Chapter Twenty-Two
Anakin and Padmé followed Palpatine into the enormous mansion. A thought suddenly hit Padmé as they stepped into the large foyer.
"Dormé," she said, turning to Anakin. "Where is she? Is she here?"
"Your handmaiden has returned to Naboo," Palpatine informed her, watching Padmé closely for a reaction. "Her services will not be required any longer, since this home has a veritable team of droids ready to assist you in any way necessary."
Padmé was outraged, but knew that she could not say a word. She looked at Anakin, not trying to hide the anger she felt. "She was my friend," she said, directing her anger at Anakin in order to maintain the ruse. "She was my friend!"
Anakin could see how distraught she was, but he could do nothing to comfort her, not without raising Palpatine's suspicions.
"She cannot be trusted," Anakin said at last. "You'll have to learn to live without her…friendship, milady."
Padmé knew that Anakin's words were merely part of the ruse, but that didn't mean they weren't painful to hear nonetheless. This isn't going to be as easy as I thought, she thought anxiously, feeling Palpatine's eyes upon her.
"Don't worry, Milady," Palpatine said at last, his tone gentle. "I'm quite certain you will find many new friends in your new situation. Your husband is something of a celebrity, you know."
"Yes, I know," she replied, looking at Anakin with scorn. "Lucky me."
Anakin wasn't certain if she was joking or not at this point. I hate this, he thought, fighting the urge to apologize to her. "Yes, lucky indeed," he remarked as he walked away. "Let's see the rest of the house."
Padmé stood and watched him walk away, the anger she was feeling genuine.
"Milady?" Palpatine said, offering her his arm.
It took all of Padmé's remarkable self control not to shudder at the thought of touching the vile Sith; instead, she gave him a smile and hooked her arm through his.
"Right this way," he said as they walked off.
Anakin and Padmé were astonished at the sheer opulence of their new home. While both were accustomed to the finer things in life, neither had seen anything like this. Marble floors, coffered ceilings, stain glass windows, winding stairways, fountains, art work…there seemed to be no end to the riches. Padmé found herself embarrassed by it all, for while she had grown up in a privileged family, this was opulent beyond reason. It was almost as though Palpatine had gone to great lengths to make the place as luxurious as possible, perhaps knowing that it would fly in the face of Padmé's' sense of social justice. She had always been a champion of the underprivileged, and had donated a lot of her own personal fortune to various charities on Coruscant. Clearly such decadence would be an affront to her sensibilities; clearly that had been his intention all along. Another test, Anakin realized as they walked though the veritable maze of rooms.
"As you can see, there is plenty of space," Palpatine remarked as they made their way back down one of the enormous winding stairways. "Plenty of room for children," he added with a smile.
"We have no plans for children," Anakin replied. "But that is good to know just in case."
Palpatine nodded. "Indeed," he replied. He checked his wrist chrono. "I have a meeting to get to now," he told them. "But I will see you both at the celebration tonight. I have reserved the banquet hall in the Senate chambers for 1900 hours tonight."
"We're looking forward to it," Anakin told him. "Aren't we, Milady?"
Padmé nodded. "Yes, most anxiously."
Palpatine smiled, impressed by Padmé's sense of diplomacy. He knew that she was upset and angry, and yet she done an effective job of hiding it.
"Come up to my offices first," Palpatine told Anakin. "I have another little surprise for you."
"Of course," Anakin replied. "We'll see you then."
Palpatine nodded, and then took his leave of them, accompanied by Mas Amedda.
Anakin waited until they had gone and then turned to his wife. "Quite a surprise," he said simply.
Padmé said nothing, her eyes saying everything.
Anakin walked over to her, taking her by the shoulders. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "I truly am. I didn't want any of this to happen, surely you know that."
"Ani, should we be talking like this?" she said. "I mean…" she stopped, too fearful to continue.
"You needn't worry about listening devices, Padmé," he told her. "I would have sensed them as we toured the house."
Padmé simply nodded in response. "I don't like this," she told him. "I don't like that he sent Dormé home, I don't like that he had all our things moved, and I certainly don't like this monstrosity of a house. It's gaudy, and tacky, and ridiculously ostentatious."
Anakin nodded, agreeing with everything she said. "I know," he replied. "He's testing us, Angel, don't you see? He wants to see how we react to this. He wants to trap us, but he won't. He underestimates us both if he thinks he can trick us into something so easily."
Padmé frowned. "I really don't like the fact that he mentioned children," she told him. "It made me think that he knows about the twins. You said he wouldn't find out, Anakin. Please tell me he doesn't know about them!"
"Angel, he doesn't know," Anakin assured her. "I promise you. He was just fishing for information, watching us to see our reaction. He's testing us, Angel; don't ever forget that. Everything he says and everything he does has a purpose. This is a dangerous game we're playing, Padmé; a game I mean to win. But I need your help to do it. You can't let him get you rattled this way. Tonight will be a big test, and we have to be ready for anything."
Padmé took a deep breath to calm herself. "I know," she replied. "I just didn't realize how hard this was going to be," she told him softly. "But don't worry, Ani. I won't let you down. I've been in politics most of my life; I know how to hide how I feel."
Anakin smiled and took her face in her hands. "Everything will be fine, Angel," he assured her. "I promise. We just have to concentrate on getting through tonight, and once that's done, he will back down, I'm sure of it. Once he sees that I am still very much the Sith he expects me to be, and that you are merely my plaything, he will back off."
Padmé cocked an eyebrow. "Plaything am I?" she replied.
Anakin nodded. "Of course," he said with a grin. "At least that's what he thinks. If he knew the real truth, he never would believe it."
"And what is the real truth, in your estimation?" she asked.
"That I am really your plaything," he told her. "Your slave, in every conceivable way."
Padmé laughed. "No, you're not my slave," she told him, relenting at last. "I like soul mate much better."
Anakin smiled. "Yes, so do I," he agreed.
"Perhaps I should go upstairs and pick out what I'm going to wear tonight," Padmé said, walking away from him. "I only hope one of these droids knows how to do my hair."
Anakin and Padmé arrived at the office of the Chancellor ten minutes before the grand celebration was due to start. Both felt a sense of trepidation as they waited for admittance to Palpatine's inner sanctum, neither knowing what to expect.
"Come in, come in," Palpatine said appearing at the doorway. "You look lovely tonight, Senator," he added, looking at Padmé with approval.
"Thank you, Chancellor," Padmé replied as she and Anakin entered the office.
"Please, sit down," Palpatine said, offering a chair to Padmé. "I'm glad you're here for this, Milady."
"For what?" Padmé asked as she sat down.
"For the crowning moment in your husband's apprenticeship," Palpatine replied. "I have decided to knight him, thus making him a full fledged Sith Lord."
Padmé forced herself to smile, the effort almost painful. She looked at Anakin, whose face bore an expression of surprise.
"I …I don't know what to say," Anakin said at last. "You honor me, Master."
Palpatine smiled. "Kneel, Anakin Skywalker," he said.
Padmé watched in silent horror as Anakin knelt at the feet of the monstrous Sith Lord. She felt nauseous all of a sudden, the scene before her almost too much to bear.
"You have been a loyal and worthy apprentice," Palpatine said, resting his hands on Anakin's shoulders. "So now I knight you Darth Vader," he continued. "Rise, Lord Vader."
Anakin stood up, glancing at his wife as he did so. He was alarmed by the sudden pallor of her face. "Thank you, my master," he said dutifully.
"Of course for now this will have to remain our little secret," Palpatine said, addressing them both. "Should the Jedi learn of it….well, let's just say they would have objections."
"Yes, no doubt of that," Anakin concurred.
"Well then, Lord and Lady Vader," Palpatine continued. "Let's be off to your wedding feast. I promise you it will be an affair to be remembered."
"Of that I have no doubt," Padmé said, taking Anakin's hand. "I'd like to use the fresher first, if I might."
"Of course, milady," Palpatine said. "Right through that door, on your left."
Padmé excused herself and made her way to the fresher. No sooner had she closed the door and locked it, then another wave of nausea hit her and she threw up. Bracing her hand against the wall of the fresher, she took deep breaths to calm her rattled nerves. I won't let him win, she thought resolutely. I will not let him defeat me!
Having taken a cold drink of water and fixing her makeup, she left the fresher, the picture of calmness once again.
"Shall we, gentlemen?" she said as she rejoined Anakin and Palpatine.
The banquet hall was already full of guests when the three of them arrived.
"Allow me to introduce you properly to our guests," Palpatine said. "Just remain here for a moment."
"As you wish," Anakin replied.
Palpatine walked into the room, leaving Anakin and Padmé alone for a few moments.
"Are you alright?" Anakin asked his wife.
Padmé shook her head. "No, I'm not," she replied. "But it can't be helped. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Anakin frowned, not convinced. "This will be over soon, Angel," he told her. "And then we…"
"That's our cue," she said as she heard Palpatine announce their names. "Show time, Ani."
Anakin took her hand and they proceeded into the room amidst the applause of the assembled guests. Padmé looked around the room, seeing many faces that she recognized: Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, as well as many other senators; several members of the Jedi Council were also present, which surprised her somewhat. She and Anakin made their way though the crowd, shaking hands and accepting the congratulations of all.
It was with mixed feelings that Anakin faced the Jedi again. He could not help but think of that day so long ago, the day they had rejected him…
Correct you were, Qui-Gon.
His cells contain a high concentration of midi-chlorians. The Force is strong with him.
He's to be trained, then.
No. He will not be trained.
No??!!
He is too old. There is already too much anger in him.
Anakin pushed the memories from his mind, forcing himself to remain focused on the present. Padmé needed his support, and he needed to be alert to Palpatine's machinations.
"Senator Amidala," said Kenobi as he shook Padmé's hand. "It has been far too long."
"Indeed it has, Master Kenobi," she replied with a smile. "It was nice of you to come."
"Not at all," Kenobi replied, turning his attention to Anakin. "I was rather surprised to learn of your marriage."
Anakin looked at the Jedi, fighting against the jealousy that surged through him. He could not forget what Palpatine had told him about Kenobi, and, even though he knew it was not true, just the thought of Kenobi being Padmé's lover was enough to make him jealous. But she's yours now, he thought, she loves you….get over it.
"Excuse me," Padmé said. "I need to speak with Senator Organa."
Anakin watched his wife walk away before returning his attention to Kenobi.
"You've made quite a name for yourself, Anakin," Kenobi said, watching Anakin closely.
Anakin nodded. "Yes, without the help of the Jedi," he remarked.
Kenobi cocked an eyebrow. "Indeed," he replied. "Makes me wonder what you could have accomplished had Qui-Gon survived," he continued, a brief look of sadness passing through his eyes.
Anakin didn't know how to reply; he had expected a much different reception from the Jedi master; it made him realize that Padmé had been right about them all along.
"Qui-Gon Jinn was a great man," Anakin said at last. "His death was a tragic loss."
Kenobi nodded. "It was," he agreed, surprised by Anakin's words. "He was a good friend."
Anakin nodded, the memories of Qui-Gon threatening to derail his attempts to remain impassive. "Excuse me," he said, anxious to get away from Kenobi all of a sudden. He was dredging up memories and feelings Anakin had soon not acknowledge or admit to, particularly now.
Kenobi watched as Anakin walked away, confused by the encounter.
"Well? What did he say?"
Kenobi turned to see Mace Windu standing at his side.
"He…said that Qui-Gon's death was a tragic loss," Kenobi replied.
Windu frowned. "He did?"
Kenobi nodded, his eyes following Anakin as he made his way through the room. "I sense a change in him, Master Windu," he continued. "He is not the arrogant young man I expected."
"What are you saying?" Windu asked.
"I'm not sure," Kenobi admitted. "But surely the fact that Senator Amidala married him must mean something."
Windu snorted. "Don't be so sure," he replied. "Does she look happy to you?"
Kenobi looked around the room to find Padmé. He studied her as she stood exchanging pleasantries with some of the senators. While the senator looked spectacular in her floor length evening gown and opulent jewels, she did not have the sparkle in her eyes that Kenobi expected to see from a newly married woman. Rather, she appeared to be a woman going through the motions, a woman putting on a show; and it made Kenobi wonder what the reality of her marriage to Anakin Skywalker was.
"No, she doesn't," Kenobi replied at last.
"Why don't you see what you can learn from her?" Windu suggested. "She knows you the best; she may open up to you."
I doubt it, Kenobi thought. "As you wish," he replied. "I will do my best."
"I have to say I'm quite surprised by your marriage, Padmé," Bail Organa said to Padmé. "When did all this happen?"
"Anakin and I have known one another for years," she replied evasively.
"Yes, but he is not exactly the boy you knew when you were queen, is he?" Organa challenged.
Padmé glanced nervously around before she replied. "Everyone grows up, Bail," she replied.
Organa frowned at her response. "You're very edgy, Padmé," he commented. "What is going on?"
Padmé turned her eyes back to his. "Nothing whatsoever," she replied. "I love my husband, that's all that matters."
Organa was about to comment further but Padmé prevented it by walking away.
"Everything alright, Padmé?"
Padmé turned to see Obi-Wan Kenobi at her side. "Why do you ask?" she replied.
"You just seem rather…uneasy," Kenobi replied. "I've never seen you like this; you're usually so calm and collected."
Padmé smiled. "Just a little bit of stage fright I guess," she replied. "It's not every day I'm the center of attention this way."
Kenobi nodded, not sure he believed her. "I hope you know that you can trust me, Padmé," he said. "And that you can come to the Council at any time if you need help."
"What makes you think I need help?" she asked, walking away from him.
Anakin watched the encounter from across the room, the jealously surging through him, sending ripples of darkness through the Force. He walked over to his wife as Palpatine watched, pleased with the way things were unfolding.
"Something going on I should know about?" he asked.
Padmé looked up at him, startled by the intensity in his eyes. "I'll tell you later," she told him quietly. "Right now we're being watched."
Anakin nodded. "I know," he replied. "Let's give him a show," he added, pulling her into his arms and kissing her soundly. Padmé knew that part of the ruse was to appear not to want Anakin, but it was so hard to pretend not to when he was kissing her this way. Yet she knew they were being watched, and so she summoned her nerve and ended the kiss.
"I hardly think this is the right place for this," she said, loud enough to be heard by others.
Anakin lifted an eyebrow. "You are my wife," he replied, taking her by the arm again. "Any place is the right place," he added, pulling her closer and kissing her again.
Most of the guests were shocked by Anakin's behavior; to them it seemed quite obvious that the Senator was frightened and even resentful of her husband, his touch making her uncomfortable and edgy.
As for Palpatine, he watched the scene with a critical eye. Anakin was very aggressive, even possessive of his wife; which pleased him. As for the good senator, Palpatine could sense her uneasiness at her husband's public display. She was afraid of him, that much was certain; this pleased Palpatine also. Just keep being afraid, Senator, and things will be just fine.