The brief talk with Cassandra had bothered me more then it should have.

Why?

We were not friends , nor did we talk on a daily occasion. I spoke more with Paris! But it did bother me in a odd sort of way.

I needed to speak with Padme!

On my way to my quarters I went by the court, which was still being held.

I then walked quickly through the halls.

Under the watchful eye of the palace guard , had I not befriended their Captain , I wouldn't be able to slip out on my own. Three years of marriage and I was still under Hecuba's eye.

Coming to the door that lead to my bedroom , the guard stepped aside. Knodding to some unseen guard in the hall behind me. No doubt would word get back to the Queen of my where-abouts. If I ever forgot where I went in a day , I would surely find out from her.

I closed the door behind me , too bothered to be angry about it.

No longer under a watchful eye I shouted for Padme.

Pulling the crown of leaves from my head , I looked into the open doorways.

My loom in one room , Hector's Office in another , among other rooms.

"Padme!" I shouted , seeing a shadow fall onto the wall , my heart was at ease.

Until the shadow turned to a man.

Paris.

Quickly he came out of the bedroom I had given Padme.

"Andromache! I was just looking for you! How are you dear sister of mine?"

Angrily I glared , no longer under anyone's eye , "What are you doing here? Your not allowed in these quarters without Hector!"

Paris navigated his way around me , "Speaking of such , have you seen my dear brother? I knew you would know of his where-abouts."

Angrily I threw the crown at him , "Paris I swear by all that is holy! Touch my handmaiden and you'll be unable to touch another woman!"

Paris easily avoided the crown , though he had much practice I was sure.

Ask any of my brothers , and they will tell you I had a temper.

Ask Paris and he will say I was violent.

I chased him down the hall.

Grabbing ahold of his woven shirt , I shoved him into the wall , "PARIS!"

Spinning him around to face me , he quickly covered his delicate area with his hands. "Fine! But it is your own fault for having such a handmaiden!"

Angrily I smacked his face , "If My Handmaiden Is With Child In A Month!" I had threatened him before , many many times.

"She won't be! I never touched her!" Paris cried , I hadn't hit him hard enough to bruise him.

"Oh?" I demanded.

Paris nodded , "She is not in your chambers."

I narrowed my eyes in doubt.

His story was true as the door opened , and Padme came in the hall. A tray of fruits and dried meat on a platter. Her eyes narrowed at Paris , "Why are you here? If Hector finds you here he'll bruise you from head to toe!"

I shoved him towards the open door.

Paris turned back to me , "Speaking of such , would you tell him I need a word?"

Pushing him through the door , "Speak to him yourself tonight at his feast."

Paris turned around , putting his foot in the doorway. Not allowing me to close it.

I narrowed my eyes again.

"You're not angry?" he asked , not trying to charm me or such.

I smiled at the youth , he was not yet a man , no longer a boy.

Caught between.

"No." I assured him , it wouldn't due to frighten off one of my few friends. I had many acquaintances as wife of Hector , few friends.

Paris's face lite up in a true smile.

I closed the door.

Turning to Padme who stood with a cocked eyebrow , hand upon her hip.

I went to her taking a handful of grapes from the tray. "Quit leading him on!"

Padme was the same age as I , having a more exotic beauty then myself , drawing many eyes.

"Very well." Padme sighed , following me into a sitting room. A massive room with a few couches , a small table and chairs , the drapes on the one wall pulled aside.

The balcony.

Revealing a stunning view of the ocean outside.

Padme sat the tray down on the table. Picking a piece of dried meat from the tray for herself. She sat down on the couch to eat it.

I walked to the balcony , peering down at the gardens below. "I spoke to Cassandra."

Padme glanced up , her interest perked , "I did not know she spoke."

I didn't answer that comment. Padme could be harsh at sometimes.

"What did you two speak of?" Padme asked.

I looked at the ocean , "She told me she heard Hector's screams."

Padme lept to her feet , "What?! That Witch Has Spies! I told you!"

Quickly I turned , "Hush!"

Padme glanced around the room nervously.

"I have seen what you keep in your room. Do not be so quick to accuse a person of witchcraft. Remember I am bound to these women for life , Padme." I told her.

Padme was silent for a moment.

Whether she was contemplating what I thought of her hidden box, or my telling her to behave herself, Padme finally asked, "And?"

"And what? We did not speak for a long time , I hardly spoke at all. She just told me that , then Hecuba came."

Padme murmured , "The true bi,"

"PADME!" I scolded.

Padme looked at me with surprise.

"If I can behave myself you can to!" I told her.

Earning myself a eyeroll in return , Padme quickly swallowed the meat , getting up with the grace of Aphrodite herself. "True. But I am your handmaiden and it is not my job to behave. It is my job to keep you happy , so you can keep your husband happy , so he can keep the King happy , so the King can rule and keep his wife happy , so she can make you miserable."

I stared at her for a moment , "Don't eat anymore of that meat."

Padme rolled her eyes again.

The sound of the door opening again made my heart swell. Was it Hector?

Padme quickly ran to my side taking my crown from her robe.

She set it upon my head quickly. Pulling my hair in the rushed movement.

As the feet grew closer , I grew excited. Padme smacked my cheeks painfully! Drawing a red color onto them. I backed into the balconys marble side. Padme began to pinch my lips , hissing , "No one said beauty if painless! Hold still."

I tried to shove her aside , "Why? So you can blacken my eyes?!"

Padme smacked my cheeks again! I swatted them aside when she looked towards my breasts. "Stop that!"

Hector stood in the doorway , his brown eyes falling upon me. I'll never know if he noticed my red cheeks or swollen lips.

"Padme." Hector spoke softly.

Padme spun around quickly , dipping her head in respect as she rushed from the room.

Never looking once at Padme who even drew looks from holymen. His eyes watched me walk from the balcony.

Across the room.

Till I came to a stop inches from him.

My heart beating as heavily as on our wedding night.

Unlike our wedding night I undressed him.

Taking him into the bedroom , I took his armor off.

Piece by piece.

Setting it on its stand.

Until he stood before me in the simple blue woven cloth.

And then nothing at all.