A/N: Not really an author's note; more of a 'heads up'. There will be mention of a 'varga' in this chapter, and the equivilant will be listed at the end. Just know that if I ever mention a 'tick' or 'phoeb', the equivalent will be listed at the end of the chapter. That's all I have to say. Enjoy!

-FangirlsAreEverywhere

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Lance's POV

Lance stood waiting by the garden pavillion. It was exactly 10 am. He looked down the road and saw Allura walking.

He immediately tried to make his back a bit more straight, and smoothed down some nonexistent wrinkles on his uniform.

Why am I so nervous? He thought. It's only Allura.

But as Lance watched her, he kept thinking, wondering, if there could be more to their friendship.

"Good morning, Lance!" Allura greeted him. Lance smiled and bowed in return.

"Good morning, Princess."

"How has your morning been?" Allura asked politely.

"Keith and I haven't argued yet," Lance shrugged. "So that's good."

"Who's Keith?" Allura looked puzzled.

"Another guard. You don't know him?"

Allura shook her head. Lance had assumed she knew all of the royal guards.

"Well..." Lance cleared his throat. "We should probably start if you want to get in any practice."

Lance and Allura stepped in front of each other, and he couldn't help but notice how her brilliant blue eyes sparkled in the morning sun.

Lance wrapped an arm around her waist, and she placed her hand on his shoulder. They began twirling away.

There was no music, but they didn't need it. Lance and Allura had had plety of time to get used to each other.

Captain and Princess danced around the pavillion. They circled their way around twice before coming to rest.

Lance and Allura seperated themselves, and sat down on the lower steps of the pavillion.

"You did well," Allura said.

"You know, you don't have to compliment me every time," Lance told her.

"I know I don't, but I want to."

Lance smiled. Allura was so nice. He always thought that princesses were stuck up and self-centered, like they were in movies. Allura wasn't like that. In fact, she was the complete opposite.

"Allura," Lance's voice was soft. "I'm really glad I get to dance with you."

Lance saw pink rise up into her cheeks. Then she did something surprising: she held his hand.

"Me too." Allura smiled, her eyes shining.

Lance and Allura leaned forward at the same time.

Allura's POV

Allura stood by the castle doors, a smile on her face. She still couldn't believe it. Had she really kissed Lance?

She shook her head. It had to be real.

Allura let her feet guide her to her room.

The space mice were waiting for her.

Welcome back, Princess! one of them said.

"Hello, little friends," Allura said, sitting on the bed next to the mice.

We missed you! all four mice squeaked together.

Allura laughed. "I've only been gone one varga."

The largest mouse prodded her with his head. He pointed his twitching nose at the door. Allura followed it's gaze.

The door opened, and Queen Melenor walked through it.

"It's time for rehearsal, Allura!" she announced.

Allura's eyes widen. "But I just got back!"

"Back from where, my dear?" the queen asked, curiosity on her face.

"Lance and I felt we needed extra practice."

"Oh!" Melenor exclaimed. "Is practice needed today then?"

Allura nodded her head. "That's the reason Lance and I did extra practice, so we could have the rehearsals and any extra practice we put in."

"Then follow me!" Melenor walked out the door and into the hall.

Allura saw her turn left instead of right, like she usually did on her way to the throne room. Then Allura remembered that practice was in the ballroom that day.

Allura and Melenor walked down the halls in peaceful silence.

Two guards stood standing outside the large ballroom doors. They opened them when they saw the queen and princess aproaching.

Allura and Melenor walked inside, and Allura could see the large, tall windows rising up to the ceiling. The crystal chandelier had been newly polished.

Allura had arrived at the staircase entrance. She and Melenor walked side-by-side down the slick silver stairs.

Lance arrived not a moment later. He and Shiro stumbled through the main doors.

Lance caught Allura's eye, and he smiled. Allura smiled back, blushing in the process.

Melenor glanced at her daughter, but said nothing. A soft smile played on her lips.

"Today we will run through the entire ball!" Melenor said, her voice echoing throughout the large room. "Captain Lance, please put on your other uniform. Allura, come with me."

Allura followed her mother behind another curtain, where the same gorgeous ball gown stood waiting.

Allura slipped it on and pushed aside the curtain.

Lance started walking towards Allura, like they had in past rehearsals, but Melenor stopped him.

"Lance, today you must wait at the foot of the stairs," Melenor pointed. "Today will be a bit different." Lance took his place.

"And Allura," Melenor was suddenly at the princess's side. "You must enter from the stairs." Allura,walked past Lance, and up the stairs once again.

Shiro walked over to Lance and nudged him. He whispered something Allura couldn't hear, but Lance suddenly fixed his posture. He put one arm behind his back, and stuck the other one out for Allura to hold on to once she reached the bottom.

Music began playing, and Allura knew this was her cue to start down the stairs.

She went slowly, not wanting to slip in such a fancy dress.

When she reached the bottom, Lance bowed. Allura slipped her arm in his, and he guided them to the center of the ballroom.

They began twirling around in their usual pattern.

Even without anyone looking, Allura felt nervous. She had been the center of attention multiple times before, but never with another person.

She laughed silently at the idea. Being alone at the center of attention should be more frightening. Somehow, though, that thought gave little comfort.

The music suddenly stopped. Melenor and Shiro came over.

Shiro gave Lance a thumbs up, and Melenor beamed at Allura.

"Great work, you guys!" Shiro said. "Now we just have to go through it four more times!"

"We have to practice four times?!" Lance gaped.

"Five times, actually," Shiro corrected. "And I know it's tiring, but you've been through worse, Lance."

Lance groaned, but took his place at the bottom of the stairs again.

Allura made her way back to the top of the stairs, and descended yet again.

She and Lance went through the dance again and again until their feet hurt.

Allura hadn't realized they'd gone through the five rounds until Melenor perked up.

"You've done it, Allura!" Melenor exclaimed. "That was five times!"

Allura and Lance sighed. They tried to seperate their hands, but they seemed glued in place.

When they finally pried them apart, Allura realized that she didn't want to let go. Lance seemed hesitatant too.

He gave her one last tired smile before walking out of the ballroom with Shiro.

Things went silent afterwards.

"You and Lance now, is it?"

Being the only other one in the room, Melenor was the one who had spoken. Allura's face went bright red.

"I don't, uh, know what you're, um," Allura stuttered.

Melenor just laughed and patted her on the shoulder.

Then she exited the ballroom, leaving Allura still red in the face.

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Time Equivalent:

Varga: hour