Klance Anastasia AU

The Party

~Lotor's POV~
Haggar holds up a newpaper to me.

Akira Kogane Finally Found!
A ball will be held to celebrate the prince's return.

"We will be going to that party," Haggar says.

"A party, now you're talking," I reply. "There's this dance move I know, you move your arms like this." I point my fingers to the sky, then to the floor. "Then you get real crazy with the hips, ma'am." I swirl my hips around.

"This will be the perfect place to kill him."

"And back to the killing. Just give it a rest and get a life."

"I will get a life, his." I roll my eyes at her.

~Keith's POV~
I sit on the floor, while my grandmother sits on a stool in front of me. We're looking at a photo with me and my cousins Rolo and Nyma. It feels like a tidal wave of memories are coming back to me.

"Oh yea," I laugh. "I looked up to Rolo so much, I wanted to be just like him."

She holds up a the picture of me with my parents. "I remember how much I loved them," I say sadly.

"They would not want us to live in the past. Now, do you remember your drawing?" She asks holding up a picture.

I take it gently, it's a dog thing with only two legs beside a carriage. "I do, Matt made me so mad, he said it looked like a donkey beside a pig. He was right," I admit looking at the weird dog.

I hear another voice in my mind, "Don't listen to Matt, your drawings amazing." Taylor, the servant boy.

"But, I also remember Taylor liked it." I smile remembering the boy.

"Taylor, wasn't that the nickname the servant boy who let us out gave himself?" Allura asks.

I laugh, "He did give himself the nickname. I remember that he, Matt and I were best friends, but I had the biggest crush on him. I'd sneak out during the balls, and dance with him."

"Yes, you had it quite bad for that boy," she chuckles.

I look up at her, "Do you think he made it, that he's out there?" I ask.

She seems to think for a second, "I bet he is."

~A few hours later Lance's POV~
I walk into a room in Allura's castle, she's there waiting. "You called for me Your Grace?"

She opens a box, "Ten million reubals, and my gratitude."

I bow to her politely, "I accept your gratitude, but I don't need the reward."

"Is there something else you want?" She asks confused.

I sigh, and remember Keith's laughing, dancing with him. "Unfortunately, nothing you can give."

"Young man, where did you get that music box? You were the boy, weren't you? The one who got us out of the castle, Taylor?"

I smile a bit at the old nickname I gave myself.

She lifts one eyebrow, "You saved his life, and mine, restored him to me, and yet want no reward?"

"Not anymore,"" I reply.

"Why the change of mind Mr. Lance?"

I pause and think about Keith, who will now be home with the family he was looking for. "It was more a change of heart," I say, and she smiles sweetly at me. "Thank you, Your Grace."

I walk down the stairs to leave while Keith is walking up. "Hello Lance," he says coldly.

"Hello," I say and look at his creme colored royal suit with a red sash and shoulder epaulettes. His hair is tied in a ponytail again, and a crown sets upon his head.

"Did you collect your reward?" He asks.

I debate saying yes or no, "My work here is done."

A butler walks up, "Young man, to show your respects, you must address him as Your Highness."

"That won't be nessecary," Keith waves the butler off.

"Please," I bow, "Your Highness, I'm glad you found what you were looking for."

"I'm glad you did too," I may have found him. But, I can't stay with him.

"Well then, goodbye, Your Highness," I bow again.

"Goodbye Lance," He says as I walk away. I glance back and he's watching me go out the door.

I know where Hunk and Pidge will be. They've decided to stay here as well, they belong here. I find them both in the kitchen with Shiro begging from the floor.

"Hey, I came to say goodbye. I'm going back to Russia, if you end up in Saint Petersburg, give me a call." I say.

"You're making a mistake," Pidge says shaking her head.

"Trust me, this is the only thing I'm doing right." I chuckle sadly.

I hug Pidge and Hunk. I pat Shiro on head, "Goodbye mutt," I say. He whines and gives puppy dog eyes at me. "I don't belong here."

I walk away, and grab my bag, heading to the train station.

~Keith's POV~
I glance through the curtains at the people dancing. I find myself looking for a familiar tanned face. I feel a hand on my shoulder.

I turn around to see my grandmother there. "He's not out there," she says.

"I know he's... Who?" My face turns a little red.

"A remarkable young man, who brought you back to me."

I laugh, "He's probably out spending his reward as fast as possible."

She turns me around to face her, "You were born into this world of glittering jewels and fine titles, but I wonder if this is where you truly belong?"

I almost jump back. "Of course, you're here, I found out who I am, I found you."

"And, I always will be here for you. But, is it enough? Darling, he didn't take the money."

"He didn't?"

She looks at me softly, and holds my face in her hands. "Seeing the amazing young man you've become brings me such joy. Whatever you choose, we will always have each other."

I look away and think about this, she doesn't think this is what's best for me? I turn back to her to ask her what she thinks I should be doing, but she's gone through the curtains.

Shiro runs out the door, barking "Shiro?" I follow him out.

He goes into the hedge maze, and when I walk in, the bushes grow up behind me, so I can't go out the way I came in. I walk around, seemingly being herded by the bushes.

Until I'm on a bridge and the brambles grow up again. I fall to the ground, and when I look up, I see a twisted old woman's face. He grimaces at me, "Your highness. Look at what ten years has done, you a fine young man. And me, a rotting corpse."

"That face."

"Last seen at a ball like this one, ended on a tragic night on the ice. Remember?"

The curse, from the night I lost my grandmother. "Haggar," I glare at her.

She mocks me, "Haggar."