An Alderaanian Love Story

Chapter 3

  As her family's speeder approached the banquet set-up on Mendello Street of Crevasse City, Leia tried to muster up some of that sacred patience her aunts always insisted she have. Before leaving for this meeting, she had decided that she would pretend to be trying. She would greet all the guests, talk with the other princes and Houses, display herself proudly and represent the House of Organa well. Then, she would go back home and laugh at all the dreaded, pathetic men her aunts were going to take delight in. Although, she did consider the possibility that her father might be right. Perhaps, this whole ordeal wouldn't be as mad as she was making it. She could chat casually, leisurely with Yeorg of the House of Alde, perhaps share a treat with Roumen of House Baliss. But, really, if she had to marry herself into another house, she'd prefer, perhaps even dream or wish, it be the House of Panteer.
  Perhaps considered one of the most influential of Alderaan's Houses, the Panteers had been crowned queen and king more often than any of the other houses combined. They were a strong, proud house filled with years of tradition and hailed from Alderaan even before the Organas. Always loyal and supportive of Leia's own house, she knew that family best. They always made their negotiations together and remained allies. Besides marrying into their house for the reason of an even greater alliance, Leia might even be happy to marry their Prince Raal Panteer. The two had always been close friends and her first kiss, little did her aunts or parents know, had been with the Panteer boy. She had, when younger, often snuck out to see other boys, but Raal had always meant more to her than any of the other boys she would see. And that kiss, her only kiss, had meant something when it happened. It was a secret they shared, perhaps would joke about when they were married.

  Alright, maybe this wasn't that bad.
  The speeder driver stepped out and offered Leia his hand as she closed her own door behind her. "Good luck, my Princess," he said, kissing her hand softly as was custom and added, "And good day."

  "You too, Valden," she offered, joining her family in greeting the other Houses. And to her pleasure, just as the Panteer House was next in line to say their hellos to the Organas, Raal was quick to kneel at Leia's feet and kiss the skin of her left hand delicately. "My Princess," he smiled up at her with dark blue eyes and she couldn't help but blush and smile back. "What an honor it is to see you again. I look forward to spending some extensive time together while the other young nobles make their choices. I have long awaited the year you would be up for the marriage market."
  Leia curtsied, hoping her cheeks weren't as red as she suspected they were. "My Prince, as I should say, it is an honor to see you again. I've been looking forward to seeing you here as well. Although, I think my aunts have other plans with Houses Baliss and Ulgo." She cast a long look over her shoulder to where her aunts were greeting the Baliss family, taking their time in greeting their young son Jevenno.
  "And how do you feel about that, switching to one of the minor houses, an insignificant role-player in Alderaan's fare?"
  "I don't think my aunts understand," she answered. "I'd much prefer to just not be here, but it's made my day at least seeing you here."
  "Well," Raal comically frowned, dropping her hand as her father approached, his strong shoulders squared. "It is lovely seeing you again, Princess Leia."
  "Prince Raal," Bail firmly shook his hand, putting some distance between his daughter and the prince.
  He grinned at the viceroy. "Hello, sir. I was just speaking with your daughter about this year's court marriage arrangements. I'd love to see your family again while the market is still up."

  "I'm sure you would," Bail responded, taking his daughter's arm and steering her away.

  "I thought you wanted me to try harder," Leia grinned at her father, just waiting for his hypocritical response.
  "That's what I was supposed to say! Do you not understand that I am your father and I refuse to just let you marry yourself off to anyone like that?"