A. N. : Since nooses are a type of knot, you might want to be careful when tying the knot and make sure you're not going to find yourself in the worst kind of situation. That was more or less my thinking when coming up with the title of today's chapter. Weddings are always interesting in historical dramas, I feel, since they mix the personal and the political so intimately... That's not really the focus of this fic, honestly, but still ! I like the drama !

Han watches.

He stands on one side of the room, back to the wall, between Zhou and Yang Wu, and watches. Fire Lord's orders. Stand there, unmoving, like a fine tapestry stolen from the Earth King's palace, and watch the one kind of negotiations that the Dai Li doesn't care for.

Does the Fire Lord know that they want to foil him ? Is that why he's sent the uninjured Agents on useless missions while the rest recover ? To taunt them ? Remind them he holds all the power ?

There's a war meeting happening right now, that they weren't allowed into. Xia said he'd attend anyway, hidden in the rafters. Han hopes he won't get caught.

If only he wasn't stuck here, Han could help. Could do something.

Anything.

Instead, he watches two old ladies talk marriage with General Zenka's daughter, Lady Tsuma.

It surprised him, to see the potential bride alone to discuss the conditions, and Han thought it might be some weird Fire Nation thing at first, but… The way the old ladies talk, it feels like General Zenka is the only worthwhile person in the family, at least in their eyes, by virtue of her military rank, and if she can't be present, then it's not worth getting anyone else but Lady Tsuma herself.

It's obvious that this kind of minor nobility has everything to gain from a wedding into the royal family, even to one like Han.

The real mystery is what the Fire Lord gets from this.

Han guesses Lady Tsuma is pretty enough, in the sharp way Fire Nation girls often seem to be. She is about his age, or just slightly younger, closer in age to the Princess – the ex-Princess – than to her potential future husband. That's also something, the near guarantee of future heirs, now that the Fire Lord got rid of the last one he had.

Maybe these heirs will manage to satisfy the Fire Lord and not get exiled. Han doubts it, though. Not when even the Princess, in all her cruel, awe-inspiring efficiency, failed to do so.

He wonders if Lady Tsuma is aware of that. If she thinks her children, and she by extension, can do better than the girl who conquered Ba Sing Se.

Or maybe the slight tremor in her arms as she demonstrates her bending to the old ladies is proof that she knows no one will ever be up to the task.

Maybe she fears their judgement, no matter the verdict. Fears being worthy of being fed to a monster just as much as she fears what failure to do so would mean for her family.

Maybe she can be used.

If she marries the Fire Lord, she will be in the perfect position to end him. She might not even need much persuasion, might do it to keep herself safe.

How long would it take for the suggestion to work ? How long would it take for her to gain access to the Fire Lord at his most defenceless ? Before the world ends ? After ? When all is already lost and all that's left is petty revenge ?

Han will tell his idea to Xia, even if it seems far-fetched. The Head said he could share the Lake's secrets if he thought it might help, and Han thinks – Han wants to believe it can.

Xia will know what to do with Han's techniques. Will know who to use them on.

He'll know how to reach targets and ensure the best result. Han wants to believe he will.

He has to believe it.