Towards the future I see

Chapter 46 Part 3

When I woke up I was in my room again. I was resting on my bed and still wearing the training outfit. As I got up I noticed my datapad blinking, an incoming message. I felt a slight ache around my body but nothing too severe. It had to be from the combat training. I opened the message on the screen.

I expect you to wake up sometime before dinner. We shall discuss your punishment during the meal. Do wear the lovely attire for the occasion.

Grand Admiral Thrawn

For heaven's sake. He had to have all this planned. And what attire is he referring to? I got up from the bed and walked to the common room area. At the table, there was a shiny container. I had seen some of those carrying the dress for the dinner. I opened the container and found a nice petrol-colored fabric with a few shiny sequins. But when I took it out and saw the attire, I couldn't help but curse silently. Wearing this attire was enough punishment.

I walked stiffly to the Grand Admiral's suite. It felt like everyone was watching, yet there was no one in the hallway. I was sure that Rukh had to be somewhere near walking with his cloaking device, but I couldn't feel his presence. But then I remembered that Thrawn sent him to assist Governor Pryce with capturing rebels. I felt more conscious about myself since I knew what I was wearing under the robe. Not only the dress, but he had also given me instructions for make-up and hair.

The door opened with a hiss and I stepped inside Grand Admiral's suite. The table was set but no meal had arrived yet. Thrawn sat at one chair on the side of the room from the couch reading his datapad. When he heard the door open he finished whatever he was doing and turned his ruby gaze at me.

"You are a bit early." He commented as he got up from his seat.

"I rather get this over with as fast as possible," I said.

"Would you elaborate? I believe the meal will come at its corresponding time, and consuming it with too much haste isn't recommendable," Thrawn said.

"I mean that I rather go through the punishment as fast as possible," I explained.

"There is no hurry. We can discuss it during the meal. Won't you remove the robe?" Thrawn asked.

I didn't want to. I hadn't made any indication of removing the robe after I got in. Even if Thrawn especially asked me to wear the dress, I was not comfortable letting him see me wearing it. It didn't get any better when he came closer. He came to stand right in front of me and I had to look a bit up into his eyes and challenge him.

"Do you need help disrobing?" He asked.

I wanted to spit something at him but I was in no position to do that. Since he had not told me yet what kind of punishment I would go through, I better not give him any reason to make it worse at the last minute. I simply stayed still and lowered my eyes. There is nothing else to do. Since I didn't say anything, Thrawn began to open the clasp of the robe and remove the dark fabric over me.

His eyes landed firstly on my hair was in an elegant bun that allowed the earnings to be seen. Some golden earnings with sapphire-colored stones. Then his eyes went to my face, natural make-up, just a few touch-ups here and there, and light rose on my lips. Then his eyes landed on the dress.* Petrol-colored fabric that seemed only to cover half of my body. The fabric covered my chest and left shoulder before it fell over my arm, leaving my right shoulder and arm bare. The fabric twisted and covered my hips and came down covering my left thigh, leaving a seam open, showing my right thigh. All and all the dress was long but I didn't like to show that much skin to him. Shoes were simple elegant light blue ankle-strapped stilettos.

"I believe, I instructed you to leave your hair loose," Thrawn said. He did. But I decided to make a bun anyway. I was a bit annoyed that he made a list of how I would look for the dinner. And no matter how well the robe hid me, loose hair would have been hard to hide, and just the fact that I walked with loose hair made everyone guess where I was going.