Chapter One – Royal Duality.
The Queen left the window and walked the marble corridors to her series of chambers. There she would meet Sabé, her chief handmaiden and her best friend. They called each other cousin, as Padmé's Aunt Maré had adopted Sabé at an early age. There were only two young girls under twenty in Theed who possessed enough intelligence and wisdom to have the ability to rule a planet. Padmé, of course, was one. Fortunately, Sabé was the other.
Sabé, although she had been off-duty, entered the room almost immediately. Padmé's handmaidens were never very far away from her, although often during her moments of snatched privacy she could easily forget how she was constantly surrounded by attendants. Sabé had been Padmé's best friend ever since they were children and therefore was not afraid to treat her like a person rather than a Queen. She also made sure that the other handmaidens left her alone during times of peace and quiet.
"I know why I've been summoned," she said upon entering.
Padmé nodded. "I suspect that this situation will not be resolved easily. I can better observe our options from a distance, without the distraction of having to be polite and regal all the time."
"I understand."
"I also firmly believe that our lives are in danger."
"No, Padmé, your life is in danger," Sabé said with a sigh.
"Posing as Queen will make you the target," Padmé continued, ignoring her rational tone. "If the Federation does not get its treaty signed they will use any means necessary to ensure that it does. There may well be attempts on our lives, but remember the other handmaidens are your protection now as well as mine. I pray that you won't be harmed by this plan. If it were up to me rather than Captain Panaka I would choose another decoy."
"That would be pointless. You know as well as I do that the resemblance between us is too good an opportunity to waste. Remember at school when we used to pretend we were twins?"
Padmé managed the ghost of a smile. The two of them did look strikingly similar. The memories caused them both to feel sadness at the remembrance of happy times when things had seemed so much simpler.
"All right, you win," Padmé conceded. "I suppose you'll do the best job as decoy Queen because you know me so well."
"Exactly. One less thing for you to worry about." Sabé sat down at Padmé's dressing table and began to paint her face white. "And the Gods know you could do with less of that."
Padmé came up to stand behind her chair. "Here's the red. Less of what?"
"Worry."
Sabé quickly painted her top lip crimson, splitting the bottom lip with the Scar of Remembrance. It symbolised why the Nabooian people kept peace for so many years. The last war had caused pain and suffering on a tremendous scale. During the final battle, the reigning monarch of the time had received a deep cut on the lip that had scarred her for life. For the remainder of her terms of service she had split her lower lip with a line of crimson paint, calling it the Scar of Remembrance, as a reminder to ensure that Naboo would always be a peaceful planet. The mark had been honoured by every ruler since. Padmé realised the significance of it now more than ever.
She walked over to her wardrobe and pulled out a gown of black with a black-feathered headdress. 'How suitable,' she thought to herself, 'it looks like a funeral shroud.'
Sabé, her make-up complete, slipped into the dress and carefully pulled on the hooded headpiece. "Lucky you had this one," she said.
"Why?" Padmé asked, confused.
"Because we don't have time to do my hair."
She glanced at the regal ensemble that formed Padmé's headdress and shuffled over to her, feeling awkward in the extravagant gown. She slipped her feet back into her own flat shoes, trying to eliminate the chance that someone might notice the few inches of height advantage she had over her cousin.
"I'm ready."
Padmé scrutinised her. The resemblance was startling. The heavy make-up concealed features that were unique to Sabé, leaving only the basic facial structure. Padmé found it quite eerie that the face paint worked so effectively in disguising her, but it also gave her hope.
"Well, you make a very convincing Queen. Let's hope I make a convincing handmaiden."
"I will only be a convincing Queen if this charade fools all the people you hope it does," Sabé replied, arranging a tiny golden chain that lay across her brow.
"Let's pray then." Padmé paused and touched something underneath her robe. Then she slipped off her beloved amulet and held it out. "Wear this. It will bring you good luck and complete the disguise."
"I can't, I've never seen you take that thing off. Ever."
"I want you to take it, Sab. I'll wear it again when our planet is free."
Sabé nodded slowly, knowing how hopeless it was to try and change her mind. "All right."
At that moment the door opened and Saché, another handmaiden, entered carrying a freshly cleaned cloak. She glanced at the two Queens and blinked a few times before saying, "I wish you wouldn't do that, Your Highness. I thought I was going mad."
Padmé and Sabé shared a small smile. "Sorry," the real Queen said, reaching for a cloth to remove her make-up. Saché helped her take off the extravagant headdress and hurriedly styled her hair into something more simple. Then Padmé quickly changed into the flame-coloured robes of the royal handmaidens.
"Right," she said to 'Queen Sabé'. "Let's go, the droids will be in the palace any minute."
Padmé's three remaining handmaidens, Rabé, Eirtaé and Yané, joined the small party outside the door. They clustered around Sabé as she made her way to the throne room.
"Remember," Padmé hissed in her ear, "if you have trouble look to us. I'll try and give you an answer. A positive comment will mean a positive answer and vice versa."
Sabé nodded without word, feeling sudden apprehension as she approached the throne room. She had spent hours training to be decoy, but despite the preparation she couldn't help feeling butterflies in her stomach. She tried to push it aside to concentrate on becoming Queen Amidala.
Padmé, now calling herself just Padmé Naberrie, dropped back a step, slipping into line with Rabé and Yané. Saché and Eirtaé brought up the rear.
In the throne room the group joined the chief of security, Captain Panaka, and his troop of guards. Head Governor Sio Bibble and the rest of the Nabooian Council of Governors also stood nearby. Bibble and Panaka recognised Padmé at once, but said nothing. Only they and the loyal handmaidens knew about Sabé's role as decoy.
There came the sound of blaster fire from the lower levels and the metallic voices of battle droids could be heard.
"Here they come," Panaka said dryly.
Sabé sat down on the throne and leaning her arms on the rests coolly, as she had seen Padmé do so often. "Let them come."
The droids certainly didn't disappoint on that front. Within the space of five minutes they had control of the throne room and had reported to the Viceroy that they had captured the Queen. Then the Naboo group was shooed out of the throne room to the grand staircase where the Viceroy, Nute Gunray, stood with his second-in-command, Rune Haako. It was difficult to tell one Neimoidian facial expression from another, but Sabé detected a distinct aura of smugness from the two.
"Your Highness," he said smoothly.
"Viceroy."
"You have been brought here to–"
Sabé cut him off. "I was not brought. This is my throne room. I don't recognise your authority, Nute Gunray."
"Now, now, Your Highness. We must at least make a pretence at civility. I trust you are well." He was smirking.
"It may surprise you," Sabé said sarcastically, "but I would be in much better health if my city was not crawling with Federation battle droids."
"An unfortunate necessity, Your Highness. Shall we?" He led them down the stairs.
"How will you explain this invasion to the Senate?" Governor Bibble asked before Nute could say anything more.
"The Queen and I will sign a treaty that will legitimise our occupation here. I have assurances it will be ratified by the Senate."
"I will not cooperate," Sabé said firmly.
"Now, now, Your Highness. In time, the suffering of your people will persuade you to see our point of view." Nute turned to one of the droids. "Commander, process them."
"Yes, sir. Take them to camp four," the droid said emotionlessly.
Sabé did not like the sound of camp four and scowled furiously as she was ushered out of the palace. A warning glance from Padmé made her check herself and she pasted a cold, neutral expression on her face. The persona of Queen Amidala did not show emotion so readily. Padmé herself found this a struggle, but always managed to convey cool confidence. Sabé straightened her back and lifted her chin, imitating her friend's mannerisms. She was proud and she was strong. A painted handmaiden in an expensive dress, but a Queen to anyone who cared to look. The decoy plan was in full operation.