Let's not talk about how late this is and just enjoy 😀
1.9k words
༻✦༺
(Y/n)'s POV
I quickly put on my clothes and hurried out the door, eager to find Padme. I needed to talk to her about what she had just seen. It did not really need much explaining; she already knew what had happened between Anakin and I—the position we were in made it obvious. But I wanted her to understand my feelings—not that I was breaking such a big rule just for the fun of it.
She is my closest friend. I knew she would understand; she would never judge me.
As I stepped out, I did not have to search long to find her. She was at the end of the hallway, leaning against the wall, staring up at the ceiling. When she heard my footsteps, she looked down and met my eyes. "Padme," I said as I reached her. "Let me explain—"
"You do not have to, Princess. It is really none of my business." she replied, her tone gentle but firm.
"But it is your business, Padme. You are my best friend and we have always shared everything with each other, and I want you to understand." I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts, and pressed on. "This is not just a reckless decision."
"Princess," She sighed, "This will always be a reckless decision regardless of your reasonings. You both could be in serious trouble for this; him more than you."
I felt a knot in my stomach, imagining what might have happen if anyone other than Padme had walked into the room just now, "I know, and you can call me selfish, but I love him. I am in love with him," I confessed, half-expecting her to be shocked, but she wasn't. It was as if she had known all along.
She briefly lowered her gaze before letting out a soft sigh. "I understand, Princess. I have always had a sense that something was going on—" She rubbed her temples. "What I mean is, I have had my suspicions. It would take a fool not to notice the way you two are with each other. I just never imagined either of you would allow things to go this far." Concern flickered in her eyes. "What of Anthony?"
I glanced back to make sure Anakin was not around just yet. What I was about to say is something him and I both understand will happen, but that does not mean it will not hurt to say or hurt to hear—on his part. Especially after the amazing night we shared together. "I still plan to fulfill my duty and marry him. I swear on my parents' honor that I will remain faithful once that happens, Anthony is a good man and I would never do anything to hurt him. I just wanted to have one night to escape the responsibilities of being a Princess. I just wanted to be held and loved by the man I love, since our societal roles will never let us truly be together. This one night was something I desperately deserved Padme, please understand."
"I do understand," Padme reached out, placing her hand on my shoulder and gently stroking my arm in a gesture of comfort. "I am sorry that this life can be so unfair to many of us," She said softly and in a way that let me know she really did understand, "It is an absurd rule, but you need to be more careful—for both your sakes. This can end badly if the extent of your relationship with Anakin is learned by anyone other than I."
Before I could say anything further, I noticed Anthony approach us, so I placed this conversation on pause and put on a smile, "Anthony, Goodmorning."
I noticed Padme tense for a moment before spinning around and becoming face to face with him, "Good morning Padme," He looked from Padme to me, then bowed, "And Good morning to you, your highness."
I sighed softly, "I feel as if we had already talked about this. Could you please call me (y/n)?" I curtsied in response.
He gave a small smile, "Apologies darling, it's just a habit." He extended his hand toward me, "I came to check if you were awake and if you would like to join me in the garden." His smile widened significantly as he tilted his head towards the window which showed only a small portion of the vast garden he has waiting outside.
"I would love to, I just need—"
Out of nowhere, Anakin appeared next to me, adjusting his shirt with a slight scowl aimed at Anthony. But when he looked at me, his face softened, "My apologies, Princess, I slept in." He said, an obvious lie.
I noticed Padme looking down at the ground when Anakin showed up, and she shifted to stand next to me, but slightly behind Anakin—as if she wanted to hide in his shadow, "Yes, I would love to."
"The garden looks stunning at this time of year," Anthony said as he led me down the hallway, his hand still holding mine. "The flowers are almost fully open, and the air is filled with the sweet scents of jasmine and roses."
"That sounds wonderful," I replied with a smile as we reached the stairs. I carefully stepped down, lifting my lavender dress slightly to avoid tripping.
"Do you mind if I stay inside, Princess?" Padmé's voice made us stop at the bottom of the stairs. We turned to see her still standing at the top, her hands neatly clasped in front of her. She looked poised, but there was a hint of tension in her posture that caught my attention.
"Stay inside?" Anthony asked before I could respond, taking a step up to look at her. "Are you feeling alright Ms.Amidala?"
She nodded, "Yes, I am perfectly well. It is just that my allergies are acting up this time of year, and I would prefer to enjoy the beauty of the Palace from inside." Her words were calm, but there was something off about her tone—I could tell she was not being truthful. She had never had allergy problems; in fact, she adored being outdoors, often spending hours in the garden, tending to the flowers and soaking in the sun. She was like me in that way, we would be outside together as kids for hours.
I frowned, puzzled, but decided to keep my thoughts to myself. She must have her reasons. Maybe she was upset with me and wanted to keep her distance. The thought made my heart sink a little.
"Are you sure?" I asked gently, trying to gauge her mood. "We would love for you to join us. The garden is truly breathtaking right now." I hoped my words would coax her down, but she merely smiled politely, the kind of smile that did not quite reach her eyes.
"Thank you, but I think I will be more comfortable here." She insisted.
Anthony's tone softened as he said, "If that is what you desire, feel free to wander anywhere in the Palace." He moved back to stand beside me. "There is a library too, and any of my staff would be happy to guide you there if that interests you. We will be back shortly." He gently took my hand, urging me to keep walking with him. As we moved forward, I could not resist looking back at Padme, who was watching us until she faded from sight.
👑
It felt surreal. I listened to Anthony speak, completely entranced by his enthusiasm and the way he infused every word with his heart. His passion and devotion were admirable, yet, despite the magnetic pull of his presence, my mind and emotions were wandering elsewhere—like the pollen orr flower petals in the air caught in a gentle breeze, drifting away from here. I could not help but notice how the sunlight seemed to surround him, casting a warm glow that made him appear almost ethereal, like a star or the sun itself. He was radiant, a beacon of charisma and charm, and I could see why so many were captivated by this man.
But then, almost involuntarily, my gaze shifted to Anakin, who was deep in thought, staring out at the field. Just the sight of him sent my heart racing. Anakin was the complete opposite of Anthony, and I found myself drawn to him in a way that I could not quite describe or even understand. His presence was intense, and filled with passion and desire—nothing in my lifetime has ever compared to the way he makes me feel. It truly feels like a dream, an overwhelming dream.
Anthony was truly remarkable, flawless in every way, with his infectious laughter and the way he effortlessly commanded attention. He was the kind of person who could light up a room, and I admired him deeply. So why could I not feel for him what I felt for Anakin? Why could I not envision loving him with the same fervor that coursed through my veins whenever Anakin was near? I tried so hard to appreciate Anthony, to see him through the lens of affection and admiration, hoping to feel something beyond mere respect. I wanted to be swept away by his charm, to lose myself in the warmth of his smile. But no matter how much I wished for it, there was simply nothing there—a void where passion should have blossomed.
As I sat there, torn between the two, I felt a pang of guilt. Anthony deserved to be cherished, to be loved. Yet, my heart was stubborn, tethered to Anakin in a way that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.
Anakin turned suddenly, as if he could feel my presence, and our eyes met. My heart raced with love for him, making it hard to catch my breath. I noticed how his breath caught in his throat, and his chest stayed still, revealing that he felt the same deep emotions I was experiencing at that moment too.
"Am I interrupting?" Anthony's voice cut through the air, making me turn to him, and Anakin did the same. I thought he would catch us in our moment of longing, but his gaze was elsewhere. He was focused on a couple of bunnies hiding among the flowers. "My apologies," he laughed softly as he bent down to pick a rose, causing the bunnies to dart away. Standing up, he extended the rose toward me, "For you—(y/n)."
I smiled as I took the flower from him, "Thank you, it's a beautiful flower."
Anakin was close by, and I felt his warmth brush against me. "For a beautiful woman," he whispered quietly as he glided behind me, moving off to another part of the field, playing the part of my protector and surveying the area.
I turned slightly to catch a glimpse of him, his silhouette framed by the light of the sun.
Anthony appeared not to notice him as he carried on, sharing more about his kingdom and the lives of his people. Gradually, he transitioned to discussing the festival taking place today—an event I was still looking forward to.
༻✦༺