Later that evening…

Coran left the control room, after overlooking the security detail for the Halloween Ball that King Alfor and Queen would be hosting.

The Royal Governess was in the hallway giving last-minute instructions to one of the maids. When she saw the King’s Advisor her heart turned over. He looked magnificent, caught in a glimmer of sunlight that angled in from the small high window. Dressed in a brown tunic and fawn-colored trousers, his lean body was set off to attractive advantage. His wavy chestnut hair glowed with the soft yellow lights of the sun and the most pleasant smile played on his mouth. He was only thirty-eight, and a fine specimen of a gentleman.

"Good evening, Master Coran," she said, giving him a small curtsy.

He bowed slightly. "Good evening, Miss Margaret. Are the children ready?"

"Yes, they’re expecting you in the rec room," she replied happily. "You should see the little goblins. They still can’t believe that you would miss the Halloween Ball to take them trick-or-treating."

"I just can’t say no to those kids." Then he looked at her with his serious, hazel eyes. He found the young woman very beautiful, with her mahogany eyes and long, dark brown hair, her small straight nose, her full lips and the sweetness in her expression. "Miss Margaret, could I convince you to accompany me in this endeavor?"

She blushed, but was pleased. "Why?"

He widened his eyes slightly. "Because you have a brought a new ray of sunshine into my life," he declared.

She lifted her gaze slowly. What she saw made her heart beat like the rapid movement of a bird’s wings and filled her with a strange thrill such as she had never felt before. She remembered her conversation with one of the maids. ‘Master Coran likes you, Maggie. More than that, I would say, but then I am only a silly old woman.’ She chuckled softly, then said, ‘Never doubt his honor, child, he’s a good man. He will always deal with you honestly.’

"Margaret?"

She came out of her reverie. "Even if that ray of sunshine comes from the servant’s quarters?"

He grasped her hand between both of his. "It’s the nineties, Margaret."

"I guess you’re right, Master Coran."

"Please, call me Balthazar."

"Balthazar."

"Shall we go?" he asked offering his arm to her.

"Yes."

"Coran! Nanny!" The little Princess and the children of the Voltron Force rushed forth to surround them, demanding their attention as they welcomed them.

"Coran," Allura said as she kissed him on the cheek. "Where are mommy and daddy?"

"They’re with your Uncle Cova and your Aunt Onivei attending their guests," he replied, "but they asked me to tell you to save some candy for them." How cute she looked in that costume, he thought warmly. Margaret had tried to convince her to be a storybook princess, a fairy or even a pink space mouse. But the she wouldn’t hear of it, she wanted to be a mean little witch tonight. She was dressed in a black satin gown, black boots, black cape, and a black hat. She was wearing green makeup, red lipstick, and a fake wart in her little chin.

He acknowledged the other children, greeting each by name.

Keith- the serious one of the group, was dressed as the devil, with a red jumpsuit with a tail, hooded cowl with little yellow horns, red boots and gloves. The nine-year-old boy was carrying a plastic pitchfork in his right hand. Nanny had painted his face red, with a thin black moustache and a goatee. He was the most amusing sight he had ever seen.

Next to him was Hunk, the future engineer who was always full of questions about Voltron, and other marvelous inventions. He was dressed as a firefighter, with black overalls, black jacket with yellow fluorescent stripes, a yellow shiny helmet with the insignia of the Arus Fire Department, and bright yellow boots.

"I thought you were going as Superman," Coran noted.

"I was," he replied, a thoughtful expression on his face. "But he’s only a comic book hero. A fireman is a real super hero, because he risks his life to save people, their pets, their homes, their buildings and the forests."

Coran smiled to himself. This boy was wise beyond his years. He will grow up to be a fine, honorable man. "You’re quite right. They deserve our respect and admiration."

Then a child dodged around his friends. "Sir, what do you think of my costume?"

He strode to meet the gap-toothed boy. He was the trickster of the group and thus a frequent visitor to the corner. He was dressed as a pirate, with black fringed breeches, a blue silk shirt with a red sash about his waist. There was a curved plastic sword hanging from his sash. His boots were of black leather, and upon his head was a red bandana. He had an eye patch and black face paint for a beard. Coran smiled at him, and the eight-year-old boy smiled back.

"That’s a very nice costume, Black Beard," he replied.

The pirate turned to Hunk with a smug look on his face. "See, I told ya he would like it."

"Show off," Hunk muttered under his breath.

Then looking across the room, the royal advisor saw Nanny seated in the corner holding Pidge, whose face was screwed up in frustration as he wrestled against the confining arms of the governess; he gave them a smile as a signal that all was well.

"You have done a wonderful with these children," he said admiringly.

Nanny hoisted Pidge onto her shoulder and stood. "It’s the least I can do." There was no evidence of discomfort or tiredness on her face. The love she showed these children was no less than a true mother’s. It gave Coran great comfort to know his beloved Princess and her young companions were in such fine care.

"Let me hold him." Taking the boy, Coran smiled into his chubby face. He was the littlest of the bunch, at just three years old. He was dressed as Dexter, a character from a cartoon show, with a white lab coat, black pants, black shoes, purple gloves and an old pair of reading glasses.

"Young man, are you giving sweet Nanny a hard time?"

"Yeah…’cause she won’t gimme a cookie," he replied, rubbing his little button nose with the back of his hand.

"If you promise to behave, she will give you one," he offered.

The boy’s cinnamon eyes lit up. "’Kay!" he said enthusiastically. Coran placed him on the floor while Nanny reached for the cookie bag. She handed the boy a chocolate chip cookie, and he shoved it into his mouth.

"He has been terribly fussy ever since he stopped taking afternoon naps," she stated.

In the meantime, the pirate had climbed onto a chair. "I’m Black Beard and you’re my prisoner!" He laughed menacingly, leaping off and landing next to Allura. She emitted a shriek and ran to Keith, who instinctively placed his arms around her. But they drew apart quickly, staring at each other self-consciously.

Allura turned away. She straightened her cape to cover her sudden confusion, and then reached for her plastic pumpkin and her little broom that were lying on the couch. "Sorry," she whispered.

After she had moved away, Keith, swallowing hard, swung around, and glanced at the culprit with a heated gaze. Raising his pitchfork at him, he said, "Lance! Stop clowning around!"

The boy’s triumphant smile suddenly disappeared. "Hmph! You’re no fun," he replied, turning his face away.

"I think someone in this room wants to the visit the corner," Nanny said ominously.

Lance flinched. "Geez, Nanny. You don’t have to go batty. I was only giving Kit an excuse to hug Ally."

Nanny covered her eyes in chagrin, but Coran rumbled with merriment. "By the way, where are Princess Romelle and Sven?" he asked.

"She’s probably helping him with his costume," Allura replied, a secret smile touching her lips.

"He’s going as a black ninja," Keith volunteered.

"That’s what he thinks," the little witch murmured.

At that precise moment, her cousin Romelle entered the room. She was dressed as Raggedy Ann, with a blue dress with red floral accents and a white collar with a white apron. The apron was embroidered with her name in red. She was dressed in red and white stockings with black leather shoes. Her golden hair was covered with a wig made of red yarn. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue. Her thick dark lashes grazed her painted-red cheeks. Her red lips were like a pair of unfurled petals. She smiled at them and curtsied prettily.

"Good evening, Coran," she said in a husky voice.

"Good evening, Princess. We were just talking about you. Have you seen Sven?"

"He’s right outside."

"Come over here," he called to him, "I want to see your costume."

"Sven," she prodded gently. "Come on."

"No Princess, I’m not vearing this costume in front of my friends! They’ll laugh at me!"

She stepped out and reached for his hand. "No they won’t," she sing sang.

"Come on, Sven," Lance chided. "Don’t be chicken."

"Svenny," Romelle whispered, squeezing his hand. "You don’t want me to be sad, do you?"

The little Scandinavian sighed rather melodramatically and grudgingly stepped forward. And everyone was struck mute. He was wearing a Raggedy Andy outfit, which included a plaid shirt; blue buttoned trousers, red and white stockings and black shoes. He also wore a red wig and a sailor’s cap. His cheeks were a deep shade of red and his mouth was set in a thin line.

Pidge pointed a finger at him. "Look, Nanny. Sven’s a doll."

And the pirate and the fireman burst out laughing like little trolls.

"Don’t laugh!" Raggedy Andy snapped, glaring at them. "Or I’ll kick your heads."

And knowing that he was taking judo lessons in the afternoons, they immediately stopped.

"Oh Sven," Allura cried. "You look so cute!"

Romelle wrung her hands close to her chest and her blue eyes shone with adoration for him. "Yes, he does. And he’s my boyfriend."

He gapped his mouth. "I’m not!" he cried horrified.

She smiled teasingly. "Yes, you are!"

"Not!"

"Yes!"

"Children, children," Coran said, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Cease your argument. You’re too young for that sort of thing. All right, this is the plan, two hours of trick-or-treating and then we’re going to the Halloween Bash."

And detonation of gladness shattered the room. "Yay! Hurray!"

"Okay, gather your pumpkins and we’ll be on our way."