Chapter Text
“And so, great Daimyo, I present to you my daughter. She will make you a fine wife.”
Boba Fett watched as the Mayor of Anchorhead pushed a young woman out before him. The Mayor was an overly plump, balding man who, despite the coolness inside the Palace, was sweating profusely.
The woman he pushed out before him was lovely of course, beautiful and clearly untouched by the harsh environment of Tatooine, but far too young to be used as a bargaining chip. She clearly had no wish to be standing before Boba, and cowered before him. She didn’t meet his eyes, and hunched in on herself even as her father pushed her further out.
Boba didn’t allow the indifferent and mildly bored mask to slip from his face. But he couldn’t help the distaste that snaked through him at the scene before him. He had been blessed with a father who would have fought the galaxy for him; here was a father who offered up his only daughter for nothing but to be seen in the Daimyo’s good graces.
At the continued silence from Boba, the Mayor began to sweat all the harder. He pulled a fine silk cloth from his pocket and wiped his forehead with a shaking hand.
“Of course, great Daimyo, I-I don’t mean to presume. You can use her however you wish.”
His beady eyes darted to Boba’s side, where Fennec Shand lounged against the back of Boba’s throne draped in shadow. Boba noted no movement beside him at the Mayor’s attention, Fennec was likely as bored by this as he was.
As the silence stretched further, the Mayor’s stuttering worsened.
“She-she dances well, and would make g-good entertainment, Daimyo. O-or she would make a well subservient s-slave, otherwise – “
Boba raised but a single finger, and the man immediately silenced. The girl before him winced at the slight movement, and Boba wondered just how the man before him had trained his daughter. Even as his temper flared, Boba kept his face neutral and his tone even.
“I have no use for a wife. I’m not interested in your meagre excuse for an offering.”
The young woman winced again, and Boba felt a flash of remorse for his words that he buried easily. He couldn’t afford to worry about anyone outside of his circle. It had been hard enough work fighting to keep his seat as Daimyo and repelling the forces trying to take his new empire from him, he didn’t need to be concerned about the trivial worries of individuals not under his immediate protection.
Somehow, the man before him sweated all the harder at Boba’s rejection. The cloth came out again to no visible difference, and the Mayor began wringing his hands nervously.
Boba held back a sigh. As much as he despised the snivelling man, his pledge of allegiance would mean he had the settlement of Anchorhead squarely under his control.
“I am willing to accept a simple pledge of allegiance, in return for my favour.” Boba said at last.
The Mayor all but wilted where he stood with the intensity of the relief broadcasted on his face. He placed a fist to his chest and bowed so low Boba was mildly surprised he didn’t topple over.
“Thank you, great Daimyo. I offer my most a-absolute fealty, and that of Anchorhead also.”
Boba gave a small nod and waved him off, hoping to remove the Mayor and his trembling daughter from his sight.
“Then in return you are under my protection.”
“T-thank you, Diamyo. You have been most gracious, most welcoming, most – “
Boba felt more than saw Fennec stand behind him and the Mayor cut himself off quickly, bowing again before scuttling from sight, dragging his daughter behind him.
Now alone with only Fennec and himself in the throne room, Boba allowed himself the long sigh he’d been holding back all morning.
“Well that was enlightening,” Fennec finally spoke from behind him, tone dry. Coming into view from behind him, she jumped down from the raised dais Boba’s throne was built on and sat casually on the edge of it.
Boba slumped slightly back into the throne.
“That’s the fifth one today.” He removed his helmet to take a deep breath of fresh air. “I’m tired of interrupting actual business for ladder-climbers looking to get into my good graces by throwing woman at me.”
Fennec glanced over at him just long enough to see her rolling her eyes.
“You know how to stop that, don’t you.”
Boba raised an eyebrow, not in the mood for games after fielding complaints all morning.
“I get the feeling I’m not going to like this.”
“You get married, great Daimyo.”
Fennec’s tone had a gentle edge of teasing in it, and Boba turned his whole torso to pin her with an exasperated stare.
Fennec raised an eyebrow to match his.
“I’m being serious.”
Boba just turned back to stare out across the throne room, effectively dismissing her.
“No you’re not.”
“Boba,” Fennec now stood and moved in front of him, crossing her arms. “I agree all this woman throwing is getting in the way of business. By having a wife it takes all of that bargaining off the table. Easy fix.”
“I’m not getting married, Fennec.” Boba was steadfast. He wasn’t at all interested in having a woman around to worry about. He had far too much on his plate.
But Fennec didn’t budge either.
“You don’t have to play happy families.”
“No.”
“Just make it official and keep her here waitressing or something.”
“I said no, Fennec.”
“There’s the slave auction out near Arnthout tomorrow, let’s just find you a nice pretty girl – “
“I’m not interested in owning slaves,” Boba cut her off. “I’ve said no, and that’ll be the end of it.”
But the look Fennec gave him suggested that would not be the end of it at all.