Episode III: Attack of the Clones

Chapter 13: Unforgivable Hatred

Arica Grievous was feeling hurt and angry with Padme. She knew the only reason the Senator had married Anakin was to make her father happy and continue carrying out their plans. How Arica yearned to tell Anakin this, yet she rightfully held her tongue and said nothing. Although Arica knew the Sith Lady loved her and Antellica like sisters, she couldn't help but feel a little over looked and rejected by her at times. It was obvious Padme favored Antellica over her, and the reasons were easily seen. Antellica was older, prettier, and so much resemblant to Padme in many ways. Loving to draw attention to oneself and enjoying the rank of power. Arica, on the other hand, was a bit shy and sensitive, and always felt, even when her parents were still alive, that she was always in Antellica's shadow.

One time when she and Antellica had been eleven for example, Amidala had just come home from a long election meeting and brought some food with her for dinner. When Arica came downstairs expecting some, she was surprised and upset to find that Padme and Antellica hadn't left her any.

"I'm sorry, 'Rica," her mistress' had said, using the nickname she'd given her. "Me and 'Tellica didn't know you were here. I'm sure there's something in the freezer you can eat."

Arica had simply nodded and made to go back upstairs. On her way up however, she distantly heard the two of them laughing.

Another time was when she and Antellica were nine, and neither of them had been feeling very well. This had been at the Royal Palace in Theed and not the estate, during the Sixth Annual Independence Day Royal Ball during Amidala's reign. Antellica and Arica had remained in their seats with sour expressions the entire time while Her Royal Highness was being introduced to numerous people of importance. Halfway into the ball, the Queen had come over quite angry, but her expression softened when she saw them. She went over to Antellica, who was making a show out of being sick, while Arica sat quietly.

"Antellica, are you alright? Would you perhaps like something to drink?" Antellica shook her head and Amidala began to fuss all over her, not even paying the slightest attention to Arica.

Arica spoke up softly. "Padme, I would like something to drink."

Amidala turned her head to face her faster than the speed of light. "I wasn't talking to you Arica," she snapped. "Shut up when you're not being spoken to. Can't you see that your sister is sick?"

Arica had burst into tears and ran off at that point. Amidala later apologized to her, saying she didn't know Arica was sick too and had gotten her a drink.

Yet although she apologized, Arica couldn't help but still feel hurt. Looking back at all that now, along with other memories…

Being blamed and locked inside the Palace dungeons for breaking a window while she and Antellica played dodge ball, when in actuality it was in fact Antellica that had done it; being beaten over Padme's knee with a switch in front of the entire Royal Court because she thought Arica had lied on Antellica over who'd trashed the throne room with candy wrappers; being starved for three days because Antellica had eaten an entire bag of Corellian crisps, when it was supposed to be for the Queen, and blaming it on her

…she began to cry silently. Not just for herself, but for Anakin as well. Padme was leading him onto believe a lie. She didn't love him. She'd said so herself, and Arica couldn't help but think of that sad day when the evil Sith finally enlightened Anakin to the truth. Perhaps one of the reasons she was worried about Anakin was because she liked and looked to him. She saw him as an older brother figure, but also in another light as well. Arica hastily shoved these feelings and thoughts aside however. She could just see Antellica if she discovered these thoughts.

"Arica likes Anakin! Arica likes Anakin!" she'd sing. And then she saw Padme laughing hysterically, teasing and belittling her and Anakin saying she was ridiculous. With these thoughts, Arica cried herself to sleep.

When Arica woke a few hours later, she found that her hurt and sadness towards Padme and Antellica had changed to hatred and rage. She refused to, and she would not live in the same house as those two backstabbing pieces of trash. She would leave and live her life elsewhere, away from those two demons. Proceeding out of bed, she showered quietly, dressed, and packed up her belongings. Afterwards, she went up to the fifth level and stole one of Padme's star cruisers, Lovely Lady, with which she left Naboo, having no intentions to return.