I make no claims to Voltron or any other WEP characters.

Enjoy Chapter 6

Mertz

Walking into Coran's office the next morning, Keith stops before the desk, "You wished to see me Coran?"

Coran looks up from the papers in front of him, "Yes Commander, have a seat please."

Keith sits down on the chair in front of the desk. Coran sits back in his chair and folds his hands together at the fingertips as he watches Keith, "My understanding from Nanny is that Princess Allura spent the night in your room once again."

Deciding to stay silent, Keith nods in response. Coran sits forward in his chair, his face a bit red as his anger builds, "Surely you understand that as Princess of Arus, Allura cannot be seen coming out of your bedroom in the morning, dressed in your pajamas Commander."

Crossing his arms, Keith narrows his eyes at Coran, "I believe we have already had this conversation once Coran. I don't give a shit about propriety. All that matters to me is that Allura feels secure enough to sleep."

Coran jumps to his feet and leans over the desk with his fisted hands resting on top, "You may not give a shit what people think Commander but I do. The damage being done by the maids and guards whispering about Allura sleeping with you could damage her position as Princess of Arus."

Keith stands up slowly as his eyes darken with anger, "What do you want me to do Coran? When Allura wakes up screaming from one of her nightmares, do you want me to tell her "Too damn bad, I can't help you because of what some maid might whisper later!"?" He steps closer to him, "I already told you Coran, I won't do that."

Coran finally raises his voice, "I want you to use some damn discretion Commander! You do not need to be seen coming from her bedroom or Allura coming out of your bedroom in the morning!"

Coran comes around his desk to stand nose to nose with Keith, "This is a direct order Commander…"

Keith glares at Coran and turns away from him. He walks to the door and opens it, turning before walking through it he says, "To hell with your orders Coran." He walks out and lets the door shut behind him.

Seething with rage Coran turns back to his desk, "We will see about this Commander."

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Allura sits at her desk trying to work on the papers in front of her but is having problems concentrating. She sighs as she looks up to see Romelle sitting on the couch reading some papers of her own, "Don't you ever get tired of the paperwork Romelle?"

Romelle smiles as she sets the papers down, "Yes…but it needs to get done." She stands and stretches, "So what is on your mind that you can't work?"

Arching a brow at Romelle, Allura sighs as she drops her pen, "Am I that obvious?"

Laughing, Romelle moves from the area of the couch to the chair in front Allura's desk, "No, I just know you too well."

Allura smiles at Romelle then grimaces slightly when she moves and her shirt rubs against her still raw skin. Noticing the change in facial expressions Romelle asks, "Are you alright Allura?" At her nod, Romelle pushes more, "Need more lotion for the abrasions?"

Their eyes clash then Allura looks away before mumbling, "No."

Romelle smiles at her but before she can comment further the door to her office opens and Coran and Nanny enter. Coran smiles at the ladies before beginning, "Princess Allura, do you recall we have a ball planned for this Saturday?"

She briefly looks confused at Coran before commenting, "But that was supposed to be the engagement ball. Surely you have cancelled it?"

Coran shakes his head, "No, we are just going to change the reason for it. It was also supposed to celebrate your twenty first birthday, so we will turn it into a birthday ball instead." He smiles at her, "I think we could all use some fun."

Romelle looks up shocked as Nanny gushes, "It is just what you need Princess. Dance with some handsome men and forget your troubles." She walks over and kisses Allura on the forehead then pulls her into a hug before smiling into her face, "Perhaps you will find a new prince you would like to marry."

Allura looks from one to the other, noting their looks of happiness and anticipation. She manages a small smile, "Very well Coran."

They smile at her and turn around to leave the room. Romelle smiles at Allura, "I'll be back in a moment." then walks out the door following them.

Romelle says Coran's name and he turns toward her, "Yes Princess Romelle?"

She glares at him, "You can't be serious about this ball! She is not ready to deal with crowds of people Coran."

Nanny cuts in, "Of course she can handle it. It will help her get over the nasty business."

The glare moves from Coran to Nanny as Romelle spits out, "Rape isn't something you just get over Nanny. " Her gaze shifts back to Coran, "It takes time to heal and learn to deal with. You never get over it."

Coran glares at her, "Perhaps you have not been able to get over it Princess."

Romelle narrows her eyes before continuing, "We were not discussing me…this is about Allura. I repeat, she is not ready for a ball and a crowd of people."

Coran waves his hand in a dismissing gesture, "She has approved it. Allura wouldn't have approved the ball if she didn't think she could handle it."

Shaking her head at Coran, Romelle sighs, "You don't get it. She approved it to make you and Nanny happy."

A brief look of surprise crosses his features before he covers it to look blandly at Romelle, "I think the ball will help Princess. It will go on, now excuse me."

Romelle watches as Coran and Nanny both turn and walk away from her.

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Keith sits at his desk writing on some papers but looks up distracted when he hears loud voices outside his office door. About to stand up to find out what is going on, the door to his office opens and Romelle enters with Sven hot on her heels, "I don't care Sven, somebody has to do something!"

Sven walks in behind her, grabbing her arm to turn her to face him, "and you think Keith can stop this?"

Keith puts his fingers between his teeth and lets loose a high pitch whistle then yells, "Break it up!" Sven looks up at him a bit surprised to find himself in Keith's office as Romelle pulls away from him to face Keith, "Keith, you have to stop Coran and Nanny."

Keith looks at her confused, "Stop what?"

Sven groans lightly, "Sorry Keith…"

Elbowing him in the side to shut him up, Romelle steps away from Sven to get closer to Keith, "Coran and Nanny are having a ball Saturday for Allura's birthday." She grabs Keith's hand, "You know she isn't ready for this."

The confusion still evident Keith asks, "But how are they doing this without Allura's approval?"

"She did approve it Keith…" Romelle glares back at Sven for speaking up then turns back to Keith, "She only did it to make Coran and Nanny happy Keith." She squeezes Keith's hand once more, "Coran respects your opinion Keith, please talk him out of this."

Keith grimaces as he pulls his hand away from Romelle and returns to his seat at his desk, "He won't listen to me Romelle."

Romelle looks at him confused, "Why not?"

He clears his throat as Sven steps forward, "Because I basically told him to go to hell this morning."

Sven starts laughing as Romelle leans over his desk to stare intently at Keith, "Why?"

He sighs deeply, "Coran objects to Allura being in my room Romelle." Keith rubs his face before adding, "Well…he objects to me staying with Allura as well. When he ordered me not do it anymore I told him to go to hell, more or less."

Romelle groans as she stands up and turns to Sven, "What are we going to do now?"

Sven walks up to Romelle and takes her hand in his. He smiles softly at her, "We help Allura get through the evening."

Keith runs his hand through his hair agitated, God help her…

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Two days later Allura sits in front of her dressing mirror in her shift as Nanny finishes pinning her hair up. Lost in thought she sighs when Nanny intrudes, "You look lovely Princess. All of the princes will be lining up to dance with you."

She gives Nanny a slight smile then looks away as apprehension settles in the pit of her stomach. Nanny gives her hair one more pat then smiles down at Allura's reflection, "There you go…" She turns away and picks up the gown from Allura's bed, "Come…I will help you finish dressing."

Allura sits gazing sadly at her reflection in the mirror, Will everyone know that only part of me is here? She sighs when Nanny says her name and slowly rises from her seat. She steps into the gown then stands still as Nanny raises it, pausing as Allura puts her arms in the sleeves.

Nanny steps behind her to zip and button the gown. Allura watches herself in the full length mirror, wondering what happened to the happy, vibrant woman she was just a short time ago. She turns her head to the knock at the door.

Nanny leaves her to answer the door and can be heard exclaiming, "Oh Princess Romelle, you look quite lovely tonight."

"Thank you Nanny…" Romelle steps away from her to walk into the room. Allura turns away from the mirror to face her. She smiles slightly, "So was Sven happy to see you?"

Romelle smiles at her in answer as Nanny interrupts, "You girls have a wonderful time this evening." Romelle watches her turn and walk out of the open door.

She waits for the door to close before Romelle faces Allura again, "You look lovely Allura." She steps closer to her to study her face, "Are you alright?"

Allura nods slightly then turns back to the full length mirror, "Can you tell Romelle?"

Romelle steps up behind her and touches her arm lightly, "Tell what honey?"

Tear filled eyes turn to meet Romelle's, "That only half of me is here?"

"Oh Allura…" Romelle pulls Allura into her arms for a hug as a sob escapes Allura, "It will be alright." She pulls back and wipes the tears off of Allura's face as she smiles softly at her, "You are all here Allura. Part of you has hidden away while you work through what happened." She cups her chin, "That vibrate and confident part of you will come back out in time."

Allura sniffles, "How did you know…"

Romelle fills in, "What you were talking about?" Romelle smiles at her, "Because it took a while for that part of me to return as well. It will return Allura."

She turns Allura back to the mirror, "Now…a beautiful princess stands in front of this mirror. People from all over the galaxy have come to wish her a happy birthday." Romelle turns her back to face her, "Smile, dance and nod your head to the well wishers. Everyone else can go to hell."

A laugh escapes Allura at Romelle's choice of words. She nods at Romelle, "Stay near…"

Romelle smiles at her, "Of course."

They walk together to the door and open it just as Sven is about to knock. He wolf whistles at the two of them appreciatively. Romelle lifts a brow at him, "Is that the best compliment you can come up with?"

Sven smiles wickedly at her, "I'm the luckiest man on Arus. I get to escort the two most beautiful women on Arus to the ball." Allura smiles at him as Romelle shakes her head at him, "Ham…"

Sven laughs and holds out his arms to the ladies. Each takes one of Sven's arms and he begins to guide them down the hallway to the ballroom.

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Keith stands near the ballroom doors, waiting for Allura's entrance. He sighs in his impatience, Damn Coran for insisting on this ball… Lance steps near to ask, "Do you think she will handle this alright?" Keith's dark gaze flies to Lance's face as he relaxes his stance, "I hope so…for her sake."

He turns back to the doors as Allura enters with Romelle and Sven. Wearing an ice blue, off the shoulder ball gown she is beautiful with her long blond hair swept up into a bun on top of her head with soft curls settling on her shoulders. Her gaze quickly takes in the ballroom and the people in it before she finds Keith and smiles at him tentatively.

Keith returns the smile, trying to reassure her from a distance as several dignitaries approach the princesses and begin conversing with them. He stiffens slightly as he notices a prince approaching and gesturing to the dance floor as he speaks with Allura.

Romelle places a reassuring arm on Allura and leans close to whisper, "It will be alright, we will stay close by."

Allura nods slightly before turning back to Prince Perry, "It would be my honor sir." as she does a slight curtsy his way. Prince Perry bows to her then holds his arm out for her to take. Allura raises a slightly shaking hand and places it on his sleeve as he turns to lead her out to the dance floor.

Trying to keep the panic at bay, she places her hand on his shoulder as he takes her other hand and begins leading Allura around the floor. He smiles at her, "Relax Princess Allura, I am not going to bite you…unlike some princes."

Sapphire eyes snap up to search his gaze for the meaning behind his words. Prince Perry smiles down into her face and then spins her around on the floor. He pulls her body closer to his before continuing, "Although…as soft and succulent as I imagine your skin to be…I guess I can't blame Prince Lotor for biting you."

Allura feels the panic rising as she tries to pull her hand away from Prince Perry. But he tightens his hold on her hand and waist, making it impossible for her to escape. He chuckles into her ear, "Now my dear…no need to be rude and leave me on the dance floor alone. It was just an observation."

Keith notices Allura's body stiffening and her face becoming pale as the prince spins her around the floor. About to walk onto the floor and interrupt the dance, a page stops him by addressing him, "Commander Keith, Coran requests your presence in the control room immediately."

Glaring at the page, Keith growls out, "Later." He is about to step away again, but the page grabs his arm to stop him, "He was most insistent it be now Commander."

Fury fills Keith but he nods at the page. He heads toward the ballroom doors stopping by Sven on the way out, "Interrupt that dance…Allura is about to panic." Sven nods in his direction as Keith walks out of the room. Sven pats Romelle's hand and starts for the dance floor.

Allura turns her head during a spin and watches Keith leave the ballroom. She closes her eyes, as the panic continues to build. Prince Perry becomes annoyed at her lack of attention, "Princess Allura, did Prince Lotor steal your voice when he stole your virginity?"

Pain and outrage fill Allura as she tries harder to pull her hand away. He tightens his grip even more as he whispers in her ear, "I could show you a good time Princess…shall we make our way to the garden? I will show you what a real man is like…" stopping when he feels a hand on his shoulder.

Prince Perry turns to find Sven smiling at him, "May I cut in?"

Glaring at him, Prince Perry manages a fake smile, "No you may not." then tries to pull away.

Sven tightens his hold on the prince's shoulder, his fingers digging in painfully, "I am afraid I am going to have to insist."

Gritting his teeth in pain, Prince Perry finally releases his hold on Allura, "Very well." He turns his gaze to Allura, "We will continue our discussion later Princess."

Allura doesn't acknowledge him as he turns to walk away. Sven gathers Allura into his arms and continues the dance, "It's alright Allura." She doesn't answer him and Sven curses under his breath as he feels her tremble in his arms.

As the music dies away, Sven places Allura's hand on his elbow as he guides her off the floor. The look on his face scares away any other men thinking about requesting a dance with the princess. He looks at her from the corner of his eye, furious as he notices what little self confidence she had earlier in the evening is gone. Allura's head is down and she is unwilling to look at anybody.

Nearing Romelle, Allura pulls away from Sven to approach a waiter with glasses of champagne. She takes a glass and begins sipping it as Sven leans in to whisper in Romelle's ear. Romelle's blue eyes fill with outrage as she lifts her gaze to Sven, "That bastard!"

Sven nods at her, "Who knows what else that asshole said to her before I interrupted."

Shaking her head, Romelle steps away from Sven to approach Allura.

Lance walks up to Sven, "What did that bastard say to her?"

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Romelle touches Allura's arm getting her to turn to face her, "Are you alright Allura?"

Allura finishes the glass of champagne and plasters a fake smile on her face before answering, "Why wouldn't I be alright Romelle?" She hands the glass to a passing waiter and takes another filled one. She takes a sip before commenting, "Instead of being respected, I am now a whore for every prince in the universe to approach."

Romelle's face floods with color as her jaw drops, "Allura!"

Pulling away from Romelle, Allura continues to drink champagne.

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Keith quickly walks down the hall, Of all the times for Coran to want a quick meeting… He enters castle control to find Coran standing before the monitors with Admiral Graham up on the screen. He comes to a stop in the middle of the room, "What is going on?"

Coran turns to face him as Admiral Graham speaks up, "My understanding Commander is you are having a problem with following orders given by the ruling house of Arus."