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The summit was just about as boring as Ava had expected. A full house of pompous, self-important Imperial politicians who talked too loud and too much.
Ava hated these people. Almost every Imperial higher-up had some kind of superiority complex against those they deemed unworthy of their time, which was everyone except for those within their ranks. Basically, anyone who hadn’t grown up with a silver spoon.
Ava glanced over at Royce, who was speaking to Governor Wilhuff Tarkin, and she noticed the fingers of his injured hand twitching nervously in their glove. She couldn’t blame him. Tarkin was just as full of himself as the rest, but he was a powerful man, one of the highest ranking Imperials other than the Emperor himself. He seemed to be aware of every Empire-funded project, including the top secret projects being worked on back on Tantiss. He didn’t know the details, though, which seemed to be a source of endless frustration for him, judging by the tone of his voice.
Finally, Tarkin moved on to speak to someone else, and Royce’s posture relaxed almost imperceptibly. He glanced over at where Ava was standing, giving her a knowing look. She knew he hated this as much as she did.
He looked like he was about to approach her, but he was immediately swept into another conversation.
Orson Krennic was always dressed in a bright white tunic and cape, and Ava supposed it helped him make an impression. He was even more full of himself than Tarkin, if that was possible, especially after his recent assignment to something called “Project Stardust.”
Ava sighed, retreating to the corner of the room.
She wasn’t sure if she was overstimulated or just annoyed, but she was ready to leave. She’d wanted to accompany Royce to this summit because she knew he’d be out of his element, but she hadn’t considered that she would be as well. Noticing that she’d moved, Royce managed to disengage Krennic and join her in the corner.
“Are you alright?” He asked, an expression of concern on his face.
“You know I can’t stand these people.” She murmured back, her voice soft enough that only he could hear her. How long do we have to stay again?”
Royce chuckled, shaking his head slightly.
“Just until the awards are finished.”
“But those haven’t even started!” She protested. “I’ll just wait in the room.”
She turned to go, but the feeling of his hand on her shoulder made her stop.
“Stay?”
It wasn’t an order or a command. It was a request.
“I promise I’ll make it worth your while later.”
Ava raised an eyebrow.
“How will you do that?”
Royce shrugged.
“However you want. I’m all yours once the award ceremony’s finished.”
Ava’s eyes widened. That was a lot of power, considering how busy they both were most of the time. Her mind was already conjuring up the scene: the two of them, snuggled close together on the hotel bed, maybe checking what was on local television.
“Alright, you win.” She held her hands up in mock defeat. “You promise we can go after the awards ceremony is over?”
“I promise.”
His lips brushed gently against her forehead in the barest ghost of a kiss. Their relationship wasn’t exactly public knowledge, so the gesture didn’t last long, but she appreciated it nevertheless. Getting him to herself later that night would be her own award, in a way.
“Hemlock?” A sharp, posh voice pierced the air, summoning Royce back into the heart of the summit. He smiled at Ava, giving her hand a quick squeeze before returning to Tarkin to see what he wanted.
Stars, he looked tense as he walked over to greet the older man. Maybe she would have to add a neck and shoulder massage to her plans for after the awards ceremony.