{{  "And you heard me," Allura smiled up at her husband.

He returned her grin, "Yes I did.  But I thought I had dreamt it."

"Well, you were pretty drugged," Lance pointed out.

"And I did get better at missions and rescues," Allura added.

"Yeah," Hunk agreed.  "You became one of the best soldiers we'd ever known."

Lance stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles, slinging his arm across the back of the couch, "Yeah, well, she had some great teachers."

"I know.   I don't know what I would've done without Hunk and Pidge."  Allura sighed.

Darcy poked Lance in the side, "Stop fishing for compliments."

He pouted, "If I'm fishing for compliments, then I'm using the wrong bait.  It didn't work."

"Poor, baby, I'll take your bait later."

"Alright, enough of that, you're going to make us sick," Pidge groaned.

"What happened next?"  Becca asked.

"Well, to say that Zarkon and Lotor were angry was a huge understatement," Lance said.  "The fact that we were able to sneak into their castle and get Keith out had them really pissed, but they were no where near as peeved as Keith was with Allura's latest suitor…}}

Lance was on duty in Castle Control the next morning when the door slid open and Allura walked in.  He greeted her with a grin, "How're you this beautiful morning?"

"I'm doing alright," she smiled weakly.  "How are you?"

"Just fine.  Have you been to see Keith this morning?"

"No, I was going to see him after I checked in with you," she crossed over and stood beside him.  "And I wanted to thank you for last night, for, uh, listening to me."

Lance laid a hand on her shoulder, "Anytime, Princess, I'm always here to talk or to listen."

"Thank you, Lance.  There are times I just don't know what I would do without you guys."

"And if you need us to beat up any Princes who get fresh, all you have to do is ask."

A grin flashed across her face while she threw her arms around his neck in a friendly hug, "Thanks Lance."

They jumped apart at the sound of the door sliding open.

"Keith!  What are you doing up?"  Lance asked, hurrying over to help his friend.

Keith limped in, cradling his injured wrist to his chest, "I couldn't stay in the hospital any longer."  As Lance approached, Keith lowered his voice, "And what have I told you about the Princess?"

"It's not what it looks like, man," Lance grinned and took Keith by his good arm.

"How're you feeling, Keith?"  Allura asked, nervously tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. 

"A little sore, but I'll be fine.  Any word from Doom?"

"Not yet," Lance told him, flipping through the log.  "All clear through the night and this morning."

"There's going to be payback," Keith warned.

"We'll be ready," Allura assured him.

"Did you have practice this morning?"

"Yes, sir, Allura shot at 79%."  Lance winked at her.

Keith nodded, "Good job, Princess, you're getting better."

The door slid open and Nanny hurried in excitedly, "Oh, Princess, I have the most wonderful news!"

"You're going to lay off this whole marriage thing for a while?"  Allura asked.

Nanny crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the young woman, "Don't get sassy with me, Princess.  No, I wanted to tell you that Prince Kelton from Planet Wollege is coming to visit!"

Allura furrowed her brow, "Who?"

Lance looked at Keith and mouthed 'Kelton?'

"The most eligible and handsome Prince in the galaxy," Nanny clasped her hands together.  "And Wollege is one of the wealthiest planets in the galaxy."

"I thought it was half destroyed by Doom," Keith spoke up.

Nanny turned to him, "They've rebuilt."

"Only after coming to an agreement with Doom," Lance added.

"They did what they had to do to survive."

"Nanny, I will not get involved with a man who has aligned himself with Doom."  Allura said.


Keith sighed, "He didn't really align himself with Doom, Princess, he did fight back and when it became obvious that Wollege didn't have anything to offer Doom, Zarkon left the planet, leaving behind a few guards to instill fear in the people there."

Allura glared at him while Lance groaned and rolled his eyes.

Nanny smiled, "That's right, Captain.  Prince Kelton has done very well by his people and the two of you would be great together.  He's a gentleman and he is oh so handsome."

Allura sighed, "When is he coming and how long is he staying."

"Don't be so dramatic, Your Highness, he is coming the day after tomorrow and staying for an indefinite amount of time."

"An indefinite amount of time?"  Allura repeated.

"Trust me, Princess, he is the man for you and he will be here for as long as it takes to properly court you."

Allura's mouth fell open in shock.

"Can he really leave his planet that long?"  Lance asked.

"He is leaving his brother in charge," Nanny explained.

"Where is he going to be staying?"  Keith asked.

"Oh, he will have a room in the south wing, away from the Princess, it will all be proper."

"Do I get a say in this?"  Allura asked angrily.

"Of course, you can pick your wedding dress," Nanny smiled, amused by her try at humor.  "I am going to go make sure his room is already."

The three of them watched as Nanny swept from the room, muttering to herself.

Allura threw her hands in the air, "I don't know what to do!"

"I can refuse his ship permission to land," Keith suggested.

"Oh, would you, please?"

"Yeah, like I would want to have to deal with Nanny's wrath for doing that."

"We could just accidentally shoot his ship down," Lance said nonchalantly.

"As long as you don't do any permanent damage," Allura muttered.

"Princess," Keith warned with a smile.

She shrugged, "What can I say…"  Allura stopped at the beeping coming from the main console.

Lance turned and glanced at the monitor, "This is it."  He flipped the switch, setting off the alarm.

Hunk, Pidge, and Koran were in Castle Control within moments.

"What's up?"  Hunk asked.

"We've got company and it looks like a robeast," Lance said.

"Everyone to your Lions," Keith instructed.

"But Keith," Allura grabbed his arm.  "You aren't up to fighting."

"We don't really have a choice, Princess.  With a robeast, we need Voltron and you can't really do that with four Lions."  With that he turned and raced toward Black's tube. 

Ignoring the pain, Keith called them into formation, watching as the coffin ship seemed to float to the ground.  With a hiss and groan, the lid opened and a horrendous beast, like one they'd never seen before, rose.  It was taller than Voltron, a hideous green-brown color, and shaped like a bug.  Four arms swiped at the air while two antennae waved around its head.  With the swing of an arm, six trees were knocked down.


"We need Voltron," Keith called out unnecessarily.

The beast seemed to study Voltron with a detached interest.  It swung out with two arms and shook Voltron, almost causing the giant robot to fall. 

"Alright, I don't feel like dealing with this," Keith yelled.  "Form Blazing Sword!"

With a flash and a chink of metal, Red gripped the Blazing Sword in its mouth.  Voltron swung with all its force and caused the bug beast to sway, but not fall.  They raised the sword again and sliced one if it's arms off, causing the beast to lose its balance.

"How're you holding up, Cap?"  Lance called, noticing the sweat pouring down Keith's face.

Keith grunted in response.

"Come on guys, let's take care of this giant piece of crap," Lance shouted.

The Blazing Sword rose again and sliced off two more arms.  With a battle cry, they raised the sword one more time and brought it down, slicing the beast in half. 

Keith stumbled into Castle Control, falling into the chair beside the main console, gasping for breath. 

"Maybe you should go back to the hospital," Hunk suggested.

Keith shook his head, "I want to assess the damage before I go lay down."

"I'll take care of it," Allura told him. "Go lay down."

"No, we need to know…" he stood unsteadily at the beeping that signaled an incoming message.

"Captain!"  Zarkon called jovially.  "How are you?"

"What do you want Zarkon?"  Keith asked through gritted teeth.

"Not much, the Lions, Arus, oh and I think my son fancies the Princess."

"You're a really riot, Zarkon.  Isn't it about time you realized you don't have a shot in hell?  You cannot defeat Voltron."

Zarkon raised his eyebrows, "That sounds like a challenge."

"Zarkon," Allura appeared at Keith's side.  "This is totally unacceptable!  We will not stand by and allow you to just attack Arus.  You have a fight on your hands and you will not win."

"Princess Allura," he drawled.  "I see you've developed some self confidence, your father would be proud."

"Don't even mention my father," she spat.

"He was a fool, just as you are.  This is not over, Princess."  And with that, Zarkon closed the communication.

Keith laid a gentle hand on her arm while she stared at the black screen, breathing heavily.  "Allura?"

"Keith, go lay down," she snapped into action.  "Don't argue with me, that's an order.  Koran I want a full damage report.  Lance, I believe you're still on duty.  Hunk, Pidge, help Koran."

"Allura…" Keith whispered as the others went about their business.


"Don't Keith."

He squeezed her arm and turned to limp from the room.

********************************************************

"Princess!"  Nanny knocked excitedly on Allura's door a couple of days later.  Barging in, she declared, "Oh, you look lovely!   You will take Prince Kelton's breath away!"

Allura sighed deeply, "I really don't want to do this, Nanny."

"Stop being so childish," Nanny sprayed more perfume on the young woman.  "You have a responsibility to your planet and your people.  Now stand up, let me see."

Allura stood and stepped away from her vanity.  She wore a long, full skirted pink dress with a cinched waist and long sleeves that ended at points on the back of her hands.  Her hair was down cascading past her shoulders and to her waist in thick curls.  Nanny placed her tiara on her head and secured it with a couple of hair pins.

"Nanny, I'm not ready to get married and have children," Allura whispered.

The older woman clucked her tongue, "You don't know what you want, Princess.  Trust me, once you get to know the Prince, you will see how ready you are for marriage."

The Force was already standing by the tarmac when Allura and Nanny arrived.  They were required to meet and greet the Prince.  Keith watched as Allura crossed to stand with them, she looked so forlorn and a little terrified.  His heart broke a little when he saw her. 

Lance winked at the Princess, earning a disapproving glare from Nanny, "How're you holding up?"

"I'm wondering how well I can fake illness," she whispered back.

"If he steps out of line, just say the word, we'll take care of him."

She gave him a weak smile, "Thanks, Lance."

The roar of an approaching ship interrupted their conversation.  It was a medium sized transport ship with enough room to comfortably fit the Prince, a valet, and the pilot.  Allura unconsciously took a step closer to Keith as the ship landed.  He fought the urge to reach out and grasp her hand.

Nanny grinned excitedly and clasped her hands together as they listened to the whirring of gears and the door opened.  A gangplank lowered and Prince Kelton stepped down.

Allura's eyes widened.

"You have got to be shitting me," Lance whispered.

Keith kicked his foot to shut him up.

"Geez, Cap," Hunk whispered.  "Are you sure you don't have a long lost twin?"

With his thick black hair that brushed his collar, big brown eyes, and tall, muscular physique, there was a definite similarity between the Prince and their Captain.

With a charming smile, Prince Kelton bowed deeply before taking Allura's hand and bringing it to his lips.  "Princess Allura, it's a pleasure."  His voice was deep and rich.

Allura curtsied, "Prince Kelton, welcome to Arus."

Kelton bent his arm at the elbow and offered it to Allura who gently laid her arm in the crook of his arm.  "Please forgive my absence from your ball the other evening, Princess.  My brother was unwell and I could not leave him."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, I hope he is well now."

"Yes, thank you, it was just a bug, he will be fine."

"I can't believe this," Lance whispered as they followed the Princess and Prince into the castle.

"It's scary really," Pidge muttered.

Keith wheeled around and looked at his men, "Stop it right now.  I don't want you guys to cause trouble for the Princess."

"Come on, Keith, even you have to see it," Lance gestured toward the door Prince Kelton had just disappeared into.

"So he has dark hair, that doesn't mean anything."

Lance leaned closer, bringing the others with him, "I think Nanny did this on purpose.  She thinks if she can find someone who looks like you, then Allura will forget about you."

Keith blushed slightly, unaware that Lance had told Pidge and Hunk about his feelings.  "Don't start with that crap, Lance."

"But," Hunk added.  "Allura is smarter than that, it isn't just Keith's looks she's into."

"Yeah, there is no way this Kelton can stand up to you, Keith," Pidge said.

"Alright, alright, enough," Keith raised his voice.  "There is nothing between the Princess and I and there never will be.  Just drop it!"  He turned to head inside, but stopped when a thought occurred to him and he turned back.  "And none of you are to do anything to make the Prince's stay anything but pleasant.  Understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Aye, Captain."

"Come on, Keith…"

"No Lance."

"Damn."

"Oh, Keith, guys, come, meet the Prince," Allura ushered them into Castle Control.  "Prince Kelton, I would like to introduce you to Captain Keith Whitaker, Lieutenant Lance Collier, Lieutenant Hunk Landers, and Lieutenant Pidge Audric, the Voltron Force."

Prince Kelton bowed deeply, "It is a pleasure, gentlemen."

Keith returned the bow, stiffly.  Lance waved, Hunk grinned, and Pidge stuffed his hands in his pockets, rocked back on his heels and said, "Hiya, Prince."

Nanny clucked her tongue disapprovingly.

Lance leaned over to Hunk and whispered, "If she keeps clucking every time we do or say something that pisses her off, she's going to sprain her tongue."

Hunk snorted, but stopped when he caught Keith glaring at him.

"Prince Kelton," Nanny shuffled over to him. "If you and your man will follow me, I will show you to your room so you can freshen up before supper."

The Prince bowed to her, "You are a most gracious host.  Thank you."

Nanny blushed and twittered, "Oh, oh, why thank you, Prince Kelton.  Come with me."

Allura turned to her friends, a little pink cheeked.  "I can't believe Nanny is fawning over him like that."

"You seemed to be fawning yourself," Keith muttered.

Lance groaned.

"I was being polite, Captain, there is a difference," Allura huffed.

Pidge shrugged, "He's seems nice."

"Yes he does," she agreed.

"So you're going to court him?"  Hunk asked.

"I, uh, I don't know," she stammered.  "I have to be nice to him, show him around Arus."

Lance felt rather than saw Keith tense beside him.  "That doesn't necessarily mean you're courting him," Lance pointed out.

She shrugged, blushing slightly, "I've never actually courted anyone before."

Keith clenched his teeth.

"Uh, well, I think we should, uh, go get ready for dinner."  Hunk said, hoping to head off any possible confrontations.

"Yes, Hunk, you're right."  Allura grabbed her skirts and turned away, leaving them behind.

As soon as she was out of the room, Lance turned and smacked Keith upside the head, "Don't be such an idiot."

"Excuse me, Lieutenant?"

"You heard me, Keith."

Before Keith could respond, Lance walked out of the room, his hands in his pockets, whistling.

********************************************************

"…and then the little boy looked up at me and said 'You know, for a Prince you're not real smart.'"

"Oh, my," Allura gasped.  "What did you do?"

Prince Kelton smiled at her across the dinner table, "What could I do, he's just a young boy.  So I gave him a job in the stables."

"Oh, how kind of you," Nanny beamed.

"He's really a good kid, just misguided.  And he is wonderful with the animals."

Keith continued to push his food around his plate, trying to ignore the annoying habit Prince Kelton had of being so damn perfect.  So far he had been witty, charming, and the kindest gentleman Nanny had ever met.  He looked up when he felt Lance kick his foot and was greeted by the sight of his best friend crossing his eyes at him.

"So tell me, Princess," Kelton set his fork down and leaned forward.  "What's it like flying one of the Voltron Lions?"

"Oh, it's very exciting," Allura grinned, always animated when she talks about the Lions.  "They're so powerful and beautiful.  I really love the fact that I am helping to defend my planet."

"Maybe you can take me for a ride, sometime?"  He asked hopefully.

"Uh, well," Allura turned to Keith.  "I don't think that will be a problem."

"They're war ships," Keith said.  "We don't take non-military personnel up in the Lions."

"Ah, I understand," Kelton said good naturedly.  "Maybe someday that will change."

"I doubt it," Keith muttered.

Hunk cleared his throat, "So, uh, Prince Kelton, tell us about Wollege, is it anything like Arus?"

********************************************************************

"What is your problem?"

Keith looked up from where he was flipping through the log when he heard Allura speaking to him.  It was getting late and he was in Castle Control on duty.  "What are you talking about, Allura?"

"I'm talking about the way you were unforgivably rude to Prince Kelton earlier."

He looked back at the papers he held in his hand, "I wasn't rude."

"You were quiet…"

"I was tired."

"And you wouldn't let him go for a ride in the Lions…"

"No non-military personnel are allowed in the Lions."

"Since when?"  She demanded.

Keith slammed the log closed, "Since today."

"What is your problem with him?"

"I don't like him."

Allura took a step closer, her hands on her hips, "He's perfectly nice.  Why don't you like him?"

Keith crossed his arms over his chest, ignoring the ache in his still sore wrist.  "I don't have to like him, I'm not the one marrying him."

"I didn't say I was marrying him."

"Then why is he here?"

"It was Nanny's idea."

"You don't seem to be fighting too hard."

Allura felt tears well up in her eyes, feeling angry and embarrassed, she snapped, "No, you aren't the one marrying him, so you can just back off you…you big jerk!"  Gathering her skirts in her hands, she whirled around and stormed out of the room.

"Way to go," Keith whispered to himself.

********************************************************

Over the next few days, Keith spent most of his time locked in his study, the one place he knew he wouldn't run into the Princess or Prince Kelton.  Things were quiet and the other members of the Force had been very well behaved.  He knew Pidge was spending a lot of time in the library, but what the Green pilot was doing, he didn't know.

Standing and stretching, Keith walked over to the window that over looked what would eventually be Allura's garden.  They had already planted some local wildflowers and the month before Keith had ordered a surprise from Terra for Allura.  Her birthday was coming up and he had ordered half a dozen rose bushes from Terra. 

It was a beautiful day out and Keith was just contemplating taking a walk up to Black's monument when a movement caught his eye.  Allura had her hand tucked demurely into Kelton's elbow while she gestured with the other, obviously showing him the garden and explaining what else they were planning to do.  Kelton took the hand she had laid on his arm and laced his fingers with hers, Allura stopped and looked at him and then their hands.  Keith silently pleaded with her to take her hand away, but she didn't.

*******************************************************

"I found it!"  Pidge ran into the rec room where Hunk was beating Lance at a video game.

Lance didn't look up, "Found what?  Dammit, Hunk, that's cheating!"

"It is not, I'm just better at this game than you are."

"The law, guys," Pidge lowered his voice.  "The one about Allura not being allowed to marry anyone but royalty."

"What's it say?" Lance asked as his car passed Hunk's.

Pidge sat on the floor beside them with a large tome in his lap, "It's an old law, dating back 328 years.  And it says:

'No person of ruling status may marry out of the circle of royalty.  Any person of ruling status who does marry outside the circle will have to renounce their right to the crown and the rights of any of said person's offspring.'"

"Well, it's short and to the point," Lance muttered, holding out his hand for the book.  "But that was over three centuries ago, there has to have been a way around it."

"Not that I've found yet," Pidge said, taking his glasses off and wiping them on his shirt.  "There have been a few instances where the ruling monarch gives up the throne, but there was always someone else to take over for them."

"Alright, I don't go on duty for a few more hours," Hunk stood and stretched.  "I'll help you look."

"Yeah, I guess I can help too," Lance sighed.  "I don't know why, but Allura and the Prince seem to be getting closer."

********************************************************

"Princess," Kelton whispered.  "I know we've only known each a short time…"

"Four days," Allura smiled.

He returned her smile, "That's right, and I hope you don't think I'm being to forward, but I am of the belief that when you know it's right why wait?"

Allura shifted uncomfortably and removed her hand from his, "I am not in any hurry, Your Highness."

"How many times must I remind you, please call me Kelton," he took her hand before she could get away. "We are all at war, Allura, and it is important for both of our planets to have an heir, or two."

"With all due respect, sir," she pulled her hand from his grasp.  "I am not ready to marry and, while I am fond of you, I am not in love with you."

He smiled indulgingly at her, "Oh, my dear Allura, love is for fairy tales.  I am offering you the comfort and protection of a well-respected planet.  We will develop a relationship built on respect and the love will come later."

Allura looked at him as though he had grown two heads, "I'm sorry, Prince Kelton, but that is not what I am looking for."

"Don't be so naive," his tone dropped.

"I will not be spoken to in such a manner," she thrust her chin out.

"Your governess told me…"

"I am a grown woman, she is no longer my governess."

"Well then I suggest you start acting like a grown woman and show me you don't need a governess."

Allura's mouth fell open, "I think you need to leave my planet, Prince Kelton." 

His expression changed, "You don't mean that."

"Yes, I do.  I will not be spoken to like that while you're trying to bully me into a marriage I am not interested in."

"I thought you were more interested in what was best for Arus," Kelton said, grabbing her arm.

Allura cringed, wishing she hadn't sent away the guards, "I am and I know you are not what is best for Arus."

He grabbed her other arm, "You don't know what you're saying.  Don't you see?  Our planets together would create the greatest merger in the universe!  We could rule together as the most powerful couple in the galaxy."

Allura's lip curled in disgust, "Merger?  You sound just like Lotor."  She stamped her foot hard down on his, feeling oddly satisfied when he dropped her arms and hopped back a few steps.

"Don't ever compare me to that monster," he hissed.  "He almost ruined my planet and my people.  We are only now just really starting to rebuild."

Realization dawned on Allura, "And you thought the Force and Voltron would rebuild your planet for you if you married me."

"No, Princess, I find you very attractive, and you're smart and sweet, I want to marry you.  We could have beautiful children.  Together we can rebuild our planets and defeat Doom."

"Voltron is a Defender, if your planet is ever in trouble, contact us and if we can help we will, but marriage is not part of the deal."

He threw his hands up in the air, "Why aren't you getting it?  Our marriage would be the best possible thing for both our planets."

"For our planets, maybe.  For me, no."

"I cannot believe how selfish and immature you're being."

Allura struck out and slapped him across the face, "I have learned what it is like to love someone and I will never settle for anything less."

Kelton brought a hand to his face, anger in his eyes.  With his other hand, he grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her closer, "You struck me."

"And I will do it again if you don't let me go."

"Don't threaten me," he tightened his grip.

"Let me go now and you will be able to leave Arus without incident."  Allura sounded braver than she felt.

"What," he lowered his voice.  "Do you think anyone will believe you if you told them Prince Kelton was unkind to you?  Your Nanny seems to think I am the greatest thing to walk on the surface of your planet."

"Someone will see," she hissed, struggling in his grasp, feeling him tighten his grip on her.

"No, they won't."

Without her realizing it, Kelton had somehow moved them into a secluded section of the garden by the castle wall where they were hidden from sight by a tree and two large bushes. 

Allura struck out again, but he was ready this time and grasped her wrist before it came in contact with face.  He was also prepared for her feet by moving so she was unable to stamp on his foot or knee him in any place uncomfortable.

"Listen to me, Princess," he brought his face down close to hers.  "Don't fight me.  I have been searching and I have found that my union with you would be the best for my planet and yours."

"No."

"You speak of love," he whispered.  "Do you speak of your Captain?"

She didn't answer, but looked away.

"Don't be a fool, you cannot marry outside of royalty.  Why do you think your Nanny was so thrilled when she saw my photograph?  Even you have to notice the similarities." 

"Let me go," she pulled at her arms.

"Marry me."

"No."

She actually felt the bruises form as his fingers pressed into her skin.

"You are going to want to rethink that, Princess."

"No, you may look like him, but you will never be half the man he is."

"Let her go."

Kelton looked up, his cheeks pink and his eyes glinting with irritation.  "This is none of your business."

Keith took a step forward, calmly unholstering his weapon, "Let her go before I have to shoot you."

"You wouldn't shoot me, I have the Princess."

"I am a trained sniper, Kelton, I can put a hole between your eyes and not even graze a hair on her head."

A flicker of fear flashed in the Prince's eyes before he let go of Allura's arms and raised his hands.

"I want you to walk ahead of me, keep your hands where I can see them."  Keith instructed.

When they reached Castle Control, Keith handed the Prince over to two guards with the instructions to escort him directly to his ship.  As soon as his valet had everything packed and on the ship, they were to leave.

Keith knew Allura had been with them when they had entered Castle Control, but she had since slipped out.  After making sure everything was taken care of with Kelton, Keith made his way to the Princess' room, but was stopped by Nanny.

"The Princess is upset and doesn't want to see anyone."

He suddenly realized how old and tired Nanny seemed.

"But she's alright?"

"Yes, Captain, she'll be fine."

************************************************************************

Keith woke in the middle of the night, an annoying ache in his chest.  Dr. Gorma had said he was healing well, but it would be a little while yet before the pain completely went away.  All it took was for him to roll over the wrong way in his sleep and the pain had him awake.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he stumbled into the bathroom, pulling open the medicine cabinet and taking out the aspirin.  The rumbling in his stomach had him remembering that he had worked through dinner.  Wondering what Nanny had made, Keith wandered down the dark hallway toward the kitchen.

He wasn't really surprised to find someone already there.

Allura jumped and looked up guiltily when the door slid open.

"Princess, what are you doing up?"

She smiled and swirled her spoon in the bowl of ice cream in front of her, "I couldn't sleep, what about you?"

He shrugged, "I forgot to eat dinner."

"How do you forget to eat dinner?"

"I was working on some reports and the next thing I knew I was falling asleep at my desk."

"I think the guys finished up dinner."

Keith pulled open the door to the refrigeration unit, "I'm sure I'll find something."

Allura continued to mix the ice cream soup in her bowl, "You were right about Prince Kelton."

"I wish I wasn't," he sighed.

There was a clink as she set her spoon down, "Keith, can you please explain men to me?"

Silently, he turned and sat across from her at the table, his sandwich in front of him, "What do you mean?"

"What do men want?  I mean, I have met more men this past week than I've ever known in my life.  Do you realize that not one of the Princes at the ball asked me about myself?  They had all sorts of questions about Arus and Voltron, but nothing about me.  Why?  What's wrong with me?  None of them were interested in me, just my planet and Voltron.  I thought Kelton might have been different, boy was I wrong."

"It's not you, Allura," Keith assured her.  "It's them."

"Well, that's an easy answer," she pouted.  "Not one of the men I spoke to could tell you anything about me.  Not my full name or my birthday or my favorite color or…"

"Allura Arianna Aerwyn," Keith interrupted.  "June 3, well, that's the Terran date, I believe the Arusian date is Disin 14th, and yellow."

"What?"

"You full name is Allura Arianna, your mother's name, Aerwyn, your birthday is next month, and your favorite color is yellow, but everyone thinks it's pink."

"How do you know that?"

"Well, your name was easy, as one of your guards, I need to know things like that."

"Oh," she whispered, a little disappointed.  It all came down to her being a job.

"As for your birthday, well, it's just one of those things I know about you and your favorite color because when we were planting the flowers out in the garden you mentioned it when we were planting the flowers I though were daisies."

"The rontes."

"Yeah, those."

She smiled, "Why can't the Princes be more like you, I mean, you guys?"

"Some men are just stupid, they don't realize what a wonderful woman they have right in front of them."

Allura blushed, but met his eye, "That's true."

Keith cleared his throat and looked down at his half eaten sandwich, "Yes, well, sometimes men do things that seem stupid but in the end everyone realizes it was the right thing."

She furrowed her brow, "What?"

"It will all make sense some day."

"Why are you being so mysterious?"

Because I love you!  He wanted to shout. 

"I'm not being mysterious," he took a bite from his sandwich.

"Yes, you are. What are you playing at?"

"Nothing," he stood and walked to the sink, dumping his plate in.  "We have practice, early."

"I know."

"Do you want me to escort you back to your room?" Keith asked as he crossed to the door.

"No, thank you, I'll be fine," she said, watching as he moved agitatedly.  "I wish you would tell me what was going on."

He stopped, one hand on the doorframe, "I just wish things could be different."

"Keith."

He looked at her.

"Are you really a trained sniper?"

He smiled weakly, "No."

"What if he hadn't let me go?"

"I would have attacked him with my bare hands."

She nodded.

"Good night, Princess."

"Good night, Keith."