revealed, "I'm on my way to the Jedi temple to start my training, I hope." The former slave wasn't sure why he was telling all of this to Queen Amidala, but she seemed like the next best thing to Clarissé, who he felt like he could tell anything to. There was also something familiar about her, even though he had no idea why, because he had never met the Queen before in his life.

The Queen's monotone exterior slightly cracked at the edges as she wanted desperately to comfort the young boy who was no doubt terrified of getting rejected by the Jedi Council, considering that he and his mother had been rejected their whole lives on Tatooine.

But the Queen could not ran over to hug him or talk to him. She had a duty to her people and that responsibility came with being disguised for as long as she could.

No matter how much she wanted to scream, "Anakin, it's me! I'm Clarissé! I always have been!"

But she couldn't, and she didn't think she ever would be able to.

She might have to stay in complete disguise for her next few years as Queen. And even then, Anakin might not be around for that long.

And that idea terrified her most of all.

"I may not see her again... so... I came to say goodbye," Anakin continued as his voice slowly fell deeper and deeper, trying to avoid eye contact with the Queen as he looked down solemnly at the floor.

Once again, the Queen's heart broke internally, but she quickly recovered, and instead of saying who she really was, Queen Amidala wished, "We will tell her for you. We are very sure her heart goes to you, and I'm very sure you'll see her again."

Anakin bowed once more, this time a little more controlled, and he thanked, "Thank you, your Highness."

Queen Amidala nodded, internally shaking at all the lies and deception towards everyone in her life, as Anakin left the room with a heavy heart at the fact that he couldn't see Clarissé one last time.

As Queen Amidala returned to her closet, she breathed out a deep gulp of air, continuing to look into her large, ornate mirror, tugging on her sleeve to make sure it fit well.

"Are you alright, your Majesty?" Eirtaé asked as her and Rabé made their way into the closet, concern dripping all over their pale faces.

Queen Amidala attempted to smile at her friends but found she couldn't due to her internal distress.

"I'm fine," she shakily assured, not convincing the two handmaidens in the slightest, who knew Clarissé Amidala Naberrie like the back of their hand, from all spending their childhoods together.

"Is it about that boy? The one you met on Tatooine?" Rabé questioned, wondering if that was the boy her Queen had been speaking of so kindly, like she was in love with him, or something.

"I'm fine, Eirtaé, Rabé," Queen Amidala said once more, this time with a more assertive undertone, making her decision for the topic to not be brought up anymore final.

But the battle of distress and deception still churned in her loving, beautiful heart.

*＊✿❀○❀✿＊*

A/N: Hey guys! I think I'm doing pretty good with my updating schedule, considering that I usually have two chapters posted every week, and sometimes, I have three! I'm excited to almost have this book over, as I really want to get on to Episode Two, with Clarissé as an older, some might say more mature version of herself. It's gonna be great, and I hope you stick around for it.

For the fun fact of the day, or chapter, I guess: Queen Amidala's makeup is somewhat considered strange because of the meaning behind it. The marks on her cheeks and lips represent peace and prosperity, which makes sense, considering the fact that Naboo was going through a lot at that time.

And that's all folks! I'll see you again over the weekend for even more content! Love ya!

Word Count: 4064 words