Minor re-editing in this chapter, too. Thanks to Lance4Ever ;)

I don't own Voltron, ecc. ecc.

The day after – part two

Allura had spent the whole afternoon in her office trying unsuccessfully not to think of Keith and to concentrate on the text before her, but without success. Soon it would be dinner time and she had not yet decided how to act toward the others. Certainly she couldn't avoid them, and Keith, forever.
She was still deeply immersed in her thoughts when, suddenly, she was shaken up by the ring of the doorbell of her apartment. It was 7.00 p.m. and she wasn't expecting to receive any visitors. In her mind flashed the idea, and perhaps even the hope, that it was Keith coming to make up with her. She stood up resolutely from her desk chair and walked towards the door. She was not going to show too eagerness to see him and so she composed her face into an expression of indifference. With this disposition she opened the door.

"Pidge!" She exclaimed. And the tone of her voice couldn't conceal a certain disappointment.

Pidge pretended not to notice, but inside smiled slightly.

"Princess ..." he said, and gallantly bowed slightly in front of her, a smug grin on his face.

Allura noticed his emphatic style and wondered what Pidge had in mind. Something told her that the boy's visit was not purely a courtesy, and that there must have been something behind that gesture.

The princess also noticed that on the shoulder of her little friend were comfortably squatted her space mice which in turn were cheerfully tittering. Her mice in the last months were hanging around with the boy far more frequently than with her. She couldn't blame them, given that since the boys had come into her life, and had so extended her, till then, small circle of friends, she had ended up neglecting them a bit. Allura decided to downplay and act like she hadn't noticed anything.

"Tell me Pidge, you needed something? Is there any emergency in the castle control room?"
Pidge shook his head decisively: "Not at all. Actually I came to carry you off from this room. Consider it a sort of kidnapping...".

I knew there was something strange in all this. Allura thought.

Allura crossed her arms on her chest and, raising an eyebrow, stared at him doubtfully: "And let's see, how are you planning to kidnap me?".
Pidge didn't flinch and continued: "Actually I was hoping that you decided to follow me on your own free will. As a matter of fact I think you have only to gain from discovering the surprise we have set for you".
At this point the Princess was really curious: "Surprise? But what is it? Who prepared it?"

Pidge shook his head again and raised his index finger claiming to silence her: "Too many questions, Princess! And the only way you'll find the answers is for you to decide to follow me".
Allura looked at him for a moment, trying to read in his eyes, but failing to find any answers she finally decided: "Okay, you convinced me. Playing on my curiosity is always the best way to get something from me! Where are we going? "

Pidge winked and said: "Don't think it will be so easy. This is still a surprise... Come on, little friends! Do your duty". And so saying, Pidge handed out to the space mice a cotton scarf. They quickly came down from Pidge's shoulder and climbed up their mistress' body and up to her shoulders: "Hey friends, but what are you doing?". The mice fiddled for some time with the cloth around her face, and within a minute they left her with the eyes completely blindfolded.

"Princess, what surprise it would be without a bit of 'mystery'? Now don't worry: give me your hand and trust me".
The princess replied: "I hope for you that the surprise is worth the effort. Now my expectations are really high".
"Of this you don't need to worry, I think that it will far surpass them..."

So Pidge took her hand and led her along the corridors of the castle.

- 0 -

"Pidge, can I know where we are? Are we out of the castle? I feel a bit of cold..."

Allura and Pidge were walking already for ten minutes.
"Don't worry! In the room we are heading to it will be warmer. We're almost there... Have just a little bit of patience. Here we are!"

The princess felt clearly the muffled sound of a sliding door that was opening. She took a step forward and a pleasant feeling of warmth enveloped her, along with the comforting sound of the crackling of a fire in a fireplace and the fragrant aroma of freshly baked food. Allura didn't know why, but she felt like she had just been wrapped in a warm blanket. It was just an impression, but that feeling warmed her heart and brought back to her mind memories of cold winter evenings spent in the company of her parents in front of a fireplace, reading tales of knights and damsels and sipping cups of hot cocoa.
"Are you ready?" Pidge's voice suddenly brought her back to reality.
The princess silently nodded. Pidge gently removed the blindfold. Allura slowly opened her numb eyes and looked straight ahead. She was in a room dimly lit by dozens of candles and by the fire that was burning in a fireplace located on the front wall. Allura couldn't even recall having ever seen a similar room in her castle. On the left side of the room there was a table set and laden with many dishes, among which stood out, due to the incredible perfume, a number of hot rolls and different types of fresh-baked cakes. The table was lit by candles, too. The overall atmosphere was very cozy and comfortable.

However Allura was still puzzled: "But what does this mean...?" Before she could even complete the sentence, from her shoulders rose the sound of a music. Allura turned to her right and saw that the room was much larger than she had believed at first, and that the living room, which obviously had an L-shape, opened into another large room. And here it came at her sight a scene that she would never have expected to see: her friends, her teammates, the guys she thought she knew, had set up a band, complete with drums, keyboard, guitars and bass, and were performing in front of her. Allura couldn't believe her eyes, but her ears clearly suggested that what she was seeing corresponded to reality. The boys were ably performing a song unknown to her, without words, but with a very sweet melody. Hunk played drums, Lance an electric guitar, while Keith was playing what must have been a bass guitar. Pidge, soon after having freed Allura from the blindfold, had joined his comrades, and had started playing the keyboard.

Allura, her face still stunned by the surprise, approached the area where the boys were placed with their instruments: in front of them was positioned a large sofa, which only seemed to be waiting for her to sit down. Allura didn't think twice: she collapsed onto the comfortable sofa, and cross-legged she crouched between two pillows. That evening the princess haven't had time to change clothes and she was still wearing what she normally wore when she was alone in her apartment: a pair of comfortable sweat pants and a big sweater. It was just the kind of attire that Nanny would have scorned, and considered not at all appropriate for a princess. But Allura loved to dress that way: it was incredibly comfortable and made her feel free to be and act how she wanted. And fortunately Nanny was not nearby. Perhaps, even if only for that evening, that was proving to be so amazing and unusual, she would have been free to express herself without constraints.

Meanwhile her friends were performing the last notes of the song. The show ended and Allura unthinkingly started to applaud: "Incredible! You were great... I'm speechless. I'd never expected you to have such a musical skill".
"So, did you like our surprise?" Lance spoke for them all.
Allura, her face lit with delight, replied with enthusiasm: "A lot. I don't even know how you could bring into the castle these instruments... And then, you played really well! I really didn't expect this".
Hunk spoke up and explained to her: "You have to know that we were preparing this for months. We made the most of our free time and rehearsed when you were shut away to study, remaining thus far unaware of our dealings. We did get the musical instruments directly from Earth, taking advantage of a space cargo ship that was delivering supplies. And all this to worthily celebrate the first year since you joined the Voltron Force! I hope you will not mind if we have a little anticipated the party, but we didn't want to wait another week". At these words among the members of the Voltron Force fell a sudden silence.

Keith, who until then hadn't chimed in the conversation, locked for a moment his eyes with those of the princess, and then quickly averted them.

The other guys didn't know what to say. The evening was tragically going by the board.

But this time it was the princess to bring the conversation back on the same light tone which it had begun with, to the delight of Hunk, who was afraid of having screwed up the evening with his indirect and accidental reference to the unpleasant events of the previous night: "No, Hunk. I don't mind celebrating our anniversary in advance. Maybe it won't be like the party I had imagined, but the fact remains that it can be equally fun, or maybe even more enjoyable. And for this I really have to thank you".

Allura was sincerely touched by the gift the boys had given her and was not going to ruin their effort because of the grudge she bear Keith. So she decided that she would have had fun during the party, and that everything else would have waited. Without thoughts and heartily, she gave her friends one of her sweetest smiles. It was everything they needed and what they had longingly and vainly awaited for all day. Now that evening would've surely been a success.
Encouraged by Allura's good state of mind, Lance spoke up and introduced the evening: "Princess, don't believe that our surprise is already over! We have invested a lot in this show, and now you have to at least do us the kindness to appreciate our entire repertoire".

Pidge continued: "You have to know that music is a hobby that we all share. We played together when we were on Earth, at the Academy. Unfortunately, since we arrived here on planet Arus we couldn't practice. Then Lance well thought out of putting on this show. Honestly it was really fun to start playing again".
Allura urged them: "I'm really curious to hear more. But tell me, what kind of music is it? I don't think I've ever heard, here on Arus, melodies similar to the one I just listened to".
"This princess is rock!" Hunk explained, "It's a genre that on Earth goes over big. It was born in the second half of the twentieth century, and, although someone would periodically announce its final death, it hasn't yet gone out of fashion. And I sincerely hope that it will never go".

Then Lance went on, playing the role of the anchorman: "Tonight, fair audience, we'll propose you to listen to three songs. The Voltron Force's members will perform them, and each time a different soloist will sing". And here Lance changed his voice to emphasize at most his presentation: "A big applause to our wonderful solo voices: Hunk, Pidge and Lance! Thank you, thank you". Allura could not suppress a laugh, while her hands tried vainly to give more volume at the sound of her only applause. It always amazed her Lance's incredible capacity to make her laugh. It was nice to have a friend like him around. The eyes of the princess, however, slowly went in another direction, looking for another person. Keith was always sitting on his stool, with the bass in his lap, more taciturn than usual. It was clear that Allura wanted to ask him something. Lance immediately caught that look and that intention, and, before there could be unpleasant verbal exchanges between the two, he quickly proceeded with his speech. It wasn't yet the right time for the two to talk. One wrong word and their plan would be miserably ruined. Lance instantly called the princess's attention: "Like I said, tonight you will listen to three songs, performed by our three beautiful voices". And here Lance smiled.

"Each song was chosen by its interpreter, according to several criteria, the main which is the meaning of the lyrics. Each of us chose the song for what he wanted to say to the others. And here you come: at the end of the performances you'll choose the song you liked best! The criterion for selecting the winner will be to you to choose".

Allura looked at him with an amused look: "So it's a contest! How does it happen that it all comes down to a competition to you? And then, why Keith doesn't enter?".
Keith was about to say something but he was interrupted by Lance, who even then was careful to not let the situation get out of hand: "Let's say it's a just a show between friend... It's not a real competition. And about Keith... he has something in store, too. But consider his performance ineligible to compete and don't mind for the moment".
Allura was puzzled and amazed by those last words. She was genuinely curious to know what it was that Keith "had in store", but decided not to continue with her protests and to trust, at least for this time, Lance.

"Okay... if it's what you want. I will be your judge, but... I think there should be a prize for the winner!"
"I have an idea". Pidge started chuckling and, turning to the others, continued: "How about a kiss from the princess? Only if it's all right with you...". And with these last words he turned to Allura.

Throughout his speech, Pidge, as well as the others, had carefully avoided the gaze of the captain, who had suddenly turned to him and was starting to throw lightning bolts in his direction.

That gaze instead locked briefly with that of the princess, who, in part pleased with Keith's reaction, answered to Pidge: "To me there are no problems."
But Hunk, fearing Keith's repercussions on them for that decision, hastened to discourage her: "Princess ... I assure you that we don't need a prize. The fact that you have fun and appreciate our show is already a sufficient reward".
But she went on, once again getting a glimpse in Keith's direction: "Don't worry. That's settled! The reward will be one kiss of mine".
"Well", continued Lance, "since we all agree, let's start with the show!"