Chapter Five
The negotiations went well, Lotor thought. She reacted just like he thought she would. He didn’t really like backing her into a corner but he wouldn’t get his chance with her if he hadn’t done that. She looked positively baffled when he set the ring box on the table. He had made sure to present it in a manner she would recognize; a vintage burgundy box, like the jewelry stores used to provide. She had to have known what he was giving her, assuming his researching into human culture was correct. Since humans were spread over several planets, just like the Drules , it was hard to be certain about cultural details. He was certain he’d learn sooner or later if it was correct to present her with a diamond ring and not some other engagement token.
Lotor would have loved to see her expression when she first saw the stone. He had selected a flawless pink diamond, her signature color. He had scoured the galaxy for that very stone and paid a small fortune for it. He couldn’t stay though for his dram wearing off and he needed another diluted dose. It would have been folly to let her see him in that state.
He really couldn’t afford to give her the week that she asked, as his supply was alarmingly low. He couldn’t ask for a month supply without raising suspicion. It didn’t matter now because he was cut off from the one person would could create the herbs; that dreaded witch Haggar. He only hoped that he was strong enough when his supply ran out not to ruin all he had worked to achieve.
So he had a week to endure the withdrawal symptoms, while imbibing just before his meetings with her in the evenings. Then he’d have to use it until it ran out as soon as the wedding was over; the honeymoon period as they say. He liked the idea of time dedicated to being alone with Allura, even if it was going to be hard on them both in the beginning. One couldn’t really call what transpired between a Drule male and female as a marriage but there wasn’t really a word for it in Allura’s language. It didn’t matter, he wasn’t going to subject her to a Drulian ceremony or lifestyle. She wouldn’t be able to tolerate it just like his mother wasn’t able to tolerate her marriage.
“Hail the castle for permission to land,” Lotor commanded of his captain once he was safely aboard the flagship of his armada.
“Aye sir,” the captain acknowledged, turning to the crew and repeating the orders. Greig was present on the bridge and quick to follow Lotor as he retired to his quarters on the ship.
“All went well then?” Greig probed as the cabin door closed behind the two Drulians.
“Yes,” Lotor replied. “The ceremony is in a week.” He went to his cabinet to retrieve his elixir, diluting it into a glass of wine. “Assuming everything goes according to plan.”
“Human mating rituals are strange,” Greig commented, watching Lotor. He didn’t seem
all that convinced that the marriage would happen. “Are you certain this princess will keep her word?”
“Yes,” Lotor said, sipping his wine. “She will not break an oath once made.” He raised a brow, daring his friend to question him. Greig only shrugged. “Monitor her activity,” Lotor continued, gulping down the drink. “I want to know all her activities.”
“Yes, Sire.”
Lotor sighed, walking over to the small mirror hanging on the wall of his cabin. He scrutinized his appearance, finding it decent but not as immaculate as he normally kept it. It was at least an improvement compared to before the negotiation. He had taken pains to be presentable for Allura although he felt like he was unraveling on the inside. A shave and a shower worked wonders on the psyche.
“Let me know the moment the treaty is published on the communications network,” Lotor said. “Anything going on with Korrinoth?”
“The communications are standard,” Greig replied. “Not a word about our little coup.” Greig smiled. Lotor knew that Greig was looking for any way to inconvenience the Korrinoth court and Lotor had provided him with that outlet. “I will of course keep you updated.”
“Good,” Lotor sighed, running a hand through his hair to try to straighten it. “Now leave me. I have to try to get some sleep.”
~ * ~ * ~
Lotor rose early, having slept pitifully. Even though his dose had a calming effect he was just too excited to see Allura and spend time with her. He was going to be spend the following week wooing her, whether she wanted it or not. She couldn’t possibly withstand his determination, even though she herself was very stubborn.
Lotor found himself in the small training room that was on the ship. The ship was very quiet, the engines having powered down once they landed on the planet. Lotor had been able to look out the small window of his room and seen the Castle of Lions. The sun had not yet risen but the castle was accented by bright flood lights, revealing the patrolling guard and windows with heavy curtains.
King Alfor had been a brilliant architect, engineer, and mechanic. Even Lotor could appreciate Alfor’s work when he looked at the castle. It was a pity that his father had decided to kill Alfor instead of trying to use his abilities. Some planets jumped at the chance to aid the Drule Supremacy if they were able to maintain some level of freedom. Arus wasn’t one such planet.
Lotor found himself before the punching bag after he practiced his katas. He focused all his frustrations out on the sand filled canvas bag. It was a great way for him to relieve stress and he had spent many hours in the training facility in the academy and in his father’s house.
“Prince Lotor,” interjected a familiar voice. Lotor came out of his haze and looked around, noting that several hours had passed. He hadn’t realized that he had been so focused. Sweat was dripping down his chest and back and to his dismay he noted that the punching bag was turning red. A quick glance at his fists revealed that he had bloodied his knuckles. He looked up at the speaker to see Greig, a warm beverage in one hand and data pad in the other. He handed the mug to Lotor. “Coffee,” Greig began. “Human breakfast beverage of choice. A bit bitter for my taste.”
Lotor put the mug to his lips and took a tentative sip of the warm black beverage.
“Bitter indeed,” Lotor commented, finding that the beverage smelled a lot more appealing then it actually tasted. “Do you have something to report?”
“Yes,” Greig smirked. “The princess has been up since dawn. She took a twenty minute job with her music player. Then she returned to her room for about twenty minutes. She has spend the rest of the morning helping unload and distribute the supplies that we brought.” Lotor’s brows shot up, genuinely surprised. “Did you know these people sleep about eight hours a night? Very inefficient.”
“Is that all?” Lotor asked, impatient. He didn’t need a lesson in human biology at the moment, his only concern the anatomy of a certain princess. He had one week and he’d spend the entire evening studying.
“That’s all for now,” Greig replied with a sigh. “But it looks like that’s what she plans to do all evening. Didn’t you two have a scheduled interlude?”
“You are awfully talkative today, Greig,” Lotor commented, taking another sip of his coffee.
“I’ve had three cups of coffee already,” Greig grinned. “It’s quite the upper.”
“Apparently,” Lotor smirked. “Consider yourself cut off for the day.”
