Author's Note: If you have any tips writing tips, please feel free to comment.

As always, I continue to hope that I am doing justice to the spirit of Star Wars as well the respective authors and characters from which I borrow. Again, I gratefully accept constructive criticism as a means to help me develop my skills further as a writer.

There are no Mandalorian (Mando'a) words in this chapter.

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Chapter 50

Tarj has exhibited nothing but honest loyalty to the princess. I can see that governments mean nothing to him, only his need to keep her safe. There is almost something deeper in his devotion than merely following orders, but I can't quite grasp it, and I'm certain he would deny anything if I tried asking. He's quite taken with the girl—not romantically—but his connection with her is as true as if they were siblings. I have no doubt that his protection of her does not need to be questioned, and the princess will never be under threat while in his care. Tarj must remain her guardian simply because there is no one else who can be trusted to serve her with that kind of sincere respect and devotion.

Moff Gillard Harkin, sharing his observations with one of his advisors

Tochin Moon III, 73 Days after Order 66

Arlesse breathed quietly, refusing to make eye contact with him. Without any prompting, she turned towards the door in an attempt to escape his presence.

Gillard reached out, and his hand caught her arm, just above the elbow.

Arlesse felt her heart thudding in her chest in fear, and her breath got stuck in her throat.

Gillard was careful to make certain he wasn't forceful but gentle with his hold on her. He knew he could get her to respond better with a kind touch as opposed to the brute force that would be expected by someone of his power and influence.

"Please, Highness, stay," he said carefully. "You haven't provided me any opportunity yet to explain my actions since I had arrived on your humble world."

Arlesse yanked her arm free, surprised that Harkin had so easily relented his touch on her. She wanted to convey the kind of strength in her voice that Janelle used to exhibit, but Arlesse couldn't project that kind of emotion, and she ended up sounding more like she was scared and sad than angry. "You killed my family and took over our world. I have no reason to want your company."

Gillard met her gaze with his own, watching the pain in her blue eyes consume her. It was like staring into a maelstrom of hatred and grief, and he swore that he was looking at the debris left after a violent storm had destroyed everything in its path. Yet, even with that shield of pain, he could see the very real fear in her eyes, the constant worry she had about what would become of her. Her brutal honesty always seemed to take him off-guard, and he needed to carefully choose his words, to gently work up to the proposition he needed to offer her.

"You are right, Princess," he started softly, "I came into your world as a conqueror, and that was not my intention. I was given specific orders to follow, expectations of what was required in my position. Please, all I ask is that you sit with me and let me explain."

"Where's Tarj?" Arlesse asked, changing the subject. She didn't want to hear any explanations from this murderer, and the fear she constantly felt for her guardian's life had filled her thoughts, distracting her.

The princess' question had taken Gillard unexpectedly, but he saw the slight crack of compassion in her gaze. He saw that she cared about her clone protector, and he could clearly see the sibling relationship that they shared. He understood why she asked about Tarj; she feared something had happened to him.

"He's fine," Gillard admitted. "I see the way he protects you, and I know I can order no one else to have that kind of loyalty. Unless he betrays the Empire, there is no reason to eliminate him. I had simply asked him for some time to talk with you privately, and he accommodated my wishes."

Suddenly, an explosion of blaster fire erupted in the courtyard below. The noise startled Arlesse, and she spun towards the ledge of the balcony as her instinctive curiosity for the noise had overridden her need to run from the moff.

"It's a salute to the Empire," Gillard explained, seizing the opportunity to find something to discuss with her and prolong their time together. "It's an exercise done in precise timing. Only squads that have reached a mastery level in their synchronization skills can accomplish the unique sound that you just heard."

Arlesse turned away from the courtyard and from the moff now. Jas had told her some of his training experiences back on Kamino, but he never described anything like the seemingly useless drills these stormtroopers practiced. Then again, she had to remind herself that Jas was trained differently, not only because of his Mandalorian influence but because he was far from an enlisted soldier. Jas was special operations, part of an undercover unit that handled missions others would consider impossible or too far-fetched to waste time attempting.

Gillard saw that he was losing the princess' attention, and he had to act quickly if he didn't want this conversation to be enforced in other ways. He wanted her cooperation and her understanding, but he could see that Arlesse Psach was very well rehearsed at making quiet exits. Taking a risk, Gillard slid in front of her and blocked the door. Before she could protest, he quickly began talking in that calm but careful manner, trying to keep her fear of him subdued.

"I am sorry about your father and your cousin, truly I am. But, you must understand that they had a network already established to work against the Empire. I was barely here for a couple of weeks when I found documentation regarding missing funds that no one could account for in the treasury. I had that monetary amount traced back, and it led me to a trail of revolution. They had plotted with outside mercenaries, creating a small army that they believed would have removed not only me but also the Imperial influence that had come to your world. I was left with no choice but to follow the entire trail and interrogate not only those involved but anyone who might potentially be involved. Your family ties had forced me to have to question you."

Arlesse saw something she had not seen before in this moff's eyes, something she didn't believe he was capable of demonstrating. She saw a flash of truth as he explained to her the conspiracy that had destroyed the life she once knew. Something about his honesty struck her oddly, and she felt her fingers instantly graze over her pendant, trying desperately to feel for the shell that was locked inside the star that rested against her chest bone.

Realizing that Moff Harkin was making no attempt to move from the doorway, Arlesse conceded to defeat for now and returned to the bench upon the balcony. She kept her back to him and felt her eyes look to the stone floor, trying to imagine her father plotting some kind of revolution. She never knew him to be one who sought war, but as she thought further on the events of the last few weeks, she realized that he had quite a number of discussions with some of the clone troopers that were left behind with Tarj, and he had started distancing himself from her. Any time her father spent with her had been quick and in the open. He no longer lingered with her in the garden, talking about things like he once did, and he avoided private conversations with her as though he needed to keep their idle conversations on display for everyone.

Staring blindly at one of the discolored sections of stone on the floor, Arlesse finally understood that her father had been protecting her from the conspiracy, trying to make it obvious to the Imperials that his daughter was innocent of the crimes he was plotting to commit.

Gillard moved towards the princess and dared to take a seat next to her on the bench. He saw the way her eyes concentrated on something while her brows were knitted incomprehension.

"Your father swore until his dying breath that you were never involved and that you knew nothing," the Moff said gently. "And, I'm sorry that I was forced to interrogate you. Unfortunately, I had no choice but to question innocent people, such as yourself, in order to protect the Empire's interests."

Arlesse folded her hands in her lap, still refusing to look at Moff Harkin. "You didn't even know Papa or the good things about him. He didn't rely on others to take care of me. He took responsibility for raising me and arranged most of his meetings in the palace so that he would be able to care for me as needed. He always made time for me, even for simple things like reading me stories every night during my childhood. He made me laugh when I was sad and he rightfully punished me when I tested limits."

Arlesse closed her eyes and swallowed hard to give her the strength she needed to bring her eyes to Harkin. Feeling the emotion in her, she opened her eyes and brought her hardened stare to the moff's hazel eyes. "He was my father, and he loved me the way a parent is supposed to love a child. You took that away from me."

Gillard felt burned by her gaze, how she had the childhood he could only imagine having. Jealously flashed through him for this princess, this woman who had everything he didn't. Even though he was raised to have access to finances and influence, she had love and compassion. A part of him was wondering if he had acted impulsively, having her father killed simply because of his jealousy over what he had been denied in his life.

Then, he reminded himself about the conspiracy, the trail of truth that led him to a potential revolution against the Empire. Palpatine would have done unimaginable destruction to Tochin if Gillard hadn't taken the actions he had before things got out of control.

"Your family had done this to themselves, and the measures Emperor Palpatine would have taken would have ended with far worse damage to your world. I spared you and your people that kind of fate," he told her firmly, daring to put one of his hands upon hers. He felt the princess flinch under his touch, but he was determined to start mending the rift that was between them. He would need her, and even if she had limited influence on the Tochinite people, she was still a symbol to them. "You didn't receive any punishment because you have taken no actions to hinder the Empire's progress. The Empire does not punish without reason, and I want you to understand that."

Arlesse startled at his touch and quickly pulled her hands free, surprised that Harkin conceded to her resistance. She looked to him and couldn't hide the relief that she knew was in her eyes. However, it quickly passed as she again felt the resentment and anger return for this man who had murdered her family and stranded her from Jas.

"You took everything away from me," she said softly, fighting the ache in her chest, "And I had done nothing wrong."

"Again, I can only emphasize that Emperor Palpatine would have done far worse..."

"I don't see how when you've done it all for him," Arlesse interrupted sadly, feeling one of those stinging tears slipping down her cheek. She stood from the bench, unable to handle remaining in Moff Harkin's presence. She wanted to find one of her hidden places and disappear so she could mourn again for her father, Janelle, and Jas.

Gillard realized suddenly that he was losing her attention, and he saw the way she could erect her mental barriers around her so quickly. He wondered what could cause a sheltered and pampered girl to build such resilience. He certainly did not expect Arlesse Psach to be quite so strong, and especially not in her unique, passive way.

Taking the princess' hand in his, Gillard stood before her, again blocking her exit. Gently and softly he spoke before she could protest. "Please don't leave."

Arlesse breathed heavily, trying not to break apart and become the crumbling mess of emotions that was always below the surface. Wiping her cheek with her sleeve, she removed the single tear that had fallen free earlier and was determined not to allow any more right now. She knew Tarj was just a shout away, but she was not going to play that card unless it really mattered. Harkin was not forcing himself on her, at least not in any way that was physically threatening or dangerous to her safety. She knew he was a politician, and this was the kind of games he was accustomed to playing. Janelle would have easily played it back, but Arlesse was far from the enchantress that Janelle had been, and she just wanted to be alone to be with her memories of what no longer existed.

Gathering her strength finally, Arlesse swallowed hard and found her voice again. Even though her words were shaky, she needed simple answers, easy explanations that didn't elaborate into fancy speeches. "What do you want from me?"

Gillard took her hand tighter, grateful that the conversation had finally turned to where he needed it. Regardless of what her status had been on this world and how she was able to hide behind others, the time had come for this princess to take a less veiled position in her society. However, the thought of telling her that had released a nagging bite of nervousness that clung to the back of his mind.

Collecting his thoughts, Gillard decided to ease her into the answer to her inquiry. "My advisors had warned me that questions would eventually arise as to your purpose here, especially since I have not taken any constructive actions yet towards you. They have recommended I take one of two suggestions. The first is to remove you from your high position of status since it outranks mine."

Before Harkin could continue, Arlesse was pulling her hand away and trying to step away from him. She knew what the second suggestion would entail, and she feared to hear those kinds of words from him.

Gillard refused to back down now, knowing what he had to ask of her. He stepped closer and even though he took her hand tighter, he maintained a gentle touch. "Your people need a symbol of their old ways, someone to let them know that they still have something of their past to cling onto. I need you, just as they do."

Arlesse brought her eyes to his now, and she could think of nothing but Jas.

"You and I," he said softly, continuing carefully, "You could stand by my side. Take my offer and be more than a symbol for your people. Together, we can merge your old ways with the new Empire."

Shaking her head, Arlesse prayed he would not ask it of her. She tried to pull free, but Harkin took the opportunity to stop her as he brushed his fingers against her cheek.

"Your clone is gone," the Moff said gently, trying to make her see that the romance she had believed she would share with that flesh droid could never be possible. "The galaxy has changed and whatever fantasy you were led to believe simply does not exist."

"No," she said immediately, speaking with her heart rather than her head. It was too hard to hold in her affections for Jas any longer, and Harkin needed to know that she was still committed to another. "I have to wait. By our laws, there must be proof before the engagement can be annulled."

Gillard felt his eyes widen in surprise. He knew she was devoted to that clone, but he never imagined that they had managed to receive the royal clearances that would allow them to get engaged and eventually married. Running his thumb over her cheek, Gillard breathed softly, reminding her that Tochin had changed now. "I'm sorry, Highness, but your laws are no longer recognized by the Empire, and proof is not needed for an engagement that doesn't exist."

The sting of tears filled her eyes, and the tightness in her throat threatened to close off her breathing. The pendant that pressed against her chest suddenly felt cold and foreign, and she instinctively reached her free hand to the star to be certain Jas was still with her. She tried to breathe, but it only brought with it a pain in her chest, the ache of further losing Jas to the abyss of the galaxy. Gillard Harkin had no right to erase the relationship that was promised to her, the one her father had permitted, the one that was true and honest. How could this politician expect her to just forget in a heartbeat the only man she knew loved her?

Gillard took advantage of her weakened moment, realizing that this princess was not entirely unattractive, although her cousin had been far more enticing. He had thought it was a waste to have to execute the beautiful duchess, but her betrayal to the Empire had shown just what kind of woman she had been. Arlesse Psach was so different from Janelle Napith, despite her lack of sophistication and nobility.

Physically, the princess had a facial symmetry that made her unburdening on the eyes, but Gillard was much more interested in the emotional depth he could see in her blue irises. There was more to this girl than what she projected on the surface. He was constantly taken aback by her brutal honesty and was intrigued by the innocence that had built the foundation of her character.

Gillard briefly wondered if he could ever develop true affections for her, the kind he was certain her clone had shared. There was the politician in him that whispered how he truly only needed her for the purposes of a political wife, the royal trophy he required in order to show the people of Tochin that they needed to trust him. Politically, he merely needed to be with her when necessary to produce an heir so that his blood would mix with hers and create a royal child, someone that would seal his permanency to the rank of royalty. Gillard knew that as a moff, he could declare himself king, but the ambitious politician in him argued that with a true blooded queen by his side and a royal child to take his place, he would be more than powerful. He would be legendary.

Then, he looked to her eyes and saw the world in there that she kept locked away from everyone, the world he was certain her clone had visited. He wondered if there was ever any way to convince her that she needed to invite him into that world if he was going to keep her safely hidden from the Empire's minions. Gillard had seen a lot of dishonesty during his time in the Senate, the kinds of schemes and games that he was certain this princess had no inkling existed. Should any of those beings come to Tochin, she would be fodder for their tortures.

Brushing some of her thick, unruly curls from her face, Gillard kept his voice a soft, non-threatening whisper. "Please give me time and learn to trust me. We need each other, and Tochin needs us."

Arlesse took a shaky breath and then tried to pull her face from him. Her heart told her not to trust Harkin, and deep within her she believed Jas was still alive.

Gillard stared at the locked gates of the world in her eyes, and with soft breath, he told her, "I would be honored if you would be my wife one day."

Arlesse felt the shock register on her face and couldn't move as she felt another tear trace down her cheek. She again thought of Jas and the emotion in his voice, his touch when he promised her he would return when he told her he would be her knight so that they could be together. Shaking her head now, Arlesse's voice came out broken as though she was in some kind of agony. "I...can't."

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