It's a couple hours before it's officially Friday where I am, but it's never too early for more H/l, right? Hey, THANK YOU all for sticking with me and letting me know you like this. MTFBY Always!

Chapter 6: Oh Sure, It's a Friendly Favor

They arrived back at the main palace a few hours later. Neither had spoken much the entire time. King Antropo requested that they meet with him immediately.

"Leia, Solo, I trust that you both enjoyed your time at the Garden Palace?" He asked by way of greeting before the door had shut behind them.

Han glanced at Leia questioningly. Hadn't she told him of the circumstances? Leia said nothing until the door shut.

The King noticing Han's inquiring expression explained, "Just a precaution. No one must know of the true circumstances behind this bonding. Come sit down, we have some things to discuss."

Both Princess Leia and Solo took seats in the lounge area of the huge stately office. The King seated himself across from them.

"There is much to be done. There will be a formal dinner tonight to announce your bonding, which had been set for the day after tomorrow. Dinner is at 19:00 sharp. All of the principle dignitaries will be there. As requested, Princess, I am keeping the press as limited as possible so as to avoid arousing any suspicions with the Empire. I can see to it that your names are not spread offworld."

Han shook his head in disbelief, "And how exactly are you going to do that? Word tends to get around." Solo didn't like the idea of the Empire getting wind of this and putting Leia in the same position as she had been with Alderaan. Although there was no longer a Death Star to contend with, that didn't mean they couldn't use this system to make her life a living hell. He couldn't see her go through that again.

"This is a small world, relatively unnoticed as it is. Our people are interested in keeping to themselves as much as possible and if I present to them that our new queen and her lifemate seek privacy for the good of the people, they will trust me. It's been done before here quite successfully. After Alderaan, we are all quite aware of how our lives depend on keeping the Empire out. When Leia decides to actively rule from the throne, it is then that the people will expect her to reveal herself beyond this system. You have to understand, it's our way."

"If I decide to rule," Leia firmly reminded the King.

King Antropo smiled indulgently, acknowledging her reluctance.

Solo still wasn't sure, but he had no choice except to trust him at this point. "You better be right about that," Han warned protectively. "How do you know you can trust these 'dignitaries?' Won't they have a problem with an offworlder being married into the family instead of one of them?"

"As long as it appears that you two have been involved for some time, it won't be a problem. They do have family interests to protect, but that includes protecting their status from the Empire even more so."

The King could see that Solo was still not convinced. He leaned forward to lend weight to his words. "I have no interest in putting Princess Leia in any danger. Her anonymity will be protected as well as yours," the King reassured him once again.

Solo again assessed the King's words. Despite her reasoning for it, Leia was taking a huge chance and Han knew that she understood that. It was one of the reasons he agreed to go through this with her.

"Now there is much to be done. I have assigned you each a primary assistant. They will take care of all that you require to prepare for the ceremonies. Princess, it would be best if you met with yours immediately. She is waiting outside for you. I have a few things to go over with Captain Solo here in the meantime."

"That will be fine, Uncle." She stood, "I'll see you both at dinner."

After Leia left, King Antropo poured a couple of drinks and offered one to Solo. "I think you will like this."

"This isn't another one of your magic potions, is it?" Han said sarcastically, giving the liquid a sniff.

"Far from it," the King chuckled. He obviously liked the charismatic Solo.

"So what's this about?" Han asked, getting down to business. He never did like beating around the borran tree.

"I wanted to know how things went between you and Princess Leia while at the Garden Palace," the King smiled.

"Why don't you ask her?" Han said suspiciously.

Raising his eyebrows, the King chuckled, "Oh, I did." Leaning back into the cushion behind him, he brought his gazed to rest on Solo. "Now, I am asking you."

"What did she say?" Han asked, looking slightly uneasy.

The King's grin grew wider as he read much into Solo's reaction, "She said to ask you."

Han's admiration of Leia raised yet another notch. Still, he wasn't about to give away anything more than she had. "Well, I agreed to this to help her out."

"She can be persuasive, can't she?" the King asked leaning in conspiratorially towards Solo as if to warrant some information that way.

"Right," Han said in a rather patronizing tone of voice. Who did this guy think he was dealing with? Han stared him down pointedly, "What you really want to know is if your little potion did the trick."

The King held his glass up in salute and nodded his head before taking a sip.

"Look, I'm just helping her out of a tight spot as a friend. That's it. End of story," Han said in brusque defense, crossing his arms and throwing one ankle onto the opposite knee.

King Antropo sat back stroking his silver beard with a thumb and forefinger, considering Han's answer. His entire answer, not just the words he spoke, but his body language, tone, and expression. The King wasn't a stupid man either. He could see there was much more to what Solo was saying. However, he also realized that he needed Solo right now.

"Well, then, if that's the case, I thank you for what you are doing for us. I will have the dissolution decree ready to be approved by you. Then you can file it with the Minister of Records before you leave. It will not imply any wrongdoing on either of your parts, so you needn't worry."

"Who's worried?" Han asked, before downing the rest of his drink in one gulp. It was very smooth liquor, he had to admit.

"Would you like another?" the King offered.

Solo shook his head, really just wanting to get out of there. He placed the glass on the table and stood up, "Thanks for the drink, but I guess I better start getting ready for this little party of yours."

"You'll find your assistant waiting outside." The King rose, "And Solo?"

Han turned around before reaching the door, "Yeah?"

"You and Leia have a few things in common. She cares more than she lets on," the King grinned.

Han didn't answer. He just turned on his boot heel and strode outside to meet this assistant he was already dreading dealing with.