As she walked toward the cafeteria, Jaina reached out with her senses to determine her brother’s location. After a few moments, she figured out that he’d gotten to the cafeteria. Which was not good, considering she wanted to go there also. But she could also sense that only Tenel Ka was with him, which could be used to her benefit.

If Tenel Ka hadn’t told Jacen about her upcoming wedding, Jaina would tell him for her. Probably not one of the nicest things to do, but he’d find out sooner or later. Better sooner than later, in her opinion.

Besides, there was a possibility that her brother could be the groom. He had the right breeding, though he might not have the inheritance. Of course it was obvious to Jaina that neither of the two would see this on their own, so it couldn’t hurt if she let them know that as well.

“Good enough excuse. So, who’re you gonna tie the knot with?”

“I don’t know yet. I’ve been given a list, that’s all.”

This was not going well. Her friend was obviously upset about the whole situation, but what could she do about it? This was just something she’d have to live with, like the way she knew she was going to rule Hapes, or the way she lived with only one arm. There was a surprising thought. Tenel Ka rarely, if ever thought about her arm anymore, it’d become natural.

“Who’s on the list?”

“Excuse me?”

“Aren’t I allowed to know who you’re gonna end up with? Tell me again how long we’ve been friends?”

“You have been my friend for several years, Jacen. The names on the list are meaningless to me. They are all either spoiled little brats, ruthless politicians, or faceless people whom I’ve never met.”

“So, you’re probably getting hitched to a complete stranger?”

“It looks that way.”

It didn’t look like he understood. How was she supposed to explain thousands of years of tradition to him?

“But to someone you’ve never even seen?”

“It is not abnormal. The royal family has arranged marriages for as long as it has been in power.”

“Doesn’t your mother have a problem with that?”

So this is how it’s gonna be, thought Jacen. She goes off to marry some spoiled brat she’s never even met, and will probably be trapped in an unhappy marriage, while I’m still back here thinking at rocks. Sounds like fun.

“She realizes this is unavoidable. I have taken so much from her heritage, and so little from my father’s. They wish for me to have final say concerning my future husband, but if I don’t make a choice soon, I may not have a choice.

“How ‘unavoidable’ is it?”

“If I disregarded the insistence that I wed, I risk being alienated by the family. Other than that, there is no way which I can avoid this disgusting development short of suicide.”

“What’s wrong with being alienated?”

She sighed. He really didn’t understand her position.

“If I am ‘alienated’, I can no longer see my parents, my mother’s family, my father’s family, any and all friends which I’ve made during my life as a princess, including you, I would be banished from Hapes, and Danthomir, naturally stripped of my title, wealth, and all of my worldly possessions, I would be alone in the universe. All of that would happen, if it was decided that I would not be simply killed, but it would be the same as my dying.”

Wow. All that just for not wanting to get married? Tenel Ka’s family was a little more strict than he’d thought.

But all he could say was “Oh.”.

Before he could say anything else, Jacen noticed his sister headed toward the table where he and Tenel Ka were seated. He didn’t dare hope she’d come to eat with them, she was carrying one of the cafeteria’s take-away food bags, but why would she bother to talk to them?

Tenel Ka followed his eyes, and saw Jaina coming towards them. Why would she want to talk to them?

Great, they’d seen her coming. But at least she wouldn’t have to announce herself if they’d already seen her.

Addressing Tenel Ka first, Jaina said: “Tenel Ka, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about your little wedding.”

She knew too? Had her grandmother arranged for all of her friends to find out about it before she had a chance to tell them? Tenel Ka noticed Jacen’s somewhat accusing eyes on her, and knew she was going to have to talk fast.

Perfect reaction. Slight panic, worried about what Jacen thinks, though it looks like he already knew about the wedding, and a little confusion. “I overheard you and your grandmother last night, purely by accident, of course. All I want to know is who’re you going to marry?” Now, to get her brother distracted enough to leave her alone for the rest of the day.

“At this time, I do not know.”

Good, at least Jaina admitted to overhearing me instead of my telling her, thought Tenel Ka. Why has she brought this up?

“Well, I just wanted to let you know about a few candidates which you may have overlooked.” Jaina smiled to herself, they really were oblivious to each other’s feelings.

“Who did you have in mind, Jaina?” A suitor selected by one of her friends would be better than whoever her grandmother came up with, so this might be useful information.

“Well, his mother was a princess, would have been queen if not for a tragic event rendering the position unavailable, he’s a little taller than you, though not by much, he’s been found attractive by many females of various species, he’s rather good with animals, and he’s pretty nice guy, a bit sensitive, but I doubt you would object to his company.”

He doesn’t sound like a bad choice, thought Tenel Ka. And Jacen might even approve. She wouldn’t marry anyone that her friend didn’t like; his opinion was important to her.

All right, so he’s probably the best choice Tenel Ka’s going to have, thought Jacen, but I want to meet him first, and discuss a few ground rules for marrying my friend.

Another perfect reaction. Tenel Ka was interested, but wanting her brother’s approval. Jacen was showing signs of jealousy, battling the knowledge that this guy was probably the best he could expect for his friend.

“So sis, who’s the mystery guy that you think’d be so great for Tenel Ka?” Asked Jacen, ending his sister’s line of thought.

“Oh, you know him well.”

What? This does not make sense, thought Tenel Ka. If Jacen knew him, the she probably did also, but who met those standards?

Who do I know? This makes no sense, thought Jacen. I’m the only one around here who spends a lot of time with animals, so who’s she talking about?

Jaina could scarcely believe it. They still didn’t know who she was talking about! How dense were they?

Rolling her eyes, Jaina said: “Hello? How blind can you two be? I’m talking about Jacen!”

“Huh?” Oh yeah, very smooth, thought Jacen. What in the Force was his sister talking about? Even if he qualified, Tenel Ka wouldn’t want him for a husband. He wasn’t...well, she wouldn’t...he didn’t deserve someone like her. He hacked her arm off, for pity’s sake!

What did she say? Tenel Ka was surprised, to say the least. She’d never thought of her friend in that way before, well, she had, but it wasn’t anything she’d talked to him about. She suddenly recalled what Jaina had said about Jacen the day before. Jaina had called him her Jacen. And since he did meet all the standards Tenel Ka knew of, her friend might be her first choice for a husband.

Jaina surveyed the scene which she’d set up before her. The two were completely befuddled, and trying not to look at each other. How typical of them to not to realize an easy answer to the marriage fiasco. She’d better leave them alone now, and let them sort out their feelings. She quickly made a discreet exit, feeling their eyes on her as she left. Well, maybe it was a little rude to go without saying anything, but her growling stomach would not be ignored any longer. Besides, they could use the time alone.

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