Lando sent a veritable army of attendants to Ben and Rey's apartment the next afternoon. It felt like an invasion. Each was whisked away in the opposite direction by their assigned entourage and subjected to the horrors of pampering.
Rey resisted her attendants attempts at bathing her, chasing them off with a mind trick so she could do it herself; they were not dissuaded, however, from attacking her again as soon as she emerged from the fresher. She was coiffed and primped, a delicate peppering of makeup to accentuate her natural beauty with a beautiful half up curled hairstyle to match. The attendants then accosted her with a dress that had been specially picked from the gowns Leia had purchased her, along with some matching jewelry. The group of women stepped back to assess their work and, deeming it acceptable, they moved Rey over to a wall length mirror to reveal to her their finished look.
Rey stood before the mirror dumbfounded. She did not recognize the woman looking back at her. The dress they'd chosen was a mossy green in color and made of the softest of silk. It had a deep V in the front, exposing her cleavage while still being modest, and was cinched tight at the waist before fanning out into a soft and full skirt that just barely grazed the ground. The arms of the dress were loose from the shoulder and then tight around her delicate wrists. Upon her neck she wore a choker necklace of purple amethysts that matched a pair of delicate purple amethyst ear cuffs. Upon her head they'd placed the tiara Leia had given her, carefully weaving it into her hair. The finished look was breathtaking. Rey did a little spin, mesmerized by the way the dress moved and how beautiful the stranger in the mirror was.
One of the attendants said admiringly, "That gown is from Naboo, it is said that it belonged to Senator Amidala, Leia Organa's birth mother."
Rey turned a surprised look at the attendant, "This is Ben's Grandmother's dress?"
The attendant nodded and smiled, "and in it you are the most beautiful woman on Nakadia."
She couldn't help but blush and run her hands over the opulent fabric she now donned. It was like a dream. She idly wondered what Ben was going to think when he saw her. This look was so foreign, she felt like a stranger in her own skin, but if Ben liked it then she could tolerate it, for a night.
Ben on the other hand was pretty much left to his own devices. His attendants handed him his outfit and left him to it, only returning to fix his hair and help him attach the cape that had been sent with it. They stood him before a mirror and he let out a sigh, it had been a long time since he'd last worn formal wear like this. He'd been a boy of 10, his Mother fussing over a curl of his hair that just wouldn't stay in place while his Father complained about being forced to go with them. The memory made Ben draw in a shaky breath, for now looking at himself in the mirror, he realised how much he looked like his Father. Han had worn a black suit much like this, buttoned down the left side, a pair of black trousers tucked into a pair of shiny black boots, a cape made of the finest dark green velvet draped over his shoulders and secured by a purple amethyst clasp. It was all in the Alderaanian style, because of course it was. The attendant next to him offered a pair of black gloves but Ben declined them, with the gloves he felt he'd look entirely too much like Kylo Ren. It was strange that just a pair of gloves could change his appearance quite so much but it was true. Without the gloves he looked like a handsome young statesman, with them a foreboding general. He would go without.
Ben cleared his throat and turned to his attendants, "Take me to Rey?"
One of the attendants shook his head, "We were told to escort you to the dinner, you will meet up with her there."
Ben heaved an exasperated sigh, "Fine, hurry up and wait then?"
Another attendant gave him a sympathetic look, "we could watch the holonet while we wait?"
Ben gestured that he didn't care what they did, flopping into a chair near the window to wait.
The attendant turned on the holonet screen across the room. Apparently this dinner was a bigger deal than he'd realised as almost every channel seemed to have live coverage. Ben watched, uninterested, as people discussed who they might see tonight, scandals, who hated who, ridiculous entertainment things like that… Until Rey was mentioned and he perked right up, leaning forward.
"We've received word that Rey, newly elected Senator of Jaaku, and Jedi Master will be attending tonight with, and you won't believe this…" The Twi'lek commentator paused for dramatic effect, "Ben Solo! Yes, the Ben Solo! Prince of Alderaan! There are whispers they're in the midst of a torrid affair." The commentator lowered her voice to indicate the scandalousness of it.
The other commentator, a human male, chimed in, "We've also heard rumors that his long absence from the galactic scene was due to him being Kylo Ren! Sounds ridiculous but exciting all the same."
Ben's attendants turned to him wearily and he offered a shaky smile, "Crazy rumors," he laughed nervously, running a hand back through his hair. This night could not be over fast enough.
About an hour later he was taken to an empty hall to wait; the holonet had fried his nerves and he paced, playing with the cuffs of his suit, buttoning and unbuttoning them, cape fluttering out behind him.
He perked up as he sensed Rey approaching, turning towards her signature in the force. He looked up a set of stairs to his left, eagerly awaiting her appearance. Ben didn't have to wait long as Rey's attendants appeared at the top of the stairs, giggling amongst themselves. They noticed him and moved to the side, revealing Rey and his breath caught at the sight. She was ethereal, perfect, absolutely heart stoppingly beautiful.
She shone at the top of the stairs and when she noticed him her face lit up even more. Rey took the hand of one of her attendants, letting them help her down the stairs. She approached Ben, offering him that hand, blushing furiously at the way he was looking at her.
Ben took her hand and bent over to place a soft kiss upon her knuckles, "You look… You are so beautiful. You look like a princess." he said, straightening, pulling her gently closer, his free hand moving to gingerly touch her cheek.
She beamed, leaning a hand against his chest, "and you look like a Prince," she said softly before going up on her toes to meet him half-way for a kiss.
It was a chaste kiss, barely a brush of the lips, but it heated him to the core. Ben let out a trembling breath as they parted, his eyes locked on hers, "Force am I a lucky man."
She laughed lightly and the tiara in her hair twinkled, "I'm a scavenger from Jaaku. You're a Prince. I am the lucky one."
When she laughed his heart fluttered, "Can we run back to our apartment?" he asked, half-joking, "I just want to keep this all to myself."
She smirked, "I wish."
Their attendants joined forces and ushered them towards a line of people waiting to be announced before entering the cavernous dining room. Somehow they'd been selected to enter second to last. This meant everyone else would be seated and witness to their entrance. Rey held Ben's arm tightly and he held a hand over hers in an attempt to reassure her.
When their turn came they both straightened their backs and Rey fought to keep the look of panic from her face. They stepped through the doors to stand at the top of a large staircase that descended into the main dining hall. Below them the room was full to brimming with elegantly dressed people of all species and every single one of them was looking up at Rey and Ben.
A loud elegant voice boomed out through the room, "Introducing Rey Solo of Jaaku and Ben Solo Prince of Alderaan, Jedi Masters."
They both struggled to keep from cringing at the 'Jedi Master' titles but Lando had insisted on it. A hush ran through the room as everyone watched them descend the stairs and take their seats at the head table.
Finally Chancellor Lando Calrissian was announced and everyone applauded. Lando took his seat and the feast began.
Rey could feel eyes upon her and it made her skin crawl. She felt so exposed. She wished she'd brought her saber. Ben placed a hand on her knee and squeezed, "I feel the same," he said, reading her aura, "When dinner is done the dance will begin and we can sneak away…"
She scoffed, "You really think we will be able to sneak away?" her gaze shifted around them, catching a few people looking.
He nodded, "You underestimate me my love."
"Do I?" she said with a smile.
Ben leaned over, his breath caressing the curl of her ear, "a mind-trick here, a little encouragement there…"
Rey gasped in mock scandal and whispered, "You, my Prince, are very naughty."
"Mmmhmmm." he said with a grin, giving her earlobe a nip before leaning back.
Lando chuckled and flashed Rey a conspiratorial look, "Jannah and I will run interference." Lando's daughter sat on his other side, Rey didn't know her very well but was happy that the two of them had found each other once more.
Ben laughed, "Playing wingman for me now uncle?"
"Hey, what are uncles for?" Lando smiled and gave Rey a wink.
Interactions like this warmed her heart, made her feel at ease. This was her family. The family she'd always dreamt of. Finn, and Poe were missing but it was still nice. Chewie had returned to Kashyyyk shortly after Exegol and Rey hadn't seen him since, she missed him and reminded herself to make time to go visit him.
Ben was surprisingly good at small talk and that allowed Rey to sit back and observe. Most interactions appeared shallow on the surface but Rey quickly realised every word had more than one meaning. Political posturing was subtle but very evident as people approached their table under the guise of pleasantries, quickly shifting the conversation towards one issue or another. Ben kept a hand on her at all times, be it her hand or her knee, it helped ground her in this dizzying environment. His grip tightened as a group of men approached their table. Rey could feel his alarm through the force and glanced up at him, concerned.
"Good evening your Highness." One of the men said, sweeping into a deep bow, "I am Lucius Alde. I suppose congratulations are in order, no one was aware the two of you were wed." The man gestured between Ben and Rey.
Ben flashed a tight smile, "We are wed in the force, there has been no official ceremony."
The man pretended to look relieved, "Marvelous, I had worried you'd forgotten to invite your cousin." The man and his entourage exchanged glances, " I am surprised that you have decided to take the Alderaanian crown." His voice lowered, "Weren't you the Supreme Leader of the First Order only but a few months ago?"
Ben's eyes went icy, "If I was Kylo Ren your lungs would have suddenly found themselves absent of air. Perhaps the past is better left exactly there, in the past."
There was a momentary flash of fear from Lucius but he recovered quickly, "Well you know, nasty rumours tend to follow the powerful. There are even rumors that you Mistress Rey are related to the late Chancellor Palpatine."
"Careful," Ben warned, "I will tolerate jabs at me but not towards her. Do you understand me?" He was simmering with anger now, Rey squeezed his hand, trying to calm him.
The man paled slightly under his mask of smirking noble, "Well no harm is meant, I assure you, just idle gossip. We hope you enjoy your evening." With that the men all bowed and turned away.
"Sleemo," Rey said under her breath.
"You have no idea." Ben ran a hand back through his hair, "He's mad because he was in line to inherit the crown and all that comes with it before I showed up again. He bullied me mercilessly when we were children. Until I bloodied his nose. My Mother tried to punish me but I know she knew he deserved it."
"I'd like to bloody his nose right now," she said and it was Ben's turn to soothe her.
The same booming voice from before echoed through the dining hall, Instructing everyone to head over to the great hall next door. Lando leaned over to Ben, "Now would be a good time to get lost in the crowd, you can't head out yet but there are a few dark corners you can hide from filth like Alde in."
Ben nodded, "I think I spotted a few," and rose, taking Rey's hand and leading her towards the doors that led to the balcony instead of the great hall.
When the balcony doors closed behind them it was like they were transported to another world. The din of the crowd disappeared, replaced by the soft sounds of Nakadian summer's night. The stars twinkled above them, the sky clear of clouds. The balcony was huge and many potted plants served as decoration. Ben led Rey between a pair of plants to a railing so they could look out over the city in a spot that was hidden from prying eyes.
"It's so beautiful," Rey said, leaning against the railing, the gentle breeze catching her hair and tossing a few curls over her shoulder. Nakadia was primarily an agricultural world, green, lush, and abundant. The city rose between tree lined streets, lit by soft floating phosphorus lights. Rey shivered as Ben lifted a hand to touch the spot between her collar bones, fingers slowly tracing a path up her neck.
"The only beauty I see is yours." He flattered her, his eyes following his fingertips as they drifted up to her face and across her bottom lip.
Rey sighed happily at the sensation and kissed his fingers as they passed, "So, married in the force?" She asked, leaning forward against his chest, "I thought we had picked Solo just so they'd have something to say other than Palpatine."
He let his fingers drop to her waist after she kissed them, tugging her closer, "Aren't we though? We are profoundly connected, in a way that you can't break, even with death. I'd say married in the force is a good way to describe it."
She looked up at him, "I suppose, though…"
"What…?" The look on her face had changed, lips turning to a frown, he suddenly felt very worried he had made some kind of mistake and she didn't feel the same.
She worried at her bottom lip, gaze shifting to his chest as she thought about how to word what she wanted to say. Rey settled on the most straightforward approach, "I was hoping that we would be married, someday, like really married, ceremony and all…"
Relief rocked through him at her words and he dropped his forehead to press it against hers, "Of course we will. I thought that went without saying."
"Does it?" She asked, still staring at his chest.
He kissed her forehead before lifting her chin with a finger so she was looking up at him. Ben cleared his throat and then asked in a soft voice, "Rey, do you want me to propose?"
She blushed, her voice escaping in a squeak, "Yeah.. Maybe.."
Ben moved his thumb to stroke her cheek, "Then I will ask you, when the time is right.."
Rey smirked and jokingly rolled her eyes, "I suppose that will do…" She ran her hands up his chest and pressed herself closer, "Right now I want something else."
"And what might that be?" He said playing coy.
Rey heaved a frustrated sigh, "Just kiss me already Solo."
He obliged enthusiastically, catching her face between his hands and kissing her thoroughly. Her hands gripped the front of his suit, holding him in place. A white hot heat rose between them, an inexplicable need and Rey let it carry her through the kiss until they were both breathless. When Ben finally pulled back she said, "Do you think anyone can see us here?"
He glanced around them, they were up against the balcony railing high above the streets below, two large planters overflowing with flowers to each side of them. A few other people were out on the balcony but none within earshot or sight of where they stood. "I don't think so…" he quirked a mischievous brow, "Why…?"
"Oh you know why…." She whispered returning the look, "I want you, right now."
Ben looked a little surprised at her request but he wasn't going to argue, "Your wish is my command Rey Solo."
****Smutty chapter up next .****