13 Puddins (1/2)

Ky Narec, Ventress and Valad were walking through the corridors of the royal palace after being escorted out of the hangar. They were being brought to the throne room where eventually they came across a room filled with around seven handmaidens and a woman who was on the throne believed to be the Queen.

Ky Narec and Ventress caught on pretty quickly that the handmaidens looked extremely alike, as if this was a deliberate way to protect the Queen by making her surrounded by decoys.

Valad gave the two of them a quick glance, sizing them up before stepping forward. Ventress attempted to follow, but with a gesture of Ky's hand, she came to a halt.

Among the people in the room were Sabé, Eirtaé, Rabé, Saché, Yané, Fé and Dané as the handmaidens, or at least that is what everyone was lead to be believe. Everyone who wasn't in on the whole decoy idea created by Panaka, would believe Padmé was the one on the throne.

Soon they would find Valad standing beside the one who was on the Throne, his eyes locked on the two of them with a warm smile across his lips. ”Your Highness,” Valad bowed his head lightly to her as his attention turned to his lady the Queen.

”Master Jedi,” Padmé addressed the Jedi duo as the Queen. ”My Guardian saved you on his own volition. In order to show our Respect for the Jedi, servants of the people and the force, I welcome you to stay in the Palace during your temporary residence upon our world. What say you?”

Ky Narec bowed his head slightly, Assajj Ventress imitating the same movement, ”Your Highness, we humbly accept your offer.” His eyes flickered over towards Valad for a moment before giving his gaze to the Governor seated nearby.

Things felt off. While it was all indeed formal, he couldn't tell what seemed different. Was it that he was not supposed to be here? Squinting in thought, he turned his head toward Ventress, gently reaching over and placing his hand on her head.

”My Guardian will show you your rooms, Master Jedi.” She gestured towards Valad, while trying to hide a sneer as if this was some form of punishment for him.

Valad on the other hand gave her a narrowed once-over before nodding softly. ”Of course, your highness.” He gave a coy smile before folding his hands behind his back.

…

Shortly after the meeting was adjorned between the Master Jedi and the Queen. Dismissed, the Guardian known as Valad Katsure would lead the two Jedi towards their chambers in the right wing of the Palace. They were escorted by three other personnel of the Royal Security Forces, mainly because Valad never took a tour, and actually didn't know his way around.

About twice Ventress was able to point this out, and it only took the third time until one of the Officers lead Valad to the rooms which had been prepared shortly after Padmé had exited his ship earlier.

She was good a preparation, so it seemed.

When the three arrived at the designated corridor, the room closest to the entrance of the wing was designated to be the room for Assajj Ventress.

”I am not going to be staying with my Master?” Assajj asked as she looked at the man who had saved them. A glint in her eye as she could sense how powerful his connection was.

”You can be with him whenever you're outside of your quarters or adventuring and training. However, the Queen has prepared two different suites for a man and a girl. You will sleep separately. As is courtesy,” One of the Officers of the Royal Forces answered for Valad instead of allowing the man to talk.

Valad gave the Officer an annoyed look before shrugging with a nod of agreement. ”What he said,” He gestured to the officer before looking over at Narec who was more interested in observing than asking a question.

”You will be fine, Little one.” Ky assured his informal Padawan and patted her lightly on her shoulder before turning and following the other officers towards the other room which was prepared. He knew pretty clearly that Valad didn't know the Palace, he must be a new installment.

Valad watched as the Jedi Knight was led away, before glancing down towards Ventress who was looking up at him with her big captivating blue-grey eyes. ”You just had to be a head turner, huh?”

Asajj Ventress didn't exactly understand what he meant, yet simply nodded, assuming it was some sort of compliment.

Without moving to open the door, he made a gesture with his hand and with ease the door would slide open for them to enter. Walking inside, there was a lofty bed and plenty of luxuries in the room. It was clearly molded to be for that of a girl around Asajj's age, but not exactly suited for a Jedi or a girl who had been stranded on a planet full of warlords and raiders. Plus it had all been rounded up rather quickly since they had only arrived shortly before.

”So how did you know where we were, and who I was?” Assaj quickly spoke up as she looked at him, now standing onthe bed flawlessly. Her hand was on her saber, as if she were ready to draw.

”I foresaw…” He was interrupted as soon as he said that second word.