The Apprentice || Anakin Skywalker x Reader

Chapter 25: You Broke the Rule •

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(Y/n)'s POV
I was unsure of where Vader had gone, or Anakin, depending on what name I should use. It still confused me because I wondered if he was still truly Anakin. I still felt like myself, (Y/n), just with a lot more confidence, and I wouldn't mind using my lightsaber on a throat if the situation called for it. Either way, I still felt like me—just a little angrier and more powerful. I just didn't feel small and insignificant anymore. In fact, I've never felt more like me than I do now. But does he still feel like Anakin?

When I woke up, he was already gone, leaving behind a note that simply said he would be out for a while. There were no instructions for my day, no hints about where he was going—just a vague promise of his absence.

So, I wandered through the halls, trying to keep myself busy with small tasks to avoid the creeping boredom. There was one place I had always wanted to explore, a place I had only heard stories about from him and the clones—the library.

As I stepped inside, I was struck by its beauty—though it was partly in ruins from the day of the purge, many shelves still stood tall and untouched. The room was empty, not a single clone in sight, and the only sound was the echo of my footsteps as I walked through the shelves and ran my fingers along the dusty remains of the Jedi's history. I cherished the quiet, relished the solitude with my thoughts. It felt so peaceful.

The atmosphere felt eerie though, almost as if the spirits of those who had walked this path before were hovering close, whispering their disapproval of my presence here, with him. Their executioner.

"At least I'm still alive," I mumbled a taunt as I picked up a dusty book and blew off the grime.

'For now.'

With plenty of time on my hands, I grabbed another book, then another, until my arms were full. I made my way to a nearby table and let the stack tumble down. Carefully, I spread them out, wiping off the dust to reveal the titles, thinking about which one I wanted to skim through first.

It seemed like I had spent hours reading the ancient tales of the Jedi, alongside some fascinating texts about the Sith. The Jedi's perspective on their rivals was steeped in disdain, which struck me as ironic coming from a group that preached that hate leads to the dark side.

The Jedi really were a contradictory bunch, weren't they?

As I skimmed through their code, I understood why many opposed it; it was ridiculous. No feelings? No bonds? No families, love, or passion? They might as well have stripped away their very souls, wanting to erase everything that defines a person.

"Idiots." I slammed the book shut and tossed it onto the table.

"Yes, they were," a voice replied from in front of me, making me jump in surprise. I gasped and looked up to see my Master standing there, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Didn't mean to startle you," he chuckled. "I thought your training would have helped you sensed me near you. I could've been an enemy."

"In my defense, I didn't feel the need to be on my guard here, you have always told me that I've never been safer than in this palace." I reminded him, "How long have you been watching me?" I asked, taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

He shrugged casually. "Just a few minutes." He strolled toward me, his fingers brushing against the table as he moved around to my side. "Learn anything interesting, little padawan?" he inquired, his gaze scanning me from head to toe with a glimmer of desire in his eyes.

I know that look all too well.

"A few," I answered, watching his every move, "Where were you?"

He said, "Errands," and stepped behind me. Just as I was about to turn around to face him, he pushed me forward, making my hips hit the table as he moved my hair from one shoulder to the other. I then felt his nose and lips brush against my neck as he pressed his body into mine. "You smell nice," he spoke softly, placing a kiss there.