She hadn't been asked if she wanted to move to New Ozai. Even if she had, she wouldn't have cared. She had gotten used to it—the world moved around her without her consent, spinning out of her control. The best she could do was put on a stoic face and behave and sit still and not speak unless spoken to.
From the window of her family's coach, she could see a circus in the distance. Vaguely, she wondered if it was the one Ty Lee had joined. The fact that her friend had enough sense to get out of the Fire Nation and away from Azula almost made her want to smile. Almost. Then the reality that she hadn't seen any of her friends since they graduated the academy set in. There was someone else she hadn't seen in a much, much longer time, and for a moment his scarred face flickered across her mind before she pushed away any and all emotions. She couldn't afford to think about someone she knew she'd never see again. He was exiled, as good as dead.
She'd had her grieving period about that years ago. Of course, no one had known the extent of her sadness. She'd suffering in silence, despite Azula's deliberate jabs at her wound on the subject. It was during that time, too, that she fully realized her hatred for Azula, a hatred that she could never act on. In all likelihood, she'd probably end up as a lady-in-waiting of sorts to the princess once she was coronated. Truthfully, it didn't matter where she was or what she was doing. She would still be bored.
Hours passed as she stared out the window. Eventually, the coach slowed to a halt.
"We're here," her mother said brightly.
"I've never been more excited in my life," she answered without any inflection in her voice as she gracefully moved out of the vehicle and into an unfamiliar city.
That night, she stood on her balcony and stared out at the rooftops, housing citizens who weren't allowed to leave. Prisoners. She wished she were as free as them.
