𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐕𝐄 | 𝟏𝟖+

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ❼

Senator Amidala's crew and I have just touched down in Coruscant after a long time of being away. Though she was warned of the risks, Padmé was just doing this for my best interest. I haven't been home in a little over three years, and she knows how much I miss the Temple and it's people.

I jump out of the cockpit of my cruiser, turning to reach for my co-pilot to help her out. Captain Typho, head of security forces, meets us both in the middle of the landing pad as the starship touches down. "I guess I was wrong. There was no danger at all."

Suddenly sensing something strange, my brows furrow as I glance as the mock Senator who was slowly descending the ramp of her ship. I then look to my helmeted co-pilot before an unsuspected explosion knocks everyone to the ground and myself onto my back. Ears ringing and heart racing a mile a minute, I sit up on my elbows and look over the now destroyed Nubian starship feeling sick to my stomach.

My co-pilot quickly jumps to her feet and runs to her decoy, taking her helmet off and tossing it to the side before crouching to the wounded handmaiden. "Cordé."

Springing into action, I am immediately on the other side of the women, holding her hand for what little time she has left. Cordé slowly turns to her leader and wheezes, "Milady, I'm so sorry. I've failed you, Senator." Padmé shakes her head in denial, "No!" But it was too late as her confidant shuts her eyes and becomes lifeless. My heart aches for Padmé as tears flood her eyes. I curse under my breath, angry with myself that I didn't sense danger fast enough. I could have saved her.

Captain Typho then crouches down at Padmé's side while scouting the area. "Milady, you're still in danger here." Padmé doesn't seem to be listening as she grieves for her handmaiden, so I let go of Cordé's cold hand and crawl to my best friends side, gently placing a soothing hand between her shoulder blades. "Padmé, she did her job. You can mourn her once were out of this danger zone."

I hated saying these words, but it was the only way I'd get her to snap out of her haze. Grabbing her left hand in mine, Padmé let's me wrap my arm around her hip to lift her to stand. "I shouldn't have come back." Her voice shakes as she gently shakes her head, taking in the reality that she was yet to be in the clear from her sneaky attackers.

"This vote is very important. You did your duty. Cordé did hers. Now, come on." Typho rushes out. He and I share a glance before Typho nods at me, and I take that as my queue to whisk the Senator away from this violent scene. I end up taking Padmé back to her old apartment she was given when she first became Senator. "Thank you, Eden, but I can walk on my own." Padmé says softly as she releases my hand. Truthfully, I wanted to let go once we got in the elevator, but she was the one still holding on.

As the doors retract, we enter her penthouse and was surprisingly greeted by a long time, but annoying friend. "Eden? Eden! Oh, mesa so happy to abe seein yous!" I inwardly roll my eyes and plaster a fake smile on my face as the Gungan nears us. "Jar-Jar! So glad to see you again." He smiles brightly at me before I look over his shoulder to inspect the lounging area and the small kitchen. Still smiling, I mumble, "Glad to see you miraculously haven't broken anything either...yet."

Because my voice starts out high-pitched and gradually drops a few octaves, Padmé snickers just as Jar-Jar goes on about how careful he was about not touching anything while house sitting. I narrow my eyes at my best friend and whisper sarcastically, "I'm glad I amuse you." She gives me a sad smile and then turns to Jar-Jar to release him of his duties for the rest of the evening, as we were to welcome Senator Organa of Alderaan in the morning.

When Jar-Jar heads to his room, Padmé lets out a sigh before removing her gloves and making her way to the fairly large couch. "You ought to retire for the night as well." I can tell she wants to be alone, but after what happened a few minutes ago, keeping her out of sight wasn't an option I would agree with.