Chapter Text
The rain pelted down, darkening the sky. It always stormed in Exegol, particularly at night, with wicked claws of lightning that made sure all but the brave and the desperate stayed locked safely inside. Rey was unsure when she could last recall bright sunshine, perhaps in those fleeting, fading memories, shining in Mother’s hair from behind. Watching through leaded glass, she could track the movements of Grandfather’s visitor as he arrived.
Grandfather Palpatine’s lands had fallen into ruin before her birth, or so the story went. Her parents had abandoned her, running to somewhere greener, leaving her while they enjoyed a life of relaxation - leaving Grandfather to try and rebuild his status alone. It was the story Rey had learned not to argue with.
“My Lady, you must be present to greet Lord Ren with your Grandfather.” A demure servant, with eyes lowered. They were always looking down, always in deference. Rey was surrounded but always alone.
“Of course, my thanks.” A gentle bow of her head and Rey began the descent to the main hall, where a feast of sorts was being prepared. There had been little notice the Knights of Ren would be arriving to inspect the newly claimed lands on behalf of Lord Snoke, and Grandfather did not believe in wasting precious coin on pitiful things like spices and material luxuries. So the cook had done their best, with what little there was to be had.
She’d overseen it herself, from the menu to the scrubbing of the cloth now draped over the tables. Rey doubted it would compete with sumptuous meals in well-lit palaces but it was the best her hands could manage. Polishing the silver herself while Grandfather laughed in mockery. Who did she think to impress, followed up by reminders that they must ensure Lord Ren was pleased with his visit. But he must not too pleased. Grandfather wanted no more visits.
Perhaps when he sees how destitute we are, he will assist.
Pathetic girl, you don’t understand men like him. You are fortunate I am still here to protect you.
It was true, Rey agreed silently as her slippered feet brought her into the hall, that she did not know what type of man Lord Ren was. But she knew very well what type of man her Grandfather was. An idea had been periculating in the back of her mind, a concept she’d played with. Refined over time. Perhaps this was the moment.
Lord Kylo Ren was utterly furious, volatile by nature and enraged further by the circumstances. The reports regarding Exegol’s miserable terrain had not adequately described the hell. Stripped of natural greenery, the land was nearly a desert bereft of farms, trees or grazing lands. Sheev Palpatine had stolen everything he could from the lands, his vassals and the common folk who worked the land.
Far less incensed by the cruelty, Ren was in a temper due to the wretched time he and the Knights had made traveling. Stuck for hours of going slow in the rain meant that every one of them were soaked to the bone, freezing in the night air and their horses were practically ruined from the trek.
“Take care of these animals like your life depends on it.” Ren growled, turning the reins over to an unfortunate stablehand. “It does.”
He was aware of the figure he cut, even more so in the darkness of night storms. Ren wore black nearly exclusively, with a long cloak that was embroidered with heavy gold thread and unfurled behind him when he stalked in fury. Which was often. The Knights, in no better shape, followed close behind without a word of reassurance. They took their cues from the Lord himself, more loyal to him than any other figure, including his own Lord.
The steps from the stable to the keep had felt another arduous journey all on it’s on. Ren wanted little more than a hot mug of mead, some seasoned meat and a dark corner to sit in. Perhaps somewhere by a window, letting him actually enjoy the miserable atmosphere.
“Ahh, Lord Ren. It is so good to see you!”
“The false cheer of a man’s on death’s door.” Ren snapped, not bothering to remove his helmet or even open the visor. He didn’t need to, not to be able to identify the cold warmth of the man walking towards them. Kylo Ren had never met Sheev Palpatine, not in any of his lifetimes, but it is rarely difficult to spot the Lord of the Manor. Trailing behind him, with hands neatly folded, was a woman. Too young to be the Lord’s mistress or deceased wife, Ren pegged her for the granddaughter. Little was known of the woman, when he mentioned her at all Sheev referred to her as a delicate creature - unsuited for court life or venturing past his walls.
“Ahh, the stories of your sharp tongue do not do you justice. Rey, fetch our guest a drink and let them settle before the fire to eat.” Unruffled, her grandfather was already giving orders. Rey swallowed a sigh, turning silently to comply. What she knew of the visitor was barely more than myth and legend - a vicious warrior who seemed to rise from nowhere, with newly bestowed lands and no ties to speak of.
“I’ve seen better spreads between a whore’s legs.” One of the Knights smirked, pulling off their helmet and eying the meal with open disdain.
“We did the best we could, with the notice we had.” Rey spoke without thinking, her eyes focused intently on the glass she was filling. Then felt Grandfather’s heavy hand clamp on her shoulder.
“Give our guest his drink, then go rest. You have overtired yourself, my darling.”
She nearly overfilled the goblet, eyes shutting for a moment. He would come to lecture her later, and Rey would be fortunate if she got away with only verbal attacks. Perhaps he wouldn’t want the Knights to see the Lady Rey with bruises and would wait until they left.
“Of course.” The decanter of wine seemed to thud like a headman’s axe as Rey placed it back down. Crossing the room to offer Lord Ren the goblet of sweet, red liquid with a practiced and empty smile. “Forgive my weaknesses, my Lord. Be welcome in our home.”
Though Rey’s hands stretched out in offering, she noted that Lord Ren hadn’t removed his helmet or wet cloak. The Lord didn’t reach for the goblet, instead seeming to eye her as one does an unexpected bump in the road.
“I’ve lost my interest in drink.” As Ren spoke, Rey could barely make out a cruel twist of his lips through the slits in the metal. She’d expected to be more frightened of him, based on the tales. Certainly the man was intimidating and then some, and she did entirely believe that he would kill Grandfather, herself and anyone else who stood in his way. But he was a man, not a horned monster who dripped blood from fangs.
“My apologies.”
The woman lowered her head in a demure, proper bow of apology. The formality of it bored Ren, who waved off the goblet for the mouthy Knight to enjoy. Taking advantage of his visor to mask his gaze, Ren watched as Rey paused by her Grandfather to kiss his cheek - an act that seemed more submission than affection.
She was slender, of regal posture, with green eyes that seemed remarkably dull and flat despite their vibrant hue. Her clothing should have been among the finest displays of wealth Palpatine put out to welcome them but the gown was… lacking. Clean but old, the last time those sleeve slits had been in style had been when he was a child. Well-tailored but it had clearly belonged to someone else first. The only Lady of the House did not wear a single jewel or bauble.
The filth ran deeper here than Ren expected, and would be pleased to turn his back on it all. Thankful whatever deity might actually be listening, Snoke only demanded a value assessment of Exegol and the Palpatine household. Then he could return to his new home, working on his own plans for a dark future. Rolling his head until he got an audible pop from his neck, Ren smirked.
“Have someone show me to my room and bring me a plate. I’ll not eat here, not anymore.”
Ren didn’t pay attention to the old man’s agreement, or the servant who was produced. He was still thinking about the woman, how the back of her dress barely skimmed the floor, how she’d sounded like a doll - a poor puppet of a person, save the angry words she hurled at his own Knight. She might become a plaything of sorts, an entertaining way to pass the time while Ren concluded his business here. It would be interesting to see how far it would take to push her every day.
Alone and locked in her room, Rey exhaled. Grandfather must be furious, he usually didn’t send someone to turn the lock anymore. Yet it was almost reassuring, it meant he would not come by tonight. She had time to herself in order to prepare, reciting the words she’d say and each step in her plan.
When nearly all of the torches were extinguished, and only a handful of guards roamed her Grandfather’s Keep, Rey made use of a bent bit of metal. Securing her freedom with a practiced and secret skill and slipping through the halls. Lord Ren would surely be in the guest room by now, his Knights would be sharing one of the larger, less nicely appointed rooms.
Her heart nearly burst when a streak of lighting lit up the hallway when Rey was only a few paces from her destination, certain that the illumination would give her away before she even had time to put her thin plan into action. She had no guarantee of it working, only putting stock in her own stubbornness and determination to escape. Her hand didn’t hesitate on the doorknob, twisting and pushing it open.
“There are less painful deaths than barging into my chamber uninvited.”
The man was still awake, that was good. Sitting in shadow, Lord Ren had not prepared for bed yet. Probably for the best, or she might start flushing. He’d removed his helmet and the outer layers of his rain-soaked garb, but sat across the room. Settled into a chair in the corner, as though he preferred having his back against the junction of two walls.
“Have you come to apologize?” Ren poured himself a fresh glass of wine, keeping his voice steady and disinterested. He hadn’t expected the little mouse to show up in his bedroom. Lusty perhaps? There wasn’t exactly a wide array of lovers for a woman of her age in the Keep, and Ren rather expected that her Grandfather would prize her ‘virtue’ as a commodity to be sold.
“No. I’ve come to bargain.” Rey swallowed, pushing the door closed behind her. The room was all but pitch black save a single candle burning by the bed.
“Very bold. I’ll do you the courtesy of listening before I kill you.” He raised the glass to his lips, quite interested in what the woman had to ‘offer’. Ren was used to being bribed, given offers of all sorts of dubious natures for his corporation, or his malice. He was an ogre to be directed towards a target. Perhaps she would like him to kill Palpatine?
“Marry me.” Her slender fingers dug into the soft cotton of her dress, creating wrinkles as her fists curled tightly. Bracing herself for scorn that didn’t come, at least not immediately. The man paused in his movements and through the darkness, Rey thought she could see his eyebrows raise.
“Go on.” The opening offer was extremely audacious, so much so that the adjective seemed an understatement. And enough so that, despite his own certainty that he’d be rejecting the woman outright with a cold laugh, Ren rather wanted to hear what absurd reasoning had gotten her here.
To his surprise, she seemed to grow comfortable at those two words. Nodding and taking a deep breath, tension seeping visibly from her shoulders. Whatever came next, the evening promised to be entertaining and he’d had little of that of late.