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Anakin POV:

My body was frozen with trepidation.

An unwelcome pang of consternation overtook my nerves, straining my muscles, and tightening my throat so that I couldn't get any words out. Only a minute in, and I've already found myself tied up and pinned to the floor. How did this take such a downward turn so quickly?

"Hey." (y/n) snapped, gripping my hair tighter and pushing the side of my face against the floor once again. "I asked you a question." She seethed slowly, in a menacing tone that held no promise of mercy.

I forced myself to swallow the lump that inevitably formed in my throat, trembling slightly as I did so. All credence I carried into this journey has virtually evanesced.

"I..." I started, cringing when my voice cracked, coming out as a whisper. "I'm sorry." I mumbled quietly. I completely forgot what she asked me, so I figured apologizing would be the safest course of action.

She scoffed through her nose, "And here I thought men had at most a grain of intelligence." Her body pressed down closer against my back, "A word of advice," Soon I felt her breath softly aerating over my neck once again, "If you're going to break into someone's home, don't get caught." She whispered into my ear, brushing her lips against the shell of it.

This time I couldn't bite my tongue, "I'm not the one who left my door wide open for anyone to walk in through. For an assassin, your defense could use drastic improvement." I realize I was only digging my own grave deeper, but she can't seriously be hyperbolizing this situation to be entirely my fault.

"So you deliberately trespassed on my territory while knowing I'm an assassin." She mused, releasing her hold on my tied wrists and shifting her weight so that she was instead crouching on one knee above me, still holding my head down. "Then tell me this; just what did you think was going to happen when I found you?"

I furrowed my brows in perplexity, feeling as though this entire situation was just one conundrum after another, "One of your assassins guarding the front gate let me through, and said that you enjoyed having visitors. And I expected you would recognize me; you saved my life last week from those Red Knights, (y/n)." I added, hoping she would be reminded of who I am.

But she didn't seem fazed at all by that fact.

A dry chuckle rippled through her, though I knew she didn't find any of this humorous. "Do you think I enjoy finding random men in my home? Ahsoka shouldn't have let you in regardless, but she tricked you; and clearly, it worked."

Realization settled in as I replayed the interaction with that girl; Ahsoka, her name must be. I felt like a complete idiot; I should've known she had willingly let me in too easily for there not to be any consequences.

Not only that, but the way her attitude shifted from bloodthirsty to sweet in less than ten seconds....I should've known I was being deluded. That little devil, who knows what hell she must be putting Piett through right now.

I sighed in annoyance; more with myself for being so dense. "Don't you recognize me?" I asked again. "I'm the Prince, the one you saved after my shoulder was wounded." I persisted, since she unreservedly disregarded my reminder of our first meeting.

"I know who you are." She disclosed coolly, pushing the side of my face against the floor harder when I once again attempted to lift my head, "But that doesn't mean I trust you."

I held in a scoff. I hadn't surmised that she would be so stubborn. What reason does she have to not trust me, especially since she knows who I am?

"If you let me go, I promise I can prove that you can trust me." I reasoned, hoping I could at least be on my feet to present my offer.

"Not happening." She said simply.

Indignation flared inside of me. Must she be so difficult?

This encounter has just been one setback after another and has not gone at all how I had expected nor hoped, and this conversation is just going in circles. Though, I suppose I only have myself to blame. I was so thrilled to meet her and see this guild firsthand that I let my excitement overtake my common sense. She is an assassin after all, a ruthless and arcane one at that. I don't know what I was thinking.

After a few moments (y/n) sighed quietly, but I could faintly hear her breath trembling for a moment, almost like she was anxious about something. "You shouldn't have come here." She said flatly, and soon moved off of me completely, leisurely walking to the other side of the hut, leaving me laying on the floor.

"Where are you going?" I asked apprehensively, lifting my head slightly and turning my neck enough to see what she was doing.

She didn't answer. Her back was turned to me, so I couldn't see her properly, but I noticed attached to her outfit was a utility belt, one that was filled up almost entirely with knives, sharpeners, a bow, arrows, and other kinds of ammunition. She wore knee-high black boots, and with each slow, intimidating step they took, left an eerie clump that would no doubt make anyone shudder.

She kept walking to the furthest room in the hut, to where I assumed was a small kitchen-like area. I watched her grab what looked like a metal cup, and began to causally fill it with water as if I wasn't here tied up on her floor.

I thought about attempting to roll over and sit up, or find a way to get to my knees, but I didn't want to risk angering her any further, and I'm concerned about my wounded shoulder. I wasn't bleeding out or anything severe, but it's still as sore as hell and not completely healed yet, so my wrists being pulled back in this position didn't exactly help the pain. I have to get the restraints undone before anything else.

I sighed in annoyance, and as quietly as I could, tried tugging at whatever it is she used on my wrists. It felt like a thin line of rope, but it was knotted so securely that it hurt every time I tugged at them. I then attempted to feel for any loose strands or ends, clinging to the hope that maybe if I pulled it, it would loosen the entire thing.

"That won't do you any good." (y/n) suddenly commented, an irked edge to her voice, taking me by surprise. I shot my head back up in confusion, and saw that her back was still turned to me; meaning that she somehow heard my movements from all the way over there, and knew exactly what I was doing.

Again, she languorously lifted her cup, taking a sip from it as if it was any normal day.

"Well," I began, purposely making my tone sound passive-aggressive, "why don't you give me a hand, then? You tied this knot, so I'm sure you're smart enough to know how to untie it."

She set her cup down harshly onto her counter, making me jump in surprise, "Shut up and let me think." She growled, turning her head for just a moment so I could see her blazing (e/c) eyes as they pierced into my own.

I huffed, and rolled my eyes in exasperation. This woman is unfeignedly an enigma; an infuriating one. But something about her attitude seems....off. What does she need to think about? It's evident that I'm not a threat to her, seeing as she took me down in under two seconds. And she doesn't trust me, so why has she not just kicked me out yet?

Unless she believes that I now know too much about her and this location, and isn't planning to let me leave at all. That is an undeniably shuddering thought.

I did not want nor plan to have this conversation with her in the position that I'm in, but I'm out of options; I can't think of any other way to persuade her to trust me.

"The reason I came to see you is because I wanted to employ you as my personal bodyguard." I admitted. (y/n) seemed to finally be pulled out of her thoughts by my words, turning her head towards my laying figure once more. I continued, "Now that we know these Red Knights have a way to get onto kingdom grounds directly, nowhere is safe for me anymore. Your skill in combat and lightening-like reflexes are the best I've ever witnessed." I looked up hopefully to see her reaction.

Her gaze was fixed elsewhere, off in the distance at nothing in particular. On her hands wore black fingerless gloves, one of them moved down to her utility belt and tightly gripped the hilt of her sharp, anelace blade. Her jaw, set and serious, visibly clenched.

From the start I assumed she would at least be avid for this opportunity, but much to my dismay she eventually shook her head, coming out of whatever trance she was just in, "I may have saved you once, but I don't want to waste my time being your safety net." She retorted coldly.

Well, that was certainly a bust. All hope I had left for this expedition was crushed, but I suppose there is one more tactic I have left that just might convince her to take my offer.

"You'll be paid," I added quickly. "And handsomely rewarded by the Queen for saving my life."

She rose an eyebrow, "Paid, you say?" She asked with intrigue, and the look on her expression told me that she was finally, sincerely considering my words. But even from the distance I saw something flash in her eyes; a flicker of, uncertainty?

"Yes; your entire guild will be rewarded." I persisted, deciding to use the last of my desperation to see this through. "Please." I pleaded softly.

Normally I despise begging, and the way it makes one feel like they're below someone else and solely dependent on them.  In this case, though, I'm desperate. I also didn't consider needing to do so in the first place, since I assumed she would instantly take my offer.

After what felt like an eternal period of silence, (y/n) eventually sighed and walked back over to me quickly. I craned my neck up to see what she was doing, but I couldn't she wasn't in my view anymore, meaning she was right behind me.

Suddenly I felt a hand reaching from behind and grabbing a fistful of my shirt, effortlessly flipping my body over so that I was laying on my back.

Shutting my eyes, I hissed in pain because of the harsh contact my shoulder made with the floor. Since my wrists were still bound behind my back, I was forced to lay on them as well, which didn't exactly make my position any more comfortable.

When I slowly opened my eyes again, they widened in startlement. (y/n)'s boots were planted on either side of me, and she crouched so that she was kneeling on one knee, resting her elbow on the other, and looking down at me with an icy stare. Her face was a lot closer to mine than I expected, and I noticed on her cheekbone a scar that I don't remember being there during our first meeting. Her gaze was so chilling that I felt I couldn't hold her stare for more than a few moments at a time. I never knew a woman—an assassin—could be so petrifying, so intimidating.

She's so awesome, I thought to myself in absolute marvel.

"If I agree to this - which I haven't yet," She leaned downwards, closer to me, making me instinctively press myself further into the ground. "Then let's get one thing straight; you want me to protect you? Then you'll need to listen to me, and do as I say in any and all circumstances I deem necessary." Her tone wasn't exactly harsh, but it was strict, and spoken with clear authority behind it.

I couldn't help the smirk that rose to my lips, "Who exactly is the future monarch here, me or you?" Hearing her give me orders was very amusing.

(y/n) didn't seem to find it as humorous, though. Her stare remained stone cold. "Right. Another rule," With her free hand she swiftly reached for a smaller dagger in her utility belt, and with inhumane speed spun it backwards between her fingers before stabbing it into the floor beside my head, not so that it went through the ground but enough that it stuck out by its tip. My body tensed in fear, and I desperately attempted to remain as calm and collected as I could, but it was evident that she noticed my reaction. I saw her mouth twitch slightly like she wanted to smirk, but held it back.

Her eyes then glazed over my features for a moment, "You may be a Prince and are familiar with being worshiped and adored by many, but don't expect any sort of royal treatment from me." She spoke callously, seeming to not be happy with this topic. "If you want to be coddled, then go on and crawl back to the nursery."

I shook my head, "I don't expect royal treatment, and I promise I'll listen to you." I spoke quickly.

She isn't wrong either; I am used to being worshiped and adored by many ranging from townspeople to nobles. It often gets in my head more than I would like to admit, but I recognize how it could become an issue when I become King one day. Too many rulers in our harsh world have gone down in history as the cruelest of dictators because of their bloodlust for power, craving to be feared and respected by their people. That is not at all the kind of ruler I want to be, nor that I want my people to have.

I noticed she still seemed to look uncertain, even after my promises were made clear. "I'll make you a deal," I began, "Escort me back to the castle; there will be an annual winter ball tonight, and that's when my mother is planning to reward you. You'll receive more information about this opportunity, and can decide then if you want to take it." I reasoned in a softer tone.

I thought back to when (y/n) said that just because I'm a Prince, that it didn't mean she trusted me. That girl Ahsoka said something similar as well, that she wouldn't let me through the gate simply because I was a Prince. It's stuck with me and I can't easily shake it. Unless these assassins have had a quarrel with the royal family in the past, or another unknown cause, then there should be no reason for them to not trust me.

(y/n) inhaled slowly, clearly deep in thought about this decision. I waited in anticipation for her response. It would be adverse if she decided against my offer. The Red Knights are notoriously known throughout most of the world and could strike again at any given moment. But she easily took on multiples of them at once, which is why I can't think of anyone else in this kingdom more qualified for this position. Yes, I don't know a ton about her yet, but that's what I hoped to accomplish today to learn if her guild could be a major asset in saving our kingdom. There's still so much I want to learn about her, but as of now there are still more questions than answers.

Finally she exhaled, "Alright, you have a deal."

I looked up at her in shock, "Really?"

She nodded, moving to stand and while doing so, grabbed a fistful of my shirt once again and hauled me to my feet. I got a head rush from the quick upward movement and staggered on my feet slightly.

I didn't even realize (y/n) was behind me until I felt no more pressure on my wrists, meaning the restraints had been cut off.

I instantly brought my hand up to my shoulder, stretching my arm slightly, ensuring that the wound wasn't irritated in any way. Luckily the ointment and bandage underneath my coat seemed to be doing justice.

I turned around to look at her, now that I had a proper upright view. Aside from her new scar, which I plan to ask about later, her appearance was close to the same as last time. Only this time, she wasn't wearing her black cloak with the strange symbol. The rest of her outfit bore just as much intimidation as her; one sleeve had a pauldron on the shoulder, and each of her forearms had guards strapped to them. Each blade and dagger attached to her belt was a different kind, clearly branded either by different blacksmiths or a different style. Her arrows were held by a satchel behind her back along with her bow. Most of her outfit was black, but her underclothing was grey.

(Feel free to imagine the outfit however you want, but if you need a little help this is what I had in mind❤️)

My breath caught in my throat when I looked up into her eyes once more. Her gaze; that same piercing, ice cold stare bore into me. I wondered what stories laid behind them, what experiences she's had that gave her that glare. But I had to admit seeing her up close gave me a fluttering sensation in my stomach; she's beautiful, there was no doubting that.

I forced out a fake cough, keeping my head lowered, "We'd best be going." I mumbled.

My movements were stopped, though, as she pulled out a long sword—a falchion to be exact—and held it across my chest. "Just to be clear, this doesn't mean I trust you. The only reason I'm considering doing this is because of the money." She put more pressure on the blade against my chest, not enough to inflict any pain but enough that I felt it. "So be warned; if you try anything, those Red Knights will be the least of your issues." She threatened in a low, dangerous tone.

Again, I don't understand why she's so skeptical of me. It's painfully obvious she has trust issues when it comes to those not involved with her guild, or perhaps just royals specifically.

I smiled, backing away from the blade, "I wouldn't dream of it, milady. After you?" I moved aside and gestured my arm towards the door.

She rolled her eyes at my playful attitude, and without another word gently bumped my shoulder as she pushed past me.

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(a/n): Hope I did this chapter justice❤️ A lot may not make sense right now, like (y/n)'s attitude towards Anakin for instance, but I promise it will all be explained later!