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(Y/n)'s POV
Padme and I sat side by side on the grass plane next to the moving river. We decided not to put our feet in because the speed of the water going down the slope was faster than usual, and it was coming at a much higher volume. I assumed it was because of the cold weather, winter was coming and soon.

I glanced up at blue sky through the trees above me and inhaled the fresh air. We were decently deep into the forest, but I knew my way back so I was not worried, Padme on the other hand looked nervous. She kept turning her head in every direction like someone was going to pop out of a bush, "We are perfectly safe Padme, no one is out here with us." I assured her.

Of course I did not know that for certain, but another being out here was very unlikely. The palace was far from the rest of the town, so we are really the only residents within miles of here.

She snapped her head to me, "It is not a person I am worried about," She looked back at the trees, "You are aware animals exist correct? Ones that would not mind a human snack."

I rolled my eyes, "I have come out into these woods hundreds of times. The only animals I have ever seen are either small, or would rather eat that leaf over there than either of us." I gestured between us, then picked up the bow and arrow by my side, "And if you are still worried, I did bring this and my aim has improved recently." I said with a smile as placed an arrow on the drawstring and shot at the trunk of a tree, hitting right where I wanted to.

She breathed out a long exhale, "My apologies, the forest has always made me paranoid. But if you are unbothered, then so am I." She adjusted her posture with a confident smile.

I set down the bow and arrow next to me with a smile as well, "That is because you have been taught to fear it, but there is nothing here that warrants terror." I assured her with all the confidence I had, "Unless you happen to be frightened by squirrels."

It is not secret I have grown an attachment to this place and that's because of the feeling of freedom it gives me. That is also one of the things that happens to be a plus about my future marriage. Maybe, if I choose the right one, I will have a sliver of unbothered freedom. Everyone deserves time to themselves do they not? Surely there is someone out there who thinks the same as I.

"So," Padmé began as she picked grass from the floor, "How are you doing with this whole marriage thing being throw on you?" She asked as she threw the grass she picked into the river and we both watched it drift away.

I sighed, "I am trying to make the best of it," I have always been a rather calm and collected person so throwing a major tantrum over something was highly out of character for me. I always opted for conversation or debate, but I usually had to end up smiling and nodding in agreement by the end of it because my parents are more than stubborn. Especially my father, once he has his mind set to something, there is almost no turning back, "But I hate that there is a time limit and that I have to have that stupid roulette tomorrow," Another thing I simply agreed to to avoid altercation.

"It probably will not be too bad, you might actually like some of them," Padmè tried to be positive.

I smiled, appreciating her attempt to shine light on the situation, "I am sure some will be, but I always had a specific image of how I would meet my future husband," I explained, "I did not want time limits or for it to be forced. I was hoping to find it without even looking, I just wanted it to happen. If that makes sense." I sighed. I always had dreams when I was younger of meeting my prince at a ball, that we would lock eyes from across the room, dance, and that would be it.

Love at first sight.

Of course that is not very realistic, but I was a child with high hopes for love. And those high hopes never died. I still intend to find love, I just wish it was under different circumstances.

"It does," She nodded, "And I am sorry." She placed her hand over mine and squeezed it gently.

The only person we are missing right now is the Lady of Alderaan, Ahsoka Tano, our third and final piece of our close group. But we only get the pleasure of seeing her at banquets, balls, and when her parents and mine happen to have a meeting together since our countries are strong ally's. So it has been awhile, but thankfully, my mother allowed me to invite her to tomorrow. So she too will be in the room with Anakin, Padmé, and I — and any other guards that may be present.

"I have not told you the great news yet," I decided to switch our tone up, this conversation was lowering my spirits, "Ahsoka will be joining us tomorrow."

Padme instantly smiled, "Those poor fools will not stand a chance." She teased playfully.

I chuckled, "Please, Anakin will be there, none of them stand a chance," I plan to make a bet with the girls on how many times we think Anakin will pull out his sword and frighten an unfortunate soul. He gets highly protective when people he does not know personally or trust comes around, especially if they are of a male audience.

She looked down at the grass with a knowing smile, "For someone who can not stand you," She mocked the words in a deeper voice, imitating him, "He sure cares a great deal about you."

I rolled my eyes, "He cares about his image, the job, and his own head — he already said he can not wait to be rid of me when I am wedded off." He reminds me all the time that I am an inconvenience to his life, so I never take his protectiveness to heart, I see it as him simply doing the job he is paid to do.

"And you believe him?" She asked with knitted brows.

"Of course I do," I picked up a small stick from the floor and snapped it in half, "When has he ever once said the words, 'I care about you'?"

Not that I care, it is not like I care about him.

She hummed as she looked away, "My mother always told me that actions speak louder than words. Anyone can say anything, but not everyone will do everything."

I sighed, "He does what he has been ordered to do, nothing more," I stood up and stretched out my legs before dusting off the dirt from my dress, "We should head back, it is a bit of a walk and I want to return to my room before he does."

If I am lucky, he will be be distracted by one of the hand-maidens roaming the halls. That flirt always has to stop them and chalk up some kind of conversation. And the most annoying thing is sometimes when I see him, he will get closer to her with his eyes on me — like he was trying to taunt me, as if I care.

"Good idea," She stood up as well and dusted off her uniform.

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"Are you okay?" Padme whispered shouted from below me as I climb the side of the house to get to my balcony that resided on the third floor. I already know that I am insane for this, but it was either this or the front or back door where I would definitely be seen.

"Yes," I whispered back as I placed my bare foot on one of the bricks that stuck out of the house, "You can go in through the back door, they will not suspect anything of you. Then go up to my room and I will be waiting for you there," I went up higher with ease. I have climbed this about a thousand times, since I was as young as six actually, so I knew exactly where to step and where not to stop.

"Okay, I will see you soon," She rushed away towards the back door. My stomach grumbled when I went up another step up, I really should have told her to take up food.

I stepped a little to my left and continued going up until I was able to grab the floor of my balcony. With help of the small number of bricks I could step on, I hoisted myself up higher and grabbed the railing before kicking my legs over and sighing with relief when I was safely on the other side.

"Princess (y/n) Amara (y/l/n), what the hell do you think you are doing?" Anakin snapped and I slowly turned around to meet his frustrated gaze. He was standing in my bedroom with his arms crossed, holding a scowl.

I groaned as I leaned back against the railing and folded my arms, just as he had them, "I went to the river like I wanted, and now I am back and unharmed so there is no need for the lecture I know you are just dying to torture me with." I rolled my eyes.

He breathed heavily through his nose, "Well then you could have waited," He said through a clenched jaw, "Because I just came back from pleading to your parents that the stress of everything has made you unsettled and that fresh air, with me by your side, would be good for you. And eventually, after a lot of convincing, I got them to agree," He stepped closer to me and my smug expression fell into one of slight guilt, "So I came here to take you, but since you have already gone, my presence is unneeded."

"Do not try and make me feel guilty about this," I did feel guilty, but I believe it was an unnecessary thing for me to feel, "How was I supposed to know you were going to them for that reason if you fail to tell me that? Especially when fighting for what I want is not something you ever do." There was no way for me to know or even suspect he was going to do that for me, he usually hears what they want and that is what he will follow.

He narrowed his eyes with a scoff as he got even closer. He was now standing outside on the balcony with me and the closer he got, the more I leaned back and the railing creaked, "You really think I never fight for you? I always do because I understand the need for what you ask for, they are just difficult — a characteristic clearly inherited by you." He eyed me up and down with disapproval.

I blinked in surprise, "You do?" This is new information to me.

He nodded, "I am sorry it has never been enough," He spat, "But I do try."

Now I really did feel guilty, but then again, how am I supposed to know any of this if he never tells me anything? All these years he has made it seem like he follows every demand without question.

I adjusted my position to get more comfortable since the railing was digging into my back rather painfully, "Anakin I-" I halted my words and screamed in surprise when I felt the railing behind me give out, and I began to go backwards to fall three stories.

Anakin's eyes widened as he lunged forward and grabbed me by the front of my dress before I could fall, and pulled me into his chest as hard as he could.

I could hear the railing behind me slam against the floor, making me jump as Anakin's arms wrapped around me — tears of fright filling my eyes. I just had what could possibly have been a near death experience, and I was shaking as the rush of fear I got slowly settled.

"You are fine, you are okay," He kept repeating over and over as he rubbed my back, "I got you."

My breathing was rapid as I moved back to look up into his eyes that held more fear than I have ever seen, "Ani, I—am sorry," I said with small pants, my anxiety high.

"You need not apologize, are you okay?" He placed one hand on my cheek, his eyes scanning my features.

I nodded, slow, "I think so, but can we not tell my parents about this?" The last thing I want is another thing for them to get worked up over. This was simply an accident and they would make it much more than that.

He also nodded in agreement as he dropped his hand down, "Stays between us Princess. But I will be making sure that whoever put that railing up is fired." He pulled me back inside and closed the balcony doors just as there was a knock on my bedroom door.

"(Y/n)," Padme whispered, "Did you make it back in okay?"

Anakin glanced away from me and to the door, before looking back at me, "I see you had an accomplice."

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Hope you enjoyed it my loves ❤️
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