"You seem troubled," Vader whispered as he tightened his grip on the man's neck, sensing his insides start to give way under the pressure. "Perhaps I should ease your burden."
"No... Pl—Please..." the man attempted to beg, gradually slipping into an unconscious state.
Vader was amused by the man's pain, and everyone could sense it. He took pleasure in making the man suffer, relishing the act of stealing away his life. It was as easy as–
"Stop!" Padmé screamed, unable to endure the sight any longer. She didn't care that everyone else remained silent. She would not stand by quietly while she watched a man get murdered before her eyes. She was a senator! She was meant to protect the people—to prevent crimes like this!
Vader's head snapped toward her after her interruption, but he said nothing. It was obvious that, without even seeing his eyes, she could tell—feel that he was glaring at her, not to mention the other hundred people in the room who shared the same shocked expression. It was almost enough to make her step back into line. Almost. But she stood her ground and took a deep breath, knowing there was no turning back. She stepped forward into the empty circle formed around Vader and felt Bail move behind her, gripping her hand tightly, either out of fear or support. She couldn't tell which, and she didn't want to know, only aware it was too late to stop. Her stance was firm, and her eyes were already Vader's prisoners, locked and transfixed upon him. She gazed into the hood, at the darkness concealing his face, with no fear in her eyes—no way back.
"Please," she whispered, her voice tinged with sadness. "Lord Vader, I beg you, put the man down."
Vader's head was still turned toward her, and though his body was motionless, his hand tightened as if in retaliation, with the man gasping once again.
She realized that begging would get her nowhere, but she didn't know if anything would. She decided to fight on, catching the eyes of Palpatine as he smiled at her, his pale features alight with amusement. The sight reignited the flame within her soul, affirming that she could not submit. "Lord Vader!" she commanded, her voice now strong and confident, sounding like a true leader. "This is not a battlefield; this is a celebration for the Empire, of which this man is obviously a guest. As a member of the Imperial Senate, I must say that your actions are simply appalling. I will not say this again: put him down now!"
She heard people snicker around her, laughing at her attempt to stop Vader. She knew they thought it was hopeless to beg and even more foolish to command, for he was the second most powerful man in the galaxy and a killing machine. So, why would he be persuaded by a simple young girl? She didn't know if he would, but in that moment, she had to try. She had tried. She had stood up for what she believed in, unlike the others who remained silent in the room, and she was proud. She was proud of herself for what she had done. She was proud… until she looked around the room. Her triumph lasted no longer than thirty seconds before she looked around and realized the embarrassment she had caused herself—again. She could feel the elder senators' stares, their undermining feelings, and Palpatine's delight as she caught a glimpse of his widening smile. Her confidence shattered once more, realizing yet another mistake that would cost her reputation again.
A small final "please..." slipped from her lips as she closed her eyes, a desperate and shattered plea. She chose not to look; unable to witness another one of her well-intentioned efforts go awry.
"Idiot girl..." she heard Mon's voice cut through the whispers, driving the final nail into her already sinking coffin.
Why did I do that? Padmé wondered painfully to herself, her questions and self loathing fueling together. Why do I do this to myself? Why am I such a fool? Why do I act like the child they want me to be? Vader would never– A loud, plump echo reverberated through the room, followed by an audible series of gasps that made Padmé open her eyes. Confused, she glanced toward the crowd, then to the Sith Lord, and finally to the floor—or more specifically, to the shocked expressions of the onlookers, then to the empty grasp of the Sith Lord, and then to the man lying on the floor. Her eyes widened at the sight before her, at what Vader had done, for he had committed the unthinkable. He had let the man go. The man was no longer in Vader's grip, but lay practically unharmed, breathing heavily on the floor.
Could it be true? Padmé's shocked, wide eyes turned to the Sith Lord, who stood still, gazing down at his spared prey. Did he hear me?
His head snapped toward her instantly after her thoughts, as if she had said something to offend him. She could feel the coldness and death in his hidden glare—the glare that was fixed solely on her—and for a moment, she felt the ghost of a hand brush against her neck.
Her eyes widened in shock at his action as she was compelled to meet his hidden gaze. It was only then that she realized she had offended him because she had spoken her thoughts to him. He had heard her, or at least that was her only explanation.
Did he hear me? her mind asked, unable to suppress the impending thought.
A low growl erupted from his chest as he raised his hand, seizing an invisible object and hurling it across the room. To everyone's shock, however, the object turned out not to be invisible but the drunken man himself. Padmé and the others watched in astonishment as the drunken man soared into the air, imitating Vader's gesture. He slammed against the wall with a loud thud before collapsing to the floor, lying motionless, and presumably lifeless. Padmé's gaze darted between the Sith and the fallen body, observing as several men and women fled for cover, fearing they might be his next target. Vader, however, had no intention of lingering. He turned and stormed out of the room without another word, his black cloak billowing behind him triumphantly as he exited the party.
Emperor Palpatine, unlike the others, did not react to the scene that had just unfolded before him. He merely shrugged it off before walking toward the exit, smiling contently at what Vader had done and causing Padmé to feel ill. When he reached the doorway, he turned back to the people inside, those who were still shocked and startled by the scene they had just witnessed. His gaze lingered on Padmé for a second longer than on the others.
"I must be off," Palpatine announced as his red guards gathered at his side. "It seems Vader has had enough of this party, and so have I. I must say, I think it would be wise for all of you not to upset him again." The old man smiled one last time, taking in the flourishing fear within the ballroom, before he turned and exited the room.
As he vanished, Padmé exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, then turned, avoiding the gaze of everyone in the room.