Chapter Text
Rey sat with her hands rigidly at her sides, her small frame stiff with tension throughout the evening's supper. Ben stirred his soup absently, listening with growing disgust as his mother, the Duke, and Bishop Snoke discussed the upcoming wedding.
"I am so pleased to officiate yet another royal wedding," Snoke said with an oily smile. "Such momentous occasions require proper... oversight."
The Duke nodded eagerly. "Indeed, Bishop. You must be sure that the consummation happens properly."
Ben's spoon clattered into his bowl as he scowled at them both.
Leia interjected diplomatically, "That won't be necessary. The marriage will be legal regardless."
Snoke interrupted with a sharp tone, "No marriage will be legal if consummation doesn't happen."
Ben's voice was a low growl. "We are right here, you know. Don't discuss this in front of us."
Throughout this entire exchange, Rey never touched her food. Her head was bowed down, staring at her full bowl as if she could disappear into it.
Ben gently nudged her foot under the table. "Please eat," he murmured quietly.
Rey looked up at him and nodded, picking up her spoon to sip the soup with trembling hands.
The Duke snorted dismissively. "The whole point of marriage is to secure an heir. How will that be secured if you don't consummate the marriage?"
"They have decided that when Rey is ready, then it shall be consummated," Leia said firmly.
The Duke and bishop continued their discussion with Leia, but Snoke became increasingly insistent. "I will need to be present during the wedding night to check on them and ensure the consummation occurs."
Ben stiffened visibly, and Leia said sharply, "That isn't needed."
Snoke's eyes narrowed. "If I don't have evidence, then the marriage will be null and void."
"I don't want my wife to be touched by you," Ben said through gritted teeth.
"Oh, Prince, you will be present, of course," Snoke said smoothly. "I only need you to lift her dress so I can see if she has bled from your bedding her."
Ben's face flushed with anger. "I can just give you a bloodied rag instead."
"A rag means nothing. People fake their virtue all the time," Snoke replied coldly. Then his voice took on a sinister tone. "Unless... she isn't a virgin..."
"ENOUGH!" Leia slammed her hand on the table. "No more. We will discuss this at another time."
Ben took Rey to the lake again, both of them riding their horses across the palace grounds. When they arrived, they sat by the water's edge and dipped their feet in, letting the cool water soak their stockings.
Rey sighed deeply. "I'm scared."
Ben glanced at her with concern. "Are you scared of being married to me?"
Rey shook her head quickly. "Not at all, my Prince. I'm just scared of Bishop Snoke. I don't want him near me again. I hate the way he touches me."
Ben's expression darkened. "I hate it too. I'll do my best to make sure Snoke doesn't interfere."
Rey looked up at him with grateful eyes. "Thank you, Ben." She blushed at using his first name.
When they headed back to the palace, a familiar blonde woman was waiting by the stables. She spotted them approaching and waved seductively.
"Good afternoon, dear Prince," she called out as Ben dismounted.
Ben turned to Rey, still on her horse. "Go ahead inside. I'll meet up with you later."
Rey narrowed her eyes but said only, "Okay."
Instead of going inside, Rey rode Silencer into the stables and took her time leading him back to his stall. When she emerged, she saw Ben holding the woman close, and watched as the blonde kissed him before sauntering away.
Rey huffed angrily and ran straight to Ben, kicking his shin hard.
"OUCH!" Ben yelped, hopping on one foot.
"You're a womanizer!" Rey sniffed accusingly before running toward the palace.
She was furious that Ben would flirt with another woman right in front of her! They were to be wed soon. She knew she was young, but that didn't mean she was stupid.
A knock came at her door, and she yelled, "Begone! I don't want to be disturbed!"
The knocking came again, more insistent this time. Rey huffed angrily and swung the door open to tell whoever it was to leave.
Ben stood looking down at her. "Why did you kick me, little one?"
Rey frowned and tried to kick him again. Ben stepped aside, avoiding her foot.
"HEY! That isn't very kind of you."
Rey shoved at his torso with both hands. "YOU aren't very kind! How dare you! In front of me as well!"
Ben quirked an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing at his lips. "What is it? Were you jealous, little one?"
Rey's face flushed with rage. "I'll tell your mother you're bedding other women!"
Ben chuckled. "She already knows and has given me permission to keep mistresses after we wed."
Rey gasped, her eyes filling with tears. "You want to be with other women while we're married?"
Ben looked at her with something that might have been pity. "Come now, my dear. I'm a man with desires. Surely you didn't expect me to desire a child?"
Rey's face crumpled. She sniffed once before slamming the door in his face.
"I HATE YOU, BEN!"
The wedding day had finally arrived. Rey stood still as servants bustled around her, adjusting her royal wedding dress with meticulous care. They ensured every fold was perfect, her veil sat properly atop her head, and the pretty flowers and ribbons adorning her chest were arranged just so.
Rey sighed as she looked at herself in the ornate mirror. She wished she was older—perhaps then Ben wouldn't need to seek out other women to satisfy himself. She grumbled under her breath, still angry at him. They hadn't spoken or gone horse riding together for the past week. She had purposely ignored him during meals in the dining hall and taken Silencer for rides on her own.
But now the time was here.
"You look beautiful, Your Grace," one of the servants said warmly. "When you grow up, you'll be a stunning woman."
Rey touched her gown self-consciously. "Even womanly enough for the Prince?"
The servant gave her a soft, understanding smile. "Don't take it to heart. The Prince, despite his... adventures... is good at heart and will treat you well."
Rey stared at the servant thoughtfully. "I know."
The servant bowed deeply. "Future Princess of Alderaan, it would be my pleasure to serve as your first lady's maid."
Rey looked at her and smiled genuinely for the first time that morning. "You are wonderful to me, Maz. Thank you."
A knock came at the door, and Lord Threepio's voice announced, "The Duke is here to escort the bride."
Maz left with Threepio as the Duke entered the room. He stared at Rey and snorted dismissively, then walked over to her with a sneer.
"You better make sure you are with child soon after this wedding, otherwise I'll have to take you back. Our family line will be on the throne, and you better be useful to me for once in your life."
Rey gulped. "The Prince promised me you would not take me away."
The Duke chuckled coldly and gripped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "My dear, if this wedding is not consummated, there is no marriage, and I can do with you as I please. Do you understand?"
Rey swallowed hard. "Yes, Grandfather."
"Good. Now hurry up and put your heels on. Maybe this way you don't look too much like a brat to the Prince." He turned and left the room, leaving Rey trembling in her wedding dress.
Rey's heart thundered in her chest as she stared at the giant doors that would lead her to her future. Slowly, she watched them swing open as trumpets began playing, announcing the arrival of the Princess-to-be of Alderaan.
She could see down the long aisle to where Ben stood waiting, and she hated just how dashing and handsome he looked in his princely outfit. Her eyes found Bishop Snoke standing in front of Ben, and she gulped nervously.
The Duke raised his arm for her to take, and together they walked down the aisle toward her fate.
Ben watched Rey approach—a pretty little thing who would no doubt be a very beautiful woman one day. He tugged at his collar, which felt too tight, and waited for her to reach him.
The Duke released her to Ben's care, and Bishop Snoke began the ceremony. Parchments were brought forward along with feathers and ink. Snoke had them both recite their vows to each other, with Ben and Rey swearing to be each other's and accepting their matrimony. They were then given quills to sign the marriage documents.
The prince bent down and placed a gentle kiss on his brides forehead, and Rey in return tiptoed and kissed his cheek barely able to reach it.
The hall erupted in applause. Among the crowd, some faces crumpled in disgust at the child-bride situation, but they still clapped as needed to avoid offending the Queen.
Ben held out his hand to Rey, and she accepted as he led her into their first dance as newlyweds. Rey gulped and held onto him nervously.
Ben whispered to her, "Have you not been practicing, little duchess?"
Rey looked up and frowned. "I didn't know I had to dance. And I’m a princess now!"
Ben chuckled softly. "Come, stand on my feet and I'll do the dancing for us."
Rey looked down and placed each foot on his, maybe digging her heels in purposely a little too hard. She felt Ben flinch slightly and heard him whisper that she was a brat.
Rey smirked back at him. "Well, you're stuck with one now."
Ben guided the dance for them both, and soon the rest of the wedding party joined in, filling the hall with dancing couples. Rey sighed and rested her head against her husband's chest.
Ben pulled her closer. "What's wrong? Are you still upset with me?"
Rey looked up at him, arching her neck. "Will you be taking me to your room tonight?"
Ben raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I'm your wife now, right? We'll be sharing a room now," Rey continued, "and I don't want any mistresses in our bed."
Ben sighed and pulled her closer. "I apologize, my little wife. Perhaps I was too rude about it. My pleasure should not be my priority right now, and I did not mean to disrespect you like that. No, I will not allow mistresses in our bed."
Rey gave him a small smile. "Well... it's a start, I suppose."
Soon they moved to cut the royal wedding cake. Rey's eyes grew wide as she took in the sight of the giant tiered confection before them.
Ben chuckled and handed her the first slice. "Here you are, Princess."
"It's so delicious!" Rey exclaimed after her first bite.
She tried to feed him a piece in return but missed his lips entirely, getting frosting on his nose instead. They both chuckled at her aim, and even Queen Leia laughed from her place at the head table.
As they continued eating, the Queen rose to give a toast, wishing them a wonderful, long-lasting marriage and partnership. The crowd raised their glasses and took sips of wine.
Ben sipped his wine as well, and Rey nudged him, indicating she wanted to try some too. Ben rolled his eyes. "Here, try not to drink too much."
She took his glass and sipped it, immediately scrunching her nose. "It tastes bitter."
"Perhaps you prefer sweeter wines," Ben suggested.
"Can I have one?" Rey asked hopefully.
"No," Ben said firmly.
Rey pouted. "I'm a princess. I can just order the servants to fetch me one."
Ben rolled his eyes. "Yes, you could, but perhaps it's best to just sip some with me nearby in case you react badly to it."
Rey hiccupped and rolled her eyes. "I won't react badly."
"I'd rather my wife isn't drunk at the young age of twelve," Ben said dryly.
Rey pouted again. "I'm thirteen! I turned last week."
Ben raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What? Why didn't you tell me?"
Rey shrugged casually. "Days of birth never mattered to me. They surely didn't back at the keep."
Ben's expression darkened with something that looked like anger—not at her, but at her situation. "No, that's unacceptable. For your birthday, I shall do what my father did for my thirteenth."
"What?" Rey asked curiously.
Ben declared with mock seriousness, "You shall have rum instead!"
Rey giggled delightedly. "Okay, dear husband."
In that moment, she forgot she had been mad at him. Surprisingly, she found herself actually enjoying her wedding after all.