Shed your insecurities
and reveal yourself to me
so I can see each imperfection,
cherish every flaw,
get to know you from
the inside out
for my love is raw.

- Christy Ann Martine
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Rey's POV

After eating, just as the maid had told me, Cordelia entered my chambers.

This time she had brought in something wrapped in her arms.

"I know your birthday is not until a couple days but I could not pass the opportunity to buy this for you."

"A couple of days? So was the accident in the town...yesterday?"

"Yes. You were quite weak but recovered quite well. From other cases I've dealt with, usually it takes about three to four days to recover but you have always proven to be quite the warrior when fighting sickness. Quite the stubborn one you are."

"I could only learn it from the best." I smiled at her as she gave me a playful glare.

I averted my eyes to what was wrapped like a present in Cordelia's hands.

"Is it another gown?" I asked simply and careful.

"Yes, indeed it is. I bought it the morning you and Captain Solo went out on your little getaway."

She winked at me as I blushed fiercely.

"We were merely doing a little shopping is all."

"Of course you were. Now open it."

She passed me the wrapped present.

But before I opened it I wanted to ask her a question.

"Are we not having a small celebration?"

"Of course we are but I also wished to buy you something. Even if it is merely a gown. Now open! I want to see what you think!"

I opened the wrapping, taking it apart gently but harshly enough to tear.

I immediately saw a gray and silver laced dress.

The material was of fine and soft silk. The dresses sleeves were of solid silverish grey.

"It's beautiful, thank you mother!" I hugged her.

"You are very welcome my dear. I am glad you like it so."

"What made you want to buy such a beautiful gown for me as this?" I asked.

"I thought it might complement your dark hair well and I was most definitely right. The gown is also for a small celebration that I'll be putting together for you."

"Well thank you, I might have a hair pin that could match this! It's located in my bottom drawer, if you don't mind."

"No problem, I'll go and fetch it for you."

Cordelia rummaged through the drawer to find my dark silver clip that had small dark green jewels with flower engravings.

"This is beautiful! I had almost forgotten about this one." Cordelia exclaimed with a gentle look of amazement.

"Well, you did give it to me on my sixteenth birthday after all." I chuckled, allowing the ends of my mouth to curve in a slight smile.

"As old as it is...I could never see myself parting with it." I spoke once more as Cordelia looked at me with glee.

"This was an old gift from my dear mother when I was younger. This must at least be forty years old by now. How does it look so new?"

"I keep it in good condition of course! There is a elderly man in town that specializes in cleaning and even making jewelry, hair pieces and pins such as this. And the nice man even repaired a couple loose jewels on it without payment."

"Does he ever charge you for keeping this so clean and almost brand new? I mean, he's got a handsomely fine talent. I'd even say he's got a knack for this sort of trade. So much so he shouldn't be doing it for free, right?"

She raised an eyebrow, gaining a smile from me.

"Well...we made a deal."

"What kind of deal? I hope it's a reasonable one."

"He would clean my hair pin for free as long as I keep coming to his shop only, and put a good word in for him throughout the castle. But anything I want to add will cost a little here and there of course. Sometimes, I even trade items that I've made to him. Like the sewed teddy bear I made a few months ago."

"And what in the world would an old man do with such a thing as a teddy bear?"

"He has a grandchild of the age of three and she's quite the beauty. She loves the flowers I pick for her whenever I visit. Sadly... she's parentless just like me. But I'm glad she has her grandfather. You should see the way he looks at her with such love. How they can have such a humble life and still be so happy...really does warm my heart."

"Ha, you are starting to sound like me."

"You did raise me after all."

"Yes, that I did. Now, would you like to try on the dress?"

"I'll wait until it's my birthday to wear it, if you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all, I'm just happy you approve of the gift." She looked at me once more before getting up.

"I'll send for Captain Solo. He has probably been dying to meet with you ever since thee town's accident."

"Thank you mother."

She hummed to me, in means of answering my thank you to her.

A few minutes later I found Ben walking into my doorway, across from my bed.

I sat up straight as he pulled a chair to sit next to where I was.

"How do you feel?" His voice was as calm as ever, making any worry I had disappear.

"Better but still a bit drowsy. I can handle this though. It's not as bad as what I did yesterday."

"Do not make yourself the villain Rey." He's voice was stern but polite.

I only stared at him as he sounded as if he were going to continue.

"You are not even close to becoming one. And you are far from it. You have to understand that what happened was not your fault and it never will be. Hux...his men come from all over with backgrounds and pasts that they themselves are haunted by. They are the monsters not you. You save and try your best to protect thee innocent, they kill with no mercy to who they target."

My heart swelled just the same as my tears did.

"It's just not an easy subject for me to get over. It felt so real that it felt as if it were a dream, something that was too real to be true. I was scared...terrified even. How can one get over such a nightmare as this?"

"Trust me my dear Rey, nothing is easy. And what happened with that man, the one who held the knife wasn't you...metaphorically speaking. But I know it's just difficult to get through. But you are strong, stronger than anyone I know. You will be ok as long as you look forward." His hand placed on mine which were folded on my lap.

"Thank you Ben...I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Well for one you'd be in less mischief as your mother stated." He chuckled.

"But I'm glad you are quite well now."

As soon as his smile faded it was replaced with a frown that was almost difficult to notice.

"A-re you alright Ben?" His sad eyes connected to meeting mine.

"Not exactly. I'm just afraid I might be a bad luck charm for you is all."

"Well...would that not make me your good luck charm?" I said softly as my thumb rubbed over his hand.

His face was genuine as he glanced at me with such love.

"You know...I have no doubt, if we never met that you would be fine. But me...I do not think I could live without you Miss.Rey. You have stolen every bit of my heart."

Our foreheads touched after he spoke such kind and tender words.

"And you have mischievously stolen mine. And for that I do not want you to let go of me. I do not wish for you to ever part."

He chuckled once more.

"You know, it seemed like only yesterday you were rejecting the thought of ever getting close to me but now look at you...head over heels for me."

"I can still take my words back Captain Solo."

"I was only making play, seeing you riled up is quite humorous."

"Do not tempt me to make a fool out of you." I teased, pinching his nose in the process.

"Ah ok! I get it! I'll seize, I'll seize."

A knock was heard by the door and Cordelia appeared.

"Alright love birds you've had your time. Rey needs to sleep as well as you do. Chop chop."

Ben gently squeezed my hand before getting up and standing to leave.

"Have a good rest Miss. Rey."

"Same to you Ben."

After Ben left Cordelia closed the door for me to rest.

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