Swish.
Padme snapped forward at the sound of the door opening. As usual, she could not see in the darkness, but she knew from the change in the air that Vader had entered. It was unmistakable, but again, Padme could not believe what was happening. Everything seemed unreal, but the young senator quickly decided not to push her luck and keep Vader waiting. She placed her senator mask over her face, concealing all of her emotions as she turned to the spot she hoped Vader was standing.
"I really need to talk to you." Padme said, forcing her voice to remain steady.
"Obviously." Vader responded coldly.
Padme fought the urge to smack herself. It was obvious. Still, even if it was a dumb statement, she hated the arrogance that was in his voice. The arrogance was always in his voice. She hated how his comments could make her feel like a child. He probably thought she was nothing more than a small child in over her head. He probably underestimated her.
"Well…" Padme began slowly, "about last night?"
"What about it?" Vader asked uncaringly.
That came as a surprise. Padme had suspected that Vader would hold the night before against her. She had imagined him using it for some evil plot, but it seemed that he was even more willing to pass it off than she was.
She shook her head, pushing away her thoughts and coming back to the matter at hand. "Look." Padme said sternly, "Can you just listen to me for a second?"
The Sith stepped forward in a way that made him somewhat visible in the darkness. "I believe my responses corresponded with your statements. That means I'm listening." Padme wanted to scream. How could she make two stupid statements within a minute of each other? She knew the answer. It was because of Vader. He did things to her that she couldn't even explain. Why did he always have to make her feel so small? Make her feel so foolish?
When she did not respond Vader looked over at her again, and it made Padme wish she could see his expression underneath the hood. "I'm waiting, Senator." he said, crossing his arms over his chest. The small act made him look annoyed, arrogant, strong, and threatening; all at the same time.
"Right." Padme breathed nervously, remembering that he was waiting for her to continue. She took a deep breath trying to regain her confidence. "Can you stay with me?"
Vader shifted in the darkness, "Aren't you just a black hole of need?" Padme ignored his ridiculous comment. She knew he just wanted to get under her skin. He had a habit of that. She wouldn't let it faze her. Not today. "You stayed with me last night." Padme pointed out, ready to give him every reason to stay. "I know you had a reason. I have a reason too. I don't care for yours; you don't care for mine. Look at this as a mutually beneficial predicament."
Vader remained silent. What was wrong with the woman before him? She was desperate. He knew that, but this? The worst part was as much as he hated the idea; it did work in his favor.
A long silence fell over the room before Vader spoke again.
"What are your conditions?"
The words came out of his mouth before he could even think to stop them. It surprised him, as well as the young girl before him.
"What?" She asked in disbelief. Vader gritted his teeth; he couldn't turn back now. "Your conditions, Senator." He repeated angrily, "What are they?"
Padme was silent. She didn't expect that question from Vader. She hadn't expected any of this from Vader.
"I would hurry," Vader threatened, "before I change my mind."
"I have none." Padme whispered, turning her eyes away from the Sith Lord in embarrassment. "Just that no one knows about this."
Vader almost laughed. "I assure you, Senator. I can agree with that."
It couldn't be that simple. It never was with Vader.
"What are your conditions?" Padme asked quietly.
The Sith Lord circled the bed, moving towards his side. "You will face away from me and do not converse with me." Vader commanded.
Padme nodded, knowing she could not argue. Not tonight anyways. Silently, she leaned back into the mattress and turned so that her back was to Vader. Like the night before, the mattress dropped, signaling that Vader was now again on her bed.
"Sleep now, Senator." Vader commanded from the other side of her bed.
And so, Padme obeyed, quickly drifting off to sleep.
That was the routine for the next two weeks. Padme would not see Vader throughout the day, almost as if nothing different was happening; but that was only till night came. Once the day had ended and the clock showed midnight, Vader would enter her room. They did not speak and Padme did not dare try to turn around to face him. Obeying the rules kept him there, at least until she fell asleep. She never knew how long he stayed; whether he left the moment she fell asleep or if he waited until she was deep in sleep. It didn't really matter. She knew the important facts. He was there when she fell asleep and gone when she woke up. That was all that mattered. That was their secret routine.
But if Vader or Padme knew what would happen because of their routine, they would have never started.
"The Emperor demands you make contact with him."
Vader hated– loathed those words. He loathed those words almost as much as he loathed his Master… almost. Vader looked at the time, it was almost two in the morning. Two in the morning? Vader frowned. Two in the morning was strange time for his Master to demand contact. The fact angered and annoyed him; just like everything else. This night was not going well, at all. First, he had spent more time in the Senator's room that he realized, than 3PO had caught him in the hallway walking back to his chambers. Vader could have kicked himself for that. Why had he allowed himself to become so preoccupied with his thoughts that he didn't sense 3PO approaching? Vader was already preparing himself for the questions that the droid would be asking him after his meeting. No doubt, 3PO would have asked the questions immediately if he was not carrying a message from the Emperor himself.
"The Emperor demands you make contact with him."
Why?
.
.
.
👓☕️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🎯