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Coruscant Bridal: A Galactic Affair
On Coruscant, the heart of the galaxy, thousands of brides prepare for their big day. But today, at Coruscant Bridal, we have a client like no other.
Consultant Morteek hopes to keep the peace among the newly revealed family members on opposite sides of a four-year war as he greets a high-profile family.
“Emperor Vader, Princess Organa, Prince Skywalker.” Morteek bows to the trio in the lobby. “We are very pleased to have been considered, and we have prepared very carefully for your arrival today.”
Leia smiles perfectly, a picture of calm authority in a simple grey tunic and trousers. Luke offered a smile and a bow of the head as well. “We are very pleased to be here.”
Emperor Vader says nothing, his hulking figure still, and his eyes flicker over the display pieces. Morteek swallowed, attempting to ignore him.
Private interview (Leia): “My name is Leia Organa, and I am twenty-three years old from Aldera Alderaan. I’m marrying Han Solo, we fought together, nearly died together, and well. I just know we’ll spend our lives together.” She smiled, a real giddy smile.
“Finding a dress during a galactic civil war wasn’t a priority. In all honesty, I wasn’t certain we would survive the whole thing, but now we’ve signed a peace treaty, well… I can worry about dresses and a wedding.”
“Anyway, with the war and everything, I really don’t have a gaggle of girlfriends to bring. My oldest friend is a Wookiee, and he sheds. Luke suggested… family. It’s a new concept for us. We’re trying.” She pauses, a flicker of wry humor in her eyes.
“What was the other question? Oh, I’ve brought my brother Luke and my father at my brother’s insistence. So we’ll see how that goes.”
Back to the consult: “What type of style are you looking for?”
Private interview (Luke): “Leia and I… we missed out on a lot—normal things. You know, during the war, I knew this was something important to her, and she didn’t really think this could be something she could have. But she and Han deserve to have a great wedding. And Leia deserves to have a great time choosing a dress. I may have overestimated my peacekeeping abilities, though? Father and Leia have been… struggling, and I thought maybe they could bond?” Luke rubs the back of his head absently, a stressed look on his face.
Back to the consult: “Something classic. Elegant. Not overly ornate. I need to be able to move. And no ridiculous headpieces.”
Private interview (Emperor Vader): “I do not understand the point of this spectacle. My daughter has been planning this wedding for two months already. I eloped in three days and fought in the clone wars in seven days latter.”
Vader’s arms were folded as he leaned against a wall, a dark look on his face.
“The husband she chose is far from an ideal match. He is a smuggler. He’s untrustworthy. Annoying. His ship is in shambles.”
Vader shook his head.
“Unfortunately, my daughter’s happiness appears inexplicably tied to him. And she had inherited her mother’s… resolve. And I have promised Luke to… try.”
Back to the consult: “What do you think about this?” Morteek pulled a fitted ivory gown from the rack, soft draping at the waist, long sleeves that moved easily. “It’s a traditional Alderaanian-inspired, but modernized.”
Leia studied it, then nodded politely. “It’s beautiful.”
“Do you want to show them?” She nodded. Leia strode out onto the pedestal with sure steps and strong shoulders.
Luke smiled brightly. “I think it’s. Yeah. That looks really nice.”
Vader said nothing.
Private interview (Morteek): “I’ve worked with senators, royalty, planetary governors. High-stress families are nothing new. But this? This is… unprecedented. The bride is emotionally guarded. Much more ready to get into a firefight than show her family a dress. The brother is trying to manage everyone’s reactions, and the father…” He pauses. “The father is completely disengaged. That’s never a good sign.”
Back to the consult: The doors to the viewing room slid open, and an older woman swept in, robes impeccably tailored, hair sculpted into precise, long silver waves. Her presence was calm but commanding, the kind of woman who could handle any problem.
“Madame Vann,” Morteek breathed, visibly relieved.
“I heard we had a very special bride today,” Madame Vann said soothly, her kind eyes taking in Leia, Luke, and then finally, Vader. “And a very… complicated entourage.”
Vader inclined his head a millimeter. Madame Vann nodded in return.
Private interview (Madame Vann): “I don’t concern myself with titles. I concern myself with people. Brides tell you everything without saying a word- and so do their families.”
Madame Vann sighed. “This family… Morteek thinks the father is disengaged. I think he wants to engage but isn’t certain how. We need to draw him in. Whether she knows it or not she’s looking for something from him.
Back to the consult: Leia tried on gown after gown. In the viewing room, Luke leaned forward hopefully as the curtain opened.
Leia stepped out in a new gown. The dress fit perfectly, a more flowy dress this time with elegant straight lines. Any other day, it would have been the one.
Silence.
Leia stared at her reflection. Her expression didn’t change.
“I don’t know,” she said finally. “It’s nice.”
Luke swallowed, his smile dimming. “You don’t sound very excited.”
“I am excited,” Leia replied automatically, then stopped herself. She sighed. “I just-”
Vader’s gaze flicked away.
Madame Vann stepped closer, studying Leia’s posture, the way her shoulders were squared and tense as if she wore armor rather than a dress. “How do you feel in it, dear?”
Leia hesitated. “Like I’m borrowing someones dress.”
The words landed heavily.
Private interview (Leia): “You know, I’ve worn disguises. Uniforms. Ceremonial robes. Things that mean hope, authority, and strength. Every dress today just feels like another role I’m supposed to perform.”
Her voice softens. “I don’t feel like a bride. I feel like… I’m still a soldier. A soldier who happens to be getting married and will go right back to fighting the day after.”
Private interview (Luke): “I just want her to have this. Something uncomplicated and joyful. She’s done so much, she carries so much on her shoulders. If this day becomes another battlefield because of…” He exhales. “Because of us. I don’t know how I’ll forgive myself.”
Private interview (Emperor Vader): “I am acutely aware that I am not welcome in these decisions.”
Private interview (Morteek and Madame Vann): “What do we do?” Morteek questioned. “She’s losing hope in finding something. He’s not participating. At all.”
Madame Vann sighed. “It’s more than that, Morteek. It always is.”
“How do you know? I can’t get a read at all! And it’s affecting her. Look at her. She’s rejecting beautiful, perfect dresses because she’s looking at him for a reaction she’s never going to get.”
Madame Vann turned. “Its not just a dress for her. This is the first… normal, feminine, non-political thing she has done in her adult life. And she’s doing it in front of the two most important men in her life. One is giving her nothing but support. The other is a completely blank slate. She’s looking for a sign. From him.”
“A sign of what?” Morteek groaned.
“Approval? Acceptance. That this peace, this wedding, this normal life she’s trying to build… is possible.” Madame Vann shook her head. “That she sees herself as a bride, not a princess or a general. And he’s just… sitting there. No wonder she can’t commit. She’s fighting a war in that fitting room, and she doesn’t even know it. Just leave it to me.”
Back to the consult: Madame Vann watched Vader carefully as Leia changed into another dress. He stood rigid, hands clenched behind his back, as though afraid to touch anything.
“Emperor Vader,” Madame Vann said gently, once Leia had stepped away. “May I ask you something?”
Luke froze.
Vader turned slowly. “You may.”
“You are very quiet,” she said. “It is because you disapprove… or because you are afraid to say the wrong thing?”
Luke ran a hand through his hair. Morteek held his breath.
Vader’s voice, when it came, was low. “Everything I say to my daughter seems to be wrong.”
Madame Vann nodded, as if this confirmed something.
Another gown. Then another.
Each time, Leia emerged composed, gracious, and increasingly tired.
“They’re all beautiful,” she said finally, exhaustion creeping into her voice. “I think I just… maybe this was a mistake.”
Luke’s face fell. “Leia…”
She shook her head. “I don’t need a dress. We could just… have something small. Simple.”
Vader’s breath caught, almost imperceptibly.
Madame Vann straightened. “Princess,” She said firmly, “please give us a moment.”
Leia hesitated, then nodded and stepped away.
Madame Vann turned directly to Vader.
“You came today because your son asked you to try,” she said. “Trying does not mean standing silently while your daughter gives up on something she deserves.”
Vader’s hands trembled.
“There is… something,” he said slowly. “But it… I am not sure she would.”
Luke’s eyes widened. “Father?”
Vader looked at him. “Retrieve the case. From the shuttle.”
Vader knocked on the door to the changing room and entered.
Leia’s brows drew together as she sat in her robe waiting for her stylist to come back.
Vader knelt next to her, holding the carefully preserved garment case.
“What’s this?” She asked.
Vader looked down at the box.
“This,” He said, voice uncharacteristically full of emotion, “belonged to your mother.”
Leia’s breath hitched.
Vader opened the ase.
Inside lay Padmé Amidala’s wedding dress. Leia took in the carefully preserved, elegant lace and flowy fabric. It was elegant, timeless, untouched by war. It was ornate but functional, designed to allow for movement, for joy.
“She wore it when we married on Naboo,” Vader continued. “Before… everything.”
Tears blurred Leia's vision. This dress was special. She could feel the love in this dress.
“I did not bring it to impose,” he said quietly. “Only… in case you wished to.”
Madame Vann wiped her eyes from behind the door.
Private interview (Madame Vann): “This wasn’t really about the dress. It was about honoring the past without being consumed by it. About a father and daughter.”
Leia tried it on.
When she stepped out, Luke gasped in awe.
She looked like herself. Strong, radiant, relaxed.
Leia’s teary eyes met Vader’s gaze. For the first time, he didn’t look away.
Vader approached, the veil in his hand.
She nodded jerkily and allowed him to settle the veil into place.
Vader wiped his eyes discreetly.