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-Five

All was as King Alfor said. With the information that Keith gave him, Pidge was able to search the core for the files they needed to access the wealth Arus had stored away off-planet.

Coran looked with a slack jaw at the amount of money that they now had access to. His eyes shifted to Keith, "It's amazing, Keith. This is just what we need to bring Arus back."

With a glazed look, Keith said, "How did you never know?"

Looking back at the numbers on the screen, Coran said, "At the time of the last battle, I was not privy to the royal account. Of course we all knew there were accounts off-planet. However, with so much battle damage and the royal advisors killed or captured in the battle… we assumed all knowledge of the account locations was lost."

"It was an assumption that I'm glad proved to be wrong," Keith said softly.

"As am I, my Prince. I'll contact the provincial governors and see about starting a new advisory council. There are many that are still alive that have knowledge we can use. They will just need to update their knowledge and then we'll be ready to make informed decisions." He turned and smiled at Keith. "The governors and people of Arus will be excited by the news. Once we have some contacts and have begun to place orders and so forth, we should have a ball."

All the eyes of the Alliance team and Keith turned to Coran.

Lance cleared his throat and said, "Did you say 'a ball?'"

Chuckling, Coran said, "Indeed I did say a ball, young man! It will be just the thing to show the other worlds and governments that we are once again credible on the galactic stage."

Lance noticed that Keith was unusually quiet as he stated. "Um, Coran, being able to protect yourself shows others that you credible."

Waving a hand in the air as if to dismiss the lieutenant's statement he said, "Voltron has done that for us. A ball will give us a chance to form alliances with dignitaries and provide information on what Arus can offer in the way of trade agreements."

Looking from Coran to Keith, Hunk asked, "What do you think, Keith?" Then glancing quickly at the frowning advisor, he amended, "Uh, Prince Keith?"

Keith kept his eyes on the data on the screen as he carefully said, "I think working with other planets to discuss trade agreements and purchases to help the people will be very helpful."

Waving both hands in the air, Coran smiled with triumph, "See! The prince agrees. I'll speak with Matron Hilda about beginning the preparations for a ball in three or four month's time." Clapping Keith on the back he added, "We'll be sure to ask some planetary rulers with eligible daughters to attend as well." It was obvious to everyone but Coran, that Keith stiffened in reaction. Coran however, was busy with the data and barely noticed when Keith left.

Lance walked over to the royal advisor and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"What? Hmmm?" Coran said absently.

Lance said, "Coran?"

"Yes, my boy?"

"Look at me," Lance said using his command tone. This got the advisor's attention and he stood up straight and looked at the young lieutenant.

"I'm sorry, Lance. It's just so incredible. I didn't mean to be rude." Coran's attention was now completely on Lance.

Lance quickly glanced over his shoulder and saw Hunk and Pidge working on the computers, but Allura was staring at the door that Keith had used to exit. Turning back to Coran, Lance said, "It's only been a few days since Merla tried to kidnap the prince. What happened to your pledge of 'never again?' You're doing it again." His tone was serious.

"Is that what you think? That I'm trying to push the prince into a marriage?"

"Well, when you talk about balls and eligible daughters what else is he to think?" Lance asked with irritation.

Coran looked to the exit. "You mean he thinks that?"

Lance nodded, "Yep. We ALL think that."

The advisor's brows knitted together as he processed that. "Well. I didn't mean an immediate marriage. After that fiasco with Bocara-Merla, I won't push him toward another princess without more investigation."

Lance smacked his forehead with his hand. "Are you telling me that you still expect him to marry a princess?"

Looking offended, Coran said, "Of course. He's a prince and will soon be king. Of course he should marry a princess or queen. It is his duty."

Shaking his head, Lance only said as he turned and walked away, "No wonder he walked away. Stupidity."

Coran would have been offended if Lance had been Arusian. As it was, he chalked it up to the off-worlders not understanding their ways. Keith knew his duty to his people and would do what was right.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Keith stood outside the door to the crypt. He had just spoken to his father yesterday. Was it too soon to call upon him again? Drawing a deep breath, he entered the room. It didn't matter. He needed to speak to his father.

Once again, it wasn't long before the late king appeared to speak with his son and heir. "You're troubled, Keith." It was a statement, not a question.

Keith looked away from his father and moved uneasily from one foot to another. "Coran thinks we should have a ball in a few months to work on forging alliances and trade agreements. He says having the ball will add credibility to us with other planets and governments."

The king looked appraisingly at his son. There was more to this than trade agreements. "Coran is right. A ball after the rebuilding process has started is a good idea. If it is done well and without ostentation, it will go far in restoring our standing."

Keith kept his eyes down. It was uncharacteristic of him to be so reticent but he couldn't help it. "So you think it's a good idea." It wasn't a question. Gathering his courage, he said, "He also wants to be sure to invite rulers who have eligible daughters." Keith's eyes darted up as his father replied.

"Ahhhhh, now I see what has been troubling you." Alfor chuckled a little. "You are afraid they will want you to get married."

Nodding, Keith said, "Yes. I'm sure both he and Matron Hilda will push for it."

A smile was still on his lips as Alfor replied, "But, Keith, they can't make you do anything you don't want to do."

A flicker of hope began to form in Keith's eyes as he responded, "No, they can't make me. But they go on and on about my duty-"

Loud laughter issued from Alfor. "Ah, yes, duty. I have had that spoken to me as well. Actually, it was right before I asked your mother to marry me." Seeing the questioning look from his son, he continued on. "Eleanor was of noble birth, but she was of a much lesser family. My mother hoped that I would look higher, perhaps even to a princess from off-world. In the end, they accepted my choice." The smile was still on his face as he ended his short tale.

"But what if the woman you were thinking of marrying wasn't even a noble woman?" Keith asked carefully.

Alfor studied his son carefully. The only female that would possibly be the object of his interest was the Alliance pilot, Allura. "Duty is something to be considered. But so is love. But whatever you choose, it needs to be something you can live with. If you can't, then your life and that of your Queen will be ill-fated."

"Thank you, father." Keith said. "You've given me a lot to think about."

Alfor nodded and then faded into nothing.

Keith sank to the floor. His father would support whatever decision he made; he knew that now. But Coran, Hilda, the provincial governors… they would want a princess with something to offer Arus. The prince leaned over to rest his head on his knees. He groaned a little as his ribs and bruised muscles protested the position. I've known her for less than a month. For Arus, I need to consider all the options. Standing, with yet another groan, Keith left the burial chamber. His mind said to consider the options while his heart told him there wasn't any option but Allura…