The young assistant to Senator Amidala moved about their apartment, tidying up and attempting to make the place appear cozy. She took a final look at the trio of holographic photos of Naboo scenery she had hung on the wall, eyeing their symmetry, hoping that they would please Padmé, but the truth was, she doubted they would. Nothing seemed to please her employer nowadays. The senator obviously wasn't happy. Hardly ever did she smile and Dormé knew why. It wasn't a secret; at least not to anyone from Naboo who had witnessed the trial.
Dormé was training to be the queen's bodyguard those seven years ago when the news was first released. It was presumed that the sixteen-year-old queen would be forced to give up the throne, since she had failed to secure a husband as the law demanded, but the stunning truth had been revealed by Padmé herself. She had made a deal with the Trade Federation without the consent or knowledge of Naboo's leaders, essentially performing an act of treason and bringing war to Naboo. The entire Federation occupation had been the young queen's fault.
Along with this revelation, Padmé announced that she did not deserve the throne and would be giving up her reign as queen, effective immediately.
Dormé would never forget the hollow look in Queen Amidala's eyes as she made her public address.
Something else had happened to the young woman to cause such a radical change. It was if her spirit was diminished. She was no longer the vibrant young woman she once was.
Following the queen's announcement, the citizens of Naboo petitioned the ruling body, insisting that Padmé be allowed to maintain the throne. They argued that her bravery in battle and strategy in defeating the Trade Federation, not to mention creating an alliance with the Gungans, outweighed her previous poor judgment, and they wanted her to remain queen. They insisted upon it.
From that point on, Padmé ruled Naboo with a strength and wisdom that had never been seen, and it firmed Dormé's resolve to finish her training in order to serve by her side.
Dormé's training was nearly complete when Padmé was unexpectedly honored by being nominated the youngest senator ever to represent Naboo. Dormé's dedication paid off and when the newly-elected senator moved to Coruscant, she went with her, but not before confiding with the handmaidens staying behind, who had served the queen faithfully for the past eight years.
Sabé had been the one to explain to Dormé what had transpired on Naboo all those years agoand what had withered the young woman's previously pleasant countenance. It wasn't her betrayal of Naboo, the battle she had fought, or the lives that were lost.
It was something else that was lost.
The love for a man she hadn't spoken of since.
And now here they were living on Coruscant where this particular man lived himself.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Knight.
Dormé finished rearranging the pillows on the couch just as the front doors to their apartment opened and Senator Amidala strolled in, flinging her cloak across the back of the couch before heading into the kitchen. Dormé followed her, retrieving something from inside a decorative box on a table against the wall. She slipped the gold card into a pocket of her gown.
"How was your day, Mi'Lady?"
"Typical." Padmé muttered grimly as she placed a kettle on the radiant burner to boil water for tea.
"Here. Allow me." Dormé offered as Padmé sat down on a stool nearby.
"It has occurred to me," the senator began, "that most representatives here are self-seeking and self-centered beings. Their agendas are designed to merely further their own selfish desires and boost their own bank accounts."
The young senator massaged away the tension in her neck.
Dormé poured two cups of tea and joined Padmé on a matching stool, handing her one of the beverages. She then reached into her pocket and withdrew the gold card.
"Maybe this will brighten your day."
Padmé reached out, the slightest smile appearing on her face. "What's this?"
"Just a little housewarming gift."
Padmé looked down and read the inscription on the gift card aloud.
"One free membership to the Holonet's most popular dating service: Coruscant Connections."
The young woman then looked up at Dormé and frowned. "Tell me you didn't."
Dormé smiled broadly. She had been fully expecting this type of response.
"I did. You've been alone too long Mi'Lady and you need some excitement in your life. It won't hurt you to be happy, you know."
Padmé mulled over her assistant's words. Was it that obvious? Before, on Naboo, she had been too busy to notice she was miserable and lonely, but here on Coruscant, the senatorial meetings were sometimes days apart, and oftentimes there was very little for her to do.
She looked the card over once more. Maybe Dormé was right. Perhaps if she dated, she could find the happiness she had once had all those years ago.
And besides, having someone in her life when she ran into Obi-Wan again would definitely make things much easier. Since the senate worked so closely with the Jedi, she knew that one day they would meet again. It was inevitable.