I settled into Chandrila quickly. I spent an entire day dedicated to pampering myself. I got a proper full body massage. All the knots in my muscles were efficiently cleared away. Next, I was exfoliated and moisturized into luxuriant softness as my hands and feet were manicured. I chose a pastel purple that complimented my skin, a break from the black or nude I usually chose. I was shuffled into a neighboring salon and my hair was cut and dressed and an hour afterwards, I felt like a new woman. I admired the way my hair fell to my waist and the way it caught the light, now properly detangled and conditioned. Lastly I had a facial. Emerging from the spa, I practically glowed.

"Where were you all day?" Ben asked, putting down his data pad.

"Getting ready," I tossed my new dress onto the bed and sat to take my shoes off but tsked when I noticed that my nails were still wet.

"For what?"

"Seduction," I grinned. Ben's face darkened. "Wouldn't someone get suspicious? A wife running around with other men while her husband waits in a hotel is somewhat conspicuous."

"No. Now help me out of these sandals." I beckoned. He grumbled but came and knelt in front of me on the elegant Persian rug. He grabbed my slim ankle but was gentle when undoing the buckles. "Who are you trying to sleep with?" He asked once the sandals were off.

"Sleep with? No. I'm not doing something as crass as that. I just need to tantalize, his imagination will fill in the test. Besides, I don't need him long term." I lifted my arms. Ben hesitated. "Come come, you act like you've never seen a naked woman before." I teased.

Ben flushed. Oh. Awkward, I decided to be diplomatic. "It's fine I'm wearing a bra. Only the shirt needs to come off."

I noticed his hands were trembling as he took my shirt off. I checked the integrity of my nail varnish before moving on to the worst part. "So I need you to unbutton my pants," I began. The back of Ben's neck reddened.

"Just don't think about it," I tried to help.

"How can I not?" He muttered.

He knelt and unbuttoned my pants drawing them down carefully. I put a hand on a broad shoulder to stabilize myself as I stepped out of them.

"There, not too bad right? Go get my dress." I pointed a purple lacquered hand at the bed. He retrieved it and knelt to hold it out for me to get in. I put my hand on his shoulder again, putting one long leg in at a time. Ben stood as he pulled the dress up and paused as I slipped my arms into the arm holes. He zipped up my dress, moving my silver hair carefully over my shoulder.

"No it wasn't." His breath tickled the back of my neck. I surveyed myself in the mirror. The somewhat conservative dress hugged my body, highlighting my figure without clinging, the thick navy fabric lying straight, streamlined my body. The neckline plunged modestly only giving the slightest cleavage. I still looked incredible, my body doing most of the work. "I wish I had jewelry." I critically arranged my hair, letting the extravagant curls cascade down my back and arranging for a few tendrils of silver to frame my face.

"I have something for you," Ben interjected. He reached around his neck and unclasped a necklace sliding something off of the chain, he offered me a ring. A decent sized diamond sparkled in the silver band. I picked it up and scrutinized it. "This looks like white gold." I held it up to see it better. "It is," Ben affirmed . "Nice diamond," I said. "It's almost flawless. How do you know that it is white gold?" An inscription inside the band caught my attention. "I know," I read aloud. "What does that mean?"

"It was my mother's," Ben said quietly. I held it out to him. "I can't. This has too much sentimental value to you." Ben's ebony eyes hardened to coal. "No there is none." He grabbed my left hand and shoved the ring roughly onto my ring finger.

"What is wrong with you?!" I snatched my hand away and surveyed my nails. Luckily they were completely dry and none were damaged.

"I'm sorry." He hung his head.

"Pitiful attempt," I sniffed. It's a start nevertheless so I shoved him gently with my shoulder.

"It won't happen again," he whispered his dark eyes deep as the fathomless sea.

Uncomfortable I turned away. "See that it doesn't."

This party was a mission. I had secured an invitation to it to meet with someone whom I believe could lead me to another who could help me on Mandalore. I left Ben sulking on the couch and went to the party. I sailed through the doors of the ballroom on my tall stilettos which clicked on the cream and chocolate marbled floors. I ignored the buffet table groaning with delicacies and went straight to the bar. I leaned on the granite countertop and tapped a nail in order to get the bartender's attention. While she mixed my drink, I surveyed the crowd. There were some acquaintances and business partners I knew but I haven't caught sight of the person yet. An acquaintance hailed me and I took my finished drink to mingle before looking.

As I continued waiting, my irritation grew. These grubby little peasants were laughably easy to impress. They had no vision for the future or for power on a grand scale like me but it works in my favor so I was not going to complain. However, it was tedious having the same bland interactions with different people. I drifted about until at last I glimpsed my target.

Holding up the my drink, I took the longest strides the slit in the back of my dress allowed to reach him.

"Why Corky Kryze, I was wondering if you would stand me up." I cocked my hip.

"Lady Tarkin," the young man bowed. I studied him, he looked tired, dark circles bloomed through his pale skin underneath clouded blue-gray eyes. Though dressed neatly in a tailored suit, this was a far cry from the handsome robust young man I spent last summer with. I held out a hand for a kiss. "You look terrible, we should escape to Naboo again," I winked.

"Or you can stay on Mandalore." He stared earnestly into my deep blue eyes. Not this again.

I placed a hand on his elbow to draw him away. "You knew it was temporary, I was on Mandalore for business. Corky, I have ambitions, I won't ever be staying in one place for long. You have responsibilities to your people as Duke of Mandalore."

Corky's face dropped and his eyes shimmered with tears, making my stomach clench unpleasantly. "But I love you," he whispered.

I frowned in puzzlement. What did love have to do with anything? As if it was a good reason to contradict my rejection. Romance is like addiction I realize. People lusted after it, becoming dependent on it and end up dreaming away their lives. Love doesn't keep me fed, love doesn't pay the bills, love was useful only in its abilities to blot out life's miseries. If I wanted that I would use death sticks, they hurt less. I hate men. You can't live with them but neither can you live without them.

"No. I can't marry you. Look, forget about me. Find yourself a nice girl and be happy. Raise a family, grow a garden. Leave the scheming to me." I pushed him away gently.

"Now, to business. What exactly did Bo Katan tell you."

Corky sighed unhappily. "She says that Aunt Satine had dealt with the Jedi during the Clone Wars and she formed a rapport with a couple of them. She says that one is most likely alive and that she would help free Mandalore."

I looked at him. "Corky, you know that we aren't truly freeing Mandalore right? I'm supporting the Death Watch so that I can consolidate Mandalore into my territory. Those blockheads only think with their blasters, political schemes are not their strong point."

Corky heaved another sigh. "I know. But in order to stay out of any war, we need a strong patron that will support our neutrality." I quirked a perfect brow and he amended, "Well most of my people's neutrality. The First Order is closing all around us and the only way for us to be independent is ironically to give our independence to you. I know how you treat your systems and you are the best candidate."

"Good. Just so long you are on the same page. Who is the Jedi that will help?"

Corky met my eyes steadily. "Ahsoka. Ahsoka Tano."

A shiver ran through me as he said that name. The strange feeling of being watched returned. I turned looking if anyone had overheard us or wandered down the darkened hall. There was no one.

"Is there something wrong?" Corky asked, his eyes concerned.

"No. So where can I find this Ahsoka?"

"Last I heard, she was on Thabeska or Raada."

I touched Corky's arm. "I'll see you on Mandalore soon. Stay safe and keep everything close."

"I'll love you forever. I could never forget you. I only wish you would let me make you happy." He called after me. His insistence was grating and I continued walking. Currently, the only way he could make me happy was if he dropped dead right here, right now or annihilated the entire Rebel navy but we can't have everything we want can we?

I came back to the hotel late, tired but satisfied. I poured a glass of champagne in private celebration after I kicked off my high heels. Ben wandered in after he heard the pop of the cork.

"What plans are swirling in that lovely head?" Ben asked, ruffling my hair. I swatted him away, ignoring the indignity. "I'm scheming to marry Corky Kryze. What do you think? Galaxia Tarkin Kryze, Duchess of Mandalore sounds good right?" Instantly Ben's face fell into a scowl.

"Kidding, I'm not going to be just a Duchess of one planet, I have bigger plans than that," I smirked. An understatement for sure. Immediately Ben's face brightened and he sat down next to me.

"I'm sure you'll be able to see them to fruition," he said drily.

I glanced at him askance, trying to ascertain if he was being sarcastic but his face was clear and unreadable. I sipped my drink pensively as Ben helped himself to the wine.

"Do you know an Ahsoka Tano?" I changed the subject.

"Yeah, why?" Ben gulped down the champagne, the barbarian and poured himself another.

"Sip it, you heathen," I sniffed. "She's integral to the next step of my plan."

Ben sipped the lovely champagne and studied its light golden color. "How many steps are in your plan?"

I shrugged, "49 or so. No need to concern yourself with them. They don't all affect the Empire or the Knights of Ren," I lied. Ben gave me a discerning look. I curled my lips into a smile and he looked away.

"Fine, I do know her. I met her a long time ago and she trained my master."

I finished my drink and set the delicate flute down on the counter. "So can you locate her?"

He nodded, sending dark hair into his face. "What about Zygeria?"

I brushed his hair out of his face and grabbed his chin forcing him to look at me. "Don't worry. Leave the thinking to me."