"No."

"But…"

"No!"

"Firelord Zuko, if you would only listen…"

"Hey, who is the Firelord here?"

The man sighed. "You," he reluctantly admitted.

Zuko smirked. He absentmindedly flickered a flame on and off through his fingertips. "That's right. And, I know I'm young, but I think I've been doing a pretty good job so far at keeping our people fed. You eat every day, don't you? And let me tell you, it ain't easy. I've been doing the paperwork, keeping the peace, dealing with annoying complaints from people who think they know better, and running a nation, all while getting three hours sleep a night! But if you think you can do better…well, who am I to tell you that you don't deserve my title?"

The man sputtered. "Firelord Zuko, I meant no disrespect…"

"See you at the meeting tomorrow, sir. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

Dejected, the man walked out, shoulders slumped.

Mai leaned against the wall, amused. She sighed, getting Zuko's attention.

He turned to look at her. "Was that too harsh?"

She shook her head. "No," she said.

"Well, I wasn't wrong, was I? Raising taxes would be ridiculous. The people are already poor, and just because this guy thinks he's entitled to the finer things in life we shouldn't take everything away from them! Fancy hair, fancy clothes, born with a silver spoon in his mouth…" Zuko muttered, fuming.

"Hey, look whose talking, your Majesty," Mai scoffed. "You haven't exactly been living in rough conditions all your life, either."

"Well, yeah, but I had other stuff to deal with!" Zuko exclaimed, rubbing his scar. "Important stuff like restoring my honor and helping Aang save the world! This guy's been sitting around doing nothing, and he wants to take money from people who work all day just so he can afford his posh lifestyle!"

"No, I know, just giving you a hard time," Mai sighed. "I agree with you. He's an idiot. I was dying to throw a knife in his face the whole time he was talking. Who does he think he is?"

Zuko gave her a half smile and took her hand. "You can say that again. Want to get out of here? I'm starved."

Mai checked her watch and frowned. "Father might be expecting me to make an appearance at this charity thing…you know, so we can act like the perfect family to make him look good."

Zuko's stomach dropped in disappointment. He felt a surge of rage and a flame lit up from his fingers. Zuko knew that most of the time Mai was ignored by her father. When he did bother to speak to her, it was to offer a criticism or insult her. Why should she reward him by doing what he expected? Mai deserved a better father, someone who thought she should never change for others. "Blow him off," Zuko urged her. "I'll take you somewhere good, like that place Toph was telling us about with the spicy chicken."

"I know you don't understand, Zuko," Mai said, "but if I don't go, my father will yell, then my mother will yell, and my sister will get a big head when my parents tell her how happy they are that she isn't like me...I'll get nothing but grief for weeks. They'll nag." Mai scrunched up her nose in distaste and she shuddered. "I have to make them like me so they'll leave me alone."

Zuko knew that Mai liked her space, but he bristled at the thought of her posing in some poufy dress for a million reporters, gushing about her father to gain him votes. He knew she'd hate it, and he hated her father for putting her in that situation. "I get it," he grumbled, "but I'm not happy. I don't like that he does this to you." Zuko pulled the crown out of his hair so it fell in his eyes, the way he liked it.

"We'll hang out later," Mai assured her boyfriend. "Just…let me do this." His eyes stayed on his shoes. She gave him a half smile and ran a hand through his hair. "I like you without the crown," she told him. "You look more like yourself." He looked up. It was rare for her to be so openly complimentary. "Why don't you go see Sokka and Aang? Have some guy time or whatever," she suggested, rolling her eyes. "It might take your mind off things."

He nodded and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Fine," he relented.

"And don't worry, I won't let on about us to my mom and dad," Mai told him. Though Zuko had been reluctant, Mai had begged to keep their relationship a secret from her parents. Now both of them thought it crucial to their privacy, as everything Zuko did caused a media frenzy. If he knew, Mai's father would use their relationship for his campaign, and that was an awful thought that make Zuko wince. "Though I can't promise you I won't throw a knife at my dad's head if he says anything about you being too young to lead," Mai joked.

"I wouldn't discourage you," Zuko said, smirking. This gained him a wide smile.

"I really have to go, but see you later?"

"Yeah, see you." She left, and Zuko found himself alone in the room. Oh, wait, not alone. Zuko always forgot about the guards that stood attentive at every door. An assassination attempt could come at any time, Zuko was told repeatedly. He had to be protected.

In a way, Zuko missed the days when he could protect himself, with his team of friends standing behind him. He knew was still strong, and would fare well in a fight. Still, it wasn't the same.

With that thought in mind, Zuko climbed in a carriage and directed the driver to the house Sokka, Aang, Toph, and Katara shared, five minutes from the palace.

"Zuko!" Sokka called as the Firelord emerged from the carriage. Sokka was sitting on the steps, drinking lemonade. "What's happening, man? How's royal life?"

"He's always been royal, Sokka," his sister pointed out, rolling her eyes. "Now he's just the Firelord. Hello, Zuko." Katara kissed his cheek in greeting, holding her own glass of lemonade. She held it up. "Want one?"

"I'm okay," Zuko said. "Hey, Sokka."

"What's happening?" his friend repeated.

"Where's Aang?" Zuko asked.

"In the back," Sokka replied. "Doing some weird rock thing."

"He's practicing his earth bending!" His sister glared at him in defense of her boyfriend.

"Whatever," Sokka shrugged.

Katara sighed. "Unfortunately, I'm stepping out. Got some stuff to do," Katara informed Zuko, slinging her bag over her shoulder, the container of water firmly attached to her belt. "Good to see you. You should come by more often."

"Yeah, I'll do that," Zuko said, even though he came to visit regularly. "Bye," Zuko waved.

"So, man, don't be shy," Sokka said, appearing at his side and putting an arm around his shoulder. "Come on in."