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Chapter Nine

The Point of No Return

The Palace in Theed

Press Chamber

It is rather sad how far our great society had fallen, he silently thought.

The chamber was known as Queen Yram's Chamber. It was built from ancient stone and was an original part of the Palace. The stain glass windows were made from sand from the beaches outside of Theed. They were made around a hundred years after the chamber was completed.

At one time this sacred chamber had been used for worship. If one looked back into history deep enough, this would have been the very chamber where Queen Yram's coronation took place. Now it was used as nothing more than a chamber of gossip, yelling, and other nonsense.

The governor of Theed, Sio Bibble was getting a migraine. Between this and the stubborn Senator of Naboo, he was rethinking putting off his retirement. It might save him from these continuing headaches. Not to mention his hearing.

"HOW LONG HAS THE AFFAIR BEEN GOING ON?"

"GOVERNOR BIBBLE!"

"WAS QUEEN APAILANA AWARE?"

"GOVERNOR!"

"DID YOU KNOW GOVERNOR?"

The white bearded man sighed. "As I previously stated, Senator Amidala will be here shortly to answer quest-" Ugh, part of him just wanted to shout, "I did not know anything!" And that had not changed in the last two minutes. He still did not know a thing. He was as caught off guard as the rest of them...well, maybe not Queen Apailana, but that was another matter altogether.

Off in the other end of the room, he could see a moving entourage of protective guards- including Captain Panaka and other beings.

The dozens of reporters all shouted at the group, "SENATOR!"

"SENATOR!"

"IS IT TRUE?!"

"ARE YOU PREGNANT?"

"SENATOR AMIDALA!"

"ARE YOU REALLY INVOLVED WITH ANAKIN SKYWALKER?"

"HOW LONG HAS THE AFFAIR BEEN GOING ON?"

Less than a standard second later, four more exclaimed, "SENATOR AMIDALA!"

All asking the same questions, mostly about Anakin Skywalker. Was she with child? His child? Who knew what? And the endless cycle of questions just went on and on.

Governor Bibble breathed in relief. He also quietly thanked the Nubian goddess, Shiraya. She was finally here...with Skywalker just steps away.

Bible swallowed. He had hoped she would put this whole Hero with No Fear mess behind them. Yes, he knew what the odds were judging by the HoloNet. Now they were pretty much diminished with the Jedi just steps away, but one could always hope. Bibble really hoped it was all just a one big misunderstanding. He was to step back from the podium, but realized he almost forgot to say something. "As I previously stated, the Senator of Naboo will not be taking any questions," Sio Bibble reminded them before finally stepping away from the podium.

The Governor of Theed also noted how she had no papers or speech prepared apparently.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," the former Queen and Senator began.

"Good evening, your Majesty," the reporters replied back. It was tradition for beings to address the former monarchs as "your Majesty" or "your Highness". The same extended to retired former Chancellors, Senators, Governors, and high-ranking military officers. It was a courtesy and a gesture of respect extended to individuals for their public service on Naboo and many worlds in the Republic.

While the Senator was often unreadable under what some called her legendary mask, the gesture seemed to be a great comfort to her. "For the past several days, there has been much speculation regarding Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and myself" "And I am here to set the record straight."

So Bibble hoped.

Amidala began with how Skywalker was assigned as her bodyguard. She kept the details rather vague.

A very wise decision.

Until finally, "After the Battle of Geonosis, we secretly married."

Bibble eyes widened larger than a piece of shuura. Along with every other being's eyes or visuals in the chamber.

And then all hell broke loose.

The questions and yelling were even louder than before.

"WILL KNIGHT SKYWALKER REMAIN A JEDI?"

"WAS THE JEDI COUNCIL AWARE OF THE MARRIAGE?"

Bibble felt his migraine return. And with this revelation, it was about to get worse.

"Also at this time, ask for the privacy of my family and myself"

Especially since the Senator would be on maternity leave for the next several weeks. Leaving him, the Queen, and rest of the palace holding the bag.

Why couldn't her majesty just use her executive powers and force her to step down? It was not the first time the monarch had to force a representative to step down. Their lives might- no they would be easier if she did. Especially if she faced an internal investigation.

"Thank you," she said and departed the conference room. Knight Skywalker following closely by her side and came to her side. A team of security swarmed around her. Along with new and louder questions and more determined teams of paparazzi.


Back at Varykino, Ruwee Naberrie watched the press conference

It was done.

Now everyone knew. His head was beginning to throb. He could even see poor Sio Bibble in background. It looked like he felt the same way.

"So," Ruwee looked at his wife, Jobal who was watching from the doorway. "It's over. She's crossed the other side." The point of no return.

"She crossed it when she married him." Jobal pointed out. "Well," She took a deep breathe, "Where do we go from here?" Meaning what would he do next?

"Shiraya knows!" Ruwee said as he got up. He shook his head. "This is what's come from spoiling her." Giving her west wing of Varykino. "More money than she knows what do with." Not only from her time as Queen and Senator, but the rather generous trust left by Grandma Winama and her grandfathers. "Ruling our entire homeland," Causing her to believe she is above everyone. "Believing she can do as she damn well please!" Get away with anything. Including marrying Jedi apparently. "What were we thinking?" Giving her such gifts, privileges, and allowing her to do such things.

"Shiraya knows!" Ruwee said as he got up. He shook his head. "This is what's come from spoiling her. Giving her the entire west wing of Varykino. More credits than she knows what do with. Not only from her time as Queen and Senator, but the rather generous trust left by Grandma Winama and her grandfathers. She ruled our entire homeland, causing her to believe she is above everyone. Believing she can do as she damn well please and get away with anything! Including marrying Jedi apparently. What were we thinking, giving her such gifts, privileges, and allowing her to do such things?"

"That's not fair," Jobal insisted. "She's a wonderful daughter and public servant," She had given most of her life to public service.

"But in the process she's forgotten who she really is," She had spent far too much time alone on Coruscant and more importantly in public service. She should have quit as soon as she stepped down as monarch. Gotten a teaching position. At one of many libraries in Theed. Anything.

"Has she?" Asked Jobal in not so convinced tone.

"We did not raise her to act like this." To take such risks. "Where did she learn to be so damn stubborn?"

Jobal pursed lips at his "stubborn" remark. Where did she get her stubbornness from indeed? "Clearly you've forgotten how reckless she was as a child." When she learned how to crawl, she went wherever and as far as she could. It was the same way when she learned how to walk. The same when she learned how to climb.

"Like how she has forgotten that I'm her father and that I love her" He pointed to the dining area. "You heard her back there, she believes my love for our great name outweighs my love for her."

Jobal knew she had to tread carefully. "I know you don't, but perhaps," She stopped for a moment. "You need to show her- remind her of all those things." "And as I said earlier, don't do anything you'll have to retract... or can't." She added.

"Oh, heavens can't I be upset when our daughter decided to get married three years ago and just saw fit to tell?"

Finally Jobal decided to forgo treading carefully. "You're allowed to be cross," She said. "But don't be unjust. Ru, look at things from Padmé's perspective." Back to the night she told them about her pregnancy and many other times throughout the years. "Just be honest, you do enjoy the family name. The fame. The power and everything that comes with it."


Ruwee stayed out on the balcony and terraces awhile. After growing tired of the cooling temperature he moved into the library. Which he supposed was perfect, he always felt he thought best in here. This was where he contemplated and practiced proposing to Jobal all those years ago.

He also accidentally proposed in here when she later dropped by and his mother's ring fell out of his pocket.

Both his wife and mother-in-law's words rang in his head.

"Ru, look at things from Padmé's perspective."

"Just be honest, you do enjoy the family name. The fame. The power and everything that comes with it."

Yes…

Yes, he supposed that was true. He would be lying if said he wasn't proud of his family name. The name of Naberrie had a long history of several politicians and other public service members. Though none had #nothing like# the success Padmé has experienced.

And he valued the power and privileges that came with it.

Very well...he supposed he would speak with Padmé , when she came back. Hopefully soon.

"Since they will soon have a child, wouldn't it be better to just accept the situation?"

Yes, yes, he told himself. He supposed that would be the right thing to do, but he just didn't want to- wasn't ready to do the right thing. Right now, he was going with the more sensible choice or at least what he felt was the sensible choice.

"And Anakin?" She added.

Ryoo quietly sighed. "And you can't learn to live with it," She crossed her arms. "For Padmé's sake?"

Learn to love with it?

Ruwee could learn to live with the current monarch, Queen Apailana and some her policies and impending taxes. This was a completely different situation.

"Can you imagine for a standard second that I want to see her hurt?" He had answered.

Which was completely true. He did not. Ever.

What father would?

"But hurt she is going to be"

"Honestly, what happens to some beings as they enter the next stages of life? Why do they fail to recall everything?"

What?

The passion?

Love?

Never!

After all, he had been reminiscing of his accidental proposal to his future bride.

"I believe...those two young beings need each other." Like they needed oxygen to breathe in."

"Any being can see that by just looking at them. But you, and had they been with us today, my beloved husband, my mum and papa," Ryoo said. "Each of you might as well been blind," Said Ryoo.

"All you can only see when you look at them is the difficulties they will endure. But do you really know what's happened to them?" To her? "How they feel about each other?"

"I believe...that when many beings grow old, they forget it all. Forget what true passion is. If you ever felt for my daughter what Anakin feels for Padmé. And her for he, you've forgotten everything about it. If you have not, then...how could you behave the way you are?"

"He isn't...good enough for her." He finally replied.

"Who is good enough for Padmé?"

In his eyes, probably no one.

"You didn't like Palo until they parted ways. You didn't like Darred at first...or any boy Sola brought home for that matter."

That was true. He didn't like Darred at first. First of all, he was five, almost six years older than his daughter. Now that wasn't such a big deal, but then it felt like it a slightly large gap, because second of all, Sola was only eighteen when she first introduced him.

"Perhaps it's time you thought about what she wants"

Yes...yes, that was true.

He was too upset and stubborn to listen earlier.

Of course, in Darred's case over the years he had come to see his many great qualities. He was a gifted artist and most importantly wonderful father to little Ryoo and Pooja.

And Ruwee could...he would do the same with Anakin.

He paced around awhile. Hands folded behind his back.

Then he stopped.

And smiled.


Well, what do you think? Of Sio Bibble? Ruwee and Jobal?

Next chapter: Darred and Anakin.

Review please and thank you!