The New Prince

Chapter 41

The party, a success in Allura's eyes, ended at midnight. Doctor Gorma had come in a couple of times after nine o'clock hoping to end the festivities, but as always, most of the team ignored him or gave him excuses to remain longer. Coran authorized that as long as they didn't disturb the other patients, they could remain after visiting hours. The advisor knew that he would owe the physician a bottle of Arusian wine for the trouble.

Throughout the night, Keith never complained or gave any impression that he wanted them out. Surprised that his spirits were high for a change, Allura decided to remain casual and relaxed, afraid that anything she might say or do would change what seemed to be a good night for him.

Keith never fully laughed when the others told jokes or initiated conversation during the gathering. Allura noticed how his eyes held a sadness that reflected what he still felt inside. Everyone could tell that he tried to show positivism to some degree, but it wasn't quite there. Inwardly, they all acknowledged that he'd never be the same again. He was more serious, guarded, and soon, they would realize how stoic and more calculating he would become.

Watching the room around her, Allura didn't notice her cousin sit next to her. Romelle tapped her on the shoulder, making Allura turn and offer her a smile. "It's a nice gathering. Things seem to be slowly coming back to normal."

Nodding, Allura answered, "Yes. Thank goodness."

"How was your meeting with Councilman Tolson?"

The princess shrugged, "I didn't meet with him. Councilman Tolson is extremely ill. He has a heart condition."

Romelle replied with a sympathetic nod as Allura continued, "I ended up meeting with his son Ivan, who is taking over his post until he's well again. He was telling me that his father is very respected in the village and it's been hard for him to make some decisions when the other leaders question him."

"We know the feeling don't we?" Romelle answered with a little smile.

Allura nodded. "That's what I told him. He seems like a very nice man. I told him that I'd help him in any way I could. Maybe when Keith is better, I'll ask him to mentor him."

At the mention of Keith, the Princess of Pollux smiled, "So I heard that from big mouth Lance that you and Keith slept together last night?" she whispered as Sven and Hunk congregated around Keith's bed. Lance was busy on the other side of the room whispering something to Maryann that made her laugh.

Allura barely heard her cousin and asked, "Huh?" as she watched Pidge walk back into the room with a tray full of pastries that he smuggled from the kitchen. Nanny had made them for the party earlier. The first batch was gobbled up earlier in the evening by the group without reservation. Apparently, Pidge had found the mother lode. For a second, Allura wondered what Nanny would do when she found out the guys had once again raided her kitchen. The thought however was only in her mind for a split second before she completely processed Romelle's question, "Romelle, no! No…!"

The princess giggled at Allura's expression. "I know! I was just kidding," she told her. "But seriously Allura, what's next for the two of you?"

Sighing and pausing for a moment before speaking, the Princess of Arus shrugged, "I…I don't know. I was in such a hurry to blurt out my feelings for him yesterday, but now, I seriously have no idea." Allura's gaze moved to Keith, who listened intently to some story Sven apparently was engrossed in. She looked back to her cousin, "Last night I was able to experience how he is still battling the demons Zarkon created for him. They grab and torture him; I know he will fight them for a while." She sighed again before she spoke, "I just don't want to add another burden to him."