HEAVY IN YOUR ARMS [A DIN DJARIN X READER STORY]

CHAPTER TWO: THE MANDALORIAN

"Welcome, Mando," he said, addressing the man like an old friend. "I hope your journey here was easy."

"It was fine," he said.

"Excellent," he said. "Welcome to Katethen."

Mando nodded. A brief silence fell over the crowd. He glanced around briefly. "It seems you have a lot of protection detail here. I'm not sure a bodyguard is necessary with soldiers like these."

"Oh, trust me," your father chuckled, "a Mandalorian is necessary. My daughter is my last remaining heir. Her safety is of most importance to me. I think in time you will see how seriously I take her wellbeing. I need every hand I can get." Your father looked back at you and beckoned you with a hand. "Come meet your bodyguard, daughter. Come right here."

Like a child, you took three steps forward until you stood in front of the Mandalorian. You nodded your head once, your eyes looking directly at his mask. Emotionless. Just like your father when he looked at you. Just like you were used to.

"Princess," he said, bowing his head slightly.

"Mandalorian," you replied, holding your chin as high as you could. "It's nice to meet you."

"Come, we will show you the palace," your father said. You turned and walked slightly ahead, only to feel the harsh hand of your father snatching your wrist and pulling you back to walk alongside your bodyguard.

Right. You had someone new to follow your every move.

You supposed you should be grateful to be rid of your last bodyguard. Even though he still lurked around the palace, taking his newest position as the leader of the soldiers and the guard of the prisons, you were grateful it wouldn't be him lurking outside of your bedroom door while you tried to sleep. Although you would prefer no one be following you as closely as you had been followed for the last four years.

"All I ask is that you remain beside her," your father said. "The palace is large. There are many windows and many people working within the gates. I'm not sure who to trust or where she is safest. Unless she is in the presence of someone keeping her safe, of course."

"Have there been any incidents threatening her safety recently?" the Mandalorian asked.

Your father was silent for a moment. "A few years ago, there was a Rebellion spy located in the palace. The spy nearly made it out with her. We saved her at the last moment. But she was almost torn from us forever." Your father sighed, and your body shook. "Other than that, we've had some instances of attempted break-ins. Nothing that wasn't stopped in its tracks, though."

"Have you considered relocating her to a different place? Somewhere she is safer?"

"There is nowhere that is safe for a princess of a kingdom that is loyal to the Empire. The Republic has offered a brand new supply of dangers for her. Even the most innocent of the cause could be killed solely because of who she knows."