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The past couple of days has been absolute torture to me. Ever since our last encounter, Anakin has been avoiding me. The only time I ever see him is during lunch and dinner. It hurts me to think that he resents me. As much as I want to be with him, I can't. And he knows that. Luckily I have met my cousin Ceries. She would accompany me most of the time when she isn't with Padmé.

Speaking of Padmé, I decided to finally visit her today. I was nervous to say the least. I have not seen her in over a decade. I kept bugging Ceries about her, asking if she's still the same Padmé I know and admire.

"Yes now hurry up and get dressed or we'll be late" I decided to wear a soft blue dress. A quickly pinned my hair up and sprayed some perfume on. As soon as I deemed my appearance presentable, I came dashing down the stairs. Upon arrival, I see Anakin in the courtyard training with his saber. We soon made eye contact when he whipped his lightsaber around. I smiled softly and waved but all he did was give me a blank stare and continue what he has been doing earlier. His gesture broke my heart. I frowned at this.

"You ready cousin?" I hear Ceries ask as she approached me. I quickly regained my posture and turned around smiling.

"Yes of course"

"Good" she paused looking behind me.
"Here comes Anakin with our speeder" she pointed out. I turned my head and see him making our way in a speeder. My heart begins to race and my palms begin to sweat. He soon stops infront of us and hopes out. He helped out Cersie and I get in. While he helped me in I stared at him but he refused to look at me. I could feel tears beginning to build up but I wouldn't dare let any fall. He then hops back inside and drives away. 10 minutes we finally arrive infront a beautiful home with Cereis leading the way. I couldn't help but steal small glances at Anakin yet he still continued to ignore my presence. I frowned. We stop infront of a large door. Ceries holds up her hand and knocks. Immediately the door opens revealing a young girl. She appeared to be one of Padmé's handmaidens. As soon as she see's us, she made way letting us in.

"Astoria! My old friend!"

"It's good to see you again Padmé" I laughed. We both embraced each other.

"Well you've grown" she said pulling away. I smiled and chuckled. I see her eyes move behind me.

"Ani?

"Hello Padmé"

"My goodness you've grown"

"So have you... grown more beautiful, I mean... and much shorter... for a Senator, I mean."

"Oh Ani. You'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine. But if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to my friends. You can practice if you'd like in the garden" she suggested. Anakin nodded and left closing the door behind him. Ceries and I sat across from Padmé and a handmaiden.

"Oh Astoria, this is my friend Dorme" she gestured to the girl next to her.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, your grace" she smiled.

"Please just call me Astoria. We're all friends here" she nodded. Soon we caught ourselves into a conversation. I began to drift off as Padmé and Ceries conversed. But my attention was quickly caught when I hear Anakin's name

"How did you meet Anakin?"

"Well my ship needed some repairments and the closest planet was on Tatooine. I met him when I went with two Jedi's to explore the town nearby. He was very nice and sweet to me. I never expected him to look so handsome"

"Are you okay Astoria?" Her hand rest on top of mine.

"Yes I'm fine" I replied giving her a forced smile. She raised her eyebrows

"I know you well enough to know something is wrong" I sighed. I looked down as I feel Dormé and Ceries eyes on me.

"You love him don't you?" I feel my eyes water and nodded slowly, ashamed of what they would have to say.

"Yes. And it hurts" I finally decided to let everything go. All the emotions I've felt. The pain I was feeling.

"What do you mean?" I hear Ceries ask. Yet I Still refusing to look up.

"He doesn't love me back. And if he did, we would never be together. It's forbidden" I glared at the ground.

"You should tell him" I snapped my head as I heard those words escape Padmé's mouth. I stared at her in disbelief.

"No I can't do that" I stood up and walked towards the balcony. I stared at the lake as its waves crashed against the rocks. I felt the three presence of my friends.

"Why not? Don't you want him to know?" Ceries asked as she stood next to me while Dormé and Padmé were on my other side.

"Of course I do. I'm just not ready for rejection" I answered. But I knew it was a lie. Anakin and I both want love but I am not letting him get kicked off the Jedi academy for me.
We all decided to let go of the topic seeing as it was painful for me to talk about. While Padmé, Dorme and Ceries talked, I walked out without them knowing. It was starting to feel stuffy in there. I needed fresh air. I wandered around the hallways and I somehow found my way in the gardens. I slowly walked over to a rose bush and observe the Beauty of the flower. I heard the buzz of a lightsaber ignite close by. I decided to walk to the buzzing sound only to come and see Anakin practicing with it. I breathed in and out. I had to confront Anakin.
I slowly walked towards him as I see his body stiffen.

"Anakin? Can we talk?" I asked softly. He unsheathed his lightsaber and clip it back onto his belt. He slowly turns around and looks at me with the same blank expression.

"What is it Princess Killesa?" He asked stiffly. My heart ached as he addressed me by my last name.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not. I've just been so busy."

"Yes you are. Don't lie to me Anakin. I know you."

"I'm just giving you what you wanted. No relationships, no attachments"

"Ani-"

"If you'll excuse me, I'll go fetch the speeder." He walked away leaving me dumbfounded. Hot angry tears began to descend down my cheeks.

"Do you not realize how much it hurts me too?!" I yelled after him. He suddenly stopped but he didn't turn around.

"It hurts to know that you will never be mine." I cried out to him. He slowly turned around to face me but his eyes were glued onto the floor. I slowly walked forward until I was face to face with him.

"All my life, I dreamt of finding my prince. And I have." I paused. I took in a shaky breathe.

"I love you Anakin." I confessed as more tears began to stream down my face. His head snapped up to look at me. He gently cupped my face in his large hands and lean our foreheads against each other.

"Do you really mean it?" He breathed out. His nose touching mine ever so slightly. I nodded

"With all my heart." I smiled through my tears.

"I'll do anything for you. Even if I have to give up my kingdom to be with you" I stared into his blue eyes as he slowly leaned in. Finally his soft lips pressed against mine. In that moment I knew he was the one I want to grow old with