Royal Arrangements [Kylo Ren x Reader]

chapter six

For the next few days, you were nothing but distant to your husband.

It made you feel awful and ridiculous, if you truly thought about it, but then you would remember that it was Kylo that had decided to remove his wife and daughters from his work and home and, in your eyes, his life. You felt like he was leaving you and you had every reason to believe so.

It was the night before you were to leave with your daughters and Kylo to go to your new home. You were packing up your gowns in your room, folding them neatly and stacking them on the bed.

The door slid open. You didn't look up, just listened to his heavy boots attempt to walk silently across the floor so he would not wake his sleeping daughters. He felt so guilty for sending them away, aware of how much they loved to see him every day.

"You do not have to pack on your own, Princess," he said. "There are servants here to do that for you."

"I am not a princess anymore," you said, no emotion in your voice. "And I will never be again."

His eyebrows pulled together. He walked to the side of the bed, observing you as your fingers delicately folded every silk and lace gown you owned. "You'll always be a princess to me," he said.

You did not say anything. There was no smile on your face, no love in your heart. He knew you loved him still, but you had buried it underneath betrayal.

His lips parted and a sigh escaped them. He saw the two identical gowns on the bed next to your pillow. Delicately, he ran his fingers along the neckline of each.

"Please do not wrinkle them," you said, "because those are the most comfortable gowns they have, and I don't want them to look anything less than perfect. Force knows they won't feel perfect tomorrow."

"They'll understand that I'm doing this to protect them," he said, but his voice didn't sound sure. He didn't feel sure.

"They're children, Commander. They won't feel anything but sad that their father is making them move away."

"Please," he said, feeling lower than ever. "I don't expect you to forgive me, my love, but don't resent me for this. Don't let them resent me for this."

You looked at him for the first time. "Resent you? Maker, Kylo, our girls adore you. That's why I know they will not take this lightly. As for me, well, you understand how upset I am about this, but that in no way makes me resent you. You're my husband. I love you."

Although you said it, he did not feel it. He was aware that it was his own guilt that kept him from really believing you loved him still. He was changing your life again.

"I just want you to be safe," he said. "I want to finish this war without worrying about you, Adhara, and Alula."

"Kylo, I understand that," you said, "but war is everywhere. We cannot remained untouched. We are clear members of the First Order and obviously connected to you. Anyone, and I do mean anyone, can recognize me for being your wife. You're not the danger, we all are."

"This is safer than being with me," he said.

You scoffed. It was his own insecurity talking. You weren't going to win. He was going to send you and your daughters away and it was ultimately going to drive your family apart. There was nothing you could do or say to change his mind.

"Stop packing," he pleaded, reaching out. You looked away when his fingers brushed your arm. "Spend your last night with me. With us."

You felt tears in your eyes. Pulling your bottom lip between your teeth, you looked around the room you had called home for nearly six years. You could leave it without much difficulty, but Kylo was a different story.

His fingers trailed up to your shoulders and pulled you to him. He guided your head to his chest and wrapped his arms around you. His face pressed against the messy tangles of your hair and he inhaled deeply.

"Tell me what you're thinking, Princess, and I will tell you that I will never, ever stop loving you. I will think of your each day and, one day, I will come to you and retrieve you. Once the war is over, our family will be safe, and we can live the life you deserve."

You shut your eyes. You didn't want to wait for the war to be over. In this section of the galaxy, the war would never be over. It was always happening, things were always in motion.

He kissed you on the head, desperate for a reaction. When you did not respond, he wanted to plead. He had been so deprived of you; your voice, your touch, just you.

"___," he said, "Princess. Please, what are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking about how much I wish you would stop leaving us," you said.

He nearly fell apart as his arms tightened around you and his lips found yours.