Star Wars: A Resistance Story. Book 1.

Chapter 18: Flash-Back.

"Ly'ra! Darling, hurry up! They won't wait for us very long!"

The young woman closed her eyes, ignoring her father's calls. In honor of the young woman's engagement, the Colonel Kaplan and his daughter had been invited to the Opera by Snoke himself. But the guest of honor was taking her time, enjoying her bubble bath.

"Let me do it..."

An amused smile appeared on the young woman's face as she decided to dive in her bath, going completely underwater, despite her slave's disapproving look. Ly'ra waited several seconds, until she heard a distant voice. A voice she knew very well and that was followed by a fierce and tall shadow.

Armitage Hux stepped closer to the large bath, in the middle of the room, and a simple glare to the woman who was waiting in a corner was enough to give him all the answers he needed. He sighed and bent over the water, being carefully out of reach.

"Ly'ra..."

And without having time to finish his sentence, he received a water-shoot in his face. He closed his eyes, wiped her face before turning his blue eyes on the young woman.

"Happy?"

She answered with a little smirk and she arched a brow. He smiled at the light he saw in her green eyes, understanding that she had something else in mind.

"Not yet. But I'm sure you can help with this..."

"That's enough. Get out, we have to go now!"

Ly'ra shook softly her head like a capricious child, forcing Hux to step even closer.

"Ly'ra... Hurry up pl..."

And again, he was welcome by a water-shoot that she spitted on his face before she let out a laugh. Armitage couldn't hold back a little smile. This woman was a disaster. But her laugh, her youthfulness and her beauty would make her a perfect wife. He would never admit that he felt for her the very first day he met the girl. She was just sixteen. It was during a ceremony in her father's honor and Kaplan introduced him to the young girl. With her long blonde curls and her amazing green eyes, Hux knew at this very moment, he would marry her.

Coming back to the present day, Armitage stepped away from the bath, snatched the towel from the poor slave's hands, gesturing her to leave, before coming back to Ly'ra, giving her the cloth. With a sigh, the young woman got on her feet and wrapped the towel around her body before stepping out of the bath. She headed towards the large window, drying slowly her hair. Coruscant was lying at their feet, the artificial lights of the city-planet were slowly replacing the Sun.

"Why not staying here tonight? Please, I really don't want to go out and even less want to see people..."

"Stop with your whims. This party is very important for both of us. Our engagement and Snoke should announce my promotion. So hurry up!""

"Very well..."

Once her hair artistically tied in a complicated bun, the young woman faced her fiancé with a sigh, gave him a quick kiss before heading to their bed. An amazing red velvet and black silk dress was waiting for her. A gift from her father. Hux watched her getting dressed, staying silent a moment.

"Add this..."

Intrigued, Ly'ra turned to face him. He was offering her a small black box. She stepped closer, carefully took the object before opening it.

"I needed to give you your ring."

"Oh my... It is absolutely beautiful Armitage! Thank you!"

The young woman put on the jewel on her finger before gently cupping her fiancé's face and kissed him. He kissed her back, almost tempted to agree with her idea to stay in their room but the Colonel Kaplan's voice brought him back to reality.