Amidala's First Step into the Palace
"I want to apply as a servant," Amidala said softly, her voice trembling as though the weight of her future depended on that one sentence.
The guard at the gate gave her a long look. Then, with a silent nod, he stepped aside and gestured for her to follow. She passed through the towering gates of the palace, her heart pounding at the sight of its gleaming walls and intricate carvings. The guard led her to a room near the entrance where applicants were being processed.
Inside, the air was heavy with anticipation. Dozens of young women, known as abacus in their small villages, stood in line, each nervously waiting for her turn. Amidala slipped quietly to the back of the queue, her hands clenched tightly together. She forced herself to breathe, reminding herself that this was her chance—her only chance—to change the course of her life.
