"What happens now, is the Princess can finally succeed to the throne as Queen of Solaris." 

Raya's words repeated in my brain for hours, leaving me unable to concentrate on the most simple things. I couldn't believe that Sarin was finally gone, his tyrannical rule over at last. With my leading member of the Government gone, that leaves me in complete power and therefore meaning I can take my rightful place on my mother's throne. This is all I've ever wanted...

Isn't it?

One of the last official proclamations my mother ever made before she died, was that I was to take the throne instead of my brother following her death. I remember that Ayzel wasn't too pleased seeing as he was the first-born. This was literally my mother's death wish, I can't ignore it. I just can't. I could finally help my people and my system grow from the oppression and suffering from the events in the past years-

Or you could make it worse.

I tried to ignore the voice in my head, but it was simply too loud.

You're probably going to be a worse leader than Sarin.

No, no I won't. I refuse to let myself become a person as vile as him.

Your people will probably hate you and overthrow you.

No...

You're a disgrace to your mother and Ayzel-

"SHUT UP!" I yell out loud to myself, sitting up on my bed. I brought my knees up to my head and buried my face in my blue skirt. Luckily no one was in my room to hear the crazy Princess yell at herself. Tears well up in my eyes as I look around my empty bedroom, trying to block out these thoughts running around in my head. This voice has never been there before, why now? So many things in my life are changing, and I don't know if I can handle it.

I need to distract myself.

I sigh and leave my room, walking out onto the halls and wandering aimlessly around my palace. I play with my hands as I patrol the corridors, passing the paintings of my family on the third floor. I took one look at my mother's beautiful face, and cast my gaze back to the floor, not being able to bear even looking at her. I felt ashamed, disappointed that I wasn't the daughter, the leader she deserved. I could never live up to the legacy she left behind, even if I tried. I drag myself away from the paintings and wander over to the parlour at the end of the corridor. I enter and sit on the couch in front of the fireplace, which was lit and roaring, warming my icy skin. I stare into the flames, the white light burning my eyes a little, but I didn't care. The flames painted pictures of the memories of my mother, memories of things which took place in these walls... both good and bad.

I was surrounded by so many people in the palace and on my planet, yet I felt more alone than ever. The room darkens as night falls, making the only light in the room was from the fireplace in front of me. I sit there mesmerized by the fire, wrestling with my self-doubt and inadequacy, completely lost in my own mind. I was completely shackled in my own thoughts, that I didn't even hear someone creep in. I continued to stare at the fire, not turning to look as they took their place next to me.

I knew exactly who it was.

"Are you ok, Princess?" Anakin said in a hushed, comforting voice. I turned to face him, his blonde curls made golden in the firelight.

"I-.. no. I don't think I am."

He raised his eyebrows and rearranged himself so he was sat directly in front of me. "Do you.. do you want to talk about it?"

I sigh; I needed to. He's probably the only one who understands me. Who just gets me. I trust him.

"All I've ever wanted my whole life, is to be just like my mother. And now I'm becoming her, I don't know how to cope. My whole world is shifting around me and the responsibility of running a whole system has just been placed upon me, with no guidance, no nothing. I'm haunted by the thoughts of not living up to my mother's legacy, thoughts of ruining my planet, hurting my people. I'm scared. I'm so scared, Anakin," I open up to him, placing my head in my hands.

Anakin shuffled closer to me and took my hands in his, pulling them away from my face. He held my hands softly in my lap, and stared me directly in my eyes, his expression soft and reassuring.

"I know you are, my Princess. But if anyone is a born leader, it's you. You care deeply about your people, you know them more than anyone. You're passionate; you're brave; you're not afraid to stand up for what you believe in. I think you're more ready to be Queen than you think. Your mother would be proud of you (y/n), to see the woman you've become, and the Queen you will come to be," Anakin says softly, squeezing my hands gently.

I smile at him, almost teary from his kind words. I thought for a moment and pulled his arm up and shifted under it, resting my head on his chest. I could hear his heart beating rapidly inside his chest, feeling him take deep breaths as he wrapped his arm around my waist. We lay there in front of the fire, not saying a word to disturb this perfect moment.

"I don't know what I'm going to do without you, Anakin," I whisper, breaking the silence between us. I feel him move his arm from around me and swivels his body to look me in the face again. He looked confused, his eyebrows furrowed.

"What do you mean, you 'don't know what you're going to do without me'? I'm not going anywhere."

"It's just... when I'm crowned, I don't think your services will be needed anymore. And you're training to be a Jedi; you'll have to return to Coruscant," I say to him, his expression growing even more confused.

"I can leave the Order (y/n). I-I'd leave for you, just say the word. I could become your official royal protector and then I'd never have to leave you," Anakin protested. I stood up and moved away from the couch, turning my back to him.

"Anakin, I can't hold you back. You're so close to becoming a Jedi Master. I can't have that weighing on my conscience by allowing you to stay."

I could sense him becoming angry as he stood up and walked over to me. He held me by my shoulders, forcing me to look into his eyes. I rested my hands on his chest, but refused to look into his eyes. I didn't want to hurt him, but this was for the best.

"You wouldn't be holding me back, (y/n)! I would've left you a long time ago if you were. You can't do this.. You need me! I need you." His voice tailed off at the end of his sentence as his gloved hand reached to move a hair behind my ears. He almost sounded as if he was pleading, begging me even.

I didn't want him to leave. If anything, I wanted to stay with me. But he couldn't; becoming a Jedi is his destiny... and this is mine.

"I refuse to hold you down, General Skywalker. You will return to Coruscant after my coronation, and that is an order."

I regretted my words as soon as they left my stupid mouth.

Anakin ripped his body from mine, tearing my hands from him. The look on his face was enough to break my heart, even though I was the one breaking him. I tried to keep my composure as his expression hardened, looking so serious, yet his eyes showed just how broken he truly was.

"Ah yes, I forget who I am talking to. A Princess. As you wish, your highness," Anakin said, bowing sarcastically. He shook his head at me and stormed out of the study, leaving me all alone.

As soon as the door slammed shut, I collapsed on the couch and sat there sniffing back tears, my hands shaking. My body started shaking, and I finally broke down.

Why did I feel this way? ...there was nothing between us. He knew that, right?

I know that, right?

I placed my head in my hands and allowed the tears to pour, silently sobbing to myself as I sat in front of the fire, feeling more alone than ever.

***

The next morning, I met with Ahsoka to accompany me to my gown viewing for my coronation the next day. I didn't want to go, as my night with Anakin kept attacking me inside, wanting to make me break down every five minutes or so because of how I hurt him. I really didn't want to, but I knew I had to go.

I walked alone to the drawing room, silently hoping not to run into anyone just in case they caught me crying a little. I walked into the room, and there was Ahsoka messing about in a dress that was comically too big for her. I wanted to laugh, I really did, but something inside me was stopping me from showing any emotion apart from complete and utter numbness.

"(y/n), finally! I've been waiting for ages. Come see your dress, it's gorgeous." Ahsoka said excitedly, running over and dragging me to the mannequin which my dress was displayed on. It was an emerald green dress with off the shoulder straps embellished with flowers and jewels. I ran my fingers over the silky material, my eyes completely in love over this dress. It reminded me of my mother's coronation dress. It was the same shade of green as this one, because it was the national colour of our planet, and looked as though it was from the same time period as well.

"It's beautiful, thank you Yai" I turn to the dressmaker who bows to me in gratitude. I take one last look at my gorgeous gown and help Ahsoka pull off the material she had stuck on her montrals. I laugh at the sight, and we walk out arm in arm.

"Why don't we go to the gardens for a picnic?" I suggest to Ahsoka; I needed to get my mind off Anakin. She nods happily and stops in front of my bedroom door.

"Just let me grab my lightsaber real quick and I'll be right out."

And with that, Ahsoka disappears into my room, leaving me alone on the corridor. I tap my feet impatiently and look around to distract myself. My heart stops as I hear Ayzel's door open, making me look at it in alarm. Anakin emerges from the room and makes direct eye contact with me, before turning away and walking in the opposite direction.

I felt my eyes sting a little as I stared longingly after him.

He was cold.

Stone cold.

As though we were complete strangers.

{ a/n : This is kinda short too, but I feel like I needed to write it. I don't know how I feel about this chapter but if you could let me know your thoughts that would be much appreciated. Make sure to keep voting/commenting as it's really helping me out. Ily all <3. }