A Father's Daughter

14. Distances and closeness

Leia's POV:
I get the feeling that Palpatine is starting to realize all the things he's trying so my father turns to the Dark Side aren't working.
The bad thing is that Obi-Wan has gone to fight General Grievous, so now only Padmé and I can help Anakin.
My father has to deliver to the Chancellor the news, because Obi-Wan has killed the cyborg General.
I don't see why we have to go tell him, but Anakin says it's important.
But I feel uneasy, because I've got the feeling this time there won't be a way to scape.
Palpatine is trying too hard on making my father turn, and it angers him because he's not seeing the results he'd like, which means I'm doing good.
That brings a little joy to my heart.
Anakin and I walk to the Chancellor's office, all black and red. He's looking at a hologram that is quickly taken off when he feels our presences at the door.
"Chancellor" Anakin starts.
The man turns to us.
"We've just received the report from Master Kenobi. He has engaged General Grievous" my father explains.
"I hope Master Kenobi is up to the challenge" the Chancellor spits the venom in front of us.
I feel Anakin is going to say something, but I interrupt.
I smile widely.
"Oh, don't worry, Chancellor. I know Master Kenobi is the one who should be there. He'll do a great job"
"Your Padawan is right, endeed" he says to my father "but it's upsetting to me to see that the Council doesn't fully appreciate your talents. Don't you wonder why they won't make you a real Jedi Master? Because, even though you have an apprendice, you aren't a Master yet" he points out.
I look at Anakin with warning in my eyes. He seems to realize.
"I wish I knew" he sighs.
"There are things about the Force they aren't telling you. They don't trust you, Anakin"
I look at my father with disbelief.
"Of course they do, Anakin!" I realize I'm shouting when I'm in the middle of the sentence.
Palpatine doesn't hide he's pissed off, but he continues, ignoring me.
"They see your future. They know your power will be too strong to control. You must break through the fog of lies of the Jedi"
"The fog of lies?" I repeat, with disbelief. "Fog of lies? The Jedi aren't liars, Chancellor. I believe you're more of a liar than the whole Jedi Council together"
Palpatine glares a look and laughs.
"You think you know a lot of honesty, don't you, silly girl? Well, in that case, tell Anakin the truth"
Anakin looks at me and frowns his eyebrow.
"The truth?"
"Oh, yes, my friend" Palpatine smirks "Because your Padawan is one of the biggest liars in this Republic. Not even her real name is Luce Solo"
Anakin looks at me with pain is his eyes.
"Is that true?"
I feel tears coming from my eyes.
"Anakin, I swear there's a totally reasonable explanation for all of this"
"And you know the worse part of it all, my friend?" Palpatine continues "The Council knows"
Anakin's eyes widen in disbelief.
"I can't believe it. I trusted you!" He shouts at me.
He shakes his head and walks away from the room.
I burry my face on my hands and cry.
"You see, Leia, I get rid of all the things that get in the way. And you were one of them" Palpatine says.
I look at him with hatred in my eyes.
"YOU MONSTER!" I shout with all my lung capacity.

~¤~
I run to Padmé's apartment, still crying.
Aparently, Anakin isn't home yet.
She stands up when she sees me with red eyes of being crying and wattery face.
"What's wrong, Luce?"
I shake my head.
"No, don't call me that. I have to be honest with you, Padmé"
She nods.
"Of course, sweetheart. All you need"
I sigh.
"Remember that... remember when I told you that my brother and I were separated when we were born, our real mother died and also my adoptive parents?"
Padmé nods.
"Yes, I remember"
"Well, I didn't tell you that my brother's name is Luke"
Padmé smiles and rubs her tummy.
"Luke? What a cute coincidence"
"It's more than a cute coincidence" I say "My real name is Leia"
Padmé's eyes widen.
"Leia?"
I nod.
"People know me as Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, one of the most important people in the Rebel Alliance, to defeat the Empire"
"Organa? Rebel Alliance? Empire?" Padmé frowns her eyebrow.
"I know this is all really hard to asume... My real name is Leia... Leia Skywalker"
Padmé opens her mouth.
"You're serious?"
I nod.
"I... I know it's hard to believe, but it's true."
"So... so that means that I'm pregnant with twins, right?"
I smile weakly.
"Yeah"
"And what happened... to me? How did I die? And with Anakin?"
I shake my head.
"Mo... Padmé, what's really important is what has happened now. Palpatine told Anakin that I wasn't who I told him but he didn't give me time to explain... and now he hates me" I say, just before starting to cry.
I feel my mother's arms around me, in a loving embrace.
"We'll tell him when he gets home, alright? Don't worry, Leia" Padmé whispers "Everything will be fine."
"I hope so"
"You've heard your father. He loves you like nothing in this world. He'll understand"