Chapter 2:Tutor Time
Lady Aemiliaé Phoenia's POV
Ballroom,Royal Palace,Theed,Naboo
That had been annoying.
Sure, it was normal for a young woman belonging to an important family to be present at court. But there was a big difference between that, and being rude to the newly elected princess that said young woman had ran against in the elections.
The Anidale's are so predictable. They know exactly how to gain attention, lie and make things go in their favour. It's their forte, and this was a perfect example of it. It was just disrespectful to try and take Padmé's special moment from her, there was just no other word for it. If Eirtaé had won, I would have made sure that Padmé had paid her proper respects to Eirtaé. It was the right and honourable thing to do - not that the Anidale's know the meaning of those words.
Eirtaé had been a fool to think that she could have beaten Padmé anyway, no matter how many secret meetings she had held with the King and his closest adviser running up to the elections. Appearances were important in nubian politics and her family were far from squeaky clean. In fact, they were the exact opposite. I'm positive that if I looked up the antonym of respectable on Theed's royal university's database, a Holo of the Anidale family would pop up. Her mother Emé's fifteen year long affair with King Veruna had been a massive scandal - it had even made headlines on other important planets, such as Coruscant or Alderaan - resulting in the Anidale family losing a lot of respect and them gaining intergalactic notoriety. Her father had nearly been sacked from his job as chief administrator in the nubian embassy on Coruscant and even though the affair happened almost a lifetime ago, the rumours swirling around court still suggest that Eirtaé is Veruna's child.
I know that it's not entirely Eirtaé's fault. She can't help that she was born into such a scandalous family but she can help her behaviour. If I were Lady Danté I would be ashamed to show my face at court. Eirtaé's manners had been appalling towards the princess, with no solid reason except that she had beaten her in the elections, fair and square. No wonder they suggest she's the result of the affair - Veruna never bothered with appearing noble in front of anyone, even though as king it was his sovereign duty to do so.
I couldn't help but feel a tiny bit sorry for Eirtaé. While the Anidales have clawed back some of their reputation, the Naberries are respected all over Naboo. Ruwee, Padmé's father, was the President of the Refugee Relief Movement and Senator Palpatine was very impressed when he met her for the first time on Coruscant. It's only natural that Padmé won the election, really. Veruna has been sucking the life from Naboo's political system for the past 34 years while her pacifist principles are a breath of fresh air.
No matter how sorry I felt for her though, I would have preferred it if Eirtaé had told us that she wouldn't be attending tonight's ball , as I wasn't looking forward to seeing her, nor her sorry excuse of a tutor. If her presence at court earlier today was anything to go by, she was far from giving up on politics. And I didn't want her to have the opportunity to gain any more supporters at court. Padmé might have been princess for now, but if Eirtaé stayed around court she could rally people, people who didn't approve of Padmé. If that happened, there would be a possibility that she'd be queen one day. Needless to say, I just couldn't let that happen. An Anidale could not reign Naboo. The consequences would be disastrous.
I caught Veruna's eyes and he nodded at me from his throne. His face was covered by a strange veil which was very unflattering, but now was not the time to critique fashion. I nodded back and continued to sip a fancy drink on the sidelines, observing the room. Padmé was greeting and conversing with everyone in the room and I couldn't have been more proud of her. Though as she walked over to Ian Lago I frowned. He was bad news, mainly because he was the king's principal adviser's son, but Padmé didn't know that. Her parents didn't approve of the pair, but then again they'd never approved of Palo either. In their eyes she was too young. And yes, at fourteen maybe she was, but how was did they expect her to be mature enough to rule a planet yet not enough so to have a relationship?
Padmé smiled happily as Ian whispered something in her ear. She looked so innocent. It was hard to think that - like so many others before her- she had a high chance of being corrupted by the political world.
I wondered how she would react to having to move out of her parents house. The Naberries were a close family, who at the moment were going through tough times. Derané, Padmé's aunt, had moved into her brother's house permanently after losing her job. I found her to be a very odd woman, far too religious for my liking. She was also cold and distant. Jobal had once told me that her cold exterior was a result of sadness.
I remember the conversation perfectly, in fact, that conversation had played a big part in me landing the job as Padmé's tutor.
I had been sat in Jobal's kitchen, waiting for her to interview me, as she rushed around with a datapad in one hand and a fresh tray of muffins in the other. As she gushed about Padmé being all grown up, she had absent-mindedly mentioned something about her sister-in-law's baby. A lady was not supposed to pry but curiosity took advantage of me and I had asked her about her niece.
Surprisingly, she'd told me the whole story.
A couple of years before Padmé was conceived, Derané too discovered that she was pregnant. Jobal expressed her frustration at not knowing who the father was but had tried to be happy for her sister-in-law all the same. Of course, an unmarried woman having a baby was unacceptable in nubian society and Derané was not selfish enough to let her family be frowned upon. So after a long conversation with her mother Winama, Derané had retired to a religious convent and had given the baby up. A few months after the birth Derané returned to the capital but she was not the same. The eyes that had been so full of life were dark,she'd lost an alarming amount of weight despite having had a child and her skin had turned alarmingly pale.
By this part of the story Jobal had sat down and was talking to me as if I was a close friend, and that was when she realised what she had done. She begged me not to tell a soul and I assured her that she could trust me, the secret would never leave my mouth. That very afternoon I had become the little girl's closest mentor.
Now they considered me family, and I don't consider them anything less.
"My, my it has been too long Aemiliaé." I snapped out of my thoughts and turned around to see Governor Sio Bibble smiling at me. My heart began beating faster as I was taken back to my early adult years, when he used to write me love poems and take me for long walks in the Nubian countryside, before life had gotten complicated. I felt a desperate need to return to those times. I couldn't quite decide whether it came from a desire to go back to avoid getting my heart broken or maybe it was just to relive it one last time. I wanted nothing more than to run off and not put myself through the pain of talking to him, but he was staring at me so intently I was forced to reply.
"It surely has Governor, how has life been treating you?" Hoping that he'd say how life had never been the same without me and that he was doing terribly. Then I felt bad for wishing he was doing badly and scolded myself for my selfishness. Sio continued to smile patiently at me, completely unaware of my inner turmoil.
Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, I saw Kun Lago approaching out of the corner of my eye. I prayed that he would be too busy prancing around to notice us on the sidelines and continue further into the room to socialise. My prayers weren't heard as he made a beeline towards us.
Internally cursing, I tried to guide the Governor away from Lago, feigning interest in what he was saying to me as I turned him towards the balcony. "Fantastic and seeing you has just made it even better, I was wondering if-".
I was not successful. Bibble was rudely interrupted by the king's prime counselor. "Wow, is that a blush I see on the ice queen's face?" I had been dubbed an ice queen by the media because of my lack of romantic relationships during the years. It was also very usual for them to call me the 'brokenhearted tutor', the 'jealous witch' or the 'cold spinster', who was severely unstable, unable to let her first love go even after all this time. Despite Sio not having ventured much into dating either no such headlines were made about him.
"I will thank you not to talk to the Lady Phoenia like that." Sio was very red in the face - a sign that he was angry or embarrassed, or even a combination of both.
"Governor it's quite alright, I can handle him." I said, hating him for making me seem incapable of standing up for myself.
"No, no, I'll leave you love birds to it. It's good to know that you're finally getting some action." He walked away but paused and turned to shout at us, "Reigniting the flame, huh?" Which obviously caught the attention of most in the ballroom - especially the press - who started to make their way over to us, taking Holos as they went.
"Let's get out of here." Bibble grabbed my arm and led me out of the ballroom.
I nodded at him and let him lead me away to the safety of the private gardens before the journalists could get near enough to start asking questions I knew I wouldn't be able to answer.
···
The gardens were perfectly empty, the ground perfectly soft. I had been concerned about getting grass stains on my dress but Bibble had yanked me down so fast (under the pretence that it would be harder to spot us from the ballroom) I didn't have time to react. The next half hour had been spent with me in a huff and him persuading me that it wasn't that bad, that it was only a dress.
In the end he offered to buy me a prettier dress on the condition that I stop being huffy with him. I hadn't been that upset about it, but me feigning anger was the easiest way of concealing how embarrassed I had felt when I realised that he wasn't actually going to kiss me, but he genuinely just wanted to talk on the grass. As you do.
As I said before, the gardens were practically empty, so I wasn't worried about anyone gawping at us. I doubted very much that anyone would pay any attention to me sat on the grass with the governor of Theed.
Most of those attending the ball were inside, trying to catch the press' attention as much as they could in an attempt to raise their profile. Which was sad, really. The ambition, jealousy and back-stabbing made me wonder why coming to court seemed desirable to anyone. I couldn't comprehend all those mothers that had asked me to put a good word in for their daughters in order to secure them a post as a handmaiden to the Princess. It obviously looked far better from the outside looking in. Little did they know what it was really like.
Deciding that I shouldn't waste my time thinking about the stressful life living at court implied, I turned my attention back to the governor. "Sometimes I wish I could go back to when I first met you." He looked me in the eyes, completely sincere, which scared me a great deal. My heart was beating so fast I felt I was going to die, regretting my decision to be alone with him in the gardens.
I take back all I said about court. If my mother hadn't brought me up in a regal environment, I wouldn't have known how to smile and look pleasant while my insides tore apart.
I mean come on! Who in their right mind goes and has a nice little chat in the most beautiful setting on Naboo, with your ex-fiance who you are nowhere near over, someone who left you to be with a certain woman just to further his career? Who does that? Why am I here? I have self-respect, I am an independent woman who has made her way in this galaxy with the help of no man. It doesn't make sense for me to be talking nicely with him, as if nothing's happened between us. I was about to leave when said woman appeared in the gardens with a nervous-looking Eirtaé Anidale trailing behind her. It's not what ladies should do, but sometimes you have to compromise yourself to come out on top. Acting like I hadn't seen her, I smiled charmingly at Bibble.
"I couldn't agree with you more! Those were the best years of my life, everything was so simple you know? Back then my biggest worry was deciding which dress would impress you more." He laughed at my statement and I couldn't help but hope that Lady Danté was dying with envy.
"You would've impressed me no matter what you wore." He chuckled before placing his hand on mine. "I hope you are well Aemiliaé, I'm concerned about you." I looked away. This wasn't supposed to be happening now! Not in front of her! "Honestly I'm fine Sio, I'm just a bit worried about the princess. I do hope that I have taught her well enough to survive in the world of politics." I figured that lying through my teeth would help me keep it together. I knew that Padmé was strong enough to hold her own, I had taught her well.
"Are you crazy Phoenia? You should read what the journalists say about you! Naboo News said that you are the best tutor that money can buy!"
"Well, I do try my best." I laughed and turned to look at him again, the picture of innocence. That was when she struck.
"Oh what do we have here? I guess what they say on the Holonet is true." I couldn't help but smile at her jealousy. She had ruined my life and now I was going to ruin hers, Phoenia-style.
"Oh Lady Danté, you know that nothing is true until it has been confirmed." My answer made her even more irritated, I could tell. I couldn't resist adding something else. "Well, at least you should know." Her mouth opened and closed like one of those fish I've seen children buy, obviously trying to find an appropriate comeback. Unfortunately for her, I was on fire.
"Of course, but when you're having sex in the palace gardens, it kind of confirms it." I almost cried with laughter when she said that. Oh, and when I saw Bibble's face. Eirtaé was standing to the side awkwardly, clearly embarrassed, while her tutor stood in front of us, looking stupid, obviously thinking she was superior. "I guess the HoloNet should know about this."
"Know about what?" Bibble, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, jumped up to face her. He was a lot smaller than her usually, so imagine the difference with her in towering heels. The situation was so hilarious, it was hard to keep a straight face.
"Oh my dear Bibble," She placed a hand on his shoulder," did you really think you could keep this-" She exaggeratedly pointed at us, in a completely foolish way,"-a secret? You're supposed to be one of the most intelligent men on Naboo!"
"I am one of the most intelligent men on Naboo!" He was so red he looked as if he was about to explode. I stood up, ready to intervene; because no matter how much I liked winding her up, we were making a scene and it wouldn't take long for people to hear the commotion and start gathering, when something unexpected happened.
"Lady Danté please!" Eirtaé pulled her tutor's arm,"Let us go inside and gain attention there! Not in the gardens, especially not for the wrong reasons! Not with Princess Naberrie's tutor!"
Lady Danté, looking taken aback, excused herself before taking Eirtaé to the side and giving her a talking to. They ended up returning to the ballroom, leaving me and Bibble in an awkward situation. "Now where were we?" Bibble tried to break the ice, but I'd already made my mind up.
"I'm sorry Sio but I should be getting back to the ballroom, they will be talking about us." I turned to leave but he grabbed my arm. "Well, can I just say something before you go? Something that I should've said all those years ago?"
I looked at him uncertainly. He didn't deserve a second chance and I definitely wasn't going to give him one. "No!"
He looked hurt but I forced myself to not care. He hadn't given me a second thought all those years ago. My brain screamed at me to get out of there, so I did. I rapidly walked away, mumbling something about Padmé needing me as he stared after me, bewildered.
I walked round the ballroom, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I had done the right thing hadn't I? Deciding to focus my attention on something that actually mattered, I searched for Padmé in the crowd. She was nowhere to be seen. She wouldn't have left without telling me so she had probably sneaked out to the gardens to get some cool air. I didn't want to see Sio again, but I couldn't really leave the Palace without letting Padmé know first. So I braced myself and strode back out onto the veranda. I glanced around quickly and not noticing anything at first, was about to walk back into the ballroom when I saw Padmé and Ian Lago passionately kissing behind a few hedges.
"Princess Naberrie! Put that boy down this instant!" I must say, the look of surprise on their faces was priceless. I stood there pretending to be extremely angry as Padmé apologised to Ian and sheepishly came scurrying towards me.
Padmé's scared brown eyes looked into mine as she begged me to keep quiet. "Please, I'm begging you. Don't tell my mother."
"She already knows about him Padmé." I chuckled. "But please, be more... discreet next time."
She nodded at me as we were about to go back into the Palace we were stopped by one of the maids Padmé had befriended. "Lady Phoenia!" She gasped, obviously out of breath. "It's probably better that you leave through one of the less crowded entrances."
"What?" Damn it, I was slipping up a lot tonight. "I mean, I beg your pardon? Why should we have to leave through the tunnels? What would make you suggest something so preposterous?"
"Well-" The maid was interruptedy a sudden shouting, and before I knew it the reporters was pouring out of the ballroom, shouting at me!
"Lady Phoenia! Would you care to comment on the claims that you had sexual intercourse with the governor of Theed in the palace gardens?"
WHAT? Padmé looked at me, startled. "Is this true?" She whispered.
"Not now, Padmé." I turned to the maid. "Call for Captain Panaka." She nodded and pushed her way through the crowd full of reporters, curious politicians and guards who were trying - and hopelessly failing - to keep the press at bay.
The flashing lights were overwhelming and I was desperately struggling to find a solution to this. Damn Lady Danté, she didn't know what she'd just started. Captain Panaka burst through the crowd and came to stand in front of me, in a useless attempt to protect me from them.
"You need to get out of here!" He shouted through the mayhem, stating the obvious. "Go down the stairs!"
I nodded and grabbed Padmé. "Now milady, we take our exit." We went against all etiquette rules and began sprinting down the veranda.
"Look at her skirts!"
"Oh those grass stains are so not classy!"
"Such tell-tale signs!"
"You would think she'd have more dignity..."
I cringed yet did the only thing I could, and ignored them. My priority was getting Padmé away from those animals as fast as I could. I glanced at my thirteen year old student who seemed quite terrified. I squeezed her hand reassuringly as we slipped into the secret passages underneath the palace.
It was going to be okay.
I was going to let lady Danté know that it was going to take a lot more than an awkward confrontation with the press to knock me down. She may have won the battle, but I had no doubts about who was going to win the war.