Author's Note - I apologize for this chapter having a cliff hanger ending. It was written for the Obidala 10th Anniversary Forum and I got overwhelmed with stories, collab parts and RL and so this story isn't quite finished but I plan on finishing it so stay tuned

Chapter 3: Palpatine's Plot Is Implemented

Padme was awoken by angry shouts and Obi Wan's voice. She opened her eyes, gasping "What are you doing!?" she cried "Release my husband right now!" she demands getting out from the bed upon seeing her four guards restraining her husband with force absorbing cuffs.

The first guard shook his head "I'm sorry your highness, but we have orders that your husband was in league with his brother to kill the king and that he only agreed to the marriage to gain the throne for the Jedi" he informs her

Padme shakes her head "How dare you accuse Obi Wan of something like that. He and Anakin don't want the throne. This is all Palpatine's doing!" she cried as the first only shrugs

"I am only carrying out my orders, princess" he replies as she rushes to Obi Wan, placing both her hands on his face

"Obi Wan, I will clear your name. I love you" she cries as he nods

"Padme, you need to be careful. Palpatine is not a man you can trust any more. You need to be strong, protect yourself and our unborn child. There is darkness around this palace and you must stop him" he tells her before the guards pushed him from the room leaving her standing there, tears in her eyes.

Obi Wan was right. She was the one to take on Palpatine. She wouldn't let him take the throne and she was remembering how Palpatine always despised her.

Flashback

"Your daughter clearly has her heart and mind set on helping to give the people what they want. They respect their princess" Palpatine notices, although there was a hint of disgust in his voice as he and Ruwee watched Padme greeting a small group of people who had come to visit the palace.

Ruwee smiles down at his daughter, "Padme is a special, strong minded girl. She has grown since her mother's death and she is determined to remember her mother through her duties and royal responsibilities" he points out as Palpatine looks down at the girl who was giving hugs to two small children

"Yes, she is indeed special, perhaps it is all too much for her. She might like the quiet life in the country side" he suggests. Ruwee looks over at his friend, surprised

"Palpatine, my dear friend, I am thinking you have a problem with my daughter?" he asks "Do you not think my daughter can rule Naboo one day?" he adds as Palpatine fumbles for a response

"Of course not your highness" he lies "But it is still such a big responsibility for her, perhaps a temporary leader until she is ready. She will be grief stricken when you eventually die, my friend" he points out as Ruwee shakes his head

"My friend, Padme will be fine. There will be no need for a temporary leader and by then, she will be married and the kingdom will have a Queen and King" he reveals. He then moves back inside leaving Palpatine glaring down at Padme who was collecting gifts from their visitors. Her father may think she will make a strong queen but Palpatine would ensure she never sat upon the throne of Naboo

End of flashback

It was then Padme realized that all along Palpatine had been plotting against her, even her journey to Courscant where she first met Obi Wan and Anakin, he had been against. He was not taking her husband and her brother in law away from her and so she stormed from her quarters straight to the throne room, having been told Palpatine was addressing the council.

To her horror, she found Obi Wan and Anakin also there, cuffed and shackled with force sensitive collars around their necks.

"Palpatine!" she exclaimed "You have no right to do this! Obi Wan and Anakin did not kill my father! I am the Princess and soon to be Queen!" she declares "Release them right now and leave this planet and never return" she reveals as there is a collective gasp around the room however Palpatine just smirked, but it was Obi Wan who spoke

"Padme, right before you came the chamber, Palpatine gave the council an ultimatum..." he paused "Or rather he threatened the council with their lives" he corrected right before he felt the collar around his neck activate causing him to cry out. Padme's eyes widen in horror as she rushed to his side

"Stop! Leave him alone!" she cried as Palpatine shrugged

"He spoke out of turn, I cannot allow those words about a future king" he replies. Padme glares over at him

"Future king!?" she exclaims "You have no claim to the throne! You are a former advisor to the King and you have caused enough trouble" she points out however one of the advisors spoke up

"I am sorry your highness but Palpatine made a powerful statement reminding us that for years your father ruled Naboo without any help from the Jedi and in the last three years, there has been more unrest from some of the small villagers who see the Jedi as causing more trouble to come to the planet" he tells her as Padme slowly helps Obi Wan to his feet, her arms around him

"What are you saying?" she asks, already fearing the worst. The advisor swallowed the lump in his throat

"Since we have no other suspects in the death of your father and that Anakin Skywalker was the head guard with your father at the time of his death, he failed to protect him and wanted him to die and his brother, Obi Wan ensured us Anakin could always protect the King, he is also responsible for his death" he concluded. Padme, felt the tears in her eyes as she suspected what he was about to say

"No, please, they are innocent! Palpatine is manipulating you!" she cried as Palpatine remained composed as the advisor went on

"I am sorry your highness but the council is forced to inform you that should you keep defending your husband and his brother, you cannot rule Naboo and the only way you can become Queen is to agree that we must sentence Obi Wan and Anakin to death" he informed her.

Padme gasps, one hand over her mouth "No! I won't let you do this to them! I will find a way to become Queen with my husband by my side and his brother as my protector. There has always been those who opposed my father, that is nothing new. Palpatine has always hated me since I was a little girl and he is threatened by my marriage and now my unborn child" she cries

Palpatine nodded to the guards who moved forward to take Obi Wan and Anakin away. Padme places both hands on Obi Wan's face, passionately kissing him "I love you and I will save you both" she tells him before she painfully watches them drag her husband and Anakin away.

She glares back at Palpatine, "You have made a big mistake and I will stop you" she declares. Palpatine only smirks. His plans were unfolding, he was turning to the council over to his side and Padme was finding herself desperate and clinging to hope.