Chapter Text
As maid and consort to Lady Leia Organa, you’d been on many ships before, but nothing like this. Nothing prepared you for the luxury, the scale, the sheer grandness of the RMS Titanic.
You were accompanying your mistress to America in an attempt to gather support and supplies for The Resistance, a burgeoning political movement aiming to protect small towns and villages from being taken over by the tyrannical Kingdom of Ren. While the Kingdom had only recently been established from the ruins of the old Vader Empire, King Ren and his army had already sown seeds of fear across Europe, and there were rumors that they were planning to expand their efforts into the Americas. Your mission was to put an end to their endeavours before the damage was too devastating.
As you followed Lady Organa up the steps and into the body of the massive ship, it was easy to forget the reason you were boarding in the first place. You’d never seen anything so magnificent in your life. Despite being a first class consort to a former princess, your life within The Resistance was modest. Even the corridors leading to your suite were nicer than any place you’d lived. Your jaw nearly dropped to the floor as you entered your room; your eyes almost bulged out of your head trying to take in every sight at once. Lady Organa noticed your incredulity and smiled, resting a hand on your arm.
“I’m glad you like it,” she laughed.
“Once again, I cannot thank you enough for letting me come along!” you replied.
“Well, it wasn’t like I had much of a choice. You are my most trusted companion and I know I couldn’t undertake this campaign without you. But not now. For the next week, as long as we’re on this ship, you’re free to enjoy yourself however you like.”
“But ma’am!”
“I insist,” she smiled
You embraced your mistress - really, she was more like a friend or a mother to you - before heading out to explore the boundless vessel.
****
After exploring for nearly an hour, your legs had grown tired, so you’d decided to rest in the sun on one of the lounge chairs of the First Class deck with one of your favorite books, a collection of short children’s tales. You were lost in the bliss of the ship, the sun, and the stories when a man’s voice broke your spell.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I couldn’t help but notice what you’re reading. I love that book.”
You looked up to see a tall man, thin but handsome, with bright red hair and striking green eyes. He gave a tight but earnest smile before continuing. “I know they’re meant for children but still I find them quite charming.”
“Me too,” you replied. “The stories are sweet but the real enchantment is the-”
“-illustrations,” the two of you said in unison.
You closed your book to give the man your full attention and introduced yourself to him.
“A pleasure to meet you,” the man said, taking your hand and placing a kiss to your gloved knuckles. “Might I have the delight of accompanying you to the cafe for a snack?
“Are you sure you’d like to be seen with me?”
“Oh, why’s that?” he asked.
“Don’t let the attire fool you, I’m only a lady’s maid. My mistress is kind and gives me time off. I hold a first class ticket, but no status of my own.”
“Well that's no trouble at all, I've got status enough for the both of us. General Armitage Hux at your service.”
“General?”
“A meaningless title, really. All it's ever been good for is getting in high class establishments and wooing beautiful women,” he smiled and winked so subtly you might have missed it.
“Well one of those is certainly true; let's hope the other is as well. It would be my honour to accompany you, Armitage.”
****
Your orders were taken quickly by a waiter in the First Class cafe, then the two of you were left to make small talk.
“So what are you General of then, Armitage?” you asked.
“A small kingdom, off the coast of England... very small. I don't expect you to have heard of it.”
“A kingdom doesn't sound very small,” you pressed.
“It's not even a kingdom really, though he likes to think of it as one.”
“Who does?”
“The King.”
“Ahh,” you giggled.
“It's really.... I suppose more of a political party. We hold no power in political affairs. Yet. But we'd like to. That's why we're coming to America, a campaign attempt.” General Hux explained.
“That's ambitious for such a small kingdom.”
“I’m an ambitious man.”
“So it's your idea?”
“Oh yes, fortunately too. If King Ren had his way, we'd be at war with all of Europe by now.”
“King wh-”
"Two peach sorbets," the waiter interrupted, placing a glass bowl in front of each of them.
"Oh, thank you", said Hux, already dipping his spoon into the frozen treat. "I just love peach."
"Me too," you replied, almost forgetting what you'd been discussing the moment the sweet taste of sorbet hit her tongue. "It's my absolute favourite."
"Well there's two things we have already then: Beatrix Potter stories and peach sorbet."
The rest of the meal continued without any political talk. You spoke for hours, the chemistry between you sweeter than the sorbet. Time was lost in the swirling conversation covering such fascinating topics as other favorite children’s stories and whether or not that really was Dorothy Gibson sitting two tables away. You were so enthralled by his charisma and your compatibility, you could hardly think about the burning question in the back of your mind about exactly who the General served when his hand was in yours, leading you to the deck. The sunset reflected off the sweeping ocean, turning the sea the color of Armitage’s hair; you couldn’t decide which was more lovely to look at. Armitage made the decision for you, bringing a soft finger to your cheek.
“It's almost as beautiful as you,” he whispered, the breath of his words barely audible above the ship splitting the ocean beneath you. “I was afraid this was going to just be another tedious business trip, but you’ve already made it worthwhile. I’m glad I've met you.”
“And I, you,” you whispered back, turning your head towards him to find your faces only inches away.
His eyes were locked onto your lips, almost like he was willing them to meet with his. It took you very little time to give into the magnetism, leaning upwards as his arms wrapped around you, guiding the way. You remained in his grasp even when your lips parted. The sun was nearly gone beneath the horizon of the water.
“It's late,” you whispered into his cheek.
“Could I meet you here again tomorrow?” he asked.
“I’d like that,” you replied, “very much.”
“In the meantime shall I walk you back to your room?”
The short walk was taken in silence, though it didn’t feel awkward. You paused at your door.
“Well, this is me.”
“I’ve got some business to attend to in the morning, but I’d like to take you to lunch.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” you replied.
Hux gave you one last kiss to the hand before departing for his own room, only turning back once to give you a grin when he saw you were still watching him go. Finally, as he turned a corner, you opened the door to your suite. Lady Organa was waiting inside on the bed, worry creased in her brow, but her eyes lit up when she saw you.
“My dear, how was your day?” she asked, standing to greet you.
“Oh madam,” you sighed blissfully, settling yourself onto a chair. “I’ve met the most wonderful man. We spoke for hours….. You know I’ve never been one for romantic endeavours but then I’ve never met someone who can hold a conversation like he could. Maybe it's just the beauty of the ocean but it all felt so, well, magical. I’m meeting him again tomorrow for lunch.” You closed your eyes and smiled at the thought of what tomorrow might bring.
Leia sighed and took your hand.
“I’m so very happy for you. But I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news.”
Your eyes shot open and you stared at her, waiting with bated breath for her next words.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us, it seems,” she said. “I’ve gotten word that King Ren has also sent some of his men on board this very ship to to attempt his takeover of the Americas earlier than we anticipated. I’m not sure who it is, but we need to keep a keen eye and ear out for anyone trying to spread his Ren’s creed to the other passengers. We can’t lose this war before we’ve even begun fighting it.”
You lowered your head, staring a hole into the carpet as realization sank over you, drowning you in the sharp chill of shock and disappointment. Your words came out a shaky whisper, wishing they didn’t need to be said but knowing it was right.
“Ma’am. I know who it is.”