The Lady Of The General's House

Chapter 3

Rey awoke to the sound of knocking on her door.

"Miss Rey? It's time for breakfast." It was Finn's smooth voice that was coaxing her from her rest. Rey stretched and checked beside her. Rose was missing from the spot where she had fallen asleep the night before. Rey frowned. Rose was difficult to keep track of. She needed to be more vigilant lest she get them both into trouble.

"I'm coming!" Rey shouted to Finn as she hopped out of bed and started to change her clothes. Rose soon reappeared and helped with her hair and make up. Rey was grateful for her assistance as she still had a lot to learn about cosmetics and hair accessories. Living as a servant within the palace walls, Rose had carefully perfected her skills in order to appear to be the perfect handmaid.

"I've walked the entirety of the grounds this morning. This place is very well guarded. We have to be careful," Rose told her.

Rey nodded in agreement as Rose pushed a flower shaped hairpin into place for her.

"Okay, I have made you as pretty as I can, go keep the General busy," she said with a wink. "I think I need to enter his study. I should be able to do it without being seen if you can create a bit of a scene in the dining room during breakfast."

Rey grinned. "Scenes are my speciality."

**********

General Ren drummed his fingernails on the table.

"Why must I wait for her?" He snapped.

Standing by his side, Armitage narrowed his eyes. "Sir, it's important that you appear to be a harmonious couple. There are spies everywhere and if the King found out you were not complying with his request he would be most...displeased."

Kylo glared at Armitage who sighed in response. "Sir, do not berate the messenger, I am merely reiterating what you yourself know to be true." Kylo didn't respond. He knew Armitage was right, but he still wanted to slap the superior look off his snobbish face.

"I'm here, my Lord!" Rey announced joyfully. Her layered skirts danced around her as she bounded towards the table and stopped beside Kylo. Armitage rolled his eyes and took his leave. Kylo blinked as his eyes took in Rey's lithe form in the pale pink dress to his right. He swallowed hard. He had to admit that she was very beautiful. But why was he even compelled to admit it? Why was it that he noticed her when no woman had ever tempted him before? Rey's smile threatened to infect him further, so he looked away. She was clearly playing a part. There was no real feeling behind her kind features.

"You're late," he muttered.

Rey poured herself some tea. "I must apologise, I wasn't aware there was a schedule."

Kylo's temper flared. "There is. Everything here moves according to my requirements."

Rey sipped her tea and met his eyes as she sat down. "Oh? Is the mistress to have no control over her own existence?"

"No."

The blunt answer grated on Rey's dignity. To keep from throwing her tea cup at the General's head, Rey stood and wandered around the table casually. "I'm afraid I've never been very good at following orders," she confessed sweetly.

Kylo's hand formed into a fist. He wanted to grab her wrist and still her movements, he wanted to tell her to obey him and only him. What was happening to him? She was just a girl. A slight distraction, nothing more. He fought to keep control. "You'll learn."

Rey unified their gaze once more. "What if I don't want to learn?"

The urge to correct her was even more difficult to ignore. Somehow having Rey's obedience seemed to be even more important to him than the loyalty of an entire army of men. It was just because she was so wilful and disrespectful, he surmised. It was the same as the desire he had felt when he first met Saber. A curiosity to see if he could bend Rey to his will just as he had taught Saber to do. She was of interest because she was a challenge. Nothing more.