The next two weeks were tough for Leia as she tried her best to calm and clear her mind, especially with her junior senator exam approaching. In everyday circumstances such as studying, Leia was fine. But if anything elicited an emotional response from her, she would lose control of the Force. She didn't know how to change. Although her parents and Oliver were wonderful support, there wasn't a single Jedi in the galaxy that could teach her how to manage her Force sensitivity.

When the day of her exam arrived, Leia was incredibly nervous. Not about the subject matter, she had been confident about that for months. She was nervous about something happening in the exam that would make her lose control. Tossing and turning at 2:30 in the morning, Leia turned to the only person she could think of. She dialed the phone and waited.

"Hello?" Oliver asked.

"Oliver, it's me. I'm sorry for calling so late."

"It's okay, what's wrong?" Oliver could sense the urgency in Leia's voice.

"I'm so anxious about this exam tomorrow. What if I lose control of the Force in the exam? Could they kick me out for that?"

"Leia, you're not going to lose control of the Force in the exam. If anything happens, like a question you don't know how to answer, just calm your mind, calm your senses, and clarity will come."

Leia smiled at her friend's advice. A few simple words from him could calm her down better than she could on her own.

"If only I could have you in the exam with me tomorrow. Your words make me feel at peace."

"Imagine I am speaking to you. Then one day you'll be able to speak like that to yourself."

Leia thanked Oliver profusely and hung up. A smile graced her lips as she repeated Oliver's words over and over until she fell asleep.

The entrance exam couldn't have gone better, Leia went in feeling confident and came out the same way. If any question stumped her for a moment, she would clear her senses and the answer would be waiting for her. Maybe she was finally understanding the ways of the Force.

It wasn't long before Leia received news that she was one of two students accepted into program. She could start as soon as she graduated. Bail was so proud, but he couldn't say he was surprised. He knew how capable his daughter was, and he was amazed at how quickly she jumped back from her setbacks.

Bail and Breha decided to throw a party at the palace to celebrate her achievements. They invited many members of the Imperial Senate, and of course Oliver. Leia wore her finest white dress, a gown lightly bedazzled with silver sparkles. She sat in front of her dresser while her mother braided her long hair.

"Are you excited for this evening?" Her mother asked.

"I am, although I'm a little nervous to have all the attention on me tonight."

Breha laughed lightly. "Sweetheart, if you're elected into the Imperial Senate, the attention will be on you for the rest of your life. You might as well get used to it. These are your first steps."

"I suppose," Leia sighed. "I'm also nervous about Oliver. I don't think he's ever seen me in such fancy attire before." She studied herself in the mirror and added shyly, "Do you think he'll like it?"

Her mother pinned Leia's braid into a bun around the top of her head, allowing the end of the braid to drape down her back.

"Without a doubt. I honestly think he's forgotten you're a princess, but he'll remember tonight."

"Even if he's forgotten I'm a princess, he always treats me like royalty. I've never met anyone besides him who cares about me as much as you and Papa do."

"He's a fine boy, Leia. Can I...have a moment of girl talk with you?"

Leia turned around to face her mother. "Hasn't this been 'girl talk'?"

"Yes, but I never heard about how you fell in love with him. When did you know you loved him?"

Leia stared off wistfully for a moment, and she knew. "The moment when he helped me pick my favorite book off of the floor, and told me he'd read it five times already."

Oliver gaped at Leia as she descended the palace staircase. He was in awe of her beauty, but was more in awe of the beautiful girl on the inside. She carried herself with such poise, and Oliver felt honored to know her, let alone be in love with her.

He extended his hand to her and she took it gracefully. She smiled up at him, and it was infectious. He broke out into a grin and stammered, "G-good evening, Princess Leia. May I say that you look stunning tonight?"

Leia blushed furiously. She could say the same about him, having never seen him in a suit before. He looked like a prince from one of her fantasy novels.

The evening was moving along perfectly. Leia danced as many times as possible with Oliver and rubbed elbows with senators and dignitaries that she would be working with in the near future. She was about to get some food when her father pulled her aside.

"Leia, I think you should make a little speech. Thanking your guests, talking about your aspirations for the Senate, and so on."

Leia gulped, but she knew she would have to get used to speaking in front of senators sooner or later. She returned to her table and clinked on her glass to call attention.

"Hello everyone, thank you all so much for attending this lovely party this evening. I am beyond thrilled to begin my approach to the Senate with the junior senator program. I have observed my father in the Senate since before I could talk, and he always inspired me to pursue a similar course with my life. I want to join the Senate because I want to make a difference for the galaxy. Beautiful as our galaxy is, all of life connected by stars and planets, it is flawed. There is so much good that can be brought into the galaxy, and even if I only create a speck of change throughout my life, I will be happy. Thank you again for coming, and I hope to see you all in the Senate soon."

The guests applauded fervently and Leia breathed a sigh of relief. Her first speech to the Senate was a success. She sat down and finally began to eat the food she had taken. Before she could take three bites, a man approached her table. Leia vaguely recognized him; it was Senator Hafeth. He was a younger senator, most likely in his thirties. Leia knew little about him, her father had only mentioned him once or twice in passing.

"Lovely speech, Princess Leia. I was wondering if I could have a dance with you?"

Leia nodded, knowing it was impolite as royalty to turn down a dance. The pair danced in silence for a while, before the senator pulled Leia in closer than she was comfortable. His mouth was right by her ear, and he began to speak.

"I know what your true intentions are, Princess Leia." He spat out her title as if it was a vulgar word.

Beginning to panic, Leia tried to push him away. "I think I've had enough dancing for one evening," she tried to say politely. But his grip on her was too strong.

"I know that you plan to take down the Empire. That you have glorious dreams of victory, that your father's pathetic Rebel Alliance will restore peace to the galaxy. But I also know that scum like you can't possibly come close to defeating the Emperor."

Leia was truly afraid now. "Let me go, please."

"I am also aware of a little secret of yours, Princess. Your Force sensitivity." Leia gasped and stopped struggling against him out of shock.

"How do you know about that?" She spat.

Senator Hafeth ignored her question and continued, "I hope the Emperor never hears about that, he'll have you terminated in a second. I've also heard that you have a hard time controlling it, that you get a little dark sometimes. Who knows, maybe we have a Lady Vader in our midst-"

Before Leia knew what she was doing, rage took over her. She thrust out her hand and pushed Senator Hafeth across the ballroom, the Force pulsating between her hand and his chest. He slid right into a table, knocking some china onto the floor. The room went silent, and Leia became aware of herself again. She stared mortified at the senator, then glanced around at all of the people gawking at her, including her parents. Leia let out a whimper and dashed out of the ballroom, tripping over her white gown as she left.