Kylo sat in Luke's old chair in the Council chamber.

Hux continued to yabber on, as he read out various letters and scrolls relating to the upcoming coronation. If only the army wasn't loyal to him, Kylo would happily cut him in half also.

Revenge hadn't been the release Kylo had hoped for. His mother was still out there, actively working against him, searching for allies. By what Hux was saying she was succeeding.

"Queen Mon Mothma has declined your invitation. Not surprising given that we killed her son and half her army. The Hutts gratefully accept. Deep joy."

Kylo was bored. He felt empty. He didn't care who came to his coronation.

"Oh. We didn't invite him but Emperor Palpatine congratulates you on your ascension to the throne. He wonders whether with the aim of rebuilding relations between our two great countries we would accept as a guest and guarantee the safety of his granddaughter..."

Hux was interrupted by Lieutenant Mitaka, a nervous man who had somehow risen up the ranks regardless. "Maybe he's hoping for an alliance. What do we know about his heir?"

"I hear she's a young woman, of marriageable age, Your Grace." General Pryde, another to rise through the ranks, responded, with a pointed look at Kylo.

"I can see what you are thinking. I will not marry. You lot can squabble over who replaces me once I'm dead." Kylo growled. He was sure by the glimmer in Hux's eyes that he hoped that would be sooner than later.

"Unfortunately that ship seems to have sailed. Palpatine says that his granddaughter is heavily with child and due to start her confinement when she returns. He would hope that his trusting you with this precious cargo will be taken as his good faith towards future dealings." Hux folded the letter and held it out for Kylo to examine.

"Palpatine has a claim to the Alderaanian throne? Maybe he's sending his granddaughter to check it out for size?" Pryde jumped in again.

"I suggest we take whatever allies we can, General Pryde. Princess Leia is out there, spreading her propaganda and she also has a claim to the throne. The civil war may be over but we need to think about the bigger picture."

While various voices around the table bickered, Kylo read the letter himself. He thought of all the warnings from Luke and his mother about Palpatine. Palpatine remained paralysed on his death bed as he had for decades. He had to let go of his surprisingly strong grip of life sooner or later. Why not get the measure of one of the rivals for Kylo's own position? She was young and pregnant. How much of a threat could she be? Kylo knew that since Rey had been murdered he was at no risk of being seduced. Besides, Luke would turn in his grave. That sealed it.

"Write back, assure her safety as soon as she enters palace grounds. Explain that there are Rebels still at loose and we can assure her safety no further than that."

Preparations were made for the coronation and on the morning, Kylo took a look at himself in the mirror. He wore his customary black, with a red sash and a black cloak. Kylo had to admit he did not look healthy, having struggled to sleep since the night of the ball. It would have to do. He fastened his sword belt and paused to open his dresser draw and take an inhale of the now faded scent of Rey from her discarded britches.

He hoped she had had a painless death and hadn't suffered. She was an innocent in all of this. There weren't many who had that claim involved in the entire situation, live or dead. Kylo had been her downfall. If only he hadn't gone in the gardens that night. He would never have met her but she would still be living.

Kylo tucked the britches away. He wanted whatever scent was left on them to remain as long as possible.

Kylo fastened his sword belt and headed to the great hall.

He strode through the main door as fanfares sounded, his eyes ahead at the Archbishop and the Throne. The smell of Rey's britches lingered, and Kylo was glad that at least part of her was here to witness this. He hoped that if she could see from the other side, she felt avenged.

He sat in the throne, was anointed in oil, took his oaths to act as Protector of Alderaan, accepted his crown and sceptre.

Then he departed for the ballroom where post coronation festivities were in place. Kylo didn't want to be there but he understood the importance of the same.

Lords and ladies and visiting dignitaries (and mob bosses) were announced as they entered after him. Kylo greeted each curtly but with as much courtesy as he could muster before they went off to mingle.

Eventually the title he was waiting for was announced, and it certainly caught the attention of others in the room as everyone turned at once.

"Her Imperial Highness, the Princess Rey Palpatine of Naboo."

Kylo flinched at her given name but reeled in shock as he took in her face. He was seeing a ghost or an angel, surely?

She wasn't dressed in rags, but in a white gown with gauzy wisps that wrapped around her body and looped down from her shoulder. The was an unmistakable swelling at her stomach. Her hair was styled with an ornate tiara and she looked every part a princess. Her cheeks were fuller than they had been, but those were her eyes, her freckles.

And then her scent hit him. It was her, no doubt. She was alive. She was here. Kylo had never been happier other than the night they first met, when things had been less complicated.

As she approached him, he noted a scowl on her face. "Ben, what have you done?"