After their initial meeting filled with unexpected intimacy, the Emperor insisted on personally escorting Rey to a fresher so she could clean herself up. Before they left the throne room she tried to reassemble the complicated outfit the handmaidens had dressed her in, but try as she may she could not rearrange enough so that she did not look disheveled. She silently hoped that wherever the Emperor planned to lead her there would be no one around to see her in such a state.
"Who cares if they do," Kylo said, smirking back at her as she followed him down the hall.
The comment caused Rey to stop abruptly in her tracks. She had read stories about those who had powers to do such things as read minds, but never had she met a person with such abilities and until this moment had not been entirely convinced that they truly existed.
Kylo stopped walking when he realized she was no longer following him. He turned around and walked back to her. Standing in front of her, he hooked his finger under her chin and tilted her head up so that she was looking into his eyes.
"You have no reason to be afraid," he assured her, his tone gentle.
Rey felt herself relax slightly at his touch and words. If the Emperor wanted to harm her he had the power to do so with or without being Force sensitive.
"Come along," he said, before wrapping his arm around her waist and once again leading her down the long hallway.
They were silent as he led her through his palace. Rey spent the time admiring the design of the architecture and various other details she did not notice before when she was in a panic over her fate. Now that she knew who had taken her here and what their intentions were, her panic had turned into nervousness over the entire situation. The hall was filled with long windows, the tops of which held pieces of glass that varied in shape and size. The setting sun cast a light through the windows that caused it to reflect in various colors throughout the hall; it was quite beautiful. Her focus on admiring the decor was interrupted when Kylo suddenly broke their silence and spoke to her.
"Tell me about yourself, Rey."
"You told me you have been watching me so you should already know everything," she quipped, not mincing words. She felt his hand tighten slightly around her waist, a reaction she suspected to her passive aggressive answer to his question.
"I would like to know more than what I was able to witness," he said, clearly attempting to keep his voice level.
Rey wondered if the stories she had heard about him and his temper had been exaggerated or if he was trying very hard to remain calm around her as to not scare her.
"Both," he admitted, answering the question she had not asked out loud. "I am trying to keep myself in check so I would greatly appreciate if you would be willing to be somewhat compliant."
She considered his confession, feeling slightly elated that he cared enough to attempt to be patient with her. Her lips quirked into a small smile and she shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe."
His grip loosened around her waist and he chuckled. She looked up to find him shaking his head, his black waves moving slightly as he did so. She had no idea what he exactly looked like underneath all the makeup he was wearing, but she found him attractive in this moment where he was relaxed and amused by her.
"I was left on Jakku when I was around five and have been there ever since, waiting for my family. They will be back, one day," she told him. She believed it too. Most days.
Kylo stopped in front of a door and turned to her. He spoke to her in a soft compassionate tone, "Rey, your family-they're not coming back for you."
Her nostrils flared and her cheeks flushed red as anger at his words began to course through her. She wrenched herself out of his hold and took several steps back from him.
"Yes they are," she spat. "You know nothing about me or my family. I don't care how long you were watching me, you know nothing."
Rey stood on guard, her fists clenched and her body tense as she braced herself for his reaction. He was much calmer than she expected, showing no signs of anger at her for yelling at him. He took one large step towards her and placed his hands on her upper arms. Rey stiffened under his touch but otherwise did not react.
"I'm not telling you this to hurt you," he whispered, rubbing his hands up and down her arms in an attempt to soothe her. "You deserve a better life than digging around in the sand in the heat for salvageable parts from Empire ships to trade for meager portions of food. I know you're upset and being here will take some getting used to, but you will be much happier here-with me."
"I want-"
"You don't want to go back to Jakku, you hate it there, but you're afraid that your family will return for you and you won't be there," he interrupted.
"They'll be back," she repeated, not sure if she was trying to convince him or herself that the words she spoke were true.
Kylo exhaled and said, "I have a proposal for you to consider. Stay here with me and promise to give this life a chance and I will try to find your family."
Rey eyed him skeptically not exactly sure what to make of his offer to help her if she promised that she would be more complaisant when it came to her new life as his concubine.
"Concubine still isn't the term I would use to describe what you are to me," he said. "I am the most powerful man in the galaxy, if you want to find your family then aren't I your best hope?"
Rey considered his words and relaxed slightly, he was right even though she hated to admit it. He was the Emperor, if anyone was able to locate her family after all these years then it would be him.
"Swear to me," she ordered, her eyes a little wild, refusing to accept anything less than a solid agreement if she was to promise to live a life in this place where her main role would be to please this man in the various ways he wished.
"If your family is out there, I will do whatever I can to find them for you," he promised.
Rey released a heavy sigh and did not object when Kylo wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace. Her hands curled tightly into the fabric of the front of his robes. She gritted her teeth, trying to hold back the tears that were beginning to form in her large hazel eyes.
"I want to make you happy," he admitted. "I will do anything within my power to make you happy."
Kylo pulled away from her and took her face in his hands. Rey stood completely still as he leaned down and placed light kisses on both her eyelids before pressing a firmer one onto her lips. When he broke the kiss he placed his forehead against hers and sighed contently, his breath tickling her skin.
"Come along, there's a banquet tonight with high ranking officers and council members that I cannot be late for," he said.
Rey let go of his robes and allowed him wrap his arm back around her waist to escort her to the fresher. He pushed the necessary buttons that opened the door and she walked into the room. He did not follow her inside and she turned to bid him farewell.
"Thank you for escorting me," she offered, her lips pulling into a small smile. "Enjoy your banquet tonight."
"I will be back soon to escort you," he told her.
Rey's face twisted in confusion. "Escort me where?"
"To the banquet. You will be joining me," he explained and Rey's eyes widened slightly.
"I-I don't think that would be a good idea," she countered, stumbling slightly over her words.
"You promised, Rey," he reminded her.
Rey huffed, she did not want to attend the banquet but they had made an agreement. She nodded reluctantly, offering no further disagreement on the subject.
"The handmaidens will be by shortly to help you get ready. I will see you soon," he said. He leaned down and kissed her once more before walking back down the hallway and out of sight.
Alone, Rey walked into the room and looked around. The room was large with deep red walls illuminated by pale lights in elegant fixtures. Against one of the walls was a sink with a mirror. Rey walked over to it and looked at her reflection for the first time since arriving.
She gasped as she saw her reflection in the mirror. If her disheveled clothing did not give away their activities in the throne room, the red and white face paint smudged onto her face did. She turned on the sink and attempted to scrub away the evidence of him before anyone arrived to see her in such a state. She was almost done when she heard the sound of the fresher door opening, and she turned to see two of the women who had bathed and clothed her when she arrived entering the room.
The younger woman attempted to stifle a giggle, but the sound escaped her lips. Rey's cheeks flushed and she cast her gaze towards the floor, ashamed at what these women must think about her.
The older woman said sharply to the younger one, "Go get Miss Rey's outfit for the banquet."
The younger woman rushed off as she quickly obeyed the command of the older woman.
"I'm honestly more surprised the clothing I sent you to him in is still intact," the older woman offered humorously.
Rey let out a small laugh and looked up to see the older woman watching her with such softness that it immediately put her at ease. The older woman stood taller than Rey, she had dark hair pulled into a tight low-hanging knot. Her right eye was a dark violet color while her left was a pale purple, clouded over with a white layer, scarring apparent on the skin around the eye.
"I can't see in that eye," the woman explained. "I was a slave and my master didn't like the dinner I had prepared for him so he tossed the hot soup into my face."
"I'm so sorry," Rey replied, feeling upset for this woman and what she had gone through.
The woman offered her a smile and said, "It was another life, one before Emperor Ren offered me a better one here. I'm Brea."
"I'm Rey," she replied quickly, then silently cursed her own foolishness. This woman had already said her name, she already knew who she was.
"Oh I'm aware, you're all the Emperor has talked about since he saw you on Jakku," Brea said and Rey smiled slightly at her admission.
"Don't tell him I told you, but the Emperor has been running around here like a madman trying to get everything perfect for your arrival."
"Why would he do that?" Rey asked.
Brea laughed and shook her head slightly. "Sweet girl, he wanted to impress you."
"Oh," Rey replied meekly, not knowing what else to say.
"Come along, I'll show you where you can do your business. No more having to do it in a hole in the ground. I remember what that was like and I assure you this is much better."
After Rey did her business, as Brea called it, the younger woman, who introduced herself as Adlee, arrived back to the fresher with Rey's outfit for the evening.
It was an elegant white sleeveless gown with detailed lace across the top. Brea and Adlee helped her change into it, lacing the back so that the top was tight around her chest while the chiffon bottom flowed loosely down to her ankles. It was incredibly soft and nicer than anything Rey had ever worn; she was surprised by how well it fit her.
Brea noticed her admiring the fit of the dress around her body and told her, "He had an entire wardrobe made just for you."
Rey nodded thoughtfully as the women took Rey's hair out of its usual three knots and arranged it into an elegant updo with a few stray pieces of hair out to hang loosely to frame her face. They arranged the jeweled chain back into her hair and gave her a pair of silver slip on shoes to complete her outfit. The last thing the handmaidens did to get her ready for the evening was to paint her lips with a pale pink substance that made her lips shine.
"Enjoy yourself," Brea told her and Rey nodded nervously. "Don't let the Emperor's guests intimidate you."
Brea opened the door to the fresher to reveal Emperor Ren standing in the doorway waiting for her. He was dressed in black robes with red trim, his face repainted in the same makeup from earlier.
"You look beautiful," he told her, his eyes raking down her body, taking her all in. His lips pulled up into a smile as he openly admired her. His smile grew as he held his hand out for her to take.
Rey turned back to Brea and Adlee and thanked them before taking Kylo's hand and allowing him to lead her to the banquet. As they got closer to the dining hall, the most delicious scent she had ever smelled wafted toward her. Her stomach grumbled in response, reminding her that she had not eaten in over a day.
Kylo looked over at her then, his lips twisted into a frown. He said nothing though and continued to lead her to the banquet he had insisted she attend with him. When they entered the large dining hall, Rey was in awe of the sight before her. There was a long table in the center of the room, beautiful gold plates and silverware neatly placed in front of seats. When the other attendees took notice of them, they stood up from their chairs and bowed to the Emperor. Rey stood next to Kylo nervously, unsure of what she should be doing.
He placed his fingers on the small of her back, lightly stroking her spine in a way she found oddly soothing. Kylo looked at her and said, "Come, let's be seated."
He led her over to a single chair at the middle of the table and sat down. Rey stood next to him; there was nowhere for her to sit and she did not know what he wanted her to do. Kylo reached out and to Rey's surprise, pulled her down to sit on his lap. She looked around the table to see his guests staring at them and her cheeks flushed under their gazes.
He leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Don't worry about what they think, they don't matter."
Before she could respond, a man came and placed a gold chalice and a bottle down in front of them. Kylo picked it up and held it up to her lips, whatever the liquid was inside, it smelled nice enough.
"Drink," he insisted and Rey took a cautious sip from the chalice.
The liquid was delicious, it was incredibly sweet at first, but changed slightly in taste as she swallowed it. She looked over at him, her eyes wide in wonderment as she experienced this new drink for the first time.
"It's a liquor from Akiva, it tastes of honey when it first enters your mouth, but as you swallow it tastes of lavender," he explained.
Rey nodded in understanding, amazed that such a magnificent thing existed. She placed her hands over his and tipped the cup further, loudly gulping the liquid down until there was no more. She pulled the cup away, disappointed that she had finished all of it so soon. Kylo chuckled and leaned forward and grabbed the bottle the servant had placed on the table and refilled the chalice for her.
"Have as much as you want," he told her, and Rey smiled at his words. Never had she been allowed such free access to drink or eat. Until now she had never had anything to drink except for the warm water on Jakku that never quite satiated her thirst.
Rey took a few more sips from the chalice before holding it to Kylo's painted lips. He smiled and took a sip and she watched as the the liquor flowed past his lips.
Her focus on Kylo was broken when the servant who had brought him the honey-lavender liquor returned. He placed a plate down in front of them and bowed before once again walking away. Rey looked to see what was on the plate and found there to be a large portion of meat, a variety of cooked vegetables, and a portion of bread.
Rey felt Kylo's lips on her ear again, "Eat whatever you want, there's more than enough."
She did not need to be told twice. She picked up the piece of meat with her hands and sank her teeth into it. She tore off a piece and chewed it briefly before swallowing it down. It was warm and savory on her tongue, she moaned as she took another bite.
As she continued to shovel the food offered to her into her mouth as fast as she could, she heard a disgusted sound from across the table. She looked up with a mouth full of half-masticated food to find a redheaded man staring at her, his face twisted with repulsion. Rey had been so immersed in eating that she had forgotten that she and Kylo were not alone in the room. She dropped the food from her hands back onto the plate and leaned back against Kylo embarrassed.
Kylo offered her a cloth to wipe her face and mouth, which she took from him. After she had cleaned herself up, he offered her the chalice again.
Throughout the rest of the evening, Rey and Kylo continued to eat from the same plate. She ate until her stomach was full to the point of it almost being in pain. The chalice that he had offered her was never empty and by the end of the banquet the entire bottle of liquor had been consumed, mostly by Rey.
