Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 19

Luke pulled on a clean, formal tunic over his trousers and then put his belt on, making sure his lightsaber was comfortably attached. He pulled his boots on and then his half cape and took a deep breath. One more load for the tightrope walk that was his life but he did not dare disobey. The Emperor would be watching too closely for him to pretend to obey. He then took his personal speeder and set course for the Alderaanian Embassy. His Father had told him how once the important Senators had lived at 500 Republica but now it was the residence of the Emperors boot lickers and assassins. He landed at the Embassy and took a deep breath before entering.

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Bail looked up as the door to his office opened, managing a tired smile for his aide, Sheltay, as she peered inside. "More paperwork?"

"Sorry for the interruption Senator. You have a guest."

"Oh? No one's scheduled."

"No sir, it's Prince Skywalker." She answered and Bail straightened up.

Skywalker… what could bring him to the Embassy when he had never visited before? He was the only one outside of her partner who knew just how Fulcrum had survived her last mission, was this visit related? "Send him in." there was no other option. He stood and straightened his clothes. It had been a long session and he'd been looking forward to finally finishing for the day, but he knew better than to say no, the Prince may favour visiting their planet but that did not mean much in the grand scheme of things. Bail watched as the young Prince entered, taking in the very formal clothing and realised this was an official visit so he bowed to the younger male. "Prince Luke, you honour me with your presence."

"Senator Organa, it is a pleasure to see you again," Luke returned. Bail offered a chair but Luke walked over to lean against the window and Bail watched as he closed his eyes, focusing and then he flicked his fingers. "Did you know your office is bugged by no less than six different devices?" he asked when he opened his eyes and Bail frowned.

"No, I did not."

"They are temporarily disabled. The Emperor summoned me to discuss…. dynastic issues today." Luke fought the urge to fidget.

Dynastic...oh no. "He wants to arrange a marriage for you, with Leia?" Why else would he come to him?

Luke nodded. "He wants to be informed of an engagement within the next three years. I can see several reasons for his choosing her. We're the same age, she's attractive, and the daughter of a known rebel sympathiser. How would the Alliance take our engagement?"

"He wants to drive a wedge between Alderaan and the Alliance, if there was a link."

Luke laughed. "I know you're involved and frankly I don't care. This will place your whole family in additional danger. There will be many who are unhappy with our…closeness, wanting to see me married off to a member of their own family. I came immediately so you can find a way to spin it to the Alliance that won't end in assassins coming for you."

"Some will accept my allowing it in order to try and bring you into the Alliance, to undo the damage done by Draven's reckless actions." There was no point denying it, he'd been around enough Force users over the years to know when they were definite on knowing something. I assume the Emperor is using it as the opposite? Wanting to ensure our loyalty?"

"By any means necessary, even using the Force to ensure your, and her, compliance."

Hearing it said… "Could you do that?"

"Theoretically." Luke admitted softly. "I can't keep the recorders off much longer. You have my word, I will not harm your daughter or take any liberties. I will definitely not influence her with the Force and will do my best to protect her. but to disobey this order…" Luke shook his head and Bail nodded.

"Very well." He nodded and Luke released his hold on the bugs. "How can I help you my Lord?" he quickly switched back to more formal language.

"I wish to court you daughter Viceroy." Luke stated plainly, let those listening take what they would from the way he phrased it.

Bail nodded. "I will not give permission as that is not my right. You have my permission to ask Leia herself if she is willing. In fact, I suggest you spend as much time as you can on Alderaan once the Senate has ended for the year so that you may get to know each other more before asking her."

"I thank you for your permission Sir and I will endeavour to do so. Thank you for seeing me at such short notice."

Bail saw him out and slumped against his desk before leaving his office. He would have to have his security do a far more detailed sweep if they had missed those bugs. Thankfully he was far too cautious to ever say anything risky while on the planet, let alone inside his office. The risk of further bugs meant he could not warn Leia until they returned home. He didn't like adding to her stress levels, the timing was just unfortunate, and he had the feeling if Luke was not seen to be acting on the Emperor's orders immediately life would become very dangerous for them all. At the start of the next Senate session he would no longer be Senator, instead Leia would be taking his place as the youngest ever Senator, taking Padme's place.

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Returning to the Avenger was a relief, even if word had come down that he would receive a replacement flagship in the next year or so. A new class of Star Destroyer, the Executor class. His Father would receive the first and he would have the second. He really didn't understand the fascination with building bigger and bigger ships. And he had a new Admiral to greet, not that they didn't know each other, but Yularen had always been his Father's admiral.

Falling into the easy routine of life aboard was a relief, giving him the chance to really think about what he was doing. Leia…he knew he'd scared her at least a little towards the end of their last meeting but he'd dangerous, too on edge, and he hadn't wanted to accidentally hurt her. He had tried to forget about her over the last year and then the Emperor had to go and force him to become engaged other! Had he picked up some stray thought or emotion? Or was this simply one of his games?

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Luke looked up as his door chimed, sensing two familiar signatures and he sighed but waved the door open, allowing Han and Cody inside. They sat on the couch opposite him and Luke bit back a groan. "I know, I'm distracted," he muttered.

"Yes, you are." Han shot back bluntly. You have been on and off ever since that last trip to Alderaan. Is it the Princess still?"

"It's…yes but not entirely?"

"Care to make sense sir?" Cody asked, glancing at Han. The pilot was the one to deal with girl problems. Relationships had never exactly been high on a clones list. He knew many of his brothers had paired, or more, off during the war but then there had been the chips… a few had had sought out female company when on leave but he had always focused on duty, on keeping his General safe.

"Our beloved Emperor has decided I am old enough for dynastic concerns to become valid." He stated and Han couldn't help but chuckle.

He looked at Cody with a grin. "In other words, our General has been ordered to marry. Do you at least get to pick your bride?"

"No, he chose Princess Leia due to the families suspected rebel ties. "

"A marriage link to the Imperial family could see the Alliance turn on them." Cody agreed.

"hmm. Or they play it as trying to turn you from them." Han argued and Luke nodded.

"We can both use those arguments." Luke agreed with them both. "I am to be engaged to her by the time I am twenty, no mention of how quickly after that we are to be married."

"Have you ever even flirted?" Han asked and Luke groaned, burring his face in his hands, even Cody laughing at his reaction.

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Leia smiled as she hugged her Mother, happy to be home if only for a while.

"I missed you little Princess." Breha whispered.

"I missed you too Mother. It's so good to be home."

"Now, I want to hear all about your time on Imperial Centre, perhaps there were some cute aides?"

"Mother!" Leia blushed and Breha laughed.

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Bail kissed Breha gently, holding her close. "I missed you," he murmured.

"I missed you too my love." She walked him over to the bed and helped him strip out of his more formal clothing. "Leia seems relieved to be home."

"Even with her training and our warning she was disappointed in the Senate."

"Was it that bad?"

"I think it gets worse every year." He lay down on the bed and she curled into his side. He knew their suite was free of surveillance, he had called ahead to ensure it was thoroughly searched. "I had a visit from the Prince before session ended."

Breha shifted to look at him. "He's never approached you before."

"This was…. official."

"Bail?" She sat up in alarm.

"It appears we have not been as careful as we thought," he admitted and she clung to him. "The Emperor has commanded him to court Leia, that they are to be engaged within three years, no matter what methods Luke must employ to get her compliance."

"No." Breha shook her head.

He sat up and held her close. "He did something with the Force to disable all listening devices and we spoke candidly. He knows we work with the Alliance and doesn't care. I really believe we can work together to bring down the Emperor. He swore to me that he will not harm her and will do everything he can to protect her. if we do not allow this, I fear it will not only be the Prince who is punished. An engagement does not necessarily mean a marriage if they do not wish it."

"As long as the Emperor is dealt with before then." She spat and then sighed, understanding there was really nothing they could do. "Have you told her?"

"No. I invited the Prince to spend time here while the Senate is on break…and I am stepping down. Leia is ready and the work will keep her busy enough that a slow courtship is obvious."

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Luke smiled as he saw Leia and her friend, Winter, laughing together in the garden. He'd been on the planet for two days, relaxing and spending time with the Royal Family, getting to know them and trying to let them get to know him, it was hard to open up to anyone but his men or Father. He needed to speak with Leia, alone, explain things and hope she would say yes. The Emperor may ask for an update any day. He took a deep breath and then stepped into the garden, approaching the two young women.

Winter saw him first and curtseyed, prompting Leia to turn and copy her foster sister. "Your Highness." They both murmured even as he bowed in return.

"May I speak with you privately Princess?"

Leia glanced at Winter who nodded and left the garden, finding Commander Cody guarding the entrance.

Luke offered his arm and Leia took it, letting him lead her deeper into the garden until they sat upon a bench. "I wish to ask you something."

Leia could practically feel his hesitancy, nervousness? "What is it." She gently put her hand over his.

"Will you allow me to court you?" he asked and she froze in shock.

"Me?" her voice was barely a whisper but he heard and nodded. She'd heard all the rumours over the last year about the Prince, how he was cold, unfeeling, and yet… he wasn't that way when he was here. Yes, he had scared her but she hadn't felt truly in danger of her life. "I don't understand, why me?"

He turned and gently clasped her hands. She was small, delicate, but with a core of durasteel. "Two reasons." He took a deep breath. "The first is personal. I…outside of a very few people no one has treated me like you do, as a normal person, not since my Father found me. I think that we could be happy in time, once we know each other better."

"And the second reason?" she asked and he grimaced.

"The Emperor commands it." He admitted. "I would have kept my distance, to keep you safe but I dare not disobey. I spoke with your Father on Imperial Centre, he said the decision is yours."

The Emperor commanded? Why? Why her and why now? "He wants the line of succession even more secure?"

"Among other reasons I am sure, but that is the public one."

"I don't know how to do this, I have never courted anyone, never wanted to. Then again, I do spend most of my time shipboard or with my men." he admitted and she chuckled.

"I guess that would limit options." She looked down at their hands. "It would be dangerous for us both, wouldn't it?"

"Yes. The Alliance may see it as you betraying them. There will be many courtiers who will be unhappy, wanting me to marry their daughters. And I don't know the Emperors full reasons, nor do I trust them."

Leia listened and thought carefully about what he was saying….and what he wasn't. but this could be just what the Alliance needed, she would be closer than anyone else to the heart of Imperial power. And maybe…maybe there was a chance they could make it work. Did she want that? She looked at Luke, seeing the cool calm he showed the world, but she could see past it, he was nervous too. "I accept you offer." She leant in and kissed his cheek and his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Luke was shocked to hear her agree so quickly and then she kissed his cheek! He smiled and raised her hand to kiss the back. "Thank you." He whispered, relieved. He reached into one of his belt pouches and pulled out a bracelet made of gold lattice with a few white gems set into it. She held her hand out and he fastened it around her wrist. Leia looked up at him and smiled and Luke slowly smiled back. "You can call me Luke now, after all we are courting."

"Leia." She took his hand and tugged him up. "We should tell my parents."

"Of course." He took her arm and led her into the Palace.

TBC…