Chapter Seventy-Six

Obi-Wan

Upon returning to the impressive throne room, we were guided by the alert guards who had brought us here before. Duchess Satine Kryze was engaged in a conversation with an elderly man whose presence radiated wisdom and experience. He wore a clean white tunic that seemed to symbolize his pure spirit, and his eyes sparkled with a light that suggested a life well-lived.

As we approached, Duchess Satine's face brightened with joy. "Ah, Obi-Wan! Mira!" she exclaimed, her warm smile filling the room. She gracefully introduced the elderly man next to her. "Let me introduce you to my dear friend, Prince Master Almec."

Obi-Wan, ever the chivalrous knight, stepped forward and extended his hand to the prince. "Your Highness," he said respectfully, "it's an honor to meet you."

I followed suit, nodding courteously. "It truly is," I added, aiming to express genuine camaraderie.

Prince Almec's eyes twinkled with amusement as he responded in a kind, rumbling voice. "The pleasure is all mine, dear friends. It's not every day that Mandalore hosts such esteemed guests." He looked at us knowingly. "How was your journey? I hope it was smooth?"

"Surprisingly safe, given the circumstances," Obi-Wan replied, relief evident in his tone. "Thanks to the guidance of our gracious hostess."

The Duchess blushed modestly at the compliment but remained composed. "Indeed," I chimed in, feeling the weight of our situation. "But I must admit, I'm curious about what you have planned for us during our stay."

The prince's expression turned serious as he replied, "You arrive at a critical moment in our history. The challenges we face are daunting and require both wise counsel and brave resolve."

Satine gestured for us to sit down, and as we complied, the tension of the discussions ahead was palpable, each one poised to impact our time on this turbulent planet. "So," I began, my curiosity piqued, "why am I not familiar with your name, Prince Almec?"

The prince chuckled softly, self-deprecatingly. "That's a fair question, Obi-Wan," he said, his eyes sparkling with humor. "I've traditionally been a counselor rather than a public figure. I've spent my life working behind the scenes to maintain peace and stability in Mandalore."

The Duchess added, her voice filled with admiration, "Almec's contributions have been priceless. His insights have been crucial in navigating our planet's tricky politics."

The prince's gaze was steady, reflecting his unwavering commitment. "I've always found more satisfaction in serving from the background," he confessed proudly. "True change often comes from those who wield influence without seeking power's seductive allure."

I nodded, appreciating his perspective. "That's a rare quality in a leader today when so many are blinded by the lure of power."

Mira's eyes searched his face, skepticism flickering across her features. "But, Prime Minister," she asked, "are you genuinely aligned with the peaceful ideals of Mandalore and the path Duchess Satine has laid out for us?"

Almec's smile remained intact, though a subtle tension hinted at deeper concerns beneath the surface. "Yes, of course," he assured us, but his tone suggested there was more to the story.

Mira leaned in, her gaze intense. "But there are rumors of dissent within your government, right?" she pressed. "Some are advocating for a more aggressive stance?"

The prince's smile faltered briefly before returning. "It's natural for diverse opinions to exist among our leaders," he acknowledged, speaking deliberately. "But my commitment remains with Duchess Satine. Her vision for Mandalore is one of peace and prosperity, not conflict and war."

Mira crossed her arms defensively, indicating her internal struggle. "And if those aggressive voices grow louder?" she challenged. "What if they push for a confrontational approach?"

Almec's gaze sharpened. "Then it's my duty," he declared firmly, "to keep our people united. While listening to dissent is important, we must also act decisively to protect our principles."

The atmosphere was thick with unspoken worries about Mandalore's future and the challenges ahead. Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Mira abruptly announced her intention to take a walk, leaving the room with determination.

I exchanged a worried glance with Satine, who watched Mira go with a mix of understanding and concern. "Do you think she's okay?" I asked softly.

The Duchess replied thoughtfully, "Mira carries a heavy burden. As both a queen and an expectant mother, she needs time to process everything."

With a gentle touch on Mira's arm, I offered my support. "I'll go after her," I decided, feeling compelled to be by her side during this introspective moment.

Satine nodded solemnly. "Be careful, Obi-Wan," she warned. "Mira is strong but also vulnerable. She needs us now more than ever."

With that, I left the throne room, my mind occupied with the discussions we had just had and the delicate balance defining Mandalore's political landscape. I couldn't shake the feeling that our fates were closely tied to the decisions being made within these very walls.

-

Mira

I stepped out onto the massive balcony, letting the cool breeze hit my face and tangle my hair. After the intense meeting inside, it felt like the first real moment of peace I'd had in hours. The wind was a welcome distraction from the heavy conversations that had left the chamber feeling like it was about to burst. Below me, Mandalore spread out like a living, breathing thing – a city painted in sharp colors and constant motion.

The sun was just starting to rise, throwing golden light across everything it touched. The city was waking up, and watching it felt like a middle finger to all the crap we were dealing with. Life down there was pushing forward: street vendors were setting up their spots, kids were already out playing and screaming in the courtyards, and speeders cut through the streets like silver fish in a stream. It was weirdly comforting, all that normal chaos.

For a second, I almost let myself get lost in how ordinary everything looked. But then my mind dragged me back to my conversation with Almec, Mandalore's Prime Minister. His smile hadn't slipped once, but something in the way he held himself set off alarm bells. There was definitely more going on behind that friendly face of his.

I let out a heavy sigh. Why couldn't things ever just be straightforward?

That's when I heard footsteps behind me – measured, deliberate. I turned to find Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi Master himself, watching me with worried eyes. He joined me on the balcony, his presence somehow making everything feel a bit less overwhelming.

"Mira," he said softly, pulling me out of my head. "How are you holding up?"

I tried to keep my face neutral, but I knew my eyes gave me away. "Just needed some air," I said, my voice caught between trying to sound okay and actually being okay. "This whole thing is getting to me."

He moved closer, and I was grateful for the warmth of another person nearby. His eyes searched my face, like he was trying to read the thoughts I'd been wrestling with. "You don't have to deal with this alone," he said, and I could tell he meant it. "That's what friends and allies are for."

The sincerity hit me hard, but I still struggled to put my unease into words. "I know, and I'm grateful," I said quietly. "But I can't shake this feeling that something's wrong. This whole visit feels... off."

Obi-Wan kept his eyes on me. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves," he said, managing to sound both firm and understanding. "We need to stay sharp, but remember – we're in this together."

I took a deep breath of the morning air and nodded. "You're right," I admitted, feeling something inside me start to settle. "I need to focus on what I can actually control and trust that we'll figure this out together."

His smile helped ground me as he said, "Exactly. We'll take this one step at a time, work through it methodically. We'll find our way through."

His words hit home, and I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. The problems weren't gone, but knowing I had backup made them feel more manageable. With Obi-Wan there, I felt ready to face whatever came next, with Mandalore's skyline stretching out behind us like a promise of things to come.