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Hope you enjoy this chapter and the next one isn't far behind!

Naboo

The sun was up and blazing in the sky when Rey and Kylo Ren finally reached the palace.

Rey was sweaty, dirty and utterly exhausted.

Leia was waiting at the gates and Rey couldn't help but notice that her parents were nowhere in sight. She had shamed them with her actions and would probably not be forgiven.

Jess had wanted to go home as much as Rey had and she cried as she brushed the tangles out of Rey's hair that afternoon. Rey cried with her, because she knew that Jess, her childhood play mate and best friend would never leave her.

Seeing Jess had brought everything into focus for Rey. She couldn't just leave. She had many people here who depended on her and were here because of her. They were those who had accompanied her from Jakku after her marriage; courtiers, maids, ladies and even Poe. They were here for a reason and so was she.

After a long bath, Rey rested in her room and refused to see anyone, not even Leia, who left a plate of Rey's favorite sweets by her door. She had to decide what she was going to do.


The King and Queen of Jakku left a few days after the incident and by then Rey thought she was forgiven.

The morning of the day of her parents departure, Rey had sat in front of the idol of her Goddess and prayed for strength. Kylo Ren had promised Rey's parents that Rey had a home in Naboo no matter what their future together would be. But after that conversation, Rey's mother gave her the chastisement that she had expected and warned her against divorcing the Emperor.

Her father had hugged her and her mother had kissed her forehead before they parted. Rey packed sweets and fruits for her brothers, which her mother promised she would take with her.

She even stood at the gate with Leia and waved till the retinue was out of sight.

"Rey, come and help me in the garden, dear" Leia said as Rey wiped tears from her eyes.

The two of them went into the garden together and Leia walked to one of the red rose bushes and picked up a blade that a gardener had left there for her.

"Will you tie up these roses after I cut them?" She asked Rey

Rey nodded and Leia began cutting the Roses.

"I love roses" Leia remarked, trying to start some conversation

Rey said nothing

"What are your favorite flowers, Rey?" She asked

Rey didn't speak and instead pointed towards a patch of small white flowers ahead of them

"Ah"Leia said, smiling "Daisies"

They were silent again as Leia had her back turned and Rey twisted and cut vines ready to tie the roses Leia handed her.

"So, Rey" Leia began "Have you decided what you're going to do?"

Rey knew what Leia was asking her

"No.." She replied "I thought I'd made up my mind but I need to give it some more thought""

"Ah" Leia muttered knowingly "Of course

A few more moments passed in silence. But there was something on Rey's mind that she was intent on asking Leia about

"I saw your mother's tomb" She blurted out

Leia back was still turned to her, but Rey saw her freeze and lift her head.

"How?…" She asked, still not turning to face Rey

"I don't know" Rey replied "When the Emperor and I were returning to the palace that morning we just happened upon the place"

"Oh" Leia breathed, turning around slowly, her brow furrowed "Is that so"

"It was so strange being there" Rey declared "Like we were surrounded by the ghosts of the past"

Leia remained quiet and deep in thought while Rey picked up a broken stem

"Why does no one go there anymore?" She inquired "The place is beautiful, but it's almost in ruins"

"Personally, I prefer not to dwell on the past" Leia said, trying to sound cheerful "Or to be surrounded by ghosts"

Rey smiled

"Your mother was such a beautiful woman" She said

"That's what I'm told" Leia sighed

"And she had such kind eyes"

"Yes" Leia smiled

"She must have been a great queen"

"They tell me that too" Leia said, picking up a bunch of freshly cut roses and handing them to Rey

As they worked in silence, Leia kept glancing sideways at Rey,

"You know, Rey, the Emperor has invited you to stay for as long as you like" she said quietly

"I know " Rey sighed

"Then what's the problem?"

Rey struggled to articulate her feelings

"I feel as though my parents have abandoned me" She managed to say

"Ah" Leia said

"I know that's a little strange to say" Rey said "Considering I'm a married woman and no longer a child…"

"Your feelings are valid, Rey" Leia insisted "No matter how strange it may feel"

"And I know we're not ordinary people" Rey continued "We can't think of ourselves all the time because of the responsibilities we carry for others"

"Yes" Leia raised her eyebrows and nodded in agreement "And in time those words may bring you some comfort"

Rey wiped the tears from her eyes

"I'm afraid that is the bargain we have to make for being royal, my dear" Leia tried to console her

"But you didn't" Rey said "You married for love"

Leia chuckled

"And it wasn't easy" Leia said "People loved Han and hated me"

"Inspite of the sacrifices you made for them?"

"Inspite of the sacrifices I made" Leia repeated, nodding her head "And I regret nothing"

"I wish I was a man" Rey sighed

"You sound just like Ben when he was little" Leia laughed "He couldn't wait to be a man just like his father"

The mood shifted a little, but Leia managed to keep her smile

"Rey, I have a wonderful idea. You know what you need right now?" She said

"What?" Rey asked

"You need to see Luke"

"Your brother?"

"Yes!" Leia cried, excitement in her voice

Rey had heard a lot of things about Luke Skywalker while she was in Naboo. All sorts of strange, unbelievable stories

"But why?"

"You may learn a lot from him"

"I don't know…" Rey said, a little unsure

"What if I arranged a pilgrimage for you and the Emperor?" Leia suggested, a hopeful look in her eyes "My brother is also a healer and the head priest of a famous temple there. You might feel much better if you go and speak to him!"

"I don't know…" Rey hesitated a little at the thought of traveling alone with the Emperor and wondered whether Leia had any ulterior motives for this suggestion.

"Oh, you'll love Ach To!" Leia said "In my opinion it's one of the most beautiful provinces in the world"

Rey's interest was slightly piqued by this revelation. She wanted to see Ach To.

"If that is your wish, then I shall go" She relented

"Wonderful" Leia beamed "I'll write to Luke and make the arrangements immediately"


Kylo Ren entered Phasma's chambers that evening for the first time in weeks.

Phasma lay on her sumptuous bed surrounded by sheets of parchment that lay strewn on the rich sheets, discarded. Her ladies sat around her and one of them, seated elegantly on the floor, played a happy tune on a flute. As the Emperor entered, the ladies jumped up, their robes dancing around them and fluttering like a flock of pigeons they excused themselves from his presence.

"There you are" She had remarked on seeing him "I thought you had forgotten me completely!"

Kylo Ren smirked and sat down on the bed. Phasma poured him a goblet of spiced wine and then settled back on her cushions to watch him carefully.

"I heard that your mother is planning a trip to Ach To for you and the Jakku urchin"

Kylo sipped his wine is silence and did not react to Phasma's word

"I suppose she thinks your mad uncle can talk you both out of divorcing each other"

"I doubt that" was all Kylo Ren could say

Phasma watched him again in silence for a while before she decided that this was the perfect time to play her valuable card.

"Before you go on this trip with Rey, I should warn you about something"

At the sound of Rey's name coming out of Phasma's mouth, Kylo Ren finally turned to look straight at her

"And what is that?" He asked

Phasma leaned forward and produced a small bottle out of her pockets.

"This" She declared "My servant found it among Rey's belongings"

Kylo Ren reached out to take the bottle from her, but Phasma lifted it out of his reach.

"Do you not want to know what it is first?" She teased, her eyes glinting

"Well, what is it?" Kylo asked impatiently "And why are you snooping in Rey's belongings?"

Phasma savored the moment a little before saying in a loud whisper

"Poison"

Kylo Ren blanched

"Why would she keep poison with her?"

"Isn't is obvious?" She said "She was planning to use it"

"On who?" Kylo Ren wondered

Phasma feigned fear and concern in her voice as she uttered the next words

"On you"

There was silence in the room for a while. Only the whispers of the gossamer curtains, dancing and rubbing against each other as the evening breeze passed through them could be heard.

"Are you shocked?" Phasma finally said

"No" Kylo Ren said, though he seemed deep in thought

"What will you do now?" Phasma asked, hoping that this had sealed Rey's fate

"I don't know" Kylo Ren replied

"Yes" Phasma said sardonically "By all means take your time in deciding"

She sat up and pulled herself off the bed, remarking bitterly as she did so

"Once you've come to decision, she will have poisoned half the palace"

"Oh be quiet Phasma!" Kylo Ren said angrily "Don't think I don't know what you've been up to"

Phasma turned and looked at him innocently

"I know it was you that ordered that servant to sabotage my dinner at the welcome feast" He hissed

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean" Phasma said quietly, turning away from him again and nervously turning the vial of poison in her hands.

"Oh, I'm sure you don't" Kylo Ren sneered "The next time something like that happens, I'll know who it was"

Phasma rounded on him

"How can you think that of me!" She cried dramatically "I who have been your trusted friend these many years!"

"I don't know who to trust anymore" Kylo Ren growled, more at himself then at her

They both stared at each other for a while before Kylo Ren turned to go

"Won't you stay the night with me?" Phasma asked

"I need to make preparations for the journey to Ach To" Kylo Ren replied

Phasma gave a huff of disapproval

"Don't tell me you're still planning on going, knowing what she's capable of!"

Kylo Ren ignored her and left the room

Phasma stared after him, defeated and in disbelief. What was she going to report back to Snoke and Hux?

No matter

After the Emperor and the Jakku Princess returned from the pilgrimage to Ach To, their divorce could be finalized and soon Phasma would be his favorite again. Snoke had toasted to it last night when she went to visit him and Hux after dinner to discuss some matters of business.

They had had an interesting conversation about the future of the First Order. Snoke was concerned that the Emperor was planning on arranging a marriage between one of Rey's brothers and a Princess of Dantooine. He had even discussed the possibility with the King and Queen of Jakku. He believed that the Jakku royal family were becoming too influential and too powerful. They had a daughter married to the Emperor and already had full control of their Kingdom in return and now with a son matched to one of the most prosperous kingdoms in the country, their position and importance was increasing.

Phasma didn't care about this power play between men. She was more concerned with her own position within the harem. She was worried she was losing favor. But soon that might change. After the Emperor divorced Rey, Phasma would kick her out of the harem and the palace for good.