VII
I am told to meet with Chancellor Palpatine the next morning. He cordially invites me for another audience in his office to discuss what had happened the night before. This time, I finally have the one-on-one meeting I had hoped for yesterday.
"Padme, the Jedi Council had conducted a priority meeting early this morning. This attack is not something that should be overlooked." He says to me with worry in his aged eyes.
"I understand, Chancellor." I say, holding back the fire of defense inside of me.
"Ultimately, they have discussed that this situation is much deeper than they had first anticipated. More and more people are getting involved, on both ends. Master Kenobi is on his way to investigate the evidence of the one who may have hired the assassin that attacked your ship. In the meantime, other Jedi will also be investigating the city and securing other Senators who may be at risk of being in your position. This isn't over, M'Lady." He explains.
This information hits me more quickly than it takes for me to process it. I understand that my life was at risk. I know that it still is. I just can't seem to grasp the fact that others are also in danger. I can't accept that numerous others are getting involved in helping find the killer. My head can't fully process how broad this has become.
The Chancellor sees the speechless expression written across my face. He offers a sympathetic smile, but it just makes the worry in my eyes grow.
"How?" is all I'm able to mutter from my slightly opened mouth.
"Last night, the Jedi chased your attacker to the Underground sectors of the city. They chased her into a club, but before she was able to give information, she was killed by what we can assume was the one who had hired her for the job. M'Lady, we are all unsure of where this will lead us to, or how long it will take to uncover the next piece of information." The Chancellor explains to me.
My life is being threatened by a long list of people who have been hiring other people. It is confusing. It is twisted. Before I can respond to him, however, the Chancellor adds to his explanation.
"The Jedi found a toxic dark in the neck of the bounty hunter they chased to the Undergrounds. Master Kenobi will be having it examined by droids in the Jedi Temple Analysis Room. But it still may be some time before we discover the source to these attacks."
I'm speechless. I know I cannot expect the Jedi to figure out this mystery over night. I do not expect them to. My worry is not how long it will take them to find the assassin, but how long I will remain in closed quarters of security, constantly under vigilant watch. The worry lies in how much time I will have to spend, here, in hiding.
The Chancellor slowly walks behind his desk and takes a seat. He motions for me to do the same, but I cannot budge. I can feel the blank expression that is on my face. The atmosphere of this room must be awfully uncomfortable, but this is just too much to bear. Even if I wanted to break the silence, I couldn't.
"I think you will want to sit for what I am about to tell you, Padme." He says to me with a smile filled with pain. It's as though he is biting his lip, knowing that what he's going to say will hurt.
I don't need this. I don't need sugarcoated news. I don't need people feeling sorry for me. I just want to know how much longer I'll be here waiting to cast my vote. And now the facial expression the Chancellor is giving me makes sense. It tells me that he already knows the answer, and worse, knows I'm not going to like it.
I sit in one of the several small chairs that face his desk, my gown collecting in bundles as I bend to fit into the seat. He knows how I feel. He knows how I'm going to react. He knows that I can see what he's saying without having even said it.
"It's not only me, M'Lady. The Jedi are also worried for your safety. We just want you to be safe while they investigate."
I should be grateful. I should be flattered. I should be relieved and happy. But I'm not.
"When?" is all I can say when I gain the ability to speak again.
"As soon as possible. I understand you may need to pack, but we want you to be ready to go as soon as possible. Just for precautionary measures." He answers.
As soon as possible, I repeat in my head. I'm to be rushed out of the capitol more quickly than I even arrived.
"You will not be alone. The Jedi have assigned someone to accompany you while Master Kenobi is on his own mission." He says.
I look up at him through glassy eyes.
"Who?" I ask.
"Obi-Wan's apprentice, Anakin." He answers cheerfully.
A slight wave of relief rushes over me. Thankfully it's Ani who will be my escort and stay with me. But this relief doesn't undermine the fact that I'm forced out of the capitol.
"Am I allowed to vote?" I ask before anything else.
"Yes. I can probably assume the way in which you will vote, however, you will need someone to be a representative for you in the Senate while you're gone." Chancellor Palpatine tells me.
A representative? That's how I'll be voting for one of the Republic's most controversial and crucial issues of my time. I am furious. I am irritated.
I rise from my seat. The Chancellor knows I'm done with this conversation.
"One last thing, M'Lady," He begins before I turn to leave.
I remain silent. I just look at him with expecting eyes, ready to hear what he has to say, expecting to become more infuriated than I thought physically possible.
"No one outside of the Jedi, myself, and you know that this is happening. You're leaving in secrecy so that you will go unnoticed. I mean this with sincerity. You and Padawan Skywalker will be traveling as peasants. You will travel with public transportation. But everyone here must still be under the impression that you remain in your apartment. Do you understand?" He explains.
I do, surprisingly. For once, I agree with something the Chancellor tells me. It will ensure my safety if there is still a "me" on Coruscant. Unfortunately, this means another decoy will be risking their life for me. Another handmaiden will be going to my bed every night—and the Senate every morning—expecting an attack.
I nod, insinuating that I understand the Chancellor's last commands. I turn away from him, giving me the opportunity to wipe the tears my eyes could no longer hide back.
"M'Lady, do be safe. This is the best thing for you now. You'll enjoy your stay. It's been too long since you've had some time to yourself. It is the most relaxing place for you to be during this time. But don't worry. The Jedi are quick. I'll hope to see you back here soon." He says cheerfully.
His efforts to cheer me up are irrelevant. I still cannot face him. I nod once more, and begin to walk to the door. Regardless of what I say, the Chancellor already knows how I feel. He knows I would rather be dead than in hiding. Still, I leave, accepting his orders, doing what everyone wants of me.
It isn't until I leave his office and the doors close behind me that it finally registers in my head what is happening. I'm going into hiding. I'm going back to Naboo.
