Snoke office
I saw Captain Corsini enter through my office door. And I immediately asked "Then!"
"When we arrived the Captain was already dead and on the ground we saw two other bodies." Corsino said.
"And there were no documents? Anything?"
"No, excellence. If the captain had them with him, they must have been taken. In the distance we saw a man on horseback flee. He was wearing a French army uniform "
"Did you see who he was?"
"We tried to reach him, but..."
"Didn't you try to follow him?"
"Unfortunately, excellence, he has probably heard us arrive and he has escaped. He took the path through the woods. "
"So you think there was someone with Captain Cody," I asked him, turning around.
"I think so. The man who fled was a friend of his, not one of the brigands. And at this point it is clear that he took those documents. "
"No! There was no one."
"What?" He asked, surprised.
"That man you talk about doesn't exist."
"But…"
"I don't want to look like an idiot, Captain. His majesty sends us to retrieve the documents, and what do we bring him!? A dead man, and we tell him that a stranger took what we had to take. No, captain. Officially those men and those brigands do not exist. We'll see to it. We will find him, and we will take what he has taken ". Then, with an angry tone I said "But until that day, those documents disappeared, destroyed, vanished. Have we understood each other Captain? "
"Yes, excellence."
He bowed and left.
Alderaan
Entering from the gates of Alderaan I stopped for a moment to observe the beauty of my estate, smiling.
A castle of medieval appearance. At the entrance a large fountain and a two-sided staircase leading to the castle. On the sides a beautiful large garden.
"Let's go, Falcon, we're home, " I said to the horse.
I saw my old wet-nurse at the bottom of the basement of the stairs that lead at the entrance of the estate and hug her tightly. Laughing I said "Amilyn, Amilyn, I'm back."
"My lord!" She said laughing and I added with a bit of sarcasm "Every year that passes, you become more and more beautiful."
"Ah! I taught I teached you not to tell lies, eh"she said smiling.
"What can I say, the world has made me bad, " I said smiling.
She patted my cheek.
I smiled and said "I'm joking" and then hugged her again.
I saw Poe coming and said "Poe, my friend."
"My lord, " Poe greeted me.
"How are you" I asked.
"I'm fine. And you, my lord? "Poe answered.
"My mother" I said, looking towards the estate.
"In the library" Amilyn said.
And I run towards the entrance of the estate, and before entering I turns toward them saying" I'm happy to see you again."
Entering the library "Mother!" I said, but stopped when I saw a beautiful girl, with brown hair and beautiful hazel eyes
She immediately got up and looked at me with widen eyes.
Closing the door and approaching, I said"Excuse me, ma'am, they told me that... I've scared you, sorry.
After some time, regaining her posture, approaching me she said "No, you didn't scare me. You are Count... "
"Benjamin Skywalker-Solo" I cut here off answering. Bowing I try to kiss her hand, but instead she makes a reverence and said with red check "I'm honored to meet you."
Smirking, I asked "Do we know each other?"
She looked down, and then answered "In a certain sense, yes. I saw your portrait, my lord, in Countess Leia's room. We have waited so long for you. Come, I'll take you to your mother. "
I sighed and followed her. Going quickly in front of her I opened the door.
Entering my mother's room, I hear her praying and then hear Rey say "Countess."
I said "Mother!" and Leia looked towards the door, and with tears in the eyes said "Ben, Ben...".
Immediately, I ran to her embracing her, saying" Forgive me. I must have made you worried a lot in these years, I'm sorry. "
She said, crying, "There is nothing I have to forgive you. Embrace me my son. Hug me!"
Crying, she added, "You've finally returned. After a so long time", now laughing, crying and squeezing me "My son. "
I heard Rey leave the room and closing the door.
Today Rey woke up later, not having been called by the Countess.
I think of the meeting of yesterday with the Count. When I saw it for the first time he was even more beautiful than the portrait. Those beautiful black hair tied with a band and those beautiful brown eyes. I knew that I had a crush on him the moment I saw him. But I now know that it'll never work. He is a lord and I'm a servant.
After getting dressed I went to the library.
"Good morning Clare, have you seen the countess?" I asked.
"Yes. She's in the garden. She wanted to take a walk with the Count. She said to let you sleep. This morning she wanted to enjoy her son's return."
I approached the door that led to the garden outside and saw the countess pass by, with the Count who looked at her with a smile.
Walking in the garden with my mother, I was sure that I had fallen in love with that girl and that she felt the same, from how red her cheeks became. But my mother brought me back to the present.
"The new reforms introduced by the king, have created much discontent among the nobles" she said.
"And since when the aristocracy does not agree with the king!?"
"Since His Majesty Charles Emmanuel III decided that the modern state is more important than the nobility, and began to eliminate a number of ancient privileges" she said laughingly, "and as if that was not enough, your sister's husband,The Marquis Andrea Granieri of Magliano, does nothing but take money from the treasury. And if the money is finished, rent the land to the big tenants, chasing away the peasants who live there. If this continues, Alderaan will be ruined."
"Mother, I wouldn't want to cause you regret, but I have only a license".
"Meanwhile, we will give a reception to celebrate your arrival. We will invite everyone. They must all see that the Skaywalker-Solo dynasty have an heir and that Alderaan has a legitimate lord."
I saw Rey watching me with a smile, and when i turned to look at her she immediately turned away.
I then smiled and continued to walk with my mother.
"Mother. Who was that lady I met yesterday in the library. She was very kind to me and caring."
"She is my companion. She is very dear to me, and in these years she has been by my side more than anyone else. Without wishing to offend your sister, I would say that she is almost like a daughter" my mother said.
"And she has a name?" I asked, leaning closer to his mother's ear.
"Her Name is Rey. Rey of Alderaan. "
'So is she.' I think to myself, remembering receiving the letter from a 'Rey of Alderaan', informing me of my mother's health. Now I know it was her who sent it.
"She's a very good girl and I love her very much," her mother said, and with a warning look and pointing finger "And I wouldn't want anything bad happen to her, Benjamin."
When I leaned down to kiss my mother check, I heard someone behind him said " Scoundrel! Show yourself. What did you think, you could return to Alderaan without me knowing. "
"Count Armitage Hux".
Hux took my mother's hand, kissing it and said "Countess."
"Welcome, Count Hux" she replied.
Then I and Hux embraced laughing.
In the training we started to practice with the sword, and talk.
"So, you are also unhappy about the reforms".
"You can swear. Our ancestors have ruled these lands for centuries, why we should renounce to everything that belongs to us by right" Hux replies.
"The king cannot act against the nobles" I said attacking with the sword "I don't believe it."
"A no! So why don't you go around your lands, look around Alderaan "he said attacking again" The king is either badly advised or stupid. In any case, if this continues... "
"If this continues?" I asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Enough my friend I'm bored. We continue to fight or not, "he said attacking, and I tried to parry. When he tries to counter attack, Hux makes a countermove managing to disarm me.
Laughing, he said, "You've really forgotten this." He then give back me my sword and continued "Really Ben, you should remain at Alderaan. The nobles are all unhappy and soon we will have more fighting here than under the banners of the King of France."
I nodded, but still continued to think about this story.
"Come, " I said, putting the sword in the ground.
When we arrived at the fountain to drink I asked in a more angry tone that I intended "Armitage what it's this story of fighting."
He smirked and said "I see that you are curious."
"Explain yourself better," I asked in the same tone.
"Now, I can't tell you anything, "he said
"Don't be a donkey. We grew up together. What's all this mystery!" I said with a more playful tone.
Hux sighed and said "I mean that as soon as his majesty returns from his journey, he will find a nice surprise waiting for him. It is enough for you."
"Isn't His Majesty in Turin? "
"No. He is traveling. His majesty went to take enlightenment lessons from his cousins in Austria. "He answered.
"And when he is returning to Piedmont?"
"The later the better. We are tired of his nonsense. His majesty treats the nobles as the worst of his servants. "Hux said with an angry voice and looking at me.
"Armitage, I am a nobleman, but I am also a soldier" this time I replied in an even more angry tone, frustrated by this story.
"Yes! Well, I'm sorry for you" Hux said in a bored voice, making me even more angry. Hux put his hand on my shoulder and continued "because sooner or later, there may come a time when you will be forced to choose which side to take."
I start thinking and after looking at the ground I left.
After returning to the library I knew I had to look at what was in these documents.
I didn't like this story at all. Opening the bag, I took the three documents. I saw that one was open and it was a confession.
I sat at my desk and started reading it.
"I undersigned, consul Giovanni Monforte, repenting for my sins and for the respect I owe to my house and our beloved sovereign, I have decided to reveal the names of conspirators who have wickedly in the mind of..."
I stopped and looked the other way and ended up "killing the King."
I was speechless and cursed "Damn!"
I heard the library door open and immediately hid the documents. I looked up and saw that it's Rey, and smiled.
"Sorry. I'm not used to knocking" Rey said, a little embarrassed, when she saw me.
With a smirk I said "Apparently the two of us have the same faults."
"It's that there's usually no one in the library," said Rey. "Excuse me again"
She Bowed and I try to leave, but I stop her "Come, ma'am".
I turned and put the documents in a book and then in the library.
"I wanted to talk to you. You are very dear to my mother, ma'am."
"And she to me," she answered, "I owe a lot to Countess Leia."
"That's why you wrote to me," I said, leaning against the desk in the library.
"Please, sir, I didn't tell anyone about those letters," replied Rey, scared.
"I haven't talked to anyone about it, don't worry," I said with a smile.
And she returned the smile.
"Although, I don't understand why being ashamed of a gesture that only makes you honor," I said turning around. "If I hadn't received that letter, I would never have returned".
"It's not so simple, you know," answered Rey with a smile, "the countess your mother is a very proud woman and also your sister Jaina, and the marquis ..."
"In short, I have a family with a bad character" I cut her off with a smile.
"My lord, " I turned to the door and saw Anna, one of the servants, holding the tray with tea.
"Put it up there," I waved at a table "and brings a cup of tea for the lady."
"For me?" Rey asked, surprised.
"Don't you like tea?" I asked, surprised. "Prefer something else."
"No, a tea is fine, thanks" Rey said with a smile, turning a bit towards Anna with lowered eyes.
"Heard, Anna. Go and take it. "
"Right now, sir" Anna said, giving a sharp look to Rey and living.
Maybe I should tell her a few words of discipline towards a lady of a higher rank.
"Good, " I said to Rey sighing, and giving her the letter "Hold. I'll give it back to you, " she took and smiled.
Then leaning near her ear I said, whispering "So you will have nothing to fear for your betrayal."
Then I moved to the window.
"Since she had the first crisis, your mother has always talked about you. It seemed terrible not to warn you, "Rey said.
"It's as bad as you wrote me," I asked as I looked out the window.
"Unfortunately. The doctor says that the heart, the crises follow one another "Rey said seriously, and then added with a smile, " but now that you're here, she will definitely be better ".
"If not, I don't intend to stay."
"What would it be like if you didn't stay!" Rey said angrily and with a high voice hitting the table with tea, causing it to tumble.
I smiled and said "I see that you too have a nice temperament" and when I saw Rey try to clean up what he did I told her "Let go". Then I rang the bell for the servants.
"I worry about your mother," Rey said.
"Me too. But you see I don't like that others decide my future, without bothering to warn me, it means. "
"I didn't want to offend you, sir. But, your mother has waited so long for your arrival, and now you say you want to leave again. "
"In a month, exactly" I cut her off, and she looks taken aback. Meanwhile, I saw Anna arrive to clean up.
"I'm a soldier, ma'am. My regiment is waiting for me and I have specific duties to perform, "I said in a slightly higher tone.
"Unless something happen convince me to stay" I added with a smirk.
"Then let's hope something happens, " she said.
"Here. We hope."
She then bowed and left the room with Anna.
When I left the library I went to the stables to take a care of Artwo, still thinking about what happened, and what the Count was referring to.
I hear Poe talk, who took care of the Count's horse.
"Hell, what a beast. This is a horse for races" he patted the horse back" With this one you would never beat me, Rey. "
But I didn't answer him, still thinking about what the Count said.
"I speak alone, then. Rey! Are you listening to me? "
"Yes," I said in a bored voice. "I'm listening."
"I'm talking about the horse."
"The horse. I understand! " Even though I didn't know what he was talking about.
"The Count's Horse, Rey." He said approaching me and Artwo, and I looked at him with widened eyes.
I saw that grinning in his face and said, "Stop treating me like a fool. I understood perfectly, Poe. You were talking about the Count. "And I felt my cheeks get hot and red." Emm... Of the horse. Of the Count's house. "I sighed and left.
At night, I went back to my room to change, and I heard a knock on the door.
I pulled on my skirt and adjusted my hair, thinking it was the Count.
But I saw Amelyn enter.
"Amelyn."
"What!? You were waiting for someone else. " She said in a slightly surprised voice.
"What?"
"Nothing, nothing. I brought you the bed warmer. "She said, approaching the bed.
"Thank you."
Showing her the hairbrush, I asked her, "Would you help me?"
She smiled and said "Since when do you make yourself beautiful to go to sleep?"
"I don't make myself beautiful," I said, smiling. "A hundred brush strokes in the morning. A hundred brush strokes in the evening. No?"
"But be careful not to fall into this mirror. Understood!"
"Amelyn, can you tell me what do you have? Since you entered, you say things that are nonsense. "
"It's you who do things that don't make sense," she said in a whisper.
"What all these riddles are," I replied chuckling.
She sighed and said "There is someone who says the Count has a certain interest in you."
"Then tell this someone that he has too fine ears. Because he heard things that I knew nothing about. "
"Yes, yes."
"Anyway, I'm not responsible for the Count's intentions."
"Rey, Rey" she said sighing. "But did you tell him you're a servant?"
"And why does it matter?"
"It matters, it matters. It matters very much. Why are you putting yourself in a bad mess, my dear?" she said kissing my forehead. "In a bad trouble."
Then, when she left, I got into bed and before going to sleep, I thought about this conversation.