Disclaimer: Voltron and its characters are owned by WEP. I make no claim to them. Other characters and the story belong to me.
Enjoy!
Chapter 8: Approval
Allura glanced at the mirror for the millionth time that afternoon. It was nearing 6:00, almost time to head to dinner. She wanted to make sure she looked perfect when she saw Keith. She had chosen an ice blue satin gown that set off the color of her eyes. The gown had a sweetheart neckline, plunging just low enough to offer a tease of cleavage. Gathered under her chest, a slim ribbon accentuated her narrow waist. The skirt skimmed her hips before it ran all the way to the floor. The satin material clung to her in all the right places. She smiled at herself in the mirror. She knew Nanny would never approve of this dress for a dinner with the boys, so she chose to wear a modest white blouse over the top to offset the sexiness of the dress and give a more demure appearance. This can always come off later, she thought to herself. Her long golden hair was pulled back into a single thick braid that hung down to her waist.
Glancing at the mirror one more time, she gave herself a final nod. She walked through the door and headed to the dining room.
Keith walked slowly on his way to dinner. He kept playing over and over in his head what had transpired today. He couldn't get the Allura from the gym out of his head. I never realized how hot she is, he thought to himself. His pulse quickened at the thought. But it was more than lust driving him tonight. He couldn't wait to get her alone and profess his feelings for her. He wanted to see her reaction and see if she truly felt the same way. He wanted to assure her that this was for real; that there was no turning back. With Koran's approval of their courtship, there was really nothing standing in their way.
Except Nanny. Keith stopped abruptly when he walked into the dining room and saw the old governess fussing over the last minute details of tonight's dinner. Nanny would never allow a 'hooligan,' as she always referred to the members of the Voltron Force, to court her beloved princess. He would never be worthy in her eyes. Nanny dreamed of a prince for Allura, not a lowly pilot from Earth.
"Evening, Nanny," Keith greeted her with a smile. "What's for dinner? It smells delicious." Maybe he could win her over with some of his charm.
Nanny turned around sharply at the sound of the commander's voice. "My dear Keith!" she exclaimed in a very un-Nannylike way. "We are having Chicken Cordon Bleu, which I believe is your favorite!" She walked over and clasped his hands. "I do hope you enjoy it." She looked up into the handsome commander's face with a knowing smile.
"Uh, thanks, Nanny," Keith replied, pulling his hands from hers as the doors to the dining room swished open. In walked Lance, Pidge, and Hunk. All three men stopped suddenly at the sight of the commander and the governess. Lance raised his eyebrows at Keith. Keith shrugged in response.
"Well, yes," Nanny returned to her fussing. "I must go and make sure everything is ready for this special dinner." She winked at Keith before she turned and walked from the room.
"That was weird," was all Lance could say before he and the rest of the Force sat down at the table to await the rest of their company.
Allura greeted Koran just outside the dining room door.
"My Allura," he said. "Don't you look stunning!" He was as proud as if she were his own daughter standing there.
"Thank you, Koran," Allura breathed nervously. "I wanted to look a little extra special tonight."
"You look amazing every night," Koran remarked with a smile. "Allura, before we go in, there is something I think you need to know."
"What is it, Koran?" Allura looked at him with concern.
"Prince Cedric will not be joining us. He left with his entourage late this afternoon. He has withdrawn his request to court you." Koran looked at the princess matter-of-factly.
Confusion crossed Allura's face. With all that had happened today, she had completely forgotten about Prince Cedric. A wave of relief washed over Allura. Trying to keep her face neutral, she asked Koran, "Did he say why?"
"All he said was that he wanted to marry for love, and he wanted the same for you," Koran replied. "He didn't think he would ever have that with you while you pined for another."
"Pined for another? Koran, whatever you are talking about?" Allura gasped at the accusation.
"Allura, it's ok," Koran stated emphatically. "I want nothing more than for you to find love and be happy, no matter who the lucky prince turns out to be." Koran winked at Allura. "Now my dear, shall we join the others for dinner?"
Allura looked lovingly at the man who had been like a father as well as her advisor. Her face broke into a radiant smile as she took his arm and entered the dining room.