Chapter Seven

Word had come to me through Master Yoda that he required my presence at the north garden at midnight. He also had suggested that I have my mind made up about this whole sobatí nonsense. My words, not his.

The thing is, I'd already made up my mind. Any doubt had been erased by Obi-Wan's highly irresponsible behavior in the throne room when he essentially murdered one of my people! The man was grieving! He had lost touch with reality. All he needed was someone to show how much they cared about his loss and to offer him some guidance. I was going to do that, but I wasn't given a chance! Any opportunity had been stolen from me through the aggressive nature of that Jedi!

Why would I want to associate myself with someone like that? Someone who so quickly jumped to conclusions and didn't even allow an opportunity for negotiation?

My answer was no. It was no now and three hours from now when I would meet them in the garden, it would still be no! If I even showed. I was tired and I needed sleep. If I didn't show, would they regard my absence as a dismissal?

On second thought, I ought to at least present myself to honor Master Yoda at least. It wouldn't look dignified if I didn't.

"Mi'Lady?"

It was Sabé who opened my door and smiled at me.

"May I come in and speak with you?"

"Of course," I told her before sitting down at the vanity to begin the process of cleaning my face.

"Allow me," my handmaiden offered, using a moistened cloth to remove the white and red face paint with its unique symbols including the Scar of Remembrance.

While she worked, I tried to relax although my head was filled with anxious and angry thoughts.

"Your family worries about you," Sabé spoke quietly as she continued. "I've heard your mother speak of concern for your safety, aside from the precautions we take."

What she was saying was true. My family was both proud and nervous when I was elected Queen of Naboo. I'll admit to avoiding contact with my mother because of her need for constant reassurance that her youngest daughter was safe.

I hadn't known Sabé that long, but I was beginning to learn that she didn't speak much unless she was trying to make a point. My concern was what that was going to be and I was hoping it wasn't what I thought it was.

"Just imagine," she applied a lotion to moisturize my skin, taking the time to massage the muscles of my jaw. "How much of her worry you could eliminate with your own personal Jedi Knight on staff. Constantly at your side, protecting you day and night."

"I don't need a Jedi Knight as a bodyguard," I assured her. "I have handmaidens and my own personal security team. They have provided the required security for every leader throughout Naboo's history."

I had thought my answer was going to satisfy her, but when spun me around in my seat and pulled another chair up to sit in front of me, I knew I'd been wrong.

"You and I both know these are dangerous times. The Trade Federation's bold move to invade Naboo is evidence of that. We agreed they are too cowardly to ever attempt such a thing on their own, so who was behind it? There's something evil out there, Mi'Lady. I know you can feel it."

I knew what she was talking about. Even the appearance of the Sith warrior who attacked the Jedi was a sign of a change I understood very little about. But I could feel it. Something had been lost, although I couldn't quite put my finger on exactly what that was. It was bothering me enough, however, that I needed to talk to someone about it, and there was no one else I trusted more than my First.

"Senator Palpatine's election as Chancellor," I began, trying to organize my thoughts. How could I explain to her what I was feeling?

"What a blessing that was," Sabé interjected. "It's good to know that we have such support in the Senate."

"Do we?" I asked her sincerely. "Don't you think it was a little convenient that he convinced us to call for a Vote of No Confidence in Chancellor Vallorum only to turn around and be elected Chancellor himself?"

Sabé gazed at me with newfound concern. "I never thought about it that way. Do you really think he's capable of something like that?"

During my short life, I had met a lot of politicians who were capable of far worse. I hated to think the Palpatine was one of them. I had known him all my life and he had been one of the leaders of Naboo who had recommended me to the election committee. However, over the years, something had changed about him. Whether he'd been influenced by the corruption in the Senate or his time spent on Coruscant, he wasn't the same man I once knew. His presence now raised suspicion.

"I don't think he'd be the first politician to use others as leverage to gain authority and he won't be the last," I answered her.

"But surely, we can trust him. Can't we? He would never do us harm. He's one of us."

I wasn't so sure about that. Not any longer. I decided to change the subject, just in case my feelings were incorrect.

"I have three hours until I meet with the Jedi. If I'm understanding correctly, you think I should accept this young man into our lives? Based on the fact he's a Jedi alone?"

"No, not exactly," Sabé teased as she rose from her seat and began to undo the clasps that were holding my hair. "He's also pretty cute. Don't tell me you didn't notice."

Of course, I'd noticed, but that was beside the point. "I'm not blind, but I'm also not willing to have someone that antagonistic hanging around me all the time."

"Is that what's upsetting you? Mi'Lady, in my honest opinion, that poor farmer was distraught and came here intended on creating havoc. He wanted someone to pay for his loss and you were his target. I've seen it before. I know how much you care and I admire that, but sometimes, there's nothing you can do. That Jedi saved us all."

I listened, although I didn't necessarily agree with my handmaiden's opinion. Something else could've and should've been done. That poor man didn't deserve to die.

"I'll consider your words, Sabé," I told her quietly. "I'm tired and would like to rest before I have to meet with the Jedi."

"Of course, Mi'Lady," she told me before re-organizing the vanity and setting out my evening attire, a less bulky velvet gown that didn't have so many wires and corsets pulling and poking me. "I'll make sure you're not disturbed."

"Thank you," I offered before changing.

No sooner had I pulled the gown over my head and ran a brush through my long hair, was there a knock on the door. It was Sabé who once again poked her head into my room. Now what?

"So sorry, MI'Lady, but there's someone here who wishes to speak with you."

I nodded my head to offer an audience only to be quite surprised to see who came through the door. Hovered in, more like it. Qui-Gon Jinn, who was still quite incapacitated floated through unaccompanied, seated in a hoverchair. His color had improved but I thought it was far too soon for him to have been released from the Med Center. No doubt, he had discharged himself on his own recognizance.

"Master Jinn," I said as friendly as I could. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Pardon my intrusion, Your Highness," he spoke kindly, although I could easily see lines of worry along his wide brow. "We need to talk."