The Apprentice || Anakin Skywalker x Reader

Chapter 8: Devil In My Ear

(TW:References to a traumatic past,
Murder-Death.)

1.8k words

(Y/n)'s POV
"You asked for me?" I approached Vader while he stood at the entrance of the Palace. This was my first time seeing him since our moment yesterday in the training room. He didn't come get me in the morning for breakfast, he didn't hunt me down for more training. He let me have my own peace today, until now.

He looked down at me to meet my gaze, "Yes, as my apprentice you will begin to have a great deal of responsibility once I am satisfied with your training. That will be including; leading your own raids and attacks on the rebels," That sounds scary; yet exciting at the same time, "Which also means you will be working alongside a few of my Admirals and Generals." He looked away from me and to the entrance where a few people were beginning to walk inside, "Now this isn't everyone, but I thought you should meet a few that you will be seeing the most." He placed his hand on my back and gently nudged me forward with him.

"Emperor Vader, it was an honor to receive your invitation." One older gentleman stepped forward first and shook my Masters gloved hand.

Vader nodded, "Good to see you Admiral Tarkin." He turned and brought his hand up to my shoulder, "This is my apprentice."

Tarkin turned and gave me a small smile with a nod of respect, "It's a pleasure to meet you apprentice." He held his hand out to me. It took me a second, but I eventually reached out and gave him a handshake

He introduced me to the rest of the people that walked in; General Piett, General Kit, and Admiral Ozzel. They all seemed rather pleasant, General Piett even tried making a joke to make me laugh. It failed, but I still chuckled at his effort.

Vader groaned in annoyance, "Where is Admiral Thrawn?"

Tarkin rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest, "Maybe he would be on time if he didn't spend a great deal of his time in the cantina with women."

"I'm here Emperor," A man with skin that matched the bluest skies came into view from the entrance. My heart stopped the moment my eyes landed on him, "My apologies for being late, my crew was being incompetent as usual."

My Master sighed with frustration, "Don't be late next time, I'm getting really tired of your irresponsibility Admiral," He snapped at him and took a deep breath to calm his temper down, "I brought everyone here to meet my apprentice." He gestured to me, proudly.

Thrawn held his hand out to me, "It's lovely to meet you Miss." He smirked and my stomach turned uncomfortably. This man... I know him.

Instead of accepting his hand, I grabbed onto Vader's and squeezed him tightly in an effort to feel safer. He looked down at me confused, "What's wrong?" He asked me in a low voice, but I couldn't bring out any words. I kept my eyes on the hand that was being held out to me, imagining it touching me as I cried and silently begged for it all to be over.

"Maybe she's just shy, I have that affect on women." The blue man laughed, a laugh I've heard before. The sound of it made my stomach turn worse than it did before and I let go of my Master to run away.

"Where are you going?" I heard Vader's voice shout after me but I ran up the stairs to get to my room. I burst through my door and immediately rushed to the bathroom where I tore my mask off to vomit into the toilet. Tears sprung from my eyes as I continued emptying the contents of my stomach. I suddenly felt a pair of hands pull my hair back, "What the hell just happened?" Vader asked as I spat the last of what was in my mouth into the toilet. I reached up and flushed it before sitting on the floor and leaning my head on the cold wall.