Lotor awoke slowly, temporarily forgetting what had transpired the day before. All he knew now was that he was undressed and in his bed. The lights were low and he could barely make out a figure on the chair next to his bed. He moaned, for his body ached, and the figure rushed forward and knelt down beside him.

"Oh, Lotor! I'm so glad you're awake! You were unconscious for so long and I could do nothing to wake you! I thought you were going to die!" Ayli wailed, tears spilling from her eyes.

Lotor patted her hand and said, "I'm fine. It was just a bad spell," but then he remembered it was more than that. He slowly recalled the incidents of the previous day. "Ayli! Karnyval is in two days. We will go, but you must also make ready to leave here. We may not be back for a long time, perhaps never. Father never attends Karnyval, and it will be a good excuse to take leave of him."

Ayli tried to interrupt to ask questions, but he held up his hand to silence her and went on. "Pack up everything you want to keep. It will be transported to my Star Destroyer. If anyone asks, after Karnyval I am taking you back to Cybos, at your request. Don't worry, I'm not abandoning you! Something BIG is about to happen. I can't tell you yet, but it will change both our lives, forever! Hopefully, for the best. Please don't ask any questions! I will tell you everything when the time comes. I have to go now and make final preparations. We leave for Palddon and Karnyval in two days. Everything must be ready by then."

Ayli turned to leave and stopped short in the doorway when Lotor called to her again. "Ayli, should anything happen to me, I want you to go to Arus and beg sanctuary at the Castle of Lions. Allura would not turn you away or over to our father, even if you are related to me. " Ayli walked quickly back to her apartments. She was alarmed and baffled by her brother's orders, but if he said it was important she knew she could trust him. She rushed to make ready.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Allura looked through her wardrobe for a proper gown to wear to Karnyval. She had never gone before and she was not supposed to go now, but she knew Lotor would be there, and she felt she had to see him. Karnyval was an opulent gala in the Diamond Galaxy on Planet Palddon. It was three days long and all the nobles and royals in the Drule empire were invited as well as, anyone of position in any part of the universe that wished to attend, regardless of the political leanings of their planet. If anyone had argument with another they were to forget it during Karnyval, even the planets at war. Most of the royals and aristocracy of the "good" planets would not even consider the idea. Some of the most nefarious and corrupt people in all the universe would attend. Some said it was not a party at all, but an extravagant orgy. Drinks, drugs, and sex would be in plenty there. The party-goers reveled in their debauchery and did nothing in moderation. Karnyval occurred only once every three years during an eclipse lasting three days. It was anticipated greatly.
Coran would be horrified to discover Allura's intentions of going, so she had planned a small lie to hide the truth. She had told him and the others that she was going to Alteron to visit her Aunt Orla. There she would not need a chaperone, so no one would need accompany her. Also, Alteron was, at present, in the path of a space storm that would block communications for at least a week. It would be impossible for anyone to inquire after her.
As Allura rummaged through her closet, Keith entered to see her. "Allura, I don't know why you have to go to Alteron now. Can't your visit wait until the storm subsides? We would be unable to reach you should anything happen here," Keith implored.

"Keith, now is the PERFECT time to go. The Karnyval is about to begin and I'm sure Lotor wouldn't pass up the opportunity to attend. If he's there then he can't attack here. You won't need me. If something happens, someone can come get me. Alteron is a short distance from here."

"I suppose you're right," Keith admitted, "But it doesn't feel right letting you go alone. Can't I convince you to take someone with you? I'll go if you like," he suggested.

"No, I'd love to have company any other time, but I'd like to spend some time alone with Auntie. Maybe next time."

Keith's continued questioning and appeals were making Allura nervous. It wouldn't do for him to find out. He despised Lotor, but still, she hated keeping things from him. Keith scrutinized Allura's face with his dark eyes.

"Princess, I feel as though there's something you're hiding. Is there? You can tell me anything."

"NO! I'm doing exactly what I said, and I don't appreciate your insinuations! Now please let me finish packing!" Allura shouted.

Keith averted his eyes and looked abashed. He threw his hands up in surrender and said quietly, "You're right, and I'm sorry. I should never have suggested you'd tell anything but the truth. I know you better than that. Have a nice trip."

Allura's heart sank as he walked away, and she was ashamed of herself. "I should have never yelled like that. He was right, and I couldn't face it. I shouldn't lie, but they'd never let me go if they knew," she thought to herself. "I'll apologize and make it up to him when I get back," she told herself out loud, and then continued to pack. Allura had been to royal balls before but nothing like Karnyval. She would have to wear something spectacular. She wanted to look nice for a certain someone. She blushed and giggled to herself. She was giddy with the anticipation of seeing him again. She was sure he'd listen and mend his ways. She would have to disguise herself so the other revelers wouldn't know her. They said anyone was welcome, but Allura didn't trust them. It would be fairly easy to disguise herself, as Karnyval's first event was a masquerade. She'd tell Lotor who she was when she got him alone. She pulled out a coppery red wig and put it on to see how she looked. She smiled at herself in the mirror. With this wig and a feathered mask no one would recognize her, not even Nanny!

Chapter Thirteen & Fourteen
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