XL
Jude's Pov
∽
I wasn't surprised when the first thing Nalani said to me when I arrived back to D'Qar was: "I don't need protecting."
To which I instantly replied. "Nice to see you too."
She stopped for a second, her hair the usual glimmering light brown that always caught my eye. A small smile appeared on her lips and she stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around me. "I'm glad you're safe," The hug lingered for a few more seconds before she pulled away and said once more. "But I don't need protecting."
"Tell that to the First Order," I shook my head, unloading the supplies from the cargo ship. "We leave immediately but I want to see Poe and Finn before we do."
"Last time I heard, they put Kingsley down for a nap," She hid a secretive smile. "I think you should find them, they have something to tell you."
I give her a weird look before promising her that I'd be right back. I found myself running through the Resistance Base, stopping to give updates to the few people who stop me as I run. The mess hall is empty and the docking bay is overpopulated. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that a war was starting.
I find Poe, Kingsley and Finn sitting near the outskirts of the base. Both smiling and talking merrily. They notice me as I near them and they both stand up to greet me. "Solo!"
Poe is the first to hug me, then Finn. "How have you been kid?"
"Not to great Big Deal, but I'm finally doing something worthwhile." I explain.
"We heard," Poe nods, his eyes leaving my face every so often to check on Kingsley. "I still think it's not safe for Nalani to travel, she's the Queen of Naboo who shut down ties to the First Order and now General of the Resistance...she's a target."
"I know," I agree. "But because of her titles, we can't stop her."
Finn groaned. "When do you come back?"
"Late tomorrow," I explain. "Nalani said you guys had something to say?"
Poe looked away giddily, rubbing his neck. "We've been thinking-"
"-when this is all over, we think we are going to adopt a younger sister for Kingsley."
The corners of my mouth lift up into a smile. I let my smile widen into a brilliant grin that has Finn and Poe beaming at him. I'm laughing now, feeling absolutely delirious. "That's amazing, I'm completely onboard!"
Poe slapped my back. "Great. Now go on kid, you've got a queen to protect."
∽
Naboo was technically my home planet. I grew up there, I had friends from market day and my mother homeschooled Bellamy and I in Amar's small shack. I find myself cringing slightly when I think about Amar, since Bellamy was the one who killed him. I shake the thought from my head and help Nalani carry our luggage to the palace.
Her brothers, Anfra and Bli greet us at the palace gates, alongside Elämä Kirkas, Nalani's handmaiden that took over as the temporary queen. Elämä's face was powdered white, just like Nalani's when I first met her. Her dress was a light blue with gold outlining the silk fabric. Her gold earrings dropped to her waist and her dark hair was done extravagantly. "Welcome home Nalani."
Nalani ditched her luggage and hugged Elämä, while her brothers watched with soft smiles. They must of adored this moment, seeing their sister happy and unharmed. Anfra was the first to notice my existence and extended his hand. "Anfra Trelawney, you must be the Jedi accompanying my sister."
I shake his hand firmly, then reach over to Bli. "That'd be me sir."
Anfra was at least seven years older than me, so I addressed him that way. Anfra took some of the luggage from my hands and started walking towards the palace. "Our father should be in the lounge, reading before lunch is served."
"I'll be right outside in case something happens." I tell Nalani, walking up the glimmering steps of the palace.
"Don't be daft," Bli chuckles. "You're invited to. Who taught you to be such a gentlemen?"
"His mother," Nalani answers for me, her eyes slightly squinted as she's looking towards the sun. "Jude's great grandmother is Padmè Amidala and his grandmother is the last princess of Alderaan."
"You don't say," Anfra looked at me, completely bewildered. "That means you are apart of the Royal House of Naboo."
"In some ways I suppose, I don't really live up to it though." My eyes stay on Nalani's face as she shakes her head and smiles.
"One does not live up to royalty Jude."
"Oh?" I raise my eyebrow.
Elämä and Bli look between us, questionable looks are painted on their faces. Bli thanked the few palace guards that walked up the stairs with us before turning to Nalani and I. "Nalani can show you the room you will be spending the night in."
"That won't be necessary, Jedi don't sleep."
I look at Nalani, my laugh is stuck in my throat so my face goes red. I try to stay as professional as I can but it all blows up in my face when Bli believes her.
"I'm kidding Bli, you'll get yourself killed being that gullible," Nalani giggles, pressing a kiss to Bli's forehead. "I'll show him his room, then we will come down for lunch."
That girl had the voice of music under a summer breeze, it somehow took over my head. Bli, Anfra and Elämä leave us in the giant palace and my instincts tell me that we are safe. I follow Nalani up the sandstone stairs that glimmered with age and down the hallway that was painted dark yellow.
Nalani opens a door closest to the beginning of the hallway and I walk in. The room is blue with beautiful murals on the wall, hand painted by someone who knew what they were doing. The room contained a small bed, neatly made with two straight backed chairs in front. "I take it this is my room?"
She nods, a certain shyness to the tilting of her head. "In the closet, you'll find something a little more-"
"Nabooian?"
"Exactly," She grins. "I'll see you in a bit."
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro