Chapter Text
"I'm serious Lady Esmerelda! I heard them! Your father said he was going to marry you to the highest bidder!", Madori shrieked at her.
"You think I'm concerned about the gossip you hear while scrubbing the floor, Madori?", Esme asked her servant in a dismissive manner. "You think I don't know my father intends my betrothal? Why else would we be throwing a party at a time like this? My father invited all the highest ranking officials here for a purpose. The First Order needs a moral boost after the destruction of Star Killer Base", she said whilst sliding a dangling, fire ruby into her ear. "Fasten this", she said, her voice like a whip, handing a matching onyx necklace, encrusted with rubies, to Madori.
"All I mean, my lady, is that I am concerned for you. You could be in very real danger", Madori said, picking up a brush and stroking it through Esmerelda's long blonde hair.
"Why on the seven moons would that be the case?", she asked, handing her hair pins to Madori.
"Your father also had me and the other girls send out the holo invites. One was sent to General Hux-", Madori began.
"Ha! He's handsome enough, I suppose. Wife of the frowning, red general, can you imagine?", Esmerleda giggled.
"Yes, my lady, but there was another sent...to Kylo Ren". Esme stiffened in her chair. She stared into her vanity mirror with wide eyes, and tried to imagine that masked monster next to her at the altar. Or worse, in her bed.
"Father loves me. He would never allow it", she said out loud, more to herself then to Madori.
"But he is one of the most powerful, influential men in the galaxy", Madori reminded her. Esmerelda had never formally met Kylo Ren, but she had seen him. Fortunately, he hadn't seen her as worth taking the time to socialize with and she much preferred it that way. Rumors of him slaughtering villages of people or an unlucky storm trooper reached even her planet. That's not to say she was unaccustomed to the deeds that were sometimes necessary for The First Order to retain it's regime.
But Kylo Ren raised the bar for not to be trifled with. Kylo Ren scared the absolute stuffing out of her. It was decided. She would simply avoid him at the party. She would stay on General Hux's arm, or her father's all night, and they would protect her. Regaining her confidence, she stood and reached for her party dress. A black satin ball gown. Shortly after, a knock came at the door.
"Enter!", Esme called from her mirror.
A servant entered, "My lady, your father summons you. The guests have all arrived".
"Very well", she replied. Madori finished lacing her corset. She took one last gaze into the mirror. Light glittered over the rubies around her neck. The red glow cast itself over her face. A trickle of anxiety rippled down her back as she took notice of the color scheme the seamstress and jewelers had sent up to her room.
Esme trotted down the hall to the ballroom. She heard her heels clicking on the metallic floor, causing her nose to wrinkle in annoyance. It wasn't that she disliked finery, but tonight, this costume made her feel no better than a well bred taun-taun. Her black gloves hugged her forearms tightly. The adornment was a coincidence, she told herself. These were First Order colors. Everyone dressed in a similar fashion. Her pulse quickened and she pushed the paranoia out of her mind. If she was to be bought and sold tonight then she would at the very least enjoy this party.
As she entered, two servants blew horns and announced her in a ceremonious manner, "The lady Esmerelda Pothos!".
The ball room glittered like the galaxy. A vast canvas of black, studded with the shimmer of the officials like stars. There were servants scattered about, serving drinks and refreshments. Esme observed one handing a fluted glass to her father. She smiled and made her way to him. Esmerelda's father, Crotta Pothos , was a high ranking officer back in the days of the Empire. Though more of an adviser than a fighting man, his tactical advice, data from extensive traveling, and long research of the Jedi order had been invaluable to the late Emperor Palpatine. He had long since retired, due to his age and an injury sustained during the evacuation of the Death Star. The First Order had recently thrust him back into a seat of influence, due to his experience and long standing loyalty. The old captain was comfortable in his retirement. But when The First Order came to call, he could hardly refuse their tempting offer.
"Esme! There you are. You have kept me waiting", he called in a disapproving manner. She twirled then, showing her dress.
"Am I not worth waiting for Father?", she asked smiling.
"You are indeed. But you have kept our guest of honor waiting, come. I wish you to meet someone", he took her arm and strode across the room. Dancing couples swirled around them. A young woman's dress spun in a storm of color and Esme pulled against her father's grasp.
"Papa, I want to dance. Can't it wait?", she pleaded.
"No, dear. The man in question waits for no one", he replied with a serious tone. Esme gave a powerful roll of her eyes, followed by a dissatisfied huff. They reached a great marble stair case. As they ascended, they were met by General Hux.
"General!", Esmerelda chirped happily.
"My lady", General Hux replied with a short bow and a kiss of her hand.
"Father, had you told me the General of The First Order was our guest of honor I would not have delayed one moment in getting ready!", Esmerelda said, returning his bow with a curtsy.
"Surely, Lady Esmerelda, it was worth every moment of waiting for how lovely you are tonight", General Hux said with what smile he could muster for such a serious man.
Esmerelda laughed, "You are most kind General. Father, tell me, truly, it was the General you wished me to speak with?".
A servant quickly plodded down the stairs with a silver tray. He seemed to be hurrying out of the way. Esme stopped him, holding her hand up, and took a glass of wine from his tray. The boy never met her eyes. He was frantically fixated on what remained at the top of the steps.
Crotta took her by the arm again, "I did have someone I wanted you to meet, my dear. But you and the General have met many times already..".
"Then who-?", she began.
The sound of heavy, leather boots on stone stomped out the pleasantries. Her eyes darted around for whatever barbarian was trampling all over the polished floor. Then, she saw him.
"Captain Crotta, this is the girl? Let's get on with it then. I have many matters to attend to for the Supreme Leader", Kylo Ren said, barely looking at her. Not that she could tell what he was looking at through that giant hunk of metal on his head.
"Well, that was romantic Ren. Could you show courtesy to your bride at the very least?", General Hux said with a snort.
Esmerelda turned suddenly to her father, "What?", she asked darkly.
General Hux looked at Ren, clearly amused with Esmerelda's distaste, "My lady, my deepest sympathies. I offered my suit for your hand but this", he gestured to Kylo, "is what the Supreme Leader agreed to".
She ripped her arm away from Crotta, "Father!".
"Esmerelda! Stop this! You promised me you would marry-",
She cut him off, "He will kill me!", she cried out in horror.
"Esmerelda!", her father shouted, reaching for her.
"NO!!", she shouted with force and turned to run, tears begging to fall from her eyes. She gathered up her dress and sprinted away from them, disappearing into the crowd. Making her way to the servant station, she tried to keep from crying. If she could make it to the servants hall, she could get to her room without being seen. Esme grabbed a glass of champagne. Her face curled into a grimmace, champagne was for celebrating. The door was in reach, her hand stretched out, but then she stopped. A strange sensation rippled through her. Why couldn't she move? She willed her feet to move, but they did not. Her resolve did not diminish, even when she felt herself being pulled backwards. She continued to struggle against the force, against him. The glass in her hand shook. She thought she might drop it. Her whole body was quivering as she tried to will herself out of his spell. She knew she was in his grip. She was lucky he wasn't choking the life out of her.The musicians suddenly stopped playing, and she could feel all eyes on her. Esme heard his heavy boots. The servants and guests cleared the way for him. Her chest and throat tightened. The tears in her eyes finally fell, without her permission. The footsteps finally stopped, right behind her. His course, heavy breath was in her ear, and the cold metal of his mask seemed to shock the back of her neck.
"Hear this now, girl. The Supreme Leader has said I am to marry you, so I will. He has also said, I am not to kill you, so I will not. BUT if you ever disobey me again, I will make you beg for death", he growled at her.
"You don't have to agree to this. It doesn't have to be you-", she whispered.
"I have my orders", he replied, curtly.
"Please-", she started.
"Don't beg, girl. Face your fate with some dignity", he said. He took control of her hand, forcing her to drop the wine glass. It shattered on the floor. Kylo Ren pulled her out stretched hand to him with the force. He kept her there and pulled a ring from his belt. He slid it on her finger unceremoniously, and released her from his grip. Esmerelda eyed the ring. It was a dark silver, with a ruby the size of gum drop. Kylo Ren stared at her, staring at it, then turned to make his way for the exit. She only had one question. Did she dare to ask? Esme's fatal flaw surfaced. A bold phoenix rising from the ashes of her fear. He would not silence her, not here. Not in her house. Her courage always rose at every attempt to intimidate her.
"My lord!", she called after him, suddenly in a demanding tone. He stopped sharply, but not turning to face her. "Could you not wear the helmet to the wedding?", she asked, a smirk in her voice. He gave no response and left. After his departure, the musicians decided it was safe to start up again. Madori suddenly appeared by her side to clean up the broken glass on the floor.
"Well that went well..."