Another day, another charity ball.
Jin stood in the traditional wear of his family name: a silk, collared suit with two dragons embroidered on each side, set with a necklace of prayer beads and a pair of black pants. It was nothing too fancy, but the whole point was to look the part of a generous senator, not a royal prince. Last thing he needed to do was outshine the reason for the banquet, the woman of the hour—Princess Reyna Vernize.
He had invited the princess to Fondor in order to curry favor and, hopefully, forge a permanent alliance between their respective planets. Given the consequences left behind by the Fifth Fleet and Chancellor Xerxes’ actions, Jin was in a desperate hurry to maintain friendly relations with the Outer Rim, even as the Republic teetered on the verge of collapse. He needed to put on a show for the influential Free Worlds legislator, as well as the future Queen of Onderon.
He needed things to be perfect.
Descending the steps into the main foyer, where dozens of noble guests danced and gossiped under a glittering chandelier, Jin searched the woman out. He had extended the invitation relatively last minute, but he fully expected the princess would be there, waiting to meet him. He’d been close friends with Senator Graves, her former lover, prior to his death, and Onderon had just as much to benefit as Fondor with an alliance. She couldn’t just refuse him, could she?
Jin grimaced. He supposed he’d have to wait and see.
@llamallove