Star Wars_ Darksaber - Kevin J. Anderson [17]
“Diplomatic necessity,” Han scoffed. “I wouldn’t trust one of those blobs of slime farther than I could roll him. Keep a blaster hidden in your robes.”
Leia checked herself in the surround mirror. She looked cool and perfect in her best raiments, impressive and regal. “I will, Han, don’t worry.”
Threepio entered, quiet hums emanating from his servomotors. “Excuse me, Mistress Leia,” he said. “I believe I am prepared for this important meeting of state. I have polished all of my body plates and oiled my gears and brushed up on my programming for protocol and etiquette.”
“Great,” Han said. “You can take my place. Okay?”
“Sir,” Threepio exclaimed, “I hardly believe that would be wise. Why—”
“He’s joking, Threepio,” Leia said, glaring at Han.
“Sure, Threepio. Just joking,” Han agreed a little too quickly.
“The children wish to say good night to you,” Threepio said. “Mistress Winter is already here and has made preparations to tell them bedtime stories.” The droid held his golden arms out as if in a mechanical shrug. “Somehow, the children don’t enjoy it when I tell them stories. I’m simply at a loss to explain it.”
Leia paid little attention to the litany of the droid’s complaints. “Children are just difficult sometimes,” she said.
The twins, Jacen and Jaina, were three years old now and beginning to get into everything imaginable. Baby Anakin, now nearly two, remained quiet and withdrawn, sleeping a lot, barely attempting to talk. The dark-haired boy with the large ice-blue eyes lived in his own world most of the time, while the twins insisted on making themselves the center of attention.
“I’m as ready as I’m going to be,” Han said, brushing his brown hair and letting out a long breath. “Still can’t believe I’m making myself look pretty for a Hutt.”
“I doubt Lord Durga would notice, sir,” Threepio added helpfully. “The Hutts have a different standard of beauty, you know. In fact I have learned—”
“Not now, Threepio,” Han said and offered his arm to Leia as he escorted her toward the door.
“Some other time, perhaps,” Threepio said and hurried after them.
Out in the common room Winter sat on a padded seat with the three children on the floor as she spoke to them, telling a detailed story she had memorized word for word.
Leia’s personal servant had helped her through many difficult times, guarding the children during the most vulnerable early years in their Force-sensitive lives. Winter had a flawless memory and never needed to refresh her thoughts, able to recall word for word anything she had heard or read in her life. Despite her calm, emotionless demeanor, Winter carried the deepest and most unshakable loyalty for Leia herself and for the New Republic.
Winter seemed to enjoy her role of watching the three children while Leia and Han kept enormously busy with matters of state. Her new position allowed her to continue advising Leia as an appropriate confidante, yet remain behind the scenes.
Jacen and Jaina leaped to their feet, scuttling over to greet Leia and Han. “Hey!” Han cried and grabbed the twins in a bear hug. Jacen’s brown hair was tousled—as it always was—while Jaina’s hung straight and neat. Anakin remained quiet and politely seated, patiently waiting for Winter to continue the story. He got up when it was his turn for a hug.
“Winter will watch you,” Leia said to the children. “Mommy and Daddy have an important meeting with a Hutt.”
The children snickered. Han looked at her with raised eyebrows and a see-I-told-you-so expression on his face. “Come on, Goldenrod,” he said to Threepio. “We sure wouldn’t want to be late for our ‘diplomatic necessity.’ ”
They left their quarters, and a pair of permanently stationed guards escorted them down