"Now, Leia."

"Do not speak to me as if I am a mere child, Father. I am, after all, thirteen."

"A mere child."

"Queen Amidala of the Naboo defended her people against the Trade Federation. She was only fourteen."

"But you are only thirteen."

"Semantics, Father."

"It is hardly semantics when it is the truth."

"I am nearly fourteen."

"Not nearly close enough."

"You are impossible."

"Then you agree with the vast majority of the Imperial Senate."

Princess Leia Organa laughed from beneath the protection of a deep maroon hood and cloak.

"Oh," Bail teased. "It is not so bad to be impossible, is it?" He chuckled as he placed a hand between Leia's shoulder blades and guided her through the corridor toward the noisy ballroom.

"We should hurry," Leia pressed as she picked up her pace.

"I thought you preferred to be fashionably late?"

Though her face remained hidden, the low growl gave away her disposition. "I do not want that Starrissa Moonblighter stealing my thunder by arriving first."

Pausing in the center of the corridor, Bail stared at his often-tempestuous daughter. "Sometimes the best impressions are made quietly."

Incoherent mutters were the only reply as the girl marched on toward the awaiting celebration.

Bail laughed as he rushed to catch up with her. "I swear the only creature that grunts and groans as much as you do is a pregnant nerf."

"Father!" the girl screeched, stopping in the center of the corridor. Her outburst drew a few stares from passing celebrants. Planting her hands on her hips, she announced, "I am not a pregnant nerf." A pale painted smile peered under the low hood. "But I'll marry a nerf herder if we are late to the celebration."

Slapping a hand over his heart, Bail cried out in mock horror, "No! Anything but a nerf herder! Your grandmother would have my head."

Leia started down the corridor again. "Maybe I should have gone dressed as Matri."

"Your grandmother is not dead." Bail rolled his eyes as he fell into step behind her. "She will live forever just to spite everyone."

"Too bad she is not here. She could have gone to the celebrations with us."

Shaking his head, the Senator replied, "She prefers the quiet elegance of visiting the family shrine. Not these noisy excuses to—"

Leia was staring at him.

"Matri has never been fond of public gatherings."

"I know. Besides, I do not think she would approve of Starrissa's choice to honor. I certainly do not approve."

"But it is her choice."

"Tiata Murr."

"An actress?" He grumbled in a low voice, "Especially not that actress. That would be improper for a girl of her age to wear such…her parents would not allow that."

"I have already seen the costume. That is why I have to get there first."

"Senator Organa," a stern voice called out bringing the two to a halt mere steps from the gateway to the grand ballroom.

Leia sighed as Bail turned to face the Imperial officer surrounded by a contingent of armed Stormtroopers marching toward them.

"Major Jafries," Bail said in a calm voice.

Leia softly growled, "Major—"

"Police yourself," came her father's soft, but stern warning.

"Yes, Sir."

Jafries came to a sharp halt and eyed the short figure behind Bail before visually addressing the Senator. "Trying to sneak your girlfriend out, Organa?"

"What do you think, Major Jerk?" Leia growled storming forward only to be pulled back by Bail.

"Leia!" he snapped.

Jafries raised an eyebrow and frowned. "Ah, the Princess. My mistake."

"What do you want?" Bail asked wearily.

"A few moments of your time."

"Naturally."

"We will be late," Leia said while grabbing at Bail's arm.

"It will not take long," he replied stalking toward the Imperial.

Leia stood silently in the center of the corridor. All the Alderaani who had been drifting about, in and out of the muted celebration, had vanished. She reached up and lifted her hood slightly eyeing the closest white armored figure. He was turned away from her. "Starrissa is going to show me up," she complained. "Stupid Imperials."

Garnering no attention, she frowned and twisted about, looking toward the lively celebration. An audible sigh and she folded her arms across her chest. Bail's tense voice drew her attention away from what she was missing.

"Do not waste my time by playing games, Senator," Jafries smugly warned.

Bail replied sternly, "I will have you know—"

Thrown into action by Bail's tone, Leia started toward the two men but a large black wall appeared out of nowhere. She grunted the instant she smashed into the unyielding surface. Stumbling backward, a pale hand appeared from beneath the dark cloak sleeve and lifted the edge of her hood.

A soft gasp escaped her as she retreated from the sea if black.