Azula was powerful- she had always been powerful. But from a young age she learnt that power had a limit- a self imposed limit. In order for power to mean anything one had to be willing to use it.
Here lay Azula's true strength. She had the ability and the will. She was able to take on the guilt and was happy to blacken her soul in the hopes of becoming stronger.
In the past her deeds were on behalf of her father- an unfortunate waste of time and effort. But now she was given a new path. Zuko would be weak and vulnerable while his reign was new, and his will was questionable.
Azula knew that she was now on the right path- the path to true power- the only path.
The Princess approached Admiral Pon Leh through the centre of two lines of impeccably dressed Fire Nation soldiers. Their faces were cold and alert- the faces of true warriors. The Admiral wore a loose fitting gown with gold lacing, his face wore a goofy grin- clearly starstruck at the sight of the young girl.
Fie Pon Leh's voice wobbled out of his bulbous mouth, his smile somehow increasing in size- threatening to tear his head in two. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you Princess Azula- or should I say Fire Lady Azula." Fie was clearly pleased with the joke, his mouth quickly retracted so he could again beam his approval.
Azula's cold gaze melted away and a warm smile crossed her features. Her sharp calculating eyes softened and began to sparkle as she approached. The aged Admiral knew then, without a doubt, that everything would be okay.