「 star-crossed ⭒ anakin skywalker 」

chapter nineteen

"Don't look now, but Windu is giving you two a major death glare," joked Ahsoka, sitting opposite Anakin and I at our table.

I only shook my head and scoffed, continuing to eat my rations, but Anakin just had to turn around wearing his usual cocky smirk, waving to Master Windu.

"And you wonder why he hates you," I laughed.

"Hey now," he dramatically swiveled his seat around to face me. "You're not so innocent either, m'lady."

"Quit calling me that," I grinned, lightly shoving his shoulder.

Ahsoka playfully smirked as her eyes darted between us. "Uh, should I leave?"

I tilted my head at her and rolled my eyes. She just shrugged and returned to eating.

It's been a couple of days since I was scolded by Master Windu, and I'd hoped that by now the war would be occupying his mind. But judging by his current expression, I don't think he's forgotten yet.

"Where's Master Kenobi?" I asked, changing the subject.

"I think he's on Senate duty, watching over the meeting," shrugged Anakin, eyes not leaving his food, but he perked up when he realized what that meant. My mother would be giving her address today.
"Wait, you're not gonna try and go, are you?"

I gave him a pleading look.
"You know I have to... what if something goes wrong... or- or it's a—"

"Vienna, it's just a meeting, calm down. Besides I don't think it's a good idea for you to be worrying about that right now anyway," Anakin said, attempting to place his hand on my arm, but I snatched it away.

"Right, because I can't handle my emotions?" I scoffed.

Anakin looked slightly taken aback, and a confused expression grew across Ahsoka's face.
I let out a deep sigh, "I'm sorry... it's just been a long week."

They both nodded in understanding, but I'm not so sure they truly did. But Anakin? After everything I've told him and everything he knew about me, I'd think he would. But I guess I was wrong.

—

With Master Windu, and now apparently Anakin, watching over my every move, I didn't end up going to the meeting.

But I did, however, cross paths with Master Kenobi a little while later, and he appeared strangely uneasy.

"Uh, hey Obi-Wan, what's wro—"

"Good, you're here. I've been looking all over for you," he said quickly. "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but the Duchess has been in an accident... her speeder malfunctioned while leaving the Senate, but she wasn't hurt, thankfully."

At his words, my heart nearly stopped beating. Of course something happened, and accident or not— although that's highly unlikely to be the case —she could have been killed. And again it would be my fault for not being there.

"It wasn't an accident. This is exactly what I was afraid of."

"Are you suggesting this was the work of the Death Watch?" he asked.

"Well it certainly does add up," I rested my hand on my chin as I thought. "They want Mandalore, she's the ruler. And what to do the Separatists want? A powerful neutral system out of the way. If it is in fact true that they're working together, the Duchess is not safe here, or anywhere for that matter."