Padme assessed her plan, seeing many flaws within it; but she decided not to care. Putting herself in danger meant very little, if it meant she would get answers. During normal circumstances, she would worry about 3PO's fate, but now she knew that Vader would never hurt him. She had to try. Still, the droid would never knowingly betray his Master, she would just have to start small and work up.
"Threepio?" Padme asked quietly.
"Yes, Milady?"
"Umm…" she bit her lip, feeling strangely nervous and guilty. "W–why do you only call Vader by Master?"
The droid shuffled slightly away from the senator. "I'm afraid I don't understand, Mistress Amidala." 3PO admitted confused.
Padme took a deep breath, before breathing out her fear; making her voice completely free of every emotion. "Well you call me Mistress Amidala…" She pointed out, "Why not call him, Master Vader?"
It was a small and dumb question, but Padme thought it was a simple enough question that it just might work with her plans.
3PO was silent for a long moment as he starred at the senator blankly. The silence was strange, cold, and uncomfortable; something that Padme usually never felt while in the presence of the droid. The time passed so slowly that Padme believed that he was not going to answer her question; but yet he did not move, as if he was frozen to the floor. It was only when he shook his head slowly that Padme knew he was lost in thought.
"I suppose it is because he is not Vader to me, Mistress Amidala." 3PO confessed softly, "He never has been and he certainly never will."
What does that even mean? She never got to ask. It was too late. "If you excuse me," 3PO said excusing himself, "I must tend to other duties."
That was it; her plan was failing. There was nothing she could do… at least for now. What could she do?
"Threepio!" Padme called out, causing the golden droid to pause and turn towards the bed once more.
"Yes, Mistress?"
"C–Could you… I mean… Is Lord Vader… home?" She tried to begin as casually as possible.
3PO nodded. "Yes, Milady."
Padme was slightly taken back by his answer. Vader was actually home? That was a surprise. Over the past few weeks, it seemed like Vader was never around, but she wasn't going to argue. "Could I see him?" She asked forwardly, "I need to… discuss something with him."
This time it was 3PO's turn to be taken back. "You wish to see my Master, Milady?" He repeated in disbelief.
"Yes." Padme nodded, trying to remain calm and casual.
After 3PO's disbelief passed, he shook his head. "I'm afraid my Master has prior duties to attend to," he reported with slight sorrow in his voice, "but I will pass the word to him."
"Oh…" Padme sighed, showing more puzzlement on her face than she would have liked.
3PO saw the facial expression that overtook the senator and quickly moved forward. He couldn't read her emotions completely, but he wanted to give the young woman some sort of comfort. "But I'm sure that my Master, will be willing to meet with you when his duties are accomplished." 3PO exclaimed hopefully.
Padme froze. Did she really want that? Her mind screamed two different answers, but she couldn't decide which was the right one. She looked upon the droid again, "Okay. Thank you, Threepio." She said, hoping he did not hear the crack in her voice. The only hint that showed her utter confusion.
The droid bowed slightly before shuffling towards the door. "If you should need anything at all, Milady, I shall be back in about an hour to check on you."
And with that, he was gone, leaving Padme feeling more confused and lost than she had ever been in her entire life.
Down the hall, Vader sat in his office contemplating the previous night. What had he been thinking? How could he be so foolish? Who knew what doors this would open with the Senator? To think she may believe there was a part of him more than the evil monster he knew he was. He had seen a small number of her thoughts while searching through the outer layer of her mind while she slept, and it was disgusting and degrading. Of course she feared him, everyone did; but she questioned him. No doubt in time she would also fight him. She was brave and curious, to the extent that if she wanted answers, she would find them. She wasn't the naive child that the absurd politicians made her out to be. In time, she would become a problem; a much bigger problem than she was now; the thoughts that he had seen the night before only confirmed that.
He had to think of a way to put their relationship back on track, preferably with trains heading in opposite directions. What could he do? As much as he would like to, he couldn't kill her. Not yet, anyways. If he told his Master of his thoughts, the old man would disagree. Palpatine believed that Senator Amidala held answers and that she was an asset to their cause. Vader, however, knew the truth. Senator Amidala was a problem; if they underestimated her; she could ruin everything.
Still, Vader could not think of another solution. There was only one answer in his mind. He must obey his Master. He had to play the Emperor's little game. He would do his Master's bidding until the time was right. Unfortunately, that time didn't seem like any time soon.
.
.
.
👓☕️Consider supporting me and enhance your reading experience with the ready-to-read PDFs I have on my Ko-fi.☕️👓
🎯https://ko-fi.com/cmrowling🎯