Starry Eyed

Chapter 5. Bad News

"Do you think becoming a Republic planet will suppose any trouble for your kingdom? I know it was hard to convince the King to consider it." Obi Wan asked, as he threw a towel my way.

"It's complicated." I started, trying to gather my breath after an intense first session of self-defence with Obi Wan. He had just taught me the basics and pretty much whooped my ass, in the most gentle way you can whoop someone's ass up. At least I learned how to use my dagger quite well. I must confess, it was kind of relieving, after a stressful breakfast where my parents kept silence while looking at me with their faces of extreme disappointment. "I have faith that the village will vote for the Republic. It's the court I'm worried about." I sat on the floor with my elbows on my knees, scrunching up my messy pony tail. "I've always had a strange feeling about the members of the royal council."

"Tell me about the council." He inquired, sitting right in front of me, one knee propped up.

"Okay, so we have Jaycol Craton, the master of coin. Keengar Brihal, the head of the kingsguard, Karskye Sagpao, the master of laws." I listed.

"What about the hand of the king?"

"I specially dislike him. His name is Tredar. Tredar Burdr-" I looked at Obi Wan, my eyes wide in realisation. I stood up immediately.

"What is it?" He asked, getting up in front of me.

"Come with me." I walked past him and exited the training room straight into my room. He looked confused yet intrigued, placing his hand on his tilted chin as I pulled the box from under the tiles of my closet and tried to take out the letter I was searching for without revealing the contents of it too much. "Look at this." I took the letter out of the box and placed it on top of my window. "See that? Written over the letter?"

"Conspirator. Burdrob?" He squinted his eyes as he tried to read the paper I was holding. He reached out to grab it and just for an instant our hands touched, sending electrifying waves over my body. I stood there trying to shake off the feeling, convincing myself silently that it was nothing. "Tredar Burdrob? You think she wrote that on a different paper, on top of this one?" He interrupted my thoughts.

"I always thought he was suspiciously lenient towards the Separatists. I'm afraid some of the members of the council may fear him." I thought out loud.

"A complicated situation, as he is the King's main advisor." Obi Wan touched his beard while shifting his weight to his right leg. "We could surely look into it."

It was soon time for lunch. As usual, my parents talked about palace matters and gossip while my brother and I listened, occasionally giving remarks. I didn't dare say anything about Tredar or Iris, I knew my parents would simply dismiss it without evidence.

"Your mother and I have been thinking about measures to take, after the attempt for your assassination yesterday night." My father firmly said. I looked at my brother, who instantly looked down to his plate. "You will no longer be exiting palace grounds until I say so."

"Father, you're being overprotective." I tried to seem calm, but anger was raising inside me and my face betrayed my intentions.

"I already know your opinion on this, that's why it's not up for discussion."

"I can't just stop living my life." I snapped back, wide-eyed.

"The royal guards have already been alerted to not let you out of the palace." The tension in the room was unbearable. I stayed silent, trying to not let my anger take the best of me. I hated how my father could control my life that easily, specially since my friends were outside. I was grown up and wanted more than anything the sense of authority I never had. When lunch was over, I was the first to get up and leave, before my father called my name once more. "And something else." He placed his elbow on the table, joining his hands. "The council and I feel becoming a senator is not appropriate for a princess, after all."

"W-What?" I was so taken aback by what he said, that all the anger I felt slipped away, replaced by a knot in my throat and a feeling of defeat. "But I- You-" I tried to speak but I couldn't form a sentence.

"I know you wanted this." My father sighed. "But I must remind you of the current circumstances."

"But the vote- We will join the Republic I know it." I tried to reason, stuttering.

"When it does, and, if that's the outcome, Tredar will represent us." He looked at me with his usual hieratic expression, although I knew it was hard for him to say what he had just said. My lip started quivering and tears blurried my vision. I refrained from blinking, knowing that would cause the release of the tears I was holding in. "He has done a lot for Suraniat. He is more prepared. You're a princess, not a senator." I looked at my mother's gloomy expression, and my brother, who was staring at his feet apologetically. I left the room as soon as the first tear escaped my eye, walking fast through the corridor and passing by Obi Wan's side abruptly.

"Princess Y/N." He called but I didn't turn back, not wanting him to see me cry. I closed the door to my room and crumbled completely.