Chapter Text
"Princess, please step away from the terrace and ready yourself for the trip."
Turning, you glare at the service droid standing just inside the double doors leading to your apartment. Droids were always so prim and proper in this castle. Though, everyone would've liked you to act like one to begin with, here you were, standing in the rain, letting it soak into your dress and skin. Looking one last time to the light gray skies, wishing to absorb this moment, you made your way back into your rooms to get ready for your death march.
The droids had already packed for you, so after a quick refresher and a change of clothes you made your way to the throne room for farewells.
The hallways you've known your whole life seemed so much more important now. Looking at every tiny detail you could, trying to remember the looks, the smells and the atmosphere. The golds and blues always looked so nice with the constant gray skies outside, rain drops reflected so beautifully on the walls you couldn't help but stare as drops collected and fell, the weight being too much. Arkanis was always a rainy planet, the rain being a constant all days of the week but variable in strength and storms. The sun rarely shone, hence, the near translucent skin everyone had grown to have, dark veins so visible through any skin tone.
Clenching your hands you pushed forward to the large doors before you. Twin wolves soared on gilded gold and sapphires. Your hair shown with the same eerily color as the wolves, their eyes reflecting a mirror into yours. Your house signal has always been a wolf. Legends says that a wolf had protected the first queen of Arkanis when everyone had abandoned her and when she rose, stronger then the others, the wolf gladly devoured her enemies. There hasn't been a wolf seen on this planet in hundred of years, their pelts wanted for the black market, as the fur was impervious against the rain, cold and dirt.
The guards near the doors cleared their throat quietly, your attention still on the wolves. It seemed, now that you were to never again converse with these gilded wolves, all you could do is stare and wished it was different. Nodding you head, the guard threw open the doors with the announcement of the princess.
Walking the long room with nothing but the sound of your heels, your mother sat upon a dais throne looking down her nose at the lone she-wolf. Empress Leeya was a strong woman, someone who fought for the right to rule, who defied the Galactic Empire, who fought against assassinations, traitors, and Hutts. Since the First Order gained control of Arkanis, your mother had to fight less, intervene less and focus more on the wealth suddenly flowing into the capital.
"My child," Your mothers steel voice cut across the space, filling the throne room with authority. "Off to war, to fight on a strange planet, with strange people."
You wish that was pity in your mothers voice, but you knew her better. She was happy you were going, couldn't wait for you to go. To show your strength as the next predator in a world full of prey.
"I will not disappoint mother"
Standing, Empress Leeya's robes shimmered with a metallic sheen, the fur pelt upon her shoulders covered her slightly weathered skin from the unwanted cold, Her hair braided into the crown, making sure it would never fall unless her head came with it. You always looked up to your mother, physically and emotionally, the rare moments of her being a mother where far in between but it was fine. It was always fine.
Long scarred fingers brushed lightly against your cheeks before falling to your wolf pelt covered shoulders. "My darling daughter, many people wish to see me dead, to see this kingdom fall into chaos. People profit from war, innocents cant survive and death is for the poor. That is one of the many burdens of ruling, looking over your shoulder constantly, never trusting a single person. Do you understand?"
You nodded, it was easy enough to get what she was saying, even though you had yet to find yourself in a situation of difficulty.
Nodding with you, your mother pulled back, the affection that was held on her face slipping. The Wolf Matriarch stood before you again. "This is your first lesson of becoming a ruler (Y/N), sacrifice."
With a wave of her hand, you bowed once more, taking three steps back before turning your back one last time on your mother and leaving the throne room. Your destination was to the ship docks, where a ship, with storm troopers and officers would take you to your new home. With your soon to be husband the Supreme Leader of the First Order.
This was sacrifice.