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They were stuck on some distant planet. Tiny, grim, barely able to survive the rule of Zarkon. The local ruler looked at Lotor with suspicion — the new Emperor could see that — and at Allura with adoration. Which was understandable. Lotor had often marveled at how easily the Princess won hearts. A few words of endearment, a warm look in her shining eyes… He found himself staring at her. And if she happened to notice this, she would smile at him quite sincerely, making no distinction between the liberated common people and him — for her, everyone was equal.
"Your Highness, unfortunately, we don't have a palace, and we can't give you the proper quarters," the local Baron who rules the planet said. "If you'll excuse me, this is the only room I can give you. I am sorry for-"
"It's all right," Allura said absently, and Lotor noticed that she was barely listening to their guide.
"This way, please," the Baron opened the door to a small, modestly furnished room. "It's all clean, the servants have prepared it for you. There's hot water for washing, towels are here… There's only one bed, but it's so spacious that-" he was in such a hurry that even Lotor felt sorry for him.
"Don't worry, we'll figure it out," Lotor assured him calmly as he entered the room.
The Baron bowed once more to the Emperor and the Princess and left, closing the door behind him.
Allura looked around, her hands on her belt. She looked slowly around the room until she stopped on the bed. Lotor watched as she suddenly bit her lip, gave him a quick glance, and turned away. The Emperor almost smiled.
"You know, I'll probably find another room to sleep in. I don't want you to worry."
"I'm not worried!" Allura replied hastily, turning to face him and meeting his gaze.
"I can lie on the floor."
"Don't talk nonsense. We are still under martial law. That means we are soldiers, just like the people around us. I'll sleep in the barracks if I have to."
Lotor once again admired the strength and persistence of this woman. Still, he didn't want the gossip behind their backs. Well, behind her back — he, in general, did not care what was said about him.
Despite her strong words, Allura hesitated. Lotor gave her the right to decide what to do next. At last the Princess timidly approached the bed and sat down on it, stroked the coverlet with her hand, and then quickly, as if afraid to change her mind, turned around, simultaneously lowering her head on the pillow and stretching out her legs.
More and more, it seemed to Lotor that leaving the two of them in the same room was not wise at all. He had been feeling strange lately in the presence of the Princess. Somewhere the concentration disappeared, giving way to a slight absent-mindedness. He was more pleased with her success in alchemy than he was with his own victories. And when she looked at him with huge eyes, filled with delight at being able to complete the task, an unusual warmth spread in his chest.
"I'm so tired," Allura said suddenly, closing her eyes.
"Yes, a difficult time fell on you."
"Me?" Allura looked at Lotor in surprise. "And you? I slept through all the most important things, like in that earthly fairy tale."
"A fairy tale?" Lotor asked, interested, and took a step closer. Allura sat cross-legged and motioned for him to sit next to her. He lowered himself carefully onto the bed, keeping a good distance.
"Yes, once I had a conversation with the paladins about our cultures, and it turned out that we are not so different. They call it fairy tales, not legends. But who knows, maybe once upon a time there really was a Sleeping Beauty on Earth."
"Sleeping Beauty?" Lotor was becoming more and more interested. He was always curious about different cultures and peoples, their ways of development, mythology.
"Yes, they have a fairy tale about Sleeping Beauty. She had been cursed by an evil witch, seeking revenge on her father, the King. The girl was destined to sleep forever from the prick of the spindle. It's a device that makes yarn… um, and it's used for knitting things." Allura frowned. "Well, only a kiss of love could wake the Princess. When the girl came of age, the prophecy came true, although the King did everything to prevent this from happening."
"And what happened next?"
"The Beauty was really found by the Prince, who fell in love with her at first sight, he kissed her, and the Princess woke up. I slept for long decafibs until I woke up. I'm glad Lance didn't think to kiss me," Allura laughed, remembering the moment of her awakening. And Lotor frowned: these earthmen… don't know anything about etiquette. He looked at Allura's lips and thought that he could be her fairy-tale prince if he could find the Castle first. But would she have listened to him then?
"Interesting."
There was another pause. Allura studied her fingers, her head bowed low. Lotor wondered what she was thinking, but he didn't want to distract her. Finally, the Princess looked up at him. Their eyes met for a few ticks, but somehow it felt like an eternity.
The Emperor rose, clearing his throat.
"I think I'd better find another place for the night."
"No!" Allura leaned forward, and then, as if embarrassed by her impetuosity, said more calmly, "Please, stay. I don't want to be alone."
"All right," Lotor agreed, after hesitation.
He went back to the bed and unbuttoned his armor, staying in a thin, tight-fitting shirt . Allura fumbled with her hair, untangling it from its tight knot. Lotor watched from the corner of his eye as her fingers deftly undid her long curls. When she was done, she stretched out on the bed again, staring at the ceiling.
Lotor turned off the light, leaving only a small floating lantern near the ceiling. He sat down carefully next to Allura, noting that the bed was too small for him, so he had to rest his shoulders on the pillows.
They lay in silence for a few minutes in the dark, until Lotor suddenly felt eyes on him.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Nothing," Allura said, turning away.
The Emperor doubted he would be able to sleep in an uncomfortable bed, and with Allura so close to him. Still, he closed his eyes, hoping to at least take a nap.
"Lotor?"
"Hmm?"
"What did you dream about when you were a child?"
The Emperor's eyebrows rose.
"That was a long time ago…"
"So what? Tell me."
"All right."
But it took him a while to gather his strength. Have they become so close that they can discuss hidden thoughts? It was hard for Lotor to admit that their only business cooperation had long since grown into something more. Now they are not just allies. Are they… friends now?
"When I was a child, I dreamed of seeing my mother. Find out what she's like…"
"Oh," Allura said, barely audible. She started to say something, but Lotor stopped her with a hand on her arm. Now that he had started, he wanted to talk. How long can he be so alone? How long can he hide from those who care about him?
"I've pictured her face over and over again. Some of the servants said I looked like her. I spent hours looking at myself in the mirror, trying to imagine what exactly I had inherited from her. I tried to find out from my father, but he just got mad at me. And then he told me to forget about her, because she was no longer there, and there was no point in filling my head with nonsense."
"Lotor, I'm so sorry."
"Thank you. Although you don't have to. It's in the past now."
"But… she's alive, and you know who she is," Allura added timidly.
"And you think it makes me feel better that my mother is the witch of Zarkon?" His voice immediately became sharper, colder.
"You are right, I'm sorry."
"And you? What could the beloved and only daughter of King Alfor dream of?"
"Oh, about the most banal things," she waved away.
"No, Your Highness. Go ahead," Lotor insisted.
"All right, then… I dreamed of becoming a Paladin like my Dad."
"Atypical dreams for a princess. Well, you did it."
"Not really," Allura said, "I thought the Red Lion was supposed to be mine."
"Oh, is her Highness displeased that lions aren't inherited?" Lotor couldn't help but smile, and his tone was slightly mocking.
Allura gave him a playful slap on the arm, and he laughed softly, pleased to hear that she was echoing him. Surprisingly, the dimness of the room seemed to liberate them, to make them free from conditionalities. Maybe it was lucky that they were just the two of them. They can imagine their world is now this room where they can just talk about something other than war and tactics. Lotor only now realized how much he had missed it. Peace, friendship… love?
"So, when you grew up, what were your dreams?" Allura asked.
"You know the answer. The throne."
"Yes, but why? Everyone needs power for something. What do you need it for?" Allura insisted.
Lotor hesitated. It was a chance to tell the truth. To admit what he had lived for all these long millennia. But what if she misunderstood him?
"I'm waiting," Allura reminded him, but she couldn't help but yawn, and then Lotor realized that it was very late and they both needed to rest. And serious conversations can be left for later.
"I… I… want to revive Altea," he said, barely audible, opening the veil of secrecy.
"What?" Allura turned her head sharply to look at him, her eyes searching his face. Lotor held her gaze. He had told the truth, and he had nothing to worry about. "But… all the Alteans died with the planet. How is this possible?"
Not all of them, Princess, Lotor thought and then said as calmly as he could, hoping that she would be satisfied with that, "It's just a dream."
"Dream…" she repeated.
In the ragged light of the lamp, Lotor could see that she was almost asleep.
"You need to rest."
"You too," she said, without opening her eyes. "Good night, Lotor."
"Good night, Allura."
Lotor watched her fall asleep, her breathing becoming more regular, her long lashes casting shadows on her cheekbones. She turned on her side, putting her hands under her cheek like a child. A few more doboshes passed, and Lotor dared to gently brush a lock of hair from her face.
One day he would tell her the secret, one day she would know. And when she realizes that he only wanted peace, she won't be angry. But not now. Right now, he was too afraid to destroy what they had.