Rey slept until a little before sunset and woke up from a strange dream. She had been a princess in a faraway world, running away from a vindictive queen and falling in love with a dark prince…
She rolled over, not ready to get up and get dressed for school, when she felt the bright orange glow of the setting sun shining across her body. With her eyes still closed, she sighed in relief, and soaked in the warmth that basked over her. Mmm, how lovely. The sun never shines like this in my room…
Her eyes flew open and she remembered where she was. It had not been a dream at all…This was her new life for one year. She looked out at the sun solemnly, breathed deeply, and felt the sun embrace her. Rey was home.
She wanted to sleep more but decided against it so that she wouldn't stay awake all night.
So Rey laid there for a long while, thinking about her new life and how to make the most of it. She was scared but something inside her made her feel as though she belonged here in this hardened and scorched planet orbiting the hot sun. Since she had arrived, she felt that she had grown so much so quickly. Rey felt tougher, as if a fire deep inside her had come alive, burning like the sun over Jakku. She was going to avenge Aiden. She was going stop the queen and make her wish she had never dragged Rey into all of this.
She pictured her family; though it hurt, she knew they would wait for her. She wondered if a year's time here translated into a year in her world. Had her family noticed she was gone, or had any time passed at all? Would she return looking a year older?
Eventually she got up, went to the bathroom to relieve herself and then splashed some cool water on her face. Then, she headed to the common room. There she found Finn going over some books, making notes periodically as he read. There was a tray of fruits, nuts, and wine on a table that Rey picked at. The household servants kept the common area stocked with snacks at all times and Rey was thankful for it.
Finn made a final annotation and closed the book he was scribbling in before looking up at Rey. He flashed a smile and asked, "Did you get a lot of rest?"
"Yeah, Kylo's bed is comfy." She blushed because she felt uncomfortable admitting that she actually enjoyed sharing a room with the Prince.
Finn only smirked and said, "I'm sure it is. Being a prince certainly has its perks." Rey's blush deepened. Finn's face grew serious then. "It's hard for Kylo sometimes. He has a great weight resting on his shoulders as a prince."
"Isn't he the second son of the King?" Finn motioned towards a cushioned seat on the floor and Rey sat cross legged before reaching over for a handful of almonds.
"It's true that Prince Chewbacca would typically supersede his father as the first son, but it is widely believed that Prince Kylo will be king instead. Here in Rim, the court votes on the Crown Prince. Though it's usually the first son, it could actually be any of the princes."
"Crown Prince?" She grabbed some berries to pair with the almonds.
"Yes, the prince who is going to be king when King Solo passes away. It is based on a vote, not age. The vote is very complicated. To put it briefly, the only person who has voted against Kylo being the Crown Prince is Ventress. Her vote holds a lot of weight in the court since she is the second most powerful person in Rim."
Rey chewed thoughtfully. "So, why Prince Kylo over Prince Chewbacca?"
"Prince Chewbacca has health issues, so to speak. Despite his deceiving size, he is actually quite weak, plagued with spells of extreme fatigue. That is why King Solo appointed Prince Kylo as head of his army instead of his first son. King Solo relies on Kylo heavily, giving him many of the king's responsibilities to handle. It's likely that Kylo will become king."
Finn poured two cups of wine and handed one to Rey. "Also, because Prince Chewbacca isn't able to have kids. Well, we don't believe he can; he has a wife and six concubines but none have conceived in eleven years of... trying, shall we say."
She took a sip of wine and it was sweet on her tongue. "So being able to have a son matters but after that, the birth order of those princes doesn't matter?"
"Exactly. If Prince Chewbacca cannot produce a son, then he shouldn't be king. At least, that's how many in the court feel about the issue."
Rey nodded and took another sip of wine. "How long have you known Kylo?"
"My whole life. Poe and I have been serving him since we were all kids but he treats us more like brothers than attendants. We are a little older than him, me being twenty-six and Poe being twenty-eight. Kylo just turned twenty-four himself. His mother, the late Queen Leia, brought us all up together. She was the best woman I've ever known. I couldn't imagine a better queen." Finn had a far off expression. He smiled wistfully and there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"Wow, I had no idea… I'm so sorry she's gone. I bet you all miss her a lot," Rey answered lamely. She wanted to say more but didn't know what.
The smile returned to Finn's eyes and he nodded. "Yeah, she was really something else. All of Rim loved Leia, his highness included. The king hasn't been the same since she died and now he has chosen the most wicked woman in the world as his wife."
It clicked then for Rey. "Now I see why concubines are considered to be princesses. One of them might end up being the most influential woman in the country. Or I guess the mother of the most powerful person in the country."
"Exactly. You are getting it. The Queen Mother is another important title that holds power in the court. Currently there is no one holding that position as King Solo's mother has long passed away. However, if Ventress manages to make Prince Jova king, then she would seize the role of Queen Mother and remain acting Queen until Jova married."
"And no one wants that to happen. We are up against a tough force."
Finn quirked an eyebrow. "We?"
"Yeah, I'm in this one hundred percent. I mean, you guys have taken me in and kept me safe. I will be in Jakku for another year and the least I can do is right my wrongs and pay you guys back." Finn nodded appreciatively and drained his wine before pouring some more. He had had a long day and he enjoyed winding down over a few drinks.
"So… why has Kylo not taken on any concubines so far?" Rey asked tentatively.
"Well, he wants to find the right woman who he can both love and trust to rule alongside him. He's still looking for her."
Just then, Kylo and Poe strode into the room looking tense. Kylo sat next to Rey and Poe next to Finn. "What's the word from the King's palace?" Finn asked as he poured two more cups of wine for Kylo and Poe.
Kylo took a swig from his wine and said, "Savage and his Nightbrothers have attacked Hays Minor. King Solo has ordered us to push them out and protect the city. We leave tomorrow." He looked tired and set the cup down. "The queen's doing, I'm sure of it. I think she is trying to separate Rey and I so that she can get to Rey. I'm not sure what to do. Hays Minor is valuable and besides, it's Aiden's hometown."
They then explained to Rey about Hays Minor. It was a volcanic city renowned for its blacksmiths and unique landscape. It turned out that Aiden's father was head of the city's armory district, the largest and most important part of the city. Aiden had been meant to inherit his father's business and role.
"Aiden's sisters will have to take over the business now that Aiden can't. Rose and Paige should handle it well though," Kylo finished.
"Yeah, the Tico sisters are tough! They can really hold their own in a fight and have been training under their father since they were young girls," Poe said with a few berries in his mouth. "Truly incredible fighters, indeed." He was almost always cheerful and confident, Rey noted. As if Poe could tell Rey was thinking about him, he turned his gaze on her and smiled, "I think you will really like them Rey."
"I believe you're right." Kylo said and then gave Rey a look that made her shiver. His eyes smoldered with determination and passion, glowing brightly enough to put the sun of Jakku to shame. Yes, she was home.
Ventress gazed at her long, slender figure in her full length mirror. Her platinum blonde hair ran to her waist in thick curls that covered her bare chest. She wore heavy emeralds from her ears and medallion chains around her neck. She wrapped a flowing skirt around her waist that had a beaded ribbon at the top which she tied around her waist, wrapping its folds around her. She picked up several golden bracelets from the adjacent shelving and put them on.
They clinked up and down her wrists as she continued to get ready for today's send-off. The King was holding a small offering before Prince Kylo marched to Hays Minor with the King's army. Savage had met his end of the bargain and laid an assault on Hays Minor. It was the perfect target because Savage wanted to ransack its forges and armories, while the queen wanted to rub the death of the Tico boy in Kylo's and Rey's faces.
Kylo had watched the girl like a hawk, keeping Ventress from even seeing her, let alone touching her. This attack meant that either Kylo left the girl to her own devices here in Jakku or took her to the battlefield, springing the Tico trap. Ventress figured, knowing the girl's demeanor, that she would insist on going to the battlefield. That course of action certainly took more planning on Ventress's part, but there was a sweet possibility that Kylo would also be eliminated on the battlefield if he was distracted by Rey.
Ventress was beginning to owe Savage a fortune and though she could afford it, she knew she needed to make sure the man was killed after he finished his job. She couldn't have any accomplices alive to stand as a witness against her. Savage's death would be for Jango to deal with. He was her most trusted advisor and most faithful servant and he was late.
Usually Ventress would have her handmaidens dress her but she needed to talk to Jango privately before he followed the army to Hays Minor. She dabbed balm over her sensitive spots as Jango walked in wearing his signature black hooded cloak.
"Your majesty, I am sorry, I was preparing to leave. I await further instructions." He kneeled and bowed his head. Ventress picked out a banded top with clasps in the back that she wrapped tightly around her bust and clipped shut. She threw her hair over her shoulders and dabbed on some make up. All the while, Jango remained silent and waited patiently on the floor. Eventually, she figured she'd made him wait long enough to teach him a lesson in punctuality.
"Go to the Tico sisters and tell them Rey is to blame for their brother's death. I need you to work with Savage to deceive these girls and get that girl back into my possession. Make sure those sisters take the fall and don't incriminate yourself."
"Yes, your majesty." He did not look up.
She picked up a white crystal vial and stood tall in front of her kneeled henchman. "Take this white water if all else fails. Jango, look at me." He tilted his head up and met her eyes with a hard expression, his dark eyes deep. She grabbed his face and put her lips an inch away from his and breathed, "Don't come back without her." He flinched but his expression remained stoic.
Ventress pulled away and strode back to the mirror to inspect her final appearance. She looked chillingly radiant. Satisfied, she turned to glare at Jango. "Get going!"
