Allura's shuttle was escorted by Keith in Black Lion who reassured her that everything would be fine while she was gone. Allura smiled as she thought of how patient Keith was with her. She had apologized for her past behavior and of course Keith forgave her.

Before she had even left Arus, she had apologized to the guys and especially Lance, for being so short with them. They all forgave her, and wished her a safe trip. She had been in such a good mood before she left, that she had kidded Sven about he and Rommelle's wedding plans.

Sven merely laughed and said mysteriously, "You'll see, preencess, you'll see.."

Her thoughts were interrupted by Keith, who said, "Okay, Princess..we're at the coordinates specified. I will need to back up some distance, but I'll be close by. You ready?"

She brought out her passkey and said, "I think so."

She placed her passkey in the slot on the navcomp and paused, "Keith?" she said worridly.

He said, "Princess - Allura, don't worry. You need this time for yourself. When you come back, we'll throw you a big party, okay?" She smiled and said, 'Okay, Keith..please be careful.." He said, "I will, Allura..we all will..you enjoy yourself ok? No worrying!!"

She laughed and said, "Yessir!" and placed the card all the way into the navcomp.

At first, she thought that it wasn't working, but then static came through her comm..it cleared and she heard: "Royal House of Arus....your identity has been acknowledged. Princess Allura, please respond."

She said, "This is Princess Allura, daughter of King Alfor of Arus acknowledging..may I ask who this is?"

The voice chuckled, "Forgive me, princess, I am Chief Counselor Bengale of the Royal House of Richleau. I and Prince Devonn extend greetings to you..It has been a long time..please stand by, we will activate the wormhole."

Allura looked out the cockpit window and saw a hole opening up in space. The wormhole!!

Her comm came on again. "Princess Allura, once you go into the wormhole, it will guide your shuttle through. Expect some turbulance. Once your ship is in our space, we will guide your ship to the royal palace where you will be staying at...Acknowledged?"

"Acknowledged.." She clicked to the other frequency and said, "Keith, I guess this is so long for now."

He said, 'We'll miss you, Allura..rest up, okay?"

"Will do, Keith...see you soon.."

She guided her ship to the edge of the wormhole and suddenly felt a jerk as the ship was hurled through the wormhole at a high rate of speed. Allura was bumped around a little as the small ship shot through. All at once, the ship slowed to a stop and Allura saw a small planet ahead of her. She heard a whoosh as the wormhole closed behind her.

Her com came on again: "Princess Allura, this is Palace Sentry..a tractor beam will bring your ship down to where you will be staying at. Since you are new here, this is a precautionary measure..Prince Devonn extends his greetings and is expecting you..please stand by.."

Allura sat back as the tractor beam took her shuttle. She thought, ..let's hope all this is worth it..

The shuttle was set up gently on a small landing pad. Allura opened the shuttle doors and immediately two guards came and assisted her out. For one frightening moment, she thought that she was under arrest or something and nearly fought them, but all they did was take her arm and help her out. Allura looked around and saw to her satisfaction, a beautiful wooded area, secluded and peaceful. The small palace was to her right, and it looked like it would be just right for one or two people. She thought that maybe at one time it had been a honeymoon cottage. She smelled the clean crisp air and smiled. She would definitely get some rest here.

Suddenly, she saw what had to be Prince Devonn walk towards her. He was tall, almost as tall as Prince Lotor was, and he was just about as handsome - in a different way of course. He had dark hair like Keith's and luminous green eyes. His ears were pointed, as if he had a touch of Drule within him, but his skin was fair, though not as fair as her own. He was dressed immaculately in a grey uniform. He came up to her and bowed. "Princess Allura, on behalf of my planet, I greet you.."

He kissed her hand and looked up at her. She thought..oh no..one of those who thinks he's irrestible to women...well, we'll see about that..

She smiled a winning smile and said, "Prince Devonn..I am glad to be here. My prime minister Coran told me much about your world."

Devonn smiled and said, "Yes. I remember him..he used play catch with me when I was very small. Your father and mother I remember as well. I am sorry for their passing. "

She shook her head and said, "Please..there is no need.."

He took her hand again and said, "Oh but there is, Princess. I do know what you have gone through in the passing of a parent, I too have lost.." He shook his head as if to clear it and said, "But you are right, this should be a time of renewal for you, not of dredging up old memories, Princess.You will like my world - there are many interresting customs here.Tell me, had your father or Coran ever told of our unique customs?"

Allura smiled and said, "No, I'm afraid not, but I am interresting in learning about your culture.Please, Prince Devonn, you may call me Allura - all my friends do."

The prince smiled broadly and said, "Then you may call me Devonn, Allura..I am honored to be your friend."

He still held her hand, which made Allura a little nervous. Devonn seeing her discomfort, let go and said, "I realize you must be tired, Allura, but before I go, I wish to hold a small dance in your honor tonight. I would deem it an honor if you came."

Allura started to say something when he interrupted her.

"Ah- if you come, I promise that I won't infringe upon your privacy - unless you wish it, of course.."

This he added with a slight knowing smile.

Allura thought, ..this guy reminds me of Lotor!

She said, "Devonn, since you have extended hospitality to me, it's only fitting that I attend." Allura smiled into his eyes, "I will be honored - oh wait!!"

Devonn frowned slightly. :"What is it, Allura?"

She said, "I have nothing to wear!"

The Prince smiled and said, "Is that all? Don't worry. I will have a dress made for you. I will tell one of the maids to take your measurements and we can duplicate a dress for you. I promise it will be exquisite!"

Allura blushed and said, "Thank you.."

Devonn took her hand again and kissed it. "It is a pleasure to serve you, Allura..when the dress is ready, it will be brought to you. I will come by this evening and take you to the main palace. Until then, please rest.My kingdom is at your disposal." He let go of her hand, bowed and walked away.

Allura looked after him and thought that he must have taken smooth lessons from Lotor. Still, she wasn't going to worry about it. He was just being kind to a vistiing royal. It would be nice to go to a dance for once without the prying eyes of Coran and Nanny. She laughed and though that already she felt a lot better here. She made her way to the small palace, the two guards carrying her small bags.
First things first..a nap!!!

Chapter Four

Chief Counselor Bengale was waiting for Prince Devonn in the main hall of his palace when the prince jauntily walked in.

Bengale bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you look well. Did you see the princess?"

Devonn's eyes sparkled and he said, "She is exquisite, Bengale! I couldn't believe it when I saw her. I figured she'd be like a horse-face or something - you know, like you're always trying to line me up with!"

Bengale winced and said, "You know I am only looking to your best interests, Lord Prince."

The prince smirked and said, "And yours, Bengale.You were the one who poisoned my father after all."

Bengale hissed and said, "But you, my prince,was the one who planned it!"

The prince laughed again and said, "Well, if I go, you go, my friend, you go."

Bengale walked around the prince and said, "Don't threaten me, Devonn. There is always poison, you know."

Devonn scowled and said, "And there is always the executioner, isn't there, Bengale?"

Then the prince smiled once more and said," Oh, Bengale, there is no sense in quarreling! Once I am King, you will recieve the continent of Roland's Crest to rule and we all will live happily ever after."

Bengale said, "Hummph! If you ever marry, that is! You run about with those women like that-that outworlder Prince Lothar."

Devonn corrected him. "It's Prince LOTOR and don't critizize my friend, Bengale..he saved my life."

Bengale sighed and said, "Devonn, you know that in order to be king, you must marry someone."

Devonn replied,"I have the perfect one, Bengale! Princess Allura - King Alfor's daughter!"

Bengale whirled around from his pacing and said, "What? The Outworlder?"

Devonn grinned and said, "Yes! She is perfect! She knows nothing of our laws and she is breathtakingly beautiful."

Devonn looked dreamily into space as Bengale smiled. He said, "So, Devonn..are you sure? No backing out?"

Devonn came out of his dreamy state and said, "Yes! She is truly a royal..a perfect mate for me. I will make her my bride at the ball tonight."

Bengale said, "Hhm..are you sure she knows nothing of the law,Devonn? She may know the kissing custom."

The handsome prince smiled and said, "No, I asked her if she knew our customs. It will be so simple, Bengale! One kiss and she is my bride! The day after our consumation, I will crowned King of Canesian and you, my devious friend, shall be ruler of the Crest..sounds good, doesn't it?"

The royal conselor stopped pacing and said, 'It sounds delightful, Prince Devonn.."

Devonn laughed and said, "I knew it would, Bengale..come, I must prepare for tonight."

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