Conflict And Balance [Star Wars AU]

Chapter 22

‘It's not over yet.’

‘No, for me —’

"How are you faring?" The Inquisitor stood at the door, arms crossed, with a poker face that was bored. She faced downward, embarrassed by her release of emotions. Her eyes still itched from her sobbing and her cheeks were puffed.

"What does it look like?" she said, her voice hoarse and quiet. Her gaze was fixed on the blue and white streaks of hyperspace, her head supported by her palm.

"Makes sense," he commented after seeing her state. "But it is pitiful for you to express such emotions for someone who just used you."

"Take that back!" she snapped, punching her fists on the table.

He blinked for a moment, keeping his stare at her and backed away. He looked at her with the most condescending look, like she was insane. No, not insane, but stupid, unbelievably stupid.

"If you want to keep thinking that way, it is fine. After all you were his slave. Now speak to your father." He slammed his hand before her, and made his point. He then clutched his shoulder from the sudden pain caused by the movement. He took a few deep breaths to tolerate it. Glaring at her for the last time, he left. 

She watched the clump of brown hairball leave the room, wishing to stab a knife through it.

No way in hell would she speak to her father, who assisted the killing of Darth Sidious, her lord. It was unfortunate that he was successful and to be throned Emperor. She knew that she had made the correct choice. She would have not minded if Vader had been the receiving end of that blaster. He had abandoned her, and subjected her to her tortures.

Those words the Thirteenth Brother had uttered made her feel sick. Used her? If he did, why would he tolerate her first few years of being a baby? She herself had found babies' continuous crying annoying. Only a father or a mother could have enough patience for their own child, and some even abandon them, just like, her father.

No way that Palpatine had just used her. That could not be a possibility. He had praised her, trained her with passion, and told her stories of the galaxy. He even scolded her like a proper parent would. He was a great parent, while Vader was irresponsible, ignoring her even when she was in one of her painful days.

Not one visit from him when she was isolated on Korriban...

Her head whipped to the door when she heard a metallic knock and glared. Vader stood tall, clad in black, this time his hood down, allowing her to see his full face. She felt sadness and sorrow being emitted from him. She raised an eyebrow; his eyes were blue. Where was his hatred and anger?

With a deep frown on his lips, he painfully dragged himself a chair to sit next to her. Why was he here? She laid her head on the surface and hid her face with her hands.

Ignore him. All of her suffering was caused by this man and yet, he continues to remain in her life.

‘Get out!’ She wanted to scream at him, but he was the Dark Lord of the Sith now. He was under the Emperor when she had first arrived. If she dare utter a single word of defiance, she would get it from him. That was how it worked with Palpatine; you could say that flogging gave her a sense of respect for him.

The father and the daughter sat there for long minutes in silence.

Vader kept his head down, his broken hand casted and bandages patched on his face. He would be lying if he didn't feel any sort of emotional pain when he killed him, but when he saw his wretched face, that pain disappeared away.