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(Y/n)'s POV
The morning after was free from remorse or anxiety; instead, it was filled with laughter and happiness. We found ourselves more in love than before, our hearts intertwined in a fresh passion. The sun streamed through the window, casting golden rays that danced across the room, illuminating the space with a soft glow that mirrored the feelings between us.

I let out a soft laugh as Anakin drew me close, positioning me above him, our faces just inches apart. His eyes sparkled with a light that seemed to rival the sun itself, and I could feel the energy between us sparking like the beginning flicker of a flame. "I love you," he proclaimed, his smile shining bright, a beacon of happiness that filled the air around us.

"I love you too," I responded, my voice above a whisper as I gently pressed my lips to his. The kiss was sweet and lingering, a promise of everything we had shared and everything that was yet to come.

As we pulled away, I noticed a flicker of uncertainty in his smile, his eyes revealing a trace of worry that tugged at my heart. "You do not regret what happened, do you?" he asked, his voice laced with a vulnerability that made my chest tighten.

I shook my head, my fingers softly tracing his cheek in a tender caress. I infused that soft and forbidden touch with all my love, my heart racing for him—beating his very name. "No, no regrets," I assured him, my voice steady and sincere. "What about you? Do you have any regrets?" I searched his eyes, hoping to find reassurance in his gaze.

He lifted his hand to hold my face, his touch warm and grounding. His gaze was unwavering and sincere, a depth of emotion swirling within those familiar blue depths. "How could I ever regret you?" he replied, his voice firm yet gentle, as if he were making a vow. The sincerity in his words wrapped around me like a comforting embrace, dispelling any lingering doubts.

I leaned into his touch, the world outside may have been filled with uncertainty, but here, in this moment of warmth and love, we were safe to be us.

He drew my face close, his lips crashing against mine with such passion that I feared my heart might burst from the intensity. In that moment, I wished for nothing more than to remain entwined with him, suspended in this blissful eternity. Every kiss ignited a fire within me, a longing that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.

Yet, our precious moment was abruptly shattered when, to our utter dismay, the door swung open after a quick, sharp knock.

"Princess, are you—" Padmè's voice trailed off as she stepped into the room, her gaze locking onto us. Time seemed to freeze as her eyes widened in shock, the realization of what she had stumbled upon dawning on her. I scrambled away from Anakin, a wave of panic washing over me, my heart racing not just from the kiss but from the sudden intrusion. "Oh, my god!" she exclaimed, instinctively covering her eyes as if that could shield her from the scene before her. Thankfully, the blanket draped over us spared her from the full extent of our disarray, but it did little to quell the embarrassment flooding through me. "I am so sorry!" she squeaked, her body rigid as she turned away, clearly flustered and unsure of where to look. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, a mix of mortification and disbelief at how quickly our moment had unraveled.

"Padmè, wait!" I called out, my voice a desperate plea before she could fully regain her composure and flee. She halted, her expression a mix of embarrassment and surprise, her cheeks flushed a deep pink that mirrored my own. "Please, do not say anything. I promise I will explain everything later, but for now, just keep this to yourself." I begged her.

She nodded, her eyes still wide with disbelief, the shock evident in her features. "Of course, Princess," she replied hurriedly, her voice barely above a whisper, before darting out of the room as if escaping a fire.

Anakin and I exchanged glances, his demeanor far more relaxed than mine. "I can not believe that just happened," I murmured, still reeling from the encounter, my heart still racing from both the kiss and the interruption.

He shrugged, leaning back with his hands behind his head, a casual confidence. "She is your best friend and the most trustworthy person you know. She will not tell a soul. Just relax and breathe."

I grabbed my pillow and smacked him over the face with it, earning me a scowl, "Get up and get dressed, I have to go and talk to her—now."

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Ahsoka's POV
Piett extended an apple towards me, a playful sparkle in his eyes. "The horses deserve a little treat, do you agree?" He chuckled softly while affectionately stroking one of the animals. After (y/n) left, I stayed behind and remained hidden here with him in the stables, a place I found surprisingly comforting. The scent of hay and the soft whinnies of the horses created a serene atmosphere that not even a Palace full of riches and food could create in my eyes.

While I would not say I enjoyed sleeping on the ground, the blankets and pillows he had taken from the Palace made the experience much cozier than I had expected. It felt like a little adventure, a temporary escape from the formality of court life.

I had assisted him in washing most of the horses, and they had been gentle and well-behaved throughout the process. Their glossy coats gleamed in the dim light of the stable, and I felt a sense of pride in having contributed to their care. "Absolutely, I agree," I replied with a smile, offering the apple to my favorite horse, a spirited chestnut mare named Bella, who eagerly accepted the snack. Her soft muzzle brushed against my palm, and I could not help but laugh at her enthusiasm.

We continued our little routine, feeding each horse an apple until I reached the Princess's mount, a majestic stallion named Jimmy (gotta give my real life man a cameo somewhere.) To my surprise, he turned his head away, rejecting the treat. "He does not seem to want it," I said, furrowing my brow as I gently stroked his nose, feeling the warmth of his breath against my skin.

Piett set the bag of apples down and joined me, studying the horse with a puzzled look. "That is strange; he is usually the first to beg for more," he mused, scratching his chin thoughtfully. I could see the concern in his eyes, a reflection of the bond he shares with the animals.

"Maybe he is just not in the mood today," I suggested, trying to lighten the moment. "Horses have their off days too, right?" I chuckled, hoping to ease the tension that had settled between us.

Piett nodded, but his brow remained furrowed. "True, but I have never seen him turn down an apple before." He stepped closer, examining the horses posture and demeanor. The stallion stood tall and proud, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—was it unease?

"Do you think he is ill?" I questioned.

Piett let out a weary breath, "It is a possibility. I will have to keep a watchful eye on him in the coming days." Just as he concluded his thought, his head jerked toward the stable entrance, alert. I soon heard what had caught his attention—footsteps. He gestured toward a tall stack of hay in the corner, "Slip behind there and keep quiet." With a gentle push, he urged me in that direction, my heart racing with anxiety.

Barely moments after I concealed myself, the stable doors creaked open. "Piett," the King's voice resonated through the space, familiar yet commanding.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?" Piett replied, his tone respectful.

"Lady Tano," the King sighed, the sound of his boots crunching hay echoed with each step he took, "Have you seen her?"

"Lady Tano?" Piett echoed, a hint of confusion lacing his words. "I thought she had departed after the ball."

I dared to peek between two hay bales, catching a glimpse of the King as he tenderly stroked one of the horses. The narrow opening limited my view, but I could hear him clearly. "Yes, she did, but a guard reported seeing her lurking around the Palace just yesterday. Her parents fear she is trying to escape a marriage." The King turned slightly, and I caught the roll of his eyes, "These young women, they are far too rebellious for their own good." I caught a hint of a smile, although (y/n) stresses this man out to no end—I know he would have it no other way.

"I understand," Piett shifted his stance, blocking my view entirely, "But I regret to inform you, Your Highness, that I have not seen her. I have been here tending to the horses; it seems Jimmy might be feeling unwell." He deftly redirected the conversation, a clever maneuver.

"How unfortunate," the King replied, his tone genuine. "I trust you will care for him well. If anything were to happen to that horse, my daughter would be heartbroken."

"Of course, Your highness."

The King was on the verge of departing when he hesitated, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the quiet stable. "Are you sleeping here?" he inquired, and my heart plummeted. It was clear he had noticed the disheveled spot where I had spent the night, a mess I had yet to tidy.

"Yes," Piett replied without a moment's pause. "As I mentioned, Jimmy is unwell, and I prefer to stay close in case his condition worsens. This way, I can assist him immediately." His voice was steady.

"The world is fortunate to have you, Piett. You possess a heart of gold," the King remarked before stepping out of the stable, allowing me to finally exhale.

Once the sound of his footsteps faded into the distance, I emerged from my concealed corner, brushing stray strands of hair from my face. "You did not need to lie to the King for me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, tinged with gratitude.

"Of course I did, Lady Tano," he replied, a smile gracing his lips, devoid of any remorse. His confidence was reassuring, yet it only deepened the turmoil within me. I understood that I would have to return to my reality eventually, but this brief reprieve was just what I needed to gather my thoughts. "May I ask why you harbor such disdain for this Lux that you would rather run away and sleep on a stable floor than face him?" he asked, his tone shifting to one of genuine curiosity.

I lowered my gaze to the ground. "He is everything I never wanted in a partner."

"And what sort of man does the remarkable and graceful Lady Tano desire?" he asked, and I suddenly became aware of how much closer to me he had moved.

Meeting his gaze, my heart raced, a wild flutter that caught me off guard. "Someone sweet, gentle, kind, and caring," I mused, my mind wandering to the way he lovingly cared for the animals, his hands deftly brushing through their manes, his voice soothing as he spoke to them. "Someone who does not act as if they have got a stick up their backside."

He chuckled softly, shaking his head slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "You have just described yourself, you know."

That flutter returned, stronger this time, a wild, exhilarating feeling that made my heart race. "You are sweet," I replied, thinking of all the gentle qualities he possessed—the way he listened, the way he cared. "May I ask why someone like you has not found a woman to share his life with?" The question slipped out before I could stop myself, curiosity mingling with a hint of longing.

He shrugged, his gaze still locked onto mine, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features. "No one has really caught my eye," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he were sharing a secret. In that moment, the world around us faded away, leaving just the two of us in a bubble of silence.

"Whoever does, I hope she realizes how fortunate she is." The words tumbled out, laced with sincerity. It could never be me, I reminded myself, but I wished for her to treat him with the kindness he so richly deserved. He truly had a heart of gold, one that shone brightly even in the simplest of gestures.

He swallowed hard, a hint of nervousness in his demeanor, his eyes drifting to my lips for a fleeting moment. "Yeah," he murmured, the word hanging between us like a fragile thread, before he turned away and headed back to the horses, the connection between us momentarily severed.

As soon as his back turned away from me, I exhaled a breath I had not known I was holding. My gaze followed him as he tenderly stroked one of the horses, murmuring sweet words to her. He was precisely the man I had painted in my dreams, the very one I envisioned standing beside me at the altar—yet he remained just out of reach.

Why must life be so cruel?

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