I knew things were bad, but I didn't know they were THIS bad. They were so bad I had to sneak into my own palace. Yes, I hadn't been home in 3 years, but still. I hid behind a column in front of the throne room. I hope Father escaped safely. There were three Dai Li standing guard at the door. I moved my hands and feet, and took them out quietly. I walked into the throne room.
There were four people. Three girls and one boy. One girl was bored, one was really perky, and the last girl was sitting in the throne with a sly smile on her face. The boy was about my age, and he had a big scar on his face. Two of the girls and the boy saw me and stood in their attack positions. By the way the boy stood, it was easy to guess that he was a firebender. The two girls obviously were not. The last girl, who was sitting in the throne, waved her hand and they backed down.
"Hello, Princess Orchid. It's nice of you to join us."
"Hello, Princess Azula." I said, standing tall.
"How was it, traveling around your nation? Seeing your nation burn to the ground? Now, your precious city has fall-"
"You don't scare me, Azula."
"Tsk tsk, Orchid. Interrupting is not something a princess does. Dai Li," Azula said, snapping her fingers, "Take the princess to her room." The Dai Li came over to me, expecting a fight. I bowed my head down. They easily took me by the wrists and dragged me out of the room.
"A good princess knows when to surrender" I heard Azula say.
"Yes, you three, the Earth Nation has a crown princess." Azula said after the Dai Li dragged Orchid out of the room. "Zuko, I want you to guard her."
"What? Why me? Why can't you just put her in the dungeon?" I asked.
"Because that's what she expects, Zuzu. She knows how the Dai Li fight, she was trained by them. We need someone at her level to watch her, and I'm already busy. Besides, she'll probably run away before we leave. Now go." I walked out of the throne room, and wandered around the palace until I found two large doors with two Dai Li standing in front of it.
"Go. Azula told me to guard the princess." I said. The two exchanged looks and walked away. The doors had a big, golden dragon on it. It eyes were two little emeralds. It was looking at me, glaring. It seemed like it didn't want me there.
I was just getting used to my room again when I felt the two Dai Li leave and someone else was standing in his place. I walked over to the door and opened it.
"Yes?"