As the sun of Serenno rose the residents of the Lahzus palace awoke with it. The brilliant light shined through the shimmersilk drapes bathing Kanida in a its glow warming her body. Tear stains stood out on the womens cheeks and her eyes were wide open dark circles beneath them. Throughout the night she hadn't slept a wink fearful of what could happen to her or her child if she rested. The baby zeltron rested against her abdomen as she provided it the warmth it needed and desired. Every time she looked at the child all Kanida could think of was to cry. Soon enough she and the child would be taken away to Kessel where they would be forced to work in the mines. Where a scrap of metal will be worth more than them.
Leaning down she kissed the childs forehead making him squirm a bit before falling back into a deep sleep. "Lady Pal-, I mean Lady Lahzus I heard you and Sir Lahzus made up! That you're going on a big vacation!" E3 said waddling into the room carrying a tray covered with a spread of Kanida's favorite foods. A plate that was half covered in thin pieces of fried dough covered in syrup, while on the other side of the plate were nerf sausages freshly ground. The aroma of the food wafted through the air coating the room with its scent. Enough to make your mouth water, and as if on cue Kanida's stomach growled. "See! Like clockwork." E3 quipped with joy as he set up the tray infront of his master. "If you do not mind where will you and the young master be going? Maybe to the great gym of the galaxy Coruscant? Will I be joining you?"
Reaching out Kanida munched on a peace of fried bread the sweetness of the syrup enhancing the breads natural qualities that drove her taste buds into a state of ecstasy. As she chewed the food and swallowed it hit her empty stomach like a weight and in return it wanted more. Keeping her elegant composure as she ate Kanida answered E3 in the only way she knew how. The droid wouldn't understand if she told him that her and the child were going into slavery. It would probably crush the droids emotions... There was already enough pain going around for everybody. She wouldn't dare hurt her best friends. Tears welling up she sniffled trying to fight back the feelings that rushed to the surface. "Yea Coruscant. We're going to go see some family and stay there for a bit... I want them to see my son as well, but I'm sorry you can't go with me this time E3... You belong here looking over my other children. Your time of caring for me has come to a end." The last word was choked out as Kanida's throat tightened.
Seeing his masters sorrow E3 tilted its head and leaned in hugging his master. "For over thirty years I have watched you take your first steps, as you graduated from the academy top of your class, and even as you were wed... Those were the happiest years of my life and I would do it again." The droid said its voice tinged with a downtrodden tone. "When will you return malady?"
Hugging the droid the dam holding back Kanida's tears collapsed and exploded forth. The one being that she had known her whole life, that had always been at her side through thick and thin would no longer be so. In her left arm the child awoke crying along with his empathy picking up his mothers emotions. "I don't know yet E3, but we will see each other again." She promised the droid knowing it wouldn't happen. Leaning forward she kissed it's shiny domed forehead.
"So what about the young master? Have you decided on a name for him yet?" E3 asked questioningly trying to distract not only itself but its master from the sorrowful moment.
Wiping away tears Kanida sniffled, as she calmed herself so did the child in turn. "Yes I have his name shall be Vithar. Vithar Pallopides" Kanida said making cooing sounds down at the infant.
"I'm sure he will do the name proud." E3 said. As though about to say something more his vocal box chirped but cut off as shouts of children could be heard down the hall. Exploding into the room and making a bomb rush for their mother the twins stood at the edge of the large mattress.
"Mother you can't leave! I have my recital tomorrow!" The girl said tugging on her mothers elegant gown.
"Yes and my fencing tournament is in three days!" The boy said. "You can't leave yet." The children said in unison their voices rising and startling Vithar even more making him cry louder than before.
"Shhh, shh. I got you." Kanida cooed to the child rocking him back and forth "I am sorry Ezra, and Emil but I must go on a vacation. Your father insists." Kanida said reaching out and tusling Ezra's hair. "Just remember that no matter what I love you." She said her bottom lip quivering.
In response both kids hugged their mother tucking themselves into her waists oblivious to the situation at hand. "We'll miss you."
"I will miss you more." She said planting a kiss on each forhead in farewell. She wished that she'd be able to see what they grew into, but knew the chance was naught. As she lifted her head she saw Kalil in the room a hoverchair waiting.
"E3 I think the children may need their baths, and breakfast." Kalil said in a calm manner not even a tang of the anger she had seen last night in his voice.
"You are very right!" E3 agreed. "Come now children, bath time. What do you want for breakfast?"
"Blue milk!" Emil exclaimed raising his arms above his head in excitement.
"Blue milk is not a meal!" E3 scolded as he lightly herded the children out the room.
"Then Nerf steak! Father always eats it!" Ezra shouted leaving the room with her brother and the droid.
"That is not breakfast!" E3 said followed by an oh dear.
"So.. This is really happening? Ten years of marriage thrown away over a single mistake?" Kanida asked knowing that the children and E3 should be outside of earshot.
"A mistake that not only hurt me but jepordizes the Lahzus name! The press will have a field day if they heard that my wife sired a child from some wild fling with a Zeltron. I can not allow such news to be known."
With a sudden realization that smacked her hard Kanida realized that this wasn't about Kalil at all. Instead it was about his standing and the family name. "Did I mean anything to you?! Or was I just some trophy to elevate your stature?" She mumbled out her heart seeming to tighten as she feared the answer she would be given.
Stopping Kalil opened his mouth as if to answer but stopped reevaluating his words. "You are right. I married you and impregnated you due to the status it could grant me! I have married the last living descendant of Palpatine! You are... No you were nothing more than a trophy that has overstayed its welcome." Kalil said and snapping his fingers. Into the room came two Zabrak both heavily muscled and standing taller than the noble. The spikes atop their head freshly sharpened gave the orange skinned beings an even more menacing appearance. Moving over to the women the grunts gently moved her to the hoverchair not wanting to injure a new slave and loose their pay. "However..." Kalil said raising a hand and stopping the Zabraks. "You will be able to stay if you let them take the child... If you do so you shall forever remain apart of the Lahzus family."
Kanida didn't even have to think about the offer. She was no ones trophy, not one to be so weak willed as to abandon her own child. "I would never turn my back on my children! Not even one born from another! I love this child."
"Then I hope you and your new love enjoy your new home." Kalil said jerking his head motioning for the Zabraks to carry on. The two grunts looked at the noble a hint of disdain in their eyes, but did nothing but scoff and load up the women. As she was pushed in the hoverchair Kanida cast one last glance back at Kalil to see the noble standing infront of the window and looking out over the landscape. Her heart crushed Kanida couldn't manage any words of protest as the Zabrak took her to their ship.