Author's Pre Notes:

Roughly a month has passed since chapter 9.

The Former Queen

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

Plato

"B4 have you prepared the dress?" She asked her butler droid.

"Yes highness, it is prepared for when you need it, I am positive that it will be to your liking. The tailors became extremely motivated and excited when they were informed that they were making it for your highness."

"I should have guessed, 5 years later and I am still worshiped by the entire planet." She said back mirthfully.

"Yes, you most certainly are, by my calculations the number of visitors in Theed has increased nearly threefold compared to the average in person attendance since the announcement that you would be stepping in for the late queen to perform the coronation ceremony."

"Threefold? Really? That seems excessive, they do know that everything gets broadcast right?" She asked incredulously, she knew that her return would be big news, that it would be capable of creating a sensation on that level was a harder pill to swallow. Three times the average for the coronation ceremony, what would it have been like if she'd actually stood for reelection? A new record perhaps.

"Yes, highness, the figures add up correctly. News stations have already begun proposing that because this is your first appearance since passing the crown to Avenia 5 years ago it lies as the cause of such an unprecedented development."

She opted to not continue the conversation and simply leave it at that, there were still so many things to get a firm grip on for essentially pointless conversation. On top of all her "personal" problems her successor on Naboo had died suddenly, there was seemingly no end to her troubles. Force… she had been taken completely off guard by Avenia's sudden death. Avenia had just been reelected as well, and she was on her way to officially side with the Confederacy in the war. It was not good timing, especially since Padmé really wanted full access to the Enarc run to get around the Republic's forces on Malastare and it would be one less neutral planet to deal with.

This new Queen, Apailana, Padmé knew exceedingly little about her but from what she'd been able to gather it was clear that she would rather stay neutral in the war. The political scene on Naboo was currently dominated by what to do in response to the war. Neutrality had been the norm some months ago but with the recent developments on the frontlines, people had started to grow nervous about what might happen.

Naboo now sits on an incredibly vital hyperspace lane. Enarc to Naboo's south had already sided with the Confederacy halfway into the war and Kalinda to the north had recently sided with the Republic. This essentially left Naboo as the only neutral system keeping the war from escalating further in the region.

In reality both the Confederacy and Republic were preparing for things to pop off rather soon. The Republic was already planning an invasion and forces were ready to go at any moment. The Republic desperately needed some way to pull pressure off of Christophsis and Malastare and an attack heading towards Enarc would definitely do that, the only problem with that was that Naboo was in the way.

More simply put, things were at the tipping point now. Then there was how Padmé had been asked to perform the duties that were supposed to be done by the former monarch at the coronation of the new monarch. And to speak truthfully, she was actually excited to get another break from the war… and everything else. This "break" also just happens to be the perfect opportunity to "influence" Apailana and pull her over to the Confederacy's side. If the chance were to present itself then she didn't doubt her chances of making Apailana choose the right side.

She was a little worried about leaving the front for the week but hopefully things would turn out fine, she'd noticed that she hadn't been her usual "Strategic Genius" that so many would describe her as. Hopefully this whole ordeal would help her get back into the swing of things… get things to go back to the way they were.

If she succeeded here then things would just go better for her forces, she was also itching for a chance to finally unleash the clone legions. Since the Jedi now knew about them she had put their mobilization on the fast track; she had almost expected there to be a potential attack on Kamino but nothing had happened.

Well, enough of that Padmé, breaks don't come very often so enjoy it whilst you can. It would be awhile until another break would come along so enjoying it and relaxing while it lasted was among her top priorities right now.

She had returned to Naboo two days ago and started on all the preparations she needed to do, preparing several appropriate dresses, preparing a speech, possibly two, making notes and researching everyone on the guestlist for both the ceremony and the ball.

She got a distinct feeling of Deja Vu, how many times had she been up all night doing this exact thing when she was queen? Too many to count; something that was a distinct marker of her perfectionist tendencies.

As far as anyone knew Padmé Amidala had served her term as queen and then lived the peaceful life for 5 years in the lake country alone. Reality however was wildly different. But now she found herself trying to find a reasonable explanation for her "isolation" all these years. There were really not any reasonable arguments she could make that didn't actually go into what she had actually been doing. The best lie is one born from truth after all, so saying that she'd been practicing the force wasn't entirely a bad idea. It would be something that she could prove easily at a moment's notice as well. It wouldn't be surprising either since it was a known fact that Amidala was force sensitive.

It would also explain the changes in her appearance, experiments gone awry or something like that would probably suffice, and give credibility to her claim. Her eyes still needed to be hidden as they were a clear sign of a Sith, using both the force to hide them and contacts would probably suffice. Intentionally changing the public's perception to deceive them all, give them something to run after… having them run in the wrong direction.

She leaned back in her chair and tilted her head over the backrest before breathing a deep sigh letting her shoulders relax and fall limp.

"22 years old, former queen, the most accomplished fleet admiral in recent history and a master wielder of the force, a dark lady of the Sith… And I've barely passed my teen years." She gave a chuckle at her apt observation, staring out at the lake and the landscape which surrounded it. She couldn't help but feel like all those titles belong to other people. Padmé Amidala was the former queen, Darth Imperia was the famous admiral and force wielder… and she? Well, she's just Padmé Serenno, adopted daughter of Count Dooku. And even then only very few people even knew of that version of herself, here on Naboo you'd never find her since Padmé Naberrie died alongside her family 14 years ago.

Three people in the entire galaxy know exactly who she is or which faces she can be found behind. Dooku, Hego Damask and Qymaen… Tyranus, Plagueis and Grievous. Everyone else just saw the masks, the facades which she'd so elegantly carved from nothingness.

She didn't mind the fact that she was essentially several people at once, she liked being able to study the difference in behaviour people had between her different personas. How she would be feared by her enemies and respected by her subordinates as Imperia, how she was loved and worshiped by the people of Naboo as Amidala. It was a genuine delight to be able to see and experience the differences between two radically different perspectives, few things could compete with that.

Tomorrow however the mask of Padmé Amidala would be picked up after five years of not being properly used, so dusting it off and remembering how it fit was paramount. First would be the Queen's first day introduction where the former monarch would've introduced the new one to their duties but seeing as that was not possible it fell to Padmé to do this again as she had done for Avenia 5 years ago. Then after midday was when the actual ceremonies and such would take place. The day after that would be a festival and in the evening was the grand ball.

It's going to be an interesting time for sure, that much she knew for certain. The introduction would contain several parts but the important one would be the meeting of the state as it was called. A meeting where the new monarch would be informed of the most pressing issues requiring their attention and so on, frankly the only thing that would be talked about was going to be the war and whether to stay neutral or join a side. She almost felt a bit bad for Apailana, her first day on the job would be a hectic one, maybe even the most hectic one a monarch of Naboo has ever had.

Well either way, Apailana having a bad first day wasn't really her concern. Padmé was more concerned with the people the Republic had sent to attend the occasion. Senator Bail Organa, she nearly wanted to skip the entire thing and call off her involvement to avoid having to be in the same room as the likes of him. A idiotic idealising bleeding heart from a well off and influential core world like Alderaan, always believing in the virtues of democracy and freedom. So many times had she heard of his efforts to bring forth motions of utter idiocracy to the Senate. The Republic would also be sending Rush Clovis, the worst of the worst… corrupt and self indulgent swine is what he is. But a useful one nonetheless, he is an agent for Padmé's father after all. The worst of the worst, a traitorous opportunist.

To Padmé a senator could be one of three types, the one who doesn't hide their greed and worse traits, then there were the ones who tried hiding their viceses. But the one she hated with a burning passion were the idiotic idealists that actually believe in the rotting carcass that is the Republic. She didn't dislike Organa for the things he pushed for in the senate, on the contrary she would support a large majority of the policies he'd put forward in his time serving as a senator. The thing she hated was the fact that he thought those policies would pass through the system of an institution so bloated and corrupt like the Republic Senate.

Universal healthcare, free education, market regulation and the removal of corporate representation in the senate. He'd make an excellent separatist if he wasn't a complete fool. Although, to be fair to the man, the Confederacy exists mostly because of those said corporations, without their capital and resources this war would've been an incredibly different one. If only people could see what was going on behind the scenes, how those said corporations were tightly leashed to the Sith. How they do our every whim without question… most of the time at least, everyone needs a reminder from time to time of what could happen to the "Unfortunate".

Force… sometimes that life with her old family on Naboo that she always imagined became really appealing. Just living blissfully unaware in paradise completely oblivious to the crumbling galaxy. But that life would never be… this was her life and it was no life embodied by the saying "Ignorance is Bliss", this life of hers was true to the statement "Knowledge is Power".

"Well, at least I can enjoy the taste of bliss." She held up the glass of whiskey in her hand and gave it a swirl before taking a sip. The burning sensation is not something one would normally associate with bliss, but to her it was the closest thing to bliss one could have. She may only be 22 but she was already a seasoned drinker, and with the force to help her if the need arose she could confidently say that drinking contests were a done deal before they even started.

Maybe her love for hard liquor wasn't a very good one but she didn't care, she just loved the feeling of utter carelessness that took over her when she drank. You'd expect a Sith to be the angry kind of drunk but Padmé was one who would simply laugh and find everything hilarious until she passed out. It had happened on more than one occasion and the hangover afterwards would make her rethink her choices the previous night… but it never stopped her from doing it again.

There had been so many times that she and Qymaen had gotten drunk through the past years that she'd given up counting after maybe 50. She wouldn't call herself an alcoholic, she wouldn't drink everyday and sometimes she would go a month without. But when she did, she really drank, either there was something in her head that she really wanted to escape from or because she wanted to take a break in blissful intoxication for an evening.

"Your Highness, the first minister asks if you could spare some time to speak with him." She hadn't noticed B4 walking out on the balcony, the first minister wants to speak with me huh… well it better be important, does he realise what time it is?

"Tell him I will be with him in a moment." She said back to B4 who happily walked off to relay her message to the first minister who was most likely waiting on a holo interface for her. She sat there savouring the last of her drink before getting up to get this conversation over and done with.

"First Minister, to what do I owe the pleasure." Fake pleasantries were second nature to her at this point, and they certainly did well to hide her displeasure at being called at such a late hour.

"Your Highness, I apologise for the late hour but I am afraid that this couldn't wait." The first minister was a man who was starting to get on in his years but he'd still be considered young for someone in his position.

"Ohh, about what?" Padmé asked in her best fake surprise voice.

"As I am sure you are aware, Naboo is currently on the brink of becoming a battleground once more, this time for the Republic and the Separatists. The Queen has been… sliding towards the wrong side recently. I was wishing that maybe you could give some words of wisdom to her to make her see the right choice." He was behaving rather cryptically, maybe a bit too much for Padmé's liking, barely a week has passed since she's returned and someone is already trying to use her for their own purposes.

Hiding her disgust at his futile attempt to utilise her for his own agenda Padmé replied cordially. "I believe you would need to be more… specific, regarding what side it is that she has been… sliding towards, as you so aptly put it."

"She has begun claiming that the separatists are the just and righteous side in this war. You have always been a champion of democracy and freedom, I know that you also have a distaste for the Republic but you must see that the Republic is the right faction to side with." What an utter fool, it took every bit of self restraint Padmé had in her not to burst out laughing after hearing his words. This was perfect, another card to play for her own benefit.

"I believe it most prudent that this conversation remains a brief one, I shall see what I can do, first minister." She gave a small nod and ended the transmission.

She was already confident in her chances of being able to convince Apailana to side with the Confederacy but this situation was looking better and better by the minute. Not only was the Queen already on the path to siding with the Confederacy, now Padmé could expose the first minister as a republican sympathiser who's trying to undermine Apailana's rule.

Padmé was practically beaming, convincing Apailana would be a piece of cake and then she could enjoy her "vacation" even more without having to bother using her political and social expertise to convince the girl… yet the voice in the back of her head was cautious as ever… never think an open door a blessing until you've seen what lies behind it.

The Former Slave

To escape one's past is impossible, for you are the summation of that past. In the same vein as the past you can find the future, and it is the summation of the past and all that which comes after.

"You know exactly what I think about having to do this Obi Wan." Anakin said tersely to his old friend.

"Yes, I am well aware, frankly it doesn't sit well with me either… but, as Jedi we have to do things that we don't particularly like at times." Obi Wan responded, always the diplomat between following the code and breaking it.

"Yeah yeah, I already know the routine… it's just that right now I feel like at least they could spare one of us from having to suffer through pleasantries and politics."

"There would be a valid reason for that, but the senate specifically requested that we both attend to hopefully "inspire the right choice" for the new monarch of Naboo." Obi Wan made clear his disdain with his choice of quoting the sleazy politicians.

"I know fully well why Naboo is important right now but I don't see why they are so concerned with reassuring themselves that Naboo will side with the Republic."

"What do you mean?" Obi Wan asked him.

"Well, I don't see why a planet with such democratic traditions and loyalty to the republic would side with the Separatist, Naboo's ties with the core worlds are pretty tight if I remember correctly."

"Well, I wouldn't count on that." Obi Wan said shortly.

"Well now it's my turn to wonder what you mean." Anakin responded somewhat jokingly.

"After nearly 8 years of "Amidalan Politics" it wouldn't be surprising if they did side with the Separatists."

"Amidalan politics?" Anakin asked curiously.

"I guess you haven't been keeping up with the political shifts on Naboo since our last visit. They call it Amidalan politics because of who started it, our dear acquaintance the former Queen." Anakin didn't respond, he was desperately trying to hide the shocking realisation in his mind. He was still having issues picturing Padmé and Imperia as the same person, even after more than a month of knowing… plus the "Interaction". Obi Wan continued seemingly unaware of Anakin's state of mind.

"During the years since the invasion there has been a dramatic shift on the planet, from everything to the establishment of a standing military, core world hate rhetoric and anti republican and democratic values. Amidala may have stepped down after only one four year term but If she had continued the planet could've potentially seen a shift from an elective monarchy to a dynastic one. There were already talks during her term in office of amending the constitution to allow her to serve for more than two terms."

Anakin didn't have a response to what Obi Wan had told him, the changes on the planet fit perfectly into the MO of a Sith. But she had stepped down after only one term… he couldn't untangle the mess that were his thoughts about Padmé. On one hand he remembered the brave and compassionate Queen… one that he was slowly coming to realise that he most likely loved. And on the other he saw his worst enemy, an uncaring, ruthless and evil Sith.

His rational brain was the one that thought of her as a Sith and then there was his heart that only saw the girl who lived rent free and firmly entrenched in his dreams.

"I can see your mind wandering." Obi Wan said teasingly knowing tassetelly what subject Anakin's mind was mulling over in the present moment. "You know… Padmé is going to be attending all the functions and such that we also have to, so maybe this trip isn't completely boring. She's stepping in for Avenia, it's the first time she's been seen publicly in nearly 5 years."

Obi Wan could seemingly not help himself, blatantly encouraging Anakin to go and break the code like he has. He couldn't help but give Obi Wan a piercing look, if only you knew what she's been up to you wouldn't be so casual about us being in the same room. But Anakin would have to lie to his old friend, only he could know what he knew… otherwise things would not turn out so well… not well at all…

"Yeah, maybe you're right… well, what do you think of our esteemed charges, Senator Clovis and Organa?" Anakin asked, trying desperately to change the subject away from both his embarrassing past and the massive secret he's keeping locked in his mind.

"Senator Organa is a good man, but this… Clovis fellow, I don't particularly incline myself to believe him to be an upstanding senator." Anakin couldn't help but huff in agreement, especially about Obi Wan's perception of senator Clovis. "Yeah he's a real sleazeball if I've ever seen one. I can seemingly not shake the urge to just strangle him where he stands."

Obi Wan opened his mouth but was cut off by Anakin immediately. "Don't you dare start spouting your mantra of "we must even if we don't like it" I've heard that enough times to last me an entire lifetime, possibly two."

Obi Wan just gave him a smirk in response. "Well, we both better get some good sleep now that we can since I doubt we'll be able to get much when we arrive."

"Yeah, make sure you get up in time, old man." Anakin quipped before hastily retreating into his quarters. Only sensing Obi Wan's force huff after he'd closed the door.

There wouldn't be any sleep for him that night, only lying in bed thinking about the one who he was so sure he had this unbreakable connection with but one who he couldn't imagine how to be with. He couldn't help but think of a particularly famous Alderaanian play, Carlo and Helen, a tragedy of two star crossed lovers from rival families who eventually both die by suicide.

What would happen when they met now on Naboo? Could he keep his knowledge of who she is hidden from her? How would she react to him being there, or knowing who she is? Would the force tell him what to do or would he be on his own to deal with his inner conflict? So many questions which he had no answer to whatsoever.

He couldn't get the image of her snow white curls, pale skin and those stark red eyes out of his mind. Had she been hiding her real appearance from everyone 8 years ago? Or was her changed appearance born from something else?

Be honest with yourself… you're going to ignore the fact that she's Darth Imperia when you see her. One thing I know for certain at least… I need to see her, to talk to her… otherwise I fear this aching in my heart will never stop.

Author's After Notes:

The vast majority of this chapter (~95%) was written as the first iteration of chapter 6. Having gone back and looked over it I decided to use it after some "retrofitting" so that it would fit in better with where the story is now compared to how it was back then.