Eclypsa was only trying to be civil, serving him tea as her job and he just had to remind her so bluntly that there was no affection for her in his life. Didn't he already make that abundantly clear during our wedding? And our anniversary? Why did he keep repeating himself when she had reassured him time and time again that she would not desire anything from him? And what about last night? She had thought they were making so much headway in their relationship but now a rift the size of a parsec stretched between them.
Upset and confused, she walked quickly back to her rooms. On the way, she twisted her hands together until her knuckles hurt. "Empress?" She turned and immediately pasted a smile on.
"General Tano," Eclysa greeted the tall Togruta. "Call me Ahsoka. You forgot your teapot in the Emperor's quarters." Eclypsa stiffened in surprise, she usually never made errors like this. The Emperor was upsetting her more than she realized.
"Tell the Emperor I will send someone to retrieve it tomorrow morning. Do covey my apologies to his Highness." She recovered quickly.
"Well, Emperor Anakin requests your presence for tea tomorrow." Ahsoka smiled at her encouragingly.
"I'll be happy to come." Eclypsa lied. It's not like I have a choice. Ahsoka saw right through her façade. "Please give him a chance. He's not always awful," she smiled but Eclypsa wasn't convinced.
"Sleep well, Ahsoka." She gave Ahsoka a graceful nod in dismissal and continued back to her quarters. After quietly dismissing Rex, she went into her rooms and locked the door after her.
Eclypsa wrestled with the cumbersome skirt and quickly got tangled in the cloth. Of course this happens to me, she thought, wriggling with frustration. The more she moved the more she was caught and claustrophobia clawed at her mind. Stars, I can't call in Kira, it's so late and embarrassing to be caught in a simple dress.
Finally she got out of her fine dress and flung it off in a fit of violence unbecoming for an Empress. Strands of raven hair slipped from their formerly neat bun and clung to her face and neck. "Duty, honor, what nonsense," she spat in contempt addressing the dress. "For these silly words, I'm getting verbally abused by that horrible Emperor!" Eclypsa kicked off her heels in frustration. In the past as former Countess, her duties involved being eloquent and urbane, able to hold scintillating conversations. "I have a degree in Law, studied at the most prestigious University in the galaxy. I saved the economy! I can play the lute for Kriff's sake! And yet, and yet none of my achievements mattered to him." She spoke. It felt freeing to admit it at last. To finally admit that she wasn't happy.
All of what she did and accomplished didn't gain her any favors with her husband. It's been 2 years and only the explosion had thrown them together. "I don't matter to him," Eclypsa whispered, tears finally coming. She slid down the door and sat on the ground feeling so alone in her lavish, beautiful cage.
XXXX
Anakin was so guilt-ridden that he couldn't leave his last interaction with the Empress like that. Resolved, he went to her quarters. He slipped past the guard and walked quietly through the salon to her personal bedroom. He raised his hand to knock but froze when he heard a choked sob. Immediately alarm rose in him and he tried the handle. Locked.
"Duty, honor, for these silly words, I'm getting verbally abused by that horrible Emperor." He paused, listening hard. "I have a degree in Law, studied at the most prestigious University in the galaxy. I saved the economy! I can play the lute for Kriff's sake! And yet, and yet none of my achievements mattered to him" Anakin slowly knelt, her words crushing him. "I don't matter to him," her whisper floated to him through the door. Anakin bit his lip, he felt truly awful. He really was a monster, everyone was right.
"Why should that matter?" he heard her stand up. "I'm fine, I don't need his approval! I wish he was a bit more civil." She sniffed and that sound stabbed at his conscience. "Tomorrow will be better." He heard her move away. "It's going to be a new day."
Anakin rested his forehead against the door debating whether he should speak up. He heard the door to her bathroom close and water run as she filled the tub. What now? He could leave but he came all the way to her rooms to apologize. I'm going to speak to her when she gets out. Resolved he sat down, back against the door, waiting.
He and Eclypsa were such a dichotomy. Anakin knew he had a terrible temper and often acted on his emotions before thinking things through. Empress Eclypsa on the other hand, was always poised, perfect, and unflappable. Nothing made her angry and nothing made her happy. She was as relatable as a marble statue. Flawless and cold. She was always so elegantly composed that he never considered that her feelings could be hurt.
It made it worse that he was the one who could break down her shields and make her cry. What was he going to say? Wrapping his arms around his knees, Anakin rested his chin on his knees and his eyes caught a painting. It was curious for his wife to have such a moody painting in her cheerful sitting room. The gray-blue of the waves crashing upon a lone ship clashed with the room's color. He felt like that ship, tossed about hither and yon. His wife still hasn't come out and Anakin closed his eyes, waiting.
XXXXX
The next day, Eclypsa woke up and got ready in a daze. She didn't sleep well and the day was going to be a long one. Half asleep, she wondered why Kira didn't arrive to dress her. Pulling a simple rose dress over her head, she tied the sash herself. She quickly applied her makeup, concealing her dark circles and slipped on a pair of heels. Opening the door, she stepped through the threshold and immediately tripped over a figure and landed on top of it.
Pain shot through her elbow but Eclypsa ignored it. She screamed for Rex and scrambled away from the groggy figure before recognizing her husband.
"Y-Your majesty! What are you doing here? Why are you on the floor?!" she stuttered.
Her husband opened bleary blue eyes and ran a hand through his curls, making them stand up wildly and all over the place. "I guess I fell asleep. I had to talk to you."
"Tell me later, Rex is coming! It's not proper that you are here!" She pushed him into her bedroom and closed it behind him.
Rex came running and burst in, his blaster ready. Eclypsa made some weak excuse that a spider was in the room and pointing around wildly. Rex who was used to his lady's calm and levelheadedness looked at her suspiciously but did as she requested and looked around for the wayward spider.
"I don't see one but Empress, the minister of health is waiting for you," he bowed.
"Yes, tell him I am coming but I might be late, I have a private matter to attend to." Eclypsa smoothed her dress and looked at Rex steadily. The man stiffened and bowed again.
Once he left she let out a sigh and opened the door. Her rumpled husband smiled at her. She really didn't have time for this. "Your Majesty, I'm not going to ask why you were sleeping outside my door but I have things to do. What do you need from me?" she asked succinctly but as politely as she could. "I don't need anything," he frowned leaning on her doorframe. "Is that what you think of me?" Eclypsa didn't sigh exactly but let out a breath more forcefully. "Sire, please."
"I need to, no I want, no. I'm sorry." The Emperor maundered. Eclypsa stared at him in incomprehension. This was too early in the for her to try to puzzle out her husband without coffee.
"Can we talk later? I have an engagement," she rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"No, it has to be now," the Emperor gripped her shoulders, making her jump. "I'm sorry for the way I've treated you. Last night, I was trying to give you a compliment, despite what I said during our wedding."
Her husband stared, his eyes shining feverishly. His intensity made her too nervous to understand his words.
"It's alright. Please, get some sleep your Highness," Eclypsa removed his hands. "Go," she gently chivvied him out of her rooms.
"Wait, we're still having tea right? He balked at her door. "Yes, I haven't forgotten." Eclypsa pushed him out and followed him. Rex stood waiting and gave her a look seeing her husband leave her rooms. Eclypsa refused to feel embarrassed, this was her husband after all.
"Lead on," she gestured.
Eclypsa's day passed quickly with meeting with various doctors, scientists, and ministers. She was satisfied with the plan to slowly shut the planet down and to put in place preventative measures. Of course in the future, the citizens of Coruscant will chafe at the restrictions in place but hopefully by that time, a treatment will be created.
She finally leaned back at her desk rubbing her temples. Eclypsa had so many things to do but when she checked the clock, it was tea time. Eclypsa got changed into a loose dress the color of lilacs. The dress was light and flowy, perfect for an autumn afternoon. The only nod to style was the off shoulder flutter sleeves. Kira touched up her minimal makeup and sprayed her with perfume as a final touch. Eclypsa surveyed herself, she looked understated, perfect. Refreshed, she summoned Natalie.
Natalie bounced in, beaming. Kira tsked disapprovingly. "You didn't curtsy for her Majesty." Natalie looked down but Eclypsa waved away Kira's annoyance with one hand. "How is she going to act in front of the Emperor?" Kira protested. "She'll be fine," Eclypsa smiled.
"What did you need me for, Eclypsa? Er, Your Highness?" Natalie corrected herself at Kira's glare.
"Let's have tea!" Eclypsa smiled beatifically.
"Sure! I'd be happy to join you," Natalie replied.
"Excellent, Kira please get her dressed. In the pastel backless dress please," Eclypsa requested.
"Your Majesty!" Kira looked shell shocked.
"Please," Eclypsa said firmly.
"But, it was a gift from-" Kira crossed her arms in protest.
"Kira." Eclypsa's voice brooked no argument.
"Yes, your Majesty." Kira bowed and ushered Natalie away.
Eclypsa pressed her palms together in pleasure. The dress she chose was stunning and the cut was quite daring. Her husband wouldn't be able to look away! She knew they had a connection, Eclypsa saw it herself! She saw the look on their faces. She couldn't let this chance slip away. All they needed was a nudge in the right direction and Eclypa was there to fan the flames of romance. I must bring them together, this tea party has to be perfect!
Natalie appeared dressed in one of Eclypsa's gowns. It was a soft pastel dress in the colors of the dawn. Silver accents held the dress to Natalie's throat and arms. The back plunged daringly low and the skirt was cinched tight, showing off Natalie's small waist. "How wonderful, you look lovely darling." She purred. "I'm glad we are around the same size!"
The maids glared at Natalie, wondering why the Empress was doing this. The Emperor's attention would be on this woman instead of the Empress. "She shouldn't upstage you your Majesty," Kira frowned.
"Please, she's a guest, she deserves something nice. Enough of that, let us enjoy the afternoon."
Xxx
The afternoon sun highlighted Natalie's glossy chestnut hair and sparkled in her eyes. The Emperor escorted Natalie into the garden and they shared a tender moment. Flowers framed them like a portrait and Eclypsa faded into the background. She didn't care, soon she would be free to live the way she wanted. Or so she thought.
Eclypsa raised the bone china to her lips and took a sip of cold tea amidst the awkward silence. She sighed in disappointment. When she arrived with Natalie in tow, the Emperor glared Natalie and demanded why she was there. He was on the verge of dismissing her but Eclypsa stepped in and said that Natalie was her guest and was being shown around. Now they sat amidst uneaten snacks and an uncomfortable atmosphere.
To her credit, Natalie tried to smooth things over and filled the silence with endless chatter that Eclypsa did her best to keep up with and include the Emperor but her husband remained in stony silence. He refused to meet her eyes.
She stood at last drawing 2 pairs of eyes. She couldn't stand another minute of this unbearable tension.
"Please excuse me, Your Majesty, Natalie but I'm afraid my duties call me away. I have a meeting with the Surgeon General at 2:15." She curtsied and tried to leave but the Emperor rose as well.
"Excuse me Natalie, I need to be at this meeting as well. Empress, allow me to escort you."
Eclypsa's pretty smile froze. What? He was supposed to stay with Natalie. How else were they supposed to fall in love. Did she read them wrong? She peeked at Natalie who was staring starry-eyed at her husband. I didn't read her wrong, she hesitated.
The Emperor offered her his elbow and she had no choice but to take his arm. He led her into the palace.
"You don't need to be at this meeting, sire." Eclypsa resisted his forward motion and pulled him to a stop.
Her husband rolled his eyes. "You don't have to call me sire. Call me Anakin."
Eclypsa was confused. "Is that a command?"
The Emperor stopped in astonishment and looked down at her. "What? No, I just thought it would make us less strangers."
Eclypsa pulled her hand from his arm and studied his face. "Less? Your majesty, we have been in contract for the past year." She carefully avoided the word marriage. "We have been getting along fine," she lied. "Why change things? What exactly do you want your Majesty?" Eclypsa asked bluntly. She was tired of dancing around her husband and trying to read into his every word and action.
His sculpted features clouded. "Is that how it is?"
"What am I doing that displeases you?" Eclypsa furrowed her brows, mentally preparing herself for the words that would hurt her this time.
XXXX
"What am I doing that displeases you?" Eclypsa's fine features usually schooled in a pleasant expression was twisted in confusion and hurt which struck at Anakin's conscience like a blaster bolt to the chest.
"Nothing, nothing that you do displeases me," he stuttered.
"Then what changed?" She persisted, stepping away from him. The afternoon light streamed around her illuminating the contours of her body and making her raven hair shine.
"I changed!" He snapped making her take a step back.
I'm so bad at this he groaned to himself. Anakin darted forwards and grabbed her right hand, clasping it in his. "I want to tell you, I don't hate you, I-" Padme's face emerged and he faltered. "I- I'm invested in you," he finished lamely.
XXX
Invested? Eclypsa cringed. He was really bad with words but if he really meant what she was thinking, that was going to complicate a lot of things.
"I'm flattered," She said at last. "Emperor," she paused at his fallen expression. "Anakin," she conceded and was rewarded with a small crooked smile that made her heart skip a beat. There wasn't any adequate response she could give him at the moment so she suggested, "Let's meet the Surgeon General, first."
The meeting with the Surgeon General was mercifully brief, probably due to her husband's intimidating presence, but welcome. A cure has been developed and now the next steps were how to mass produce it and distribute it. Eclypsa was elated. She had been so worried about the situation and she was pleasantly surprised that a cure was developed so quickly.
"How did you develop it?" the Emperor asked curiously.
"An outdated treatment was improved upon and we have already moved to human trials, the next step is to begin treating other species but we are having a lot of success," the man smiled tiredly.
"Truly, this is fantastic news," Eclypsa clasped her hands together. "If you need anything, please let us know." The doctor bowed and took his leave.
Eclypsa and Anakin let out a breath of relief. He smiled at her and Eclypsa returned, it seemed like her luck was changing.