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❝𝘓𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘶𝘴, 𝘗𝘢𝘥𝘮é! 𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳'𝘴 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘏𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴! ❞

❝𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘴é, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. ❞

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»»-----------►Ｃｌａｒｉｓｓé

𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐓.

I had been many times in my life for diplomatic missions, but today felt different.

Like the galaxy was crashing all around me and I couldn't do anything to prevent it.

Our ship soared in the endless miles of space as I looked out the large window to see us growing closer to the dark, golden planet of Coruscant.

I swallowed thickly at the sight. I would have to convince the Senate to help me with the Trade Federation, and there was a very good part that they would reject my plea for help.

I couldn't let that happen. Not when we had worked so hard to get here.

Not when my people were dying on their home planet.

After Anakin and I bid farewell to each other after our conversation all night- I had told him I needed to change into my handmaiden outfit- I had visited Indirá to explain how exactly our plan was going to go once we were both rushed to the Senate.

I told her that I, as Queen Amidala, needed to plea our case, and she didn't object, even though it would have been dangerous to be around all those shady politicians. She understood that she wasn't qualified to face the difficult terrain that was, indeed, the Galactic Senate of the Republic.

And to be honest, either was I.

And that leads us back to the present; I'm standing in front of a large window in the command room, my ombré handmaiden dress placed upon me, intending to disguise me from nasty politicians, my hood up and covering the majority of my face.

A soft thud vibrated my feet as we landed on Coruscant, finally here after such a long journey.

Coruscant, despite being the capital of the Republic, was most probably known for its big, bustling buildings, each one tall and large, glinting in the bright sunlight, each one holding some important meeting with numerous important government officials in it.

As a small child, the large, looming buildings of Coruscant always scared me, with how big they were. I always had to hold onto the legs of Panaka or Bibble when they accompanied me on my meetings, sometimes for protection, other times for emotional support.

"Clarissé," a soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts while completely startling me in the process, causing me to jump almost three feet in the air.

I whipped around to find my older sister staring at me with her eyebrow raised, silently asking if I was okay.

I cleared my throat, embarrassed at my scare. I guess I was just anxious and jumpy for the horrors awaiting me on Coruscant.

"Yes?" I somehow managed to strain out, wondering what Padmé needed from me.

"We've been requested to come down to the cockpit as we land," Padmé answered, in her own handmaiden dress, her own face secluded within the soft fabric of her cloak.

I nodded at her, and reluctantly pried myself away from the window, looking back out at Coruscant with a thousand butterflies rumbling around inside my stomach.

Once I finally managed to will my feet to move towards the cockpit, Padmé came up next to me and put a gentle hand on my shoulder, rubbing it encouragingly.

"You'll be just fine, Clarissé. There's nothing to worry about, and you'll do great in front of the Senate. I know you will."

I breathed out heavily through my nose, finding my chest to be oddly more constricting.

Maybe it was the dress?

"I'm fine," I unconvincingly attempted to lie, looking at Padmé from the corner of my eye as we finished moving down metal hallways and into the cockpit, where Anakin was already standing in front of the viewing window, his eyes bulging out of his head at the sight of Coruscant, and his mouth slightly open in wonder. I had the urge to laugh at him, as that was my very same response when I first came at the age of five.

"Coruscant..." Ric Olie wistfully informed as he leaned over to Anakin in his chair, causing a little squeak to sound when his body weight was placed on it. "The entire planet is one big city. There's Chancellor Valorum's shuttle"- he pointed to the Chancellor's men waiting by a standardized shuttle-"And look over there, Senator Palpatine is waiting for us." The Senator in question stood by the landing bay, his hands clasped behind his back as he waited for us.

More particularly, me.

All the while, the mere aura of Palpatine caused shivers to run up my spine and goosebumps to form in immense fear.

Why was that?

Our Nubian yacht pulled into the awaiting loading dock, a plethora of important officials waiting just below us.

A small thunk told me all I needed to know: We were finally here, and all the pressure was on me to not screw up... or else.

Padmé guided my anxious self into the offloading room, where just a few feet ahead of us, the ramp that would take me to the Senate sat, about to lower at any given moment, and give me away to certain doom.

Indirá, Eirtaé, and Rabé all stood clumped together to the left of the ramp, with Indirá being the head of the group, leaving two spots open for me and Padmé.

"Whenever you're ready, your Highness," Indirá comforted quietly before the rest of the ship came with us, still in her raven ensemble and waiting for my sister and I to join the band of ombré handmaidens.

I took one final deep breath and nodded, confirming our position before Padmé placed a kind hand on my lower back, and led me over to our handmaiden spots to the left and right of Indirá, my older sister reaching up to pull my hood down in front of my eyes. I looked over and silently thanked her, permitting a smile from her in response from under her own cloak.

After that, Obi-Wan, Jar Jar, Qui-Gon, Anakin and Artoo all came over to exit the ship first, and then Indirá would lead our group of handmaidens right after them. Ric Olie had opted to stay on the ship for evaluation purposes, in case we had to get out of Coruscant extremely quickly.

And so, the ramp was slowly lowered and dropped down with a heavy thud to show the beautiful Coruscantian buildings before us, signifying that there was no turning back now.

The buildings had always looked intimidating before, but now, they looked straight up horrifying with their immense height and scary glint.

Right ahead, through the gap Eirtaé and Rabé had in between them, I could see Palpatine waiting for us in front of one particular sleek building.

I gulped at the mere sight of Palpatine and the building he stood in front of.

Qui-Gon, as soon as the ramp was done lowering, moved out of the ship with his group following behind him closely. Indirá took that as her cue to leave as well, acting as our navigator as she led us towards Palpatine and Qui-Gon's party.

I grasped onto Padmé's hand for extra measure, squeezing it tightly to try and convince myself I was fine if I had Padmé there with me. She didn't object, and instead just rubbed my knuckles with her thumb soothingly while she squeezed back just as hard to ensure that she was still there.

I really did love my sister.

Our group moved further up until Qui-Gon and his party moved to the side to allow Indirá and the rest of the handmaidens to move up to greet a smiling Palpatine, looking happy to see us safe and sound, but not feeling very genuine. I narrowed my eyebrows in suspicion.

This man really doesn't sit well with me.

I positioned myself next to Indirá for her to catch any cues of mine as Palpatine bowed largely and greeted to my decoy, "It is a great gift to see you alive, your Majesty. With the communications breakdown, we've become very concerned. I'm anxious to hear your report on the situation. May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum."

Throughout the entirety of Palpatine's words, I caught Anakin staring right at me from his position next to Qui-Gon, who stood next to the Nubian Senator. I brightly, sneakily smiled at my friend, who of course smirked right back at me, causing me to resist the urge to roll my eyes under the ombré handmaiden cloak I wore. He chuckled under his breath at my expression, before I willed my vibrant eyes away from his own ocean blue eyes and back to the diplomatic conversation at hand.

I had to pay very close attention, for anything brought up could be Naboo's last chance for freedom and peace.

Palpatine side stepped while gesturing to the Chancellor of the Republic in all his glory, the elderly man's silverly locks blowing tiny wisps of his hair into the air, his powder blue robe contrasting violently with the orange sunset behind him.

I hadn't known Valorum very well, but he seemed more genuine than Palpatine, so I naturally listened to him more closely.

"Welcome, your Highness," the Chancellor greeted as he bowed deeply towards Indirá just as Palpatine did. "It's an honor to finally meet you in person."

Indirá didn't even need my guidance as she thanked, "Thank you, Supreme Chancellor." I discreetly smiled at my decoy's wonderful job at impersonating me.

"I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation," Valorum announced, starting to lean in closer to Indirá, making sure she understood him. I closely listened as well. "I've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position."

I let out an audible sigh of relief, my shoulders dropping a little bit at that wonderful piece of news.

We were going to be just fine... we had the Chancellor on our side... all we need left is the Senate... they would be more of a challenge to convince...

Hopeful and positive thoughts swirled around in my head as Indirá, once again with out my assistance, thanked gratefully, "I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor."

As Valorum nodded his head once to confirm his understanding towards Indirá, he walked behind our group to address his Ambassadors for the first time since they had been sent in the first place. Palpatine, on the other hand, took to leading my decoy and our group towards an awaiting taxi at the end of the lit walkway.

"There is a question of procedure," Palpatine started, making it to the still, floating taxi. In true, gentlemanly fashion, he opened the door for Indirá to get in, and she accepted his invitation, sliding all the way over to make room for myself and the rest of my handmaidens, to which we all slid in next to her. I had Indirá on my right and Padmé on my left. "But I feel confident we can overcome it..."

Anakin, strangely enough, turned to look back at Qui-Gon, who was looking back at him with Valorum doing the same. Anakin lifted up an eyebrow at Qui-Gon, asking him if he was to travel with us to the main Senate building. Qui-Gon nodded reassuringly, telling him it was alright, but Anakin still didn't seem very convinced.

"Ani," I softly called out while leaning over Eirtaé, Rabé, and Padmé to get a better view of him, gaining his attention as he turned towards me, "come on."

Anakin swallowed thickly before turning towards Qui-Gon once more, who simply nodded once and smiled softly at the cautious blonde.

I didn't blame Anakin for being weary of the Senate.

I was too.

Anakin eventually nodded once after some deliberation, and slid in the back seat behind me with Jar Jar following closely behind him.

I tried extremely hard to not look behind me at the blonde boy sitting directly behind me, but my willpower over took my dreamy mind, and I expertly resisted the urge.

And so, our galactic taxi drifted higher and higher into the sky, towards the private quarters of Senator Sheev Palpatine to discuss our strategy.

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»»-----------►Ｆｏｒｃｅ

❝. . . 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒, ❞ Sheev Palpatine informed worriedly as he paced in front of Queen Amidala, the real one, as she was the one required for such a task. Captain Panaka strolled in for the protection of the Queen, standing firmly behind the extravagant makeshift throne she sat on.

Dressed in a regal kimono colored with numerous shades of grey, from dark to light and the in between, Queen Amidala sat proud and tall on her large throne, holding the grace and wisdom only a queen could have with her small, pale hands tucked neatly in her lap as she listened closely to the Nubian Senator's words. Her chocolate hair was concealed by a very distracting head piece; a golden head dome with a dozen of glimmering silver tassels hung down like a chandelier from a feathery fan in the center, it's colors a dark maroon while sticking straight up to the ceiling. The queen wore a dark red undershirt underneath the whole ensemble, adding a little pop and flare of color amongst all the grey. The sleeves pooled out and held intricate Nubian designs on them. Her normal makeup also was on her naturally pretty face: A cream colored, purely white skin tone, two dark red dots right below her eyes, and her famous blood red lips.

The young girl truly looked otherworldly and powerful, while still holding grace and beauty all the same.

"The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates," Palpatine continued his previous statement, the Queen staring intently at him as he paced. "There is no interest in the common good. I must be frank, your Majesty, there is little chance the Senate will act on the invasion."

"Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope," Queen Amidala replied, her eyes slightly narrowing at the shady Senator.

Palpatine obnoxiously sighed as he loathed the young queen for being extremely difficult at the moment.

Why can't she just do as I say and call the whole plot off? She can't be actually considering this.

"If I may say so, your Highness, the Chancellor has little real power... he is mired by baseless accusations of corruption. The bureaucrats are in charge now." The Nubian Senator, stopped his pacing to stand directly in front of the queen.

The Queen thought about that ending sentence for a moment before looking back up and asking, "What options have we?" She also slightly rolled her eyes at the sheer manipulation this man had attempted with almost everyone he had met. The Queen certainly did not like him.

"Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger Supreme Chancellor. One who will take control of the bureaucrats, and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum." The Nubian Senator practically beamed after his proposition, even though the Queen of Naboo wasn't very fond of this idea, even more so confused by it.

"He has been our strongest supporter," the Queen exasperatedly exclaimed, confusion pouring through her face as her big green eyes glinting up at Palpatine. "Why in Force would we want to get rid of him when he's done so much for us?"

"Our only other choice would to be submit a plea to the courts..." Palpatine trailed off, almost begging for the young queen to just agree with him.

Sheev Palpatine never begged for anyone.

Especially not for some little girl from Naboo.

"The courts take even longer to decide things than the Senate," The Queen sassed, annoyed greatly at how dismissive the Senator was being towards their predicament. "Our people are dying, Senator... We must do something quickly to stop the Federation."

"To be realistic, your Majesty," Palpatine said as he just couldn't keep the satisfied grin off his face, "I think we're going to have to accept Federation control for the time being."

Queen Amidala pursed her lips at the Senator as he glared at him while holding her chin up high, as to not be intimidated by a small, elderly man like himself.

"That is something I cannot do."

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»»-----------►Ｆｏｒｃｅ

𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐊𝐘𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐘 awaited outside the doors of Queen Amidala's private chambers while bouncing on the balls of his feet, hoping desperately to contact Clarissé, who he hadn't seen since they had gotten there, and she was sure to be in there with the other handmaidens. He had so much to tell her.

"Who'd ya say you wanted to see again?" The Coruscantian guard stationed to protect Queen Amidala slurred, wondering what a young boy was wanting to do with Queen Amidala.

"Clarissé Naberrie," Anakin specified once more, smiling widely at the prospect of seeing Clarissé again.

She always seemed to have that effect on him.

The guard lifted up his comm and spoke, "The boy is here to see Clarissé." Anakin suddenly felt self conscious and nervous. What if Clarissé wasn't around right now? What would he do then when he had so much to get off his little chest?

A crackle was heard through the comm as a young feminine voice allowed, "Let him in."

And with that, the guard punched in a code full of numbers and difficult patterns to protect the Queen, and the door finally popped open with a large hiss, the young boy quickly working his way into the large, open bedroom, the Queen presently in her closet to find something to wear for her Senate escapade, her hands working quickly as they racked through the shelves and thousands of piles of clothing buried deep within each other. A golden dress fell upon one with long sleeves, and another powdery pink gown landed on top of a particular bright yellow one. Thousands upon thousands of pieces of fabric surrounding each other.

The Queen often did not know why she had to have so many articles of attire, as majority of them were only one time wears, and that just seemed wasteful of good fabric to the young girl.

She eventually decided on a pair of ruby robes with a long strip in front of her with golden accents. For her hair, Padmé, who had left the closet awhile ago to prepare herself for the meeting, had chosen out a headdress with two long, pushed up tassels of some sort, resembling horns and pigtails at the same time. Golden robes sat beneath her ruby one.

Just as she had finished putting on these robes, including doing her hair up, which required the assistance of Eirtaé, she heard a particularly interesting conversation happening out in the main quarters of her room.

"I'm sorry, Ani, but Clarissé is not here right now."

The Queen of Naboo could tell it was Rabé speaking in a hushed voice, no doubt cloaked, but Queen Amidala couldn't help but pick up on a certain nickname of a certain boy she had befriended not too long ago.

"Who is it?" The Queen couldn't help but ask, even if she already knew the answer. She had to confirm it.

And just as she suspected, "Anakin Skywalker, to see Clarissé, your Highness."

Queen Amidala gracefully moved further into the room, studying the young boy with watchful, vibrant green eyes the color of a lush meadow or field.

Anakin Skywalker's eyes widened at her beauty and he quickly fell into a fumbled bow.

Eyes that Anakin Skywalker had seen before, on one particular brunette girl with a curious nature, although he didn't pay much attention to that, and instead watched the elegant movements of Queen Amidala and how she seemed to glide along ice, even though it was just lush blood red carpet underneath their feet.

"I've sent Clarissé on an errand, along with her sister," the Queen falsely excused, knowing full well that the real Clarissé Naberrie was staying hidden with pounds of makeup and jewels on her petite body somewhere in the very same room.

Anakin attempted to not be disappointed as he looked at the floor and