Lance's POV
Lance walked through the barrack doors and was immediately ambushed by a question.
"What were you doing with Princess Allura?"
Keith was the one asking. He had his arms folded across his chest and a smug expression on his face.
"I told you," Lance explained. "We were practicing for the ball."
"Didn't look like it," Keith said.
Lance argued back. "That's because you saw us when we were on our way back from the pavillion!"
"What are you two talking about?" Hunk entered the room.
"Lance wasn't on duty today because he was taking a stroll with the princess," Keith sneered.
"Well, it's not my fault the dance director didn't show up today!" Lance was yelling now.
"Woah!" Hunk turned his back on Keith and focused on Lance. "Calm down."
Lance took a few deep breaths. "What Allura and I do is none of your business."
"It is if our captain isn't on duty!" Keith yelled.
"Keith," Hunk said. "Please calm down."
"Yeah, Keith!" Lance was shouting once again. "Quit being such a hothead!"
Lance and Keith bickered back and forth until Hunk was finally loud enough to get their attention.
"BOYS!" he yelled. Lance and Keith went quiet. "You two have to learn to get along!"
Lance hung his head. Keith, on the other hand, remained with his arms crossed.
"Thank you." Hunk pat each guard's shoulder appreciably.
Allura's POV
That was nice, Allura thought, walking down the corridor that let to her royal chambers.
She was starting to appreciate Lance. He was sweet on the inside. Allura knew he had a good heart.
Allura pushed open the doors and wasn't surprised to find Melenor sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Hello, mother," Allura greeted the queen. She sat down next to her.
"How was practice today, my dear?" Melenor asked.
"There was no dance director today," Allura explained. "Lance and I just went back to the castle."
"Really?" Melenor wondered aloud. She rose to leave.
"Is something wrong?" Allura asked.
"I need to find the director." Melenor left the royal bedroom.
•••
Allura lay down on her bed. She heard a squeaking noise, and four mice ran out of her closet.
"Hello, little friends!" Allura exclaimed. They chittered back in response.
Princess! Allura could hear one of them speaking in her mind.
"Where have you four been?" Allura asked the space mice.
Waiting for your return! the largest of them replied.
How was your day? the small one asked.
"Very pleasant, actually," Allura told them. She described her whole conversation with Lance to the little mice, though she doubt they fully understood.
Will you be gone all week, Princess? the small mouse asked in a sad tone.
"Yes," Allura said softly. "But we mustn't be sad." She picked the mouse up gently. "Everything will be back to normal after the ball."
Lance's POV
Lance and Hunk were having a "consoling session". Hunk had pulled Lance to some emtpy room to have Lance describe his problem.
"Ok, Lance," Hunk said, his hands folded neatly on the desk in front of him. "Why don't you tell me what's wrong?"
"Wrong? What do you mean wrong?" Lance asked.
"You and Keith seem to have problems speaking with each other," Hunk responded.
"Well, Keith has always been a hothead!" Lance got out of his chair and began pacing around. "Why does it matter to him what I do?"
"Just let it out," Hunk nodded his head.
"Why does he care about my life?" Lance added. "He has his own!"
Lance paced a few more steps, took some deep breaths, and sat back down.
"There, there," Hunk patted his friend on the shoulder. "How do you feel?"
"Better." Lance got up and went to the door. "Thanks Hunk."
Allura's POV
There was a tapping at the door. The mice had since left to find a good valley.
"Come in!" Allura answered the door. Standing in the doorway was Queen Melenor.
"Hello, Allura!" Melenor beamed. "I've discovered the cause of the music director's absence!"
Allura's eyes lit up. "Really? Is he alright?"
Melenor shook her head and laughed. "He sick, dear!"
"Will the dance rehearsals continue?" Allura asked.
"No need to worry. Officer Shirogane and I will work with you."
•••
The third rehersal arrived quickly. Allura rushed to the ballroom for practice. Surprisingly, Lance had shown up first.
He nodded his head. Allura waved back.
Melenor and Officer Shirogane walked through the doors.
"Welcome back!" Shiro announced.
"Since it's the middle of the week already," Melenor said. "It's time for the dress rehersal!" She beckoned Allura over.
"Put that on," the queen whispered, pointing to a ball gown behind a newly set-up red curtain.
Why did a dress rehearsal never come to mind? Allura thought as she slipped the dress on.
The dress looked rather pretty. It was a pastel pink color, with a slightly puffy skirt in identical color. Lace ribbons flowed down the sides and around the waist of the dress. The sleeves were in lace too, and just fell off Allura's shoulders.
Luckily, Allura had had practice walking around in big ball gowns like the one she was in.
Allura stepped out from behind the curtain, and saw Lance doing the same. He was wearing another blue captain's suit, with more gold fabric on the shoulders. Otherwise, he looked the same as always.
"Allura, you look... wow."
"You look nice too, Lance." She walked over and took her place next to him.
"Now, we can begin!" Melenor clapped her hands and music began to play.
Lance seemed more determined not to trip today. He wrapped a hand around Allura's waist, and together they glided across the room.
Allura could see how concentrated Lance looked as he took each step.
The pair managed not to fall by the time the music stopped.
Melenor came to Lance and Allura's side. "That was wonderful today!" The exhausted dancers nodded their heads.
"Tomorrow we will go over the entire dance! You two are dismissed." Melenor gestured to the doors, and they swung open.
Allura and Lance walked out of the ballroom together.
"You did great today, Lance," Allura told him once the large doors shut.
"You too, Allura," Lance said.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
Lance hesitated. "I actually think I need more practice."
"Me too," Allura laughed. They came to a split down the hall. Allura needed to turn left, and Lance seemed to be headed towards the other direction. They parted ways.
"Lance!" Allura spun around. What am I doing? she thought.
"Yes, Allura?" Lance faced her again.
"Would you like to practice some more before the ball?" she asked. "The ball is in two days, and practice is in the afternoon tomorrow so I thought..."
"Yes, Allura?" Lance repeated, walking her way.
"Would... would you like to practice with me tomorrow morning?" Allura finally let out.
Lance flashed a grin. "I'll see you at the pavillion, 10 am sharp."