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The first day back went exactly like Zuko had described. Mai saw Zuko once and that was only for an early morning breakfast before he was called away and Mai was given over to Me Ling the royal family's secretary.
"First thing on your agenda is to be fitted for the Fire Lady's attire." Me Ling said as she began placing out garment after garment of colorful reds, gold's, and blacks.
Mai suppressed a weary sigh she would never really get away from wearing the confining clothes a noble woman of the Fire Nation wore. Now it would be worse for she was the Fire Lady and protocol required her dress to match her position. Obediently she raised her arms allowing the two maids to slip the simple spun black dress over her head. Next they placed the red corset around her torso. As they worked at tying the laces at her back Me Ling continued instructing Mai on how she was to dress for each day. Remembering the instruction of her mothers Mai let out a small breath at a time getting accustom to the constraint.
Sitting down Mai endured the twisting and pulling as her hair was shaped and the crown pinned in her hair.
She than spent most of the morning touring the palace she already had seen before and was introduced to staff whom she had met previously when she was a friend of the fallen Princess. Most of the morning she felt light headed and waves of nausea swept over her at inopportune moments. Brushing it off as lingering sea sickness and the adjustment to getting her land legs again.
Finally Mai was able to relax as lunch was served to her in the garden.
"Is the Fire Lord not taking lunch with me?" Mai asked after a few minutes of sitting there alone.
Me Ling looked positively shocked. "No the Fire Lords lunches are usually set up with members of state." Than in a kinder tone of voice Me Ling continued. "You will rarely see the Fire Lord and when you do it is only in passing or for a quick meeting where your presence is needed. Other than that the Fire Lady eats most lunches and dinners alone, that is until you give the Fire Lord children."
Mai was careful to remain cool and uncaring. She understood far to well that she would not be an honored wife in the eyes of the people or her servants until she gave the Fire Lord an heir to the thrown.
After lunch Mai was shown her study where much of her planning and meetings would be held. Sitting behind the desk Mai began sorting through her letters one of which was from her parents another from Ty Lee.
"I will give you some time to go through your correspondence." Me Ling said as she excused herself.
Mai let out an irritated sigh as she picked up her parents letter. Scanning it quickly it just spoke of their great pride in their daughter for becoming Fire Lady and their hopes that soon she would bless the whole nation with an heir to the thrown. Rolling her eyes Mai crumbled the letter up and reached for Ty Lee's.
Ty Lee was coming for the welcome home ball held in honor of Mai and Zuko's return. Mai smiled as she read the letter that was a mirror image of Ty Lee's personality full of animation and excitement. It would be good to see Ty Lee and compare notes on married life. Mai would no longer be left in the dark when Ty Lee talked of married life. Though Mai didn't think Ty Lee could count herself an expert on marriage for her husband had left shortly after their marriage on ambassador work for the Fire Lord. Mai quickly wrote a short letter back welcoming Ty Lee's company and that of her husband if he had returned home.
……………………
Zuko sat on his thrown and addressed his secretary.
"Are you sure there is no record of this place that was destroyed in the Earth Kingdom?"
"Not a single page my Lord. However you do recall when you took the thrown that the Fire Mages and sadly some of you generals destroyed any incriminating records they could get their hands on."
"I remember." Zuko replied with a sigh.
"There is a ship coming in a day or so with more soldiers." The secretary said peering at a sheet of paper in front of him. "Most were posted in the Earth Kingdom, and I believe you know the Admiral Zhao he is also on the ship."
"That title was stripped when he came back several years ago." Zuko corrected quickly.
"Forgive me my Lord." The Secretary stammered as he quickly scratched the name out and penned in the correct name.
"I don't recall giving my consent on his return." Zuko replied calmly.
"No your Uncle replied to his request and allowed for his return." The man again started shuffling papers around till he found the one he was looking for. "Ah here it is and I quote 'I request permission to return to the Fire Nation as I have been away for a good number of years and sorely miss my wife. I bring gifts to the Fire Lord and the New Fire Lady from the northern water tribe. ' "
"I suppose I couldn't keep him away for ever. He is to have an audience with me as soon as he arrives." Zuko ordered.
"Of course Fire Lord. There is one last matter that has come up."
"Can it not wait until tomorrow?"
"I am afraid not Fire Lord. General Iroh has gone to Ember Island and is returning with the Lady Azula."
"Really I never sent an order for the return of Azula."
"It would appear that Iroh has acted on his own with this matter."
"Send several guards down to the docks to escort them straight to me. Damn Uncle and his infernal meddling." Zuko said wearily.
"You're handling this very well."
"Well that's because I am bone weary at the moment and have no strength to get angry but don't worry tomorrow all hell will break loose. I promise." Zuko replied with a grim smile.