Disclaimer: I do not own star wars, obviously. I am making no money from this either, I'm just a poor student, so please don't sue me.

Authors note: I would like to give a massive thank you to AwayOHumanChild for letting me use the handmaidens surnames used in To Save The Queen. If you haven't read it already I highly recomend it and the sequel,To Die for the Republic. I hope you guys like this and I'd love to know what you think (especially if it's constructive criticism). A very warm welcome from GroovyGrape :)

Chapter 1: Betrayal

Eirtaé Anidale's POV

Royal palace,Theed,Naboo

I arrived at Theed's royal palace early in the morning.

The sun was rising brightly over the city's turquoise rooftops so it took every last bit of my training not to squint or to raise my hand instinctively to shield my eyes. I also knew better than to pay any unnecessary attention to the HoloNews cameras and their crew, who were bustling around the palace's entrance - no doubt to get an exclusive interview with the new princess of Theed or her 'mortal enemy', i.e. me. Technically, princess Naberrie was my enemy, but only because we'd ran against each other in the elections.

I didn't even know her anyway - well, not really. We couldn't have talked to each other on more than two occasions and that was only to keep up appearances. We'd never talked about anything other than politics and even then it was all fake smiles and awkward silences. Though I do dislike her for taking my dream away from me, the press has no right saying that we're at each others throats all the time, because it's just not true. Sadly, those kind of headlines sell papers, whereas us being civil to each other doesn't.

I only just stopped myself from rolling my eyes when the journalists noticed me and came scurrying in my direction, some squealing in delight and others shouting all sorts of questions. I definitely should have used one of the back entrances or better yet, the underground tunnels.

As it was too late for either of those options, I braced myself and kept on walking toward the grand staircase.

To make matters worse anyone who wasn't a journalist or a cameraman turned to gawp at me, some even got excited, thinking that I was a celebrity. I kept an even smile on my face but I stepped up the pace, wanting the ordeal to be over with as quickly as possible. Contrary to what everyone loved to gossip about me, I disliked the attention the press gave me.

Whenever I'd complained about them to my family, my older brother Edvard - who's one of Parrlay's top lawyers by the way - had told me that it was all part of being in the public eye and that there was nothing I could do about it. My only choice was to ignore them.

So I held my head a bit higher and didn't pay them any attention whatsoever despite being completely swarmed by them. Damn it, I should have brought my bodyguard with me and listened to my tutor's advice, instead of storming off to the palace without thinking things through properly.

As I regretted my impulsiveness my mother's voice rang in my head, mocking me with one of her favourite quotes to use when someone is down about their past decisions "Should Have. Would Have. Could Have. Didn't.". She had been nothing but a complete bitch to me ever since we found out I wasn't the Princess of Theed, but the worst was yet to come. All hell broke loose when she found out that I'd lost the election to a - gasp - commoner. She literally had a fit. She wanted me to get this so badly - much more than I did! - and now that she's lost out on a chance to regain some of our prestige she will only acknowledge my presence if it means that she can make fun of me or bring me down, because of course, it isn't Veruna's fault for promising us that I'd win, no. Turns out it's completely my fault I lost, because apparently I control who the population votes for now.

Trying not to dwell on those unhappy thoughts, I began to slowly climb my way to the entrance. My formal purple robe swished quietly as I dodged the HoloNews crews' hurtful questions. Unsurprisingly, they were being extra-mean today, trying to get a negative reaction to use as a headline against me while making Princess Naberrie look like a saint.

"Miss Anidale! How does it feel to lose the elections to a member of a non-aristocratic family?"

"Will you continue to work on your political career even after this spectacular failure?"

"Do you have any plans to work closely with Princess Naberrie?"

"Do you still aspire to be queen?"

"Are you here to talk with the King about who will succeed him?"

"Or are you here to bad-mouth the princess to the council as you have been reported to have done so on several occassions?"

"Were you expecting your mother's once extra-close relationship with the King to catapult you to the top?"

"Is it true that you are, in fact, King Veruna's love child?"

"You do know that Naboo's monarchy system isn't hereditary now, don't you?"

Honestly, if I'd known how much fun they had making up stories, I wouldn't have wasted all my life training to be a royal.

As I reached the top of the steps, desperate to get away from the flashing lights and hurtful comments, the royal guards, probably sensing my distress, let me pass without hesitation. I nodded regally at them, like I had been taught to do, showing the press that it was going to take a lot more than a few nasty comments to make me lose my composure. Even though the transparisteel doors were firmly closed once I'd entered the building, they continued to flash their cameras at me and shout at me. After taking a few moments to readjust myself - they were not going to get to me today, they were not going to make me feel bad about my mother's 'once extra-close relationship' with Veruna - I looked around the main hallway and to my complete horror, gasped.

Everything inside the ancient building was in motion; the many lower council members and small-town politicians from all over Naboo were bustling around, talking to any significant people they encountered, all the while trying to make themselves look much more important than they actually were. The guards were pacing up and down a lot more impatiently than usual, the palace staff were finishing the preparation for Princess Naberrie's 'welcome to court' ball, the large marble halls were decorated extra-nicely to receive her and most of the influential politicians who were supposed to be family friends ignored my presence, considering me not worthy enough to talk to.

I felt sick to the core, the heaviness of the king's betrayal weighing more than ever.

Still struggling to keep my cool, I had some words with myself. 'Stars Eirtaé! Keep it together! You have not spent all of your life in training to lose your composure now, especially not in front of these imbeciles! Come on!'

Feeling more secure after my mental pep talk I walked at a brisk pace to the throne room, pausing before entering, wondering if my elaborate updo had suffered on the way here. Peering at myself in the large transparisteel windows wouldn't be considered appropriate, so deciding there was nothing I could do about it, straightened out my dress and entered the cavernous, old room. After I pushed open the large doors with some, ahem, assistance - they are a lot heavier than they look, so I had to lose some of my dignity and ask a guard to help - strode in confidently and stared right at King Ars Veruna, who was sitting regally on the throne, a painfully fake smile plastered on my face.

"Your Highness." I said sweetly before sweeping into a low bow, hoping that my anger and disappointment were well disguised.

"Miss Anidale," He said coldly as I rose. "it is a pleasure to see you well". I just love politicians, especially the important ones. They're so fake it's amusing and most of them are even worse at hiding their dislike than they are at their jobs. He was not pleased to see me. At all. Obviously he had been expecting me to just disappear into thin air. "What may I help you with?"

Well he had another thing coming. A member of the house of Anidale does not give up so easily, and Ars Veruna was going to learn that the hard way. I still regret my decision not to have thought this through. I had always let my emotions take control of me. It was one of my only imperfections, yet my biggest one. If I had planned this a bit better I would have caught him off guard and I wouldn't have had to have this awkward stare off with the King in front of the most 'noble' people on Naboo.

The royal council could not hide their surprise at seeing me - honestly, their lack of solemnity is embarrassing - and Kun Lago, the king's principal adviser, gave me a dirty look. A few days ago we had been planning Naboo's future, but now that I had lost the election I was nothing to him. Meanwhile, Sio Bibble acknowledged me with a small yet firm nod.

"I must speak with you."

"I would have expected more professionalism from you miss Anidale, you know fully well that interrupting a monarch's meeting with the royal council is considered to be-" He tapped a finger on his chin, pretending to think. "-Ah, yes! Rude." He paused and looked round at the council, who all nodded in agreement. "Your mother would have a fit if she knew."

I tried very hard not to react to him mentioning my mother.

"I agree with you completely, Your Highness. I hope that it conveys how desp-,"I corrected myself,"-urgently I need to talk to you."

He stroked his beard and sighed. "Very well, the royal council and I will listen to what you have to say."

He was being difficult on purpose. Honestly, what the people see in him I do not know.

"That is something I cannot do." I resisted the urge to run out of the room, crying tears of frustration. He was making me look like a complete fool, thus harming my chances of ever becoming queen. "This is a private matter." I could tell that the royal council was getting bored of this conversation and thinking better of my decision to come here nearly got the better of me. I was about to lose all my dignity and credibility by walking out when Veruna spoke.

"Fine." I tried to not look too relieved. The way he said it let me know that it definitely wasn't fine, but nonetheless, he turned to his advisers."This meeting is adjourned. Most of you have to prepare for Princess Naberrie's ball tonight as it is, so I don't expect to need any of you until then. As always, I thank you for your advice and look forward to celebrating with you all tonight."

As the council bowed I saw the glances that Lago was sending Veruna. He obviously didn't approve of the king's decision to hear me out. I didn't let that affect me though. Lago was a man of low birth, someone that most at court disapproved of. If he didn't watch his back before he knew it he'd be gone.

"Come." The king gestured to the gardens."It seems that you have a lot on your mind."

···

I almost felt relaxed as I walked among the gorgeous flowers in the palace gardens but my anger soon returned when I remembered just who I was walking with. He had a pleasant smile on his face and hummed to himself as we walked to the sovereign's private garden.

I tried not to look anyone in the eye, knowing the field day the press would have if anyone recognised me and told them I was alone with the King, my supposed father. I cringed remembering past headlines that had involved me. 'Anidale running for Princess to be closer to Veruna' was one of my favourite's, along with the one that called me fame-hungry.

If only they knew. I hated Veruna with a passion and I truly wanted what was best for Naboo. Honestly, these journalists don't have a clue. If I wanted to be famous as badly as they claimed I did, I would have appeared on one of those so-called 'reality' Holos that are all the range among the galaxy's youth nowadays.

When we reached the beautiful, very private garden, he turned to me and knowing the implications but not really caring about them, I let my emotions - that had been neatly hidden under my mask since I lost the election - show.

"You have let me down Ars!How could you let her win the election?She goes against everything that you stand for!" He tried to calm me down but I was having none of it."Do you know what this means?The more supporters she gains the more you will lose! If I were you I would be careful. It will soon be over for you, I know it!"

"What are you going to know darling, you're just a silly little girl." He chuckled at me, making me burn with rage. How dare he speak to me like that? "There is no reason for your concern, I assure you. My reign is rock solid."

"It would do you good to remember with whom you speak your majesty. I may not be princess, a title that holds very little power anyway, but I belong to one of the most noble families on the planet, so never forget the damage I could do to you and your rock solid reign."

He looked genuinely amused at this statement. "You're making a fool of yourself Eirtaé. I get that you're angry right now. It's understandable. But it's only the title of princess, as you yourself said, it holds next to no power. Do you know why? Because I hold the the rest. So it is you who would do good by remembering that I am the one who could do you and your filthy little family unimaginable damage."

I tried to look unaffected by his threats, tossing my head arrogantly in the air.

"Damage that you have not caused already? We have proved that we can come back from anything you throw at us. Anything." My voice was heavy with emotion but I refused to let him see me cry. He didn't deserve that satisfaction.

Presumably getting bored with my arguing he spoke.

"Eirtaé calm down, as I've said, I understand that your angry at losing the election, I truly do. But you are familiar with the electoral system, you know fully well that I do not have the power to chose who wins." He stepped closer to me, too close for my liking. "Besides, we all know that you didn't drag me all the way out to my private gardens, where no-one can see us, to talk."

He reached out to touch my face, but before he got there I angrily slapped his hand away.

"You make me sick Veruna." I spat. "Sick!"

"Hmm, so unlike your mother," He mused, folding his arms over his chest. "She never put up a fight."

My eyes narrowed. I was still angry at my mother for how she had been treating me after losing the election, but I was not going to let that slide. "You will leave my mother out of this if you know what's good for you."

"Are you threatening me again?" He wasn't bothered about hiding his amusement. "I thought we'd cleared that up."

"No, I'm telling you."I looked him up and down. "Your days are numbered Ars, and I will take great pleasure in seeing you left with nothing. Especially when I will be the one to put you there, where you belong."

"Eirtaé you are getting quite upset over nothing. We have already established that the title is very insignificant." He uncrossed his arms after a slight pause. "Come on, don't be like this. It would upset me greatly if you were to stop speaking to me over this. Your dear mother meant such a lot to me."

Maybe it was the extra training I had received from Captain Panaka recently, maybe it was the way he spoke to me as if I were a mere child, maybe it was the paternity rumours that surrounded me at court or maybe it was because he was the cause of my family's misery. It was probably a combination of all of them, to be honest.

I don't really know what came over me, but I, Eirtaé Anidale, queen of etiquette and all around future queen, punched King Ars Veruna of the Naboo in the face.

I punched the king of Naboo.

In the face.

As he cried out, holding his nose, the enormity of what I had just done came over me and not waiting around for his angry reaction, I fled the private gardens.

I stopped running and regained composure once I reached the gardens open to the public - I still had a reputation to maintain after all, even though I had just punched the King in the face. I had actually punched the King of Naboo! In the face! I couldn't believe it!

No-one could say he didn't deserve it.

I had to stop and hide in a small hallway to think gleefully about how he was going to explain his face to everyone to calm down. I felt slightly let down when I remembered that the make-up specialists at court were the best on Naboo. They'd probably have no trouble covering it up, but maybe he'd have to get up half an hour earlier every day to put the make-up on until it healed. No matter how petty it was, I contented myself with it and peered around before re-entering the hallways.

Even though I'd regained composure, it was hard to smile and nod at the few politicians that bothered to recognise me when really all I wanted to do was run, sure that every guard in the palace would soon be chasing me to take me to the dungeons, where I would most likely be tortured for harming the precious king. I wanted to run out of the palace, out of the plaza, goodness I even wanted to run away from Theed, and that's what I probably would have done, if I hadn't bumped right into Princess Naberrie and her tutor on their way to the ball. I was actually a second away from knocking her down. To hide my embarrassment I pretended to look her up and down snootily, as if she had been the one who hadn't been looking where she was going. In my eyes it was her fault though, because if I had won the election I wouldn't have had to punch Veruna and I wouldn't be running away from court. It was the butterfly effect really, something that couldn't be helped.

In my next attempt to make the silence less awkward I inspected what she was wearing. The Princess was draped in a long blue gown with her dark hair done up in an elaborate updo, similar to mine. The only jewellery that adorned her slender neck was a black amulet accompanied by some oversized earrings.

"Miss Anidale, you seemed troubled." Said the older woman, breaking the awful silence at last, an appalled look crossing her face. Wow, was it really that obvious? My tutor had assured me many times that my poker face was unreadable.

Damn her.

"I am perfectly fine, I assure you." I said, then I returned my attention to the Princess and performed a small bow. "Princess Naberrie, congratulations on winning the race. I trust that you are well."

"I am very well miss Anidale, thank you for your concern. Are you to attend the ball tonight?"

"Where else would I be?" I smiled as more awkward silence ensued. That was no way to answer a Princess and I knew it. Lady Phoenia could not disguise her disgust and I had never been more grateful for the icy relationship that she had with my own tutor. If they had been buddies, Lady Phoenia would have been obliged to tell Lady Danté about my conduct, and then I was sure to be dead. I quickly decided to terminate the conversation, just in case the lady was in a tell-tale mood tonight.

"Well I must let you be on your way, I should be getting ready for your ball!"

They bid me farewell, and I hastily left the palace through one of the secret exits. The worry at being caught by the guards vanished and I was left numb. The journalists were nowhere to be seen on the main promenade, so I guessed they had been let inside to take Holos and get a few exclusive interviews. I wondered how much they had paid for the access before deciding that I didn't care. I had far better things to concern myself with than people who didn't care whose life they ruined as long as they got enough gossip to feature their story on the Holonet.

All I could think about as I slowly walked towards the large Theed plaza was how I should have been the one to have had a ball to welcome me.