For two years, the infamous couple defied the bets placed against them by half the Coruscanti Empire and a few planets outside, such as Naboo. No one believed that they would still be courting after all this time. And, despite what many people might say, they did in fact see quite a lot of each other during that time. The young prince remained unaware of the bets made against them, but did enjoyed the fact that no one openly challenged his courtship of Dormé or tried to interfere. Little did he realize it was because no one took it seriously. Openly parading his affections for Dormé, he took up every opportunity to visit her and showered her with everything and anything—no matter how expensive—that he thought she might enjoy. Though his duties to both the Empire and to the Order didn’t permit him to see Dormé as often as he would like, every chance he had to get away, the prince would take his ship to Naboo to see the young, soon-to-be handmaiden and with his influence, Dormé was able to get away from training to visit with him.

It was because of these brief, but frequent visits that Anakin was able to get to know the young woman he called his girlfriend. It was also because of this that he was able to further understand and comprehend the feelings he held for her. While he once believed he was in love with her years ago, it was only, five years after meeting her for the first time, that he finally realized just what being in love really meant and entailed. Had it not been for the long hours spent talking and basking in his lover’s presence, Anakin would have never learnt this powerful lesson. While he normally dreaded lessons and the need to learn from them, his relationship with Dormé was anything but dreadful. In fact, the more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to spend with her.

Never in his life had he ever met someone who saw him as a person or who was able to strip him of all the masks he had come to instinctively wear. With Dormé, he could be himself and not have to worry that he was acting out of rank or behaving in a fashion that was unbecoming of a prince or a Jedi. She liked him for who he was, not because he was royalty or because he was the avatar of a prophecy and knew how to keep him grounded when his head was too far in the clouds. It was because of this and so much more that Anakin realized the love he felt for Dormé before was only the beginning of the deep feelings he had for her now. Unfortunately, while he had come to terms to the fact that he was very much in love with her, the normally cocky prince had yet to muster the nerve to share this with her. Which he would soon discover was probably a good thing.

There were definitely benefits to being the girlfriend of a royal. It wasn’t just the gifts, time off from training, or even the bragging rights that Dormé liked the most about the whole situation. In truth, it was the time spent talking, or not talking, with her friend. He listened to her when she had an opinion about something or just wanted to vent about overbearing, cruel mentors. Anakin seemed to understand her in ways that no one else could and she never felt as though she could speak her mind confidentially with anyone as she could with him. It was refreshing to say the least and as time went on, it was harder and harder to imagine her life without his friendship.

Yet, at the same time, she still prevented herself from totally opening up to him in her heart. As candidly as she could discuss matters of state or rivalries between jealous handmaidens, she couldn’t ever allow herself to think, let alone say, that she truly held this Padawan Jedi prince in her heart. It had been a few months since she last saw Anakin and she wanted to tell him in person about her newly attained handmaiden status. She was sent ahead of Amidala’s entourage in order to setup and prepare Padmé’s rooms on Coruscant. One of the newer handmaidens in training, Ellé, was sent along with her. Soon the news arrived of Cordé’s death and that Dormé would now play decoy.

Though the news of Cordé and Versé’s death was a shock, Dormé was more afraid about what that meant for her, now that she was to play decoy. Everything the position entailed was daunting, though she was confident she would be able to protect her queen at least for awhile. At the same time, part of her relished the thought of being able to see battle first hand, though that was not how Cordé died. The other handmaidens that arrived shortly after the queen and Dormé returned from a meeting with the chancellor, who seemed more affected by Cordé’s death than either the queen or Dormé. But once the chancellor mentioned the Jedi intervening to aid in the search of this threat against the queen, Dormé’s thoughts no longer touched on the handmaidens’ deaths.

Anakin had just returned to Coruscant, she thought gleefully, unable to hide her joy at the mere thought of seeing him again after so long. Once they returned to the queen’s large apartments, Dormé hurried about her duties hoping she could sneak off and see him, but as fate would have it, he was already on his way.

---

Anakin raced through the halls that would lead to the queen’s quarters. It had been an eternity, or so it felt, since he had last seen Dormé and he was most eager to spend some quality time with his beloved.

It wasn’t long before Anakin found himself in the Naboo Queen’s quarters to which some of the handmaidens who bowed politely to him. Everyone and everything around him went unnoticed unless it stood in the path that would take him to Dormé.

‘Anakin, if you’re looking for Lady Dormé, you’d do better to go this way,’ Padmé interjected, knowing that Anakin was about to walk right in on some of the older handmaidens who were changing into the robes required of them for her next meeting. The young prince faltered only briefly as he gave Padmé a quizzical look only to have the queen grab him by the wrist and guide him away. ‘Believe me, she isn’t in there,’ Padmé concluded, though Anakin barely heard her as he felt Dormé’s aura through the Force and immediately headed down the nearest hall that would take him to her. The queen could only shake her head and frown at the prince’s eagerness and lack of manners that would not permit him the decency to greet her properly.

For Anakin, there was nothing in the universe that mattered more than seeing Dormé and it showed.

As he burst into the room where Dormé was currently completing her duties, the young prince eyes lit up in joy as a grin graced his features. ‘DORMÉ!!!!!’

When the door slide open, Dormé looked up, her expression matching his as she moved swiftly to greet him.

Unable to resist, he rushed to not only embrace her but lift her up and twirl her around.

‘ANAKIN!!!!!’ she exclaimed as he twirled her around in his arms. It was hard to say why it was exactly, but she felt as though she had returned home being in his arms again. This feeling, however, was swiftly lost on the young handmaiden. She chuckled at first, so incredibly happy to see him, and she was kissing him before her feet returned to the ground. She didn’t need to ask how he was or tell him how much she had missed him.

The young prince beamed and felt his heart soar at the sound of her voice and her feelings of joy. Even before he set her feet on the ground, Anakin found himself lost in her passionate kiss, which he eagerly returned. With Dormé, words weren’t always necessary. They had a way of speaking volumes without speaking a single word. This time was no different, for in their kiss spoke all that needed to be said and yet could not.

Thoughts of the mission that brought him here and the escalating galactic problems didn’t seem to exist for a moment and everything seemed perfect. The feeling would not last very long. ‘I have some news for you,’ she told him with an air of mystery.

As their kiss drew to a close Dormé spoke and with her words Anakin’s curiosity was piqued. Had he spoken to Padmé, he would have already learnt what Dormé wanted to share with him. His eyes lit up as he studied her intently. ‘What? What is it?’ he asked eagerly obviously dying of curiosity to learn what she wanted to share with him.

Dormé adored the way his eyes lit up as she mentioned that she had something to tell him. Knowing just how impatient he was—because she was just as impatient if not more than he was—she couldn’t help spilling. ‘I’m a handmaiden now, officially! And I’m not supposed to tell anyone, but, I’m the queen’s decoy too.’ She knew it would be all right to tell Anakin because he was a Jedi and wouldn’t tell anyone. If she trusted anyone, she trusted him more. She felt important, like she mattered, that she wasn’t just the girl from Uriash posing as a lady.

Anakin beamed at her words, as his hopes for the future suddenly became a vivid reality. With Dormé as a decoy, their time together would increase to the point where he would be able to see her on a regular basis. Nevermind the times spent with her under the guise which also work to their advantage. ‘Congratulations! I knew you’d do it! So tell me, when do you begin? Your role as decoy, I mean,’ he continued before forgetting himself as he was far too thrilled by this news to resist.

‘Thank you!’ she replied, grinning broadly. It meant everything to her that he had such faith in her, that he always believed she would succeed in becoming a handmaiden. However, his further words about starting the decoy role surprised her. Dormé thought he was happier about that because she would be acting as Queen of Naboo, that she would resemble Padmé in her fine gowns and noble presence... Before she had a chance to question him, he was kissing her.

His happiness was intoxicating and the sensual whispering in her ear: ‘You do realize this does call for a celebration…’ was hard to resist. She hadn’t seen him in so long and she did want to celebrate. ‘What sort of celebration, may ask, do you have in mind?’ she murmured back in his ear in reply, nipping his ear.

The young prince purred in reply before stealing kisses from her throat. ‘A few things come to mind,’ he murmured between kisses. ‘But right now, that can wait for now,’ he continued as he moved to kiss her passionately once more and soon forgetting that they weren’t in his quarters rather the Queen’s.

‘Oh?’ she queried at his mysterious suggestion, giggling slightly when his lips brushed over a ticklish spot. But whatever curiosity she had as well as thoughts of him viewing her as a replacement queen quickly moved to the back of her thoughts when their lips met once more. Dormé also conveniently forgot this wasn’t part of the handmaidens’ quarters, but rather they were still in the queen’s apartments. The fingers of her left hand moved from his cheek to his Padawan braid as she pushed him back towards the couch.

---

Saché was not pleased at this turn of events and upon learning from Rabé that the prince was here she couldn’t resist a groan of annoyance. Dormé was needed for the preparations that would ensure her role as decoy was complete and Saché had a sinking feeling collecting her wasn’t going to be an easy task. However though she tried to pass off the duty of collecting the young handmaiden to another, Saché soon learnt it was a lost cause and that the more time she spent arguing with Rabé and Sabé the more awkward interrupting those two would become. This was especially true of this moment as she pounded at the door repeatedly but with no response, before taking a deep breath and bracing herself before entering. The sight that greeted her made the older handmaiden cringe as she quickly looked away. ‘Lady Dormé, surely you are aware of the fact this is neither your quarters or Prince Skywalker’s,’ she said through gritted teeth desperately hoping that Dormé would come to her senses at her words and yet having a sinking feeling it would take more than that.

It felt so good to have Anakin near, the warmth of his body pressed up against hers, a sense of security, safety that wasn’t found anywhere else. She couldn’t help fearing that it would end. Though she had taken the initiative to back him over towards the couch, somehow he took the lead and, locked in their kiss, she was pinned underneath him when the knocking began. Lost in him, she didn’t hear Saché trying to get their attention.

Anakin, on the other hand, only came to his senses upon feeling the older handmaiden’s overpowering emotions of agitation and embarrassment. Annoyed that his impromptu celebration with Dormé was being forced to a premature close, he looked over his shoulder from the couch and glared viciously at Saché. ‘Get out,’ he snapped.

It wasn’t until Anakin pulled away and shouted that she realised they weren’t alone. Confused, with her hair partially down from their passionate reunion, she turned her head to the side and spotted her approaching mentor. Half expecting her mentor to haul Anakin off the couch by his ear, she sighed lackadaisically before apologising, though it was quite clear she wasn’t very sorry about being ‘caught’.

Saché frowned deeply and folded her arms though was careful to not to look at them. Dormé lacklustre apology did little to ease Saché’s temper and Anakin’s snap remark did even less. ‘Her majesty requires your presence Dormé so if I were you I’d suggest I make myself presentable lest she has second thoughts,’ Saché continued in stiff tones wanting to ream them both out for their poor behaviour but knowing it would be a lost cause with the young prince there.

Anakin was less than amused and couldn’t care less that Padmé needed Dormé in his mind he came first and that was that. ‘Tell Padmé she can wait Dormé is needed else—!!’ Anakin cried out in shock as Saché having heard enough and quite tired of the prince’s attitude moved to grab his arm and pry him off the young handmaiden.

The last thing Dormé wanted to do at that moment was work. Despite being very happy about her new position and responsibilities, she would put it on someone else momentarily if it meant being able to spend that moment with Anakin. Despite this, she began fixing her hair and sitting up, knowing she couldn’t risk losing her job. The last thing she wanted was to be sent back to Uriash and she knew the queen had that power.

‘I’m sorry, your grace, but I do believe you’re needed elsewhere as well.’ ‘If recall correctly, you are required to accompany several nobles to a meeting pertaining to the Naboo and Coruscanti alliance. It would not look good if the Prince of the Coruscanti Empire didn’t show up on time to such a delicate gathering,’ she continued in painfully calm tones as she forced Anakin to his feet, ignoring his screams of protests and threats to have her thrown in jail for assault, or worse treason.

Thoughts of what was and wasn’t proper disappeared when her mentor grabbed Anakin by the arm, ordering him around as if she had that authority. ‘Saché! What in the name of the gods are you DOING?!’ she exclaimed just as the prince threatened her mentor. She had to chose between her mistress and her boyfriend, but ultimately knew she had to obey her mistress and politely bowed to her mentor and Anakin before silently leaving the room to attend her mistress.

Anakin growled in shock and rage as he felt himself being pulled off Dormé by an equally furious Saché. Demanding to know the meaning of this and just whom she thought she was, the young prince continued to shout over the older handmaiden’s unnaturally calm voice.

It was only after Dormé had departed did Saché release her vice like grip on Anakin who stormed out the door to speak to Padmé. Or rather, demand that she fire Saché at once for her unprofessional behaviour.

Padmé, having been drawn to the shouting, entered the room and was hardly impressed to say the least. At the failed attempts to get a straight story out of both her handmaiden and the prince, Padmé promptly asked Saché to tend to the other handmaidens with the warning that she would speak to her about this later.

Anakin didn’t have to wait to get a tongue lashing. Though he defended both Dormé and himself valiantly, while trying to get Saché fired for her poor behaviour, Amidala would not hear any of it. The queen, though polite, was firm in her reminder to Anakin that while they were on Coruscant, this was her quarters and some measure of respect was necessary. ‘After all, if Coruscanti is to continue its good relations with the Naboo,’ she explained, ‘they will need to be respectful of our culture and the beliefs we uphold. This includes refraining from having intimate relations in the queen’s chambers,’ she concluded in firm tones. Anakin only agreed to the ‘terms’ because Padmé promised to speak to Saché and ensure she knew her place. He would have still demanded she be fired if it wasn’t for the fact he feared it might reflect badly on Dormé.

In the end, he found himself reluctantly departing, but not without stealing a goodbye kiss or two from Dormé, to the meeting he had to attend. To say it was long was an understatement, but it did buy him time to come up with a perfect means of celebrating Dormé’s new position as handmaiden. As such, when it was time for him to meet his beloved it was safe to say the young prince was more than excited about showing Dormé his surprise.

---

Dormé was censured about her behaviour with the prince, though to her defence, she blushed furiously as she admitted that she honestly forgot where she was when she reunited with Anakin. The queen tried to hide her slight smile and silent understanding. She didn’t bother her too much about it after that, just reminded her not to ‘forget’ herself again in the queen’s apartments. The rest of the day, she was extremely professional. It was a rare occasion that her thoughts were preoccupied with anything. Despite the excitement of being on Coruscant and knowing her friend was close by, she easily slipped into handmaiden mode and needless to say, this is one of the reasons she made an excellent decoy. Now back at her own quarters, she thumbed through her small wardrobe, trying to find something nice to wear in case she was able to see Anakin later.

Anakin spent all of his free time getting things prepared and setting up the small details that would make their celebration perfect. Once he was certain everything was ready and perfect the young prince dressed in some of his finest but not royal garbs and went off to locate his arriving to the handmaiden’s quarters, he was greeted by the ever polite Sabé who offered to get Dormé for him. Anakin not exactly patient just waved a hand and swiftly wandered past without bothering to register Sabé’s small frown. He also purposely ignored Saché’s scowl as well as the other looks given by the handmaidens in the living room. Once outside her quarters, Anakin gave a lopsided grin before moving to sneak inside as quietly as he could. Though he imagined she would sense his presence—as it was easy to forget she wasn’t Force sensitive—Anakin couldn’t resist playing a trick and spooking her.

Humming to herself as she examined herself in the mirror, trying to figure out how to wear her hair just in case she was able to see Anakin. Since she was within the fresher of her tiny apartment, she didn’t hear main door slide open. After taking down her hair, she thought half up would look nice and tried a few different ways, ultimately dissatisfied with each look she attempted. Finally, she decided on one and fixed a comb in her hair.

Upon noticing her living quarters were empty, Anakin’s eyes promptly drifted to the fresher. Upon hearing the soft hum of her voice, the young prince’s eyes danced with mischief and glee. This was almost too easy. Moving quickly, but quietly through the room, he moved to slip behind her as she put her hair up with a comb. Once he was certain he was in the right position he moved to slip his hands over her eyes as he gave a bratty grin, forgetting she could clearly see him from the mirror ahead.

As Dormé was focused on examining her hair, she didn’t catch Anakin’s approach, though she saw something move from the corner of her eye. But as she registered Anakin’s presence, he was already putting his hands over her eyes, to which she smiled broadly. A rush of excitement at this pleasant surprised came over her as she promptly reached to take his hands away so she could turn to face him, giggling.

Anakin laughed as he moved to steal a kiss from her. ‘Admit it, I almost had you there,’ he teased as he moved to slip his arms around her while breathing in her soft scent deeply. As always, she looked utterly magnificent and Anakin couldn’t resist studying her closely as he took in her beauty to the fullest.

‘Almost. Maybe,’ she teased after receiving his kiss. ‘Although the mirror didn’t help your stealthy entrance.’ She grinned, sliding her arms around his neck. Anakin’s casual, yet stylish apparel wasn’t lost on her and she noticed he also took the time to brush his hair, not that she minded when it wasn’t...

Anakin felt his cheeks flush at her reminder of the mirror that was in front of them. ‘Hey what can you expect it was an impromptu attack,’ he said trying to recover from his obvious mistake. Feeling her eyes studying him intently Anakin felt his heart race and swell as he noticed that she was rather appreciative of his appearance. The long hours of having to work out the tangles in his short hair proved to be worth it after all. After a moments pause he finally came to his senses and recalling the reason he was there in the first place his mischievous expression returned. ‘So, you ready to begin the celebrations?’ he coyly began obviously eager to speak of his surprise.

His coyness made her giddy with anticipation. ‘Yes, of course!’ she exclaimed, not bothering to hide her excitement.

At her giddy excitement, Anakin beamed as he took her hand and moved to lead her out of the fresher and out of her room. ‘Had I known about your promotion sooner, I could have made the surprise even grander,’ he said with a sheepish grin, ‘but I hope you like it all the same,’ he concluded with a mischievous smile.

‘Oh see, now I regret not telling you because I would have loved a surprise visit much sooner!’ she said, grinning.

Dormé followed Anakin from her room, wondering what he was up to and trying to be patient as she waited to find out, not wanting to ruin the surprise either. Mistaking his expression of being in the know of her promotion, she admitted, ‘I wanted to tell you in person. A holo wouldn’t do for news like this, at least in my opinion.’

The young prince grinned at her words as he paused to touch her cheek. ‘I agree. After all, it wouldn’t be easy to find a good excuse to explain why I just dropped everything and flew off to see you so you could tell me again in person,’ he teased with a proud look and a wink. ‘I’m so proud of you Dormé. You’re the most courageous person I’ve ever met and I can only hope that one day I may be as brave as you,’ he admitted in all seriousness. ‘Oh and don’t worry about your schedule. I’ve informed Padmé that you will be busy for the next while, so rest assured, the evening is ours to enjoy,’ he added with a proud smile.

Dormé’s cheeks reddened, humbled and feeling slightly unworthy of the praise. After all, Anakin was the Jedi in training, facing all sorts of unnameable dangers aside from his political duties which put him in a more precarious position. Even so, she couldn’t help putting it to heart. Without knowing it, she closed herself off to this by replying that she hoped he wasn’t taking her to go spelunking again. ‘So long as it doesn’t involve precariously exploring caves and losing shoes, I think I’m prepared for whatever may come this evening,’ she said. He certainly had things planned out well, despite saying he could have done better with more time’s preparation. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and squeezed his hand.

‘Oh I think I learnt my lesson the first time around,’ he said with a chuckle, ‘No more caves and no more losing shoes either. This evening—should everything go as planned—will be worthy of the beauty by my side.’ As they returned to the region of the palace where the royal family resided Anakin proceeded to lead her down a long hallway that was filled with flickering candles that hung from elegantly crafted supports that were shaped like vines. The flooring was carpeted with plush red carpet, adding to the warm ambiance of this place. Soft music floated from down the hall to where a door opened as they neared. Anakin gave her a shy smile as he led her inside.

Upon leaving Amidala’s suit, she held his hand tightly as he led her to the curious hallway. It was strange to see candles like this when such things were a rarity for holy places like temples on Naboo. Though she wasn’t quite sure of a candle’s significance, she knew it was something sacred. Dormé had no idea what she walking in to, but when the door opened to reveal the inner quarters, she gasped at its stunning beauty. She took in everything with wide eyes, barely believing such a place existed. She couldn’t move for a moment, just in awe of the entirety. Her eyes took in everything greedily without moving a step.

The room was vast and yet held a cosy feel to it. There was a plush and very opulent bed to the side of the room that was covered in crushed red velvet sheets and blankets. On either side of the bed was two small waterfalls that flowed from the walls and fell into two small streams that were covered over in glass so one could walk over them freely. The streams in turn led to another small waterfall that poured into a pond like body in the middle of the room for swimming. Around the edges were water flowers that bore the scent so signature to Dormé and within the pond swam colourful fish of all sorts. The room was also covered in a variety of candles of every shape and size which danced and flickered with a warm glow. By the pond was a series of plush pillows meant for reclining and on the heavily embroidered rug rested a series of plates holding a variety of rich foods of all sorts. A bottle of apsinthos also rested there with two fluted glasses. In the back of the room was a large walk-in closet filled with a vast variety of gowns all specifically tailored for Dormé’s petite frame.

Glancing to Dormé, the young prince gave a hopeful smile as he bit his lip nervously, hoping she approved. ‘I was planning to have this room finished for our two-year anniversary, but I couldn’t resist, especially seeing as we have much to celebrate,’ he said sheepishly.

When Anakin spoke up, she released his hand in order to fawn over everything. She touched the bedspread, let her hand brush through one of the small waterfalls, danced over the glass-covered streams and feasted with her eyes upon the quantity and variety of food prepared for them. It was too much...

‘I just thought...well I was hoping you’d like to stay here when you visit Coruscant. But as you can see, it’s not entirely finished,’ he continued with an apologetic look. ‘They’ve yet to import the rest of the Naboo flowers for the room so I apologize. It is a bit lacking. I hope you don’t mind,’ he concluded gently.

All of this was hers, for her... Though later she would become frightened over this gesture upon realising just how deep his feelings were for her and how serious he was about their relationship, for now, all Dormé could register was just how much she adored this room that was hers. Dormé didn’t hear his expression of guilt and not having finished the room, which was in her opinion perfect just as it was. She marched straight over to him and launched herself into his arms. ‘Oh Anakin, I love it! It’s perfect! Thank you so much!’ she exclaimed.

Dormé’s fascination and joy caused his heart to swell as he watched her in silence as the handmaiden explored the room. She didn’t have to express her contentment for he could both see and feel it through the Force. However, hearing it spoken aloud was wondrous in its own right and despite his embarrassment over the lack of flora and fauna, the young prince was thrilled that Dormé found it more than suitable. He slipped his arms around her petite waist and drew her near. ‘I’m so glad you liked it. But right now, I have other things in mind outside of enjoying the decor,’ he purred as he moved to steal a kiss.

Dormé returned his kiss, but was grinning so much that it was difficult. Since she had just finished her duties for the day, she was hungry and eager to partake in the food which smelled divine. ‘Mmm yes, I’m starving,’ she said, still grinning as she moved from his embrace to take a seat at the table. As much as she wanted to continue from where they left off earlier that day in the queen’s apartments, she also hated for the food to go off and be wasted. Almost everything was as delicious as it looked. She had a few questions about the items she didn’t recognise and set about eating one dish in an improper method. After observing Anakin, she corrected herself. She enjoyed the complimentary flavours and spices intriguing her tastebuds. The apsinthos was as smooth and bitingly tart as any she had ever enjoyed.

Her joy was contagious and soon Anakin was caught up in the moment and became lost in his beloved’s presence once more. As they ate, he did his best to answer her questions and put to memory the things she enjoyed most. Though she wasn’t entirely familiar with the proper way of eating one of the dishes, the young prince hardly noticed or cared. He was just far too happy to know she was enjoying herself to the fullest. Though she was but a handmaiden, for the young prince, being in her presence always left him feeling as though he was a mortal and she, a goddess. As they enjoyed their meal their discussions covered anything and everything bringing them up to date on each other’s lives and their interests and other related matters. It was moments like this that Anakin always relished for only with Dormé could he truly be himself without reservations.

During the meal, they had a chance to catch up since the last time they saw each other. As the meal and conversation drew to a close, Dormé finished up her flute of apsinthos, allowing her eyes to linger on him without speaking. Slipping a foot out of her shoe, she mischievously moved to tease him as she undressed him with her eyes.

The young prince found himself being drawn into Dormé’s amber gaze. He loved when she studied him with such intensity and readily returned her gaze with equal fervency. Once more words did not need to be spoken to reveal their thoughts and soon Anakin found his thoughts taking another turn to which Dormé was all too familiar with. As though sensing his train of thoughts she began to tease him as her eye continued to watch him suggestively. The young prince gave a mischievous smile of his own and tried to return the favour but was far too impatient and was soon pulling her in for a passionate kiss.

Dormé was pleased that he didn’t waste any time and soon situated herself on his lap, resuming their affectionate kissing from earlier that day. This time there would be no interruptions. As much as she enjoyed their long conversations, she also desperately missed their conversation of another sort entirely.

Over the past two years since their first kiss, they had certainly improved. As they became far more comfortable with each other and had more chances to practice, it was far more enjoyable. It was easy for Dormé to focus solely on their kiss, clearing her mind of anything else, including anything remotely touching emotions.

The kiss soon resulted with Dormé in his lap and Anakin couldn’t be happier. However as their embrace grew more passionate, the young prince decided it would be more comfortable to continue this conversation on the plush cushions a short distance away. So between kisses and the rushed removal and tossing of garments, he slowly led them to the pillows by the pond.

The evening progressed even better than Anakin could have ever imagined. But after being apart for so long, he really didn’t care what they did so long as Dormé was by his side. In reality, ultimately nothing ever truly mattered when she was near. However, as night bled into morning the young prince found himself lost in blissful dreams of the future as he held his beloved close as he always did when they were together. Sleep always came readily when Dormé was near and this night was no different. But as morning sunlight slowly caused the young prince to stir from his rest, Anakin found his thoughts immediately turning to the beauty in his arms. As always, Dormé looked almost ethereal and as he held her, the Padawan couldn’t help but feel so fortunate to be able to call the mysterious handmaiden his beloved. Though half asleep, he couldn’t resist running his hand through her hair and gently playing with its ends as he sleepily kissed her forehead.

As the evening moved on into early morning, Dormé contently fell asleep in her best friend’s arms. She had to admit this was by far the best night she had in her life. Her dreams were more than pleasant and she hoped they would have more chances to spend time together like this very soon. But she wouldn’t count on it. She refused to allow herself, even after all this time, to believe this would last. It wasn’t that she didn’t have faith in her friend—she did—but she knew her place and knew that she would eventually be cast aside for the Queen of Naboo. When they married, she wouldn’t see her friend anymore, of that she was certain and so she convinced herself he was just a friend, though her heart warred against her. None of this was on her mind as she slept peacefully on. The flow of the water in the pond nearby made it very easy to sleep as Anakin practically worshipped her sleeping form. If only she knew that he would never leave her and was able to believe it.

Anakin, though still half asleep, was so unaware of his surroundings that he didn’t even register the pond nearby, or rather his fear when it came to bodies of water. All he could sense was that his beloved was stirring that her Force signature was shifting marking the fact she would soon be awake. He smiled to the thought and gently touched her cheek before returning his fingers to her dark hair. He loved moments like this and was loathed to ever see them end. It always made him look forward to the day when it would no longer be necessary for them to ever be apart, when she would be able to stand by his side as his empress and not just his girlfriend.

As she eventually roused very well-rested and feeling quite whole, Dormé pulled him closer, mumbling sleepily her ‘Good morning,’ hoping that she wouldn’t have duties until much later, preferably for a week so she could spend all her time here with him like this.

Anakin’s heart swelled at her peaceful and contented emotions and without thinking of the consequences, the young prince softly spoke what had been weighing on his heart for so long into her ear. ‘I love you so much, Dormé...I always have...’

The words should not have been unexpected to anyone else who had been in a relationship such as theirs, but to the young handmaiden who still didn’t feel secure in any aspect of her life, feeling as though all of it could be ripped away with the flick of her mistress’s hand, Dormé could not yet allow herself to believe in Anakin’s feelings for her. She had let him flaunt her like a trophy, shower her with attention and gifts because she knew it was fleeting and he would tire of her eventually. For him to be saying he loved her, that perhaps his protestations of marrying her instead of Padmé had more weight than previously assumed...this meant a multitude of things that Dormé was far from prepared to consider let alone accept. She didn’t have to ask him to repeat it for confirmation. She knew she had heard him correctly when she lifted her head to examine his expression. She knew her best friend well enough to know when he was being serious about something.

Her silence didn’t bother him. In fact, almost as soon as the words escaped his lips Anakin felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment. He hadn’t meant to speak these words aloud or rather not at this moment. Though he wanted to apologise, he didn’t bother because he meant it. However, he also couldn’t blame her for not replying, as it was a rather powerful statement. What he hadn’t counted on was the concern that emanated from her aura. Even her features did little to hide her thoughts as she studied him intently causing his cheeks to warm further.

This was far too serious for her liking, so Dormé did what anyone in her position would have done. She attempted to shrug it off. ‘And I have always adored waterfalls such as these,’ she said, referring to the pond nearby. ‘It’s so like the ones in Theed, only a smaller version of course...’ She diverted her attentions to the water as she sat up slowly, almost afraid of being too near Anakin.

Even as she shrugged it off, this didn’t entirely bother him, though it did leave him feeling awkward and foolish. It was only when she sat up that he felt his awkwardness grow to concern. If he didn’t know any better, he’d almost say she was trying to put space between them. Instinctively, he too moved to sit up feeling the need to be reassured that his slip of words hadn’t entirely ruined this once peaceful moment. As such, the young prince nodded slightly in reply as he gave a shy smile before moving to slip his fingers to her cheek to brush back a strand of hair behind her ear before moving to slip an arm around her once more. Had he known that Dormé would have taken to his proclamation so poorly, he would have been far more mindful to keep his thoughts to himself.

Dormé heard him moving, but didn’t see his nod as she focused on the water ahead of them. It wasn’t until she felt his fingertips on her cheek and then his arm around that she, despite herself, turned her head to look at him once more. She could easily guess from the pink tinge of his cheeks that he was being honest and was embarrassed at his proclamation. This only added to her fears and her strong desire not to fall for it, to fall for him. It would be too dangerous to do so and she refused to.

Stunned he could only watch in pained disbelief as Dormé moved quickly away while trying desperately to ignore the fear that radiated from the handmaiden. Her vulnerability mirrored his own, but it was her desire to put distance between them that hurt the most. Never in his life had he been made to feel so small and so worthless as he did in that moment. But his shame soon faded away as the young prince began to recall his mother’s warnings, the concerns of his compatriots and the mocking of the court. He had spent so much time defending his beloved to everyone who stood between them, that Anakin never took into consideration that they were correct—or so he believed—in their assessment of their relationship. To him, they were just jealous of the love they shared or thought they shared, that they just couldn’t accept the fact that it was a handmaiden who held is heart, who loved him for who he was not his rank or title. How wrong he had been and now he was paying for his blind faith.

For the first time since she met him, she felt naked in front of him. She hadn’t been nearly so self-conscious before, not even the first time they were together. She needed clothing. She needed distance... As she got up and began searching for her clothes, she also found she needed undergarments wherever the urugal they were! ‘I-I’m sorry, Anakin, I have to go...’ she said quickly as she searched vainly for the rest of her things.

Suddenly aware of his own nakedness Anakin wrapped the blood red sheet around his waist as he too rose to his feet. Her statement that she had to leave seemed to confirm his fears and at the sight of her frantically grabbing her clothes in her need to escape, Anakin felt his heart lodge itself in his throat.

‘You realise she is playing you, Anakin.’

‘If I ever hear you speak of her in a manner that is less than respectful, I will have you arrested. Understood?’

‘Do you enjoy being a handmaiden’s plaything? You’re the royalty, not her, and yet she is the one who has you so wrapped around her finger.’

‘Shut up! You don’t know her like I do! Dormé would never do that to me! She is my friend as well as my girlfriend.’

The memory of one of many discussions shared between his fellow colleagues echoed in his thoughts and for a moment, Anakin was rendered speechless. This was even worse than his greatest nightmare for at least nightmares ended with one waking up to the escape of reality. ‘Just why are you here, Dormé? Why are you even with me?’ he began in flat tones. He begged her to tell him that she truly didn’t want to leave him, that she did love him, that everyone’s judgment of her was nothing more than malicious gossip and lies. But deep down, he knew this was far too real and no matter how much he wanted, there would be no running away from the truth this time.

At his questions, she stopped dressing, having given up trying to find the rest of her undergarments, slipping her gown on instead. Dormé faced him, folding her arms in a protective gesture. Why was she with him? He wanted the truth? Very well... She decided she would tell him then, if he really wanted to know. ‘Because I like being with you, I do,’ she said. ‘You’re my best friend. I can’t say that I hate the attention and the gifts and the way other handmaidens envy me...but most of all, I’m having fun. I thought we were having fun until—well, your marriage obviously, so that’s it, all right? I was having fun with you—’

Dormé luckily stopped herself short before the knot in her throat caused tears to come to her eyes. At least it was over so she wouldn’t have to worry about him leaving. She would do the leaving instead, well in advance, so it wouldn’t hurt as much, or so she told herself as she walked to the door.

Speechless Anakin could only stare at Dormé as she spoke the truth that left him feeling as though his entire world had crumbled beneath his feet. They were right all along. He had stupidly given her his heart and for what? To watch it be crushed under her heel.

Now it was his turn to gather his belongings in his desperate need to cover himself as though the clothing he wore had now become his armour.

‘Having fun? That’s all I am to you? Just some little iquicha game? A toy to entertain yourself with until something better comes to along?’ he snapped as he ripped on his under garments and pants. But he was far from finished.

‘You really expect me to believe that I’m your best friend after using me for the past echuta two years!? I know I’m not the brightest man who walked the stars but I’m not that damn dumb, Dormé!’ he shouted as he moved to close the distance between them as his anger began to sooth or rather numb his pain. ‘I expect this kind of iquicha behaviour from my courtiers, not my supposed best friend!’ he concluded cursing the lump in his throat and the fact his rage did little to hide the tears collecting in his eyes.

She hadn’t expected him to fall in love with her and she hadn’t expected him to blow up at her like this either. Dormé turned back when he closed the space between them. ‘I wasn’t using you,’ she said, trying to defend herself with little luck.

Anakin glanced away then at her words as his own tears began to spill. Had he been less selfish and more aware of his beloved’s feelings, the young prince would have understood this was nothing more than a means of self defence, that it was her past which left her feeling threatened by anything resembling happiness or security. Security was something Anakin took for granted as was love. Dormé, on the other hand, never had the luxury of experiencing this and so such things were treated like everything else: with guarded caution. Unfortunately for Anakin, this too was a fact that evaded him.

‘And you are my best friend, Anakin. I don’t have anyone else,’ she admitted, not caring that he was yelling anymore. It was better if they just end it now to save her from the pain later. He didn’t deny that he would be marrying Padmé and this only confirmed her suspicions.

‘If you really were my best friend, you would have at least had the decency to tell me that you didn’t share my feelings, that you had no intention of making this anything more than game. I’ve never once tried to lead you on or make you believe in something that wasn’t real! I have too much respect for you to do such a thing,’ he continued as he returned her gaze with pain and anger evident in his eyes. ‘And I stupidly believed you felt the same about me. No one believed me when I told them that we were real, that this was no game to us, that I was serious.’

‘Just how long would this be real for you anyway, Anakin? Another week, maybe more? How long before you wake up to reality that we can’t be together?’

Already feeling vulnerable for having exposed his heart only to have it torn out, the young prince was eager to defend himself and did not care how he did it. This would become just one of many regrets in the coming days. ‘And why not?’ he cut in at her suggestion that they could never be together. ‘Do I look like I’ve ever given a damn about what other people think about us or our relationship? You’re the one who is so determined to keep me at arms length! Or do you really believe that because of who I am, that I’m incapable of any real feelings? That my word means nothing.’ he snapped unaware of how close and yet so far he was from understanding the reasons for Dormé’s behaviour. ‘I meant everything I told you. I still do. You are my best friend—Force help me, I even fell in love with you,’ he continued in despairing disbelief. ‘I defended you, Dormé. I stood up for you, but in the end, they were right all along.’ he whispered feeling as though a knife was now being twisted in his heart.

She just glared at him, hissing between clenched teeth, ‘You have no idea—None at all.’ Dormé thought he knew her better than this, that she wasn’t using him or leading him on. She couldn’t put to words what truly resided in her heart, because she knew it would just come back to hurt her later. Hating that she was hurting him and that she didn’t know how to rectify this situation, she thought this was the only way.

Her glare did little to ease his temper or sooth his wounded pride which continued to blind him from seeing the true reasons for her actions. ‘No idea!? Oh, I think I have a fairly good idea! You’ve made your point loud and clear. I’m just sorry it took me two years of being your fool to figure it out,’ he snapped as he moved to grab his shirt and to depart. Being in this sanctuary no longer held the same appeal to him as it did only a short time ago.

Though Dormé knew this had to end eventually and it might as well end now, it didn’t help her desire to defend herself. He didn’t understand, but she didn’t know how to make him understand. It was so incredibly frustrating, but he was so angry, Dormé knew there would be no getting through to him. She didn’t know why she was like this. She didn’t know why she felt it was necessary that she had to do the leaving before he did. If she knew the reasons for her action, she would have been able to explain herself and perhaps ask him the right questions, but she was too upset herself to be able to make sense of this need to run...why it scared her so much to find out how deep his feelings truly went... Dormé couldn’t speak further, knitting her brow, she tried not to allow any tears to escape. She left the rooms created and designed for her in tears. She pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead, trying to stop the tears as she fled, not caring if anyone saw her and not caring what anyone thought. Now she had not only lost her boyfriend, but she had also lost her best friend. She didn’t yet realise that she had already given her heart and this was the reason why it hurt so much.

Had the young prince not been so distracted by his emotions and self pity he would have realized there was more to Dormé’s actions than what he believed, but he was far too lost in his selfish thoughts to bother considering anything outside of her words. He, like Dormé, was quick to depart and not unlike Dormé he struggled to hide his emotions, to maintain some semblance of control over his thoughts. It was a lost cause, for as he stormed through the dimly lit halls back to his quarters all he could think about was what she said and what he had lost. Though his heart broke at the loss of their relationship it was her friendship he missed most. The long hours spent talking about everything and anything would be no more, as would the long moments of silence when words were not needed. The sound of her laughter would now be nothing but a memory, as would the image of her smile. As he struggled to hide his tears, Anakin cursed himself for being so foolish and trusting. He should have known better, he should have seen the warning signs for what they were instead of just shrugging them off. He always believed she didn’t like talking about the future because she didn’t like placing faith in what was unknown. Now he realized—or so he believed—that it was nothing more than her trying to keep him at arms length. Just as the way she dodge more delicate matters with the greatest of ease, like his attempts to express his feelings.

Furrowing his brow, he drew in a shaky breath as he stepped into his lush but disastrous quarters. Even this place bore signs of her presence, her memory. What normally was beyond the call and duty of messy was now somewhat clean—many thanks to his fear that one day she would find herself in his quarters and faint from the mess. But that was a thing of the past and now plagued with memories of what would never be, the young prince returned to his room. Throwing electronic devices and creations half built or half torn apart across the room, Anakin raged, cursing Dormé for her callous words and then himself for giving her his heart to break. He then tossed the furniture, watching it smash with pained satisfaction. Then as he unwittingly used the Force to cause the elegant windows to explode and the lights of the room to pop, he fell to his knees and began to sob relentlessly. Never in his life had he ever felt more alone or broken. Little did he realize that, in the end, it would not be Dormé who would cause the greatest pain in both of their lives…

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A/N: Up next—the rest of the events of Attack of the Clones era...