Destruction of the Innocent (Anakin Skywalker)

~39~

    My morning consisted of getting ready for the day. After the stylist was done with my hair, I insisted they join us downstairs for breakfast in the grand hall-to which they accepted and we all sat around the long table consuming the healthful spread my Mother had arranged...and of course there was a plate of mini crepes down at the end I had to indulge in.

        But no matter how hard I had tried, I would catch myself allowing quick frames of my dreams to flash thru my vision. But I did my best to push them away and ignore them, lying to myself that they would fade in time.

In the corner of my eye, I see my Father raise his glass of champagne and laugh as he formed a toast. We all followed in suit and a smile crossed my face as I raised mine. He turns to me and smiles,"To you making a wonderful Queen one day, my daughter-  Princess Nova. Happy Birthday, my Star."

"To Princess Nova", everyone said in unison then drank.

I smiled and clinked my glass together with my parents before drinking it down.

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      After breakfast, I made a few appearances in the city. One of which was to ensure the completion of the food drive in the heart of Coruscant. They had been working on it for weeks after the attack and wanted me to bless it. So I spent the afternoon handing out food and prepped meals to the surrounding neighborhoods affected.

I also attended a meeting to confirm our joining of the UNSC and the Galactic Republic to discuss our safety maneuvers. To much of my surprise, Anakin was present across the way sitting between Obi Wan and Ahsoka. 

Even though I did my best to not look their way, I found myself gazing in their direction every once in a while. At one point, we locked eyes and I turned away when it was my turn to speak.




              Not long after, I found myself wandering around the steps of the Temple courtyard watching the city life. A little boy and his dog ran passed me and he threw a toy of some sort for it to chase.

It made me laugh as I walked into the garden area.
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A couple decorares walk pass with ribbons and what looked like some centerpieces for tables they were getting set up.

"Princess", they address me as they hurry passed and into the main hall.
"Hello", I nod to back them.

Another group of older boys run around the fountain chasing a soccer ball. One kicks it to far, so I pick the end of my dress up to stop it and kick it back to them.

"Thank you, Your Grace", one nods. I smile back as they begin chasing it the other way.

"Princess!", a little voice yells after me. I turn around as a little girl with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes runs up and hands me a purple anemone flower.




"Is that for me?", I ask and she nods with a big smile on her face. "It's beautiful! What is your name?"

"Ava", she answers shyly.

"Well, Ava, thank you very much! I will treasure this forever", I smile and hold it to my chest.

"Can I pin it in your hair?", she asks.

"I would love that!", I nod. I hand it to her before kneeling down to her height.

 She tucks it into my braids and smiles again as she skips around to in front of me.  A confused look comes across her face.

"But won't it wilt? Won't it die after long?", she asks.

"Nothing you love dearly will ever die, Ava", I shake my head. "Not if you love it hard enough."





Her eyebrows knit together but she nods in understanding.

"What's your favorite color?", I tilt my head. She turns away in thought for a second.

"Pink!", she nods.

"Then pink you shall have, Ava", I smiled. I turn over my shoulder to a nearby shrub. A bunch of pink gardenias had just bloomed that morning. My hand raises and a flower is plucked off before hovering into the center of my hand. 

I cover it with my other and take a deep breath. "Alright, no peeking."

She nods and covers her eyes with her hands. I open one eye to catch her looking through her fingers. When I caught her, she giggled and covered them all the way.





I concentrate for a moment or two before the flower in my hand is engulfed with a purple glow. Then it dies down and fades into nothing again, revealing a perfect gardenia.

"And now, it will never die. You can keep it forever and ever", I say and pin it behind her ear.

"Thank you, Princess", she says, then turns and walks away to a woman waiting beside a pillar.

 She takes her hand, waving one last time before they walk off.

I stand and curl my fingers back before sighing and brushing the grass off my dress.



"I did'nt know you did dark magic."

I turn around and am met by the dark blue eyes of Anakin. He leans against a pillar with his arms crossed.

It was the first time I had seen him since the day in the training hall and I was'nt sure what I had planned to say to him when I finally did see him, but whatever it was went completely out the window. He was breathtaking as usual, and looked like he had finally gotten some sleep.

 I avoid his gaze and turn around, blinking to regain focus.

"It's not dark magic", I answered. As I began sauntering down the walkway, his arms fell to his side and he followed.

"What would you call it then?", he asks as he reaches my side. The smell of amber and leather rolls off him and the breeze pushes it my way. I try to pretend I did'nt like it because I did'nt. I was'nt supposed to.

"Look, I don't have the time, nor the crayons to explain it to you, alright?", I cock an eyebrow."In fact-I don't owe you an explanation at all."





"This i-this is what you want to say to me after nearly cutting my arms and head off the other day?", I nod my head wildly.

He stops and ignores me, smirks as he shakes his head, "I did'nt see anything if you did'nt want me to."

I stare at him hard then walk away."You hallucinated."

"If that's what you'd like me to believe", he says. I roll my eyes.
"So, I hear it's your birthday today", he states as he follows me again.

A sarcastic smile crosses my face as I motion to the decore around us."What makes you think that?"



He chuckles lowly as we walk.

"You did'nt tell me it was coming up", he says.

I shake my head. "You did'nt ask." I spare a glance towards him and release a exasperated sigh.
"Will you attending later on to torment me be your gift to me or is this it?"

"Who said I was giving you anything?"

"Besides a headache?", I retort.

He stops and crosses his arms again. He smirks and shakes a finger at me."I'll let that one slide since today is your birthday."

I roll my eyes once more and walk away. He follows and keeps up.

"And, no, for your information I will not be attending. I have further important things to attend to then kissing your royal ass", he smirks.

"Thank the Gods for that", I shake my head.




He stops and turn to me. I mimic him and raise my eyebrows, waiting. He opens his mouth and steps closer, but just as he was about to say something else, his pager goes off from his tool belt.

 I watch him reach for it with my eyes and turn away to suppress the new sad feeling rushing over me.

He looks from it to me and inhales through his nose."Maybe some other time. Your Highness", he bows sarcastically and walks off.

I uncross my arms and walk the opposite way into the dining hall for a glass of wine.