CHAPTER 1

IT WAS A MUCH NEEDED REST for Sosha Soruna. Having successfully stopped Operation: Cinder from succeeding in utterly devastating her homeworld, a month away from palace life in Theed was exactly what the doctor ordered. Literally. Her physician was almost commanding her to take a month of rest.

"Your nerves are shot, Your Majesty," he said in his usual monotone voice. "The lake country is exactly what you need."

"I'd almost call this insubordination, Dr. Patal, if I didn't actually agree with you!" The Queen shot a playful smile at the middle-aged man, whose expression remained as robotic and motionless as ever.

After all, she supposed, who else could really give a command to the Queen of Naboo but her own physician?

"You may continue in your daily duties, ma'am, but only moderately."

Moderately. Ha!

"Of course. Thank you, Doctor."

Mechanically and methodically, Dr. Patal made his way out of the Queen's private quarters. She laid back against her plush, fluffy silk pillow, and closed her eyes. She felt her head spin as she did so. It seemed as if rest was a concept totally foreign to her, and yet here she was, enjoying every moment of it.

It had seemed like only yesterday when the teenaged Sosha Soruna had been elected Princess of Theed not long after her education at the Royal Academy had been completed. She had shown such tremendous promise at the Academy, and had so impressed her teachers, that her name was put forward immediately for electoral consideration.

With the lasting impressions made by Queen Amidala of most happy memory, there had only ever been a long succession of young women elected as princesses of Theed and queens of Naboo. Sosha Soruna would be no exception. At least, not in the minds of the Naboo.

For young Sosha, however, while it was a tremendous honor to have been elected Princess of Theed, a position that would inevitably lead to her election as Queen, she had felt the pressure almost immediately. She wanted to live up to the expectations of her people, as well as the legacy left behind by such veteran heroes as Amidala, Neeyutnee, and even Queen Apailana, who had ruled over Naboo during the terror days of the Galactic Empire, when another native of Naboo, Sheev Palpatine, declared himself Galactic Emperor and established his regime of terror over the entire galaxy.

That Sosha Soruna would be elected Queen of Naboo during the collapse of the totalitarian Galactic Empire added to the already mounting pressures she had to face in government. She succeeded the fairly timid Queen Dalné, who had been more than relieved to yield her duties and responsibilities to her successor, bringing along with it several unresolved planetary issues. And add to that the constant watchful eye of Moff Irramis Skeloska, successor of the late Quarsh Panaka, who had been a former captain of the Queen's Guard before dedicating his full allegiance to the Empire, there was never any easy feeling while she dwelled in the Royal Palace. While the Empire had limped away to lick its wounds after the successful counterstrike against Operation: Cinder, Moff Skeloska made sure his presence was still felt in the Chommell Sector.

Yet Queen Soruna was not without those whom she held most dear, either. She was surrounded by close friends whom she had chosen to be her handmaidens. These girls were highly educated and trained in combat to a fault. By her own insistence, they were also licensed pilots, since this was something she had wanted to learn ever since she was a little girl, when she had first heard of the great heroic deeds of her predecessors, selflessly fighting to defend the liberties and democracy of their beloved homeworld.

And most importantly, the Queen had always nearby her lover, her husband, Governor Ayken Sallow. They had gone through the Royal Academy together, had developed their relationship and love for one another, and, in secret, had married each other, both aged seventeen, right before their election. Though it was not a rule set in stone that the monarch of Naboo should be single, it was accepted as the norm, only because the people felt that the monarch should be wholly devoted to governance without any possibility of distraction, married, more or less, to Naboo itself.

With the mounting anxiety and pressure afflicting her, Sosha Soruna ensured that her beloved would be by her side at every turn. Though not as ambitious as she was, Ayken was no less committed. As a result of his dedication, he was successfully elected Governor at the same time as her election as Queen, and while it was not unusual for monarch and governor to confer frequently with one another over state matters, the fact that they were hardly seen apart had raised some suspicions among veteran politicians and academicians. Yet, no one dared approach the Queen directly about the nature and extent of her relationship with Governor Sallow.

"You can come out now," she said, smiling warmly, her heart skipping a few beats. She rarely had this alone time with her husband, as her every move came under careful watch.

From behind thick curtains, Ayken appeared at last, and flocked to his beloved's side.

"I agree with the Doctor, by the way," he said in his warm, deep voice, gently brushing a bit of her hair aside.

"I can't remain isolated for long. You know that." Sosha's voice quivered slightly as she spoke the words.

"You're conflicted. I get it." He caressed her cheek gently, and kissed her forehead. "But we need our Queen to be as strong as ever. And you can still manage affairs from the beauty of the lake district."

He tucked his wife gently into her bed. The weather was very pleasant, not cold, but the layers of silk felt so wonderful and soothing, gradually lulling her into a peaceful sleep.

She grabbed his hand. "Don't leave me," she pleaded, her eyes locking with his.

He embraced her in a passionate kiss, and continued kissing her cheeks, expressing the depth of his tender love for her. She melted every time he kissed her.

"I can't stay long. They expect me back in Theed. But I will be making a visit out here every day, if I can manage it. You know they'll understand." He smiled coyly.

"Be sure you do. It's your Queen's command!"

"Do I ever disobey my Queen's commands?" Another coy smile. She shuddered. He kissed his wife, then quietly slipped away from her side, just as she began at last to succumb to a necessary sleep, her eyelids shutting peacefully and contentedly.