Padme tapped the wooden table and looked out the window. To be blunt, she was bored. Being the grand duchess she hoped to have more of an active role in helping with the formation of the empire, but it seemed like people of lower ranks already had things under control. Because of that, there really wasn't much for her to do besides relaxing in luxury, commissioning art projects and eating, the latter of which she did the most. More often than not she would throw feast for herself using any excuse under the sun just so she could have company. Often could not join because he would be healing in the bacta tank, and while the emperor would join on occasion, he often had to decline her invitations. She tried to invite some of her other friends from the senate, such as Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, but for one reason or another they had to politely decline and even though she did have the power to do so she didn't want to force them to come. The end result were frequent masoichebo's for The Duchess where she often ate alone, and while she did take Sidious's advice and fed her appetites, said habit was already having a significant effect on her figure to the point that it her girth was getting comparable to Orn Free Taa's

.

she couldn't help but sigh. She wanted to be known for more than spending all her time eating copious amounts of food and relaxing in luxury while the galaxy burned. Surely there was more that she could get involved with. It had only 3 months out since the end of the war, separatist worlds still needed help integrating into the empire, old promises made by the Republic needed to be and followed through on by the Empire, and new military and business contracts needed to be negotiated. Surely she could have some part of that.

"Mistress Padme." C-3PO called quietly. The duchess looked over to see C-3PO putting a hand on her shoulder. The droid had been almost completely renovated and given several upgrades, the most prominent of which was new plating made entirely of Phrik. Not only did it give him a very stylish silver color, it made him practically indestructible. He was also given an advanced combat droid module that gave him combat knowledge. He was also equipped by a variety of weaponry hidden in his forearms such as a semi-automatic wrist launcher, a tri-shot, and even a rocket launcher. Despite all of the upgrades, he still wasn't comfortable fighting, while one of the imperial engineers often to install a new personality matrix for C-3PO, Padme politely declined.

"What can I do for you 3PO?" Padme asked.

"I was just told that the emperor would appreciate to be in your company should I…"

"Of course, let him in."

Padme could see the emperor coming from the landing pad, but as he exited from the shuttle, he waved his personal guards away.

"Leave us." Sidious said. The guards put their arms to their chest and walked back into the shuttle. Sidious walked into the luxurious penthouse of The Grand Duchess and smiled.

"Ah Lady Vader, it is wonderful to see again. I presume you are doing well?

"I'm doing well. Though I do ask to appeal some request to you if you are so willing."

Sidious set down at the chair adjacent from her. "Since you are wishing to appeal to me directly, I can only assume that this has something to do with Lord Vader."

"That is correct." The Grand Duchess acknowledged.

"While I appreciate you not keeping me in the dark, you outrank Lord Vader. If you assigned him anywhere he would have no choice but to comply."

Padme smiled. "While I appreciate your faith in me I feel it is only right that the emperor knows what goes on in his own empire. Besides, these requests are not mere assignments."

"Fair enough. What are your request?"

"I want the galaxy to know that Lord Vader is Anakin skywallker, I want them to know that we are married and everything that he sacrificed for the republic, we don't even have to mention the specifics of the cause of his injuries. We can easily say he was injured during his mission to execute the separatist leaders. It's not a lie. He can be the stalwart patriot and loving husband who gave his all in service of the republic and he won't even let injury keep him from giving his all in service to the empire."

Padme let out a sigh.

The fact of the matter is, my husband and I were forced to hide our love for three years, from the jedi, from the senate, all because we were of different castes. I never want us to hide again."

"Done." Sidious said. "What is your other request?"

Padme bit the corner of her lip. "I want Lord Vader to be my personal bodyguard and enforcer. Whatever official business I go on, he is to go with me. With me being such a powerful force in the Empire, I have no idea who may try to kill me…or seduce me. After everything we've been through I don't want to have to part with him for long months at a time.

"is it perhaps, that you wish for Lord Vader to answer to you and you alone?"

Again Padme bit her lip. "Perhaps."

Sidious grinned. "Done, When is it that you wish for Vader to receive his new duty?

"Immediately if possible." Padme said.

"Hmm, unfortunately I have sent Lord Vader on a special quest. So I cannot give it to you right now. Are there any imperial affairs that you are taking part in at the moment?"

"Not at the moment no."

"Then I will ensure that he is aware of his new duty upon his return. He will be ready next time you are involved in imperial business."

Padme smiled and gave a small bow. "Thank you, your highness."

"No need, he's your husband and you are his superior, technically speaking."

"What is this quest that you've sent Lord Vader on if I may satisfy my curiosity?"

Sidious again smiled. "I have sent him to retrieve his new lightsaber. It is an ancient Sith blade located on the sixth moon in the Scardont system. It's very powerful weapon but also horribly cursed. Only those strongest in the force can break the curse. If they fail, then they shall be afflicted with eternal madness."

Padme's eyes widened in horror. "You sent my husband to retrieve a weapon that could irreparably harm him?!"

"On the contrary, I would not send him to claim the blade if I did not believe with absolute certainty that he could claim it. We will know if he succeeds if he contacts us."

"How is the healing process going?"

Now it was Sidious's turn to sigh. "Not as quickly as I would like though I do have something that is promising. It's called Kolcta, a rare hybrid of bacta and kolto. It is a legend in the medical establishment. An ancient medicine that made bacta look no more potent than a strong glass of lum. It can undo the effects of aging itself, and more importantly, if he is fully submerged, it can restore lord vader completely. But it has not grown wild for millennia."

Padme could not help but hold back a smile. "Money is no object. I will spend whatever I need to insure my husband is fully healed. "

"The issue is that the fluid itself is scarce. I have already secured the contracts myself with the native population, but gathering enough for the full submersion Vader needs to be fully restored will take time."

"How much time?" Padme asks.

"That I do not know."

While the duchess was visibly disappointed, she also couldn't help but also feel excitement. Now they at least now they knew what they needed to heal him. It was just a matter of getting enough of it. "Soon my love, she thought to herself. Soon we will be together again and will never have to depart."

"If I may ask Lady Vader, once Vader is finished with his mission, what will be your first order of business?"

"I've been thinking on that. I believe that my first order of business is to negotiate Ryloth's independence."

"Oh?"

Padme nodded. "The Republic's word was worth less than dirt. I want the Empire to be more than that. Not only will we fulfill the promises the republic made during the war, but any promise we made here on out will be as good as gold."

"You have my attention."

"The problem is Ryloth is heavily ravaged and its military is weak. For a time it will have to rely on us. It will need protection and help with rebuilding."

"If it is so weak, why even bother giving them independence and not just annex them outright?"

"I will admit that the thought has crossed my mind. The thing is The Republic spent the war helping Ryloth free itself from the clutches of the Confederacy; we explicitly made the promise that we would not occupy them. If we then turned around and broke that promise without a second thought, there is mistrust. We both know mistrust leads to dissent and dissent leads to instability. Yes, rebellions can be crushed, but stability is not made by simply crushing dissent. Fear can only take things so far. The more you tighten your grip, the more star systems slip through your fingers.

"So instead of crushing them with fist of iron you lure them with fist of shining gold." Palpatine said following her logic.

"Exactly. The terms are simple. We allow them independence so long as they are capable of functioning on their own. If they prove they can develop a functioning military, then we can negotiate trade deals and alliances. If they prove however that they cannot function without our intervention, then they will be annexed. If they succeed then they will look at us as honorable allies and will be more than open to trade. If they fail, then they will be grateful for the empire for the protection that we provide, and with them as an annexed planet, their resources can be used by us as we see fit. "

"In either instance, we win."

"I will admit Grand Duchess, you have a gift for looking at things long term."

"If history has taught me anything is that one must always be aware and vigilant of long term consequences." Padme said.

"Indeed, though I shall warn you, Senator Orn Free Taa will no doubt protest as you are greatly reducing his power by doing this."

Padme sneered. " if Orn Free Taa was a Twi'lek of any sort of moral character at all, perhaps I would be concerned with what he wanted, but given the fact that he is a spineless coward who would sell his own mother for a paltry amount of credits, my patience and tolerance for his ilk are long gone. He will accept whatever role the empire requires of him. If he does not…"

Padme's sneer turned into a smile. "I will crush him like the roach he is."