In the past four days, Jaina had only found respite in her traveling quarters. While packing and doing anything other than sleeping, dressing, or going to the fresher, she and Jacen were under the watchful eyes of Poe, Finn, Rose, or Rey.
Most often it was Poe, and they were babysitting little Saoirse Stormbreaker as well. As much as Jaina adored the little girl, there was only so much she could take, being constantly around a little kid, and no one her own age except her brother.
Tash Arranda was still in the medcenter by the time they boarded the transport to the Hapes Consortium. Kyp Durron was busy following Rey around, learning from her as her official apprentice.
That left Jacen, and he was acting strange the entire trip. Their bond was more restricted than usual. Jacen claimed no one was interfering, but Jaina thought it had to be Snoke. There was no reason why Jacen would be hiding from her. . . or was there?
Jaina smoothed back her hair as she looked in the fresher mirror. It was the first night of the conference. To celebrate, there was a ball, mostly to help get some friendly feelings in the air.
But Jaina hadn't unpacked at all, except for the garment bag carrying her jewelry. According to Rey, they would be meeting their father tonight, and would be going off with him so they could figure things out.
Jaina sighed heavily. She insisted on doing herself up for the ball, but was realizing that she had no idea what she was going to do with her hair.
Keep it simple, stupid, she told herself. She thought of Rey's usual hairdo, and decided on that. A bun keeping some of her fringe out of her face, and let the rest fall, wavy and pretty.
The hairstyle was done within seconds, and Jaina then turned to the garment bag.
Rey had picked out the garments she and Jacen were wearing, supposedly.
Jaina reluctantly unzipped the gown, and gasped. It was a simple silver gown, but it flickered like starlight, and was a strapless affair. Also in the pockets of the bag was a strap to hide her lightsaber beneath her skirt, a strapless bra, and a few pieces of jewelry.
"Thanks, Mum," she muttered as she put on the bra and the little strappy thing to put on her leg. She clipped her lightsaber to it, and then threw on her dress. She was surprised at how right it felt. She threw on the bracelet for her upper arm and a necklace made of stars. Then she looked at her reflection in the mirror.
It didn't seem quite like herself. She ditched the flats, instead putting on her boots, and her old leather fingerless gloves. Jaina grinned. That was more like it.
She dropped her luggage in her mother's room. Rey was not there, but she knew her mother was still making arrangements with their father.
She left the guest quarters of the Hapan Palace, and squared her shoulders and straightened her back as she sped through the gilded halls. The Amazonian guards were the only people in those halls, and the lights were out, except for the blue moon outside.
Standing outside the hallway was Jacen, with his hair slicked back and wearing a suit with a long jacket with Alderaanian symbols on it, and a matching starry shirt to his sister's dress.
"Mum still coordinated us," Jacen said, grinning.
"It's like we're five," Jaina complained.
"She probably wants to make it easier for Father," Jacen said.
"I can't believe we're actually meeting him," Jaina said. She felt as if her stomach was full of Alderaanian Moths. "He was a hero, Jacen. Ben Solo!"
Jacen blinked. "I-I guess you could say that. You're taking this very well."
"Why wouldn't I?" Jaina asked. Before Jacen could answer, however, Kyp Durron approached.
"You look nice," Kyp said.
"So do you," Jaina said, admiring his bottle-green suit that brought out his eyes.
"Thanks," he said, offering his arm to Jaina. She waved at Jacen and smirked before following Kyp out onto the dance floor of the gilded ballroom. A group of pretty male musicians in revealing clothing were playing on an elevated platform, while equally pretty male servants were going around, collecting drinks and handing out various luxury snack foods.
Jacen came in behind them, and immediately went off looking for someone.
Jaina looked to Kyp. "I like this song. Dance with me, will you?"
"My pleasure," he said, looking ecstatic.
Of course, naturally, the song ended. The male musician tapped his microphone. "Up next is a classic waltz, so partner up, everybody!"
"Aren't we lucky?" Jaina said, looking to Kyp.
"I'd say." Kyp looked out at the dance floor. His expression quickly morphed into rage. "I didn't realize he would be here."
"Who?" Jaina had to stand on tiptoe to see who he was talking about. Offering a hand to Rey to dance was none other than Kylo Ren. "That bastard!"
She wished her mother would punch him in the face, but she didn't.
"Come on, we can dance outside," Jaina said.
Kyp followed her out to the gardens. Like everything Hapan, they were exquisite, looking to be made of silver and gold. And they glowed in the dark!
"Much better," Kyp agreed.
They began to dance for a few paces, spinning awkwardly.
"Sorry, I'm not very good at this," Jaina laughed. "I'm not a great dancer, but it's still fun."
"I've danced with worse than you," Kyp said. "Someone could be the best dancer in the world, like Kylo Ren, but still be a terrible partner."
"You think I'm a great partner?"
Kyp started leaning closer, when they heard the door fly open.
Maia— Jacen had at least told Jaina about the switch— and Jacen were standing in the doorway, looking mortified. Jaina could've sworn she saw a lipstick stain on Jacen's neck, but couldn't see in the darkness.
"Sorry," Maia said.
Jacen seemed unsure of something. "Does anyone else feel that?"
Jaina closed her eyes. Then she felt it. A chill down her back, and the feeling that someone was watching. She hitched up her skirt, and freed her saber, igniting it. Jacen and Kyp did the same, surrounding Princess Maia, just as Freya D'Arctan emerged from the bushes, with several people in black, carrying red lightsabers.
"How lucky," Freya said. "You fell right into our trap."
Maia screamed.