Padmé feels as light as a cloud. Everything is blurry, yet this environment seems familiar. Why can't she remember it clearly?

« Congratulations on your appointment, Majesty! »

Some silhouettes curtsy. A grayish mist obscures their faces. The girl walks down an endless corridor, almost against her will, as strangers greet her again and again.

« I know what Padmé is worth, but she's too young! I have... »

« Are you jealous? »

The little girl recognizes her parents' voices. First her mother, then her father.

« Yes, I'm jealous! I admit it! You got me! Does this change my concern? No! My daughter is not even a teenager. We're talking politics, for crying out loud! No matter what gullible people tell themselves to justify their vanity, nothing good ever comes out of it. I would have wanted her to be safe, at least during childhood. »

« I recognize my sweet career philosopher. I, some modest simpleton, am nowhere near as educated as the two women in my life... nevertheless... »

« You agree with me. »

« Yes, I do. Of course, I do! However, it's too late, our compatriots have decided. »

« Why didn't we say no immediately when Palpatine was only considering her candidacy? I understand his desire to offer a friendly face, but we should have said no! I don't care what the citizens of the Republic want, what our movement in the Senate needs and all that nonsense. This is an acid pit and it was not a parent's job to plunge her into it! »

Padmé continues to walk forward in silence, as new people appear with each step. They are getting bigger and bigger. The child knows her mother is crying. This conversation reminds her of something.

« Easy, easy! I asked to lead her guard. I'll keep an eye out. The palace likes her. Our little queen is already an exceptional character. You should trust her, she'll be fine. »

« I wish so much that were the truth... »

« It is! I swear. »

« You'll protect her? »

« We will protect her, both of us. »

« Then I'll believe you. »

Suddenly, nothing. The girl is somewhere else, in the middle of an easily recognizable rainbow carpet. It's the one that leads inside the upper chamber of the Senate on Coruscant. Her coronation took place there. The Nubians accepted this breach of protocol out of arrogance. Such an opportunity to shine was just too tempting. The ceremony was broadcast live, everywhere. All the galaxy wanted to see the child-philosopher become queen of her homeworld. So the organizing committee forced her to walk alone on this multicolored carpet in front of a huge crowd, like a trophy on display.

However, today, someone is holding her hand. She lifts her head and discovers her father's face. He has a reassuring expression. His eyes are full of compassion, except the unfortunate man is covered with blaster holes. His skin looks so white. He smiles warmly:

« Well, my little queen, what's wrong? »

« You promised to protect me... I'm... so scared. What should I do now? »

« I would protect you, one way or another. Your mother too, despite her prideful attitude. You were always stronger than us. I'm not worried. My little queen will know where to go. »

« Stay with me, please! »

« Come on! I'm here, my darling! I'll always be here. You may not see me anymore, but I'll put my hand on your shoulder every now and then to remind you. »

The little one suddenly opens her eyes and recognizes the ceiling of the inn. An icy coolness rises from the sands. The sky shines a deep blue, softer than on Naboo. The limestone mountains have a majestic stature. Padmé lies on a comfortable bed. Jar Jar Binks sleeps in the next room, and while gungans do not snore like humans, their noses make a loud whistling sound with each exhale. It will be hard to get back to sleep. Running her hand over her eyelids, the child notices a wetness. She has been crying in her sleep.

A strange dream. Where did she hear this conversation between her mother and father? It must have been before the coronation. Why does such a memory come to the surface? The girl tries to think of something else, like the return of the royal yacht to the city. An abominable experience. Anakin waited as late as possible, so that the suns would not reflect on the hull. As a result, the group took off just as a wind was blowing back down into the deep desert. So here they were, aboard a suspicious-looking ship, piloted by a kid with greasy straps, at dusk, in the middle of a storm. The poor gungan nearly died of terror. He screamed throughout the whole journey. As for the little Amidala, she would have preferred to discover the weaknesses of her stomach in a different fashion.

The queen stood up, grab her jacket and get dressed. The outfit starts to tear. It will be necessary to buy clothes. Wakko Wakko hadn't mentioned that his « inn » was actually just a handful of rooms set up in the middle of the slaves' dormitory. His servants were partying into the late evening. The people here know how to find comfort, even in their misfortune. Padmé opens the door and steps out. A droid passes by just then, removing sand from the furniture.

« Can't sleep, young queen? »

Qui-Gon Jinn's voice comes from an armchair down the corridor. The man is reading a tablet by the glow of a chemical stick. A light that resembles a wood fire.

« No, indeed. »

« Going outside for some air? »

« Yes, I wouldn't stay out long. »

« Obi-Wan had the same idea. »

As she prepares to go on her way, the little girl hesitates:

« I would... »

« Yes? »

« What is the Force, actually? I've read about it for my studies, but I'm curious regarding a Jedi's opinion. »

« A Jedi's opinion? That's a complex question. The Force has a very paradoxical shape. The cosmic stream connects every creature in the universe, regardless of its size, to every other creature. It is often said that it emerges from consciousness, but also gives birth to it. The Force personifies willpower, yet goes beyond. It simultaneously embodies the beginning and the end. Life and death. »

« Do people who die really return to the Force? »

« There is no 'return', so to speak. That's just a way of saying it. We are always, and forever, connected to the stream. Those who cross the threshold of infinity continue on their way. There is no need to be sad, for they will be our traveling companions for all eternity. Life is a precious moment, a magnificent blessing that allows us to reach a unique landscape, but death leads the traveler to its next destination. Jedis have no reason to fear it. »

« If there is nothing to fear, how important can the knight's action be? What motivates you to act? »

« The Force, like life and consciousness, is sometimes contradictory. It reflects what we want to achieve. People hope for peace, prosperity and happiness? The stream radiates beauty in return. They want to dominate, impose or coerce? The Force will blow a hurricane of misery. This is its fundamental essence: both a guide to all paths and a mirror of contradictory aspirations. The stream responds to evil with evil and to good with good. The function of the Jedi is to encourage harmony and extinguish discord, as much as possible, before it takes root. Outside of these cases, our intervention is never necessary. »

« Never? Passivity does not change the injustice of the world! » Padmé growls.

« Is passivity an evil, young queen? Take some time to think about it seriously and sincerely. All people want change, to fight injustice. They dream of heroism and glory. However, for one who will succeed by luck to improve things, millions will lead us to ruin. A good feeling is insufficient by itself. The one who acts with only his intentions in mind imagines that he understands the full consequences, but is this really the case? His actions may destroy a delicate balance of which he was unaware, because he dreamed of gratifying his pride. »

Qui-Gon sighs, then puts down his tablet and asks:

« Do you know the fifth commandment of the faith? »

« Yes, 'only the Force can control the living, only the Force can influence the mind.' »

« Exactly! It implies a founding principle, which stands above the rest: the Force prefers freedom. That is why those who manipulate thoughts through it are so despised by my Order. Such conduct places its perpetrator beyond any possible redemption. No matter how hard he tries, he will never be forgiven. The stream curses power, for it is a fierce opponent of life. Yet it is necessary. The very act of breathing is a form of power. It is this fundamental contradiction that imposes discipline. We must keep this dangerous ally in check, like a fire that protects from the cold but destroys homes. »

« I imagine that most politicians in the Senate must not appreciate your philosophy. »

« In private? Probably not. In public, none would have the audacity to question the faith. They twist our texts to make them say what suits their business in the current session, of course, but the Order remains vigilant. We serve the Republic as much as we watch it. »

« You didn't answer my question, though. Not directly. Why do you act, master, if our religion teaches that passivity is better? »

« Why do I want to save Naboo, rather than abandon it to its ruin, you mean? Because there is a crucial difference between 'letting go' and 'letting be', young queen. Passivity is not always preferable, precisely when a boundary has been crossed. If power breaks its chains, my sacred duty is to silence it as quickly as possible. For this, the Jedi gives his life without hesitation. His hand must only serve to protect the Force from the inevitable corruption of power and, indirectly, to ensure the prosperity and happiness of every people. »

The knight coughs, picks up his tablet and finishes:

« Now, if you want to know what motivates me as a person to draw my lightsaber to defend a stranger, rather than leave him to his fate, then let's just say that my Order doesn't encourage me to either save him or ignore him. A knight decides his fate. The Force values all free will, even in its servants. I can do what I think is right in any situation, as long as my action does not violate the commandments. Will that be enough of an answer for you? »

« Yes, master. »

Padmé bow politely and go back on her way. Qui-Gon Jinn watches her silently, before saying with a sympathetic tone:

« Please, don't catch a cold when you're out there! »

Little Amidala walks down the stairs. When she reaches the bottom, a weight rests on her shoulder, as if a presence has just put its hand on it. A familiar sensation. The child tries to grasp it between her fingers, but realizes there is nothing there. Her heart tightens: she suddenly realizes that her parents are dead. This is no longer something she suspected, but did not fully accept. Now the little girl knows it.