Second update of the day, because it is part 2 ❤️

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Padmé's POV
(Y/n) sat me in the chair before she stormed off towards Anakin who was flirting with Olivia — can those two be any more obvious? It is like everyone knows the truth but them. And by everyone I mean Ahsoka, Piett, a few of the staff members here, and I.

I watched her approach them and take an authoritative stance, "Did she say that you baked this?"

I turned my attention to the voice and met the gaze of Anthony. He was probably the most handsome man I had ever seen, and just like the first time I saw him, he took my breath away.

I finally found it in me to breathe and I smiled with a nod, "Yes, I baked all of the desserts tonight." I said proudly.

He picked up the fork next to his plate and stabbed into the chocolate cake, "Are you the Royal baker?" He asked with a head tilt.

"No your highness," I chuckled, "I am just a handmaiden with an extra set of skills that the Queen will occasionally put to use."

"No need to be so formal," He cut off a piece of the cake and took a slow bite, "This is not my kingdom, so you may call me Anthony if you would like."

I nodded with a growing smile, it was hard not to. He had a certain charm to him and do not get me started on his voice, it was soft, smooth, and easy on the ears; like a majestic harmony, "Of course Anthony, and you can call me Padmè."

"Padmè," He repeated my name like he was letting his tongue get used to the unusual sound, "I have never heard that name before. It is rare and unique, which I think is the best kind of beauty," He took another bite of the cake and it made me happy knowing he was enjoying it — I take pride in my work.

His word's comprehended in my mind and a slight blush rose to my cheeks, "Thank you your high—I mean, Anthony."

"Of course," He covered his mouth as he chewed, "And I must say, this is one of the best cakes I have ever had. Do not be surprised if you receive a letter requesting your skills for one of my parties. I would pay you handsomely as well."

I felt a spark inside of me as I sat up, "I would be honored sir."

He uncovered his mouth as he swallowed and I noticed a small piece of chocolate on the corner of his mouth, "Have you ever considered having your own bakery in town?"

"I have," I nodded with a quiet sigh that I was not sure if he heard or not. (Y/n) has been begging me to give it a shot, but risk scares me, "But, I have always been too afraid to try. Also," I pointed to his mouth, "You have a bit of chocolate there."

He knitted his brows as he grabbed a napkin, "Oh, thank you," He began to wipe the complete opposite side of his mouth.

"No the other—"

"Here?" He started to wipe his chin.

"No," I said with a chuckle. I grabbed his hand to guide it and the napkin to the spot I was talking about, "Here." I let go and looked up, catching his gaze that made me freeze in place, like he had me under a spell.

And I had no idea how long we would have been there like that if it was not for the commotion that grasped everyone's attention. Gasps erupted in the room, followed by (y/n)'s voice, "Did you just throw cake at me?" She uttered in disbelief.

Both is us turned our ends in there direction and Anakin looked like he was holding in a laugh as he shrugged, "Maybe."

Moments later (y/n) had grabbed one of the buttercream cupcakes and threw it at him, causing it to hit him right below his eye. It slowly slid down his face and he shot her a glare as if he was not the one who started it in the first place, "If it is a fight you want Princess, then a fight is what you are going to get." He picked up one of the pieces of the triple chocolate cake with his bare hand before lunging it in her direction.

She ducked just in time and it hit the older woman standing behind her, "Oh my god," I placed my hand over my mouth when I realized a food fight was breaking out between the two and many were about to get caught in the crossfire.

"Is this normal behavior?" Anthony asked and I nodded without looking at him.

"Unfortunately it is," I sighed as I lowered down to avoid the flying food, "They do not get along very well and something like this is usually the result." This has to be the third or second food fight they have had, if we count the one on his birthday last year where she slammed his face into the cake... with the candles still lit. She said it was payback for the venom-less snake that was in her room which she swears he purposely planted, and he swears it was not him.

"Rumor has it they are best friends," He knitted his brows in confusion, "And she talks so highly of him so I assumed the rumors were true."

"They are true," I said as I watched (y/n) dodge another one of Anakin's throws with a smile. They are just unaware of how much they mean to each other, "They just tend to act like children sometimes when they disagree on things."

"Understandable, I bicker with my royal protector all the time. He is the one leaning on the wall over there looking bored," He pointed to an older black gentleman who did not look amused in the slightest over the food fight, "But he is a good man, the last father figure I have left."

I glanced away from his guard to look into his eyes that held a sadness that was familiar to me, "The King and Queen are what I have, I lost my parents young too."

He looked like he had more to say, but the sound of the King's loud and irritated tone caught everyone's attention, "What is the meaning of this?"

The cake throwing eventually stopped when Obi-Wan, Anakin's guardian, stood in front of him with a scowl. And the King and Queen stood in-front of (y/n) with the same scolding glare.

The King pointed to the glass door that led into the beautiful backyard which held a water fountain and a large garden. Then about twenty feet from that is the stables, and another twenty feet is the tree-line for the forest, "You two, outside, now."

Anthony lightly chuckled, "The Princess is definitely an interesting character though, I do not know many who would create this big of a scene in fear of gossip."

I sighed as I watched her and Anakin walk slowly to the backyard, occasionally bumping into each other, which I know was on purpose, "She has never been one to care, she knows she is the kingdom's sweetheart, she does a lot for her people." She is more loved than her own parents, everyone truly believes she's an angel and many are waiting for her turn to reign, "They love her."

"Sounds like a wonderful and interesting woman." He mumbled and when I looked at him, his eyes were on her.

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Ahsoka's POV
I sat on the dirt on the stable grounds with the multicolored wolf that I began to call Arlo resting on my lap. Angel and Menace were sleeping as well, but on the opposite end of us, and they were cuddled together.

Piett sat to my left and stared up at the sky through the open window, "I never thought they would calm down." I said quietly while gently petting Arlo, his coat was soft, much softer than any actual dog I have met.

Piett dropped his gaze down to the wolf in my lap, before looking over at Angel and Menace—these were not their official names or anything, but I was tired of calling them by their colors, "Well that twenty minute chase they put us in probably wore them out," He rolled his eyes as a small smile played on his lips, "I can watch them you know," He turned his eyes to me, "Even if they do wake up they will not be able to get out of the pen, so you can go to your party." It did not sound like he was trying to get rid of me, it was more like he was apologetic that I was still here and missing out.

I continued to run my fingers through Arlo's fur, "Would you like to know a secret?" I asked, to which he nodded with knitted brows, "I loathe parties. They are not fun and most of the people are old and—"

"Dull?" He finished before I could.

I nodded slowly, "How did you know I was going to say that?"

He chuckled as he leaned his head back and Arlo noticed his movements and decided to ditch me for him — so it seems we know Arlo's favorite person, "I said the same thing to Anakin the last time he dragged me to one of the balls," He scrunched his face in disgust, "I was bored out of my mind since he hardly even talked to me, of course because the Princess had his undivided attention," He rolled his eyes, insinuating what we all know — at least I am not the only one who sees it, "And some drunk old woman tired to take me with home with her too."

I laughed at his little story and he started to laugh with me as he relived the memory, "And that is exactly why I am perfectly happy right here. As long as you do not mind that I am here that is." I wanted to make sure I was not being intrusive since usually he is alone here.

"No," He shook his head with a smile, "I do not mind at all as long as you are bothered that I am just a stable boy." He teased me.

I sighed in guilt as I dropped my head down, "I must apologize for that, it was rude of me to say and even ruder to act as immature as I did afterwards." I felt bad for what I said, but at the time I did not want to admit what I said was wrong, I have never been good at that sort of thing. And I completely blame my 'I am never wrong' parents. But since I am apologizing right now, I am considering that progress on my part.

"It is quite alright," He began to pet Arlo who fell fast asleep on his lap, "I was not upset then, and I am not upset now. I have no shame in my profession, I love what I do." He looked up and gazed around the stable at the horses that we could partially see, "And the King pays me well and gives me free housing, it is a win-win."

"Happiness in what we do is really all that matters." I said as I pulled my knees up to my chest, my dress was long so everything was still non-visible, even in this position.

He gained eye contact with me and tilted his head, "Are you happy Lady Tano?" He asked and for the first time in my life, I felt stunned to respond.

No one has ever asked me that before.

And just before I could come up with an answer, Anakin appeared and folded his arms on the four foot wooden door that separated us and him. He looked sad as he laid his head down, "I just made a big mistake," He said with eyes glued on his best friend.

(Y/n)'s POV
After my parents kicked us out of the party—temporarily—I marched to the water fountain, and Anakin followed behind me, "Where are you going? Your parents said for us to calm down and talk things out. How are we supposed to do that if-"

I turned around quickly and pressed my finger to his lips, taking him by surprise, "Do you ever shut up?" I dropped my hand down with an annoyed glare.

"No," He said bluntly.

I fake smiled, "Well you should consider it then, you annoying twat." I spun on my heels and walked away before stopping in front of the water fountain.

"What are you doing?" He asked in a sigh as I placed my hand on the water.

Without looking at him, I answered, "I am cleansing myself of the cake you got all over me." I rolled my eyes as I used my wet hands to wipe my cheeks. I will admit that it turned out to be fun given the circumstances, but it became sour quickly when my parents ruined it by scolding us both like children.

Anakin sat on the stone neck to me and put his own hands in the water to clean himself, "You know I was only teasing you right? I would never touch Olivia, especially after the way she treated you." Yes he is aware and he always has been. I told him about it once when I was crying about not being invited to one of Olivia's birthday parties. I do not care now that I am older, but younger me cared and was heartbroken.

"How considerate of you," I spat sarcastically before turning on my side and bending over the water to wet my hair while placing my hands on the stone for balance.

"You are going to fall, let me help," I felt him grab ahold of me and help me lower myself until my hair was completely in the water. I used my hands that were now free and moved my hair around to get the cake and frosting out, "It looks good," He told me after about a minute so I could finally bring myself up.

He let go and I wrung out my hair that turned parts of the water cloudy. "Thanks," I mumbled, still angry over the whole situation. Anthony probably thinks I am insane after he saw all that. I would not be surprised if he is not there when I get back inside.

"Your thanks does not have to be so hostile, I was helping you."

I shot my gaze up as I stood up, my hair dripping water to the concrete walk-way below me and wetting parts of my dress, "I did not even need to say thank you because this was all your fault. You started it and for what reason?" I snapped.

"I started it?" He placed his hand on his chest, "You are the one who came over to me while I was in the middle of a conversation, minding my own business while you were over with your perfect King," He mocked.

"Yeah a conversation with Olivia, which you knew I would hate because I told you why I detest her-" I paused when flashes of everything that happened went through my head and I pointed at him accusingly when I started to piece something together, "You knew it would upset me, and that is why you had Padmè bring me the cake—even though I did not ask for it—knowing it would draw my attention to you and her. You wanted me to leave Anthony." I accused and the expression he held helped me see that I was on the right track, "Why?"

"You are reaching for a reason. I did not plan any of it, I sent food over because your mother asked me to-"

"You were not near my mother," I cut off his lie. He clenched his jaw as he raised his chin slightly, his eyes glaring down at me. But he remained silent, like he had no idea what to say, "Your actions lately have been raising a lot of questions Ani, like how about we talk about you in my room last night?"

"I was never in your room."

My eyes widened and the small fuse I had left was about to burst, "What are you always lying?" I yelled louder than I wanted to, but I was so angry that he was denying it. What was the purpose for it? "For once Anakin, just tell me the damn truth."

"No, just let it go," He snapped as he took a step closer.

"I let a lot of the things you do go, but not this, I am so tired of you always lying to me and giving me your rude attitude. We are supposed to at least be friends-"

"We are not friends," He cut me off in a cold tone, "You are a job."

"Oh look another lie," I stepped up to him with confidence, "Come on Anakin, just at least tell me what it is about Anthony you detest so much. He is a kind and caring man, who will no doubt treat me with nothing but respect. So what is the problem?"

He remained silent with a look in his eyes that I have seen before, on countless occasions.

"Oh I get it," I mimicked him from earlier, "The royal guard is jealous."

He narrowed his eyes, "I am not jealous."

"Oh but you are," I stood close enough for our chests to touch and I stared up at him,
"It is the narcissism you hold, it makes you possessive and think that you get a say. But sorry to tell you Anakin, you do not own me and I can not be kept from-"

Anakin took me by surprise by cupping my cheeks and pressing his lips to mine in a rough, but gentle way.

At first my eyes had widened and I did not kiss him back. But once I comprehended what was happening, I kissed him back as a familiar fluttering took over my stomach.

The kiss was passionate and it lasted for well over a minute before Anakin backed away, dread overcoming his expression, "I-I should not have done that." He said with shock.

I am pretty sure I was just as shocked as him too because I could hardly think of what to say, my mind was blank. So all I was doing was staring at him with surprised eyes and a racing heart.

He ran his hands through his hair before slowly looking back into my eyes, his holding guilt, "(y/n) I am so-"

I have no idea why I did what I did next, but before he could finish his sentence. I crashed my lips to his as I wrapped my arms around his neck and continued the first kiss I have ever had.

And he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me back.

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This did not go where I thought it would, but I'm also not complaining.
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