Corruption

Chapter 12

For the entirety of the next week, I was as obedient as a companion could be, tending to the Knights' every whim. The more compliant I became, the more freedoms I was given. Small liberties. They even gave me gifts when they felt I was behaving—dresses, hairpins, extra blankets I kept folded on the common room couch where I slept most nights.

It wasn't ideal. But it was something. And just as Ren had promised, I was treated well.

Still, after what had happened in the interrogation cell, something had shifted inside me. I wanted to hate them—every last one of them. But I didn't. Not entirely. And that fact irritated me more than anything else. These men had blood on their hands, pain in their wake... and yet, they offered me care. Not kindness, not really, but something adjacent to it. Protection? Attention? I didn't know what to call it.

They weren't who I thought they were. Still terrible. Still capable of cruelty. But not mindless monsters. And maybe—just maybe—I could survive this.

What I couldn't survive was the boredom.

I sat curled on the couch in front of the crackling fire pit, staring at the flames, waiting for the Knights to return from their daily training session. Two stormtroopers stood guard at the entrance of the common area, stationed there for my "safety"—which really meant in case she bolts. But I had no intention of running. Not barefoot. Not today.

I stood, stretching out the stiffness from sitting too long, then began pacing. I let my knuckles rap gently on each of the Knights' doors as I passed—knowing none of them were inside but doing it anyway. Out of habit. Out of annoyance.

With a huff, I turned toward the troopers and picked at my nails, scheming. I wasn't trying to escape. I just wanted to explore without the Knights breathing down my neck.

I sauntered toward the guards, casually attempting to pass between them as if I had somewhere to be.

"Where do you think you're going?" one of them asked, stepping directly into my path.

I gave a tight-lipped smile, trying to think quickly. "Just heading to the dining hall," I said, tilting my head with innocent ease.

"We were given specific instructions not to let you leave this area," the trooper replied flatly, unmoved.

I let out a breath and pulled up the hem of my dress to reveal my bare feet. "I haven't eaten all day. And even if I wanted to run," I shrugged, "how far do you think I'd get? Not like I'm combat trained."

The two troopers exchanged glances—calculating, uncertain.

"Straight to the dining hall," one of them warned, "and straight back."

My face lit up before I could hide it. "Of course. Thank you." I straightened my spine, keeping my pace calm and composed as I exited—only letting my giddiness show once I was out of their line of sight.

Now. Where to go.

The first hallway I passed looked empty. Perfect. I ducked down it and peeked through each doorway, curiosity driving me forward. The base was massive, cold, and dark in its architecture, but every turn held something new. Honestly, running around barefoot was fun—something I'd never have been allowed to do on Rhymna under any circumstance.

The echo of footsteps ahead stopped me dead in my tracks. I pressed myself into the nearest open doorway, heart pounding, and held my breath as a general strode past. His boots struck the floor in sharp, rhythmic thuds, heading toward what I assumed was the command center. When he vanished around a corner, I giggled quietly and continued my little adventure.

Eventually, I found a long corridor lined with windows overlooking the bridge. Workers moved like insects far below, all oblivious to my presence. I ran my fingers along the cold glass as I walked, letting the chill sink into my skin. I wasn't worried about being seen. Everyone seemed too absorbed in their tasks to notice a wandering girl with no shoes.

I hummed to myself and balanced along a seam in the floor, arms stretched out like wings, relishing the rare feeling of freedom.

"Look what we have here. A rogue princess roaming the halls of my base."

I froze.

That voice. No sound, no warning—but it was unmistakable.

Kylo Ren.

I turned slowly. He was standing so close I had to step back to avoid walking face-first into his chest. My lungs locked up as I met the black void of his mask.

"I got lost," I said quietly, my voice trembling. "Looking for the dining hall."

His mask tilted ever so slightly. I could feel his amusement before he even spoke.

"You forget—I can hear your thoughts, princess. You can't lie to me."

Shit. Right. I forgot about that.

Panic surged, and the words tumbled from my mouth before I could stop them. "Please, I just wanted to look around. I wasn't trying to leave—I swear—I was just so bored, and—"

Kylo circled me slowly, like a predator assessing a cornered animal. The air felt heavier with every step he took.

"Maybe you weren't trying to escape," he said, his voice low. "But I understand my Knights told you to stay put. Is that correct?"

I shut my eyes and nodded. He didn't need me to answer out loud. He already knew.

"My Knights don't much like being disobeyed, pet. I'm sure you've learned that by now."

I said nothing, barely daring to breathe. The weight of his presence was suffocating. He moved closer, so close his chest brushed against my back. His voice rumbled beside my ear, the vocoder's purr sending chills down my spine.

"I think we should go find your Knights, princess. I'm sure they'd love to hear whatever excuse you're cooking up in that pretty little head of yours."