Dynasty: Chunk Thirty-Seven
by Valerie Vancollie and Rebecca Thomson
The Grand Moff Bel-Zessa peered over his afternoon tea at his slightly pale son-in-law. The young man had been nursing a headache all afternoon after rising late. "You know," the older man said, "it's all over court that Lord Skywalker ate dinner with me last night."
"Oh. Thank you." Nathaniel took a sip of his fruit drink.
"So, do I get to know what you spoke with him about?"
"Uh... how many Hutts does it take to change a glowrod?"
The Grand Moff shot his son-in-law a dirty look. "Does this have anything to do with the empty bottle I found after he left?"
"Yes, actually. But Luke did say to remain neutral about everything that is going on. He was quite precise about that. The Sith is up to something again."
Bel-Zessa snorted. "That is always the truth. There is another rumor running around court. Happened earlier this morning, actually."
"What?" Nathaniel tentatively nibbled on a roll.
"Lord Skywalker called Lord Vader 'father,' in the gardens. Slip of the tongue, apparently. But the man who overheard it is known to spread lies, so no one knows what to think."
Nathaniel nodded, wishing that the painkillers would kick in. "That would explain everything, if it were true. And Luke said that we only had to remain neutral till the wedding. I would guess they plan on revealing something then."
"Yes. It would be a perfect plan, and it would also stop all this taking sides before it got out of hand." The Grand Moff rubbed his chin. "But, if it does turn out that Lord Skywalker is Lord Vader's son, I think we should act like we knew all along, don't you think? It would be believable, and make us look good."
Nathaniel forced himself to take another sip, trying to quiet his sour stomach. "Yes. We could. And I don't think either Sith would be angry with the deception, but everyone else would think we were closer allied than originally thought."
"I wouldn't mind that. It is almost assured that Lord Vader will be announced as heir sometime soon. Being closely allied to the future Emperor and his son isn't a bad thing."
Nathaniel blinked, then looked at his father-in-law, mouth forming a little 'o'. "The red at his birthday party," he whispered, "remember? Could he have been saying something then?"
"It would be rather clear in hindsight."
Nathaniel laughed a little, "Just like Luke's battle plans. I've been studying the reports- everything he does in battle is usually quite clear afterwards, when you look back. Even if you don't understand why he made certain moves during the fighting."
"Young lady," Mr. Winiterure said, "I won't be made a fool of." Randolf sat in his study, his daughter nervously sitting in front of his desk. He had pulled her in here as soon as he had heard the latest rumor from court. He had asked her if it was true once already, and received only a nervous denial. "Dear," he sighed, "I've known you since you were little, and I can tell when you're lying."
"Yes, Father." The girl was obviously upset.
"And?"
She sighed, clearly torn. "The Emperor asked me to keep secrets, Father. Even from you."
"The Emperor?" Mr. Winiterure sat up in his chair.
"Yes, Father."
He sighed, thinking. "I would understand why the Sith would not want to tell me yet. Your mother and her loose tongue are reason enough. So, I'm just going to ask that you tell Lord Skywalker that if he and Lord Vader have anything to tell me before the wedding, I would appreciate it. After all, I doubt they want me to look like a complete idiot if it does turn out to be true."
"Thank you Father. And, I will tell Luke, Father."
"Run along." Mr. Winiterure made a dismissive gesture with one hand. "And try to be more convincing next time."
His daughter smiled, rising from her chair. "Of course, Father. I..." She turned and left, Randolf knowing that his daughter didn't really like lying to him. He smiled to himself, glad he still had a little of her loyalty. He looked up, spying the security camera.
"And my house is full of your guards," Randolf whispered, "and I will be in a large amount of trouble if it turns out to be false." He had been slightly worried for months as the split between the two Sith had become more and more evident. He had nearly asked Lord Vader over to discuss the future and his daughter on more than one occasion. Only his daughter's apparent unconcern had stopped him. Surely she would have sensed something.
As her maids did her hair, Ra'chealla fought back the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. She was getting ready for Skywalker's wedding, a thing she had dreamt of doing for months now, but it was not as she had imagined it. It wasn't she to whom Luke was getting married. It was someone else. Closing her eyes, she waited until her maid had finished her hair before ordering her out of the room. She had at first thought not to attend the wedding, but her father had insisted saying that she would be sent home for the rest of the year if she didn't go and behave well.
Ra'chealla got to her feet and paced her room as she tried to keep the tears from rolling freely down her cheeks for she knew that once she started she wouldn't be able to stop. At least she didn't have to attend the reception after the wedding itself. Only the Winiterure family, the Emperor, and selected members of the court would be attending that event which took place at Vader's Castle. Among those selected members of the court were Grand Moff Bel-Zessa and his wife, MacNelly and his wife, Washu and his wife, and a few other high courtiers. That her father and Vladimir hadn't been among the invited guests didn't surprise her at all, but it had obviously surprised both men when they hadn't received invitations for that part of the wedding and several other people had.
Ra'chealla knew that they hadn't been invited to the reception as they had been trying to get Skywalker to betray his loyalties to Vader and to join them against him. This was simply the first part of the price they would pay for their efforts. If only her father had listened to her then he wouldn't have gotten himself into this mess. But then, if her father had listened to her from the start it would be she who was getting married today.
Randolf tried to calm himself as he followed the servant through Vader's Castle. In only two hours the wedding would begin and simply the proximity of the event made him nervous. At least Anjaleen had managed to talk with Skywalker about the rumor as he had been summoned to Vader's Castle. Entering another room, he stopped upon seeing the decorations of the room. The crystal chandeliers were reflecting colored light everywhere while several tables stood around the room all elegantly decorated with blue tablecloths, candles, jewel inlaid utensils, crystal glasses, and hand painted dishes. Seeing how all the tables seemed to be set around a single table with six places, although it was only set for five, he knew that this was the room the reception would be held in and that the middle table would be where he, Sasha, Luke, Anjaleen, Vader, and probably the Emperor would sit.
The mere idea of sharing a table with the Emperor was enough to make Randolf even more nervous. He heard a door open just as he wondered if Vader was just going to sit at the table the entire meal and watch them eat.
"Mr. Winiterure," Vader said as he entered the room and approached the man. "I heard that you have a concern."
"Yes, my Lord," Randolf replied as he turned to face the man. "I was wondering if you could tell me whether or not the rumor about you being Lord Skywalker's father is true. I think I have the right to know the answer before anyone else finds out. I promise that I shall not tell my wife."
"Yes, she would spread it around and that would defeat the whole point," Vader responded as he studied the man before him. It took courage to come up to him and to practically demand an answer when it was clear that no one else had gotten one yet. But Vader knew where Mr. Winiterure's courage came from. He was concerned about both his image and his daughter's future and he could respect the latter. He knew that if Leia had turned that he would never have let her marry someone without knowing all the details of the man. "It is true," he stated. "Luke is my son."
"Th... thank you, Lord Vader," Randolf responded, still slightly stunned although he had known that this was one of the possible answers. He was becoming the father-in-law to Lord Darth Vader's son! "I appreciate your telling me."
Just as he said this, the door to the room opened once more and Vader's head servant entered the room with Rachel in tow. "Master Winiterure," Rachel said as soon as she caught sight of him.
"Rachel," Randolf replied, knowing that she was here so that when Anjaleen moved into the castle after she returned from her honeymoon that everything was already worked out servant wise. "Is everything going smoothly?"
"Yes," Mark stated. "We have just finished working things out to accommodate the extra staff your daughter will bring with her."
"Good," Vader stated before he moved past Randolf. "If there is nothing else I need to be getting to the Palace and make sure everything there is ready."
"No, no, nothing else," Randolf hastily assured him as the servant that had led him in stepped forward once more. "In fact I need to be getting to the Palace myself. Rachel, make sure that everything is ready for when Anjaleen needs to leave."
"As you wish," Rachel replied.
With this Randolf followed the servant back to his speeder even as his mind raced. He couldn't help but wonder how long Anjaleen had known this piece of information. Probably since before her engagement to Skywalker as she would never have made such a move without something special, but then she was in love and he had seen love blind the common people to the obvious at times. But Vader's son! She had definitely gotten the highest position any female in the Empire had at the moment.
As he approached his speeder, Randolf suddenly froze in place as something else dawned on him. Vader was the most likely heir to the Imperial Throne after Palpatine's death. If that was so, then Skywalker would be Vader's heir, making Anjaleen Empress one day. Realizing that his legs were about to give out he took the last few steps to the speeder and collapsed onto the seat as his driver held open the door. Empress! His daughter might become the first Empress of the galactic Empire! Sure, it wasn't carved into stone, but it explained a lot. The reason why Palpatine had asked her to have lunch with him and Luke, the fact that he had her keep secrets from even her family, her weird behavior upon returning from lunch, her wedding dress, the Imperial symbol on her headdress... Those things all made sense if the information was true.
Randolf reached forward and quickly made himself a drink from the bottles stored in his speeder's small bar before leaning back in his seat. This was better than he had ever dared dream. He had always wanted Anjaleen to be married well so that she would be able to increase her status and thus the representation of their system, but he had never dared hope for something this grand. And this explained what Vader had meant when he had said that although Luke wouldn't be able to take over his job that what he did do would be good for the system. Indeed, it was an honor for any system to be the place from which any Empress came, let alone the first.
"Winiterure has been informed," Vader told his son as he watched the servants put on Luke's cape.
"Great," Luke replied as he moved to stand before a mirror.
"Perhaps," Vader said as he watched his child and briefly thought back to the boy he had first laid eyes on in the Death Star hanger bay. So much had changed since then, Luke had grown up and had adjusted to his rightful place in life. "And I'm sure that he's figured out the rest by now, though he is smart enough to keep his mouth shut."
"Yes," Luke agreed before he turned to face his father just as he put on the amulet. "What do you think?"
"You look like a Prince," Vader stated as he smiled proudly behind his mask. "And I'm sure that that won't be missed by the courtiers. They should be putting things together by now."
"Once they get over the shock," Luke reasoned as he tried to keep his joy and nervousness in check even as he sensed his father's pride in him. "I'm sure that you'll have Buchanan and Vladimir, especially the latter, doing everything you want while I'm gone. Those two and the others will be so nervous at this point that things should be getting extremely interesting. I'm almost sorry that I won't be here to see it. Almost, but not quite."
"You are so like your grandfather in that area," Vader answered. "I also just got a message. Everything for Trussell is ready with regards to your departure."
"Perfect," Luke said, relieved. "I really want Anja to be able to enjoy our honeymoon without having to worry about anything else at all."
Lieutenant Sean Trussell and Major Garret Ravenell quietly found their seats on the far back row off to the side in the Crystal Hall. They sat down, getting slightly horrified looks from those sitting around them that Naval personnel so low ranked would manage to get invitations to the ceremony. Few courtiers could read station pins well enough to realize that these men's posting made them closer to either Sith than they would ever be.
Sean whispered to his cousin. "So, are you planning on sleeping on the Executor tonight, or you coming down to the castle?"
Garret whispered back. "Lord Vader wants everything ready for immediate departure by tomorrow, in case he has to leave on an assignment."
Sean yawned. "Better you than me. But if I were you, I'd head down to the castle. As soon as that reception is over, the staff is having a little party."
"You could help me out you know." Garret replied.
"I've been up all night with honeymoon preparations." Sean loftily replied.
Garret softly laughed. "As if you don't owe me for all the times I helped you out. Hey, did you get a look at Luke's wedding clothes?"
"Yes. Unbelievable. But it looks like they're starting."
Soft music began to play, and the audience turned to watch the daughter's parents come down the aisle to sit in their seats.
Lord Vader stood as still as a statue, respirator hissing as he looked down on Mrs. Winiterure. The Emperor was standing in the back, surrounded by a group of his red guard.
"This is such an exciting day, Lord Vader. Don't you think? I've waited and waited for this- it isn't everyday that your only child gets married, is it?" The woman patted away tears, looking around. "Anjaleen looks so wonderful, don't you think?" Vader could sense that she almost believed the rumor, for no other reason than she wanted it to be true. It was rather silly, but the woman never seemed very smart.
Lord Vader stood still, hoping the woman would go away. 'Father,' he spoke to the Emperor, 'Luke owes me one for putting up with her.'
'Yes, but be nice. It won't kill you to talk to her, a little.' The Emperor dryly replied, enjoying Darth Vader's discomfort.
"Yes. It is an exciting day." The Sith replied, as a servant came up, "Yes?" he asked the man, hoping everything was ready.
"They are ready, my Lord."
"Good. We should begin." Lord Vader said, turning away. Mr. Winiterure came up, taking his wife's hand. They would enter first, followed by Lord Vader and then the Emperor. Once everyone had their seats, Lord Skywalker and Anjaleen Winiterure would come from side doors, entering the chamber from opposite sides.
"Rachel, can I at least have a hint?"
"No, Lord Skywalker doesn't want you to know where your honeymoon is going to be, and I won't tell you. Now, your nails are dry, so let me slip on your rings. No, don't look down, your headdress is far too heavy."
"I had no idea it was this cumbersome. I've never worn anything this elaborate before."
Rachel sniffed. "And you probably won't, ever again."
Anjaleen laughed. "Oh yes I will. Luke said I'll have to get a whole new wardrobe, and I can't even imagine what that will mean."
"Well, that's it. You're ready. Stand up." Rachel said.
A servant stuck his head into the room. "It's time."
Luke stood in his wedding clothes, head bowed in meditation in the darkened room. He wasn't nervous, not exactly. Just a little excited. He fingered his lightsaber, letting his mind wander, stretching it out with the Force. The revelation that he was Vader's son was setting up ripples in any vision of the future, so he turned to focusing on centering himself.
A servant knocked, tentatively entering. Luke slowly looked up, the man freezing in place. Luke nodded, walking out. He caught a whiff of the servant's mind. 'My eyes were faintly glowing? It's possible,' Luke thought, 'the Palace is saturated with ripples in the Force right now, centered around me. Grandfather's eyes glow yellow when he uses a lot of the Force, but neither Father nor I can normally do that yet. I must speak with him about it later.'
Luke walked down the short corridor, coming to stand in front of the closed door. A servant standing to the side and wearing a comlink held up a hand, then dropped it. Luke effortlessly used the Force to open the thick doors, entering the Crystal Hall.
The smell of flowers and warm wax washed over him, as he walked through the archway of flowers into the room. His eyes floated across the multi-rainbowed room, fastening onto Anjaleen standing on the far side. They walked towards each other, coming to stop in front of the altar at the same time. Luke knew that the whole galaxy was watching, the holo-cameras in the back were broadcasting the entire ceremony to the galaxy, but he only saw Anja.
She smiled, and they turned to the Master of Ceremonies. Grandfather had staff whose entire purpose was to arrange all the details and verify the propriety of every action in every official ceremony that happened in his Palace. The Master of Ceremonies was actually the man in charge of the department of ceremonies. The Sith did not have any alliances with any of the galaxies' multitude of religions that employed clergy, so the gray haired man had wangled his way into performing the duty himself. And right now, he was practically bursting with the little change to the ceremony he was informed about not an hour ago.
"Loyal citizens of the Empire," he began, microphone at his neck amplifying his voice, "we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Lord Luke Vader, son of Lord Darth Vader; to Anjaleen Winiterure, daughter of Sasha and Randolf Winiterure." The man paused, waiting for the statement to sink in.
It was very quiet, while Luke shared a little smile with Anja. He could feel his father smirk behind his mask, and even the Emperor looked smug. Luke basked in the sensation of shock rolling off the crowd. The Master of Ceremonies signaled the orchestra, and the musicians began a musical piece, giving the crowd time to think.
Luke watched Anja, they smiled at each other, and Luke winked. As the music continued, Luke scanned the crowd, sensing the two adjuncts in back enjoying themselves.
Nathaniel glanced at his father-in-law, the two sharing a smile. They had agreed that if the rumor was confirmed, they would act like they had known, right from the beginning. Nathaniel slowly turned his head, casually checking to see the reactions of the other courtiers. The courtiers had spent their lives lying and hiding their true opinions so long that they were difficult to read, but Nathaniel could tell that they were shocked. Buchanan and Vladimir in particular looked almost sick. Nathaniel grinned, just as he caught Buchanan's daughter Ra'chealla steeling a glance at him.
Her eyes widened, then closed. She turned back to face the front, straightening her back. Nathaniel almost frowned, wondering at her response. He turned to his wife who was clearly thoughtful. She looked at him, smiling as she made the small gesture that meant they would talk later.
The orchestra was finished with the piece, and the Master of Ceremonies was looking pleased with himself. No wonder, he had just announced the biggest piece of news the court had seen all year. The Admiral leaned back in his chair, wondering what else was going to happen today. Luke never did anything by halves. And he might drop a hint of what he planed on doing next, the Sith seemed to enjoy doing that.
Ra'chealla watched it all in a dream, she refused to tune it out, insisting on memorizing every last nuisance of the ceremony. It should be her! That little snit didn't deserve this, Luke had to know that the girl was only after his power. He had to stop the ceremony. This couldn't be happening.
She stood with the audience as they sang the Imperial anthem, sat when they finished. Listened to the soloist sing, silently pleading with Luke to stop. He had the power, he could stop this anytime he chose. Or his father could, how could the man stand being allied with Sasha Winiterure? The woman looked like she was going to faint. Her husband looked disgusted with her.
The Master of Ceremonies began to speak, and Ra'chealla forced herself to breathe. They would speak their vows next, and divorce was not an option in the court. It was over, she had no chances anymore.
"Do you, Lord Luke Vader, swear that you shall love Anjaleen all the days of your life, holding her above all others, despite what fortune may bring?" the Master of Ceremonies demanded as the Hall fell silent once more.
"I do," Luke declared clearly, letting the Force carry his voice even as he began to feel the first stirrings of confusion among the seated guests.
"What's this?" Garret whispered to his cousin, realizing that something was up as normally the vow to the Empire and the Imperial throne was pledged before the vow to the future wife.
"I have no idea," Sean replied silently as he frowned. "I had no idea something special was going to happen."
"Maybe they just switched the order," Garret suggested but shook his head when the Master of Ceremonies turned to face Anjaleen. "Or perhaps there is something going on that we know nothing about."
"How many more secrets can the two of them have?" Sean questioned.
"Who knows?" Garret responded as he let his eyes drift to where Palpatine was seated, surrounded by Royal Guards. "They're Sith. But the Emperor must be responsible for this as no one would get away with skipping the vows without his agreement."
"Yeah," Sean agreed.
"Do you, Anjaleen Winiterure, swear that you shall love Luke all the days of your life, holding him above all others, despite what fortune may bring?" the Master of Ceremonies demanded as Garret and Sean heard a slight murmur of surprise ripple through the guests as some of them turned to face the Emperor.
"I do," Anja declared as soon as things had quieted once more.
"That was unexpected," Grand Moff Bel-Zessa stated as he turned to face his son-in-law, a startled look on his face. "This is the first wedding I've attended since the rise of the Empire that hasn't included the Imperial vows."
"Indeed," Nathaniel admitted as he watched his two friends exchange rings after lighting a candle and placing it before the miniature Imperial symbol on the alter upon which the Master of Ceremonies proclaimed them married. "But they clearly have the Emperor's approval or he wouldn't be sitting there and smiling at those who look to him to interrupt the wedding and demand the vows."
"Agreed," Nastalia whispered as she looked towards Buchanan and Vladimir who were looking between the Galactic Emperor and the newly married couple as they kissed. "However I doubt we'll be learning the reasons for this change in vows any time soon. It's not like Luke to give answers when people want them."
"He'll let us wonder about it for a few months," the Grand Moff agreed as he looked at his daughter. "Oh well, no use puzzling over it now as we won't get anywhere by doing so."
"It is interesting, however," Nathaniel said. "And I won't be able to simply forget about this. Any idea where they're going on their honeymoon?" he demanded as he turned to face his wife.
"No," Nastalia declared. "And not even Anjaleen knows, Luke's keeping it a secret. Nobody knows I think. Probably don't want the press following them."
"Why am I not surprised?" Nathaniel murmured. "But how are they going to leave without someone following them?"
"I'm sure Luke has an idea," Nastalia stated confidently.
"I can't believe it!" Sasha repeated for the millionth time as Luke and Anjaleen separated and smiled at each other.
"I heard you the first few times," Randolf growled quietly as he looked around himself to see how many of the guests caught his wife crying and constantly dabbing herself with her handkerchief.
"But it's so perfect," Sasha gushed as she felt more tears come even as she indicated the room. "Look at the decorations. And Vader's son! We're related to Lord Darth Vader now! Why didn't they tell us it was true before the wedding?"
"I was informed," Randolf informed his wife. "You talk too much, that's why you weren't informed as well."
"Look at her!" Sasha said as she indicated their daughter as she took Luke's arm and started to walk down the central aisle. "She's so beautiful and happy today."
"She is," Randolf had to admit as he studied his daughter's dress once more, still amazed at the seer detail and lavishness of the outfit. Walking alongside Skywalker with her head held high she looked like royalty.
As she watched Luke and Anjaleen approach where she was sitting, Ra'chealla fought once more to keep the tears from streaming down her face. It was all over, she had lost Luke forever. Closing her eyes, she turned her back to the newly wed couple knowing that her father was too worried to notice her behavior. He was still too shocked from the confirmation of the rumor and was too busy figuring out just how it would affect him. Right now she hoped that he would suffer from it. He deserved it after all that he had done to her.
Vader's son! She could have been married to Vader's son if her father and that Winiterure brat hadn't interfered with her plans. Right now she could have been the woman with the most status in the entire galaxy! And her father had stopped her from getting it all. Hopefully he would spend the night regretting his actions and decisions as he was losing from them as well. If he had simply let her do what she wanted then he would have known that Vader and Luke were father and son instead of simply teacher and apprentice. Indeed, even the Bel-Zessa family and the MacNellys had known of it, she had seen their lack of astonishment at the confirmation of the rumor and knew what it meant.
She looked to Elizabeth and Vladimir and saw that the latter was extremely pale and that his hands were shaking despite being clasped tightly together. So tightly, in fact, that his finger tips were turning purple from lack of blood. This reaction caused Ra'chealla to briefly wonder just how far he had gone in trying to separate Luke from Vader. From how white his face was, he had probably gone too far for his own good. Honestly Ra'chealla could feel no pity for the man as he should have not tried to manipulate Luke. As for Elizabeth, she was looking at the married couple as they stopped to bow before the Emperor before exiting the Crystal Hall.
Luke smiled at the people they passed and squeezed his wife's hand as they made their way through the Palace halls. Nearing the front entrance to the Palace, he pulled her closer before they stepped outside and were directed to a waiting aircar as people tried to get past the stormtroopers stationed outside to keep the eager citizens who had come to watch them exit.
As he got into the aircar after Anjaleen, Luke motioned for the driver to return to the castle where the selected guests would soon arrive for the reception. Turning his attention to his new wife, he smiled as she carefully shifted in her seat so as not to rip her dress. "You look fantastic," he stated as he smiled at her. "And didn't everything go perfectly as I said it would?"
"Yes it did," Anja replied as she returned his smile. "I just can't believe that it's over. That we're married. It was like a dream, so splendid and all."
"It happened all right, my wife," Luke responded as he leaned closer and kissed her once more, his own joy singing in him. Looking at him, Anja laughed aloud when they separated from the kiss. "What?" Luke inquired.
"Your..." Anja said before she laughed again. "Your lips."
Luke gave her a quizzed look, reaching up with his hand and brushing his lips. Looking at his fingers he laughed as well as he saw the lipstick on them. Using one of the napkins laying next to the small bar the speeder had, Luke quickly wiped the lipstick from his fingers and mouth.
"People know we're married," Luke teased as he looked back at her. "You don't need to leave evidence of it on my face."
"Will you tell me now where we're going now?" Anjaleen questioned.
"No," Luke responded. "I'll tell you when we're on the shuttle."
"Here they come," one of the servants declared as he and another servant moved to open the doors for the arriving couple. "Three, two, one," he said before he pulled open one of the doors while the other servant opened the other.
"Congratulations!" they all cried out at once as Luke and Anjaleen mounted the steps to the main entrance of the castle and entered.
"Thanks," Anja replied as she realized that practically all of the castle's servants and guards were in the entrance hall.
"My Lord, Lady Vader," Mark said as he approached them. "On behalf of myself and the rest of the staff here, we would like to give you a small gift." As he said this he made a motion with his hand and Luprano, head of security, stepped forward with a medium sized package in his hands.
He handed it to Luke when he reached the couple and Luke passed it to Anja. "Open it," Luke told her, refraining from using the Force to see just what the staff had gotten them.
Anja looked at Mark before she turned her attention to the package even as she tried to hide her surprise at the fact that the staff was giving them a wedding gift. She had not heard of such an occurrence before and knew that it displayed just how loyal Vader's staff was to the family. Lady Vader, the title Mark had used for her had sent a small shiver down her spine. Although she had known what marrying the son of Vader meant, it would still take some time to get used to that title.
As she passed the wrapping paper to a waiting servant, Anjaleen looked at the box she now held in her hand. Seeing the words 'Quintin's Carvings' printed on it she knew that she'd like whatever the gift was as Quintin was an excellent artist who did all kinds of carvings out of various materials depending on what the customer wanted. Opening the box, she gasped as she saw the delicate carving of herself and Luke in their wedding clothes. What surprised her most, though, was the fact that the carving was in crystal and the amazing details of the piece.
"It's gorgeous!" she exclaimed as she handed the box to Luke for him to see, not daring to take the statue out of the box in fear of breaking off one of the delicate arms or one of the three arcs formed by her hair coming out of the headdress.
"Amazing," Luke agreed as he looked at the small statue before looking up at the waiting staff. "Thanks."
"It was our pleasure," someone replied.
"Indeed," Mark agreed before he looked at his chrono. "Time to get back to work," he said as he looked at the others. "The guests will begin arriving soon now."
"Hou," Luke said at which one of the servants stepped forward. "Put this in our room for when we return," he ordered as he handed Hou the box.
"As you wish."
Luke stood at the reception hall door, waiting to greet each guest in turn. Anjaleen stood beside him, still smiling. Grandfather came in first, still flanked by his guard. Six of the red robed figures fanned out, taking up positions around the room, while two stayed with the Emperor.
Luke bowed, "your Majesty, we are honored by your presence." They couldn't say more out loud, the castle security or the red guard might pick it up.
"Wouldn't miss it." The Emperor smiled at the two, then walked towards the center table. 'You looked noble today, young Luke.' The Emperor sent. 'I am proud.'
'Thank you, Grandfather. Oh, and before I forget- the servant who came to get me when I was meditating beforehand thought my eyes were glowing. What could have been happening?'
'Ah, yes, I felt that. When you are about to change the course of history, change people's lives or effect the galaxy's structure the Force will focus on you, giving you a much stronger connection to itself. It is temporary, and will fade. It was similar for me, right before I declared myself Emperor. It was a stronger reaction, however.'
'Ah. Thank you, Grandfather.' Luke turned to see his father come in, standing beside him to greet the guests.
'Luke,' his father sent, 'that woman is going to try my patience today. She started crying and fussing in the ceremony.' As if on cue, Sasha Winiterure entered, her husband in tow.
"Baby!" She almost squealed, "you should have told me!"
'Patience, Father.' Luke said, smiling at his father's mental groan. 'I'll handle her.'
"Sorry, Mother." Anjaleen said, smiling politely. "I wasn't allowed to tell you."
"Oh, dear, I understand. And it was just such a shock." The woman turned to the older Lord Vader, "now, that was rather plotting of you, Lord Vader to keep such a secret from me."
Luke stepped a little forward. "Of course, my dear. But I am Sith, you can't expect me not to have at least a few conspiracies under my care, can you?" He smiled broadly, taking her hand and leading her to stand on the other side of Anjaleen, away from his father. Inwardly, he sighed. Changing his name to match his father's was going to bring about a bit of confusion.
He walked back to stand by his father, Mr. Winiterure whispering to the Dark Lord while Anjaleen started talking to her mother. It would be a few moments before the next guests arrived. "I'm sorry, she's just..." The man was saying, disgusted with his wife.
Luke nodded, while his father held his tongue. Luke dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Would it be acceptable if we put a little something in her wine to calm her down? Just the littlest bit."
The man thought about it half a second before nodding. Luke looked over to the head table, discreetly signaling the table's wait staff.
"I cannot believe that fiasco." Treish growled to his wife as their speeder raced back to their home. He was a slightly fat man, carefully dressed and quite new to court. He knew he was considered lucky to get an invitation. "I mean, it was completely obvious that the Dark Lord and his son had led them all around by the nose. Playing with them."
"Yes dear." She almost sighed, knowing she would just have to hold her tongue till her husband spent out his frustration raving.
"And now he's all set up to rule the galaxy. With a son who's proven himself, no one will dare stand up to them, even if they take the throne by force. And then where will we be? Ruled by Dark magicians who hold sway with unnatural powers. Something should be done, before it's too late."
His wife looked up, then back to the window. Treish was just more furious than normal about the Sith, she reasoned. He couldn't be that stupid as to plot against them. "It was a beautiful ceremony all the same." She said.
"Humpf. Now our daughters will want something just like it. As if I have the resources that Sith does. I still can't believe that they managed to persuade the Emperor to hand over his Palace like that. It shouldn't be profaned by the likes of them. They aren't natural. Too like the Jedi, if you ask me."
"Yes dear."
"Humanity is what makes this Empire great. Plain, normal humanity. Not some Dark mage."
"Yes dear."
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail Rebecca or me at valeriev84@hotmail.com
