I sat quietly beside my father and soaked in his conversation with Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. I betrayed no emotion; remaining ever serene in appearance despite the fact that my heart was nothing like the tranquil façade I managed to present to the world.

"We do believe that Queen Teresea was murdered by an assassin in turn hired by the Separatists." Senator Yllian Nafora wiped a hand over his brow in a weary fashion. "I am very aware, Chancellor, that with the emergence of Count Dooku as head of the Separatist movement there may be some conflict within the Jedi Order in regards to investigating our allegations."

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine waved his hand and smiled gently. "Ridiculous! The Jedi Order is loyal to the Republic, not to former members of their own ranks." he raised one steel-gray eyebrow and sighed. "I understand the line of your reasoning, I truly do, old friend, but I can assure you that the Jedi will investigate this matter with the impartiality for which they are famous."

Father nodded and cupped his chin as he collapsed back into his chair. "You must excuse my skepticism, sir, but we on Hesperas have good cause to be wary of the Jedi -- as you know."

My heart was bleeding inside even as my expression remained placid. I would have given anything in that moment to take away the deep lines etched into father's face and the sudden onset of old age that had settled on his shoulders like the cold cloak of an early frost. He had lost the carefree, witty air that he had been famous for not only on Hesperas, but across the Core Worlds.

Yllian Nafora had once been one of the most highly pursued bachelors in the galaxy; handsome, clever, intelligent, and ambitious were all words that described him as a young man. As a member of the royal family on Hesperas Prime, he had had his pick of equally accomplished ladies from the finest families of the nobility of our world, but none among their elite status had captured his fancy.

Indeed, he had sought out Sorona Cala, a formerMinister of Justice on Corellia; a woman widowed and fourteen years his senior. Though beautiful and his equal in every way, Sorona had never been accepted by either the Nafora family or the Hesperasian people as a whole. My mother was once an electedofficial of a proud people and she had been reduced to no better than a mere captive in her own household; she was not even allowed to speak publicly as she was an outworlder… an outsider to be tolerated only.

The very thought of her being sequestered at our Coruscant residence, in the very heart of the Republic, while father and I were free to come and go as we pleased, was enough to send me into a silent rage.

Palpatine was suddenly looking at me with arched brows and an expression of great surprise. He tilted his head slightly and steepled his fingers together before finally speaking. His was wary and his speech slow as he addressed us. "Hesperas is comprised of seven royal houses -- all of whom are descended from dangerous Sith Lords. I must confess, that though I know your people to be loyal, Yllian, there are many others throughout the galaxy that do not share my opinion."

My father blinked and appeared as though he had been dealt a severe physical blow. "The Royal Confederacy of Hesperas has purposely kept our interests centered on our own people and the affairs of our system in order to keep ourselves above suspicion." he leaned forward and splayed out his palms in a pleading gesture that nearly made me wince. "we had no choice in who our forefathers are! The Sith came to Hesperas during their war with the Jedi and seduced innocent Hesperasian maidens and those that could not be seduced were raped in order to slake the lusts of that outworld slime!"

"Father… " I tried to lay my hand upon his shoulder to calm him, but he merely shook me off as though I were one of his servants. My face grew red with shame and I slumped back in my seat.

Yllian Nafora was a man noted for his passions and it was clear to both myself and the man across from me that he was possessed by them at that moment. Purple-faced and breathing heavily, father stood and began to pace before the large windows behind Palpatine's desk. "I and my sister, Teresea, have done everything in our power to connect with the Republic in a manner that would allow others to see that we are a peaceful people and still we are suspected of all sorts of dark deeds!"

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine stood and placed his hand on my father's shoulder, as I had done only a few minutes earlier, but his touch seemed to calm my father more than I could. A pang of jealousy shot through me and I stared hard at the floor in response.

"You must understand that Hesperas has been closed off for so long that the infantile superstitions concerning your people are still considered truths on many worlds." Palpatine sighed and backed away. "The Jedi are not immune to such stories… especially when you have never allowed them entrance into your system. I am aware that there are those on the Jedi Council who believe that your people have an army of Force users comparable to their own order."

Father shook his head and his elbow-length mane of dark hair shimmered in the rich, ambient afternoon light. "I… we do have many Force sensitive citizens, but the majority have no idea how to harness their powers."

"And what about those who are able to use their Force abilities?"

"We would never attack anyone… "

"So you say, but the Jedi Council will need to be convinced of this. I can arrange a meeting… " Palpatine trailed off suggestively with a patient look that for some reason set me on edge.

Father sighed and nodded in such a weary manner that it nearly broke my heart. "Arrange the meeting, my friend. I only pray that we on Hesperas do not regret involving ourselves with the Jedi."

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine smoothed the front of his rich, burgundy colored velvet robes and flashed a reassuring smile at my father. "Yllian, you worry far too much! I believe that the Jedi will respond in a positive manner to a peaceful, one on one meeting between themselves and you. I will have my aide arrange the appointment at once."

There was little more to be said. Father had come to his oldest friend on Coruscant to ask for help in solving his elder sister's murder and had been politely, but firmly rebuffed. I was livid, yet I managed to keep my mouth firmly closed.

It was only when we reached the landing platform outside the senate building that I allowed myself to speak my mind. We had drawn to a stop before our shuttle when I reached out timidly and laid my hand upon my father's arm.

The feel of his silken robes rustling against the pads of my fingertips and the raw strength of his sinew, muscle, and bone caused me to draw back my hand. I had become all too daring recently. No Hesperasian touched another unless fully invited to do so -- otherwise, the touch was considered rude beyond the pale.

I blushed and turned away from my father. It was easier to watch the ships traveling overhead in the crowded space lanes than to look upon the man who had helped create me… my new king. "Father," I began in a soft, unsteady voice. "should we trust the Chancellor without question on this matter? I could feel that he was being deceitful on some level."

Strong, gentle fingers grasped my chin and forced me to gaze deeply into Yllian Nafora's eyes. Hypnotizing, deep blue orbs the shade of the deepest, clearest sapphire stared hard into mine. Like all Hesperasians, myself included, his eyes had large black pupils that did not react like other human eyes did in different light sources; the pupils of our eyes remained the same size and a thin, diaphanous lens would lower from the eye-socket and block out harmful light by covering the whole eye.

The result was that Hesperasians were known throughout the galaxy for having a piercing stare which could frighten many but the bravest of creatures.

"My child," he began softly. "I know that Palpatine is lying to us, but I was not strong enough to discern on what level or to what degree." Sighing, father patted my cheek and let his hand fall away from my face. "I fear that we will simply need to yield on this matter. I must have independent investigators begin to look into Teresea's death before we return to Hesperas for the coronation."

I followed him aboard the shuttle and nodded politely to the black-garbed guard who sealed the door behind us. "To King Yllian's residence," I offered in a soft, but commanding voice.

The young Hesperasian returned the nod and hurried to the cockpit.

Father was slumped forward in his seat, his hands pressed tightly over his face, when I sat across from him. It was a rare sight to see such a strong man so devastated. I had never seen my father so much as tear up over a melancholy holovid, but my aunt's assassination had taken away his very essence, his joy for life; in my father's place, sitting in his skin and clothes, staring out from his eyes was a man that I did not know.

I was afraid as I sat across from him.

He looked up at me with tears shining in his eyes. "I want you to come with me to the Jedi Council meeting, Kadal. I think it would be prudent for you to begin to learn the ways of this outworlders galaxy as soon as possible. Have you spoken with Erron lately?"

My face reddened, but I held his gaze. "Father, I think this betrothal was hasty… "

"You will marry Erron Organa," father insisted in a voice of durasteel. "The banners were proclaimed and the treaties have been signed. This is a chance for our people to be united with the people of Alderaan. Hesperas needs influential, powerful allies that share the same values of peace."

"I do not love him."

He sighed and clasped his knees until his knuckles turned white. "Love is always to be desired in a marriage partner, but there are times when the security and commitment to your people take precedence over emotion. Erron is a good man, I have no doubt that one day you will learn to love him. Senator Organa has told me that his cousin is very taken with you and that he might be willing to give up his commission in the Republic Navy. If he is willing to sacrifice for you so early in the betrothal, I believe that he will make you a splendid mate."

I looked out the window and watched the buildings flashing by like quicksilver ripples in my favorite pond back home. I yearned to return to the misty, cool, mountainous planet of my birth and escape from the durasteel and glass prison of this unnatural world. "I will never love Erron."

There was a great sigh of exasperation from the man across from me. "And why not?"

"I love another." The answer was simple, but the reasoning behind it was anything but.

"Who?" Father's voice was cold with disbelief and anger.

I hesitated, remembering my heated dreams of this mysterious man, before answering him. "I do not know who he is, but I know who he is not. I cannot bind myself to a man that I do not love."

"People do it everyday across this galaxy."

"You didn't," I answered simply.

"Kadal," father began. "this has been decided and you will accept this marriage as what is best for you and your people. I will not hear another word on this matter."

My mouth suddenly was flooded with the same bitterness that was in my heart. "Will I not now be considered a traitor by the other Royal Houses? They do not approve of our women entering marriages with outworlders as you know well."

He stared hard at me and deliberately turned his face away from me. His eyes studied the buildings we passed by and the expression on his face was impassive. "We will speak more about this after the evening meal, child, and not a moment before."

I had always known when my words had struck a nerve because father's reaction had always been to turn away. I took heed of his posture and said nothing further; instead choosing to comfort myself with the idea of taking counsel with my mother at the first opportunity.

She is wise… she will help me soothe away father's grief and ease him into accepting my refusal to marry Erron Organa.

The official residence of the Senator of Hesperas was magnificent even by Hesperasian standards. The building was located in the most exclusive residential quadrant on Coruscant and was not far from the Government quarter. Most senators lived in this area as did many of the richest beings in the galaxy and security was tight.

Tall, the elegant tower of black glass was thick at the bottom and ended in a thin spire. At the top of that spire was my father's office and a reception room that he used to entertain other politicians from the senate. The grandeur never failed to take their breath away and I was proud of my home away from home. There were fifty-five stories in all and every centimeter of the place proclaimed the majesty of Hesperas. The landing platform was a free floating, anti-grav style that was attached to the tower by a long bridge of titanium arches and flowered scrolls that led one directly into the twenty-first floor.

Our personal quarters were on the fiftieth and fifty-first floors. The other floors were dedicated to the large Hesperasian delegation of aides that served my father as well as all the Hesperasian security forces to protect us and staff needed to run the building. There was a solarium on the thirty-fifth floor that was a recreation of a large Hesperasian park. A gymnasium took up the fifteenth floor and a huge entertainment complex was stationed on the twentieth floor.

One of my favorite places in the tower was the exquisite chapel on the forty-ninth floor that was made of black granite and decorated with painstakingly created silver vines and amethyst grapes mounted on the walls; the design was to remind us of Hesperas' humble beginnings as a planet of simple wine producers and merchants. The work by our artisans was so realistic that I fully expected to smell the warmth of the rich, chocolate-colored Hesperasian soil and feel the coolness of the breeze that danced through the vineyards of our world.

It was awkward for me to see both the serving staff and my father's aides dropping to their knees as we swept by them. Father's long black robes swished as he raised his hand, forefinger and middle finger pointed straight, and slashed downwards at each person we met. The simple gesture was an acknowledgment of their respect and also a benediction of sorts; our people's history was rich with stories of our monarchs having great power to bless or to curse.

I knew full well that because our royal houses were filled with Force sensitives that many of the stories were real. As with any system, we had our share of both good and wicked rulers. With the laws on Hesperas reflecting the values of peace and wisdom; few among the ruling class dared use their power, let alone use the Force for ill.

Jarus Galavox, one of my many cousins, stood waiting silently in our private reception room. He was the same height as my father with a long mane of hair the color of dark chestnut. Only a few years older than me, there was a world-weariness in his deep blue gaze that set sorrow in my heart for him.

He dropped to his knees and waited for my father to acknowledge him before quickly gaining his feet. "We have been besieged with communiqués from the leaders of the other houses. They are demanding to know what Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is going to do about Queen Teresea's assassination." Jarus sighed and shook his head. "I had no idea what to tell them."

The Galavox family was one of ten clans that was the most closely related to us; they, therefore, fell under the protection and rule of the Royal House of Nafora. Each of the royal houses consisted of ten clans, each very closely related, and in turn all of the houses were interrelated as well. The Royal House of Ullaasi were second in strength only to the House of Nafora and often questioned our motives.

The House of Ullaasi was ruled by Prince Arzian Ullaasi -- I found him to be both boorish and power-hungry. He still despised my father for marrying an outworlder and not Princess Melasia, Arzian's younger sister. There was not an acknowledged feud, as yet, but Arzian was already insinuating that Teresea's death did not entitle my father to inherit the throne of Hesperas.

The monarch of Hesperas was chosen from among all seven royal houses by the people in elections. Elections were held only upon the natural death or abdication of a king or queen -- if the ruler was assassinated then that ruler's clan chose from among their own a successor to rule until an orderly election could be held. Elections were difficult to arrange only because by our law every vote had to be counted and checked against the registration of our people. If even one registered voter was out of the system on business or for personal recreation… the election results could not be tallied until votes were received from that individual. There were cases in the history of Hesperas were elections remained open for more than two years because registered voters had traveled out of the system and could not be found.

Father frowned and the lines on his forehead were even more deeply etched. "Let me guess? Arzian?" Upon seeing a dull red flush appear on Jarus' cheeks, he nodded curtly. "As I suspected. We will head to my office and contact him straight away. I believe that he will wish to know that I am to meet with the Jedi Council as soon as possible."

Jarus looked startled and brushed the hair back from his face. "The Jedi? Why in the galaxy would you agree to meet with them, Your Highness? I have always understood them to be hostile towards us."

"Perhaps," father began slowly. "we have been hasty in our judgments regarding the Jedi. I will not know until Kadal and I meet with them."

I could feel Jarus' gaze piercing through me. My eyes touched his face and his expression was filled with the disbelief that I knew I would find. Among even my family, I was considered only a step above an outworlder due to my mother being an outworlder herself. The shameful insult I had often heard whispered behind my back now floated freely in my mind… tainted one.

Jarus looked away from me. "Do you not think that perhaps I should accompany you instead? Kadal has only limited experience with outworlders… "

"No," father gently rebuked Jarus. "I thank you for your concern, Jarus, but Kadal has been betrothed to a citizen of Alderaan and she must therefore learn outworlder ways."

Father turned and looked at me with a soft smile. "Go now, Kadal, and speak with your mother as I know you long to do. Give her my greetings and let her know that I will be a bit late for the evening meal."

I knelt before him and kissed each of his hands in turn as a sign of my devotion and respect before standing and doing as he wished. In my heart, I knew with all certainty that our people and our world would never be the same after our encounter with the Jedi.

A/N: I intend to write this story mostly from Anakin's POV, but I will also use Kadal's POV as well to flesh out the story from time to time.