Off to the side, Palpatine's sharp mind stirred, tension curling in his chest.
Then my suspicion was right… I couldn't sense him even months ago. He's invisible — unless I see him directly.
His gaze shifted down to the Sith chalice lying openly on the floor, right there in front of everyone.
This crazy merchant… this reckless bastard… dares to lay a Sith chalice in front of the Jedi — and of all Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn, the one I dislike the most, is standing right here.
Sabé, seated on the throne as Queen Amidala's decoy, lifted her chin slightly, her voice cutting through with regal sharpness.
"Senator Palpatine," she said coolly, "how exactly did you come to claim that Jin-Woo had gone to Malachor and died?"
Palpatine remained frozen for a brief heartbeat, thousands of words tumbling through his calculating mind.
The main problem is still right here… I made that up — I fabricated the death to push things forward, to push more important figures into chaos… but now… NOWW he's standing right here.
Before he could speak, Jin-Woo's calm, teasing voice slid smoothly through the tension.
"Senator… you do have quite a knack for opera, especially in SUS scene , right ?"
Palpatine seized the offered thread immediately, smoothing out his features into a polite, composed smile.
"Yes, Your Majesty," he said lightly, bowing his head. "It was merely a test — a rehearsal for an upcoming opera performance I'm sponsoring."
Sabé's brow furrowed faintly, her expression unimpressed.
"Senator Palpatine… you are a senator, not a stage actor anymore. Please refrain from causing unnecessary panic among everyone."
Palpatine bowed slightly again, his voice smooth. "Of course, Your Majesty."
But inside, his mind was burning, racing.
Jin-Woo… you're no fool, man. But somehow… you're covering me here. Why? Do you truly not know I laid the trap on Malachor? Or was the one Maul killed… not truly you? Was it a double? Or something… someone… like you?
Qui-Gon calmly stepped forward, his keen gaze lowering to the incense burner Jin-Woo had casually placed on the floor. He studied its markings, the faint but unmistakable aura it radiated.
"Jin-Woo," Qui-Gon asked carefully, "do you know this is a Sith artifact?"
Jin-Woo, being Jin-Woo, tilted his head slightly and smirked.
"What's a Sith? A group of losers?"
At that, Palpatine's brow twitched faintly — a nerve pulsing hard at his temple — but he forced himself to stay composed, though his sharp gaze locked tightly onto Jin-Woo.
Qui-Gon continued calmly, folding his arms.
"A Sith… is a dark side Force wielder. A dangerous group that seeks only to destroy and conquer."
Obi-Wan added smoothly beside him,
"The antithesis of the Jedi, if you want it put more simply."
Qui-Gon's attention shifted slightly, his expression thoughtful as he turned to the waiting senator.
"Senator Palpatine… why did you ask Jin-Woo to search for such a dangerous artifact?"
Palpatine, ever the master of deception, raised his hands lightly in a gesture of innocence, his voice touched with a careful note of regret.
"I didn't know it was a Sith artifact. I simply thought the model looked… antique. A rare piece, nothing more." He smiled faintly. "A shame, then. But I suppose the Jedi Masters will know how best to handle it."
Jin-Woo gave a lazy shrug, his voice light, almost teasing.
"A shame indeed. I mean… it's the very last one I found inside that rancor's gut. Anyone want to destroy it?"
Without hesitation, Obi-Wan stepped forward, his blue lightsaber igniting with a sharp hum.
"I do."
Across the room, Palpatine's jaw clenched — just a flicker, just a faint twitch — but inside, his mind twisted into a snarl of curses.
Now I get it… he hissed silently. That's why… that's why he deliberately placed that Sith chalice on the floor.
He wants me to watch… watch the last legacy of the Sith destroyed right in front of my eyes.
And it's the very last one — If that what Jin-woo Said . That chalice isn't just ceremonial; it's a Sith meditation vessel. A focus, a channel. As long as I meditate with it, it will amplified The Force Cloak of my dark side presence from the Jedi… at least for a time.
And now… this kriffing merchant… is handing it over to the Jedi to be shattered.
Jin-Woo smiled faintly, but inside, his thoughts crackled like a quiet storm.
What will you do, Senator? Your shit's about to be blown apart…
Yet Palpatine — as always — kept his outward calm, not a single crack breaking through his careful mask.
Jin-Woo smoothly activated a weave of [projective telepathy], blending it with the delicate art of [White Current] , masking himself expertly from any probing attempt to sense his presence in Palpatine's mind. And sure enough — he caught the , silent thought drifting from Palpatine's core.
Palpatine mind : Even without the chalice… I manage just fine. All because of my master teaching .
Jin-Woo's eye twitched faintly, his expression shifting into a flat, mildly annoyed look.
Ugh. All for naught.
He let out a slow breath, dropping casually into a nearby seat.
"Wait. Blue saber."
Obi-Wan blinked, puzzled. "Blue saber? Who's that?"
Jin-Woo tilted his head lazily, playing up the casual act.
"Who is this guy again?"
Qui-Gon, stepping forward. "My apprentice — Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Jin-Woo gave a little shrug.
"Okay, Obi Kenobi… the Jedi won the war, right? So shouldn't this artifact be, I don't know, useless to the Sith side by now?"
Qui-Gon's gaze lingered on Jin-Woo, thoughtful, eyes narrowing just slightly.
The more I speak with you, Jin-Woo… the more layered you become. But… I'll hear the truth when you choose the time.
Qui-Gon gave a calm nod, falling smoothly into Jin-Woo's rhythm.
"Jin-Woo is right, Obi-Wan. The Sith artifact is useless to any user in this era. Best to just ignore it."
"And the senator is right — at best, it's merely an antique."
Jin-Woo gave a light, teasing grin. "Thank you, Qui-Gon Jinn."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Hey, why is my name said wrong — but my master's is right?"
Jin-Woo gave a casual shrug, smirking faintly. "Because… probably the rancor damaged my brain. And besides — your master's the famous one."
Obi-Wan , shaking his head as he retracted his blue lightsaber. "Haha, very funny, crafty merchant."
Without missing a beat, Jin-Woo bent down, picking up the Sith chalice from the floor. He turned smoothly, holding it out with polite precision.
"This belongs to you, Senator. Sorry to keep you waiting."
Palpatine extended his hand slowly, his face remaining the perfect picture of calm — but inside, his mind reeled, cold and sharp.
Something's… very unnatural.
Suddenly… everyone's switching sides to me. Even Jin-Woo.Why…?
Palpatine's lips curved into a polite smile, his hand still raised.
" please no , good merchant — please, hand it over to the Jedi. Artifacts of such strange origin belong safely in their care."
Jin-Woo casually turned, the Sith chalice still gripped in his hand as he looked to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan tilted his head slightly.
"Master Qui-Gon, how many Sith artifacts do we actually have in the Temple collection?"
Qui-Gon gave a thoughtful hum.
"A fair number. But… we still have empty rooms for display."
As the two Jedi quietly spoke to each other, Palpatine's fingers twitched just slightly at his side — , most subtle movement. Hidden beneath his cloak, a secret holocommunicator flared quietly to life, its small, sharp voice cutting into his ear. Take it, Palpatine.Do it now.
Palpatine's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding slightly behind his composed expression.
Fuck… my master… he cursed inwardly, Fuck, he always has to give orders…
He let out the faintest sigh through his nose.
This is going to be awkward…
Palpatine stepped forward smoothly, his cloak brushing the floor as he approached Jin-Woo, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan, his eyes flicking briefly to the Sith chalice once more.
Jin-Woo gave a lazy, grin. "Everyone changes their mind — that's why the gods created the concept of change. Yes, I know."
Palpatine offered a tight, polite smile, tilting his head slightly.
"I don't quite know what you're talking about, Jin-Woo…" He turned to the Jedi calmly. "But, Jedi Masters, may I… take the incense burner back? I realize it did have a certain… personal meaning for my private collection."
Sabé, still seated as Queen Amidala, narrowed her gaze slightly, her voice smooth but firm.
"What's changed in your intentions, Senator? First you were ready to hand it over — and now you want to take it back?"
Palpatine chuckled lightly, brushing his fingers against the chalice's rim.
"Most people have habits — women, gambling, corruption… but me?" He gave a self-deprecating smile.
"Well… every living being needs something to satisfy themselves. For me, gazing at rare artifacts for hours is a small habit. A reward, you could call it — a little reward after my work on Coruscant, every day, for the people of Naboo."
Sabé gave a graceful nod from the throne, her voice smooth and composed.
"I understand, Senator. Please, enjoy your… reward."
Jin-Woo casually handed the chalice over to Palpatine, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
"Pleasure doing business, Senator."
Obi-Wan gave a small, playful smirk from the side.
"I just hope you won't turn into a real-deal Sith, Senator."
Palpatine gave a soft laugh, his face the perfect picture of innocence, though inside, his thoughts seethed darkly.
I'm already a Sith… just an apprentice for now.
Out loud, Palpatine smiled politely and said,
" Master Kenobi. I'm just a working senator… devoted to the interests of the people of Naboo. That's all."
Sabé turned her eyes subtly toward Padmé, watching how the disguised queen shifted on her feet — clearly tired, clearly impatient. She probably wanted to grab Jin-Woo by the collar, maybe even slap him, for faking his death and pulling this whole stunt.
With a composed smile, Sabé spoke smoothly, her queenly tone firm.
"I suppose we'll conclude matters for the night. If any of you wish to rest, I've already had rooms prepared."
Palpatine gave a slight, respectful nod.
"I shall return to my residence for the evening. Jin-Woo, we will need to discuss more business soon."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan both offered small, courteous bows toward Queen Amidala — Sabé in disguise — before quietly turning to leave.
Sabé's sharp gaze flicked back to Jin-Woo.
"Except you, Jin-Woo. You need to be educated by me — your jokes tonight and breaking your own finger? Far too much."
Padmé, still in her handmaiden disguise, gave a tiny, annoyed nod beside her, arms crossed .
Palpatine, sensing no argument would be wise here, simply bowed once more.
"Then I take my leave, Your Majesty."
After a few minutes, the chamber fell into quiet stillness — only Jin-Woo and Padmé remained inside the queen's private room.
From just outside the doorway, Sabé's voice called sharply, her tone teasing but edged.
"No funny business, Jin-Woo, or you'll lose your head. I mean it."
Padmé turned slightly, offering Sabé a small, grateful smile.
"Thank you, Sabé… but I think this is a private moment."
Adjutant Resolution hovered briefly near the door, its mechanical voice chiming dryly as it floated outward.
"Private moment… with Supreme Executor… acknowledged."
Sabé gave one last narrowing look through the doorway before pulling it shut behind her.
With a soft click, the door closed, leaving Padmé and Jin-Woo finally alone in the quiet, dimly lit chamber.
Without warning, Padmé stepped forward and slapped Jin-Woo face — but immediately winced, clutching her hand.
"Owww…" she whimpered softly, her eyes welling with tears as she realized she'd hurt herself far more than him.
Jin-Woo blinked, calmly watching as Padmé's shoulders trembled — and then, just as quickly, she threw herself forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him.
"Please don't die, Jin-Woo…" she whispered, her voice shaking. "If you die… I think I'll lose one of the few candles I have left in my heart…"
Jin-Woo exhaled faintly, resting a hand lightly on her back.
"You do know you just broke your own hand, right, Padmé?"
Padmé let out a small, teary laugh, her face pressed against his chest.
"Read the situation, Jin-Woo… right now is an intimate moment."