I wasn't going to write drabbles about Rian's past until after it was revealed to Rian in the drabbles, but what's a little dramatic irony between friends, eh?
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16 BBY

Cassiopeia was almost never nervous. She was a warrior. Adrenaline, the rush of blood in her veins, was a familiar, welcomed feeling. Battle tactics were ingrained in her mind, cemented there at birth. But nothing could have prepared her for this.

"Where are we landing?" Her sister, Ursa, inquired, her eyes trained on Coruscant as they approached. Her upper lip was lifted in disgust. Ursa hated having any part in this, but she also had too much of a soft spot for her younger sister. Cass knew this. And she had taken advantage of it so many times in the past.

No more, though. Cass placed her hand on her stomach, shaking her head. This was the last time.

"He has a private landing strip in the Works section. Level 156." Cass stated.

"And he'll be there?" Ursa asked.

"He always is."

Ursa grimaced. "For your sake, I hope this really is the last time you're seeing him."

"It is." Cass stated. "Thank you for putting up with us. With me."

Ursa huffed. "Don't mention it." When Cass smiled, Ursa shook her head. "No, seriously? Don't mention it. Mom would have me executed if she found out that I was helping you see an Imperial."

Cass pressed her lips together as her face flushed. "Right."

The rest of the flight took place in silence. Ursa lowered the ship gracefully into the Works tunnel, where she landed the ship on level 156. Just as Cass had said, there was an sleek transport ship surrounded by a small detachment of Royal Guards. Ursa kept the engine turning, leaning back in her seat as she looked at Cass. "Make it quick."

Cass nodded, placing her silver and gold helm over her face and exiting the ship. Maybe if Romulus couldn't see her face, it would make things easier.

She walked across the platform with pseudo confidence, blasters bouncing on her thigh with every step as a young man exited the transport. He was pale and heavily freckled with slicked back auburn hair and a dazzling smile, which he flashed at Cass now. His black clothes were form fitting and reflected the ceiling lights like a dark pool of water.

"Cass. I feel like it's been forever." He stated as he approached her, arms wide, ready to receive her.

She stopped short of his embrace. "It's been two months."

Romulus furrowed his brows at her demeanor, his smile wavering slightly. "I... am aware. I was exaggerating because I've miss you immensely. Why do you have your helmet on? I want to see your beautiful face."

Cass was grateful for the helmet. That way, Romulus could not see her eyes dart to his weapon, which he kept on his belt- his lightsaber. She swallowed, her throat dry. Surely, she would not upset him to the point that weapons would be drawn.

"No, Romulus, the helmet will stay on. I'm here to inform you that I'm ending this relationship- whatever it really is." Cass watched as Romulus's expression fell completely, his arms dropping to his sides. She gritted her teeth. She wished this wasn't so painful to say. "I'm afraid our circumstances have changed. Soon enough, the fact that I've been in a relationship will be out, and I know it is imperative that our relationship be kept a secret. I..." She bit her lip, her throat closing. "I won't be able to keep that secret. So this has to end."

Romulus's shook his head, his face contorting between sadness and anger within seconds of each other, swinging back and forth between the two like a pendulum. "Why? Why can't you keep it a secret any longer? We have for this long!"

"Keep your voice down." Cass instructed, eyeing the Royal Guard by the transport. "It's because I'm pregnant. And the child is yours. So unless you want to get caught seeing each other while I'm further along- or heaven forbid, after the child's born- and risk our relationship becoming public knowledge, it has to end now." She tightened her fists, silently cursing herself for letting her voice waver. Her eyes were becoming watery. "You keep your secrets on Coruscant. I keep mine on Mandalore."

Romulus stared at Cass with wide eyes, his mouth agape. "You... you're pregnant... with my child, and you want to just break it off and forget about each other? You're going- you want to keep my child from me?"

Cass took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Don't be so offended. You said you didn't want your father to know about your personal life. A child would be obvious evidence of that. My parents would be furious that the father of my child is part of the Empire. At least with this relationship over, I can pretend like their father is a Mandalorian."

Romulus's lip curled. "You want my child to never know their father?"

"They will know what is safe- our clan, our house. Their planet."

"And your name?" Romulus sneered.

Cass's hand flinched towards the blasters at her side as Romulus flexed his clenched fist. "Well, she certainly won't have your name."

"I cannot believe you're doing this." Romulus's voice was quiet, but harsh. "We've been together since the Clone Wars- and now you want to end it all."

Cass raised an eyebrow. "You would rather have your father know about us? You would rather have him know about our child?"

"If it meant being apart of their life, then yes. I don't want to be cast aside of a decommissioned Clone trooper. That child is half of me." Romulus stated. "You could live a comfortable life here. My father is cruel only to those who oppose him. He wouldn't have to know that you're Mandalorian- all you need to do is shed your armor," he extended his hand to her, "and come with me. I can give you everything."

Cass stared at his hand, tears spilling over onto her cheeks. She loved Romulus. She truly did. But the thought of living under the thumb of the Empire, right in the palace where the Emperor eat, slept, and breathed, was enough to make her nauseous. At least on Mandalore, standing with her family, she had a chance to avoid their tyranny.

"You... have nothing I could want." She stated, before turning to walk back to the ship.

"Cassiopeia." Romulus grabbed her wrist. "Please," his voice was low, "don't choose this path."

"Goodbye, Romulus." Cass stated, yanking her hand out of his grip and walking back to her ship. As soon as she entered it, the ramp closed and Ursa pulled it up into the air. They were already floating out of the Works by the time Cass arrived in the cockpit and deflated into the passenger seat.

"You made the right choice." Ursa reminded her.

"I know."

Meanwhile, Romulus stood on the platform, staring at where Ursa's ship had exited. His green eyes were lit with anger like a raging forest fire. He stormed towards the transport, his gaze locking on the nearest guard. "Send a transmission back to the palace. I wish to speak to my father immediately."

"Yes, sir."

Romulus entered the transport, sitting in his seat as the Royal Guard loaded up and began driving the vehicle. All Romulus could do was stare at the wall, his jaw clenched. This was unprecedented. This was unjust. What Cassiopeia had said was true- Romulus had wanted to keep their relationship a secret. He knew that his father would not approve. His father had expectations for Romulus to be the heir to the Empire, but Romulus was not as strong with the force as his father- or his father's apprentices. So Romulus's life consisted of training session upon training session.

Until he met Cassiopeia.

It had been a mission with his father's old apprentice, Darth Tyranus, on a secret trip to Concordia, one of Mandalore's moon and home of the former terrorist group, Death Watch. Cass's family, Clan Wren, was apart of Death Watch. They were both younger- around 19- when they met on that mission. Romulus stayed on Concordia for the few months that the Separatists and Death Watch did business with one another, as insurance that the Separatists would keep their part of the bargain. During that time, Cass and Romulus really bonded. By the time Romulus was evacuated from Concordia, he was smitten with puppy love.

Of course, it wasn't puppy love anymore. Romulus truly cared about Cass. He only hid his love for her to protect her. But the situation was different now. The idea of this child being raised on Mandalore, told a lie that their father was some random Mandalorian, sent Romulus's mind spiraling. He would have no part in that. That child was his. And if Cassiopeia wouldn't accept this and just come live with him, then he had no choice but to get his father involved.

When they arrived at the palace, Romulus quickly exited the ship, bee-lining it to his father's office, the Royal Guard following close behind. Two more Royal Guards stood at attention at the doorway.

"The Emperor is waiting inside."

Romulus did not respond as he pushed the doors of the office open. His office was large and well decorated, with a wall made entirely out of glass, allowing a full view of Coruscant below. Standing behind a desk, facing this window, was a figure who was veiled under black robes and a hood.

"Father." Romulus stated, trying to keep voice as even as possible.

"Yes, Romulus?" A slow, gravelly voice asked in an almost exasperated tone as the figure slowly turned to face him. Romulus could just make out his glowing amber eyes underneath the shadow of the hood.

"You may want to sit down, because I have a lot to confess." Romulus said.