The first two weeks in Alderaan went by in a blissful blur. Rey settled into Belleau-a-Lir quite easily, instantly falling in love with the centuries old architecture, ornate decorations, and glittering chandeliers for as far as the eye could see. She was assigned a stunningly large bedroom in the west wing of the home, a space that was at least twenty times the size of Rey's tiny bedroom back in Jakku. And unlike the walls of her bedroom in Jakku, a worse for wear off-white surface that was covered in ripped out pages from years old issues of Vanity Fair and a Coldplay poster a high school friend had gifted her, these walls were coated in a magnificent wall paper that featured an intricate pattern of gold flecks and the royal family's coat of arms.

Then, there were the paintings, works of art that Rey was sure cost more than her entire three years of tuition thus far.

But, despite feeling slightly out of place in the glamorous room, Rey settled in just fine. She taped up a few photographs onto the wall, all of her and her mother, covering some of her happiest moments in her almost twenty-one years of life. Yet, the photo that made her happiest was the newest one—a shot of her and her father, standing in front of the palace, smiling.

She had insisted it was taken on her very first day in Alderaan. Now, it was placed between a shot of Rey and her mother on a Halloween in her childhood, dressed as different color M&Ms, and another shot of the pair at Rey's high school graduation.

Of course, she missed her mother. But, she had spent almost twenty-ones years with the woman. It was time to get to know her father.

And had they caught up! The past two weeks had been a crash course for Rey in Alderaanian culture—her father had taken her to virtually every important tourist attraction they could fit between some of his unavoidable work commitments. They visited the Parliament building, a gorgeous work of architecture that even put the Capitol to shame, along with the Aldera bridge, which from its north end, overlooked the tip of the Triplehorn mountains.

She feasted on Alderaanian desserts, a mixture between the intricacies of French pastries and the vast flavor profiles of Viennese delicacies, and Alderaanian brews, dark beers that had her father scowling when she mentioned her propensity for Guinness back home. In fact, between the beer, and the carbs, Rey was certain she had picked up at least five pounds since her arrival.

Thankfully, she had begun a routine since arriving, doing her yoga every morning in the rose garden. The garden and grounds of the palace were almost as stunning as the garden itself, and Rey enjoyed nothing more than relaxing her senses while surrounded by pure beauty.

But, while she was enjoying her new home and getting to know her father, she found herself incredibly lonely. The palace was remarkably empty at the present. The King and Queen were in one of their other homes in the north of the country, enjoying some down time before they ventured off on a huge trip to some of the other nations in their commonwealth, and the Prince was still finishing his semester at Juranno. With the absence of the royal family, most of the staff were also gone, following their bosses to the other homes.

So, Rey was left with a small staff of characters, all who did a remarkable job helping her settle in and making her feel welcome. But it was still incredibly quiet, and left Rey eager for the chance to meet the much talked about royal family.

She was, however, placed in the care of one of the lead staff in the home, Threepio, a kind man who had worked for the royal family for upwards of three decades. He primarily worked with Prince Ben and had been stationed with the boy as he finished school but returned to the palace early to welcome Rey and her father.

And it was Threepio who had ventured into the main sitting room, setting down a tray of tea and biscuits in front of Rey, all with a charming smile.

"Miss Kryze, I ordered more of the chocolate biscuits as you requested," Threepio explained, before moving towards the door, "I do hope these are to your liking."

Rey grinned and set the book she was reading down, a whirlwind adventure story from acclaimed Alderaanian novelist Mon Mothma, and thanked Threepio. She took a generous gulp from her tea before noticing the peculiar look of concern on Threepio's face.

"Threepio? Did I do something to offend you?" She frowned and set the cup down, suddenly nervous, "My dad has already lectured me about my elbows on the table. I'm trying. I swear!"

He offered her a reassuring smile and shook his head. "No, no, Miss Kryze, you have done nothing wrong. It's simply that…" He sighed and rubbed at his jaw, clearly struggling to find words, "As you're aware, tomorrow, the Prince is due back from university."

Rey nodded. "My father told me. And the King and Queen are due back in a few days as well, right?"

"Yes. It's just that…" He cleared his throat, "The atmosphere will change when the family returns."

She shifted in her seat. The atmosphere changing? Was she no longer going to be breathing oxygen? Thankfully, Threepio continued to speak.

"It's just that… Well, Prince Ben is a very solitary person. I just hope that you will not…" He shifted and forced a polite smile, "Take offense to his attitude."

Rey bit her lip. "So, you're saying he's not going to like me?"

Threepio cleared his throat. "With all due respect Miss Kryze, I do not believe he has been alerted about your presence."

She blinked a few times, registering his words. "What do you mean he hasn't be told? I've been here for two weeks! Do the King and Queen not know?"

"Oh, the royal highnesses are well aware of your arrival and encouraged your stay in the palace. They admire your father and treat him almost as family, so you are no different."

"Then why hasn't Ben been notified?"

Rey groaned once the words had left her mouth, immediately noticing the tensing of Threepio. Apparently referring to the Prince by his first name was a big no-no.

But, Threepio didn't correct her, and merely sighed. "Miss Kryze, it was the decision of the King and Queen not to inform the Prince. He does not take well to strangers and they presumed he would not appreciate sharing his home with a…" He cleared his throat and continued, "Strange, to him at least, American girl. And then…"

At the halting of his words, Rey raised an eyebrow. "And then what?"

Threepio's internal struggle was evident. But, he blew out a breath and continued, "Well, when Lord Snoke was informed, he did not react well, and given his relationship with the Prince, we presumed the Prince would react similarly."

Rey recognized the name from her class back at Jakku. Snoke was some sort of advisor to the Queen.

I didn't think she wanted to be found. Snoke gave me the note she left. She was very clear about her desire to sever all ties with me.

She shook her head, trying to forget her father's words. Surely if the Queen, a woman who was graciously letting her stay in her home, a woman who loved her father to bits trusted this man, then he was more than likely a gentleman.

"When will the Prince find out about me then?"

To that, Threepio merely chuckled. "When he arrives and meets you, Miss Kryze." And then he turned on his heels and began to march out, stopping only at Rey's yell.

"Yes, Miss Kryze?"

"I told you to just call me Rey!"

He chuckled and bowed. "As you wish, Miss Rey."

As he disappeared, Rey glanced back at her book, her head muddled with thoughts of the next twenty-four hours. For two long weeks, she had been excitedly anticipating the arrival of the royal family, and in a mere five-minute conversation, her feeling had been turned on their head.

What if the Prince hated her?

She had to shake her head at the thought. Rey was a likeable person. She was nice. Surely, she'd get the Prince to at least tolerate her.

Hopefully.

-x-x-x-

Ben hated Juranno. He hated Panteer Cottage, the home he lived in during his time in school at Juranno. He hated his peers at the University—hated how superficial, how materialist, how vapid the entire student body was. He hated the staff at Panteer Cottage, his only saving grace being Threepio, his personal footman for as long as he could remember.

But, currently, he also hated Threepio, as the man had left two weeks ago, the only warning being a curt phone call from his mother. And where his mother was involved, he couldn't argue.

He wasn't allowed.

Regardless, in Threepio's absence, Mitaka became Ben's personal footman, and if there was anything that rivaled Ben's hatred of the University, or the home he stayed in while in school, it was Mitaka.

So, it was a pleasant morning when the town car parked in front of Belleau-a-Lir, the cream-colored stone, foreboding columns, and endless greenery calming the anxiety in Ben's stomach.

He was finally home.

Of course, being home also meant the never-ending presence of Lord Snoke, as well as the pending arrival of his mother and father, company that he dreaded immensely.

Despite this, Threepio's calm smile greeted Ben as he exited the car, allowing him a moment to savor what was waiting for him inside. His bed. His favorite reading spot. Chef Artoo's incomparable cooking.

"Welcome home, Master Ben," Threepio offered with a kind smile, three members of the staff working tirelessly to empty the car of Ben's luggage, and then to quickly unpack his belongings as if he was never gone, "I hope your journey from Juranno was pleasant."

It was never pleasant. Ben hated sitting in the car for two and a half hours, nothing but his mind to keep him company.

"It was fine." Ben glanced around the ground of the palace, delighted to be back, even if his features didn't reflect his enthusiasm, "I want lunch. And I want elderberry juice. But none of the rubbish kind from the bottle that Mitaka tries to serve me. The ones made from my father's personal garden."

Threepio nodded, only ever offering him a smile. "Coming right up, Master Ben."

But as Threepio turned on his heels to alert the kitchen staff, Ben followed, not finished with his demands.

"And Threepio, let Mitaka know that if he ever tries to serve me the shit they drink in the kitchens again, I'll have him fucking deported from the country."

Again, just a smile from his trusted Threepio. "I will certainly inform him."

Ben scoffed and stormed inside.

It was good to be home.

-x-x-x-

About forty-five minutes later, Ben was sitting in the casual dining room, eating a freshly prepared lunch of grilled salmon and summer squash, along with his preferred elderberry juice, when movement outside the window caught his eye.

The view from the room was one of the best views in the entire palace, the windows overlooking the rose garden, a feature that his Grandmother Padme had insisted on adding to the grounds. But at the present, a bright pink object was obstructing his view of one of the most beautiful bushes.

He blinked and set his fork down, continuing to study the object, only distracted momentarily as Threepio entered.

"Master Ben, Artoo has prepared your favorite strawberry biscuits. Would you like a serving?" He asked as he set out a pot of tea down, before dutifully waiting for a response.

But Ben was too distracted by the pink object, especially as it seemingly got smaller and smaller.

And then, it appeared.

Or rather, she appeared.

Ben squinted his eyes, convinced he was going blind.

Yet, she was still there. Golden skin, chocolate hair piled into a messy lump on top of her head, her willowy frame covered in only skin-tight leggings, a deep violet color, and a black sports bra, one that exposed her entire, very toned stomach.

He cleared his throat and blinked a few times.

"Threepio," Ben began, his voice rather hoarse, "Why is there a woman doing yoga in my grandmother's rose garden?"

Threepio bounced on his heels and offered another smile. "That would be our new guest. Miss Rey."

Rey. What kind of name was Rey?

He looked at Threepio, his eyes narrowing. "Our guest? And why in god's name is this girl our guest?"

The sickeningly sweet smile that Threepio offered put his blood on edge.

"She's Lord Kenobi's surprise daughter. He just learned of her existence."

That made Ben scoff. His parents and Uncle may have been head over heels for Lord Kenobi, going as far as to bloody name Ben after him, but he never saw the appeal. The man was always sticking his nose where it didn't belong. Or, at least that's what Lord Snoke always said.

Ben sipped his tea and rolled his eyes. "It figures scum like Kenobi would have a bastard. She shouldn't be staying in the palace. She can bloody well go back to wherever she came from. I can't imagine Kenobi wants a scandal like this."

Without missing a beat, Threepio refilled Ben's cup with more tea. "I understand your concern Master Ben, but Miss Rey is Lord Kenobi's only child, and it appears he wants to get to know his daughter."

With another eyeroll, Ben lounged back, watching as the girl disappeared from his view. "Well, that's bloody unfortunate for him."

Threepio offered another infuriating smile. "I quite like her. She's from America."

Ben groaned and sipped his tea. "An American? Christ, this summer just keeps getting worse and worse."

As if on cue, the topic of conversation, the aforementioned 'Miss Rey' strolled in, her golden skin glimmering in a thin sheen of sweat. Within her hands was the offending, ghastly pink object, a rolled-up yoga mat. She gave Threepio a cheerful smile that nearly made Ben nauseous, before turning her attention to the Prince.

He met her gaze and couldn't help the flush that moved up his cheeks as she studied him, still smiling as if she had no cares in the world. Unable to hold her eyes, he coughed and focused on his tea cup, ignoring the warmth spreading across his cheeks and ears.

That didn't phase her. "Oh! Hi! I'm Rey." She smiled and stuck out her hand, Ben unable to ignore how small it appeared, nor her obnoxious, bright blue nail polish.

Unsure of what to do or say, Ben glanced back to Threepio and cleared his throat. He'd just ignore her. "Threepio, where are the strawberry biscuits? I'm waiting." He nearly barked.

Ben pretended to ignore Threepio's sigh and watched as his trusted staff left the room. But, his departure made Ben even more acutely aware of Rey, who continued to stand over him. He simply ignored her presence, instead watching the roses.

"Uhm, hello? I'm talking to you." She tried again, before crossing her arms like a frustrated child.

He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, attempting to remember the calming lessons the palace doctor had instilled in him, after the forced therapy lessons his parents had made him attend. After opening his eyes, he turned to meet the girl.

"Uhm, hello? I'm talking to you." He mimed back, doing his best impression of an American woman, using his few interactions with delegates and ambassadors from the country.

To his credit, Rey blinked before laughing. "That's a funny accent from an Alderaanian," She responded, before leaning against his chair.

His senses were immediately assaulted with the smell of woman. The floral, delightful, calming scent of her.

But he wouldn't be hypnotized by the scent of some silly girl from across the Atlantic. "Watch it. This is my home and I certainly won't be irritated by an American."

She laughed, tossing her head back in a sort of joy that Ben wasn't sure he had ever experienced, the action exposing the golden skin of her neck. He immediately looked away, feeling like the view was too personal for his eyes.

After calming down, she wiped her eyes, tears of delight seeping from the sides. "Oh god, you're serious, aren't you?" She rounded the table, now leaning against the chair across from him, her blue nails in sharp contrast to the ornate fabric of the chairs, "Isn't your father an American?"

Ben blinked and clenched his fists. "He is. It's part of the reason I don't get on with my father."

She sighed and dropped to the chair. "Oh, you're a delight." He watched as she reached across the table and grabbed an apple, immediately biting into the juicy fruit, "You must be a hit at school."

He narrowed his eyes, unwilling to think about how close to home her words hit. "I don't recall inviting you to join my lunch."

Before she could reply, another member of the staff strolled in, carrying an elegant tray filled with his favorite strawberry biscuits, as well as fresh fruit. As with all food prepared by Artoo, the items were intricately arranged, each piece of strawberry or mango carved into an elegant design.

Rey eyed the tray, her eyes going wide. "Woah. That's fancy."

The nameless staff set the tray down and scurried out as Threepio ventured in. Ben glanced from the tray back to her, narrowing his eyes.

"Threepio, I believe our guest wants lunch." He smirked and grabbed a biscuit, continuing to watch Rey, "I imagine chicken nuggets, or a cheeseburger would do, yes?"

Rey made a face. "Um, no?"

Ben let out a dramatic sigh and took a bite out his biscuit. "Well, I tried."

To her credit, she smiled and looked to Threepio. "I would like a bowl of Cheerios, if that's alright."

Threepio smiled and nodded. "Of course, Miss Rey. Our order of American cereals came in this morning."

"Oh, so we have Lucky Charms too?"

He nodded and smiled, before leaving the room. As Rey relaxed into the seat and looked around the dining room, looking rather out of place in her athletic leisure wear against the elegant decorations, Ben couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

Who in god's name did this girl think she was?

He took an angry sip from his tea, and practically spit out the mouthful as soon as it hit his tongue. He slammed down the cup. "Threepio!" He managed to scream, his fists banging against the table, "I need a fresh batch of tea! My cup is lukewarm!"

Rey watched his mini-outburst, mouth agape. As soon as he was done screaming, he met her gaze, and raised his eyebrow in seemingly a challenge.

"You're rude for an Alderaanian," She blurted out, studying Ben as she finished her apple.

Ben growled and crossed his arms. "I would reply with something snide but you're actually what I expected an American git to be like." He jumped to his feet and glared down at the girl, "And you will address me as your superior. I am Prince Ben, Duke of Ren. Not just another bloody Alderaanian."

Rey snorted. "Yeah, okay."

His angry response was cut off by the arrival of Threepio, who was quick to present Rey with her cereal and Ben with his fresh tea, as well as Lord Kenobi. Ben felt nauseous again as the girl jumped to her feet and embraced the man, the pair exchanging hugs and kisses as if they had been separated for years.

Then again, perhaps they had.

"Well, isn't this lovely!" Ben couldn't help but spit out, watching as Rey and Lord Kenobi embraced, "Kenobi, I've met your daughter. She's every bit as incorrigible as you. You must be so proud. Bloody untouched lineage too, yeah?"

Lord Kenobi sighed and forced a small smile. "Ah, Ben. Welcome home from school. But, watch it, will you? It's still early."

Ben seethed and moved away from the table, conscious of his propensity to throw their finest china against the wall. "Early for who? Certainly not your career. Count your lucky stars that my mother and father are still blissfully stupid enough to support you."

The older man cleared his throat. "I meant in the morning, Ben. Must you always be seeking a fight?"

"I don't appreciate your attitude, Kenobi. I can do a lot of damage."

Lord Kenobi smiled again. "As can I, young Ben."

Rey watched the two, munching cheerfully on her bowl of Cheerios, the noise of her chewing grating at Ben's nerves. While she momentarily stole his attention, he looked back to Kenobi and forced a laugh.

"My, my, Kenobi! Is your mother also the Queen of Alderaan? Inspiring! Now, get out of the dining room. Your face makes me sick."

Lord Kenobi sighed and kissed Rey's head, before retreating out of the room. Ben took a moment to sip his tea, glad that at least one pain in his ass was gone. Yet, Rey remained.

After another mouthful of cereal, she set her spoon down and smirked at Ben. "You're a Prince? I would have never guessed!"

He wanted to punch the wall. "Did you not hear my demand that you refer to me by my full title?"

She shrugged and grabbed one of the strawberry biscuits. "I was distracted by your rudeness."

He growled, unsure if he was more angered by her attitude or by her audacity to eat one of his biscuits. "Well, Rachel, was it? You will refer to me as Prince Ben, Duke of Ren. And you will treat me with respect in my home."

The girl actually yawned. "Right, well, in America, we have this thing called the golden rule. It's to treat others how you want to be treated."

As Threepio reentered the room, Ben moved towards the door. He smirked at Rey. "How I want to be treated? I will be treated with respect and I will treat others how I please." He glanced at Threepio, "Threepio, I want a fresh batch of tea brought to my library. And take care of…" He glanced at Rey and scowled, "That. Keep her out of my sight. As if I need a rogue American wandering around the palace. My father is already enough."

Before Threepio could respond, Rey jumped to her feet. "No worries, Prince Charming. I'll be in my room." She offered Threepio a kind smile and thanked him again, before disappearing into the hallway.

Ben growled and grabbed another strawberry biscuit.

He wished he was back at Panteer Cottage.

-x-x-x-

Rey was busy listening to Coldplay and writing up a lengthy email to her mother chronicling her second week in Alderaan when the knock at her door distracted her. She quickly shut her laptop and swung the door open, coming face to face with her father. She grinned.

He offered her an awkward smile. "I just wanted to drop by and apologize for Ben. He's a prat. But I hope aside from him, you've settled in alright."

Rey smiled softly and nodded. "I have. And it's okay. Threepio warned me that he's not exactly the most… enjoyable of company."

Her father chuckled and nodded. "Yes, but Threepio will sugar coat it. I reckon Ben is far kinder to Threepio than he is to anyone else so… If you ever think he's rude to Threepio, just know that's the least of your concerns."

"I can take him. He seems harmless. Just an asshole."

Her father grinned. "I like the sound of that." He kissed her head and took a step back, "The Queen and King return home tomorrow. They've invited us to join for dinner."

Rey managed a squeak. Dinner with the King and Queen? There was no way that this was now her life. She was Rey from Jakku. Not fucking Cinderella!

"That would be incredible!" She gasped out, before the anxiety set in. What the hell would she wear? Certainly nothing she packed would suffice for dinner with the Queen of Alderaan!

Seemingly reading her mind, her father smiled and spoke. "Splendid. I'll call Qi'ra to fit you for a dress. She dresses the royal family."

Rey could only nod. Surely, she was living in some sort of dream.

-x-x-x-

Ben had settled into his favorite library, content with staring at the rows of books on the shelves. He normally would dig into one of his great-grandfather or grandfather's classics, but at the present, had no desire to do so. He had too many concerns running through his head.

Namely that his parents and Lord Snoke would be returning tomorrow. He knew what would be discussed upon their arrival. But he refused to think about it.

Thankfully, Threepio arrived with a fresh pot of tea, knocking Ben out of his thoughts. He glanced at the man, a constant since his childhood, and cleared his throat.

"Mother and father return tomorrow?" He asked, watching as Threepio expertly prepared the tea, "I presume with…" He cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably, "Lord Snoke?"

Threepio peered up at the boy, seemingly sensing his discomfort. He offered a curt nod. "Yes. They're due midday. You're expected for dinner."

Ben frowned and nodded. He desperately wanted a meal with just his parents and his parents alone. No political advisors, or royal secretaries, or family friends. Just a meal between three people who were supposed to be a family.

Family. What a word. Ben almost scoffed.

He glanced out the window and sighed, a darkness filling his chest. He shut his eyes.

"Are you alright, Master Ben?" Threepio asked, concern evident in his voice.

Ben forced his eyes opened and glanced at the man. "I'm fine. Just bring my tea to my quarters."

He jumped up and left the room, instead roaming the endless halls of the palace. The same empty halls that he used to jump and play in, ever the lonely child.

Forever just himself and his thoughts to keep him company, with two parents who had no business being just that. Parents.

He stopped in front of a royal portrait, staring at the familiar faces. His mother and uncle in their youth, standing by his grandparents. Then, behind them, King Anakin I, the namesake of his grandfather. He was their most famous king, even outshining King Bail, the famously ruthless King dating back to the 1500s.

His great-grandfather had lived an incredibly long life, allowing Ben to spend his first seven years with the man. Sometimes, Ben felt only his great-grandfather had understood him. Lord Snoke always claimed to, but the older Ben got, the more unsure of that he was.

He stepped away from the portrait and continued his wandering, only stopping at the sound of feminine voices. He glanced into the open room, a wing of the house he rarely entered, before spotting the American girl.

She was dressed in a rather elegant black dress, the shiny material clinging to her frame. Beside her stood a rack of dresses, and Qi'ra, his mother's preferred stylist. Ben swallowed and couldn't stop himself from speaking.

"What do you think you're doing?" He hurried out, his cheeks again reddened in the presence of Rey, "Who gave you permission to use Qi'ra?"

Rey sighed and spun in the dress, glancing back into the mirror. "Not that it's any of your business, but my father and your mother did. I'm dress shopping. To look nice for dinner with your parents."

Ben growled and ran a hand through his hair. "No amount of dressing up will turn you into royalty. You're a bastard child of a kept American woman."

For the first time in his presence, Rey frowned. He found he didn't like when she frowned. "You don't know anything."

Yet, he continued speaking. "I know that dress costs more than your rent back in the States. I know your mother was some trashy student your father had an affair with over a summer. I know this scandal will surely ruin whatever chances your father had of running the party lines and becoming the next Prime Minister."

Rey clenched her little fists and stepped towards him. "Don't you ever talk about my parents like that again, you understand me?"

Ben looked her up and down before meeting her angry gaze. "My point is… You're not exactly fit to be wandering about the palace. My palace."

Her nose crinkled in a delightful way that made Ben want to swallow his tongue. "Your parents allowed it. And my father lives here too."

He laughed. "My parents are rarely home. And your father lives in one of the guest homes, not the main palace. Why you were given free rein to one of our suites is beyond me."

She cleared her throat and stood up straight, sticking her chest out with impressive resolve. "Yeah, well, you need to get used to me."

Ben narrowed his eyes. "I have 4 months of solitude I enjoy in the safety of my own home before the semester begins. And you've ruined that. Just as Americans ruin everything," He sighed and shook his head dramatically, "Always taking things that don't belong to them."

Rey practically seethed. "You're the one bothering me! I'm minding my own business!"

At the appearance of Threepio, Ben perked up. "Threepio! Please have her removed! She's driving me up the bloody wall!"

Threepio sighed and set his tray down, before offering Ben a curt smile. "Master Ben, as you're aware, I cannot do that. Miss Rey is a guest of your mother. I urge you to get along with her."

Ben glanced at Rey, his blood on fire at her ridiculous little grin. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Qi'ra's reappearance. The stylist quickly captured Rey's attention

"Miss Rey, try this one!" The brunette woman held out another long gown, this one covered in ivory lace.

As Rey cooed over the dress, Ben stormed out.

He hated her presence.

But he also hated being ignored.