The Shadows Star: Book 2

23: Morning Light

Padmé woke up the next morning, her eyes adjusting to the soft morning light filtering into the room. Her gaze fell upon Sombra and Anakin, who were still sound asleep in each other's arms. A gentle smile played on her lips as she observed the two young Jedi, their faces relaxed in slumber.
Careful not to disturb them, Padmé quietly rose from her bed and turned her attention to C-1 and R2, who were both awake and ready to assist. She leaned in and whispered, "C-1, could you please take R2 to get some food for our journey? We'll be arriving on Naboo in two hours, and I want everyone to be well-rested and prepared."
C-1 nodded, "Of course, Milady. I will return soon." His metallic frame moved silently as he walked toward the door with R2-D2 following closely behind. Padmé watched them go and then retrieved a datapad from her bag.
As she aimed the holo camera at Sombra and Anakin, capturing the sweet image of them asleep in a tangle of legs and blankets, the familiar click of the camera woke the young Jedi. Their eyes fluttered open, and panic briefly crossed their faces as they realized they had been caught in such an intimate moment by Padmé.
Sombra and Anakin quickly disentangled themselves, sitting up with wide-eyed surprise as Padmé lowered the datapad. She couldn't help but laugh at their reaction.
"Maé," Sombra said carefully, "Give me the datapad."
Padmé's grin widened, "Over my dead body, Jedi!"
Padmé's laughter echoed through the bay as she darted around, holding the datapad high above her head. Sombra, determined to catch up, chased after her with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"Delete it, Maé!" Sombra shouted playfully as she closed in on Padmé.
Padmé giggled and teased, "But it's such a lovely picture, Sombra!"
Sombra lunged forward, using the force to pull Padmé to her.
"Promise you won't send it to anyone?" Sombra insisted, slightly out of breath.
Padmé held up her hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I promise, I won't send it to anyone."
Sombra sighed in relief, then returned the data pad to her. Padmé looked at the picture with a fond smile and turned to show it to them. "Sorry about that, Anakin."
Anakin, who had been watching the exchange with a bemused grin, shrugged. "No problem. I kind of like the picture, actually."
Padmé chimed in, still amused. "See, I knew it! It's a perfect picture of the lovebirds!"
Sombra quickly denied it, her cheeks flushing. "We're not... I mean, it's not like that."
Anakin, a hint of offense in his voice, added, "Well, I do, but..." He paused, realizing that perhaps he had said too much, and cleared his throat. "Anyway, it's a good picture, Maé."
Padmé couldn't resist teasing them a bit more. "Oh, come on, you two. It's okay to admit you care about each other."
Sombra and Anakin exchanged a look, a mixture of emotions crossing their faces. But they both knew that whatever it was between them, it was complicated and, for now, best kept to themselves.
C-1's timing was as impeccable as ever as he once again broke the moment with food. He rolled up with a tray of breakfast items, announcing, "I have returned with breakfast. And Miss Sombra, they had your favorite! Hot chocolate and I took it upon myself to get you some sweet bread."
Sombra's eyes lit up with delight. 

"C-1, you're the best!" She reached for the hot chocolate, inhaling its comforting aroma.

Anakin and Padmé both chuckled at Sombra's enthusiasm as they started to dig into their meals. C-1, ever attentive, continued to serve them with a sense of satisfaction.
They finally land on Naboo after 2 days of travel. Anakin gathered their bags and they made their way to the ramp. They exit the space station and find themselves in the main plaza of Theed. Sombra smiled and took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "It's good to be back. I can't wait to take this city by storm again."

Padmé laughs, "Sombra, we won't even be in Theed for long, I'm not sure if you'll have the time."

"Is that a dare, Senator?"
"Oh, absolutely not! I would hate to see that. Come on, we have an appointment with Queen Jamilla."
In the heart of Theed, Naboo's city of elegance, the Royal Palace's white marble spires touched the heavens, casting a regal aura over the serene canals. Gondolas glided amidst lush greenery, while plazas and markets beckoned with their charm. The city's soul thrived in theaters and galleries, all framed by architectural marvels seamlessly integrated with nature's beauty. No matter how many times the views had graced Sombra's eyes, it never failed to take her breath away. 

"If I grew up here, I don't think I'd ever leave," Anakin said dreamily.

"I doubt that," Padmé chuckled
"No, really. When I started my training, I was very homesick and very lonely. This city and my Mom were the only pleasant things I had to think about," Anakin retorted, "The problem was, the more I thought about my Mom, the worse I felt. But I would feel better if I thought about the palace - the way it shimmers in the sunlight - the way the air always smells of flowers..."

"...and the soft sound of the distant waterfalls," Sombra finished with a dreamy look. 

Padmé's eyes lit up at their love for her home. "The first time I saw the Capital, I was very young... I'd never seen a waterfall before. I thought they were so beautiful... I never dreamed one day I'd live in the palace."
Sombra decided to tease a bit. "Well, tell me, did you dream of power and politics when you were a little girl?"
Padmé burst out laughing, "No! That was the last thing I thought of, but the more history I studied, the more I realized how much good politicians could do. After school, I became a Senatorial advisor with such a passion that, before I knew it, I was elected Queen," she said with pride. 

"For the most part it was because of my conviction that reform was possible. I wasn't the youngest Queen ever elected, but now that I think back on it, I'm not sure I was old enough. I'm not sure I was ready."
"The people you served thought you did a good job," Anakin said, "I heard they tried to amend the Constitution so you could stay in office."
"Popular rule is not democracy, Ani. It gives the people what they want, not what they need. And, truthfully, I was relieved when my two terms were up. So were my parents. They worried about me during the blockade and couldn't wait for it all to be over," Padmé responded, but her brows furrowed.

"Actually, I was hoping to have a family by now. My sister has the most amazing, wonderful kids. But when the Queen asked me to serve as Senator, I couldn't refuse her."
Sombra interrupted, "Well I agree! I think the Republic needs you. I'm glad you chose to serve. I feel things are going to happen in our generation that will change the galaxy in profound ways."
Padmé turned to smile at her friend, "I think so too."
As they arrived at the grand palace of Naboo, Padmé turned to her companions. "Look, I know you both are very capable, but in front of the Queen I need you to trust in my capabilities as well."
Sombra raised an eyebrow at her friend. Padmé locked eyes, "Som, I know what you're thinking. I know you can keep it together, this is what you specialize in, but you've never partnered with another padawan before. And Anakin," she eyed him, "You can be pretty impulsive and I don't want any outbursts in front of the Queen. Understood?"
Sombra rolled her eyes and threw up a mock salute. "Yes, Ma'am."
"One more thing. Before we even see the queen we need to clean up. We've been in the same clothes for almost 3 days. Go bathe and I'll have fresh clothes waiting for you. We're still technically supposed to be commoners so no Jedi robes. I'll see you here in an hour," she commands.
Sombra sighs and grins widely, while Anakin looks completely lost. 

"I forget you haven't been around her much. Get ready to meet perfectionist dress-up Maé. You're lucky if she has you try on less than 10 ensembles," she laughs and begins to walk away, "Don't look so scared, Ani. She feeds off of your fear!" 

Anakin is left in the room as confused as ever. 3 attendants enter and try to help him dress but it only confuses him further. Sombra, already accustomed to the routine, makes her way towards the bath, scrubbing off the stress of the last couple of days. She exits the bathroom with a fluffy robe around her and now smelling of white raspberry, blueblossoms, and cloudberries. In the room, she finds five dresses and 3 attendants. 

"Hello Thalaré, Elara, and Isoldeé. I have missed you three, although it's a bad habit. I never know how to dress myself anymore," she giggles. 

The three young attendants chuckle and step forward. "We have missed you as well, miss. Are you ready to see what Senator Amidala has chosen?"
"Sure, why not?"
The three girls helped Sombra in and out of several dresses and at the fourth one Sombra couldn't take her eyes off of herself. Beginning as a delicate, weightless light blue, the dress caressed her form with intricate patterns reminiscent of Naboo's lush flora. As her eyes traced it down, the gown transformed, shifting seamlessly from the gentle light blue to a profound, deep blue at her feet, akin to the tranquil lakes. It was bold, with a daring diamond-shaped cutout at her midriff, framed by glistening embellishments. The skirt fell to the floor with two slits that traveled up to her mid-thighs, and a delicate chain decorated her waist and legs where the fabric showed her skin.
"That's the one," she heard from behind her.