Chapter Text
In truth, the revelation of the secret of Empress Reyhan, the Risen, Palpatine's and her late brother's twinship didn't cause as much of a scandal within Exegol as some might have thought. At least, not as much as her firm opinions on the abolition of slavery and prostitution had, or on the total decriminalization of so-called "gender treason".
The latter subject earned her a number of disagreements with the Church. She had to ask Abbess Maz Kanata, whom she had met on the run, to support her in her claim that sodomy was nothing sinful. The two women even took the liberty of questioning the interpretation of the excerpt from the Bible's Leviticus that referred to it as such. In their opinion, this passage might be more apt to condemn pederasty.
Of course, Rey preferred to take every precaution and go one step at a time. In the "deviants'" case, even if they were no longer persecuted by the government, they still didn't have rights. That would come in time. She would see to that. Just as she would see to it that every act of discrimination against them was strongly punished. Whether it was towards them or towards Haysians and former prostitutes.
In the case of the former, Rey had had the honor of traveling to Hays to meet Queen Sosha Soruna, the granddaughter of the sovereign who had lost the war against her grandfather. The Empress of Exegol publicly apologized to her fellow ruler and the entire country for what her ancestor had done to them. Rey announced the end of slavery and the trade of the children from Hays in exchange for peace. She guaranteed unconditional peace from that day forward. And Hays' children were returned. Those who, having never known their motherland, preferred to remain in Exegol were offered full citizen status. Along with all other freed slaves.
These new citizens were represented by Jessika Pava, the leader of the Haysian resistance, and others of her people were in the parliament that Rey eventually created. She owed them a debt. They had helped her defend her throne and deserved her eternal gratitude. In fact, her long-term plan was to turn the Empire into a constitutional monarchy, giving her beloved subjects more power and a greater say. Of course, her decision was by no means unanimous. Many nobles lost the slave labor that brought them so much profit with so little expense. But the sovereign, who had proved more than once that she wasn't short of character, remained uncompromising. Most of the outraged nobles were forced to accept the new situation. And the rest left the country. Good riddance.
Many judged the Empress to be hypocritical, since she dared to challenge the Church on the issue of "gender traitors" but relied on its principles against the sin of lust to abolish prostitution, certainly. Even so, Rey received the support of the clergy, albeit half-heartedly. The truth was, the young ruler was far too beloved by the majority of the people because of all her reforms.
The Church wasn't sure what to make of the fact that so many people considered her a saint. Rey, for her part, remained very humble and refused to be worshipped. She said she was just an ordinary woman, which is what a saint would say. No matter. The clergy, however torn they may have been, remained silent on the matter, preferring to keep a low profile. At least the fact that the people called the Empress their "Little Saint" gave them vicarious importance. They could always profit from it.
After the fall of her enemies and the regaining of her throne and crown, Rey was overjoyed to be reunited with her friend Tishra. She had been terribly worried about her, fearing that something had happened to her. The former prostitute hugged her and told her that, while Maul was sieging the imperial palace, she had strangled her pimp in his bed. Before Jabba de Hutt decided to feed them to the invader's soldiers. She then urged all the other girls to follow her, and together they hid in the basement of the brothel until things calmed down.
From then on, prostitution was abolished and severe penalties were reserved for illegal pimps and even clients. Rey promoted Tishra to lady-in-waiting and even personal advisor. The latter title remained unofficial, but it didn't matter. Her friend was a great help in governing Exegol, as were her mother, Jessika Pava and Rose, not to mention her loving husband, Prince Consort Benedict. The latter was gradually coming to terms with his new role and all the responsibilities it entailed. As was Rey.
Naturally, the sovereign's positions, which challenged decades of tradition, created enemies. At first, she had worked to protect herself, fearing an assassination attempt. To this end, she had each of her dishes tasted before she ate them, and hired her dear friend Rose as her bodyguard. Anyone who dared threaten the Empress whom the young Haysian served would taste the blade of her guom! There was a climate of anxiety for Rey. Especially during her pregnancy, which added to her stress. Several times, she feared she wouldn't be up to the task, that she wouldn't be able to endure it for very long. She had to fight every day, staying true to her values, stopping at nothing to bring peace, freedom and prosperity to her people. Fortunately, she could always count on the support of her loyal allies and friends, who helped her stand her ground.
Returning to the subject of her twin, the young woman had a stele built in his loving memory in the huge family vault, next to the grave of the father they had never known. And their mother, Princess Consort Mira, went there every day at the same hour. The sovereign sometimes accompanied her, when she wasn't trying to sort out all the problems that plagued Exegol, arguing furiously with the clan lords, or visiting hospices and orphanages. Seeing all those children reminded her of her own unborn child. And the one her brother had been before he suddenly lost his life. She prayed that Raymond's soul would finally rest in peace. Although his body had once been reduced to ashes, without the slightest possibility of returning to the earth to which he belonged, he would never be forgotten. His story, their story, would be told, and would stand the test of time.
Poe stayed by his best friend's side, always there to support and advise her, like the others. He didn't remain a squire, however, since Her Majesty Reyhan soon decided to knight him at last. The new knight often went with his mother, Lady Shara, to visit the grave of his late father, whom the Empress had honored perfectly with a marker in remembrance of his heroic sacrifice. And another turn, when the old palace groom died of old age, Poe unexpectedly fell under the spell of his successor. A young man named Finn, whose dark complexion indicated that he came from the southern countries.
A bond had quickly formed between them, and Rey, Rose and even Ben enjoyed occasionally teasing them as they watched these two idiots circle each other over the months, and even years, without being able to confess their true feelings to each other. The sovereign was nevertheless overjoyed for her friend, happy that he was finally moving on and could, in turn, find some happiness.
Poe didn't make that first move, however, until the new little princess was five years old. Rose had promised her goddaughter she'd teach her a bit of horse-riding, while her parents were otherwise occupied with important affairs of state. Finn had prepared a pony for Hope, and he lifted her up and put her in the saddle. It was then that Poe arrived in the pastures surrounding the stables, hoping to find the young groom.
"Hello..."
The two smiled sheepishly at each other, as the imperial bodyguard and the little princess watched. Yet, to them, it was as if they had all just disappeared. Poe coughed, a little uncomfortably, and handed Finn a small oblong package, wrapped in a square of canvas.
"I've got something for you. You seemed to like it last time, so I thought..."
His companion's face fell as he unwrapped his gift. It was a pretty dagger, with a red leather scabbard and a hilt set with tiny gems. A splendid weapon. It moved him as much as it embarrassed him. Finn bit his lip.
"Oh... I'm touched, but... it was your father's."
Poe smiled at him again, his gaze shining.
"I want you to have it."
Beneath his dark complexion, the groom was probably as red as a peony. He shyly returned his smile, and thanked him, he looked down at the dagger to admire it better. Then the two men stared at each other a little longer, still completely oblivious to the presence of Rose and Hope. The former hesitated to cough and indicate that they were still there. The second broke the silence first, unaware of the romantic tension between her godfather and the groom.
"And where's mine? Where is it, Uncle Poe?"
Startled, Poe called himself to order and turned his attention back to his goddaughter, his cheeks flushed. With her chin, the child pointed to the dagger.
"Where's mine? I want one too."
At these words, the knight stifled an amused laugh.
"Your mother would have me executed if I gave you a dagger."
Disappointed, the little princess crossed her arms and pouted.
"That's not fair."
"Sorry, sweetheart," Poe sighed, affectionately ruffling her black curls she'd inherited from her father. "I like to make you happy, but I value my life too."
He chuckled nervously and shared a glance with Finn, then he noticed Rose staring at him, all the while smirking mischievously. The knight frowned.
"What?"
"Nothing," she pretended innocently.
Immediately, she changed the subject and nodded at Hope.
"She looks just like her mother, don't you think?"
"Precisely," Poe despaired. "That's the problem. It's hard to deny her anything."
When Rey needed a break from the long negotiations, endless compromises, and the hellish struggle to get her reforms, she would take a vacation far away with her husband and daughter. At such times, she entrusted Exegol to her mother, who ruled as wisely and benevolently as she did. Poe and Rose would be ordered to watch over Princess Consort Mira in their friend's absence.
One day, finding her nowhere to be found, they descended to the imperial vault, as Lady Shara had suggested. The out-of-breath duo found the dowager princess kneeling before the stele bearing her late son's name.
"Your Highness, your daughter has made it clear," Rose said breathlessly, one hand on the hilt of her guom. "We must always look after you when she's not here."
"You gave us a fright," Poe echoed, also holding onto the hilt of his knight's sword. "We've been looking for you everywhere."
Cheered by the absurdity of the situation, Mira smiled at them.
"Don't worry about me. I'm fine now. I think... I think I've finally found peace. After all this time..."
Her eyes wandered back to the "sepulchre" in Raymond's memory. Then she followed her two companions outside, letting the sun caress her face. Before returning to the palace, the princess consort gazed pensively towards the horizon, her thoughts turned to her beloved daughter and granddaughter. The latter, today, brought her all the happiness in the world just with her laughter and her big hazel eyes, both inherited from her mother, joyful and sparkling with mischief. She lived up to her name. She was a new hope. For all of them. A true blessing. Mira also thought about the second child Rey was now carrying. She wanted to name him Raymond if it was a boy. But not if it was a girl, not liking the feminization of her brother's name. Never mind. In any case, this child would be just as pampered and loved as their sister was.
***
"It's said that it was a surprisingly cold summer night. A freezing rain was falling all over the country of Exegol. Despite this, the people stood under the clouded stars, sheltered by simple awnings, with a candle in hand, and prayed to Saint Margaret, patroness of pregnant women, to help an expectant mother give birth to her child in the imperial palace. For a prince was to be born that night. A new hope for their empire after the tragic death of the old emperor's son and heir. However, it wasn't one child who was born that night, but two! Twins. A girl and a boy. And back then, a ridiculous superstition claimed that the birth of twins was a bad omen, especially within the imperial family. The cruel Emperor Sheev Palpatine therefore ordered his granddaughter's execution, even though she was only an infant. But his daughter-in-law, the young mother, Princess Consort Mira, wouldn't let it happen just like that. To protect her child, she hatched a plan. And then..."
As she strolled through the streets of one of her duchy's market towns, Lusica smiled with amusement at hearing this storyteller recount the legend of the Girl Prince to a whole crowd of curious onlookers, all hanging on his every word. Today, people loved to tell her incredible story, even if they often embellished the truth and added a few fictitious elements. But the essence remained the same. And the tale was a great inspiration to new generations. So much the better. Allya, who was strolling alongside the noble lady, was also listening absent-mindedly.
During the destruction by fire of the insurgent army's camp, the two women had fled together and had never left each other's side ever since. After things had calmed down, Lusica had been able to pay her respects to Empress Reyhan and tell her that they had tried to help her by sending her a message, and warn her of her uncle's plans to poison her with hemlock. Allya, for her part, hadn't had the courage to appear before Her Majesty, so consumed was she with shame. She didn't think she deserved her forgiveness. So many had died because of her, as a result of her blunder... And Maul's death, that abominable bastard prince, was little consolation to all the bereaved families.
But perhaps, in a way, it was a blessing in disguise? After all, Rey had managed to triumph over her uncle, and to assert herself fully as a woman in power for everyone to see. Lusica also told Allya that their desperate message had in fact borne fruit. Rey had had a plan to poison Maul in their final confrontation all along. Now, if there had been no message, Ben probably wouldn't have rushed into the burning camp to save her from the flames. At least, not in time. Without Lusica and Allya, the young woman would probably have died in that fire. So they had saved her, indirectly. And this allowed the former prostitute, and servant banished from the palace after discovering the secret of the Girl Prince, to finally begin to move on. And to forgive herself.
Since the death of her father, Enric Pryde, Lusica had taken over the family estate and was helping her stepmother and brothers to cope. All the more so since Peera, now a widow, had collapsed following the death of her husband. He was considered a horrible traitor to the crown and had been denied a decent funeral. But Lusica encouraged her not to let it get her down. She tried to convince her mother that Pryde had only got what he deserved, but nothing helped.
At first, Peera lamented, repeating, "What will we do now?" Then Lusica took the bull by the horns, showing her that they didn't need the patriarch to get out of this mess. They'd get back on their feet and keep moving forward. Admittedly, today they lived a little more modestly, half of Pryde's fortune, obtained dishonestly, having been seized. No matter. They would survive. Allya had also been there to lend a hand. Lusica had taken her under her wing, never regarding her as a servant. Bonds had formed between them as they’d emerged together from the abyss of Hell, and over time, these bonds had become a strong friendship.
"Your prices are a real rip-off. I'll never pay for your junk, slant-eyes!"
"Hey!"
Indignant at overhearing this discriminating insult to a Haysian merchant, Lusica marched right up to the shopper and called him out.
"Where the hell do you think you are?" the young woman cried, furious. "Leave the man alone! I won't stand for such outrage in defiance of Her Majesty the Empress's new laws in my duchy. Leave at once. Unless you want me to inform the provost marshal?"
Very quickly, the man seemed less sure of himself and swallowed, then bowed his head in submission.
"No need, my lady. I apologize. It won't happen again."
With that, he left, but not without casting one last murderous glance at the Haysian. His apology was insincere. But he'd better get used to it. This hatred of "the others" would never go away with the twinkling of an eye, unfortunately. But that didn't mean it couldn't be repressed. On the contrary. The shopkeeper warmly thanked Lusica, who smiled at him and promised that it was her honor to defend him. Then she glanced at his merchandise. Among all the pretty things on display, the young duchess admired the lovely ribbons.
"They would look great in Her Majesty's hair. Don't you think so, Allya?"
Allya looked at the ribbons and nodded slowly. Her friend sighed dreamily, suddenly lost in thought.
"I hope she's well. And that she's having a good life. I've heard she does."
A little later, as the two women returned to the estate, the former prostitute dared to ask Lusica the question that had been burning on her lips for some years now, in a whisper.
"By the way, did you really kiss back then? You and Her Majesty?"
Hearing this, the noble lady turned pink and bit her lips.
"We did."
"And how was it?" Allya inquired, embarrassed at being so indiscreet, but consumed by curiosity.
Lusica shrugged.
"There's no difference, you know. It was... quite pleasant, actually."
"Even... Even if it was with a woman?"
"Even if it was with a woman."
Her friend's cheeks took on a flushed hue. The redhead laughed. She didn't often get to visit the Empress, or Rose, and vice versa. However, she would treasure forever the lesson she had learned from them in this story. She didn't need a Prince Charming. And she could fully rely on herself.
***
In the forest bordering the beach, the sun's rays pierced the foliage and lit up the woods like a golden liquid. Birds were chirping to welcome spring. Hope paid them no attention, busy admiring all the pretty little purple flowers in the bouquet of heather she'd just made. Suddenly, she heard a rustling to her left. She turned her head and her father, crouching beside her, motioned for silence as he pointed, with his index finger, to something leaping across the grass. A little brown ball of fur.
"Look," Ben murmured. "Look, sweetheart, look. A rabbit. Do you see it?"
The animal stopped hopping, it stood up on its hind legs and began to groom itself. It buried its snout in its front paws, licked them, then cleaned its long ears. The little girl smiled in delight. It looked so cute, wiggling its tiny nose in the most adorable way, and its fur seemed so silky and fluffy. She would love to caress it. Take it in her arms, to bring it home and adopt it.
"Bunny..."
Ben gestured to his daughter to move softly toward the rabbit, without making a sound.
"It's big, isn't it? Plump. We're in for a treat."
"Are we going to eat it?"
A crease of concern crossed the child's forehead.
"Yes, we'll make a nice stew out of it. You'll see, it's delicious."
Hope glanced at her bow on the ground. It wasn't a real bow; she'd made it from a piece of wood. The string was slack and her arrows were nothing more than common twigs. But she wanted to imitate her mother. Could she hit the rabbit with this? She didn't want to eat it; she wanted it to be her friend. However, she didn't dare tell her father. He seemed determined to catch the animal. Perhaps then she could convince him to keep it? Ben, still crouching, cautiously approached the rabbit. The latter saw him coming and hopped away. But man wouldn't give up. He moved forward again, ready to swoop down on his meal like a bird of prey. Then an arrow abruptly split the air and nestled within an inch of the rabbit, which scurried away and disappeared into the thicket.
"Shit," Rey grumbled. "I'm a little rusty."
Her long brown hair, which today cascaded down to her loins, fluttered in the wind, utterly magnificent. For her vacation, the sovereign had swapped her imperial finery for a more modest, purple-colored wool dress, adorned with reddish and citrine-yellow embroidery. She lifted the hem to run barefoot to her family. Her slightly rounded belly was already announcing a second pregnancy.
"Swear," her daughter remarked.
"You're right, baby," the mother apologized. "I'm so sorry about that. Forget what I just said."
Ben looked a little grumpy. He suspected that his dear companion hadn't lost her archery skills. She'd missed the rabbit on purpose to scare it away. Because their child didn't like cute little animals being killed for food.
"You were out hunting?" he inquired.
"Obviously, since My Lord has been having trouble catching fish lately," Rey taunted him. "I had to do something about that to bring food to our table."
Her husband raised his eyebrows. He pointed at himself indignantly.
"I am having trouble fishing?"
"Hell, yes."
"Not at all! I just thought that too many fishes would be bad for the little one. It's better to vary her diet over time. She needs healthy meals."
The young woman rolled her eyes.
"Sure. Just say you're better at calligraphy and fencing than fishing."
"No, I'm a very good fisherman," Ben defended himself. "Anyway... And then, yesterday, I almost got one! Well, the fish was so monstrous it almost knocked me overboard, but honestly, I was this close to..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Rey grabbed him by the collar of his linen shirt, she pulled him to her and placed a brief but deep kiss on his lips. Her beloved froze, paled, then flushed, turning white and then bright red. Then he smiled again. A blissful smile.
"Well, alright. I guess we'll just eat seasoned wild vegetables tonight..."
"Yes!" Hope enthused, clapping her hands.
"Yes," her mother agreed. "Unfortunately, I didn't find any deer. That's a shame. It would always have been better than your papa's fish, anyway."
"Hey!"
Despite everything, the mischievous Rey hadn't been able to resist laying it on thick. And it cost her dearly. Ben pounced on her. She pretended to run away with a giggle, but he caught her easily enough with a ferocious growl and lifted her into his arms. As she struggled, laughing, he took the opportunity to steal a fiery kiss from her lips. His wife kissed him back with glee. Beside them, Hope looked away and grimaced. It was disgusting.
"Let go of me," Rey finally demanded, still giggling.
At this plea, Ben arched an eyebrow, his eye mischievous, his expression mocking.
"Are you sure?"
"Uh, no, wait, no," the one he was keeping captive in his embrace realized. "Just put me down gently."
"Whatever the princess wants..."
Finally, he put her down again, but refused to let her go. He held her close, in his arms.
"Hey!" the young woman protested.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not letting you go anywhere," Ben whispered into her ear, before kissing the hollow of her shoulder, placing his large hand on her belly where new life was growing. "I promised I'd always be by your side, remember? And I always keep my promises."
These tender words made her shudder. She smiled and closed her eyes. Hope, their adorable little girl, pierced their bubble, however, when she offered her mother her bouquet of heather and told them she'd like to walk on the beach from now on. Rey thanked her from the bottom of her heart for her lovely gift, she placed a kiss on her cheek and held out her hand. The child took her hand and her father's as well.
The three of them headed for the beach. They walked along the water's edge, their bare feet sinking into the wet sand, while the sun began to sink into the sea on the horizon. It colored the sky in marvelous pinks and oranges. A passer-by soon hailed them and asked for directions. Ben went to meet him and give him some information. The traveler, who was clearly from another country, had no idea that he was addressing the Prince Consort of Exegol, the loyal husband of the nation's empress, in the flesh. Good. For the imperial couple used this place as a getaway. They liked to feel that, even for a brief moment, they could go back to being just Rey and Ben and live a normal, happy life, far from all the palace intrigues and other worries.
"Mama... What's on your neck?"
While her husband conversed with the stranger, the young woman and her daughter dipped their toes in the foam. Rey had bent down at one point and combed her hair again, placing it all to one side. And it was then that Hope noticed the curious swelling at the nape of her neck. The mother was surprised by her question. She bit her lip, then crouched down in front of her child and took her hands. She anchored her eyes in hers.
"It's a scar I've had all my life. Thanya gave it to me when I was a baby."
"Auntie Rose's mother?" Hope wondered. "But... I don't understand. Why would she have done such a thing?"
Rey offered her a melancholy smile. Many memories were flooding back into her mind.
"One day, when you're older, I'll tell you all about it, my darling. I promise. I'll tell you how and why your Uncle Raymond died. And everything that happened to bring your father and me to where we are today. It's a complicated story, you know. And a very hard one. I still have nightmares about it sometimes..."
The little girl's brow furrowed.
"Nightmares?"
Her mother nodded.
"One day, I'll tell you where those nightmares come from. But I'll also tell you how I fought them. How I survived. Even today, when I'm afraid they'll come back and everything will go dark again, I think back to all the beautiful things that happened to me."
As she spoke, she gently caressed Hope's cheek.
"Even when all seems lost... I think about them. I remember them all, one by one. And I hold on to them. That's how you overcome your worst nightmares. You'll see."
When the little princess was born, there were many disappointed in the palace. And many now hoped that the empress's second child would be a boy this time. Old-fashioned values were hard to break. But Rey ignored them. When the time came, Hope would show them what she was capable of. She would prove them wrong for having underestimated her. Like her mother before her. She was a good child. And a real fighter.
While she was thinking this, the young woman felt a presence to her right. She straightened and looked up, to realize that her husband was standing beside them. He had finished giving information to the traveler and was now staring at her lovingly. As if he wished he could write poems on her skin with his lips.
"What?"
"Nothing," Ben smiled. "I just look at you and... you're beautiful, Princess."
The compliment drew a smile from Rey. She blushed with pleasure and shyly lowered her eyes.
"You should know that by now. You've already seen me thousands of times."
"I've seen the sunset thousands of times too," her beloved argued. "And it keeps dazzling me every blessed day."
"What about me?" Hope's little voice asked.
Ben let out a throaty laugh, bent down, grabbed his daughter under the armpits and lifted her up, as easily as if she'd been a bundle of straw.
"Yes, you're beautiful too, little princess," he assured her, kissing her on the temple. "You two are both my princesses. I'm a lucky man."
Carrying their child with one arm, he slipped the second around Rey's waist. She returned his embrace. The three of them gazed silently into the sunset, just a little longer before heading home. The young woman watched the horizon pensively. At times, she thought of setting off to explore other places, places she knew only from her readings and the tales of ambassadors and other visitors.
One day, perhaps, she would go. But for now, she had everything she needed right here. She had Hope, Ben, Rose, Poe, her mother Mira, Lady Shara, Thanya, Tishra... and all the others, Kes, Luke, Raymond, were looking after her, after them all, from Heaven.
Distracted, Rey turned her pretty jade ring, a gift from her beloved, around her ring finger. Then she absent-mindedly caressed her belly. Her thoughts turned to her unborn son or daughter, whom she already loved with all her soul and couldn't wait to welcome. Just like their father, big sister and grandmother were. The young sovereign was happy to have built a better Exegol for her children.
"Have I ever mentioned that I love you?" Ben suddenly wondered, in a low voice.
Drawn out of her daydreams, Rey gave him a glance. A broad smile lit up her lovely face. She laughed.
"Yes, but you can say it again, if you like."
He tilted his head, she lifted her chin and they shared a tender kiss. Then their eyes turned proudly towards their daughter, before lingering on the sunset. The immense ball of fire was gradually disappearing behind the horizon, into the vast purplish mantle of the sea. The waves beat rhythmically against the shore. The water sparkled as if tiny diamonds were floating on its surface. So many wonderful things persuaded them that the dark days were behind them forever.
Today, they looked to the horizon, ready to begin a new chapter. Today, they had found a way, despite all their duties and responsibilities as rulers, to realize their dearest wish. To raise their child in a charming little house by the sea.
THE END