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(y/n)'s POV
"Now place your foot there—no not there, there," Piett spoke low from below the terrace.

"How on earth am I supposed to understand where exactly you are referring to by simply saying there." Ahsoka snapped, "You can say left, right, lower, higher—really anything other than there."

"I am pointing." He clarified with a hint of attitude to his tone.

"My back is to you!"

Anakin chuckled as we watched the pair argue, "Any louder and they're going to get caught."

Caught. The word rung in my head over and over again. What would happen if him and I were to get caught? What we were doing, the late visits, the kisses that make my heart scream—they were risky. Too risky.

I spent a great deal with Anthony today and he is exquisite. Truly a wonderful man with a heart as big as mine when it comes to the people. And I like him, I do really like him. It is not love, but maybe one day I can learn to love him.

So what on earth am I doing? What was I just about to do? I was going to fully give myself, and a mistake that would have been a slap in the face to all the royal women before me who waited until the day they married their husbands. I have been a fool, a blind fool.

"She made it to the floor, with only a small scratch it seems," Anakin took me from my epiphany and placed his hand on my back, leading me back into my bedroom. He closed the balcony doors and secured them, "Now," He faced me with a smile, "Shall we get back to what we were doing before being rudely interrupted?"

I backed away from his hand that reached towards me. He knitted his brows, seeming confused by my sudden distance, "We could have gotten caught ourselves Ani. If you had not noticed something was off, Ahsoka would have heard whatever we were about to do."

"She would not have told on us." His smile returned and he reached for me once more, his fingertips trailing along my forearm asking to be let in.

Goosebumps arose from his touch and I felt like such a school girl with a crush as my heart fluttered, "That's—" He moved closer, his hand now finding it's way to my waist. It took everything in my power to do what I did next. I stepped back. His expression immediately faltered into confusion and hurt, "That's not the point." I finished, "This needs to stop, we can not let this continue. It will only lead us to heart break or worse."

"I do not care what repercussions follow, I love you." The desperation in his voice was haunting, I almost felt sick. I wanted to kiss him, to take away the sadness that is completely my fault.

I blinked away my tears, "You should. What if you are banished? Then we would never see each other again."

He clenched his jaw, "Death would better than watching you fall in love with someone else. Marry someone else. Have..." He took a heavy breath, "Have children, with someone else. I have tried to accept it all, but I just can not. It is agonizing."

I blinked in realization of where his mind truly was, "Anakin," I whispered, tears now breaking free and streaming down my cheeks, "That is something that has to be accepted."

His lips parted, but whatever words he had remained stuck in his throat.

"We do not get to have each other in this lifetime Ani." Saying this stung. My heart is unfair for loving someone I can never fully have, life is unfair , "As much as I would want it to be with you—"

"Stop," He held his hand up, silencing me, "Please, stop." Tears filled his eyes and his lips slightly quivered, "Do you need anything else Princess? Or can I retire for the night?"

"Anakin—" I began to plea for his forgiveness. I was not trying to hurt him, I am trying to make the best decision for the both of us.

"Do you," He repeated in a much harsher tone, his stature even returning to his professional one, "Need anything else."

I shook my head, whispering, "No."

He nodded before turning around and exiting my room, slamming the door in the process. I flinched at the sound. My gaze remained on the door, hoping he would come back, and wondering if what I said was right or spontaneously stupid.

I just ruined the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I ruined real love.

I followed in his steps and exited out into the hallway to look for him, though I did not have to look long. He was there, leaning against the wall just a few feet away from my door, and he was not alone.

"So, you are off duty for the night?" The young maid asked, starting up at him with doe, sparkling eyes.

Anakin shrugged, smiling down at her. His face was still red from his crying but I think that maid is too starstruck to notice or care, "I am never really off duty, but the princess has turned in for the night and so I plan to retire as well."

She giggled, when there was not a single thing worth giggling about, "Does your job ever get lonely?" She moved closer to him, and the way he was looking at her was very...inviting.

"Sometimes, why? Are you wishing to help me be less lonely?"

I cleared my throat to let him know that I was here and witnessing everything. His eyes snapped up in my direction and the maid turned in surprise meeting my angered gaze, "Leave us, now." I demanded. She stiffened but quickly rushed away.

"Now why did you have to go and do that?" Anakin crossed his arms.

I balled my fists at my side, "One minute. One minute is all it took for you to attempt to slither in another's bed." I was speaking through a clenched jaw, trying my absolute best not to cry, "I came out here thinking that maybe I was making a mistake that maybe I was letting my fears get the best of me. That there could possibly be a way to fight for this, for us," Hope flashed in his gaze, "But then I come and see you out here giving her that look, that same look you gave me in the dancing room."

"Princess, let me explain. I had no intention of—"

"Save it," I placed my hand up as he did to me mere moments ago, "If I had not come out here, I know you would have, so do not lie to me!" I yelled, my anger getting the best of me, "You are what you have always been and I was stupid to think that with me, you would be different."

"Princess—"

"If you loved me as you say you do, you would have stayed in that room and fought for me! You should have done what you always do, tell me I am dramatic or wrong and convince me otherwise," My voice cracked as I cried, I cried so hard I would be surprised if he understood me, "But you ran in the direction of someone else."

I did not let him speak, I did not let him get the last word in. I turned and went back into my room, slamming the door behind me and locking it.

"I hate you." I hit my fist against the door, a son escaping my lips.

Ahsoka's POV
"You do not have to stay in here with me," I assured Piett as he made not one but two beds on the floor. He was respectful and made sure there was distance in-between, but the free space in the stable was limited so although there was distance I could reach him in an arms length.

He smiled, laying down another layer of blankets, "I would not want you out here alone, but if me being here would make you uncomfortable, I do not have to stay."

Respectful. Kind. Gorgeous. Why could I not be lucky enough to be forced to marry someone like him? At least then it would not be forced, I would be more than willing to marry him—someone like him, I mean.

"No, please do. I would not mind the company," I hugged my knees to my chest. I watched him finish making the beds and I have to admit, for a stable floor, it does look appealing—or perhaps I am just exhausted from my long travel.

Piett fluffed the pillow meant for me and placed it at the top of the blanket, "It is no royal bed, but I hope it is comfortable enough for you."

"It will do fine," I stood up from the corner I was leaning against and fixed my dress, "I am grateful for your kindness Piett, it is a breath of fresh air when I get to talk to you."

His cheeks began to burn, but he dropped his head low, hiding it from me, "The world would be a better place if it had more kindness. That is something my mother always said to me."

"Wise woman."

"Very wise," Piett lifted his eyes to meet mine, and his head lifted ever-so slightly, "Your dress does not look comfortable for sleeping. I have extra clothing you can use."

I shook my head, "Please, you have done enough, I will be fine."

"I insist," In an instant he went to a darker part of the stable before returning with a shirt and...undergarments? "I always keep a spare, it is easy to get dirty out here. Especially when the Princess's horse decides to be difficult." He chuckled, handing me the clothes, "Give a shout when you are done changing."

"Yes sir," I responded, causing him to chuckle a little more, "Sorry, I do not mean to sound so formal, it is a habit."

"Do not apologize," He walked backwards towards the closed doors, "I will be right out the door if you need help with anything."

"Actually," I stepped forward before he could leave from my sight. He stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowing with curiosity, "Would you mind helping me undo my dress?" I asked nervously, "Just the zipper," I clarified, "I can not reach it on my own."

Without a word, he nodded.

I turned around when he got closer and lifted my hair to expose the back of my dress, "I promise not to look." He said, his breath hitting the back of my neck, raising every goosebump on my body.

"I never suspected you would." I felt a hand hold my shoulder. I felt another tugging on the zipper. I felt how close he really was, our bodies were practically touching.

The hand on my shoulder slid down my arm, as did the sleeve of my dress, "You smell sweet, like vanilla." He whispered. I did not know what to say, how could anyone respond to that? I guess a thank you would suffice, but I could hardly think right now—let alone speak.

My dress was undone, and I clutched the front of it to hold it to me tight.

He then let me go and backed away. I could not see him, but I knew there was distance. I felt the cold hitting my skin where his body warmth once welcomed me, "I will be outside while you change." He exited the stable, leaving me confused feeling something I do not understand.

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