Chapter Seven
Genevieve

My father told me stories about Mandalore. Many years ago a civil war erupted on the planet, so violent and so horrific, the planet's surface was scorched of all life. He told me over half the population died.

As we make our way into the planet's atmosphere, I feel my breath catch in my chest. The land is devoid of all tress, all grass, all sign of life. I would think this planet is baron if not for the enormous encased city in the middle of the plain wasteland. There are several entrances in the side of the city facing us, but other than that the whole city is covered in a rectangular metal container, with blue and grey glass as the only windows to the outside.

Obi Wan lowers our ship into one of the entrances, setting it down on the landing pad along with the other visitors. As he turns off the engine, he turns around to look at me, his usual analytical eyes growing softer. "Are you ready, your majesty?"

I let out a deep breath, setting my shoulders back and lifting my head high, nodding firmly to him. He offers me his hand and I take it, holding it tightly as we step off of the ship and onto the platform, already met with two Mandalorian guards. They are wearing a navy blue armor, with their helmets covering only part of their face, long feathers are attached to the back of the helmet, reaching down to the shoulders of the guards. I've never seen armor like it.

"Your majesty," One of the guards says, bowing to me lowly. "The duchess welcomes you to Mandalore. If you would follow us? She is waiting for you."

I nod firmly to the two guards. "Thank you."

The guards led us to a transport waiting for us at the end of the platform. I feel the eyes of the civilians passing by, giving me questioning looks and curious gazes. It makes me nervous. I feel like a foreigner, an intruder on this world. I feel myself gripping Obi Wan's hand tighter, and to my delight he doesn't pull his hand away, he just lets me hold onto him.

Once we board the transport, the guards send us off the platform, shooting towards the city. Mandalore truly does live in a metal box; buildings and homes are lined along every nook and cranny of the city, including the ceiling. I thought the confined city would feel claustrophobic, but I've never seen a city more bustling with life. The windows throughout the container let out enough light and air that one might forget they're in an enclosed space. Parks are scattered through the city, showing the only bit of wildlife I've seen on this planet. The people fly around in transports of their own, bringing themselves to the various establishments and buildings at varying levels of the city. I don't have to ask where the Duchess's palace is, because it's the largest building in the city, built into the south wall of the box. The palace is made of a bronze colored metal, with white glass instead of blue and grey. Like the city, it's built in the shape of a box, but unlike the rest of the city it looks very spacious. This is even more so the case once Obi Wan and I make our way inside.

Lights hang from the high ceiling, but the light is unnecessary due to the walls almost entirely made of the white glass I saw earlier. On one wall however it is made of a dark blue stone, with a stain glass portrait of the duchess in the middle of it. At the end of the room there is a throne, with a molten glowing substance in the wall behind it. As the Duchess of Mandalore stands up from her throne, the wall stops glowing, muting to a dull orange.

Duchess Satine is around my age, perhaps a few years older. She has beautiful blonde hair that falls just under her collarbone, with skin the color of marble. Her blue eyes are filled with confidence and poise, as is her smile as she approaches us. Her crown has the same down facing feathers in the back as her guards do, but her beautiful face is shown entirely. Her dress is the same navy blue as her guards, with grey patterns adorning the skirts and the collar of the dress. She looks like a duchess. She looks like a true ruler. I find myself wanting to shrink and bow to her, feeling intimidated by the attitude she showcases, one that I could never manage. But I have to remind myself that I'm a queen, and queen's can't show any weakness.

I smile at the duchess, meaning my gratitude with every word as I tell her; "Duchess Satine, I cannot thank you enough for agreeing to house me during this unfortunate time."

The duchess bows to me, her face genuine as she says; "It's my honor to be of assistance, your majesty. I knew your father very well, I was very sad to hear of his death. He was a wonderful ruler, as I am sure you will be."

I feel my smile waver, but only for a moment. I couldn't let myself show my doubts or fears in front of her. "You are too kind, Duchess. I believe you know my Jedi protector, Master Kenobi?"

The duchess's eyes fall onto Obi Wan. Her eyes and smile change slightly, like she herself is trying to hide her true emotions from me, and from Obi Wan. "I know him all too well. It's very good to see you again, Obi Wan."

I turn my attention to the Jedi standing behind me, his usual mask of poise cracking. He almost seems uncomfortable. But he smiles nonetheless. "The pleasure is mine, Satine. It's been a long time."

Satine rips her attention back to me, saying with a slightly breathy tone; "My guards will show you to your rooms. They're side by side to make Obi Wan's job easier. Shall we meet down here for dinner in an hour?"

I nod to her. "That sounds lovely, thank you."

With another courteous nod, the duchess begins walking away from us, with Obi Wan starring after her, a mix of emotions covering his face.

-

The dining room is as big as the throne room. The long dark wood table takes up most of the room, with stain glass portraits of past rulers of Mandalore covering the walls. I'm reminded of the portraits lining the halls of my palace on Taris, showing each monarch throughout history. Just thinking about my protract up there beside the past kings and queens makes me feel nauseous. I try not to think about it.

Satine is sitting at the head of the table, her blonde hair pulled up in a braided crown on her head. She changed into a evening gown; a long sleeved green dress that flows down to the floor like a waterfall. She's also wearing a necklace that looks a lot like the downward feathers on her crown.

She has been glancing at Obi Wan on and off throughout the meal, while he seems to be focusing very hard on his food in front of him, forcing his eyes to not glance up.

I feel awkward as it is, with these two being silent as the grave I feel even more uncomfortable than I did when we arrived. So I try to make conversation. "How do you and Master Kenobi know each other?"

Satine glances at me, releasing a short laugh, her eyes glazed in thought. "Many years ago, insurgents invaded Mandalore. Obi Wan and his master were assigned to keep me safe."

I turn my attention to Obi Wan. "So this was when you were a padawan?"

He glances up at me, nodding firmly. "Yes I was a padawan. Master Qui Gon Gin and I protected the duchess for several months."

"They wanted me dead, so we had to go on the run. We lived hand to mouth for so long. We never knew what the next day would bring. We were both so young at the time as well, it was a very stressful time."

I see Obi Wan smirk out of the corner of my eye, clearly thinking of their adventure together in fondness, just as she is. I had gotten the impression that they did not get along and that's why things are so awkward, but perhaps it's because they get along too well. I see the look in Satine's eyes as she stares at Obi Wan, watching him take a sip of wine.

I find myself feeling something odd, but I can't quite place what it is. I know I don't want to discuss Satine and Obi Wan's past anymore, so I continue talking; "Why were insurgents after you?"

"They did not like my pacifists ways. As you know, Mandalore oversees several other planets, all of whom want nothing to do with conflict. Some believe that our ways will only damage our system, but I believe it is the only way Mandalore and the rest of the galaxy will prosper."

I don't blame her for having such view points given what happened to her planet. "So if a civil war does come, you'll stay neutral?"

Satine nods firmly. "It's what's best for my people. You will side with the republic I assume?"

I sit back in my chair, focusing my eyes on my own plate of untouched food as I explain to the duchess; "Taris has been allied with the republic for centuries. But my people want to join the separatists. They believe the republic have turned their backs on us and are letting my people starve."

"Well are they?"

"We're currently looking into that." Obi Wan interjects.

"They want me to go back to Taris and sign the planet over to the separatists. But like Mandalore, Taris is the overseer of other planets. Fourteen to be exact. If we join the separatists the others will follow. No matter what my people think, I know the separatists will only make their lives harder."

The duchess leans forward, her eyes softening as she says; "Let me give you some advice from one ruler to another; You must always do what you think is right for your people. The people can be influenced and manipulated into taking multiple sides of many debates. You must be the clear head in those debates; know all the facts and decide what's best for them."

"Sometimes that seems impossible." I say softly, letting my mask slip to show my true feelings on this matter.

The duchess doesn't look at me in disapproval or judgement however, she looks to me in understanding. "It takes time to settle in your role as a leader. You'll learn to make those tough calls."

I feel tears begin to prickle in my eyes, but I refuse to let my mask slip that much. I let out a deep breath, keeping my eyes down. "I wish my father were here to help me."

"Your father may not be here," Satine says. "But you will never have to make those decisions by yourself. You may not feel like it now, but you're not alone."

I lift my eyes up to her for a moment, smiling at the duchess lightly before looking towards Obi Wan. I don't know how long his eyes have been on me, but he is starting at me rather intensely. When our eyes meet he jerks slightly in his seat, looking back down at his food instantaneously.

I was glad for the duchess's advice and council, but whether I had people by my side or not it didn't matter. The fate of an entire system was in my hands, and no amount of time will ever make me feel worthy of ready for that responsibility.