Chasing Dreams • Reylo AU {ON HOLD}

Chapter 1

He was quite something to look at, with deep chocolate brown skin followed by soft eyes and a wide smile. His laugh was quite contagious, a soft alluring sound of happiness that flooded her ears.

The young man was quite something, proclaimed a 'catch' by everyone in the castle. She often wished for herself to be easily swoon. His smile would've melted her heart of stone and next thing you know, he'd be carrying her off as a newly wed bride.

The problem was, she wasn't. As the only heir to the throne of Jakku she had a lot of responsibility, and one of those 'responsibilities' was to find a suitable husband. One was found but Rey wasn't willing to give in that easy, but by the look of the man's slouched shoulders he wasn't willing either.

"So Prince Storm, what do you enjoy in your spare time?" She kept her voice emotionless and proper.

He didn't answer at first, his wild eyes searching the empty hallways. When he spotted no one, his voice went low into her ear. "Finn."

"Excuse me?"

"Finn, it's my name."

She extended her hand quite shocked, usually they were supposed to keep it more 'proper.' But Rey was surprisingly relieved.

"Well in that case my name is Rey."

"Nice to meet you."

The two went awfully quiet, a shroud of silence creeping over them.

"Can you keep a secret?" His voice was barely a whisper. Rey almost smirked. "Depends on the secret." She replied, her voice emotionless once again.

"Can I trust you?"

"Depends." Rey turned to face him. "Why would it matter?"

Finn shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "Well you know how the wedding is next month and all —"

"Yeah?"

"Well, um —" he looked down at his feet. "I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"I don't feel the same way and I don't know if you like me — and I —"

Rey almost laughed. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I don't either."

The prince smiled grimly. "Now we are stuck then."

She bit her lip. "It's for the good of our people." Rey stood up and spun around. "They need us! And if we have to get married despite not having feelings, so be it!"

"I wish I had your confidence and belief." Finn looked down at his hands. "I just —"

She placed a hand on his shoulder once again. "Don't worry, we will get through with it, and even if it comes down to it maybe time will help us fall in love." Rey shrugged looking hopefully at Finn.

He managed a small smile. "Yeah maybe."

"And don't worry, your secret is safe with me, I'll see you then my prince."

Finn simply waved goodbye as his parents came into view.

"How was Prince Storm?"

"He was a nice young man."

"Good. This unity will being power to both kingdoms and will unite us."

"Yes, we must do whatever it takes for the people." Rey's voice trailed off with some sort of uncertainty, it bothered her, for she had said that line several times before with no problem at all.

••{•}••

"How was he?"

"The prince?"

"Yes."

"He was a nice young man."

"Do you like him?" Maz asked pulling an ivory comb through Rey's locks.

"Yes."

"I mean do you like him?"

"Will you tell my father?"

Maz smiled warmly at her. "Don't worry, your answer, it's safe with me."

"No I don't, he doesn't like me either."

"Oh I'm sorry child."

"It's okay, we agreed to get married anyways even if we don't have feelings. Either way it'll help the people so it's worth it."

"So your putting your own desires aside in order to please everyone else?"

"Isn't that what I'm supposed to do? My people's needs are more important than my own."

Maz caught eyes with Rey in the mirror, her eyes sad. "Sometimes you need to learn to put yourself first, you're important too."

"Well in this case, it's the people first, it's always been the people first. I'm not going to run away with some boy for the sake that I'm in love, it's not worth it."

"Isn't it?"

Rey went quiet, pondering for a moment. "No, it's not. It's only a silly distraction and a child's foolish wish. Look at my father, him and mother were  happy."

"Happy but not in love."

"But they —"

"They put their needs aside and got married for the people, like you're about to do."

"What's your point?"

"I want you to think."

"Think? Think about what?"

"Everything child."

"What if I don't want to think about it? What I'm about to do?"

"You might as well, Prince Storm will become your husband in a month."

"I'll try. Goodnight Maz."

"Goodnight Rey."

The small woman walked quietly out of her room, as soon as the door quietly shut Rey collapsed onto her bed. She pushed the loose hair away from her face and sighed.

Her mind replayed the words that Maz had said to her. Maybe it was time to put her needs first, for once in her life. The idea itself was crazy, so crazy that Rey actually considered it. Maybe she could actually get her chance.

A child's foolish wish for love.