Author's note:
Hey there. I kinda deemed my last story as a fail. The last couple of chapters were not well prepared, at least in my opinion. But, I will not fail you again, my readers. No more abuse stories! So, this story is set in the middle ages, where Azula and Zuko are the awaiting queen and king. What adventures will they go through?
Toph carried a tray of food up the large staircase. He had his hair tied up poorly in a ponytail, black bangs intruding his face.
"Toph, Toph wait!" Aang's voice rang in his ears.
He stopped, turning his feet to steady himself if she came running at him and crashed. She did that sometimes since she ran at him too fast.
"I thought we could talk a bit."
"About what, Aang? Your secret lover?"
Aang blushed. She held a tray as well.
"No, it's not about him."
"Oh. It's a he, huh? That narrows my choices." Toph smiled as they continued walking.
Aang nudged him with her elbow. "What makes you think I like girls?"
"I was kidding. Unless you're lying to me and the princess is seducing you..."
She hit him in the gut this time, almost causing him to drop the tray. Luckily he didn't, because he couldn't afford to.
"I like a boy, ok?"
"I hope it's not your's truely."
"Don't flatter yourself." She laughed. "Is that for the prince?" She referred to his tray.
"Of course. His wheat bread, not toasted because he hates toasted things, the crust cut off, with fresh grape jam thinly spread on and tea with just half a cube of sugar and precisly two mint leaves." Toph said by memorization. He sighed. "You've got the better of the royal children."
"Prince Azulon's not that bad."
"Try calling him that with a guard right outside the door."
Their voices got quiet as they came to the top of the steps. If the guards outside the royal chambers heard them talking about the princess and prince, they would be punished severely.
"He likes to be called Azula. But, when the guards hear me call him that, they whip me for not addressing the prince the correct way. And, if I don't call him that, I get whipped anyway because I didn't follow the prince's orders."
"Why don't you just not say his name?"
Toph went blank, feeling his idiocy.
"This is why you're the smart one." He said, voice regular again.
The two split their ways, Aang going into the princess Zuko's room and Toph going around the hall corner to Azula's.
With no help from the awaiting guard, Toph somehow managed the door open.
"Prince? Prince, I have your breakfast."
Toph noticed the lump in the bed.
"Prince?" He said a bit softer.
"Set it on the table." Azula grumbled.
Toph nodded, setting the tray on to the table in the middle of the vast bedroom. Almost immediatly, he went to Azula's closet to pick out his day clothes.
"Prince, do you have meetings today?"
"No." He said gruffly. He did not rise from his bed, turning on his back, eyes still closed. The sun slipped through the cracks of his eye lids. He cringed, putting a pillow over his head.
Toph nodded, assuming that his job was easier for the clothing. He picked out a simple shirt and trousers.
"Did you clean my shoes yet?"
"Of course, prince. I put them back yesterday." Toph looked at the bottom of the closet, making sure he was correct.
"Good." Azula yawned.
Toph stood above him, the day's clothes hanging on his arm. "Sire, I'm going to need to you get up. Your tea will get cold and I need to make your bed and lay out your clothes."
Azula sucked a breath in through his nose. He sat up, scratching behind his ear.
"What's your name again?" He asked.
He chuckled. "Toph, prince."
"Forgive me, Toph. You've been my servant since I can remember. I don't even have the respect to know your name."
"No need, prince. I'm your personal severant. You do not have to show me any respect."
"I believe I do." Azula disagreed, getting up and to his breakfast.
Toph rested the clothes on the top of the bed frame, so he would be able to make the bed. Azula watched him as he tucked in the neatless corners and sheets.
"How did you come to work here?" Azula asked, sipping his tea.
Toph looked up. "Excuse me, sire?"
"I do not need to repeat myself, do I?"
"No. Of course not. I just thought I didn't hear right. Though, I don't want to ruin your breakfast."
"My breakfast will still be digested without a problem."
Toph thought for a moment. "Your gracious father, King Ozai, actually found me when I was a baby. He told me of that night. He was being robbed by a man, several years ago, who had pulled up in a carriage next to his. He didn't give in and killed the man easily. Then, he heard the cries of a baby, me. The other carriage was spattered with the blood of my parents. Their bodies were laying on the carriage floor.
"I was crying because I thought my parents were sleeping and they wouldn't wake up. Their blood was all over my clothes. He took me here, cleaned me and disposed of my clothes, and the servants here raised me."
Toph paused for a moment, laying Azula's clothes on the now made bed.
"When he told me this, I was two. I told him that I needed to repay him. He said I didn't have to, but he saved my life and basically avenged my parents. I figured I owed him big time."
"You were young to make my desicion."
"I know. But, I knew I couldn't just stay here without doing anything. To take care of you, prince, is the least I could do."
Azula picked up one of the four pieces of soft bread and jam. "Are you avoiding my name?"
"Why would I do that, prince?"
"You've only called me prince or sire. If I'm going to start using your name, and attempt to remember it, I believe you should use mine."
"I suppose it slipped my mind a bit, prince Azulon."
"Now, Toph, do I call you an extended name?"
"No. Though, I don't mind if you do. My real name is Topher."
"Toph sounds better." Azula stated, emptying his cup. He set it on the tray, going to work on the other pieces of bread.
Toph came up to him, taking the teapot that was on the tray and pouring it into the cup. He added the mint and half a cube of sugar.
"I could have done that."
"I know, but you are a prince and I am a servant. It is your natural right to be served as so."
"Well, I don't believe this is fair. You know exactly how I like everything and I just now learned your full name."
"Please do not worry on my behave. You shouldn't be concerned for a peasent such as myself. I'm too low class."
"I have a right to be concerned."
"Mind if I ask for a reason?"
Azula hesitated. "Have some tea." He slid the cup towards Toph.
"I'm sorry, sire, but I can't."
"Why not? Are you the type who doesn't like germs? I'm not sick."
"I can obviously tell." Toph said, gazing over Azula's body. He was definitely phisically fit. And shirtless. He tore his eyes away, not wanting to seem awkward.
Azula took the extra cup and poured the tea into it.
"Then drink."
"I don't mean to be rude, but I have more of a sweet tooth, prince Azulon."
Azula dumped the small bowl of sugar cubes into the tea, some of it splashing. He took up a spoon and stirred it. Toph wiped the spill up with an extra cloth he carried in his pocket. Azula pushed it closer to Toph.
"Drink. As my servant, I order you."
Toph causiously picked up the cup.
"And, while you're at it, sit." He added.
"Prince Azulon, it's not right for me to sit in your presence."
"I don't care." Azula kicked a chair out for him. Toph could not defy him. He sat down. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the guard outside looking at him through the small window. This would not end well.
"Are you going to drink or am I going to have to force you?"
Toph downed the cup of tea quickly, wiping the outfall on his sleeve, then standing up again quickly.
"When I said drink, I meant steadily, not to choke on the liquid."
"Sorry, prince Azulon."
"Toph, call me Azula if you are going to use my name."
"Yes, prince Azula." He said softly. "If you're done with breakfast..." He grabbed the tray up in his hands, turning to the door.
"Toph, mind helping me with my bath?"
Toph stopped his cheeks turning red.
"I don't really know how to run the water."
"Th-the water. Of course." Toph said stupidly, shaking his head.
After getting his hot bath ready, Toph went out the door again with the tray.
Closing the door, he felt a large hand on his shoulder.
Toph sighed, looking up at the guard. "Yea, yea. I know. To the dungeon."