### **Chapter 191**
The transition from war to diplomacy was… jarring.
Dagon stood at the entrance of the senatorial hall, observing quietly as light shimmered across polished floors and towering columns. The atmosphere was refined, controlled—every movement measured, every word carrying weight.
And beside him—
Color.
Life.
Contrast.
Each of the girls stood out in a way that even the senators couldn't ignore.
Ahsoka's attire retained her identity as a Jedi, yet adapted for the occasion. A deep red robe, elegant but practical, draped around her form, layered with subtle gold patterns that traced along the edges like quiet embers. It wasn't armor, but it still carried presence—authority softened by grace.
Visenya's silver dress flowed like liquid light, the fabric catching every glow from the chandeliers above. Her green hair fell freely over her shoulders, vibrant against the pale shimmer of her clothing. She looked… radiant. Warm. Alive.
Kayla's choice was sharper.
A deep green dress, fitted and precise, contrasted against her pale skin and white hair. It wasn't soft like Visenya's—it was controlled. Structured. Almost defensive in its elegance.
Flare wore blue.
Not just any blue—but a tone that matched her Pantoran skin perfectly, blending in a way that made her presence feel almost seamless. Her white hair stood out against it, giving her an almost regal appearance. Confident. Proud.
Stella's white dress was the simplest.
Soft.
Gentle.
Almost innocent.
Her blonde hair framed her face as she stayed close to the group, her expression filled with quiet wonder as she looked around.
And on each of their wrists—
A bracelet.
Multicolored.
Subtle.
Almost decorative.
But Dagon knew better.
Each one was a modified shield generator. Compact. Reactive. Designed to activate instantly under threat.
A hidden layer of protection.
A silent promise.
*You won't be defenseless.*
He didn't say it out loud.
He didn't need to.
—
### **Ahsoka POV**
This was… different.
Ahsoka adjusted her sleeve slightly, glancing around the hall.
Senators.
Diplomats.
People who talked instead of fought.
It felt strange being here after everything.
Boz Pity.
Mygeeto.
Muunilinst.
Hypori.
War still echoed in her mind, yet here… it felt distant.
Like a different world.
She glanced at Dagon.
He stood calmly, composed—but she knew better.
He wasn't comfortable here.
Not really.
She stepped closer.
"You're thinking too much again."
He didn't look at her.
"Observation or assumption?"
She smirked slightly.
"Both."
He exhaled quietly.
"Discussions like this determine the outcome of wars just as much as battles."
Ahsoka crossed her arms.
"Maybe. But you look like you'd rather be back in one."
He didn't deny it.
Instead, he spoke calmly.
"The Republic is outnumbered."
That got her attention.
"By how much?"
"Billions."
She blinked.
"…That many?"
He nodded slightly.
"The Separatists rely on mass production. Endless droids. Endless resources."
Ahsoka frowned.
"And us?"
"Clones. Finite. Valuable."
His gaze shifted slightly.
"And that is the problem."
Ahsoka tilted her head.
"What do you mean?"
Dagon finally looked at her.
"What happens after the war?"
She paused.
"…We win?"
"And then?"
She didn't answer immediately.
Because she didn't know.
Dagon continued.
"The clones will still exist. Soldiers bred for war. What becomes of them?"
Ahsoka's expression softened slightly.
"They… deserve a life."
"Yes."
His voice remained calm.
"But they won't get one unless someone ensures it."
Ahsoka looked at him carefully.
"You're thinking long-term."
"Always."
He turned his gaze forward again.
"The Republic will celebrate victory. Then disarm. Then grow complacent."
Ahsoka frowned.
"That sounds… pessimistic."
"It's history."
He paused briefly.
"Two thousand years of peace ends the same way it always does."
She crossed her arms.
"Another war."
"Yes."
Silence lingered.
Then—
Ahsoka noticed something.
Dagon had picked up a small dessert.
A jogan fruit tart.
He took a bite.
And froze.
Just for a second.
Then continued as if nothing happened.
But Ahsoka saw it.
The flicker.
The shift.
The… emotion.
Her expression tightened slightly.
*You're hiding something…*
She didn't say it.
But it bothered her.
A lot.
—
### **Flare POV**
Flare leaned slightly against one of the pillars, observing the room with quiet interest.
Pantorans weren't common here.
So when she spotted another—
She noticed immediately.
Riyo Chuchi.
Flare smiled faintly.
"Finally."
Visenya glanced at her.
"What?"
"Another Pantoran."
She gestured subtly.
Visenya followed her gaze.
"Oh…"
Flare pushed herself off the pillar.
"I'll be back."
She approached Riyo with confidence.
The senator turned, slightly surprised.
Then smiled.
"It's not often I see another Pantoran here."
Flare smirked slightly.
"Same."
They exchanged a brief greeting.
Simple.
Respectful.
But Flare's attention shifted quickly.
Back to Dagon.
Riyo noticed.
"You're with General Marek?"
Flare crossed her arms.
"Yes."
Riyo smiled slightly.
"He's… impressive."
Flare raised an eyebrow.
"Is that what we're calling it?"
Riyo's expression faltered slightly.
Flare leaned in just a bit.
"You like him."
Riyo blinked.
"I—what?"
Flare smirked.
"It's obvious."
Riyo straightened slightly.
"I respect him."
"Sure."
Flare didn't push further.
But she knew.
Because she had seen that look before.
From Visenya.
From Kayla.
From Stella.
Even Ahsoka… in her own way.
And yet—
Dagon never fully opened up.
Not to any of them.
*Three days…*
That's all it had been for her.
Three days of knowing him personally.
And yet—
It felt like he knew everything about them.
Their fears.
Their pain.
Their struggles.
Especially the dark side.
He never preached.
Never quoted the Jedi Code.
Never told them to "just focus."
He asked one simple question.
*"Does it still hurt?"*
And somehow—
That meant more than anything the Jedi had ever said.
Flare looked back at him.
*You're hiding something…*
But for now—
She let it be.
—
### **Kayla POV**
Kayla watched everything carefully.
Always.
She leaned slightly against the table, arms crossed.
Eyes sharp.
Analyzing.
Riyo Chuchi.
She noticed her immediately.
The way she looked at Dagon.
The way she stood near him.
The way she spoke.
*Annoying.*
Kayla clicked her tongue softly.
Visenya noticed.
"What?"
Kayla shook her head.
"Nothing."
But internally—
*She's interested.*
And that was a problem.
Not because Kayla cared…
…but because she *didn't understand why she cared.*
She glanced at Dagon.
Still calm.
Still composed.
Still…
Distant.
Kayla frowned slightly.
*Why don't you react…?*
Anyone else—
Would have noticed.
Responded.
Done something.
But Dagon?
Nothing.
It irritated her.
"…Idiot."
Visenya glanced at her again.
"You're doing it again."
Kayla rolled her eyes.
"Shut up."
—
### **Stella POV**
Everything was beautiful.
The lights.
The dresses.
The food.
Stella held a small dessert in her hands, eyes wide.
"It's so pretty…"
She looked around, amazed.
But her attention kept drifting.
Back to Dagon.
He stood differently from everyone else.
Not relaxed.
Not comfortable.
But steady.
Like he was always ready for something.
She stepped closer to him.
"Dagon…"
He looked down slightly.
"Yes?"
She hesitated.
"…Are you okay?"
A simple question.
But genuine.
He paused.
Then—
"Yes."
Stella tilted her head.
"…You don't look okay."
Ahsoka glanced over.
Visenya did too.
Even Kayla and Flare shifted their attention slightly.
Dagon looked at all of them.
Then—
"…I'm fine."
Stella frowned slightly.
But nodded.
"…Okay…"
She didn't push further.
But she stayed close.
—
### **Dagon POV**
The night stretched on.
Conversations.
Politics.
All necessary.
All calculated.
Until—
Silence.
A balcony.
Coruscant's skyline stretched endlessly before them.
Dagon stood beside Riyo Chuchi.
Neither spoke at first.
The city below shimmered.
Alive.
Endless.
Riyo finally broke the silence.
"After the war… what will you do?"
Dagon didn't answer immediately.
He watched the horizon.
Then—
"I'll leave."
Riyo blinked.
"…Leave?"
"Yes."
He turned slightly.
"Outer regions. The edge of Wild Space."
Her expression shifted.
"Why?"
"Because that's where the next threats will come from."
He paused.
"The Republic protects its core. But the edges…"
"…Are forgotten," she finished softly.
"Yes."
Silence lingered.
Then—
"I might join the Antarian Rangers."
Riyo's expression softened.
"…You're serious."
"Yes."
She looked down briefly.
Then back at him.
"That sounds… lonely."
Dagon didn't respond.
Because it was true.
Riyo took a small step closer.
"…You don't have to do everything alone."
He didn't answer.
Because he didn't know how.
She studied him for a moment.
Then—
Acted.
A step forward.
A brief pause.
And then—
She kissed him.
Soft.
Quick.
Real.
Dagon froze.
For the first time—
Completely caught off guard.
Behind them—
Ahsoka's eyes widened.
Visenya froze.
Kayla's expression snapped.
Flare raised an eyebrow.
Stella blinked in shock.
Riyo stepped back, composed—but her cheeks slightly flushed.
"…That was a thank you."
She met his eyes.
"For everything you've done… for Pantora."
Silence.
Then—
She turned.
And walked away.
Leaving behind—
A stunned general.
And five very shocked girls.
And for the first time in a long time—
Dagon Marek had no immediate answer.