Chapter 3– School

"In the year 3976 BBY, the Mandalorian-Jedi War began and lasted for 16 years…" Ms. Taline Rana continued on. She was a kind soul, but I already knew this material so I let my mind wander. My eyes wandered too– over to Tal. He was definitely not paying attention; he was doodling something on his paper. I tried to look at it, and it looked like a war scene. Maybe he was paying attention. The other students in the class seemed engaged, and they didn't seem to make the connections between what was being taught in class and what is happening in the world around us.

I looked at Tal again. He must've sensed I was looking, glanced over, and gave me a wink. Sometimes I think he likes me, but I am still not sure about him.

Soon enough, class was dismissed, but Ms. Taline Rana asked me to stay. I walked over to where she was sitting.

"Hi Satine. How are you doing today?" She asks me this every once and a while, and honestly, I appreciate it, because it means she cares about my well-being.

"I'm good," I lied. She smiled.

"That's a lie. But I understand if you don't want to talk." I stayed silent. Then she added cautiously, "Was it about the war talk?"

"I'm just worried."

"I can tell. I am too. And I know you feel so much responsibility. I'm sorry Satine. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No it's ok." She smiled again and raised her eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" I finally gave a little smile.

"Yes Ms. Rana. Thank you."

"You're welcome. If you ever do need something, do not hesitate to reach out. And I mean that, ok?"

"Ok, thank you." Ms. Rana must've sensed I was done with the conversation, and I appreciated her letting me go. I walked outside to see Tal waiting.

"What did she want?" Tal asked.

"She just wanted to make sure I was ok." I tell Tal some things, but not everything.

"Well are you?"

"Yes, I'm just a little worried about father. He talked about an uprising that happened yesterday. It has to do with people who want the violence and think fighting is a good thing."

"Well, what do you think?" Tal asked.

"I think that fighting is wrong. Killing is wrong, and therefore I think war is wrong."

"So you believe the same as your father."

"Yes, I suppose. Why do you ask so persistently?" Tal and I have talked about Pacifism before, and we've even gotten into arguments about it. Tal leans toward what Bo believes– that there is a time to fight. But I believe that fighting only causes more problems. I have seen it in my life, I have seen it in the world around me, and I know it will be this way in the future. People don't change; therefore a peaceful life is the way to live. Living in a peaceful world is much easier than living in one with violence.

"Because I want to make sure I know what you believe in." Tal said plainly.

"Why do you care so much about what I believe?" I asked.

"Because you're going to be ruler one day."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I don't like thinking about how one day Father the Duke will be gone and Satine the Duchess will take over, let alone thinking about why he would care so much.

"You are going to be Duchess Satine, you know."

"Yes Tal I am aware. But what does that have to do with what you believe?"

"Well what if I don't believe what you believe and I have to leave?" he said laughing. He jokes about this all the time, because we do have different beliefs.

"People can have different beliefs than their ruler, but they still have to respect the ones put in place," I explained, "Tal I plan to make you one of my advisors one day because your beliefs are different from mine. I think it's important to have people around you who are different and can hold you accountable."

"You are going to make a good ruler." he playfully shoves me to the side as we walk outside the Academy.

"Thanks Tal."

When we walk outside I see a group of people older than me whispering and pointing. Tal hates it when this happens, but I just hold my head high and ignore. People already don't like me and I'm not even their ruler yet. But then I see another group of people smile and wave, and I know they are supportive. Even though it terrifies me and fills me with a sense of dread, I will be a ruler one day, and I am determined to be a good one.