AN: Posting this a bit early because I have a busy day when I wake up! Thanks to everyone who reviewed on Wednesday-I haven't had a moment to respond yet, but I should early this week! Thanks especially to the guest reviewers, to whom I cannot respond. I love reading your comments and I really, really appreciate knowing you are reading and enjoying! Thanks for dropping me a line!

Onward!

"Is that everything, Minister?" Breha asked at the end of the meeting. She was struggling to keep her voice from sounding defeated. It was obvious that a few of the Regional Ministers were less than sure of what to think of her, and that there were a few who agreed with the Provisional Council that she might not be the best choice to take the throne. Still, for however short a time, she was the ruling monarch, and that meant that she would preside over staff meetings and continue moving forward with her education agenda.

"Yes, Your Highness. I think we can adjourn." Breha nodded, murmured a dismissal, and everyone started gathering their things. Bail swept his belongings off the table and hurried off to his next meeting; his day was, no doubt, full of meetings, as he was only on planet for a short time. Breha followed him out. A thin piece of parchment fluttered to the ground in his wake, landing neatly at Breha's feet.

"Senator, you dropped…" The princess didn't bother hurrying after him, knowing this would give her the perfect excuse to see him later. She walked back to her office, fingering the parchment gently. It looked like very fine stationary, a fancy invitation or a personal letter of great importance. Breha set it on the corner of her desk so she wouldn't forget to return it later. She set about her work, looking over the pieces of correspondence she'd missed while in the meeting.

The afternoon breeze came gently in through the window, bringing with it the sweet smell of the spring flowers from the garden below. It rustled the light draperies and blew the piece of parchment into the center of Breha's desk, the carefully-folded edges falling open in front of her.

She didn't mean to read it—it was undoubtedly private and personal, after all—but when her eyes glanced across the page and caught the words, 'I love you,' she couldn't help it.

'My Darling-

It is with great trepidation and an anxious heart that I write this, but I find that I can be silent no longer. You must know by now how I feel—I am sure you know, My Darling, as I have not been good at hiding them—but what man who is in love with such a wonderful woman should wish to hide it? And there it is; I have said it: I love you'

Breha could scarcely draw a breath. She was holding, in her hands, proof that she wasn't imagining things, hadn't been convincing herself there was something where there was nothing. He felt the same way about her.

But it wasn't complete. Perhaps it was a bit selfish of her, but she wanted to know all of what he had to say. Perhaps he had a specific time in mind to give it to her. Just before he left, to avoid embarrassment if she didn't love him in return. As if. Right before the final legitimacy trial, to assure her that someone still believed in her. It wouldn't be proper to keep the letter without his knowledge. She checked her schedule: he would be in her next meeting. Hopefully, he wouldn't have time to miss the piece of parchment before she could return it.

The next meeting was with the Executive Council. She was one of the first to enter the room, and she busied herself as the ministers arrived. Bail's place was just to her right. He came in already speaking with the finance minister, and they sat down, never ceasing their discussion. Breha slipped the parchment into his stack of datapads while no one was paying attention and called the meeting to order.

00

Bail breathed a sigh of relief when he finally found the piece of parchment after the meeting with the princess and the rest of the Executive Council. It had gotten shuffled into his datapads when he left his chambers that morning, and he'd been petrified all day that he would misplace it or that someone would discover it. He thought he'd lost it after one meeting, but when he finally had a moment to search again, it was mixed in with the rest of his belongings. The senator unfolded it and glanced over the words. A little stilted, perhaps, but he knew she'd appreciate the sentiment.

He folded it carefully and tucked it in the top drawer as Jules entered. The look on his advisor's face was not a pleasant one.

"The Provisional Council has subpoenaed you."

"I expected as much," Bail admitted. Jules nodded in agreement.

"What are you going to do? It's a big decision. I'm going to leave it up to you." Bail looked in wonderment at Jules. Wasn't the answer obvious?

"Jules, I have to stand up for her."

"Do you know what this could do to your career? There are a lot of powerful people on that board, and if you turn any one of them the wrong way, it could be a disaster."

"I would like to remind you, Jules, that I am elected by the people of Alderaan, not by the members of the Provisional Council. The people love Breha. She is the queen Alderaan needs. I am duty-bound to do what is best for this planet Jules, and believe me when I say that Moira Ranley is not the ideal choice."

"Ok, ok. Say that this doesn't work, though. Say that the Council picks Moira and Breha is dethroned. You'll have made a lot of enemies in their camp. Even if you can still win reelection, they're going to make life awfully hard on you; you'll get the blame for everything. You'll be out of a job real quick after you've been handed the bag for a recession, the loss of a trade route, anything. You'll be the sworn enemy."

"At least my conscious will be upheld, knowing that I stood up for what is right. If it does happen that the Council sees fit to dethrone the princess and the Ranleys make my life a living hell, well, so be it. I'm not exactly dumb, Jules. I could go to Coruscant and work for any number of senators or other galactic officials. Maybe I could be a political consultant. You certainly make it seem easy; all you do is sit around making stupid suggestions." It wouldn't be so bad, living on Coruscant full-time with her. With their jobs out of the way, he and Breha could live some semblance of a normal life together, unhindered by political responsibilities and public images.

"Bail, I'm just trying to look out for you. You're running into the fire here! I'm just trying to warn you that it's not going to be easy."

"And becoming the primary senator at 29 was like falling off a log. I'm not afraid of a challenge, Jules. You should know that by now." The two men sat in silence, each chewing on their own argument. "And say that Breha does stay, then what? I'm seen as spineless and brainless and unwilling to stand up for what and who I believe in? Not only by the people, but by her?" Bail protested. That was the last thing he wanted. Jules looked him hard in the eyes for a moment.

"What is all this about?"

"What do you mean? This is about making sure that Breha can become the queen of Alderaan, as she rightfully should."

"Do you love her?" Jules demanded.

"I…yes, I believe so," Bail answered quietly.

"You better not be doing this because of that. If you truly believe that she's the best choice for the monarch, then so be it. But if you're doing this just to win points with her or—"

"That's not what this is about," Bail interrupted. Jules took a deep breath and continued quietly after a beat.

"As long as you're sure. You must be cautious, Bail. Don't give them a single foothold to say you're doing this for any reason other than her merit as a ruler. You know they'll take any excuse they can get to discount defense of her. The people who are against her aren't going to play this straight, Bail. You must keep your hands 100 percent clean if you want to give Princess Breha any chance at keeping the crown," Jules explained. Bail nodded. He knew everything his advisor said was true. The Ranleys desperately wanted to take the throne for which Breha was so obviously destined.

"I'm going to have to take a step back from her. That's what you're saying," Bail confirmed, dreading the answer.

"Yes, Bail. I'm sorry. Just until this all blows over," he promised.

Bail glanced in the partially-open top drawer of his desk where the piece of stationary rested. He was going to have to put that part of life on hold for a while. Right now, the only thing that mattered was seeing that Breha took her rightful place as queen.

"I understand."

"I'll let you get to work on your testimony, then. I'll be in my office if you need something."

Bail put his head in his hands. He'd been waiting more than a year to tell Breha how he felt, and now he was going to have to put it off for even longer.

Eyes still closed, he leaned to the side and accidentally upset a holo. He righted the small base and looked over the small blue projection of his parents. They were smiling happily at each other, and he could tell that his mother had been laughing heartily. It made Bail smile a bit, remembering a few weeks back when he'd made Breha laugh like that during their evening conversation.

Didn't he deserve moments like that with her? Didn't they deserve moments like that together? Couldn't the galaxy spare them a few lingering kisses and a blurry holo or two?

Bail glanced up at the portrait of the late queen hanging near the door. Brindel wore the crown jewels and was standing regally, looking straight ahead. A small smile graced her lips, and Bail recognized the expression as one that Breha often wore.

He sighed.

She deserved that: the responsibility and the respect that came with the office, the chance to leave her mark on Alderaan.

There was no question in Bail's mind as he locked the letter in his desk, took out his datapad, and started writing his testimony.

00

Mirnora came in just before Breha began packing up for the evening.

"Senator Antilles is here. I told him you were going to be leaving soon, but he insisted it was urgent. Shall I let him in?"

"By all means, yes." The girl turned to admit the senator. Breha ran a hand over her hair and glanced in the mirror quickly before he walked in.

"Good evening, Your Majesty," Bail greeted succinctly.

"Good evening," she replied, smiling, hardly able to contain her excitement. He appeared…not nervous, exactly—almost stressed, worried, like he was anxious and uncomfortable. Breha was barely able to focus on their brief discussion about a trivial matter that didn't really require her input and was far from urgent.

"I'm afraid I must return to Coruscant."

"When?"

"As soon as I can return to my sisters' apartment and gather my things. Something…something has come up and I need to leave." Bail didn't appear at all happy about this.

"Could I offer any assistance? Would you like to talk about it, even just to get it off your chest?" she offered.

"No, no. I…couldn't trouble you with it," he excused. That stung a bit. They'd long ago dispensed with that sort of side-stepping.

"Very well, if you're sure," Breha agreed, seeing that he had no desire to discuss the matter further.

He rose to leave and Breha stood hopefully along with him.

"Your Highness, I…"

"Yes?" Her heart was pounding against her chest. This was it: he'd give her the completed letter, and they'd confess their love for one another; perhaps he'd kiss her…

"I'm afraid I won't be able to escort you to the ball next month. Something's come up and I won't have time to come back to the planet," Bail apologized.

"Oh, yes…I understand, of course. These things do happen," Breha assured him, biting back a frown.

"I do have a small consolation, however," he added, and Breha felt herself nearly trembling with anticipation.

"Yes?"

"My sister, Celly, will be attending the ball in my absence, and I am sure she'd be delighted with your company, if it would please you." Breha was beginning to get seasick from all this up and down with her emotions.

"Oh. Indeed, I would be very grateful for her company."

"I will tell her you're looking forward to it, then. Good night, Your Highness."

"Good night." Bail turned and left without so much as a smile.

AN:Please don't kill me...and please leave me a review! (Stars, I am needy...)

Just two more chapters and the epilogue left to go!

Wednesday: well, you'll just have to come back and read, I guess...