Kylo Ren found himself once again staring at the young woman who was sitting at his table between her father and her betrothed. Lady Isla, daughter of the viceroy Ronan Grayson. An ally of the First Order. Kylo had summoned many of their allies to meet the new Supreme Leader and pledge their loyalty to him. These allies weren't the most important ones, they didn't posses any kind of threat to the First Order, but Kylo had still wanted to make it clear to them who was in charge.

Fear of Snoke had kept them obedient and he wanted them to feel that same fear toward him. He was the ruler of the whole galaxy now and he intended to be much more powerful than Snoke had ever been. However, this young woman was all he saw at the moment. She had captured his full attention the moment she had been introduced to him.

Silky brown hair, large dark brown eyes, smooth skin, full lips, soft curves… He had never in his life seen anything so beautiful. So perfect. Her betrothed, the pathetic weak boy, certainly didn't deserve her. A woman like her deserved to be treated like a queen. She deserved to wear the most beautiful gowns and jewelry in the galaxy.

He could give her all that. He could make her his queen. Once again, she avoided his gaze. Everyone at the table had noticed him staring at her, just like last night and the night before that, but of course none of them dared to say anything. Obviously, her father had also noticed, and it wasn't difficult to sense his nervousness. Kylo didn't care about that. He wasn't going to deny this from himself, why should he.

After spending his whole life obeying other people, suppressing his own wants, he had earned this. He wanted this woman and he was going to have her. Did that make him a monster, yes. Did he care, no. He was a monster, there was no point denying that. People had always feared him, assuming the worst. Apparently, they had been right. The monster was all he had left.

"We must leave at once," Ronan stated tensely as soon as he was alone with his daughter and her betrothed.

Isla looked at her father, knowing exactly what he meant. Bastian took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Her sweet Bastian. They had been friends ever since they had been children and even though their marriage was arranged by their parents, Isla couldn't have hoped for a better husband. He was kind, compassionate and loyal.

"Sir, do you really believe that the Supreme Leader would…." Bastian started.

"I am afraid so," Ronan sighed. "He made his intentions quite clear."

Isla tried her best to stay calm although she felt a lump in her throat. Of course, she had heard a lot about Kylo Ren, but she didn't want to believe this. Her people had pledged their allegiance to the First Order, mainly because they hadn't had a choice, but they had still been loyal to the former Supreme Leader.

"Where can we go?" she asked. "We can't abandon our people…"

"No, of course not," Ronan assured. "We will return home and send gifts for the Supreme Leader. I am sure he will forget the whole thing."

Isla wasn't so sure, although she truly hoped that her father was right.

"I won't let anything happen to you," Bastian assured firmly.

Isla smiled and touched his shoulder. He wasn't a soldier, his body was too fragile for that, but he was one of the bravest people she had ever met.

"We can't wait," Ronan stated. "I will inform captain Mallory right away."

"What if the Supreme Leader will take this as an insult?" Isla asked.

"I will send him a message," Ronan replied. "We had to leave in hurry because of an emergency back home."

Isla nodded, that sounded like a good plan. They needed to leave all their belongings, but that was a small price to pay. As soon as the captain informed that their shuttle was ready, they headed to the hangar. As far as Isla knew, this was one of the biggest bases that belonged to the Supreme Leader. She hoped that she would never have to see it or the Supreme Leader again. The hangar was quiet, and they almost reached the shuttle when a group of stormtroopers surrounded them.

"You there, stop," one of them commanded.

"What is the meaning of this?" Ronan asked firmly. "Do you know who I am?"

"Yes, sir, we do," the stormtrooper replied.

"Step aside then," Ronan demanded. "We must leave at once."

Isla had always admired her father's leadership skills; his natural authority was unquestionable.

"Good evening, viceroy," the Supreme Leader's voice suddenly said. "May I ask where you are going in this hour?"

Isla struggled to stay calm as she turned to face the menacing tall figure.

"Good evening, Supreme Leader," Ronan replied, managing to sound perfectly calm. "My apologies, but we must return home. A family emergency."

"I see." He paused and glanced at Isla. "I was actually planning to have a word with you tonight."

"Oh?" Ronan stated.

"Yes. I would like to invite your daughter to stay here as my guest."

Isla froze, praying that she had somehow misunderstood him. Bastian wrapped his arm protectively around her; she could feel how tense he was.

"That is a very generous offer, but I'm afraid my daughter must return home with me," Ronan replied coolly. "Her wedding is soon and…"

"I'm afraid that wasn't a request," the Supreme Leader cut in. His dark eyes were cold as ice and there was no expression on his face.

"My lord," Ronan started as calmly as he could. "We are your loyal subjects, please…"

"You and the boy are free to go, viceroy. I suggest you leave now before I change my mind…"

"No!" Bastian suddenly shouted and reached for his gun. Isla acted immediately, jumping in front of Bastian before the stormtroopers could shoot him. The Supreme Leader waved his hand carelessly, making Bastian's gun fly across the hangar.

"Well now, you do know that was treason," he stated coldly. "Punishable by death."

"No!" Isla cried out. "No, please, don't hurt him!"

The Supreme Leader looked at her with his cold eyes.

"Perhaps I can pardon him, if I have a good reason."

Isla bowed her head and nodded; she had no choice but to accept her defeat.

"I would be honored to accept your invitation," she murmured.

"Good." He paused and glanced at Ronan. "You and the boy can go."

"My lord…" Ronan tried desperately.

"Father go," Isla pleaded. "You must."

"Isla," Bastian said, his voice full of pain.

She cupped his face and kissed his cheek.

"Go. Take care of father and our people. I will be alright, I promise."

That was likely a lie, but she managed to force a smile on her face.

"Go."

Her father nodded and firmly grabbed Bastian's arm. The younger man didn't struggle as Ronan led him to the shuttle. Isla didn't move when the shuttle took off. A part of her was still hoping that this would be just a bad dream. Unfortunately it wasn't.

"Escort Lady Grayson to her quarters," the Supreme Leader's voice commanded.

Isla refused to look at him, she simply marched out of the hangar before anyone could touch her.