Chapter Two

As the years went by Anakin and I become close friends and his mother and Jom became close as well eventually marrying. Now as a girl of seventeen I learned almost all I needed to know about to rule with a kind but iron fist. I followed my father to many senate meetings and learned the different aspects of the politics surrounding it.

That's when I also met Chancellor Palpatine.

I remember the day as if it was yesterday.

I was around the age of fifteen when my father first went to the senate meeting. He cut an opposing figure in his blood red pants and buttoned shirt with a black cape casually tossed over his shoulder, his black boots shining in the light of the hall. His black hair slicked back and his dark blue eyes taking in everything.

As a princess I dressed in the same color as my father to show a united front with him. My waist length hair loose with two braids from my temples tied together at the back of my head to keep from my violet eyes. We made a very imposing group with Jom and the guards flanking us.

We walked into the hall where everyone was meeting and saw a variety of individuals there. From a young age I knew who was who and what their true alliances were.

A voice broke me from my scanning and I saw an older gentleman walking towards us with his arms outstretched towards my father. My father smiled and started walking to meet the man.

"Chancellor, it is a welcome sight to see you here." My father said grabbing the man's forearm in greeting.

"King Guin, a pleasure as always to see my favorite ally. And who is this enchanting young woman?" the Chancellor asked looking to me.

"My only daughter, Princess Anya, crown of my eye and beloved by her people." My father said putting his arm around my shoulders. "Anya, this is Chancellor Palpatine, you may remember hearing his name in the palace over the course of the years."

"Pleasure to meet you finally, Chancellor, your reputation precedes you." I said bowing my head forward as the Chancellor offered his hand to me.

"The pleasure is mine, princess." He said leaning over my hand and kissing the top of it.

I was broken from my reverie by a knocking at my door. I closed my robe over my nightgown and walked towards the door already knowing who it was. I opened it and confirmed who it was.

"Ani, starting a little early for guard duty, aren't you?" I said beckoning him in.

"I wanted to see you before it really started and tell you thank you for talking to the Chancellor for introducing me to someone who can help me." Anakin said walking in and sitting on the couch in the middle of my room.

"Ani, we've been friends for five years, I want you to be the best you can be. My father has been nothing but impressed with your trainings, the fact that you can use another tool is just amazing." I said sitting beside him and grabbing his hand. "The fact that in a year I believe that you can be a high ranking military official is nearly unbelievable for someone our age. Just don't forget me when you're out there defending our way of life."

He chuckled and raised my hand to his mouth to press a kiss to it. I ignored the fluttering that it created.

"Like I could ever forget you, my princess." He said gazing into my eyes. "I should let you change for the day, do me a favor?"

"Anything Anakin," I said smiling.

"Leave your hair down, you look even more beautiful with it like that." He said as he stood and bowed. "I will be waiting outside your door."

I watched him leave my room and let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. I shouldn't have these feelings for my dearest friend, but over the past few years something has been developing. He grew from the scraggly boy with wide blue eyes to a tall and mysterious man who was strong and confident.

I shook my head and started to get ready for the day, I knew that I had several meetings with very important supporters. And now that the droid wars were indeed on their way it was making life rather difficult. Many of our men where now fighting along the clones instead of hiding behind them, hearing the wailing of widows at night were now a current thing.

I quickly donned fresh clothing and did what Anakin asked and let my hair loose. I walked to the door and saw him leaning against the wall with his back to me talking to one of my younger brothers. I smirked and snuck up behind him. When I got within reaching distance I tried to grab his sabor from his hip, he chuckled and turned to me.

"I think after the last browbeating I got from my master I learned to be a little more aware of your games." He said with a smirk and bowed.

"Hmmm about time you learned my friend." I laughed and took the arm he then offered me. "Don't be late to breakfast Auni, father will be upset."

"Yes, Anya." Auni said rolling his eyes like a typical twelve-year-old.

Anakin accompanied me to the dining room and I saw that our guests did indeed get there. I scanned their faces and noticed that Chancellor Palpatine managed to be there. I greeted them all as Anakin pulled my seat out that was beside my father and across from the Chancellor. He then took a defensive position behind me with his arms crossed.

"Chancellor, pleasure to see you at our humble home, I was worried you may not make it." I said putting a napkin on my lap and grabbed several pieces of fruit.

"Good morning, Princess Anya, it is always great to see you. How is your champion's training with Master Sidious?" he asked looking at Anakin.

"It is going very well he is thriving and is appreciative of you introducing them." I said after I swallowed a bite.

"Good, I am sorry about him wearing the robe over his face. He is a very secretive man, especially after what has been going on with the war." He answered. "Now my dear King Guin, tell me how you are doing."

I listened to the conversations while I finished my fruit and when I was done I put my napkin on the table and Anakin pulled my chair out. He offered his arm and led me to the outside garden.

"I figured you would need a break from dealing with politics." He said as he led me to the fountain to sit.

"I appreciate it, I always feel like I am going to be smothered by it all." I sighed. "I know that this war will help us in the long run, I just wish that we could be done with this pretending. I know really what the new empire will mean and as long as everyone keeps their word it will be fine."

"Anya, I have known you for years and you can trust me when I say that anyone that opposes you will meet their end at my hands. Master Sidious has taught me many things over a few months and I swear I will defend you in any means." Anakin said grabbing my two hands.

"My dear friend, I know you will protect me, but eventually you will need to leave and lead the armies. You are earning my father's extreme trust and you will soon lead his armies which is nearly unheard of for a person this young." I said looking into his eyes. "I want you to do this if he offers it, I will still be here when you return."

"You promise to wait for me?"

"I swear it."