Chapter 1
The Western gardens were loveliest in the Spring. Delicate flowers of pinks and white arranged in the massive stone pots that topped the rails of the balcony overlooking the waterfalls and the rich lakes below made it feel as though it were a portal into a world straight out of a fairytale. The fond memories of playing in the grasses and getting lost in the hedges and running down the stone paths with her sister and their friends were memories Padme cherished. Even as they grew older and their diverging paths became clear, Padme still took solace in the gardens, finding peace and joy in the colors and the fresh air even in the middle of the hectic post-mortem ceremonies that must be seen to before her sister can rightfully be called the Queen. With all the final preparations underway, Padme found the gardens uncommonly empty as she strolled down the pathway towards the waterfall. A lone stick from the branch of a large tree lay in the middle of the path, missed by the groundsman who tended to the gardens appearance. She picked up the stick and trailed it behind her, smiling as it tapped against the ground with her every step. It was silly and childish but this was the first time in days where she had a moment completely to herself without anyone breathing down her neck.
As she reached the balcony she turned to walk along side the rails, letting the stick point out to the side and tap against each stone rail post as she walked. There were times when they had been growing up where Padme had wished she were the one to be Queen. Sola never showed much interest in their lessons on politics and cultural traditions of their people. Everything she did from the charity events she sponsored to her public appearances had been events that had been arranged for her by either their parents or an aide. Sola's interests had always been of a more… varied taste. Because they were sisters, Padme had always been privy to her sister's more salacious acts. There had been a few instances where she had helped her sister sneak out of the palace to go to clubs, times where she had gone to spend the night at a boy's house and she had found ways to trick their parents into thinking she was sick, there had even been a few instances where Padme had altered their itineraries so that Padme would go to an event instead of Sola. In truth, there was little she wouldn't do for her sister. But when it came to the crown… Padme wasn't so sure she could let her sister rule the monarchy in the same insouciant way she has lived her life up until now.
Sola had always accused her of being too serious. And maybe she was. But for good reason. Padme had known since she was five that Sola would be Queen and that she was a Princess. She understood that the titles and the crowns came at a price and that they had to do more than just be born with the right name to be worthy of it. Sola did not come to the same conclusion until many years later as their father's health started to wane. And through the years while Padme had put in the effort to do right by the people, her sister had been trying to live as if she were an ordinary woman. And now a crown sat on her head, a crown that to her shame, Padme felt a tinge of envy for.
Her grip on the stick tightened as she brought in in front of her and snapped it in two before hurling the pieces over the railing, watching as they were swallowed by the mist of the waterfall. She wished she had something heavier to throw or that she could scream her frustration until she was hoarse but she was much too well mannered to act on that wish. All she could do was run her hand over her forehead and hair to try to find some calm. Padme closed her eyes as she walked a little ways farther down the path until the stone turned dark from the mist spraying up from the waterfall. She paced under the spray, letting the thick mist blind her to the world around her as the water soaked into her dress. The cool water was refreshing and helped ease her stressed mind.
"You alright, Miss?"
Her serenity was interrupted and whirling around she caught a glimpse of a tall shadow through the mist. By his frame he looked to be a man, tall and broad shouldered. He stood well out of the spray and as she drew closer, his features became clear. The first thing that struck her were his eyes. They bore into hers as if trying to read her mind and were a deep cobalt blue that were as deep and dark as the ocean yet full of wonder too. His blonde hair was closely cropped and he wore a black suit whose sleeves and pant legs looked a little too short for his long limbs. His mouth was agape as he stared at her and the prominent bob of his Adams apple was the first sign of movement she saw from the man. "Yes, I'm fine," She said a little too quickly for it to be believable. "I just… needed to clear my head," She said to clarify. He said nothing in response, simply staring at her in awe as if he were a statue. She waited, aware that her presence sometimes took people by surprise and would need a moment to compose himself but as the moment dragged on, his staring was lasting much too long for it to be normal. "Are you alright?" She asked, her eyebrow raising at him with concern, watching as he shook out of his daze.
"Sorry," He said, averting his gaze and scratching the back of his neck, "I just… I didn't— I never…" He laughed and shook his head, "I mean—I… you… you're beautiful," He said, his cheeks reddening as he coughed and muttered something under his breath.
Padme laughed and shook her head. She felt the water droplets drip down her brow as she walked away from the mist and out onto the dry part of the path.
"Shit, I should have skipped the champagne."
Her eyes widened at his vulgar word usage. No one has ever sworn in front of her like that before. Most people are too afraid to. "Excuse me?"
"Sorry," He said again, "It's just… the mist… I swear it make you look like an angel."
"An angel?" She asked, "That's the first time I've heard that particular complement."
He scoffed, "Surely someone had to have pulled that 'did it hurt when you fell from heaven?' Pickup line?"
Her brow raised in surprise as she shook her head, "Never." Who would ever dare to try such a thing on her? Where was this man from that such cheap flirting with royalty was permitted?
His eyes looked her up and down in a way that no one had ever done before and was so obvious that he either had to be dumb or crazy as no one in their right mind would look at her the way he was. "You must be one of those noble ladies then," He said, his mouth closing firmly the moment the words left his mouth before bending at the waist in an exaggerated bow, his arm flailing in a movement that lacked grace and refinement.
Padme stared at him with eyes that were in complete shock. Surely he had to know who she was… she may not be wearing some of the more ornamental adornments of her outfit; no stash or cornet to distinguish her status; but he had to know. If he was here in the palace, he had to be aware of who she was. But clearly he wasn't.
"I-I'm sorry, Miss—Madame? Lady? Er—"
"—Padme" She interrupted. "My name is Padme. And I'm not one of those nobles." She was really the princess, but, her answer wasn't exactly lying.
He lifted his head and stood straight once more, straightening his suit. "Oh." He said, laughing awkwardly as he scratched the back of his neck and his shoulders visibly relaxed.
She laughed with him, a genuine laugh accompanied by an unfamiliar feeling akin to joy. "And who exactly might you be?"
He perked at her question, his lips quirking into a smile, "Anakin. I work for the ambassadors from Coruscant."
Padme nodded, "The Great Negotiators, they call them." She said. "So I take it, you're their secretary then?"
Anakin shrugged as he stuffed his hands in his pocket, "Assistant… or apprentice… I'm not quite sure."
She laughed again as she walked back along the path, Anakin falling into step beside her. He walked closer to her than any one else outside of her immediate family and close friends. He was still at a respectable distance, but still closer than most would find appropriate. "How can you not know what you are?"
He gave a shrug, "With Ambassador Jinn retiring next month, I'm not quite sure what I am to Ambassador Kenobi. He is a complicated guy to understand." He said. "I wasn't really useful to him when I first came on. But, now that Jinn is retiring, and he asked Kenobi to keep me on for a while longer, I found myself being of more use around the office. At first it was more like putting his coat away in the morning or getting coffee, holding stuff for him— things like that— but, it's started to change. He now trusts me to put papers in the proper folders and cabinets, take messages for him, and stand beside him while he does his negotiating. He hasn't exactly said what my position is called." Anakin gave another shrug as he kicked a pebble a ways down the path, "But, that's good ol' Obi-Wan for you… he's always been reluctant to put a name on things."
Her brow creased as she looked at him, "Obi-Wan? I thought the ambassadors from Coruscant were Qui-Gon Jinn and Benjamin Kenobi?"
He laughed again, "They are. Some of the staff back home call Ben Obi-Wan though."
"Why?"
He let out a snort as he leaned in closer to her and whispered, "Because he's the… Obi-Wan who can do things right."
Padme brought her hand to her mouth as she laughed at the joke. She may not know the ambassador very well, but it was well known that the man was a bit of a perfectionist.
"You know what I'm talking about?" He asked.
"Yes," She said, pausing on the path to compose herself. "I first met him when he was working under Ambassador Jinn…" She said, shaking her head at the memory, "I don't remember exactly what was being discussed, but I remember every time they turned the page in the little booklet, he was just so careful not to crease it, and that all the pages were lined up perfectly. In contrast, everyone else around him were taking notes directly on the paper, or folding the corners of the pages they wanted to go back to. I think out of every one there, his booklet was the only one that looked untouched."
Anakin smiled and shook his head, "He really is something."
They walked farther down the path and she felt more at ease with him than she thought possible. For the first time, she felt as though she were nobody. She didn't have a title or a crown. All she had was a first name. Nothing was stopping this man beside her from speaking freely and the feeling that came with such a liberating conversation was… indescribable.
"Will you be at the Recognition Ceremony?" He asked.
Her pace sped up slightly as she averted her gaze from him, "Yes…" She answered.
"Maybe we can go there together?" He asked. "My rooms are on the same floor as the other guests. Maybe we can meet by the main stairs before it starts?"
She could hear the hope in his voice as he asked. He wanted to talk with her again. But that just wouldn't be possible. The next time he would see her, she wouldn't be just Padme. She'd be a Princess of Naboo. The way he had been speaking with her, the way he carried himself… it just wouldn't be appropriate. "No," She said, her answer hurting her as well as him as she said it, "I'm sorry, I… there are things I must do for my country while I am here. Just as you have things you must do for yours." She turned back to him and she hated seeing the disappointed look in his eyes as the blue pierced into her brown eyes. She forced a smile to her lips and bowed her head respectfully towards him, "I must get ready for the ceremony," She said. "It was… very nice to meet you, Anakin."
