The Imperial City of Ba Sing Se, The Earth Kingdom
The air hung still that day when she washed into the shore and entered the grand city. The child was not yet nine but she had placed a brave smile upon her pale face as she softly stepped up the golden stairs strewn with pale magnolia petals.
A child wedding a child, the eleven-year old Crown Prince of the Earth Kingdom extended his hand to the startled girl as he smiled graciously. She remained still but exposed her own pale hands to grasp his, sharing her fears with him. Together they continued up the fragrant staircase under the trumpets and banners honoring her arrival.
The Prince remained wordless as they ascended the flower-strewn paths yet he silently stole glances at the young child next to him. The ruby silk veil shadowed her coloring yet he made out the elegant slope of her profile and felt a small pleasure in the assurance that she was a beauty in form. His fingers warmly grasped her small chilled ones and assured her with a broad smile.
"Your Imperial Highness, may I present the Princess Lamara of the House of Varuna," an elegantly garbed eunuch sang clearly past the numerous billowing veils, which obscured the gilded court of the Earth King.
The two children stiffened their posture and solemnly walked past the emerald and gold silk curtains to enter the elegant realm of the courtiers. Soft filtered light from the latticed atrium gave the gilded room a heavenly glow with the Earth King and his Empress seated high in the center, glittering as if they were made of gold themselves.
"Welcome to the Earth Kingdom, Princess Lamara," the Empress spoke with soft elegance behind a flimsy golden veil.
"I am honored, your Imperial Highnesses," a clear voice reminiscent of chiming bells echoed about the hall as the child bowed deeply in the presence of the Prince's parents.
The Prince relinquished his hand from hers as elegantly uniformed court maidens silently shuffled to her side and unpinned her ruby veil. As the red silk fluttered to the polished golden floor, gasps echoed from all of the courtiers' lips. The girl raised her small head proudly as she finally rested her pale green eyes upon the Prince's startled jade colored eyes.
"She truly has hair the color of fire," the King's third wife, Queen Amaryllis breathed in a soft whisper.
"All my sisters do too," she spoke steadfastly, a fire lighting in her pale eyes as anger flamed beneath her pale face.
The Prince couldn't hide his smile at her exposure of childish tantrums and lowered to take her veil. She couldn't hide her surprise at his amusement and frowned ever more greatly in fear that he was belittling her. He smiled genuinely however as he extended the veil to one of the flanking maids and lowered himself to his knees as he beckoned for her hand.
"I am Prince Haru and I am terribly honored for you to have chosen me. I hope that you find the Earth Kingdom pleasant enough to remain here," he spoke the courtly love he had been taught.
She furrowed her brows in confusion but submitted herself to his grandeur and bowed deeply. His hand caught hers and together they lowered their heads in respect to the Earth King and his Empress. Their engagement was complete and they would be as good as married until their actual wedding day.
Though the court found her manners and her coloring startlingly odd, they grew to admire her childish spirit and charming beauty. The elegance, which they so admired, was found in her nature and they unanimously agreed that fire held an unbreakable sophistication they so strove for.
For the Prince his charming little bride was perplexing and this pleased him to no end. He had been fond of puzzles before and his future bride appeared to be a puzzle as well. Her stark coloring and her unusually elongated physical form made her stand out among the crowds of the elegant courtiers as something more rare and special. However the fact that she was still so young, as was he, made it impossible for him to think of her as anything but another younger sister.
She on the other hand was immediately taken to the Prince. He was unlike her brothers certainly for the Crown Prince lacked the aggressive fire that lurked underneath their soldier like exterior. Instead the Crown Prince was better compared to a graceful orchid, which also happened to be his favorite decoration, and exuded the quiet charm from his perfection of manners. He appeared delicate to her, something she never knew men could be and this pleased her surprisingly.
As Amina, who had followed her in her long journey, gently pulled out the numerous jeweled pins holding up her scarlet curls, the young princess expressed her confusion to her serene nanny while she rubbed her tired eyes.
"He is more beautiful than me. Don't you think that's strange, Amina? He is more beautiful than many a pretty woman. How can boys be beautiful?" Lamara turned to the exhausted woman, "I mean, his eyes are so green…greener than mine! They look exactly like that jade pin they have gifted to me. And I am sure that his hair is far more beautiful than mine. His is the color of dark chestnuts and it is far lovelier than mine…it's not fair, Amina!" she pouted angrily as she scowled at the untangling of her curls.
"Princess Lara, if I can be so bold, I believe that his highness found you quite captivating…do not worry little one. You're beauty is as special and rare as a man being physically beautiful. Why on earth do you think that Varuna is so famous for it's women?" she gently teased as she brushed back her hair.
"Do you really think he liked me?" she softly spoke, her voice barely audible. She was not speaking for an answer but rather simply wished to bring the question into air.
"I believe so but now you must sleep…" Amina hushed the child and closed her emerald green silk bed curtains. The maid then tied the ribbons of the curtains and settled silently on the cushions below.
The air hung still that night as Lamara pressed her cheeks against the cool silk bed sheet. Through the silk curtains and the latticed window she could see the star filled sky. When she smiled at a twinkling bright star, one fell from its place in the sky, streaking the serene darkness with a blazing trail. Her smile fell as she recalled the Seer's words and shuddered at the omen the stars presented her.