Chapter 2: Thinking

The next morning dawned clear and cool. It was the perfect spring day. Fluffy clouds danced across a blue sky. The sun smiled on Arus as the Voltron Force finished their morning Lion Practice.

Allura walked slowly toward her chambers. It was time to get ready for her outing with Prince Cedric. Her step slowed. Ah! Here we go again. Another outing with yet another prince, she thought to herself. Then she remembered that Keith was serving as her personal security. The thought brought a smile to her face.

Showered and dressed, Allura perused her reflection as Nanny finished plaiting intricate designs into her golden hair. She looked beautiful. Even she couldn't deny it. Smiling at herself, she decided confidently that Prince Cedric would agree. But, what about Keith? Keith never seemed to be affected by what she wore. Gown, pants, flight suit, it didn't matter. He was the only member of the Voltron Force whose eyes didn't pop out of his head when she walked out of Blue Lion wearing the famous pink bikini. She chuckled to herself at the memory.

Her thoughts turned to Prince Cedric. Prince Cedric came from Planet Lumos. He was 24 and a fairy-tale-prince come to life. He was tall and fair with green eyes the color of grass. He had a heartbreakingly kind smile and an easygoing personality. Like Allura, he was being pressured by his council to take a spouse, even though he wasn't really in a hurry. Also like Allura, Prince Cedric served in defense of his planet as a member of the Royal Space Force.

Allura enjoyed Prince Cedric's company. He was funny and kind. He also treated her with a respect that she didn't receive from other potential suitors. She should have been jumping at the chance to spend time with him, but she just didn't feel it. She would almost rather curl up in her room and immerse herself in one of her Terran sci fi novels. She could not figure out why she was feeling this way. Maybe her outing this afternoon would help put her mind at ease. That, and she planned to discuss the situation with Keith. Maybe Keith could give her some insight that she herself was lacking.

Thinking of her tall and handsome friend brought a huge smile to Allura's face and she felt a warm tingle wash over her body. She adored her friend. Of the boys on the force, Keith was the one to whom she was the closest. She often went to him when she needed advice or just needed to talk things through. She respected what he had to say. He always listened and was never judgmental. He often challenged her to play devil's advocate and to look at both sides of a situation. Keith would help her make heads or tails of the fact that she wasn't jumping at the chance to marry Prince Cedric. We will talk about it after our carnival outing, she decided as Nanny finished with her hair.

Satisfied with what she saw in the mirror, Allura grabbed her white cardigan as she ran out the door. She had a spring in her step as she headed to the control room to meet her companion and her security for the afternoon.

Keith was dressed in casual clothes as he waited for Allura and Prince Cedric to make their way to the control room. He had on a pair of dark blue jeans that hung straight down from his hips. The tight fitting black T-shirt hugged his muscular chest and biceps nicely. Over the T-shirt, Keith wore a simple black blazer that served to conceal the blaster that he had holstered to his hip. There was nothing about him that screamed security or soldier. He must have looked good, too, because he couldn't help but notice the appreciative glances that came his way as he walked past some of the female castle staff. Maybe this is a look I should consider more often, he chuckled to himself.

Hearing the doors to the control room slide open, Keith turned around to greet the new arrival. Recovering quickly from his slight disappointment, Keith greeted Prince Cedric, "Good Morning, your Majesty, how are you this morning?"

"Fine, fine. Thank you, Commander. It looks like a perfect day for a Spring Carnival," Cedric replied jovially. "Is the Princess ready?"

"I haven't seen her yet, Highness," Keith replied as he glanced over at the sound of the doors sliding open. Keith's eyes bulged out as he took in the sight of the princess. Seeing Keith's expression, Cedric turned around. Both men just stood and stared.

Keith was gazing at perfection. Dressed in a coral color sundress that complimented the gold in her hair and her azure eyes, Allura smiled as she walked into the control room. Her lovely shoulders were bare and the definition in her fit arms was evident. The dress hugged her chest and then flowed down just to her knees. A glimpse of toned leg peeked out from below the hem before disappearing into a pair of dainty white sandals. Allura was a spring day come to life. Her eyes found Keith first, who rewarded her with a smile. The look in his eyes showed that he noticed her today. Allura returned his smile shyly.

"Good Morning, Princess," Prince Cedric greeted her as he gazed approvingly at her. Allura's eyes shifted to the prince. "You look amazing. I think both the commander and I can agree. Right, old boy?" Cedric turned and winked at Keith as he raised his eyebrows jokingly.

"You look beautiful, Princess!" Keith quickly agreed, recovering from his initial shock.

"We will have a hard time keeping those elementary age boys away from our Princess," Prince Cedric continued. "Are we ready to begin our outing?"

"Hold on," Keith put up his hand to stop the Prince and Princess. "The only reason I agreed to a solo security guard was because Allura assured me that both you and she would carry concealed blasters. Let's get you suited up with your weapons."

"Of course, Commander. The Princess's safety is of the upmost importance. I can carry my weapon in my jacket pocket." Keith handed the blaster to the Prince.

Keith turned to Allura. He looked her up and down and smiled at her as he shook his head mockingly. "Now Princess," he said, "Where are we supposed to conceal this in that outfit?"

Allura lifted her head in mock indignation as she put her hands on her hips and turned to Keith. "Now, Commander," she quipped haughtily. "I can conceal the weapon in my pocketbook just as easily as I could carry it on my hip. Here, hand it to me." She put her hand out as Keith handed her the blaster. "Thank you, Mr. Protocol," she chuckled as her resolve broke and her haughty expression relaxed into a smile.

"Smart ass," Keith whispered under his breath as he walked past Allura and headed out the door. "Let's go," he said aloud to both Allura and Prince Cedric.

Princess Allura playfully hit Keith's shoulder with her pocketbook as she sashayed past him. Keith grabbed her pocketbook and hit her back, sending both of them into a fit of laughter. Neither of them noticed that they had left Prince Cedric behind, watching the exchange with raised eyebrows and a thoughtful expression.