Wrote this years ago. Hope you like it :)

OOOOOO

Promised

By Dant Solo

PROLOGUE

The last time Princess Leia's parents had sat her down for a serious talk, she had been fourteen and they had introduced her to the idea of getting involved with the Rebellion. Leia had gripped tightly to the idea and clung to it relentlessly.

That had been two years ago and now, here they sat again, facing one another in the library, her favorite room in the palace. It was smaller, cozy, and far less formal than most of the other rooms.

Sitting in a comfortable chair, she faced her parents where they sat on the matching sofa. She raised a dubious eyebrow and waited with strained patience.

Bail Organa appeared uncharacteristically uneasy as he held his wife's hand in his and smiled at his daughter.

"Leia," he began in his steady, serious tone. "Ashton Palacio contacted me this morning."

Leia frowned to herself. The Palacios were very good family friends and it wasn't out of the ordinary for them to be in touch. She was suddenly concerned. "Is everything all right?"

"Oh, yes, everything is fine," he assured her. "He had a specific…proposition for me. Or rather, for you."

Her brow rose. "For me?" Her hand instinctively gestured towards herself.

Breha smiled at her daughter. "Yes, for you, Leia. But, we want you to understand, that this is something we wish for you to decide for yourself. This is your decision and we do not wish to influence you in any way."

Now she was intrigued. What could this possibly be about? "Please, Mother, just tell me what it is. There's no need to dance around it."

Her father sighed and smiled gently. "Leia, you're going to have to learn to be more patient if you are to become a Senator."

Her lips pressed together. "I promise you, Father, when the time comes I shall be the epitome of patience. Now, what is going on?"

For just a moment, his lips twisted to the suppression of a smile. Quickly, he was all business again. "Leia, Ash has said that Benny would like to ask for your hand in marriage."

Several beats passed in which Leia was unable to respond. Her eyes went wide with shock. "Benny…wants to marry me?" she finally sputtered incredulously. She had known Bennington Palacio her entire life, had played with him as a child. He had spent years teasing and tormenting her, until not too long ago. In the past few years, they had grown closer and become confidants.

Her father's smile widened to a grin. "I was surprised as well."

"Leia, this is your decision," her other repeated. "You can certainly refuse if that is what you wish."

Leia nodded and sat back, mind buzzing. She had never given serious thought to marriage. There was so much she wanted to accomplish that she did not have time for such musings.

The Palacios were a wealthy, powerful family, of royal lineage. Ashton's brother was the King of the Stancia system. The merger of their families would be lucrative.

But, beyond that, they would be powerful. If Stancia were to offer their support to the Alliance…

And she loved Benny, had always thought of him as a brother. Could she possibly feel more for him?

Then again, marriages had been built on much less. The arrangement of marriages had been a tradition in many systems for longer than Leia had been alive. In some cases, the spouses did not meet until the wedding day. She had always found the idea appalling. What if you hated this person you had been promised to?

Her aunts had always pushed the idea of marriage on her, just as much as her own parents had always declared it as her choice. She knew that, as the Princess of Alderaan, there were certain expectations of her, ones that she found to be more of a chore than anything else.

If she married Benny, that aspect of her life would be taken care of, never to be worried over again. And it might benefit the Rebellion at some point down the line.

At least she knew she cared about him, and he cared for her too. It seemed a solution that would take care of itself and favor many.

But, perhaps she should speak to Benny before making a life-altering decision.

She smiled at both her parents. "I am going to seriously consider it," she finally replied, head held high and confident. "I would like to speak to Benny about it before anything is decided."

Bail and Breha both appeared surprised. "That's a wonderful idea, Leia," her father said, clearly pleased.

Her mother was smiling at her in wonder.

Yes, Leia thought. This could be a good thing.

OOOOOOO

On the balcony of Leia's bedroom suite, she gazed down at the party below. Behind her, Benny spoke just above her head.

"How does it feel to be an engaged woman at the ripe old age of seventeen?"

She turned to find him grinning, dark eyes twinkling. He looked very handsome in his gray suit and Leia found that it still shocked her to think of herself as engaged to be married. But, they had signed the bonding contract just before her birth right party, each placing their thumb print to seal the agreement. Now that it was official, her father had announced their engagement.

It had become too overwhelming, all the people descending upon them with congratulations. They had stolen away for a bit to regroup and catch their breath.

With a charming smile, he placed his hands on her shoulders and bent to kiss her. Their lips clung together, his tongue pressing inside her mouth.

After agreeing to the engagement several months ago, Benny had given her the first kiss of her life. She had found it odd and awkward, but had since grown to enjoy kissing him.

He was breathing through his nose, hot and steamy against her skin. His hands slid from her shoulders, down her back to her encircle her waist. With a gentle pull, he pressed her body against his. Unused to the intimacy, she tensed and he stood to look at her.

"Are you all right?"

Leia nodded with a small smile. "Yes, of course. I just…" She averted her eyes momentarily then forced herself to meet his gaze.

He smiled, eyes filled with understanding. "Was I the first man you've kissed?" he asked curiously.

"Yes," she admitted steadily, unwilling to show her discomfort.

He stroked her cheek with gentle fingers. "I am a lucky man indeed."

She smiled up at him, feeling a bit less self-conscious.

His eyes became intent. "Leia…" His words drifted off and he kissed her with more passion than ever before, molding his body to hers again.

Swallowing her nerves, she allowed him to guide her tongue with his, hands gliding across her back, her hips, to her buttocks. Something fluttered in her stomach as a pleasurable rush flew through her.

His mouth abandoned hers and began kissing and sucking at the sensitive skin of her neck. Leia was surprised by the heat and excitement that flooded her.

When he pulled away, she felt a twinge of disappointment. "Leia," he whispered. "I want to make love to you. I've loved you for so many years now. And you're going to be my wife."

This was so unexpected. She hadn't yet given a thought to becoming physical with Benny.

She had no prior experience with men, but of course she knew the mechanics of sex. Having never given it much thought before, she was surprised to find that she felt curious and aroused.

They would be married eventually. There was no reason not to.

She peered at him with a thoughtful intensity. His eyes were bright and expectant, lips moist and parted, face flushed.

"Yes," she breathed, her lips barely moving.

A smile exploded across his features and his mouth rained kisses on both her cheeks before settling at her mouth and gently tugging her towards the bed.