CHAPTER SIX.

After Phoenix got over her initial annoyance with her fiance, she decided to try and see his presence as a positive thing. She was sure it could be. If they played their cards right, it would do wonders for them both. This could be an opportunity and as they got ready for the Senate, she felt slightly more optimistic. Jax seemed to take an interest in her views and what she wanted for Mith and by the time they had their first meeting, Jax had read through most of her speeches and agreed with her, on everything. A prospect that was strange, but one she welcomed.

This gave Phoenix the boost of confidence that she needed for the day ahead. After a shaky night and morning, she felt much better once she was in her element. To no surprise, Jax was brought into many of the debates, a lot more than what was necessary. However, it wasn't as bad as Phoenix had expected. In fact, he seemed to debate in favour of her policies and told them to listen to Phoenix. Something that she really hadn't expected but it put a wide smile on her face. Jax seemed to enjoy his time in the Senate too. Enjoying the debates and the people he met but that was part of his nature. He was a social butterfly if nothing else.

Phoenix had not seen him this jovial in a political situation in a long while. He usually seemed to hate the political debates especially when Padme had shown him up not a few days earlier. However, he was now coming into his own and when he was pressured for his perspective, his arguments seemed rehearsed and were sound in their evidence. They lined up with Phoenix and that was exactly what she needed. With a Senate that constantly seemed to be working against her, having someone on side felt good.

By the time they were done with the meetings and the main debate of the day, the pair had managed to get most of the Senators they wanted on their side. Phoenix felt a lot lighter and the worry was no longer weighing her conscience down. The traumatising events of the previous night had slipped her mind and instead, there was a light feeling in her chest.

"Your worry really was not necessary, love," Jax said as they slipped away from the crowds of Senators. Phoenix's hands slipped into his as they walked down the corridors. The arched ceilings looming above them and the sunlight pouring in, elongating their shadows in the evening light. Her smile widened as she shook her head.

"It was not unfounded though. They continued to bring you into the debate unnecessarily," Phoenix corrected and he shrugged in response. Phoenix looked up at him, her smile still bright despite the looming fear of her going back to that room and that study. Fear couldn't get the best of her. She was not going to let it.

"You're right I suppose but at the same time, it seemed to benefit your position," Jax argued and Phoenix conceded. Deciding not to argue against him as they walked back to the room. Jax opened the door for her like the gentleman he was and they went inside one after the other.

Phoenix walked over to the kitchenette and grabbed some rations. Putting them in the nanowave and setting it off. She was starving and had been for a few hours. She couldn't wait another second before she ate something. Her gaze landed on Jax after a moment. He had loosened his tie and his jacket was unbuttoned. Phoenix admired him, her smile widening as she watched him adjust his clothes.

The fact that they were getting married so soon did still worry her. Her feelings were still just as muddled as they had been a few days ago but she was slowly beginning to fall for him. At least that's what she believed, that's what she hoped was happening. He helped her feel better and he gave her confidence. That must be love. Phoenix didn't know but hoped. She wouldn't be admiring him like this if she didn't love him surely.

As she waited for the nanowave, she pulled her gaze from him and checked through her inbox on her datapad. Selecting only the most pressing messages. That's where she found an invitation and she broke out into an even wider smile, clicking through the read the full thing. The message was mainly just flowery words that really did not mean anything but when Phoenix got to the grit of it, it was an invitation.

An invitation from a male senator who wanted to discuss trade opportunities over dinner. Jax was invited since the Senator was going to bring his wife with him too. This seemed like a perfect opportunity to make connections and also gain an important trade deal for Mith.

"We have an invite from Senator Kham. He would like to meet us at 8pm at the Orpheum," Phoenix said as she looked up at him. Jax looked up and cocked an eyebrow. Surprised at the invitation and how short notice it was but after the initial shock, he smirked and stood up. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Tell him we'll be there. I have the perfect dress for you," Jax said before he pecked a kiss on her lips. Phoenix smiled wider and nodded before she watched him walk away. The nanowave beeped just as he disappeared into their bedroom. Grabbing the rations, she was quick to write a response one-handed while she ate what she had cooked for herself.

Phoenix finished the rations quickly and headed into the bedroom. As she walked in, she found Jax holding one of her dresses. He seemed to be smiling and had decided that is what he wanted her to wear. She could also tell that he had picked out some heels for her. Her smile widened as she closed the door. She loved the fact that he was taking an interest and actually wanted to help her.

"I thought this dress would work best. Blue makes you look even more radiant," Jax said as he offered it out to her. Phoenix smiled softly and held onto it, admiring it before she nodded. He did have a good eye for colour on her. It was something he'd always been good at, oddly enough, "And these heels feel very Cinderella-esque so I thought they'd be perfect. They make you seem exquisite, rare and upper-class. Those male senators love talking to money," Jax added as he picked them up and showed them to her.

He was definitely right in that aspect. They looked very Cinderella-esque. They were basically clear and made of some delicate material from the other side of the galaxy. They were a little fragile but not too fragile. She had worn them a few times but she thought they were too pretty to be worn too often. But she would make an exception for today, for Jax.

"We have about an hour until we go. You go and get ready," He said as he pressed a kiss to her lips. He then urged her into the 'fresher. Phoenix was quick to go into the en-suite and change. It took her a little while to get everything how she wanted. She made sure to put some makeup on as well as put her hair up in a more elaborate hairstyle that would suit the occasion.

Once she was done, she came out and Jax continued to gush about how beautiful she looked. He definitely had an eye for good fashion and dresses that suited Phoenix. The two finished getting ready and they were out of the Senate and at the restaurant, the Orpheum, just a little bit before 8pm.

 It seemed that it wasn't merely a one-on-one dinner, however. When Phoenix entered, she quickly realised that the restaurant had all been turned into a dinner party. A few long tables were dotted around the room but there was a large space full of mingling Senators and other representatives. This made Phoenix feel a little deflated but when she saw Padme amongst the crowd, she felt a little better.

At least it was just a general social gathering of Senators. That was a positive. She could make multiple connections along with the one she was praying to make with Senator Kham. The pair walked towards the crowds, hoping to spot some people to talk to. All the while, Phoenix knew exactly where she was going.

But the second she entered the crowd, Phoenix felt the fear grip her heart. Her throat constricted and her palms quickly grew clammy. It wasn't helped either by the fact that she had lost Jax and they were no longer holding hands. Phoenix wasn't sure what was happening but her chest just felt like it was tightening the more she walked between the large groups.

She was attempting to keep herself aware and breathing normally but at the same time, acting normal. Hoping that if she acted normal the feelings would disappear. Her heart felt like it was constricting and her throat felt like it was closing up. But she had to fake it till you make it as her father would say. But as she continued to walk, her chest just got tighter and her breathing was becoming much more difficult.

Before the panic attack overtook her completely though, Jax appeared in front of her and took her hand. Noticing her distress, he pulled her out of the crowd. The pair moved towards an empty set of tables. Phoenix sat down and her breathing slowly began to normalise as she leant back. Her hand pushed some hair from her face as she took a deep breath.

"We should go home," Jax said as he looked at her. This made Phoenix's head shoot up, shaking her head as she took another deep breath. Clearly trying to convince him that she was very much fine but he didn't seem to really be taking it. He didn't care what she said, he thought they should leave. Not just the party but Coruscant.

"You need to be back home with your dad," Jax added and Phoenix sighed. She rubbed her face with her hands and then stood up, shaking her head. She wasn't going to just let this pass. She needed to go through with this. She had things to do and she was not going to give up.

"Jax, I can't. I have deals to make," She responded. Moving away from the beautifully decorated tables. The white cloth was laid on it with places set up for at least 12 people. A beautiful candelabra as the centrepiece. But she wasn't going to hide anymore. She needed to do her duty and she needed to talk to the Senators that would change things for her people.

No assassination attempt was going to stop her from the things that her people needed. She was not going to concede to whatever bigoted fool wanted her to die. Even if this Senate position meant her death, she had sworn to do everything she can to improve the lives of the citizens of Mith so that's what she would do. Death threats and assassinations be damned and those reasons were exactly why Jax didn't try and argue. Instead, he followed after her and supported her in her actions throughout the night of dining and drinking.

-

NOTE; okay this is a day late!! ahh sorry about that, i just totally forgot yesterday, it was a weird day haha but i hope you liked this chapter, the set-up of the plot is almost over now and we can jump right into romance among other things!! i'm very excited for y'all to read the upcoming chapters <3 but for now, hope you enjoyed