Panting softly, Padme could not force the smile spreading her lips to go away as the music faded to a soft, quiet ending. Her tired legs trembled just a little from the exertion of four dances in a row with the Senator's handsome nephew. Glancing over her shoulder, she spotted several colleagues and acquaintances on the sidelines of the dancefloor, watching and whispering amongst themselves and though she flushed from such attention, their interest was hardly surprising. Since the very beginning of her career, she had never publicly dated anyone or had any rumoured attachments. The few short relationships she did have across the years were exceedingly private and had gone blissfully unnoticed by her peers. Sadly, all that effort meant that any time she did spend with someone in public, it would inevitably draw curious attention.
Despite the scrutiny, Padme lifted her hand to feel the heat blooming in her cheeks with the back of her palm, laughing softly as she did. Twenty-eight years old and she was flushing because of a man! When was the last time that happened? Well, other than with the very person she was trying very hard not to think about. If her mother could see her right now, she was sure Jobal would be whooping and dancing with such glee to see her youngest daughter finally showing an interest in someone. All her mother had ever wanted was to see both her children happily settled in loving relationships… and grandchildren, of course.
As the starting strings of yet another song began, Varlo grinned and tugged at the ends of his tunic to readjust its positioning. "May I interest you in another round, Senator?" He smiled brightly, taking Padme's hand into his own larger one without care of whose gazes were following the movements closely. "Don't worry," he smiled, noticing her eyes sweep to the audience surrounding them, "I'm sure there will be some terrible scandal to distract people sooner than later…" Something she did not quite understand gleamed in his eyes for a moment, "Let's enjoy ourselves tonight. Come on? One more dance and I swear I shall leave you be all night long…"
Raising a playful eyebrow, Padme couldn't help but grin. "All night long? That's quite a long time to avoid someone…"
Varlo laughed once more, bending at the neck to breathe a whisper into her ear, "Well, I make no promises, Senator… I do find your company rather addictive."
She waited. Waited for the thrill to race through her body, the excitement, the wanting… but nothing awoke within her though she was deeply flattered by Varlo's praising attentions. What was wrong with her? This man was attentive and certainly more handsome than any of her past paramours and yet her stomach did not flip under his gaze the way that it should. Her skin didn't tingle beneath his touch or crave more of it… Wasn't all of that supposed to happen? A deep, bitter disappointment throbbed in the pit of her stomach but Padme forced a gentle smile to remain on her lips anyway. One more dance would be nice.
She allowed Varlo to whisk her into the centre of the floor yet again as her foolish, traitorous mind wandered to a man whose mind was on anything but her.
Concealed in the darkest shadows tucked deep in the corner of the ballroom, Anakin watched the Nubian Senator's head fall back with laughter at whatever Senator Vinnis' nephew whispered in her ear. His eager eyes drank in every single inch of her in that sparkling dress now he could do so without being caught. She was a true angel, the creatures on the moons of Iago would weep with envy if they laid eyes upon Padme Naberrie, he swore it.
Varlo lifted her slight weight into the air for a careful, spinning circle everyone else performed also, but the Prince could not tear his eyes from her. The absolute enjoyment within her force signature washed over him and he revelled within its absolute glee. Her presence had always been soothing for him but the delight she felt was an extra pleasant sensation despite the bitter envy quaking inside of him.
Padme had asked him for this dance. Him. She had asked him and he had allowed his own weakness to come tumbling free. The invitation had come from nowhere, so unexpected that Anakin hadn't been prepared to let her down gently with some careful excuse or another. He could have told her he was wounded from some off-world excursion, that was believable enough and it might have prolonged their conversation too. Instead, he had stuttered and mumbled like a fool before thrusting Hedsard's boy in her face and storming off. Force damn it, he seethed.
For a moment, the Prince let his mind wander. What would it be like to force his way through the crowd of glittering jewels and swooshing gowns and ask to cut in now? How would it feel to take Padme in his arms and feel her body against his? Sadly reality returned all too quickly to dim the fantasy before it could really begin. If she knew the truth, she would never desire him – who would want to tie themselves to someone who offered nothing but a potential future some unmarked day? And at what cost for her? Her career? Stability? The opportunity for a normal, secure life doing what she loved? He was royal, yes, but his claim to the throne had been all but severed with one choice made many years ago.
"Dammit, there you are!" A feminine voice tore Anakin from his thoughts with a jolt and he whirled around, reaching instinctively for the lightsaber he had been explicitly banned from bringing tonight. Fortunately, the owner of the voice was no enemy waging a surprise attack, but instead, the aide he and Vader both relied so heavily upon and yet avoided at all costs.
"Sabe…" Anakin breathed, lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose as the blonde woman slithered into the shadows beside him. If she were anyone else, he might have been angry at her intrusion and pulling his attention away from Padme, but she had probably done him a favour before his brooding truly soured his mood all night long.
"Why are you hiding in the dark?" Sabe tore her eyes from the datapad in her hands for a moment before shaking her head, "Never mind, I'm not even surprised. Vader sent me to find you, he says he's tired of dealing with everything alone out there – oh, and we have a posed candid picture shoot with…" as she droned on, Anakin allowed his eyes to lift to the beautiful Senator once more. She was certainly graceful on her feet for someone who sat behind a desk all day, and force help him, her smile was everything. Padme's laughter lit up her face as Varlo spun her around, breaking from the routine steps of the dance and surprising her. She was having the time of her life out there.
Every one of his instincts screamed. Being who and what he was, Anakin was denied so much more than people could ever imagine, so why was he doing it to himself? His father seemed to want nothing more in life than power and the abject misery of his sons and had worked tirelessly to accomplish it. Well, not tonight. He was tired of watching and wanting and doing nothing. For one night, one dance, Anakin was going to do something for himself. "Wait, wait, hold on a second," he interrupted Sabe's schedule and waved a hand to dismiss any coming protests. If he could dance with Padme just once, the memory of it would be enough to sustain a lifetime of watching her from afar. Varlo Hedsard had his turn long enough.
"Anakin, I can't," Sabe whined, "we have so much to go over – if you had just let me brief you before we left then maybe – "
"Listen," he rolled his eyes, growing frustrated, "I will do everything you want and pose for every photo-op you need, but right now there's something I need to do. It won't take long, I promise," as he spoke, Sabe's shoulders sagged, though her face softened and she seemed close to relenting and freeing him of her precise timeline as a small sigh slipped through her lips.
"If it's going to be quick, then maybe – "
"Is this where you've been hiding all night?" Vader's voice pulled their gazes in his direction as he slipped into the shadows and fixed Anakin with a firm glare. "I've had to deal with twice as many idiots in your place, brother."
Force help him now.
"Oh good," Sabe smiled and locked her datapad, turning its bright screen black, "now you're both together, we can get this all done quickly. Wait, what happened to your hand?!" The aide cried, drawing Anakin's attention to a slip of white wrapped around his brother's palm. Bright circles of blood stained the make-shift bandage and he narrowed his eyes, trying to catch Vader's gaze even as his twin avoided him. Something tense and tight throbbed deep within his brother's force signature, something he would learn the truth of before the night was done. "No, never mind," Sabe shook her head, "I don't want to know. We'll get some bacta on it and move on. We have a private photographer here to capture images of you speaking with each head of the eight official charities Senator Hedsard has invited to raise awareness of their appeals. For my sake, if nothing else, please look engaged as they speak to you both." Each word she said stamped out Anakin's hope and previous eager momentum one brutal word after another. Maybe there would be another chance to ask Padme for that dance later? He could take this time and craft a proper apology for his behaviour earlier. "Oh!" Sabe's little gasp drew the Prince's attention back to the blonde once more, "Most importantly, we're walking a very thin line by attending this evening at all after all the accusations, so under no circumstances can either of you be seen with Varlo Hedsard, okay? Any images of you speaking with him could be interpreted as support and that's the last thing we need."
"Wait…What?" Anakin hissed, turning to share a confused glance with Vader. He hadn't heard anything about any allegations? What the hell was she talking about?
Glaring furiously, the blonde shook her head and scoffed as she looked between the two Princes. "Are you kidding me?" She cried, "Do either of you ever read the briefs I send out? Truly? Or am I just wasting my time gathering information and handing it to you every time we attend functions like this? Seriously, tell me!"
"Stop posturing and tell us what it is, Sabe," Vader rolled his eyes, "Remember, we could have a protocol droid ready to replace you in half a day."
"No one and nothing could ever do my job but me," she shook her head, shoving friendlily at Vader who didn't move even an inch though a small, fond smile lifted his brother's lips regardless. "Alright look, Senator Vinnis' nephew, Varlo Hedsard, has been accused of domestic violence by his former girlfriend, the actress Halla Lightdream. It's all just come out, so it's very new, but it's not good. I read her statements, they're horrific. If it's true, he tortured her… and others are beginning to speak out too."
"By the force…" Vader hissed, "What are we even doing here, Sabe? I can't believe anyone has shown their face with this circulating – especially Senator Amidala," his dark eyebrows lifted curiously as he glanced backwards over his shoulder to the dancefloor, "I wouldn't have thought she was the type to spend time with such a man."
Anakin's mind reeled. Varlo Hedsard was a monster? He was someone who thrived on cruelty and the harm they deliberately caused others… someone he had introduced to Padme. Fuck. Padme! How could he have forgotten she was out there with that scum? He stepped away from Sabe and Vader to the boundary of the shadow they lingered within and scanned the room for any sign of the Nubian Senator but she was nowhere to be seen. Another giggling couple had replaced them for the upbeat tune that now played since he last glanced at her. How? It had only been a minute! Force damn it!
"Vader, did you see where she went?" Anakin rounded on his brother who jerked back in surprise, "He might try something if he knows there's a good chance he'll be locked up sooner than later."
"Don't be ridiculous," Sabe rolled her eyes, "The Senator probably has her own security detail in attendance tonight, they'll make sure she's safe. It's their job to look out for her, not yours, Anakin." The royal aide's words were firm and sure, though not unkind and she shifted the weight of the datapad in her arms once more and glanced between the brothers. "As for us, I think it would be best if we got some shots, confirm charitable selections and take our leave. I already have a statement drafted that your presence here was to honour the spokespeople of those organisations and nothing more."
She wasn't serious… He hadn't read the details of what that bastard had done as Sabe had, but Anakin knew it wasn't wise to take a chance and leave him alone with anyone – especially Padme! Where was her handmaiden? Wasn't it her responsibility to make sure that her mistress was safe from any threats? "Vader," he ignored the aide and spoke through gritted teeth. "Did you see where they went or not?"
"Look," his twin laid a hand on Anakin's shoulder, "I think I saw them slip out into the gardens a few seconds ago, but I'm inclined to agree with Sabe. Padme is a smart woman, Anakin, I'm sure she can take care of herself. I know you like her but it's not your job to take care of her… believe me, I know it's difficult to let go but we have more important things to think about."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing… They were just fine allowing Padme to go off with a man who enjoyed hurting women without so much as checking in? Without warning her? It was impossible that she knew who she was with. Anakin doubted she would have even attended this evening to begin with had she known. Well, just because they weren't willing to look out for her didn't mean he had to feel the same way. "I'm going after her." Anakin knocked away Vader's hand, "once I make sure she's safe we can leave but not a second before."
"Really, brother, you shouldn't involve yourself… Especially while nothing has been proven – it won't look good should it all be overturned!" Vader called but it was already too late. Sabe's words rang in the Prince's ears as he pushed past a serving droid, causing it to stumble and spill its champagne offerings to the floor. It cried out as crystal shattered into slippery dust at its mechanical feet, but its voice fell on deaf ears. Was Padme still with Varlo? If there was any truth to the stories coming out then he needed her as far away from that beast as possible.
No matter where he looked, Anakin couldn't find Padme or Varlo anywhere. The place was packed – he couldn't see anything! Still, he sensed her force signature, a tangible warmth, so familiar and so close by… He had been hoping Vader was wrong about seeing them sneak outside together but his gut sank with bitter acceptance. Time to face facts. She had gone out there with Varlo to be alone with the man. Maybe she liked him? Maybe he had charmed her into thinking he was a good man?
Maybe he had even kissed her by now…
Finally, finally, Anakin made it out of the tight dancefloor, leaving a trail of surprised and angry cries in his wake after shoving anyone and everyone out of his way regardless of gender, race or rank. What were they going to do about it? There weren't many people brave enough to stand against an Imperial Prince, after all... one of the few perks of his position.
Panting, he looked around for the doorway to the gardens below and found two estate guards keeping watch. His instincts sung. That was the door he needed. If Varlo Hedsard had so much as laid a single hand on her, Anakin would finally make his father proud. Something dark began to waken within him as he made his way to the gardens.
He should have asked her to dance…