Keith woke to a sunny day, and he squinted against the brightness that was streaming in through his window. At first he wasn't sure where he was, but the royal seal that gleamed on the lamp on his night table gave it away. He rubbed his eyes and sat up with a groan.

As if on cue, a maid came into the room carrying a breakfast tray filled with pancakes, egg, and sausage. She placed it on his lap.

"Thank you," he said. "What time is it?"

"Half past ten, sir," she replied.

She scurried out the door and he popped a sausage into his mouth. He munched thoughtlessly as his mind wandered. As sleep cleared, he began to remember why he had come to Pollux in the first place. He pushed the tray from his lap, losing his appetite in an instant.

Allura.

He pushed the covers back and winced when his bare feet touched the cold floor. He was still in his red uniform, but Sven must have taken his shoes and socks off. He stood and stretched, facing the large window. The view was of the forest behind the castle. The breeze rustled through the leaves and he could hear the birds chirping. But it brought him no relaxation. Allura's broken cry echoed in his head and her tear-stained faced appeared in his view every time he closed his eyes. He wouldn't have been able to sleep had he not passed out. A knock at the door brought him out of his reverie.

"Come in," he said tightly.

Sven entered, a small smile on his face. "How are you doing?"

"I got enough rest," Keith replied. "Thank you for the food, but I just can't eat."

Sven sat on the bed, and picked up a sausage. He took a bite out of it and looked at his friend as he chewed.

"You do not look like you got enough rest," he pointed out.

"Well, what did you think? I just lost the woman I love..."

"At least you can admit it. It took me a while."

Keith ran a hand through his hair. "I'm doing the right thing."

"Who are you trying to convince?" a raspy female voice said at the doorway.

Both men turned and saw Princess Romelle enter the room. She smiled at Keith and sat next to Sven. His eyes had lit up at the sight of her and Keith could feel a longing in his heart as he thought of how they were just beginning their life together. He and Allura hadn't even had a chance. Sven put an arm around her and they both faced Keith.

"She loves you," Romelle said. "I'm not supposed to be telling you this because she told me everything in confidence, but she loves you. She's loved you for a long time."

Keith closed his eyes. "It can't be. I'm not..."

"Why are you being so stubborn?" Romelle said, exasperated. "Didn't you just hear what I said."

Keith turned towards the window and didn't turn around. He could hear Sven saying something to his Princess and soon after the rustle of her skirts as she left the room. A strong hand came to rest on Keith's shoulder.

"You are velcome to stay here for az long az you need to," Sven offered.

"I would like to leave today, if that's alright," Keith said. "I don't want to seem rude, but there's nothing I want more than to just go home."

"Your ship iz being looked over by our engineers. I'll let you know ven it's ready."

Keith whirled at him. "What? There's nothing wrong with it!"

Sven's face was a study in innocence. "I'm afraid dey found a small bug in the navigational computer. Dey vere surprised you made it dis far. I cannot let you go all de vay to Eart in dat ship until I'm sure dat it iz safe."

Keith sighed heavily. "Alright." He managed a small smile and looked at his friend. "If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone."

Sven nodded. "I vill send someone to let you know when it iz lunch time."

"Thank you."

He left the room and Keith turned back to the window. He could see a small patch of garden in one corner of the castle. His mouth turned down at the corners as he remembered Allura's garden. He pulled his shoes on and made his way to it.

Romelle's garden had none of the organized rows that Allura's had. It grew wildly and colors seemed to explode from every corner. Keith moved a vine that was blocking his way, his hand lingering on a purple starburst of a flower. He picked it off the vine and made his way to the wooden bench situated nearby. It sat underneath a large tree and was completely shaded no matter what time of day it was. He leaned his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. He stared at the white toes of his boots.

"You're being stupid."

Keith sighed and met the angry blue eyes of another blonde princess. Romelle glared down at him, looking as fierce as Allura could. But she couldn't affect him as her cousin did so he actually had the strength to stand up to her. Not that he was going to.

"Just leave me alone, Princess," he sighed. "Sven already got me stuck here when he put my ship through the gauntlet you call a service area."

Romelle chuckled. "I assure you, he's not trying to do anything. Your ship really did have a bug."

Keith only made a disbelieving sound. "I suppose Allura will be arriving soon."

Romelle's glare returned. "Don't flatter yourself. Do you know how much trouble she would get into if she just left?" She sat next to him and crossed her arms. "She's very hurt by what you did."

"I know."

"Then why aren't you in Arus?!?"

"You know why."

Romelle blew an irritated breath out through her lips. "I'm lucky I got the easier one to convince," she muttered. "You have an overblown sense of duty!"

"It's what's kept me going," Keith replied, having a difficult time keeping his temper in check.

"Oh please."

"Look, Princess," he said, standing to leave. "I love Allura, I do. But she has duties to fulfill and so do I. I've worked too long and too hard to get this far only to throw it away at something that I'm not even sure about!"

Romelle's eyes widened in realization. "You're scared. That's really why you left. You are scared out of your mind."

Keith blinked. "What?"

"You don't know if she loves you or not. I mean really loves you. That's why you won't go. You're afraid to sacrifice not your military standing but your heart." Romelle took his hand in hers and tugged him back to the bench. "Listen to me, and understand. SHE LOVES YOU. She always has," she said gently.

Keith shook his hand from her grasp. "I don't know." His mouth thinned to a line. "There are so many things to consider...I don't know."

Romelle nodded. "If you're that stupid that you would give up Allura's love, then so be it. I can't do anything more." She turned clear and honest eyes towards him. "You're welcome to stay here for as long as you want, but only because you're Sven's friend. I don't want my cousin to know that you're here and hurt her anymore than she already has been."

She stood and left him to his misery, her heavy skirts swirling around her. The sun made its way across the sky and still he sat there, unable to bring himself to move.

Allura stared out into the stars that sped by her. She tapped her fingers idly on the armrests of her seat, the minutes going by like years. She glanced at the chronometer on the control panel.

20:10...ten more hours.

She sighed deeply wishing she had something to pass the time other than her errant thoughts. They were all filled with her goal, her love. Every passing second brought her pain, but she forced herself to think happy thoughts. She forced her eyes open. The bright glow of Pollux was a bright blue spot on her viewscreen and she needed to stay awake to execute a safe landing. Apprehension filled her as she thought of what she would say to Keith when she saw him. Her hands twined and untwined as her brow furrowed in deep thought.

What if he doesn't come back with me...what if he doesn't love me enough?

She pushed those thoughts out of her head, though it was a struggle. She wouldn't take no for an answer. He would be coming back with her whether he was willing to face up to his feelings of not. She gunned the thrusters.

To Chapter Nine
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