Dorme sat by the window, her hands steady as she threaded a fine needle through the delicate fabric of one of Padme's dresses. A deep, amethyst velvet, it was certainly very beautiful and cost an eyewatering fortune to create yet her mistress had managed to tear the dress from the hem to the thigh. Dorme had insisted on repairing it herself. It was one of Padme's favourites, and as much as she enjoyed handing off the occasional laborious task to the droids, this was too delicate for metal hands.
The tear was noticeable. Unmissable. Dorme's fingers moved skilfully, stitching the fabric with careful precision. As she worked, the early morning sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over her hands. Little Princess Leia hadn't woken to begin her day yet judging from the calm of the apartment and she enjoyed the silence as she worked… or at least, the lack of crying.
500 Republica was certainly not silent this morning.
"Oh gods… uhh… So good…" Her old friend's pleasured cries drifted out of the bedroom, growing louder and more frequent as the activities inside neared their… conclusion. Rabe and Sache slid into seats by either side of her, non-plussed. Their hands kept busy aiding Dorme's sewing or other small tasks which required completion before the day began. Only Teckla, the newest addition to their team, shifted uncomfortably in her seat, flushed from her neck to her cheeks. Dorme only smiled, eyes never leaving her task. She would get used to it eventually.
The moaning grew louder… a rhythmic thud knocked into the wall again, again, again.
Teckla cleared her throat awkwardly, squeaking as their mistress' cries rose in volume. "Do we just pretend we heard nothing once they come out?"
The girl looked absolutely mortified as Rabe sniggered. "You'll have to get used to it. We're expected to be subtle and discreet. I doubt either of them even knows we're here yet."
"Ani yes! Ah – oh gods, fuck me…"
Thud. Thud. Thud.
"Remind me to have that wall looked at," Sache hummed, spreading the fabric wider across the table.
"How are we supposed to look them in the eye after this?" Teckla slumped in her seat, covering her red face in her hands. "I would rather be swallowed up by the ground than go in there and face her."
"Fuck… Just like that…" Male moaning had all four women giggling. "Take it!"
"Lucky Padme," Rabe sighed.
"You will go in there and do whatever is requested from you – that is your job," Dorme shook her head, tugging the thread tighter. "Attending to our former Senator and a Princess of the Empire is an honour and a privilege many on Naboo would kill for," she threw a harsh look at the girl. "We are attending in their home so there will be things you hear and see which are private, you must close your eyes and ears to it."
"You're right," Teckla bowed her head, "I'm sorry, I – "
The moaning grew louder, morphing into passionate cries of names and declarations of agreement again and again…
And then, silence at last.
"There," Dorme leaned back to admire her work. "All finished."
"With the extensive testing we have conducted these past three weeks and blood sampling," the doctor's voice cracked as he glanced at his colleague, a female twi'lek of a beige hue who gave a slight nod of encouragement. Months into working with a new board of doctors, Vader's symptoms were still showing no sign of improvement, but finally, they claimed to have found answers at last. He lifted an eyebrow as he waited for the man to gather the nerve to speak, whatever this illness was, it couldn't be so terrible, could it? "Well, your Majesty, we sampled some of the remaining DNA samples from your late father for comparison…"
"And?" Vader snapped, already sick of this babbling. "Get the point! What are we going to do to heal me?" Exploring his new relationship with Satine had been wonderful, but the ever-worsening illness he felt was a constant interruption and source of worry for his Duchess. It was impossible to hide from her, though he had tried at first. It was at her firm insistence that he found the newest, most renowned medical professionals in the galaxy and paid them whatever they required. Twenty-eight doctors of various species, a vast monthly sum of credits and an entire wing of the palace dedicated to their craft were a small price for the return of his health, after all.
The Emperor sat comfortably in the office space of Doctor Kesi Finnall, a famous and well-praised man from Scipio whose many accolades spoke for themselves. He was known to have healed various people of many unknown diseases and had assured Sabe of his professionalism and discretion. He had assembled a team of who he believed were the most educated and experienced beings across various fields of expertise. In their meetings, the Doctor had assured him endlessly they would find the answers Vader desired.
And finally, here they were… He'd delayed many things in the hopes of recovering properly first, including a formal proposal to Arievel, which perhaps was not the worst thing right now.
He promised Satine he would never hurt her again and in the heated moment in which that tumbled out of his mouth, Vader meant it with his whole heart, but he needed an Empress. He needed legitimate heirs to come to power after him and continue the Skywalker bloodline. As a fellow ruler, he liked to tell himself that Satine would understand his position, she knew the sacrifices leaders were forced to make for their people, but Vader failed to lie to himself for long. He would be delusional to believe that conversation would be anything other than painfully long and emotional.
"The illness which plagued his late Majesty, Emperor Sidious was unknown to the galaxy before his time," Anammi Horne, the female twi'lek, said, "So much so, it bore no name. Afterwards, it was known as 'Virothrax Syndrome' as a way to conceal His Majesty's identity whilst it was studied throughout the medical community, unfortunately, we found no answers before his passing."
"I don't understand what any of this has to do with me?" Vader shook his head, resting his ankle on his knee. He was the reason Sidious was dead, not the sickness. Everyone had been all too happy to blame the silent disease rotting him from the inside out and look to the coming brighter days of his rule instead. No one cared to think back to his father's reign, so why did it matter now?
"You see," Doctor Kesi pressed his lips tightly together, "all of our work has been conclusive. It seems you have inherited the same sickness that Emperor Sidious battled. All of your symptoms mirror those of your father and the, ahem, signs of decline follow the pattern of his too." He nervously clasped his hands together to disguise their tremble. "Do you… Would you like a moment before we continue?"
The galaxy faded to silence all around Vader save for a sharp ringing inside his ears. He remembered what his father looked like at the end, a dried-up husk, more machine than man, with countless tubes twisting in and out of his frail body. He could still see the throbbing purple veins marring Sidious's skin, pushing the poison which tainted his blood throughout his dying body. There was no dignity or power left. Only the machines forcing his lungs to breathe.
And that same poison was inside him too? Force, he didn't know whether to laugh or throw the table through the window! Of course! Of course, Sidious wouldn't leave them in peace so easily! This final gift from his father was Sidious's most impressive cruelty yet, truly, it was an astounding accomplishment to ruin your son's life from beyond the grave!
Running a hand over his face, a small bitter chuckle slipped from Vader's lips as he sat up straight. "You'll find me a cure." He lifted his burning gaze to the Doctors who both began to shrink within themselves, "I'm not going to end up like him. You're going to find the cure." Just as everything was beginning to come together, there was this. Of course, there was this. There was always something around the corner waiting to make Vader's life more difficult than it had to be! He had Satine in his life again and a future marriage with Arievel, his brother and his niece, and one day he would have Padme, unlike Sidious, Vader had reasons to live.
"With the work already accomplished by your father's medical team, there were strides made toward a cure but nothing definitive…" Doctor Anammi grimaced, "But we will endure to do everything we can to – "
"You misunderstand me," Vader's expression grew hard and irritated. He didn't want to hear 'ifs' and 'buts', he wanted answers. Needed answers. "You and your teams will do whatever it is you must to find the answer to this disease. Hire who you wish, spend what you must, but you will deliver me what I want." A thunderous rage began to awake in the Emperor as the Doctors shared a wide-eyed glance and fear swelled within their force signatures. What did they have to fear? Did they face the same fate he did? Curling his hands into fists against the armrests of the chair, he felt his eyes flash with fury. "You do not wish to know what will happen should you fail."
"I…" Anammi squeaked as tears filled her eyes, "Your Majesty is significantly younger than your father when he contracted Virothrax… I – I believe your body will be better suited to treatment…"
"We will do everything in our power and – and beyond, of course, to ensure you have a full recovery," Kesi nodded frantically along with his colleague, "You have nothing to fear, my Lord."
Padme walked leisurely through the Imperial palace, enjoying the stretch of her legs after such a long meeting, Rabe and Teckla in tow behind her. She always despised the rare days she was forced to do direct business with Mass Amedda while she worked in the Senate and nothing had changed now. She didn't need Anakin or Vader's powers to sense the man's palpable dislike of her, how he sneered across the desk was hint enough. It was worse now she'd returned to work and for King Thule of all people. Why she had been asked to take a meeting with the Vice Chair rather than Thule's new Senator, she didn't know… but it was rather thrilling to step one foot back into her old role again.
Still, she couldn't wait for this meeting to be over. Bail, Mon and some of the others had invited her to join them for a discussion and lunch in Mon's office after the Senate session concluded for the afternoon. It had been so long since Padme got to be around her old friends outside of short, formal interactions that required professionalism. The only problem was finding someone to look after Leia… Dorme and Teckla were taking care of her in the apartment now, but her staff took their lunch breaks at that time and she would hate to bother them.
Well, all of that was a problem for later.
As she walked, Senators, Moffs and others paused to bow or curtsey – something she was never going to get used to. Padme did her best to smile politely and acknowledge each one of them, exchanging quiet greetings with the few faces she recognised. A flash of black and silver caught Padme's eye and she turned in time to spy a woman exiting the hallway which led in the direction of Vader's wing of the palace. She frowned, trying to place her as something familiar picked at her mind. "Who is that?" Padme inclined her head toward Rabe.
Her handmaiden stepped forward, "Arievel Talai, my lady," she murmured. Oh yes, that was right. She hadn't seen the woman since her second wedding. Why was she in here the palace? Her family had no Senate seat or royal position, so why was she seeing Vader? Rabe continued, "She's been spotted visiting with the Emperor several times this month."
Padme turned to meet Rabe's eyes and her handmaiden nodded, shifting her gaze to the blonde across the hall. Before her mind could catch up, her legs were carrying her across the vast hallway, forcing the hurrying crowd to part like the sea beneath a water-cruiser.
"Lady Rysi!" Padme smiled coolly, "What do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
The few times her path crossed with the Rysi family, the former royals were dressed plainly, lacking the usual splendour and luxury most possessed within these circles. Padme had always felt a pang of sympathy for them, Emperor Sidious had been ruthless when stripping the family of everything of any value. It couldn't have been easy to kneel and ask for his aid, surrendering everything their family had worked for generations to build in exchange.
Today, Arievel Rysi was a radiant star within Vader's court. Her dress, a luxurious silver, clung to her figure with expert precision, the bodice both alluring and tastefully reserved. Padme's eyes roamed over the ensemble – it must have cost a fortune! The wide sleeves were embellished with intricate metallic bands and a series of jewelled brooches cascaded down from her chest to her waist, shimmering with every movement. Her silky blonde hair fell in loose, golden curls, accentuated by a delicate silver headpiece.
Suspicion hissed between her ears… this was quite the transformation. How could she possibly afford it?
"Your Highness," Arievel fell into a deep curtsey, smiling excitedly. "I was supposed to be having a quick breakfast with Vad – His Majesty. But it seems to have turned into an all-morning affair." A pink flush melted across her snowy skin. "He's been… very generous."
Padme's mind spun. She felt something dark and bitter curl within her expression. One would think the Emperor would have better things to do than waste his time on things like this – she could think of a hundred tasks requiring his attention off the top of her head! "He can be very kind to those he desires," she muttered.
Just as Arievel's radiant smile somehow grew even brighter, Padme's eyes fell upon the necklace adoring her slender neck. How did she miss it before? The piece was breathtaking! A round pendant swirled gracefully around a large, deep green emerald. The gemstone's vivid hue shimmered in the palace light, casting tiny rainbows with every movement Arievel made. Beneath the pendant, a single tear-drop-shaped diamond hung delicately, resting just above her breast.
Padme felt her jaw begin to fall open and promptly closed it again. This woman had to be wearing a total cost of more than the vast majority of Senators earned in a year!
"Vader has been very good to me these last few weeks," the blonde nodded, "Please, excuse me, your Highness, my father is waiting for me… but I would very much like for us to get to know each other better." Something knowing sparkled in her pale eyes. Padme felt her stomach tighten as she smiled and nodded. As Arievel flounced away, the Princess glanced down at her dark green robes and for the first time felt… less than.
How long had he managed to avoid this place now? More months than Anakin cared to count thanks to the wonders of Artoo's transmissions. He grimaced at everything he looked at, Senators, art, droids… His return to the Senate building was everything he had imagined it would be. Dull and pointless. His place on the council was merely for show as Supreme Commander and Prince – anything he needed to do or gain, he spoke with his brother about privately, not at these tedious meetings.
He and his family could be home on Naboo right now, enjoying the warmth of genuine sun upon his skin, spending time with his wife and taking Leia to play in the meadow, instead, he was surrounded by politicians vying for attention through fake regards and empty well wishes to his daughter. None of them truly cared about Leia and her well-being, only their own selfish pursuits. It was a smog within their force signatures, putrid and false and Anakin was already sick of it. If the force was kind, Vader would have nothing of any real significance to speak of and the meeting would be brief so he could escape this place.
Years ago, Anakin endured the Senate as a favour to Vader and as an easy, consistent excuse to run into Padme around these halls. Memories of straining to glance at the gorgeous Naboo Senator brought a smile to the surly Prince's mouth even now. If anyone could have told him what the future would bring to him… well, he would have rolled his eyes and laughed at the very idea.
Having everything he ever wanted had felt impossible then, as if his desires were locked away in an impenetrable room because of his father's laws. But now Vader was Emperor and everything was different! He and Padme were happy. They were free to love each other openly and publicly. By some miracle of the force, she was his wife and had knocked sense into him about their growing family. And now, there was Leia –
Leia…
His every thought cleared to nothing but sharp alert as his little girl's force signature filled the Prince's senses. She had to be close by… but here? How? He had left her safely at home with Padme and Threepio today since the nanny had requested the day off weeks ago. It would have been easy to simply order and ship in a nanny-droid to take care of Leia, but they had agreed a person would be more beneficial for their child. Especially a Princess and heir to the throne.
So why then was his daughter in the cesspit that was the Senate rotunda? He and Padme worked tirelessly to maintain Leia's privacy in every way after the expected initial holo-images of the galaxy's Princess were released to palace-approved media. It was the first and last the public had seen her little face and he would keep it this way for as long as possible.
Instincts flaring to life, Anakin began rushing through the vast hallways of the Senate in search of his child, focussing on her force signature above the blur of the rest. It grew stronger as he came closer and closer, frantically scanning every face before him for a hint of the baby. Finally, as panic truly began to surge, a familiar voice called out above the buzz and hum of conversation all around him.
"Ani!" He turned sharply to find Padme dressed in an illustrious gown of pale blue and two panels of the skirt on either side of her hips a shimmering golden colour, Nubian blossoms were expertly embroidered across her stomach and breasts. Her hair had been styled by the handmaidens into a sleek updo which proudly displayed the two-rowed headband of gold and deep red rubies. Did she change since this morning? Not that it mattered. Even now, years later, she still stole his breath away. Obscenely sexy even in one of his hoodies and a pair of tights. Hell, Padme could strut around in the lining of a trashcan and still be the most beautiful woman in the galaxy without competition.
She smiled brightly and hurried to him, carrying Leia securely in her arms. "Here you are! We've been looking all over for you, haven't we, my love?" She smiled brightly at Leia whose only answer came as a giggle.
Anakin met her halfway, giving little thought to the Senators all around them darting toward their offices and the surprised looks on their faces to see them together with Leia so publicly. "Angel, what's going on? What are you doing here?"
A strange question to ask Padme who had once practically lived inside this building. She smiled easily and shifted Leia's weight more evenly to sit on her hip. The baby smiled and blew a raspberry. "We've just been by your office, actually," she reached out and stroked her fingers through his hair on one side, "Bail and Mon have invited me to join a discussion with some of my old colleagues and then some lunch afterwards."
Force help him, he would never understand how she found the dull day-to-day politics of the Empire so thrilling. "So Leia is overseeing her very first Senate meeting?" He chuckled, catching the child's minuscule palm with his finger. "I can't believe she's starting earlier than you did."
"Oh, hush," she rolled his eyes at his joke, "I was actually wondering if you could take her for a little while? Just so I can really focus on what Mon and the others have to say, it's been so long since I've been involved with these things. I'm so excited to take part and spend some time with them again."
It pained Anakin to deny her anything in life and he frowned knowing he had to disappoint her. A meeting of the royal council was inappropriate for Leia, he was supposed to leave his personal life outside and focus on his roles as Prince and Supreme Commander so he could be objective. Difficult to do with a child in your arms, he supposed. "I'm sorry, my love," he turned his face to press a kiss to Padme's palm, "I'm on my way to a council meeting right now. Maybe Sabe might be around to help or…"
As he spoke, something mischievous and playful sprung to life inside both Padme's force signature and eyes at once. He narrowed his own as Padme glanced downwards at Leia for a moment, as if his girls were up to something beyond his knowledge. "Leia," she said in a childish, sing-song tone, "You want to spend some time with Daddy, don't you? Hm? Yes? Yes, that's right!"
Her eyes met his and Anakin shook his head, trying to step out of his wife's reach but she was too quick. "Padme – no – no! I can't – Padme!" He hissed as she carefully settled Leia into his unwilling arms. "Angel, I have a meeting!"
"She's just eaten so shouldn't be hungry for a while!" Padme called over her shoulder, already turning to flee before Anakin could catch her and return their daughter. "Oh, and the bag is in my ship! I love you both!"
With one corner turn, she was gone. Anakin opened and shut his mouth, shoulders sagging. The hell was he supposed to do now? Leia squirmed in his arms, wishing to be free to crawl around but he grimaced at the thought of the filth built up in these floors even with the constant work of droids sweeping away dust. "Force damn it…" He groaned and made his way to the Vader's office.
Inside, everyone else had already assembled at the wide rectangular table facing Vader's desk opposite the wall-to-ceiling windows. Amedda dared to glower at Anakin's tardiness while the others merely looked frustrated. Sitting on his wide, leather seat, ankle resting on his knee, Vader lifted a curious eyebrow as Anakin thew his datapad onto the table and collapsed into his own chair with a sigh, allowing Leia to tangle her small fists in the ends of his hair.
Rubbing his hand over his face, the Prince shook his head in warning as Leia began to babble unintelligibly. "Not a damn word..."
Gods, she had missed this more than she had allowed herself to think about! Long, exhausting days in the Senate broken up with friendly lunches or the occasional drink to celebrate whatever small victory they had claimed that day. Padme's life here felt like a lifetime ago! As if it were another woman who had spent almost all of her days within these rounded walls and not herself. Working with King Thule and the others was wonderful, really, and it gave her a sense of purpose to aid in the leadership of her homeworld, but she did miss the galactic scale of the Senate from time to time.
"Your viewpoints on this legislation have been invaluable today," Bail smiled over his steaming mug of caf, "I admit, I doubt any of us would have come to the conclusions we did if you hadn't come along."
Padme felt her smile grow far too large and quickly disguised it beneath her own caf. It was nice to be her old self for a little while. Of course, she didn't regret her decision to exit her office for one moment, how could she? She had her husband, the love of her life and their little girl – and that was worth far more than any job. Still, she was enjoying this day more than she had imagined.
"Thank you, Bail," she carefully placed the mug back onto its saucer. After a few hours of talking through various Senate topics, the three had come to his apartment for lunch and Bail was only too happy to host this visit. It was so wonderful to be back here, Padme had spent many long hours in this room frantically working on speeches or potential bills with her friends. It always surprised her how modesty the Alderaan Senator lived, his apartment, while not small, had significantly less space than her own and held no grandness about it despite Bail's vastly superior wealth, or at least, it had been superior before her marriage. "I appreciate the invitation. It's been wonderful working with you both again."
"Yes, your absence is felt in the Senate," Mon nodded delicately, resting each hand on the silver armrests of her chair. Her usual white attire was as pristine as always and complemented the short flame of her hair. "Your replacement holds no candle to your skill and drive I'm afraid."
"You're being too kind," Padme laughed, "But my place is with the royal Naboo Council now, it makes the most sense for my family."
Bail gave a slow nod, "I must admit, I'm more out of the Senate than in it these days myself. My duties and passion to serve the galaxy have been taking me in… other directions." He shared a long glance with Mon who picked up her caff and sipped. Padme watched them closely as a small ache panged in her chest to be left out of whatever inside joke or knowledge the pair shared. Once, she would have been involved in everything they did and now there was distance.
"Tell me," Mon broke the short silence which fell over the trio, "given your… closeness to our Supreme Commander, perhaps you will know better than we do, how is the ongoing battle to quash the Rebellion? The Emperor shares less and less with the Senate these days and I fear we've all become rather out of the loop so to speak."
Shifting her narrowing gaze between Bail and Mon, Padme reached for the caff once more as she considered her words very carefully. Anakin told her things nobody outside of the military, the council and Vader were supposed to know because he trusted her. The wrong piece of information being passed to the wrong person could lead to a serious blow against the Empire or worse, it could get her husband killed. But Bail and Mon were her friends, they only wished for peace and stability, she knew that better than almost anyone.
Padme felt like she was being pulled in two directions at once. One part of her wished for nothing more than to share all she knew about the war against the Rebellion as she would have done in those past days, but the other understood the extreme necessity to protect Anakin and Vader's efforts at all costs.
"Anakin and Vader have every confidence in their ability to discover the Rebel leaders' identities," she said evenly, "Beyond that, I know only as much as the public does. It's a private military matter." As Padme talked, something passed through both Bail and Mon's faces. It passed far too quickly to decipher as her eyes flicked between her friends. Was she being ridiculous? Maybe they had just hoped for some inside knowledge to soothe their fears?
"Padme?" Mon carefully placed down her mug and leaned forward, resting her billowing sleeved elbows on her knees, "May I speak with you as a friend and former colleague rather than…. who you have become?" The red-headed Senator set her shoulders even as Bail shook his head in a smooth, even motion, obviously surprised by their friend's boldness to broach whatever subject she wished to discuss. Nervousness began to flood Padme's stomach and she set her caff down on the table again as she gave a small nod of permission.
Who she had become… Had her marriage really taken her so far from her friends? Legally speaking, perhaps, but personally? She had never given it much thought – it hadn't ever occurred to her that her friends might fear speaking with her on certain subjects they had once discussed so easily. The realisation was shocking and heavy as it settled into her mind. "We can talk about anything, I would like to think you both know that. My affections toward you both haven't changed…" She said softly.
"Mon, perhaps now isn't the best – " Bail began but was interrupted as if he had never spoken at all.
"There are some people I know," Mon began, "some people both within the Senate and out, who favour the idea of the galaxy returning to a more… democratic government." Mon slowly tapped her fingers against the arm of the armchair she lounged on, watching Padme's expression closely. "I know that once you might have considered such a thing yourself, though I would not blame you if your feelings had been changed on the matter, given the circumstances of your marriage."
Such whispers had filled quiet corners of the Senate for Padme's entire career. Some anti-royalists wished to remove royal governing powers and return them to the Senate exclusively, she had partaken in many conversations on the matter years ago, long before her love for Anakin had seemed remotely possible. It hurt her heart to know people didn't agree with her family or their decisions but after the darkness Emperor Sidious brought onto the galaxy, she understood.
If Anakin heard anything of this, his response would be brutal. Any denouncement or word against Vader was an insult to himself and his family and he would never stand for it. His passionate hunt for the Rebel leaders had proven this time and time again. The councillor chewed at her lip as her thoughts raced through her mind. Padme wasn't as naive as some people liked to think, she understood the appeal of democracy. In the deeply hidden, secret parts of her mind, the idea was agreeable even to her. The people should have a say in their government and the laws which ruled their lives… and yet such thoughts could easily destroy everything the people she loved had built.
It was impossible, she decided, Vader would never stand down from the throne willingly. He had waited his whole life to rule, it was the destiny designed for him by the force itself according to him and Anakin. If people grew serious about installing democracy through the Senate, it would undoubtedly lead to war and who knew what would happen then.
After a moment, Padme forced herself to smile even as the movement of her cheeks felt stiff and forced. Bail and Mon watched her closely with baited breaths, fearing and anticipating her response greatly. "I…" A shallow laugh tumbled from her lips, "I can understand why people may have such thoughts, Vader – the Emperor – may even understand too, but he hasn't had enough time to prove how different he is to his father. He has so many grand plans, he truly wants to make the galaxy a better place but these things take time. I believe people will come around."
"And if he can't?" Bail asked quietly, his gaze intense and unavoidable.
"He can," Padme said decisively, "You'll see. Vader's rule will bring nothing but good to the galaxy, I promise you."
The late afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of Padme's apartment, casting a soft golden light across the room. She sat at her desk, almost drowning in the required work for the latest council meeting with King Thule and the others, but she was distracted. Restless. Leia was taking her nap and Anakin was with Ahsoka at the military base, there was nothing to do but her work, but after her meeting with Mon and Bail, she just couldn't focus.
"My Lady," Dorme's voice came from the doorway, drawing Padme out of her thoughts. Her friend approached with a hesitant expression, holding a holo-mag, the kind full of gossip and intrigue that Padme usually dismissed and laughed at. Occasionally, she might indulge – but only to see what outlandish stories they created about her own love life. The 'inside sources' truly seemed to know very little about her marriage. She began to smile, what was it going to be this time? Did she have a terrible argument with her husband in the middle of a Senate session? Had one of them been seen across the galaxy with a secret lover? But the look on Dorme's face told her this wasn't something she was going to find amusing.
"Dorme, what is it?" Padme raised her brow.
"There's something you should see," Dorme said quietly, placing the holo-mag in front of her. The glowing page cover page made Padme's heart skip a beat. It was an effort to keep her jaw from dropping to the desk at the image lit up before her eyes.
Vader, standing in the shadowed entrance of one of Coruscant's grandest hotels, was kissing Satine Kryze. The Duchess of Mandalore, elegant and poised as ever, was wrapped in his embrace, their lips locked in a moment of passion. Her heart began to race. But – Satine was married! How could she do something like this? Did Obi-Wan know? Her wide eyes traced across the flashing headline: "The Emperor's Secret Love: Vader and Duchess Satine's Hidden Affair Revealed!"
Padme's breath caught in her throat. Her gaze darted between the image and the words, as if she had misread, misunderstood what was before her eyes. But there it was, undeniable. However it happened, Vader had gone back to his first love since she saw him on Naboo. "Vader... and Satine?" Her voice was soft, disbelieving, as if speaking the words out loud might make it all less real.
"Yes," Dorme replied, her tone carefully measured. "It's not the first time they've been seen together. There have been whispers for weeks. This so-called 'journalist' is just the first brave enough to publish anything about it."
Padme's fingers tightened on the edge of the holo-mag, her pulse drumming beneath her skin. "Whispers?" she echoed, her heart racing as confusion and... something else swirled inside her. She felt sick. The room seemed to spin around her for a minute. What was wrong with her? She loved Anakin. They had shared dreams, a life and a child. Vader's misguided relationships shouldn't affect her like this. And yet... it did.
Dorme shifted on her feet, as if bracing herself. "There's more, Padme. I didn't want to say anything before, but Teckla told me you ran into Lady Arievel in the palace… Well, the Emperor has been seen with her no less than six times this month. They've been having private dinners across Coruscant."
"Arievel?" Padme's brow furrowed deeper, her mind still spinning. She couldn't piece it together. Vader and Satine and now Arievel too? Why was he doing this? What was the point of wasting his time with both women? Thank gods she was already sitting down because Padme suddenly felt faint. "Why would he spend time with both of them?" She trailed off, her thoughts too tangled to form anything close to coherent sentences. A horrible, awful feeling gnawed at the edges of her composure, a sensation she hadn't felt in years. Why was she feeling this way? Her heart was with Anakin, the man she had chosen, the man she loved more than anything for years even before they shared their feelings. But the image of Vader kissing Satine, knowing he was spending his time with Arievel, it stirred something inside her, something she wasn't prepared to confront right now.
Dorme's gaze softened. "It's confusing, I know. Vader's affairs are no secret in the Imperial court, but this... it's different. Satine Kryze is no mere lover. And now with Arievel involved... there's more at play than just rumours. The Duchess' rule has been hanging on by a thread for years – how do you think her people are going to react to her dallying with the leader of an Empire they despise?"
Padme bit her lip, staring at the image of Vader kissing Satine again. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind. Why did this bother her so much? She had never been involved in Vader's private affairs before. She assumed there had been some across the years, but now... she felt a pang she couldn't explain. "I don't understand," she murmured, her voice trembling. "Why is this affecting me? He's not Anakin. He's—he's Vader."
Dorme knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on Padme's arm. "My Lady, you and Vader... you've always had a connection, even if it's unspoken. He may be Anakin's brother, but it's more than that. He's been a part of your life for years even without… everything that happened before."
Padme swallowed, her chest tightening as she looked away from the holo-mag. "I love Anakin. I shouldn't care about this."
"Of course you do," Dorme agreed, stroking her arm softly. "But sometimes… feelings don't obey reason. Sometimes they surprise us."
Padme's hands shook slightly as she pushed the holo-mag aside. Her mind was a storm of conflicting emotions – her loyalty to Anakin, her confusion over her reaction to Vader's affairs, and the unsettling jealousy that burned inside her, no matter how much she tried to ignore it.
"I don't know what to think, Dorme," Padme whispered, feeling more vulnerable than she had in a long time. "I shouldn't feel this way. But I do."
Dorme stood, her hand lingering on Padme's shoulder. "Perhaps it's just the surprise of it all. You've always believed in love and loyalty. Seeing something like this... it shakes that faith. But you know your heart, Padme. You always have."
Padme nodded absently, though her thoughts were far from settled. The image of Vader and Satine lingered in her mind and now the knowledge of Arievel only added to her growing confusion.
Why did she care so much?