Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters.I didn't want to own Nanny anyway.

Rating/Setting: Rating is M. Setting is DotU but is definitely AU – see challenge info below.

2nd Response to Cheetoy's KAEX Challenge "A Royal Twist." "What if Keith was the surviving Arusian Royal Prince and Allura was an Earth born hometown girl turned GA Starpilot? How will the prim and proper Prince deal with falling for a strong-willed GA pilot of no royal line? Sadly, Nanny and Coran insist on a Princess for our dear Kogane... But how shall they deal with the Drule Prince(ss)? Can they find their Happy Ever After?"

Author's Notes:

Well, this is the end of the splurge, hope you've enjoyed it. And yes, guest reviewer from chapter 3, I didn't think about Avok hitting on a girl that looks like his sister, or that perhaps a knee to the groin might have started a war! Too funny!

Chapter Five

The Polluxian delegation left without any problems. Coran had looked sadly at the departing ship. No alliance with Pollux was arranged and it seemed that one wouldn't be likely. The team continued practices as usual and Keith conducted his royal duties as required. However, everyone noticed that the prince was no longer his flirtatious self around them.

Allura tried to get him alone to talk with him, but unlike before, he managed to elude her. When she did get a chance to ask what was wrong, he'd just smile at her and say nothing was wrong. But she knew everything changed that night they almost slept together. Lance had asked her what happened, but all she did was blush and tell him she'd rather not talk about it. When Lance asked Keith what happened, he just shrugged and said that Allura deserved better than him.

Things continued in their vein for a couple of weeks. Then an enormous robeast appeared that changed everything…

"Man that's the largest one they've ever sent!" Hunk yelled out.

"And one of the ugliest!" Pidge added.

The large blue robeast had the head of a bear attached to an almost human body. The armor scales on the body though gave it a reptile or fishlike appearance. Two large spikes stuck out of its chest and back. Raising its hands, circular holes opened in the palms and red bolts of energy shot out hitting Green and Blue Lions. Pidge was close to the ground so when he hit, it wasn't as hard as Allura's fall. Her Lion had been closer to the beast and higher in altitude when she was struck.

"Allura! Come in, Allura!" Keith's voice was frantic. "I'm going down there," he called out.

"Keith, you can't. You'll be a sitting duck for the robeast!" Lance said.

"It's okay, guys," Allura said as she slowly climbed into her command chair. "I'm all right."

"You don't sound all right. Turn on your video feed," Keith commanded.

She didn't want to do it as she could feel the blood running down her face. Her helmet had come off when she was tossed from the chair and she had hit something. However, if she refused to turn on the video feed, Keith would know she was injured. There was no winning situation for her in this. Flipping on her feed, she heard Keith's indrawn breath.

"Time to form Voltron," Keith said. "We're done with the Lions." His tone was flat and deadly.

With sounds of affirmation, the Lions streaked into the sky forming Voltron.

Allura blinked rapidly as she heard commands called out. Thankfully, Keith could control Voltron without her being conscious. The last thing she remembered before blacking out was hearing Keith call for the blazing sword.

With the robeast dispatched, Keith moved Voltron to a location near the castle to disengage. Setting his Lion down next to Blue, he quickly got out of his Lion and into Blue. She looked so pale, he just wanted to scoop her up and take her to the Castle in Black Lion. However, he needed Lance or Hunk to help get her into the stabilizing collar in case she had a neck or back injury. Hearing a sound, he turned to see Hunk climbing in.

"Lance and Pidge are heading back to the castle. Lance will alert the med team and then he and Pidge will come back for Blue," the big man said calmly.

Keith merely nodded as he and Hunk went to work. He was glad that they realized he wanted to be the one to bring her back. In short order, Hunk was helping Keith get Allura situated in his lap in Black Lion. Moments later, he was riding in the shuttle back to the castle. Looking at Allura's pale blood-streaked face he realized that Romelle was right. He did have feelings for Allura and they were stronger than he had wanted to admit… to her and to himself. If she's all right… Saints! She has to be all right. I'll speak to Coran immediately about what needs to be done to make things right.

Climbing out of his shuttle, he made his way to the elevator and the quick ride up. When the doors opened, Gorma was waiting there. As they wheeled her away, Coran walked up to the dazed prince.

"I'm sure she'll be all right, Prince," Coran said.

"I pray that she is," Keith responded. Then he turned to Coran. "I plan to marry her, Coran."

"Keith! You're just emotional. She'll be fine! She can be your mistress; you don't have to marry her to be with her." Coran blurted out.

The prince couldn't be angry with Coran, after all, he had had those same thoughts himself just a few weeks ago. "You're right. I could, but I'm not. She deserves better. If she'll have me, I'll marry her. I'll need you to look up the rules and regulations regarding marrying a commoner." Keith heard Coran muttering.

"What is it?" Keith asked.

"I already know the regulations," Coran said dismally.

"Then you can fill me in once I know she's okay," Keith said as he took off at a jog down the hallway. "I'll see you in your office," he called back.

Coran only shook his head.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"It is a mild concussion as well as some bruising on the right side of her body. We've given her something for pain and swelling. She should be fine in a couple of days," Dr. Gorma told the prince and team that had assembled in MedBay.

Keith breathed a sigh of relief and turned to go find Coran. The team watched him go.

"What's up with him?" Hunk asked.

"I don't know," Lance said with curiosity. "I don't think he'll be able to play like he doesn't care any longer though."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Keith, still in uniform walked into Coran's office and sat down. "Tell me."

"When Arus became a space-faring world, changes were made to the aristocratic protocols. It was thought that worthy, non-royal, off-worlders might one day make overtures towards an unmarried monarch of Arus or vice versa. There are many worlds where the ruling family isn't considered royalty but have tremendous power and influence," Coran informed him.

"Well, that doesn't apply to Allura," Keith said with concern.

"No, but she is a member of the Galaxy Garrison and thereby part of the Alliance. If the Garrison and the Alliance will make a formal treaty with Arus, the agreement can be sealed by your marriage," Coran said flatly. Obviously he was providing this information against his good judgment.

"We'd be uniting Arus and the Alliance through our marriage," Keith said excitedly. He knew without a doubt that Admiral Graham would agree. There had been talk of a formal agreement between the Alliance and Arus so that the Alliance could request Voltron assist other worlds once Doom was defeated.

Coran nodded.

Keith stood and smiled at Coran, "I know you don't agree with it, Coran, but I hope you can at least be glad that I'll be happy with Allura."

A sad smile came over Coran's face. Yes, if anyone deserved to be happy, it was Keith. He was just sad that Princess Romelle couldn't make him happy. "I am, Keith. I am."

With a smile still on his face, Keith left the room. He had plans to make.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Much to the team's surprise, Keith did not camp out near Allura's room nor hover over her when she was released.

A week later, Lance was working in Control with Allura. "I don't understand, Allura. He was devastated that you were hurt. I don't know why he's acting like nothing happened."

Allura smiled sadly. "It's okay, Lance. We're still getting along and that's what matters. We can still work as a team."

"Yeah, but I know-"

A throat cleared behind them. Turning they saw Keith standing in the entryway. "Would it be all right if I borrowed Allura for a little while?"

Lance and Allura looked at each other. "Um, sure, if it's okay with Allura."

Allura regarded the handsome man in the doorway. "It's fine with me." She walked over to the door and he extended his arm.

"Walk with me in the garden, my lady?" His eyes were warm and smiling.

Butterflies were in her stomach as she took his arm and gave a hesitant nod.

Lance watched them go. He looked puzzled for a moment and then smiled as he hoped for the best.

Keith and Allura walked in silence to the garden. Things didn't change once they were inside but she followed his lead as he walked to a fountain near the center.

Turning to face her, he said, "This is where I took Romelle that night. The moon was shining just like this when I kissed her right here," he said looking into Allura's eyes.

Allura stiffened. Why is he telling me this? I don't want to hear it. She tried to look away but he put his hand under his chin and turned her face back. She was mortified that her eyes were tearing up.

"Romelle told me she didn't want to be a substitute." At Allura's pleading gaze he continued, "When I kissed her, I called her Allura. She realized I was substituting her for you." A smile was on his lips as he said, "Anyone looking at the two of you could see the resemblance. Everyone but me. She is also the one that told me about Avok. She said, if all we were was friends, then I should be fine if you slept with her brother. As I left her at her door, I realized that I didn't want anyone touching you but me."

Allura looked at him with hope glinting in her eyes.

"I fought it. That's why I took Adele to my room. When you, when you stopped me and I realized how much you cared. I knew that I didn't deserve you. You've waited this long to give yourself to someone, I didn't want you to throw it away on me." Keith's heart was in his voice as he spoke. Leaning over he kissed her gently and when he pulled back he softly said, "Marry me Allura Altaire."

"But… but you're a prince. You're supposed to marry a princess." Allura was confused. She hadn't known what to expect, but it wasn't this.

Keith smirked and said, "Yeah, I'm supposed to marry a princess, but I don't have to marry a princess." Seeing that she was still confused he said, "I can marry a commoner from off-world if there is an alliance involved. I've already spoken to Admiral Graham. If you are willing, and only if you want to, our marriage will seal the alliance between the Galaxy Alliance and Arus."

"An alliance?" Allura's voice shook slightly.

"It was going to happen anyway. Don't think I'm marrying you for an alliance. I'd abdicate the throne if needed to marry you, Allura."

Allura looked in his eyes and saw the truth. "Yes, Keith. Yes, I'll marry you."

With those words, he swept her into his embrace and claimed her lips as he had done in the past. This time, he knew that she wanted it as much as he did. When her fingers went to the buttons of his shirt, he stilled them with his own hand.

"I don't understand-" Allura began.

Keith chuckled. "I know. Who am I to turn down a beautiful willing woman?" he asked with a laugh. "But you've waited this long. I think we can wait another month."

She laughed and pulled him tight. She would never have thought that the playboy prince would have reformed for her. She had loved him before for how he treated his subjects and his kind nature. Now she loved him even more. Her eyes closed as he held her against his chest. Princess and then Queen of Arus in a few years. The girls at the Academy would never believe her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The month came and went in a whirlwind of activity as the treaty with the Alliance was finalized and preparations were made for the wedding. The coronation ceremony would wait a couple of years until Keith met the age requirement for king. It didn't matter to them, prince or king, princess or queen, they would still be together.

The ceremony had concluded and after a few inappropriate comments from Lance, Keith took his bride from the castle chapel. Now they were alone in their room and Keith was pulling off the formal fitted jacket that was part of his wedding attire. Sitting down, he pulled off his boots and socks and then began on his buttons. Allura watched him with a smile. Glancing up, Keith gave her a dazzling smile. "What?" he asked as he stood and continued unbuttoning his shirt.

Returning his smile, she kicked off her shoes and said, "There's no way I'm getting out of this dress without help." Turning her back to him, she pulled the cascade of curls from her back around to the front.

Keith groaned and then laughed as he gazed at the length of buttons going from her neck to the small of her back. Quickly finishing his own buttons and shedding his shirt, he moved to his wife's buttons. He began unbuttoning them fairly quickly, but once he exposed some of her skin, he slowed down as he kissed the soft white flesh he was slowly uncovering. As his lips traced the path his fingers were exposing, he felt her shiver beneath his touch. Never before had he so wanted to please a woman.

Allura tried to control her breathing as Keith slid the gown from her shoulders and it puddled at her feet. As she stepped out she crossed her arms over her chest as she realized that she was now only clad in her panties. The dress had everything else built in. She felt the heat radiating off Keith's body as he stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her abdomen. His lips trailed fire along her shoulder to her neck. The skin to skin contact with her back and his chest was intoxicating. As he nuzzled her neck, she slowly lowered her arms until her hands rested over top of his on her stomach.

Drawing in a deep breath as Allura turned in his arms, he whispered, "I love you." He felt her breasts press against him as she extended her arms up and around his neck. He could barely breathe as she responded.

"I love you too, Keith. Now take me to bed. I've been waiting for this my whole life." She pulled his head down to taste his lips once more, but then he pulled away suddenly. She squealed happily as he scooped her up and took her to the bed. Thoughts and words became nothing as they lost themselves in the feeling of touching and completing each other.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Early in the morning before the sun had arisen, Keith awoke to find Allura draped across his body. A feeling of contentment washed over him. Moving his hand, he gently stroked her hair. He now understood what he had been told but hadn't really understood. He had had sex numerous times, but with Allura he had finally made love to a woman. Realization that he would do whatever was required came to him. She was his and he would do whatever it took to protect her and he knew that she would be equally protective of him. This was love. This is what he thought was for other people, not for people like him. He'd have to send a thank you to Princess Romelle. If she had succumbed to his advances, things might have ended very differently.

Allura stirred and looked up sleepily into Keith's eyes. As her fingers traveled across his bare chest, she realized that she didn't want to go back to sleep.

The Prince of Arus recognized the look in his Princess' eyes. There wouldn't be any sleep for them for awhile… and he was quite happy with that. Sleep was grossly over-rated.