Part 2

Isla blinked her eyes and sighed sleepily. She was tired and she was about to go back to sleep when she suddenly remembered what had happened. Her eyes flew open immediately and she sat up as quickly as she could. Unfortunately, last night hadn't been a nightmare.

She was still in the Supreme Leader's base. Alone. Her father and Bastian were long gone. Thankfully, they were safe at home by now. As grateful as she was for that, she still felt lonelier than ever before.

She knew what the Supreme Leader wanted from her, she wasn't a fool, and the thought was terrifying. How long was he going to keep her here? Her best hope was that he would be satisfied after...after...

She pressed her lips together, trying to pull herself together. She should consider herself lucky if he only wanted one "meeting" with her. Yet, she didn't feel lucky at all. That part of her only belonged to her husband. Or at least it should have. Kylo Ren had no right to take it from her. Except that he did.

He could do anything he wanted to her and no one would say a word. No one would dare. She closed her eyes, determined to stop herself from crying. Just one night in his bed. She could do that, she had to.

And what if he wanted more than just one night? Why would he? Surely this was just some kind of a whim to him. A way for him to demonstrate his power. The thought made her sick to her stomach.

Once again, she hoped that she would have never left home. Her father had wanted her and Bastian to join him because Bastian would be the next viceroy. Isla's heart ached as she thought about the guilt her father was probably feeling. She truly hoped that she could tell him not to feel guilty, none of this was his fault.

She would do what she had to do and then, hopefully, she could return home. Everything would be alright and she would never think about any of this again. That was what she kept telling herself when the door suddenly whooshed open. Isla tensed immediately as a woman in a simple green uniform entered her quarters. She was probably in her late twenties, tall and slender. She had dark green eyes and her white hair was up in a tight bun.

"Good morning, Lady Grayson," the woman greeted her. "My name is Norra Kan, I was assigned to assist you during your stay here."

Isla looked at her cautiously while standing up. She was still wearing the same clothes she had worn yesterday: she had been too upset to even think about undressing last night.

"Good morning," she replied as calmly as she could. "Forgive me, assigned by who?"

"By the head of the maintenance department, my lady. But the order came from the Supreme Leader."

"Oh... So, you are..."

"A maid, my lady," she confirmed. "I have been trained to assist high-ranking female guests."

"I see," Isla murmured, trying to clear her thoughts. She couldn't understand why the Supreme Leader had sent her a maid since she wasn't going to stay here for long. Maybe he just wanted to make sure that she looked presentable tonight. That must be it. She was sure that he would be done with her by tomorrow. Of course he would, why would he keep her here after getting what he wanted.

"Your new quarters have been prepared for you," the maid continued. "I can escort you there now, if you like..."

"What?" Isla gasped. "No, no, there must be some kind of a mistake, I... I will go home tomorrow."

The maid hesitated; she didn't look at Isla in the eyes.

"I will go home tomorrow," she repeated more firmly.

"I'm afraid I don't know anything about that, my lady, I was simply told to escort you to your new quarters."

Isla shook her head. She didn't believe this, she couldn't.

"No, no, this is a mistake. Please, you must listen to me..."

"I'm sorry, my lady," the maid cut in. "I only know what I was told."

Isla's hands were shaking, she refused to believe this. She would only have to endure one night, then she could go home. She could go home. She could go home.

"Thank you, but I think I would like to stay here," she stated. Her voice sounded unnaturally calm.

The maid was clearly surprised.

"But my lady... The Supreme Leader is offering you much more comfortable quarters..."

"This is fine, thank you. There's no point for me to move into new quarters just for one night. Please thank the Supreme Leader for his generous offer."

The maid looked confused, clearly, she wasn't sure what to do.

"I should wash myself," Isla stated. "Do you know when the Supreme Leader wishes to see me?"

"I'm afraid not, my lady. May I assist you getting dressed?"

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary."

Again, the maid hesitated.

"There are new gowns for you in your new quarters."

"Oh... Could you be so kind and bring me one of those gowns?"

"Yes, of course. Shall I bring few for you to choose?"

"No, no, one is fine. I will go home tomorrow."

Isla refused to see the pity in the maid's eyes. She would go home tomorrow, she just needed to get through this day and night. She would wear the gown the Supreme Leader wanted her to wear and do what she had to do. Then it would be over. The thought made her smile. She would be safe at home and everything would be alright.