It's been five hours since they've started dancing, and her face markings still glow. Shiro is ninety-nine percent sure that she'd know if it were dangerous, so he doesn't ask. Instead, he offers her a hand as the final dance commences. She smiles brightly, as if dancing for the most part of the night hasn't tired her out. As they enter the dance floor, Shiro sees an ornately decorated Almian lead Pidge over, while Lance drags a badly blushing Keith into the open space. Hunk walks with a royal of indeterminate gender over to the food table; Shiro can see the beginnings of a serious discussion begin, even from a distance.

The music begins, and his attention snaps back to Allura, who giggles at Keith's attempts to dance. "As soon as we get back to the castle, I'm giving that boy dancing lessons."

Shiro chuckles. "I could probably use them too."

"Oh, you're doing fine. At least you can feel the beat. Keith looks like he's having a seizure." The music is slow but energizing, and upbeat. Shiro can't think of an equivalent on Earth, but figures it's not too hard to dance to. Just moving back and forth, side to side with an occasional spin. The music lurches again, signaling a spin, and Allura takes the opportunity to spin into his arms, with his hands wrapped around her.

Shiro doesn't blush, but if he did, he'd be bright red. He can feel the beat of her heart against his chest, steady and fast, like a hummingbird's. The she spins out again, returning to their former position with his hands on her waist and shoulder.

"See?" Allura says as they continue to dance. Behind her, they hear a yelp as Keith tumbles onto the floor.

Shiro replies with a chuckle. He has a perfect opportunity to ask her about it. No one can hear him speak but her; this is one of the few moments of privacy that he gets. "I've been meaning to ask you- You're markings have been glowing all evening. What do they mean?"

Allura falters in her steps for the first time, and he immediately regrets asking. Was it a personal question? It probably was. The music fades away and she falls into a fit of laughter, gathering the attention of the paladins nearby.

"I was wondering when you were going to ask." She manages in the breaks between her laughter. "You're horribly oblivious sometimes, Shiro."

Shiro isn't exactly sure what to do. So he waits for her to finish. "Uh, Princess?"

She straightens up and loops her arm in his. He starts to lead her off of the dance floor and into the anonymity of the crowd. "I don't know how they court on your planet, but I was pretty sure I was obvious. I have never been any good at hiding my emotions."

"Um, Allura, are you okay?" Shiro wonders if she's drunk. While he himself had a bunch of drinks, it hadn't had much of an effect other than a buzz.

The Princess giggles again, and a few strands of hair fall out of place. "Shiro," She takes a few steps in front of him, blocking his path. "I want to court you."

Shiro doesn't really know what to say. While he had no shortage of admirers back on Earth, he was always focused on his career, first and foremost and always turned them down. He had positively no idea on how to say yes. Not to mention, he was pretty sure that Allura was drunk.

"I, uh.."

Lance had caught up with them at that point, but had remained a respectful distance away. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, "Just freakin' say yes already!"

Now he was sure that he was blushing. "I'd love to. But," He started to walk with her again. "You'll have to ask me again when you're sober."

OoOoOoO

When Allura wakes up in one of the guest rooms of the Almian Castle, she knows she did something stupid. Hangovers never last long for her, and just like all the others, the drunkenness disappeared by the time she woke up. And just like all the other times, all of the regretful decisions that she had made while drunk came rushing back at her.

"Quiznack." She mutters as she climbs out of the nest. While comfortable, the nest of cushions and silks aren't really her style. She prefers her own queen sized bed, thank you very much.

Another gown is provided for her on the vanity, which doesn't have holes for wings, as she had expected. It's a simple but very well made dress made of a gauzy grey material. She likes it, she decides as she checks her reflection in the mirror. Someone knocks on her door, and as she turns to open it, she realises that she'll have to face Shiro soon.

That could go either of two ways. He could: A, ignore it. Or B, Actually wait for her to ask him. Allura has no idea if she even can ask him. It took five rangents to get her drunk enough to actually say something.

The knocking persists. Allura sighs, and answers it. He stands there, as if she didn't tell him that she wanted to date him the night before, as if she wasn't just drunk out of her mind, with a gentle smile plastered on his face and a perfectly unwrinkled uniform adorning his body. "Good morning, Princess."

"Shiro," She begins, as the door across the hallway opens and Pidge sneaks out, carrying her shoes in her hands. She freezes when she realizes that Allura and Shiro are watching before running down the hall, presumingly to the dining hall. "What was that about?" She asks, a laugh tangled into her words. A moment later her question is answered, as Princess Aza peeks her head out of her room.

Shiro offers her an arm and she takes it, for a moment, not thinking about what she did the night before. And then Shiro brings it up.

"I believe you have a question to ask me. But before you do, you should know the answer is yes."

Allura is speechless for the first time in her life. She's never been as unprepared as she is now, and it takes all of her upbringing and her pride to choke out. "Will you court me?"

Author's note: I really love the whole 'Paladins in a fancy setting' theme, so I'll probably end up posting another chapter or two showing Lance, Keith and Pidge's experiences here. But before that, you can expect a Lotance chapter. Blame tumblr, not me. Requests welcome.