*This chapter is written from both Ben and Rey's perspective. *

Ben was waiting impatiently to see his father with Rey. He hoped she was with him, somewhere, otherwise he wouldn't guess which of them she was.

He squinted through the hall. He saw the Lannisters, the Arryns, the Velaryons and other houses great and small whose names he couldn't remember. But there were none of the Tyrells. That meant only one thing: the allegiance with them was compromised.

He looked across the hall and his eyes stopped on her. It was her, the girl he had bumped into three days ago in the street, and the same who had shot him that burning glare there in the crowd at his trial. And she was wonderful in that white flowy silk dress adorned with silver thread and lace. He felt the urge to rush to her side. But then remembered: she hated him exactly as much as anyone that was present there.

And the thought was like a dagger in his heart. Suddenly, he imagined how hard it must have been for her to find out she was going to marry him.
He never thought it would be her. He had seen her training in the gardens after they met, but it never crossed his mind that his parents would actually choose her. He couldn't help but feel guilty. She hated him, that was clear. An her feelings couldn't have changed in the past days. Maybe now she was hating him even harder, given that her life was compromised.

Even though, he couldn't help but smile reassuringly as she approached him and his father released her, passing her to his son.
But when she returned the look, a terrible sadness surged through him as she glared at him. For a moment, he had thought she was going to forgive him. But he was a fool. He couldn't even forgive himself.

And he reluctantly held out his hand to her. And she took it as she swallowed hard. Ben could feel her hand trembling in his. And her eyes on the verge of tears.
And suddenly he wanted to hug her, to take all her pain away, to make her happy. But he knew that she was feeling like that because of him.

They needed to advance together to the altar. But that was no way of bringing his wife there. He looked at her face, but still she refused to meet his gaze. And he gently began to caress the top of her hand, and squeeze it.

"It's alright." he whispered, not knowing what else to say. What could he, though?

Rey forced herself to look up at him. Her eyes stopped first on his soft dark hair and then on his eyes. She glared at him. With all the hatred she'd got inside her.
He was so calm, it annoyed her even more. But the feel of his hand trying to comfort her brought her relief. And she felt a strange feeling when she had touched him. Something unnatural, like she had never experienced before. And she didn't pull back. Instead she let him confort her even farther.

"Shall we go?" he asked. And his voice was gentler than she would have ever expected.

She was afraid of him, of what he would do to her, but, as she looked him in the eyes, she realized he was exactly as frightened as she was. And that he needed her confort, too. But she shot him a cold glare again. Why should she spare his feelings?

"You need not be afraid." he said, his voice a shiver. For a moment he had been so happy it was the girl he met a few days ago. The girl he had secretly began to fall in love with. But now he felt lost again. He was now more than sure that she would never love him. And he already loved her. And wanted her to be happy. Suddenly he felt the urge to protect her, to be near her. But he would do whatever was need to achieve her happiness, even though that meant to let her go.

And she turned her head to him.

"You are wonderful, my lady." and she truly was. No one could ever compare to her in his eyes.

"Thank you." She said sourly and turned her head, her face an expressionless mask, her lips barely parting. The faintest smirk or glare, and the tears would burst out in torrents down her face.

But he didn't stop. He wanted her to know that he would never do anything to her, would never force her into anything.

"Rey" he stammered as he continued to gaze at her. "I... I never wanted any of this to happen. Please, please forgive me if I have ever been unkind to you."

"You know nothing." She hissed. "It is all your fault."

He thought about it for a moment. She was right. "Yes, it is." he said miserably. "And I'm sorry for all the bad things I did. But I want to make things right. Beginning with you."

Suddenly, Rey felt sorry for him. Could he truly change? And why was he so good to her?

It surprised her, for she had expected him to be like his father, or even worse. And she looked at their clasped hands.

And she didn't even realize when the time had passed, so they were already standing in front of the septon.
Ben took both her hands and stood in front of her, never letting go of her eyes. As if she was the only thing that mattered in his eyes. She had missed someone to look at her like that. But she never wanted that person to be him.

Now she knew form stories what was about to happen. He would have to drape her with his cloak bearing the colors and the seal of his House, dark blue and grey, embracing her in his protection. And she should have done the same, if she had a House. But she was a nobody, an orphan from the streets. And she had nothing to give him in turn. Nothing, for her heart was sealed.

And she felt him walking behind her, his hands gently sweeping the heavy cloak bearing the Skywalker seal over her bare shoulders as if she were cold and he needed to keep her warm.
He caressed her cloaked shoulder with his thumbs and then returned to face her.

And, in spite of her hatred for him, she looked into his dark eyes. Because she couldn't understand him at all. He seemed sad, and lonely, and... desperate for longing.
Why do I feel sorry for him? she scolded herself for being so weak. And she put her face down.

She was still afraid, she could not pretend she wasn't. And she was even more afraid for the part when he would have to kiss her. Just the thought of it disgusted her. She felt like she was betraying her father, her whole kin.

And then the septon said the vows and now it was their turn. She first, and then him.

"Will you, Rey of Braavos take Ben of houses Solo and Skywalker as your lord and husband?"

"Yes." She said weakly, almost a whisper, barely holding herself together. Rey of Braavos, because she had never told anyone her true birthplace.

"And will you, Prince Ben of houses Solo and Skywalker take Rey of Braavos as your Lady wife and take care of her to death?"

"Yes." he said convinced, looking her in the eyes. Even though she never returned the look.

"With this kiss, I pledge my life and love and take you for my lord and husband." Rey said mechanically, not looking in his eyes, her gaze aimed somewhere forward, in the void. She wanted to say otherwise, that she hated him, and that she would have gladly stuck a knife in his heart instead.

"And with this kiss, I pledge my life and love and take you for my lady and wife." Ben finished. "And love you until the end of my days."

And Rey knew what was next. And she dreaded that moment. And all she saw in his eyes was a burning hunger for her.

Ben looked down at her mouth. He knew what he had to do. And he wanted to. He wanted her to be his, forever. But he knew she was not ready for that yet.
He could feel her small yet strong hands shaking in his. That was, definitely, not the way he wanted to give away his first kiss. He wanted it to come as a gesture of equal love from both of them.
And he would be ready only when she was, and not before.

Rey squeezed her eyes tight and braced herself for a kiss that never landed on her mouth.
Instead she found his lips pressed gently against her forehead. And she sighed with relief. Who was the last person who ever kissed her with such care? Maybe her father? But it has been so long, she forgot how a kiss felt. And the slightest track of regret sprang to life in her chest when he pulled away. She has just realized, to her horror, that she did not want him to.

And as he lowered his eyes to look at her, he smiled, and he realized that her face was suddenly changed.
Where there was anger, now there was confusion. Where there was hatred, now she was craving belonging.
Her big, kind eyes were a lighter shade of hazel, and their borders had a golden gleam in it, like two drops of honey. He wanted to reach out and caress the soft skin of her face, her sweet lips.
But he had sworn to himself he wouldn't do anything without her wanting him to.
And he leaned his head and rested his forehead against her sweet smelling hair, nuzzling it, to let her know that, whenever she would come to love him, he would be there for her. Always. And if he could chose anyone in this world to love eternally, it was Rey.

She was so alone, and, suddenly she realized a desire to run into his arms, not away. But she pulled away reluctantly. And Rey realized something :he was so much alike his mother. She hated to admit it, but he had that deep understanding about him. She felt naked in front of him, as if he could read her like an open book.
But what if he was right, and he was not the only one seeking affection and belonging?
And, for the first time, she looked in his eyes not with hatred, but as if she wanted to understand him.
But why would he do that? Why would he spare her feelings? As long as he was a royal, he could do as he pleased with her. But he had been different.
But she was not ready to let go of the hate yet. She felt torn. She hated him, even thought he had been nothing but gentle and caring. That murderous Kylo Ren she had known. Of course, he didn't know, but she couldn't forgive what he did to her when she was a little child.

After the ceremony, there came the feast. Rey stood with Ben at the Great table, alongside with the queen and the king. And she had noticed the people's mean glances at her.
The high born were not going to accept her easily. Especially now, when they were probably thinking Leia had insulted them by marrying her, a slave from Braavos, with no name or family, to the crown prince.
There were so many kinds of dishes. And, if it were a normal day, she would have stuffed herself to the point of bursting. But now she feared that if she ate anything, it would retch back up immediately.
Ben drank little and ate even lesser. Maybe he was upset because of her, Rey thought. But why should I spare his feelings when no one cares about mine?
The servants came and went, bringing new plates with dishes and wondering at her untouched plates.

"Have you been living here for long?" Ben asked her.

But she did not want to answer. Finally, she said harshly "Yes, Your Highness."

"You don't need to call me that."

But she turned her back on him.
Yet she did not want the feast to end. For what came next to it, she dreaded most. She had known the ways of the westerosi wedding, and knew what hapoened after the feast. But she had never thought it would come to this for her. She had always seen herself a knight, not some lady.
And she just wanted to hide away when it would happen.

But she suddenly let out a gasp as she felt a hand softly brushing hers. The hand that has killed so many innocent people. She looked up and saw a pair of warm eyes watching over her. There was neither hatred nor cruelty in them. But rather compassion, and, maybe, love?
She never realized that the bards have begun to play a slow song. And Ben was holding out a hand to her.

"We should lead the dance, my lady."

And she looked at him as if she didn't understand what he just said.

"Will you dance with me?" he asked again, softly, giving her time to consider.

Rey glared at his hand. But in the end she took it. And as she stood up, he spun her around and slid a hand on her waist, holding her as if she were his most precious treasure. She inhaled sharply and felt herself blush as she laid a hand nervously on his chest. She looked down, avoiding his gaze.

Her head came extremely close to his chin. And it frightened her to be so close to him. But the tiredness inside her and another part wanted her to lay her head on his chest and get lost in his embrace.

He led her in a slow dance. And she was shocked. How could a monster dance with so much grace?

She had married him, but how could she love a heartless man, one who had betrayed his parents, his kingdom and had killed so many people? She only did this for the sake of her own people. And so that he wouldn't have to lead them alone, to destruction. Rey had always been powerless when it came to saving the ones she loved. Now, at least, she could save her people from his tyranny.

As the music intensified, he spun her around, and lifted her gently off her feet.

But suddenly she pulled back, reluctantly. And he frowned at her. "You alright?"

And Rey didn't answer him. Only stormed to the opened balcony. It was so frustrating that she could not run as she did before because of the uncomfortable shoes. The heels were so high, she feared she would trip over.

By the time she was outside, under the starry sky, she could finally allow her tears to fall. There was not much time left until the feast ended.
"Forgive me, father. Forgive me, northerners." She said to the sky and a soft breeze brushed over her, causing her to shiver and sweeping a tear astray from its way down.

"Rey?" she heard Ben's calm voice.

Not again! she thought.
And he came hear her and laid his hands on the stone railing. "Do you like watching the stars?" he asked, looking up at the sky.

But no answer came. "I do, too." he said and looked understandingly at her. "I don't deserve you, Rey, but all I want is to make you happy, make you feel home."

"You can't! And you never will!" her patience was up. Her anger burst out of her like an angry beast.

And only then did he realize she has been crying. It was like a dagger twisted in his wound knowing that the one he loved hated him so fiercely.

She turned on her heels and ran back into the hall. And he followed her. But as he almost neared the table, he heard his father shouting cruel japes at her.

"No! There will be no such thing!" he shouted, but everyone ignored him. And she saw a drunk man grabbing Rey and dragging her toward him.

The people were dazed, he could see that. And soon, the feast would take a nasty course.

And Rey tried to break free. But the man's grip wouldn't subside. And Ben ran over and pulled her to him. Then he wrapped his arms around her protectively, holding her to his chest as he could feel her trembling with fear.

"It's alright, I'm here and I won't let anything happen." he whispered in her hair. And she was too tired to run away as she realized that now she only had him to stand by her.

"Why are you doing this?" Leia asked Han.

"You saw it, he didn't even kiss her."

"It doesn't matter. It only seems you got me wrong." Leia said and sat up.

Another man made a grab for Rey again, his grip so tight he tore a piece of her dress. And Ben had to draw his sword to hold them back.

"Enough!" Leia shouted. "I am your queen and I promise you that the feast has ended now! Have I made myself clear?"

And everyone silenced.
Ben let go of Rey as she walked away. And sadness washed over him. He saw her saying something to his mother and then taking her leave. He knew she was not safe alone, but he knew that following her would only anger her more. And he waited a few more minutes before leaving, too.

Rey walked down the corridor as fast as she could. She was barefoot, for she wanted no one to hear her. Yet she couldn't stop crying. It was her first night with him and she was afraid. Afraid of his father's influence, afraid of him.

They have been granted to use a large airy chamber next to the tower of the Hand. As Rey entered it, she noticed that the terrace overlooked the sea and the city. And she stepped on the stone balcony from where she could stay and look at the stars, without him lurking about.

*I hope this chapter is what I meant it to be. I had to dive down into the characters' personalities, and there is that tension between them that needs to stand out. Because we didn't know whether Ben was going to kiss her or not, nor do we know what will happen next. Let me know your thoughts!*