Though ten months had passed, Darth Vader had barely had enough time to register the passing days.
His master had been relentless in assigning various tasks and missions. It didn't matter how simple or complex, how menial or important the tasks were : It seemed the Emperor wanted his apprentice to do all of them.
Though he had done each task to the best of his ability and without complaint : Vader couldn't deny it was more than a little irritating to be used as an errand boy.
What Vader wasn't aware of – however – was that all the busywork was completely intentional. The Emperor had seen how Anakin Skywalker had behaved when kept away from Padme. He had been the epitome of the idiom : Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Despite Darth Vader's seeming reluctance towards the deal, Palpatine hadn't missed the fact that a definite connection had been made between his apprentice and the Princess of Lunealia on the night they had met. It had been that moment of the connection being made that the Emperor knew he would have to keep his apprentice away from Loralyn for an extended amount of time, before finally giving Darth Vader a reprieve.
Of course, it had all worked flawlessly…
As soon as he had been granted several weeks of time to himself, Vader had immediately ordered his men to set course for Lunealia.
So, now : Darth Vader's own Imperial Star Destroyer – the Devastator – was fast approaching Lunealia through hyperspace. Though the ship was abuzz with activity : Darth Vader was standing on the main bridge of the ship, lost into his thoughts. They kept drifting back to that one fateful night when he had first met the Princess. How fearlessly and gracefully she had behaved throughout the entire evening. Her flawless beauty and intoxicating smell. How soft, warm and inviting she had been. And how strongly he had reacted…
« Lord Vader… We have arrived at the arrival coordonates. »
The announcement pulled Vader out of his thoughts, just as the ship came out of hyperspace.
The verdant, lush planet suddenly appeared in front of them. Sunlight from a nearby star beamed down on it, making the planet appear as though it was glowing in the dark expanse of space. Glittering rings encircled the planet right around the middle, the planet's own beautiful decoration.
As expected : There was a group of military force hovering protectively around the planet, in addition of the shield envelopping it.
Despite seeing the planet for the first time, Vader couldn't shake a feeling of deja-vu. Something about this place seemed so familiar to him, but he couldn't figure it. Regardless, that was of little concern to Darth Vader. His main priority was finally seeing Princess Loralyn once again.
The flow of his thoughts was suddenly interrupted as a transmission suddenly activated.
« This is Commander Priidge of Lunealia's royal forces. You are too close to the planetary gate and need to leave with immediate effect. The Empire has no jurisdiction here. »
Recognizing the commander's voice and name : Vader turned to the comm from where the transmission had emanated. He strode over, holding up a hand to stop the ship's admiral from answering. This was one call Darth Vader was going to answer personally.
« Commander Priidge… »
Commander Priidge felt a chill go over him, as he immediately recognized the voice. A deep frown crossed his features and he sighed heavily.
The reaction wasn't missed by the two pilots closest to him, and one glanced up at him in concern.
Priidge just shook his hand and waved away the look, continuing to frown at the comm speaker. He knew good and well why Darth Vader was here. He was here for an audience with Princess Loralyn. And even though Priidge resented that fact, he knew he had no right to oppose his will. Nonetheless, Priidge refused to make things easy for the Empire. So, after a stretch of silence that he purposefully drew out for as long as he dared : The Commander reached over and activated the comm. « Very well. But only you, Lord Darth Vader, are allowed to pass the field gate. Your Star Destroyer is not permitted into the planet's atmosphere, but a shuttle will be. »
Back aboard the Devastator, Darth Vader immediately answered : « Very well, Commander. There will be a shuttle presenting at the gate shortly. However, you are to warn nobody about my arrival. » Not waiting for a response, trusting Priidge would be smart enough to comply : Vader then turned to the ship's admiral. « You are to keep the ship peacefully orbiting around Lunealia and await my return. Do not antagonize, nor engage their forces. Finally… I am not to be disturbed for any reason while I am away. »
« Understood, Lord Vader. » The admiral smartly replied, with an affirming nod.
Satisfied with the answer, Vader headed to where the shuttles were housed on the ship. He would be going onto Lunealia alone. More for his preference than anything else.
As he easily piloted the shuttle through the single gateway of Lunealia's force-field : Darth Vader felt something guiding him. He was vaguely aware about the gateway closing behind him, but it was of no concern. His focus was on Lunealia and following whatever invisible force was guiding him on where to go.
It guided him in the right direction, as the royal palace immediately came into view once the shuttle broke through the pristine clouds of the planet's lower atmosphere.
Seeing a suitable spot : Darth Vader expertly landed the shuttle.
It placed him within close proximity of the palace, some hundred meters away from the impressive work of architecture.
Stepping out of the shuttle, Vader was struck by an overwhelming feeling of how strong the presence of the Force was here. Despite this, he felt as though he was being guided by a sense of familiarity. While he knew he hadn't walked here as a Sith Lord, it felt as though he had walked along these beautifully decorated walkways before... as Anakin Skywalker.
Nobody stood in his way. The people milling around – going about their daily lives – seemed more focused on whatever they were doing than on Vader's presence. There was the occasional glance up at him, but none ever lingered. It was something that he silently appreciated.
As he continued to the royal palace, Darth Vader couldn't help but note that it seemed there were very few employed by the royalty. There were the necessary guards, who – of course – did not impede him. Beyond that, the only others appearing to work for the royalty were groundskeepers. And, throughout all of this : The incredibly strong presence of the Force remained steadfast and unwavering. Approaching the massive, gilded doors of the palace's entrance : Vader was greeted by a young maid and an old butler.
They both bowed respectfully and opened the doors for Vader without a word or hesitation.
Wordlessly, Vader strode into the palace.
As soon as he crossed the threshold : The presence of the Princess rushed around and over him. Her light, flowery, intoxicating smell... Her soft, inviting warmth… It was almost – already – too much for Darth Vader. He had spent so much time longing for her. Now that she was close, so close : Her presence was everywhere. It was almost more than Vader could handle.
From his peripheral vision, Vader saw that the butler had followed along behind him.
He was about to call for the Princess.
But Darth Vader silenced them by simply holding up his hand.
Though the butler appeared slightly puzzled by the action, he nodded in acknowledgement and backed away obediently.
Despite the fact he couldn't quite explain why, Vader knew that he didn't need any help in finding the princess. His instincts guided him without fail or hesitation, through the corridors and along the glowing hallways. While Princess Loralyn was his sole focus, Darth Vader couldn't help but appreciate the intricate and expert craftsmanship of the palace's architecture. It was beautiful and unlike any other place he had seen on any planet. The further he went through the palace, the more certain Vader was. Any doubt there may have been in his mind dissipated with his continued, assured footfalls. He had definitely walked this path before.