•

  OBI-WAN LED XZARA DOWN the halls, talking excitedly about the force. Xzara listened intently, not wanting to miss a single word he was saying. He stopped at the library. "I assume you have books on Jedi history?"

Xzara nodded slowly. "Yes...I was taught about them as a child."

Obi-Wan smirked. "Great, just lead the way," He stepped aside for Xzara. She raised a brow at him. He laughed. "Well, I don't know how you organize your library."

Xzara paused, then laughed. She just felt this constant buzz of excitement that enveloped her when around Obi-Wan. "Right, of course. This way," She smiled shyly, slipping past Obi-Wan into the large and extravagant library. She briskly walked past the dimly lit rows of books, passing her brothers, the twins, Jeevan and Juro, laughing to themselves.

She hoped they wouldn't notice her and she nearly thought they didn't, until Jeevan called out. "Zar! Come join us!" She dropped her shoulders, groaned quietly. She turned to them with a fake smile.

"Jeevan, Juro! I didn't even notice you two," She chuckled, praying that they wouldn't stall for long. "I was just on my way to the family history section, I can't talk."

Juro laughed, jumping up from his seat. He reached Xzara in four long strides and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Seriously? You'd rather read up on boring history than play Friend or Foe with your brothers?"

Friend or Foe was a game the twins had come up with then they were little and still play it to this day. Xzara used to play when she was younger, but now she can't stand it. "What's friend or foe?" She heard Obi-Wan ask. She turned to him, eyes wide, shaking her head.

Juro smirked. "We're so glad you asked, Master Jedi," He moved away from Xzara and over to Obi-Wan. "Come see for yourself."

Xzara watched Obi-Wan as he followed her brother, arms crossed in frustration. He politely nodded as Juro and Jeevan explained their little game and soon came back over to her. "Are you finished?" She huffed.

Obi-Wan laughed. "Yes. That was quite entertaining," Xzara scoffed, beginning her walk to the back of the library once more. "You have a very interesting family." He hummed.

Xzara let out a loud laugh. "Interesting is just a way of saying strange, which I agree with," She stopped in front of a large green metal door. She placed her hand directly in its middle, speaking the password, "May the rein of Ardmore be evermore." With a click and a hiss, the door opened slowly.

"What was that language?" Obi-Wan asked curiously. "I've never heard it before."

"It's the ancient language of my people," She spoke, continuing to walk into the glowing room. She had grown fond of this section of the library, using it as a hiding spot over her youth. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, couldn't seem to contain his amazement. Xzara chuckled quietly. "No one speaks it anymore, that's why it's used as the password to the most precious books on the planet."

The room was round and small, with curving bookshelves filled to the brim with old and ancient texts. "Why are we in this section anyway, Miss Xzara?"

Xzara carefully looked through the numbered isles, finally coming across what she was looking for. "In my time here as a child, I came across a rather strange book," She carefully pulled a large black book from the shelf. "It spoke of the old republic and our family. Here, take a look." She handed it to Obi-Wan.

He briskly moved to the giant round table that sat in the middle of the room. He sat at a chair, staring at the cover. "What does it say?" He asked her.

Xzara stood at his shoulder, peering over. "The history of house Ardmore," She translated. "Its cover is in Aquilin, but it's written in English on the inside."

Obi-Wan carefully opened the ancient book. "Fascinating," He hummed, reading the first page. "Very interesting."

Xzara watched him for a moment as he spoke to himself. She caught herself admiring him — his hair, his perfect skin, his voice. All of him. She shook her head, suddenly flustered. "It will take you a while to read that. Why don't I get us some tea and some snacks?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan turned away from the book, smiling softly. "That would be greatly appreciated. Have Anakin escort you there."

•

Ahsoka had insisted on joining Anakin and Xzara to the kitchens. "Are they big? How many chefs do you have? What is the-"

"Ahsoka!" Anakin cut her off with a laugh. "You'll talk the poor women's ear off."

Xzara chuckled lightly with a shake of her head. "It's quite alright, Anakin," She smiled down at Ahsoka. "The kitchens are the largest in the parsec and as of now we have thirty-two chefs."

"Wow!" Ahsoka's smile was as wide as her eyes. Watching the young padawan get excited over a mere kitchen brought some joy to Xzara, who missed being with children more than ever recently.

They finally made it to the kitchen hall. The walls were made of the shiniest marble and the archway stretched nearly nine metres to the ceiling. "I could use a few extra hands gathering things," Xzara explained to the two as they entered. "And don't be afraid to try whatever looks tasty. The chefs love to test their food on foreigners." She smirked.

This received a chuckle from Anakin. "Duly noted," Ahsoka took advantage of that tip immediately, stuffing as many purple broccoli and Fathier cheese puffs into her mouth as physically possibles, which was quite a lot for a Jedi in training. Xzara couldn't help but find herself impressed. "Ahsoka!" Anakin scolded her, holding back his laughter.

"Wha-what?" She spoke through the food, crumbs tumbling out of her mouth.

Xzara laughed, she couldn't hold it in any longer. "The plate is all yours, Ahsoka," She smiled. "Anakin can help me with the tea." She lead Anakin to a small corner of the room, where on a counter sat a large brass tea kettle, a wall of shelved tea bags and exactly twelve mugs.

"Wow," Anakin looked at the tea, slightly shocked. "You guys really like your tea, huh?"

Xzara nodded, giggling quietly. "Tea has always been a delicacy. We have no plants to make it here, so we import it," She began to fill the kettle with cool water as she spoke. "Of course, my ancestors insisted on getting only the best teas, leaving mediocre kinds for the citizens," Xzara moves across the room to one of the five stoves. "Would you mind grabbing two Naboo green bags?" She called to Anakin.

"Of course," He nodded, searching for the tea amongst the hundreds that had to have been on that wall. When he finally found it, he made his way to where Xzara was patiently waiting. "This is a great choice." Anakin smiled down at her Ashe handed over the bags.

Xzara looked up at him with a curious smirk. "You've had Naboo green? It's only drunk by the Queen and her closest friends."

Anakin smirked. "I happen to know a former queen." He crossed his arms gleefully.

"You do?" Xzara raised her brow, thinking for a moment. Then, it finally hit her. This was the Anakin Padmé talked so much about in her letters. "Padmé! You're her secret lover!"

Anakin's eyes widened and he checked over his shoulder, making sure Ahsoka wasn't paying attention. He sighed with relief when he saw her completely engrossed in the food. He turned back to Xzara, shocked. "How do you know that?" He lowered his voice.

Xzara could clearly see he wasn't amused — her smile dropped immediately. "I'm sorry, Anakin. That was rude of me," She told him sincerely. She had a habit of thinking before saying, a habit her father despised. "I am close friends with Senator Amidala, I've known her for going on fifteen years. She's written to me about a young lad named Anakin, but for some reason, I did not suspect it would be you."

Anakin seemed to relax at that, shaking his head with a sigh. "No, I'm sorry, Xzara. I shouldn't have gotten so worked up. It's all right," He leaned back onto the counter. "I assume she's who got you the tea?"

Xzara chuckled, watching the water boil. "Yes. She was very generous as Queen of Naboo, but no our supply is limited, as the new queen cut ties with us."

"Why?" Anakin sounded shocked, but Xzara didn't look at him. She placed the tea bags into the water. Her heart tightened and her stomach dropped. She was the reason — there was already an intergalactic war going on, why would neighbouring planets deal with another, much smaller war, on top? "The war, between us and the Nibiru nation. Naboo couldn't be helped to join, too much political pressure. The connections Nibiru has with the senate is too great."

"Oh," Was all Anakin could say. Xzara was glad he didn't try an say more — to apologize. After a gruelling minute of watching tea steep, it was finally finished.

"Grab four mugs, would you, Anakin?" Xzara did her best to smile with her heavy heart. "I'll take the tea and Ahsoka," The young girl came from around the corner. "Bring as many plates as you can carry."

The three of them left the kitchens silently and made their way back to the library. She allowed Ahsoka and Anakin to join her and Obi-Wan in the family history section. She smiled briefly at Obi-Wan as she placed the tea on the round table, sitting next to him. "What have you found?" She asked curiously.

Obi-Wan let out a large sigh. "Are you sure you're ready to hear this?"

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Authors note

Hello, readers! Another day, another chapter. This one introduced the twins of the Ardmore family, Jeevan and Juro! As well, it also expanded upon Anakin and Xzara's friendship! Stay tuned for the next chapter!