I own nothing from Clone Wars.

Rex and Cody were looking out the windows of their transport. Below them they could see the city and there on top of a hill is the castle of king Carter. It looked a lot like the castles in the old fairy tale stories they heard when they were only hatchlings. This all brought a story to Rex's mind. He remembers a story of a knight dashing off to a secluded castle where a princess was held captive by a wizard. The wizard set a dragon just outside the castle walls and guards in the court yard. The knight fought his way through them and defeated the wizard. He took the princess away from the castle and lived happily ever after with her.

Rex shook his head. Why did I even like that story?, Rex thought. The transport landed outside the palace wall and left when Cody and Rex stepped off the transport. A guard stepped forward to the clone troopers.

"State your business." the guard demanded.

"Commander Cody and captain Rex of GAR reporting for duty." Cody said. From behind his helmet, Rex rolled his eyes. Just like Cody, Rex thought.

"The new body guards for the princess?"

"Correct."

"Let me see your passes and i.d." Rex and Cody gave them to him to look at. "Everything looks in order." The guard gave them back their i.d.s and passes. "When we get inside, please give your weapons to the guards. Your weapons will be sent to your room."

Rex and Cody gave their weapons to the guard inside, but Rex had a little difficulty because his pistols have become a part of him. It's like when he's out of his armor he feels naked.

"Follow me." A young servant girl said walking towards the castle. Inside the castle, Rex and Cody took in their surroundings. The floors are made of polished marble, the walls painted with artistic scenery, jade columns supporting the castle along the hall, there are a few portraits of past royal relatives hanging on the wall. In other words, everything looks fancy and expensive.

Yep a lot like a castle from a story book, Rex thought. He watches Cody look around as they walk. Cody has never seen a place like this, unlike his brother, he didn't pay attention to the old stories. They come up to a pair of large heavy doors. The servant girl knocks on the door and they open.

Inside is a throne right in the middle of the large room. Must be the throne room, Rex thought. On the throne is a large man in fancy clothes and a gold crown set on top of his head.

"Your highness." the servant says bowing to the king. "These are the men from the republic here to replace the last body guard for your daughter and jedi knight Anakin Skywalker would like to speak with you." A holo transmitter hovers into the room and a holo projection of Anakin appears.

"Greetings king Carter." Anakin says.

"Jedi." King Carter says, he's still pissed about the near escape of his daughter.

"This is commander Cody and captain Rex. They are the best troopers we have, they will serve you well and keep an eye on your daughter with no casualties."

"I'll be the judge of that. If these two fail me I'll send your little flesh droids back in pieces and you can forget about my alliance with republic!"

"Father!" the princess exclaims. She hates it when her father calls the very men fighting for them in the war that name with a passion.

"Silence Celene!"

As the king and Anakin spoke to one another, Rex's attention finally set on princess Celene. He hadn't notice her because she was so quiet and stood so still he almost thought she was a statue. Oh fierfiek, Rex thought. Underneath his helmet, his jaw dropped open when he set his eyes on her. She looks a lot better in person than on a holo mec. He notices her flushed cheeks and a few small leaves caught in the folds of her dress. Probably had to hurry here from outside, Rex thought.

"Rex. Cody." Anakins voice brought Rex back planet side. "I want you to send reports to the ship at the end of every week. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir." Rex and Cody say in unison. Anakin fades as the transmission ends.

"One of my guards will give you a tour of the palace momentarily. As your General has told you, you are to watch over my daughter and keep her safe. Either of you make a wrong move or mistake you'll be sent back to your army." King Carter says. "But I won't promise you'll be sent back alive." Cody gulps down a sudden swell of nervous saliva. "Now, off with you two. The servant girl will show you to your room." The two troopers salute the king then follow the servant girl out of the room. "Lady Margret."

"Yes sire?" Lady Margret asks appearing before the king.

"Take Celene to her room and prepare her for the arrival of her fiance."

"Yes your highness."

Celene groans inwardly at the mention of Johnson coming over. All he does is talk and boast about how great and powerful he is. All bark and no bite is what Whiz calls it, he even dubbed the young duke Sir Snooty. All though he never repeats it when the duke or king is around.

When Lady Margret left to fetch a nurse maid Celene kicks off her shoes and jumps onto her bed with a soft flump. Compared to the rest of the palace, her room is a bit plain. Her bed is a plain and simple day bed with a black and gold nightstand next to it. She looks down at her soft white carpet then to her mirror head dresser then to her portable wardrobe filled with fancy dresses and shoes.

Celene groans at having to put on dress after dress just for Sir Snooty to actually like what he sees. But she smiles at feeling the soft cotton of the simple clothes she bought from a traveler for some comfort from the itchy clothing that is her wardrobe she keeps under her pillow.

"Princess." Celene looks up and sees her friend Laura. Laura is a kindly old woman that is her nurse maid. Celene is able to talk freely around her and Laura is able to do the same.

"Hi Laura. Don't worry we're alone." Celene says sitting up.

"Getting another visit from Sir Snooty?" The name caught on with the rest of the palace staff, most of them have the same view of the young duke as the princess.

"Yup."

"That man won't do any good for this kingdom." Laura searches through the wardrobe for something suitable. She tries not to make Celene go through the torture of trying on several dresses in one day. "I saw your new body guards on my way up. They seem like decent men."

"If they're anything like Whiz, then it shouldn't be a problem for us to get along."

"You miss him don't you?" Laura brings out a white and gold simple princess style dress.

"Yeah, I do. I miss playing that game with him he taught me. What was it?"

"Would you rather."

"That's it. Thanks."

"You're welcome dear. This one looks suitable. What do you think?"

Laura holds up the dress for Celene to view.

"I can't believe it, I'm actually falling in love with a dress. Is this one new? I don't remember it."

"Yes, just got here this morning."

"Who bought it?"

"No one. I made it."

"Oh thank you Laura!" Celene smiles and engulfs Laura into a bear hug.

"Well you have to have something comfortable to wear besides all those other dresses."

"All too true."

Celene walks into the bathroom to wash up before she has to go through another make over session.

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