The Lady Of The General's House

Chapter 5

Kylo also struggled to sleep that evening. He could still feel Rey's hands on his skin in light, warm traces down his back. It was as though she had branded him. He growled and ran a hand through his hair. Why couldn't she follow his orders? She was frustratingly disobedient and she didn't even show an ounce of fear when he berated her. It made him want to... he shook his head. These thoughts were dangerous. She was just a distraction. Nothing but a bauble that Palpatine wanted him to display. He had to keep control of the situation. Still, surely there was no reason why he couldn't be civil with her. They would have to play their prospective parts soon enough. Perhaps she could even be of use to him. She was certainly stronger and more intelligent than she wanted him to believe. It was intriguing and somewhat unsettling. He turned onto his side. Maybe it would be better to try and treat her with honey instead of the sting? The only problem was Kylo had no experience of kindness and even less experience dealing with women. He turned to lie on his back and looked up at the ceiling. Then exhaled slowly. Research would be required before he took on this particular battle. He resolved to look into it the very next day and finally his mind allowed him to ease into sleep.

Rey and Rose awoke with bad heads and hungry stomachs. The memories of the night before flooded Rey's mind and she didn't know whether to be embarrassed or intrigued. The image of Kylo's scars were etched into her thoughts. How many battles had he won? How many battles had he almost lost? And why was she so concerned with this information?

Rey was early for breakfast that morning and waited eagerly to see Kylo again. She was disappointed when he arrived and did not acknowledge her. Had the events of the night before meant nothing to him? Had she still not gained his trust? He poured himself some tea and quickly ate a bowl of porridge before excusing himself. Rey huffed angrily. Was it too much to ask that he just talk to her? Was she really that unpalatable to him? As soon as Kylo was gone, Rose fixed herself a plate and sat down next to Rey.

"I need you to keep Kylo in his study today," Rose said.

Rey looked alarmed. "What? Why?" Rey asked.

Rose sighed. "I know the information I seek isn't in that room, so I need to keep searching. You keep him in there so that he doesn't discover me while I search elsewhere."

Rey groaned. "How can I keep him busy? He barely talks to me!"

"A lot can be said between men and women without the need for words," Rose muttered, keeping her eyes fixed on her plate.

Rey glared at the top of Rose's head. "I am not that kind of a girl."

"You don't have to do anything...untoward. Just...flirt a little. Confuse him enough so that he lets his guard down."

Rey frowned but nodded slightly as she finished her food. As soon as her plate was empty, she headed to the study and took a deep, steadying breath right outside the door before knocking loudly.

"Enter."

Rey did as instructed, but Kylo's angry glare told her she wasn't who he had been expecting.

"Why are you here?" he demanded.

Rey bit her lip. Why was she there? Why had her mind gone blank all of a sudden? She has to think of something...

"I wanted to check how you were, is your wound healing?" she offered by way of explanation.

Kylo nodded without looking up from his papers. "Yes. You can go now."

"Is there anything I can do to...help you today?" Rey asked, standing in front of his desk and trying to read the papers in his hand. Kylo looked up at her and angled the papers away from her view.