"Your Majesty.. we must speak immediately." Cardinal Hunk quietly excused himself for interrupting Keith and Allura's quite fascinating talk about the wild yelmores on Altea. Keith could have kissed Hunk for rescuing him from the conversation.
"Please excuse me Princess, Kingly duties are calling me. I hope to see you later this evening at the ball?" He kissed her hand in polite formality and rushed off following his small council that had gone to get him. Once in the council room and everyone was seated Keith could not help but pick up on everyone's uneasy auras.
"What is it?" Keith asked looking from each face to the other. Shiro seemed nervous but it was Hunk who spoke first.
"We have received word from the Cardinal of Daibazaal. Our fears and speculations have been correct. King Zarkon has grown angry over the past moon and is growing more war hungry. He has sent a threat to a neighboring kingdom." Keith sat back in his chair chewing his lip in thought.
"What kind of threat? " He asked looking over to Shiro who shifted in his was next to speak.
"He has warned if they do not join his side and join the attack on us he will send just as much war power and hate towards them as well." This was definitely not good.
"And? Have they accepted his proposal? Or are they on our side?" Keith was furious. He should not have to worry about an attack on both sides now. All of this bad news on what was supposed to be a grand night.
"They have yet to come to a decision. They were given three days..they have until the day after tomorrow to come to a conclusion." Shiro said with a sigh. "I believe we should send a diplomat to talk with King Lubos immediately. Hopefully persuade them back to our side. We would be sorely out numbered if we lost their alliance."
Keith ran a had through his hair with a sigh. "Shiro, As one of the best Army Generals I trust you do handle all of these affairs. Help General Kolivan and prepare our men. We may be outnumbered but we are strong." Shiro bowed his head accepting his task.
"As you wish, your Majesty."
Kolivan seemed uneasy but kept quiet not wanting to start an argument.
"Should we summon King Alfor? He would be more than happy to lend us his armies. He is our biggest ally." Kolivan finally said and Keith grew nervous himself.
"I doubt they would help. Without..something in return." Keith said eyeing Kolivan hoping he would drop it.
"I am sure we can give them whatever it is they seek. This could be the difference in losing and winning this fight." Kolivan continued not caring or noticing Keith's warning stare.
"King Alfor has made it more than clear that he intends to marry me to his daughter Allura, He would want it in writing and it official. I will not marry Allura, now or ever. " Keith said sitting back tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair.
"Why's that? You would send your men to their death over not wanting to marry her? She's young, pretty, and we would win this war over Zarkon. " Kolivan challenged and Keith stood up the force sending the chair to the floor.
"Enough! I do not have to explain myself to you! I am the King for God's sake!" Keith looked to all his council fire in his eyes. "Anyone else want to challenge that fact?" Several heads shook and not a word was said. "Good. Now, I have a ball to prepare for. Shiro, please take General Kolivan and start the preparations, then join the ball once finished." He dismissed his council and they all filed out muttering amongst themselves. Shiro held back until it was just the two of them.
"Keith.. I know the topic is not well received with you but you must really control your temper. If and when the time comes to introduce Lance as..more than he is now you want your council behind you. Kolivan is strict in his beliefs and does not need any more of an excuse to fight against your relationships. " Shiro said with a small frown. He knew what Keith was doing is such a drastic change to everyone's beliefs and fears of hate and rebellion if he does not approach it correctly.
"I know..I.. I just can not imagine if I am forced to marry for an alliance. I hate that I have no life or choice of my own. I'm the King! My word should be law, no one should argue. It's hard. You should have been King Shiro. I 'm the wrong guy for this job." Keith righted his chair before flopping down in it with a huff. The line of succession had been so unsure that there were originally three for the crown. Him, Shiro, and Lotor. Lotor's lineage got him removed and Shiro's legitimacy made him lose his place leaving Keith to come to the throne.
"Keith. You will grow into an amazing King, you just need to know what battles you can win and when you should surrender."
"So you think I should marry Allura?" Keith asked in shock. How could Shiro turn on him like the rest of his council? The closest person he had.
"Absolutely not. I think you should hurry and court Lance publicly so no one questions you on the matter, Plus, bringing Lance into light you will have already opened your line of succession so that should keep the people from going too crazy. As Lance would succeed you for the throne of course."
"Only if our marriage becomes legal and biding Shiro. It will mean nothing if they declare us illegitimate and void. If that happens it will not be good for Lance, he could face rejection, slander. He could be a target." Keith said feeling a sinking feeling begin. He had not thought that far ahead. He could be putting himself and Lance in danger by coming out not to mention Shiro and Adam and whoever else may share their beliefs. "Shiro.. What am I doing?" Keith asked feeling as small and helpless as ever faced with the harsh realities of his future. He was walking a very dangerous road but how could he not allow himself to love and be loved in return? He did not want to endanger Lance, someone so pure and kind, over his foolishness. He would not let Lance be harmed by his mistakes. It would be his fault if anything happened to him, he was the one who persuaded him to come to court after all.
"Keith.. I do not wish to fill your head with false hope but I truly believe that your people love you enough to accept your love for Lance. If it comes to that. You've barely courted the poor boy and here we are talking about his future as King." Shiro laughed despite himself causing a small laugh from Keith as well. First he had to woo the boy then they could discuss marriage.
"Just let it happen. If it is meant to be it will be. I must go and speak with Kolivan now. Go get ready for tonight. Your guests should be arriving soon." With a wink Shiro left leaving Keith a mess of emotions.
The carriage ride was much longer than Lance had thought it would be. Keith came a long way to see Lance and his family and Lance felt honored he would make such a trip just to visit him. He must thank him graciously for his kindnesses thus far for he was unsure if he was deserving enough. Keith's words replayed in his mind the whole trip. His words about caring for him and his family. Lance knew if him and the King were together his family would never starve again. Never go cold in the winter again. For the sake of his family could he commit such a sin? Such a crime against nature? Love is love. Lance wished he could believe that but the idea of risking so much to please himself seemed so terrifying. He wondered what his mother's reaction would be to the King's courtship proposal. She would surely have a heart attack at the thought. Lance was staring at the window trying to calm his nerves as the castle walls loomed closer and closer. Closer and closer to Keith.