"So" the Avatar was the first to speak up "What's going on?"

From behind the curtain, Azula saw her brother's demeanor changing. Instead of being the powerful Fire Lord, he was now just an ordinary young man, clearly apprehensive of what his friends would think of him. He couldn't even speak and was visibly tense.

"Zuko, are you okay?" the waterbender asked.

"Yes. I swear I'm okay, it's just that..." he hesitated and avoided looking directly at them "There's something I want to tell you guys. About me and Azula" he said, and the princess could hear the embarrassment in his voice, which only made her smile. He sounded almost like a little kid, talking about his first crush.

But clearly, hearing her name only made his friends fear the worst.

"What did she do?" Aang asked.

"It's not like that, calm down."

Azula doubted they would. And truth be told, that was actually good - if anyone had put her through everything she had done to her brother and his friends, she would never be anywhere near that person again. And for all their flaws, these two, and the others, seemed to care about Zuko and want to keep him safe.

"Well, then there's no need for you to act all weird. Just tell us" Katara said, a small smile appearing on her face, but it didn't look as genuine as her boyfriend's. Though Azula wasn't sure if the boy was truly that unconcerned now, or was simply trying to be encouraging. On the few times she had seen him at council meetings, he would always look pretty optimistic about literally everything.

"Before I tell you, just keep in mind that she changed, and that we're actually happy now, okay?" his words only made his friend's look more nervous, making the princess smirk.

Put them out of their misery, Zuzu.

"Azula and I are getting married."

'Shocked' wouldn't even begin to describe the expression on their faces, but while the Avatar slowly seemed to calm down a little and look simply confused, his girlfriend quickly went from unbelieving to disgusted, and from disgusted to angry.

"How can you... when did you...what?"

Zuko took a deep breath "Katara, I know what you're going to say, but please listen to me"

"Don't waste your time trying to say anything unless you're going to tell me it was just some sick joke."

"It's not a joke" his tone became serious "I am going to marry her. We're just going to make sure our nation is safe first."

"This cannot be happening. You cannot be serious. It's not possible that you can't see just how disturbing this is. She's your sister!"

"You think I forgot that?"

"Apparently you did!"

"Okay, both of you calm down!" the boy tried to intervene, Katara was completely exasperated.

"And it's not even just that! How can you even consider letting her have any kind of power over others after everything she did? How can you think she should rule a nation? How can you not see that she's just manipulating you? Again"

"You don't know what you're talking about, Katara!" Zuko let his temper get the best of him for a brief instant, making the princess jump back as if to avoid being accidentally hit by an attack that never came, while the Avatar immediately got close to his girlfriend, giving Zuko an angry look. Katara herself didn't even flinch.

Azula considered making her presence known, to support her brother, but she knew it would only make things worse.

"She's not manipulating me" Zuko lowered his voice and regained his composure, but somehow still sounded and looked absolutely furious "I don't care if you believe it or not, I know it's true."

"Look, this isn't gonna go anywhere" the Avatar spoke up again "You two need to cool off before we can discuss this."

"There's nothing to discuss"

The waterbender scoffed "On that we agree."

Without another word, she took her boyfriend's hand and they left the throne room. Once the door was closed, Azula came out of her hiding place, making her brother sigh.

"Why am I not surprised you were listening?"

"Because you know me" she embraced him, feeling just how tense he was "Don't worry, they'll come around. Even if I have to force them to."

"You can't force them to accept this."

Azula pulled away "I can and I will if I necessary. Oh, and thank you for defending me" she kissed his cheek "My Lord."

Zuko chuckled and pulled her back to him, holding her tight.