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(Y/n)'s POV
"I will meet you both at the bottom of the staircase in ten minutes," I smiled at my best friends before going into my bedroom with Anakin walking in behind me. The roulette was finished and as expected, no one else left a lasting impression. I will say that not all were horrible, but none were memorable — or at least not in a good way.

So now it was time for tomorrow nights little adventure to be moved up to right now, and Padme and Ahsoka were going to join us on it — our late night horseback ride. Riding at night is not ideal for many, but I hardly mind it, plus the moon lights up the fields quite beautifully around this time of year.

Padmè looked a little hesitant to walk away as I prepared to close the door, "Are you sure you will be alright for me to take Ahsoka to her guest room instead of-"

I waved her off, "I know how to clothe myself Padme, you are usually just here for extra support." I shrugged and she rolled her eyes with a playful snort. I say extra support but really she does almost all of the work of getting me ready — a lazy habit I needed to break.

"If you say so," She sung as she guided Ahsoka down the hall, both of them laughing together over the events of tonight. I will admit that many of the suitors were hilariously entertaining, so today did not turn out to be as much as a bore as I had initially guessed. But I still would not choose to ever do it again.

I closed my door with a chuckle and walked to my wardrobe where I chose the simple outfit I wanted to wear, and for once it was not a dress. I held it my hands as I went behind the divider, passing Anakin who was seated on my bed — watching my every move with silence. He has not said a single word to me since the roulette, nor has he said a word to anyone else besides his insults and demands to the suitors.

Now that I was behind the divider, he could no longer see me. And so I breathed out a long exhale of content, his stare was making my body tense and to be free of it was relieving.

I got the dress off with ease, as well as the shoes and the stockings. The only thing that was giving me a difficult time was the corset that Padmè had tied exceptionally well, "What the f-" I groaned in frustration before dropping my hands down and giving up.

That is, until I remembered I was not alone.

I subtly peaked out from the side of the divider at Anakin who had a book open in his hand. And it was not just any book either, it was my book, the one I was currently reading and he had the audacity to remove the book mark.

I made a note to get on his case about that later because right now, I had more pressing matters, "Uh Anakin," I called to him and he lifted his eyes to me, "Can you help me?"

He sighed as he closed the book and set it down on my bed before coming over to me, "What do you need?" He uttered in a bored tone, stopping just in front of the divider so he would not see me so exposed.

Personally I would not be bothered if he saw me in my undergarments. I am actually baffled he has not already seeing as he is up my arse all day and night anyway. Plus he has seen me in many nightgowns which are equivalent to how covered I am now — I just do not wish for him to see the large mark on my stomach. It is my biggest insecurity and the last thing I need is him poking fun at it.

"I need you to help me with the corset, I am having trouble removing it," I explained as I stepped out and turned so my back was facing him, "You only need to untie it and I can take care of the rest."

The room fell silent and for a moment, I was beginning to wonder if he even heard me. But before I could say anything or turn around, I felt the tips of his cold fingers grazing parts of my skin as he fidgeted with the string. I was anticipating getting this thing off because of how much it has been suffocating me these past few hours. It will be the most satisfying part of my day to finally be able to breathe.

"Did you um-" He cleared his throat, "Did you have a decent time today?"

I could not help but laugh with a small head shake, and mere seconds later I choked on my laugh when he pulled on the strings and tightened the corset instead of loosening it, "Ani!" I complained and almost turned to scold at him, but kept me in place.

"I promise that was not intentional," He said softly, "This is much harder than I anticipated."

And that I understood, Padmè will accidentally tighten it too, and there have been times where I have done it to myself. These things are the bane of my existence.

I nodded as I placed my hand on the wall to support myself, "It is alright, just hurry please, this is starting to make me feel claustrophobic," I breathed out a slow exhale before deciding to answer his question, "And it was not as bad as I thought it would be, but there is something I want to talk with you about."

His behavior.

"In a moment, remain still," He said as he momentarily placed his hands on my hips before quickly walking away, before coming back just as fast, "This should do it," I felt a slight tug on the corset and the sound of a rip, which was then followed by the most amazing feeling in the world — the corsets hold loosening from around my stomach, and the fabric slipping away.

"Thank you," I sighed with relief and turned around without thinking. The corset was removed and was now in his hand while he held a small dagger in the other.

His eyes immediately drifted to the scar on my stomach and I covered it on instinct. But he had already dropped the dagger and the corset, and was now moving my hands away to keep me from hiding it, "It is only me, let me see it," He demanded, clamping both my wrists in only one of his hands and lifting my arms above my head so they were not even close to my stomach.

"I do not think this is allowed," I snapped in annoyance. He had me pinned against the wall and immobile. This can not be legal.

He ignored me and barely grazed the scar with his fingers, "When did this happen? And who did this?" He shit his gaze up; his tight but gentle hold remaining on my wrists.

I tugged to indicate I wanted out of his unnecessary hold and he let go instantly, "I was a child when it happened, and I did it to myself — I think." I attempted to go back behind the divider to finish changing so I was now standing here in my underwear, but Anakin grabbed my arm to stop me and kept my back against the wall.

"What do you mean you think?" He glanced down at the deformed scar and I was starting to feel more self-conscious about it than usual. I was not used to it getting so much attention and I feared for any inconsiderate jokes.

"Well according to-" I paused and glanced up into his eyes with a soft inhale when I felt his cold finger now fully trailing the scar, "My mother," I continued in a surprised whisper, "I was a clumsy child. So there is no need to worry, it was years before you arrived and an accident." I finished, swallowing nervously at how close we were.

He nodded to show he understood, "Does it hurt at all?" He asked in a soft tone as he trailed the scar again, this time going the opposite direction to where he started.

I shook my head and goosebumps lathered my slin in response to his touch, "No why would it hurt? It is just discolored skin now."

He smiled as he dropped his hand down, "Sometimes mine do — a phantom pain they call it." He finally backed away from me and air that had thickened was loosening, "You should get dressed, I am sure we have taken up more time than we should have. I told Piett to have the horses ready a long time ago."

Firmus Piett, Anakin's best friend who has also been our stable boy for the past two years. He cares for our horses as if they were his children and is very intelligent when it comes to their anatomy as well. He has such a gentle and kind  heart so it always confuses me on why he is close with Anakin, someone who is the complete opposite.

I nodded and moved back behind the divider. Moments like that have been happening more frequently with him and I had no idea what to make of them. One minute we are in each other's faces and the next we are dead silent with our eyes locked, our hearts beating so loud the birds on the balcony fly away in fright.

But just as quick as it happens, it ends, like a snap back to reality — or like it never happened.

What does it mean?

I took another deep breath as I pulled on the pants and buttoned them before placing in a loose white top, which a belt was then added to seal the look, "Before we go, I wanted to discuss your antics at the roulette today." I stepped out to see that he was back on my bed, reading my book.

"What antics?" He scoffed, turning a page in the book to continue reading.

I walked over and took it from him, to which he shot me an irritated glare in response, "Do not play dumb Ani, you know exactly what you were doing today," I snapped and he stood up to tower over me, as if he can intimidate me.

He shrugged like he was innocent, "I have no idea what you mean Princess, I was simply doing my job."

I poked his chest and he slightly stumbled back, almost falling to the bed, "I wanted you there for support and to keep the men in line, not for you to toy with them and sabotage most of the day. It is like you did not want me to find anyone yet you are always telling me how much you want to rid me from your life." I would like to note that I was not yelling, I was just talking sternly. It was late and I did not want to wake anyone, especially since a late night ride is a big no in my parents eyes.

"I already told you that none of them-"

"Were good enough," I finished for him, "Yeah I heard you the first twelve times," I rolled my eyes and folded my arms over my chest, "But who are you to decide who is and who is not good enough for me? It is my life not yours." I poked him on the chest again, this time he did not stumble.

He clenched his jaw and his eyes flashed with rage, "Who am I?" He asked in disbelief, "I am the one who has taken care of you every single day for the past five years — I know you better than anyone in this palace, even your own parents," He stepped forward and I took one step back on instinct, "I know everything there is to know; including that purple is your favorite color, garlic bread is your favorite food, your left eyes twitches when you get annoyed, you hate large parties, but love small social dinners. I sat by your side day and night when you had the flu and nursed you to health, not any actually doctors, me. I know when your cycle begins and ends because of the shift in your mood and you always start to crave pudding. I know what makes you cry, what makes you laugh, and what makes you smile — name it Princess and I know it," My back was suddenly back against the wall and he was close enough for our body heats to touch, "I know exactly how to care for you and until I meet someone who I think can do a better job than I, no one will be good enough." He finished his excessively long rant, like he has been holding it in for years to throw in someone's face — it just happened to be mine.

"And I appreciate everything you have ever done for me," I said as I remained under his intense stare, "But that does not mean you own me or that you get a choice in who I will choose to love."

He looked down briefly to the floor, an unknown glimmer in his eyes, before looking back at up, "I am responsible for your life and I need to make sure that whoever I hand that responsibility to does not fail, because I do not care if it is a king — I will kill him."

"Anakin Skywalker," I uttered in disbelief, "I had no idea you cared so much."

He bit his bottom lip in silence like he was dying to say something before he stopped and sighed, "Caring for you is a duty I have sworn to uphold, and I do not plan to fail in any way."

And to think, for a moment, I thought it was for more than just duty. What a silly thought to have.

"Right," I nodded before pushing myself off the wall and moving past him — his words hurting my feelings more than I thought they would, "Let us go, we can finish this discussion before the ball when we talk about what you will and will not be allowed to do — including being rude to Anthony. I happen to have liked him and you will be respectful if he approaches." He did not look happy with my request, but I could not care less. Anthkny is the only man I met that did not make me want to gouge my eyes out and I want to see if there can be a strong connection.

"Depends on if he deserves my respect." He mumbled, following behind me as I walked out of the bedroom door.

I rolled my eyes. I doubt there is anyone in this world more stubborn than the Anakin Skywalker.

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Another one to celebrate finishing my research paper ❤️
Hope you enjoyed it!!❤️
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