Chapter 19: Finally Rid of Him (Maybe)
Anakin's generosity came to an abrupt end in front of Rabé and Palo's home. Peering out at the pristinely trimmed hedges that lead to the tidy house, Anakin dully told her to enjoy the visit before recklessly speeding off.
"Padmé!" a familiar voice cried out excitedly. It was her dear friend, and the young woman eagerly rushed from her seat on the porch to Padmé. In a matter of moments, the two were hugging and crying as if they hadn't seen each other in years.
"I'm so glad you came to me!" she cried out, clutching the brown-haired woman's hands.
"Did you seriously doubt that I would come?" Padmé teased, hugging her friend once more. "I was absolutely dying to see for my self how you were doing!" By the rosy color on Rabé's face, she realized that all of her worrying had been for naught, and all of her plans of dragging the other woman back to Coruscant immediately disappeared.
"Well, with your studies…"
"I quit," she announced abruptly, causing Rabé to gasp. "It's happening…"
"How wonderful! Do come and tell me all about it!" Picking up Padmé's luggage, she took her hand and led the guest into the house.
"Good morning. I hope you found your trip pleasurable," Palo said before stiffly kissing Padmé's hand.
Shocked by the fact that he had seemingly popped out of nowhere, she found nothing to say and bit her tongue lest she should reveal the details of her trip.
"Was that Master Skywalker who just drove by here?" he asked conversationally though in a dull tone.
Praying that she was not blushing, Padmé lightly replied, "He had some off-planet business to attend to and offered to escort me here." Seeing the surprised looks on the other's faces, she hastily said, "You two must be quite happy here."
Blinking, Rabé nodded in agreement, but before she could say anything, Palo blurted out, "Indeed, we are. My dear wife has made me quite happy…"
"Tell her about the garden," his wife instructed, winking at her baffled friend when he turned around and looked out the window.
"Ah, yes. In concern for my health, she has insisted that I spend as many hours as possible out there, and I dare say…"
What he was about to say, Padmé never found out, for the moment he started to ramble off, Rabé yanked her into the adjoining room and swiftly locked the door. "Now, we can be alone and talk," she said upon seeing the other's horrified look. Leading Padmé over to the couch, she sat down next to her friend and graciously poured her some tea. "This is my own parlor for my own particular use," she announced with a hint of pride. "I often come here to be alone…"
For the first time in months, the soon-to-be senator laughed. "I cannot imagine why."
"He really isn't that bad when you get to know him," Rabé said defensively before sighing happily. "Oh, Padmé, you can't imagine what happiness it is to have my own home… even my own living room!"
Smiling at her friend's joy, Padmé replied, "Have you met this wonderful patroness yet?"
Rabé wrinkled her nose. "She is quite… different from what I'd expected, but she's been very gracious in her welcoming me here. Lady Catherine DeBourgh has even invited Palo and I to dinner a few times!"
"It sounds like you are quite well off!" came a sigh.
"Oh, yes!" her friend agreed. Suddenly, she face became a rosy pink. "I haven't told Palo yet, but… we might be having a baby soon."
Nothing was said in reply as Padmé stonily sat there.
"What do you think?" her friend asked worriedly, for this had not been the reaction she'd expected to this joyful news. "Do you not think that it's wonderful?" She bit her lip nervously and folder her hands in her lap.
"No, that is wonderful, and I am very happy for you both," Padmé said slowly. Though she comfortingly patted Rabé's hand, she gazed down at the floor in a troubled manner.
"What is it?"
"Things are going much quicker than I had expected," she admitted, momentarily smiling before the troubled look returned. "I went to go speak with Master Skywalker the other day," Padmé admitted, now boldly looking up, "to tell him that I was leaving and would not return."
"Go on," Rabé prodded after her friend had sat there in silence for a minute. Once more, she held the other woman's hands.
"He said that what I was doing was a mistake and… and that I should stay in school because-"
"Padmé, do not let him pressure you into something you do not want," Rabé cautioned, fixing her friend with a stern gaze.
"He must have had a vision or something," she said softly, "but…"
"What?"
"I am soon to be married and with child."
Silence.
"What are you going to do?" Rabé finally gasped though she certainly seemed pleased about this prospect.
"I do not know!" Padmé cried out, standing up to pace but immediately sitting back down again. "I was hoping that you could perhaps help me."
"Padmé," her friend said quietly, "if what he said is true, you shall have a great blessing."
"I know," she sighed.
"Who would the father be, then?"
"Ferus? I really don't know. Personally, I don't think I'm ready…"
"Rabé, come quickly!" came the sudden sound of Palo screaming. His loud footsteps caused them both to rush to the door through which he burst in. "I have an invitation," the man announced breathlessly, pointing out the window at the speeder that was flying off towards the large mansion in the distance, "from Lady DeBourgh. She wishes for us to dine with her tonight so that she can make acquaintances with our, ah… guest."
"Did you accept, dear?" Rabé asked eagerly, her term of endearment nearly making the observing Padmé gag.
"Naturally," he said, obviously trying to not act too excited about it. "Hopefully, you will have something more decent to wear," Palo said with a pointedly disgusted look at Padmé and her plain clothes.
"Of course," she stammered, his rudeness totally catching her off guard.
Nothing more was said on his part before the artist walked back outside.
"She must have heard you were here, somehow," Rabé shrugged. "We'd better be getting ready before my husband bursts a hernia."
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Indeed, Palo's patience did not last very long, for he was soon dragging them across the sculpted lawn to the adjoining DeBourgh mansion. All the while, the artist lectured Padmé about her apparently slovenly appearance and manners, and how she was to conduct her self when in the presence of this esteemed personage. Soon, much to her relief, they were walking through the elaborate entrance into the mansion.
Extravagant was indeed the right word to describe this palatial home. Its mistress obviously had great wealth and power nor was she afraid to flaunt it. Silently, Padmé thought about how much this revealed her host's personality. Everything from the thick carpets on the floor to the chandelier that hung above them was if the highest quality money could buy.
Seeming to be the only one who felt comfortable, Palo followed a servant into a large sitting room. Before entering, he paused to momentarily glower in warning at the bemused Padmé.
Indeed, the home reflected Lady Catherine DeBourgh's being. Sitting upright in an overstuffed chair, she regarded them with equal but less friendly silence. She almost seemed inhuman with her many jewels and flowing gowns.
"Miss Naberrie, I presume," Lady DeBourgh said in a regal voice. Her dark eyes swept over the young woman once before the lady gave a dainty sniff.
"Bow," Palo pretended to cough, sending the other two scurrying to do so.
"Thank you for inviting me to dine with you," Padmé said politely though she struggled to contain this smile- the older woman was more arrogant than she'd expected.
Impatiently, Lady DeBourgh waved her hand and instantly silenced the young woman. "This is my other daughter," she introduced, giving a stern look to the sickly young woman who sat by her side in complete silence. "Also," she continued, giving a careless wave to the veranda, "I understand that you are acquainted with my son-in-law, Anakin Skywalker."
Before shock could spread over her face or she could even gasp, Anakin stepped out of the shadows and fixed her with an unblinking gaze.
Next to her, Rabé also gasped in surprise while Palo nervously ran a hand through his curly hair.
"Anakin!" Padmé finally sputtered, not even noticing the informal way she addressed him.
He fortunately did not notice this but instead stepped forward and kissed her trembling hand and, in doing so, further undid the young woman.
"What are you doing here?"
"Tending to business… like I'd told you," he murmured as his lips left her hand.
Watching the proceedings with great interest, Lady DeBourgh daintily raised her eyebrows.
"Ah, so that's why you all but shoved me out of the speeder and left me standing out in the middle of the road with all my luggage," she whispered with a smile, though a fake one at that, adorned her lips.
Everyone in the room, with the exception of Rabé and Palo, were under the impression that they were two very good friends who'd the very good look to run into each other.
"Well, at least we did not nearly fly into any buildings," Anakin replied softly with a charming smile that graced his full lips, "for that's what surely would have happened if-"
"What has a man got to do to not be forgotten these days?" a gruff but rather good-natured voice broke through the tension.
Whipping around, Padmé saw another man step forwards. Like his voice, he was burly and…. well, gruff. The man had the looks of a war-torn man, but she noticed something odd about his eyes- they twinkled and contained a rather mischievous glint.
"Wrenga Jixton at your service," he saluted smartly, flashing them all a cocky grin. "Howdy do?"
For a minute, Padmé could only gape, but this man's demeanor was so out of place in this great mansion that she suddenly found herself quite liking him and flashed Jixton a wide smile.
Lady DeBourgh also couldn't quite seem to know what to make of the man, so she resorted t o a short sniff before looking away.
"So, what's for grub… ah, dinner?" Jixton corrected himself hastily after being sharply jabbed in the side by his stiff companion.
Fortunately, a servant came and saved them all from yet another awkward moment but announcing that it was indeed time for supper.
Once in the dining room, Padmé looked with dismay at the food-laden table- it all the inedible sort of food that always left one hungry. Even more uncomfortable was the seating arrangement. Quickly, she sat down at one end of the table next to Jixton and diagonal to Anakin so his attempts at glaring at her would be more easily noticed. To her great surprise, Miss DeBourgh sat down next to her and dismally looked at her plate.
In a movement that made Padmé jump and drop the napkin she's been unfolding, Lady DeBourgh all but yelled, "Palo, how dare you sit by your wife- it's not proper! Move!"
Hastily bowing and making numerous apologies, Palo rushed to Padmé's side and demanded that he take her seat. Most unfortunately, she soon found herself seated next to Anakin.
Even more unsettling was the fact that Lady DeBourgh soon turned her scrutiny on the already jittery Rabé. Though this distracted Padmé from the unfriendly presence sitting next to her, she sadly watched her friend's eyes well up with tears.
"So, how is Master Kenobi doing?" the young woman finally asked Anakin casually though in a loud voice when she could no longer remain silent.
"Quite well," was the flat reply.
Her intent had been to find out more about her friend's sudden abandonment, but she, in doing so, caught another person's attention. "Anakin here tells me that you are about to become a politician" the Lady said. "You must let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you- I have many influential friends…"
Quickly, she assured her that she would keep this abundant kindness in mind.
"It must be refreshing to find that all your upbringing and schooling has brought you thus far."
Again, Padmé agreed. "I have been fortunate to have been blessed with a wonderful and supportive family."
"And what does your father do? Is he a politician also?" Not noticing how everyone else had suddenly become rather interested in their food, Lady DeBourgh continued her inquiries with an interested air.
"He teaches at the university," Padmé replied with a hint of pride.
"And, surely, your mother does not also work."
At this, the young lady flushed. "My parents have always done what they deemed necessary to put food on the table."
Anyone else would have been humbled by this remark, but not her ladyship. "Yes, with a governess, your mother would not have been tied to her home-"
"My mother is tied to no one or anything," she replied a little tersely, ignoring the withering look Palo was sending her, "and we never needed a governess."
This horrified the old woman so badly that a maid rushed to her side until she was reassured that her mistress was not going to swoon. "No… governess," she gasped, "but how… did you ever manage?"
Much to Padmé's surprise, Anakin gave his mother-in-law a sardonic look. "Saché would never have wanted a governess to take care of any of our children."
Touché.
Swiftly, Lady DeBourgh blinked. "And how many of you are there?"
"I have an older sister who is my elder by six years. She is married and has two children, and both are under the age of seven," Padmé blurted out, knowing that the woman would want to know these details.
"And you are not married?" she cried out, aghast. Once more, her ladyship did not notice the awkward silence. "Exactly how old are you, Miss Naberrie?"
"Buy the fact that I am about to become a Senator and that I am an aunt by a sister half a dozen years older than me, I am not young," Padmé replied gravely, "you surely cannot expect me to truthfully answer that question."
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Coming Next: Padmé and Anakin bond over a piano. Things
seem to be doing better until Padmé discovers a terrible
secret!
