Enervating Beauty (Kylo Ren x Reader)

Chapter 22- King's Reign

"Tell me, tell me! What did you think?" Iylin asked after the ceremony was over. She had snuck in here after the handmaids mandated bedtime just to talk to me.

She scrambled up on my bed in her nightgown, her freckled face looking even more youthful in the evening glow that peaked through the curtains.

I had already gotten out of the beautiful dress that had been wasted on the princes and was in my comfortable nightwear. I put my hair in a sloppy braid to keep it somewhat controlled for the night.

I pulled my covers down and crawled into them, exhausted from the night I had.

"Honestly? I didn't like any of them," I said with a sigh.

"What!" she gasped.

"Iylin-"

"But they were so handsome! I could only dream of marrying a prince who looked like that," she responded quickly, gazing wistfully into the distance about her own dream.

"Iylin, please! Just drop it for the night."

Her face fell and she retreated from her overbearing position. She meant well, I tried to remind myself. I took a deep breath and attempted to word what I really meant.

"I'm sorry that was out of character. I'm just worn out, I guess. Ironic isn't it how simple life was before the First Order came or before I was crowned. I took it for granted."

"It's not an easy job, you're doing your best," she said comfortingly, rubbing her tiny hand across my shoulder.

"My best isn't good enough! Maybe I'm just not cut out for this."

"No, no don't say that. You're such an amazing person, so many of the people love you. And I love you."

I ran my hand over her low-set pigtails and pulled her in to a tight hug. I knew just as much as her how hard life was without a set of parents, and I was touched to say the least that I could be there for her.

"I love you more. Now go get some sleep before another busy day."

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A knock at my door at 0300 hours startled me awake.

"Come in," I said groggily, hoisting myself up on to my arms and rubbing my eyes.

The door opened timidly, and I turned my light on so I could see. It was the shy prince who had worked for the First Order and wouldn't even look at me tonight.

Out of the suit he looked even lankier, nearly all legs. It was odd, sensing his energy. Not a trace of hardness or anger was felt from him, which was so strange after being used to that feeling previously with Kylo.

"Hey."

"Hey, what's up? Why're you up so late?" I asked as he pulled the door shut behind him.

"I just thought I should talk to you with no one around. I get anxious in front of crowds."

He stood awkwardly in front of the bed, and I motioned to grab the chair near my side table.

"That's fine, I understand. Couldn't this have waited until morning though?"

"Not really. You supposedly have to choose one of us tomorrow."

Tomorrow? I just met them, I barely even talked to them at the ball! How was I always the last to know about things involving myself?

"I wasn't informed of that but yes I can see why you find it urgent now. Let's talk," I said politely.