he felt so apprehensive.

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Dinner was a somewhat comical affair. Coran and Matron Hilda gushed over the Princess from Lania. Coran had done some research and discovered that what Bocara said went with the sketchy details he could get about the princess' disappearance. There were few pictures available and those were years old. The Lania were somewhat reclusive when it came to social media. However, the Lania were a wealthy people with contacts in manufacturing, mining, and any number of businesses that Arus needed help with. An alliance with the Lania would be incredible.

Keith had merely pushed his food around on his plate. Both Coran and Hilda had spoken to him earlier about duty and responsibility. They said they weren't pushing him to marry Bocara, but to do something that would get her to stay. In addition to this push for an alliance, he still had the uncomfortable suspicion that something was wrong; he just didn't know what it was.

Lance watched Keith and he also watched Allura. He noted that Allura didn't look at Keith much, but that she scowled at the Princess who was sitting next to Keith. The team had all heard Coran's lecture to the prince on duty earlier. He actually felt for the kid. The pressure they were putting on him was awful. His thoughts were interrupted as Allura put her fork down with a loud clank against her plate.

Bocara had seen the anger in the pilot's eyes and even though it probably wasn't the best, she couldn't resist poking at the irritated pilot. Keeping her eyes on Allura, Merla reached over and placed her hand on Keith's thigh.

Allura had seen the princess move her hand and then Keith's surprised reaction. She just couldn't take it. Loudly placing her fork on her plate, she stood.

Concerned, Lance stood and reached over to Allura. "Remember to think calmly, Lieutenant." He had seen the spark in her eye and knew that she was about to blow.

"Don't you all see it? Princess Bocara wants him. It's why she came here. I wouldn't be surprised if she caused the meteor to enter Arusian air space!"

Coran gasped. "Lieutenant! Remember your place!"

Lance now had Allura by the arms and said, "Apologize to the princess. Now, Lieutenant." His tone did not brook opposition.

Knowing she had severely breeched protocol she looked to where Keith and Bocara stood side by side. She noted that Bocara and placed her hand on Keith's arm. Her blood began to boil anew but she held it in. She was the only one who seemed to suspect this snake in the grass. She had to be on watch for the prince because it was obvious no one else was. "My apologies, Princess Bocara. I was out of line. Please forgive my lapse in etiquette."

"It's quite all right, Lieutenant. I understand that jealousy can get the best of anyone." Merla's smile was one of victory. Sitting down, she patted the seat of Keith's chair. "Please sit down, Keith. I'd love to hear more about Arus."

Keith barely heard Merla. His thoughts were on the words she had said. Jealous. Merla thinks that Allura is jealous of her. Could she be correct? Is Allura jealous? Does she have feelings for me? Feeling a tap on his leg, he realized he had been staring at Allura. Sitting down quickly, he asked, "What else would you like to know, Princess?"

The rest of dinner was fraught with tension. Everyone was glad when it was over. No one wanted to spend time with Bocara, so it was decided to call it an early night.

Lance caught up with Allura as she left the dining hall. "We need to talk, Allura."

"I'm not jealous and I'm not imagining things. She is a snake in the grass and no one wants to see it!" Allura's voice continued to rise as they talked.

Looking around at the curious glances they were getting from staff, he pulled her into an empty conference room. "I don't care what you think privately. But publicly, you have got to respect her! Spouting off in a fit of temper isn't like you."

Crossing her arms, she said, "I know, it's more like you, Mr. 'Who died and made you king.' The instant the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them.

Sitting on the edge of the table, Lance let out a big sigh. "Yeah, you're right." Looking at her, he said, "And look what my big mouth almost cost us. Do you want to do the same thing here?"

Throwing her head back in frustration, Allura said, "No. That woman just gets me riled up. I know she has ulterior motives." Turning her eyes to her friend, she asked, "Did you see what she did to get me going?"

"Actually, I didn't. I was watching you watch her."

"Well, she looked me in the eye and then put her hand on his leg." Allura stopped talking as Lance burst out laughing.

"Boy, do you have it bad, kiddo!" Lance said with a laugh.

"I. Do. Not!"

"Whatever, Allura. Keep your tongue in check while the princess is here." Lance reached out to tilt her face up so he could look her in the eye. "Understand?" After her nod, Lance moved for the door.

"Understood," she whispered as Lance left. Allura decided that she would just keep an eye on the visiting dignitary, just to be safe. As she left the room, she said to herself, I'm not jealous. I'm just concerned about a friend. Yeah, right. No wonder Lance doesn't believe me. I don't believe myself.