Chapter 9: Picking a Queen
The Gaang is heading back to Ba Sing Se. Appa land in front of the Earth King's palace, where the guards welcome them.
"Welcome back, Lady Bei Fong." A guard says. "The Earth King is waiting for you."
The Earth King's Royal Advisor then heads to the throne room and bows to her King. "Wanted to see me, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, Toph." The Earth King replies. "I need you to help me to select a wife. My previous advisor, Long Feng, kept telling me there were no available maidens but now I know he can't be trusted, I want your help to evaluate all ladies trying to marry me."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Toph replies. "When do they arrive?"
"The first ones will be arriving this afternoon." The Earth King explains.
The Gaang sees several carriages with Earth Kingdom ladies arriving at the palace. However, they notices not all of them are from the Earth Kingdom.
"Hey, why some of those ladies seem to be from the Fire Nation?" Katara asks.
"Because they are." Toph replies. "The Fire Nation is trying to strenghten the bonds with other nations to avoid retaliation for one hundred years of war."
"And why do most of the Fire Nation ladies look like Ty Lee?" Sokka asks.
"Maybe they're her sisters, Snoozles." Toph answers. "Sparky said she has six older sisters and that she became a circus freak only to avoid becoming a copy of them."
"In that case, you should let one of them marry the Earth King." Sokka suggests. "They don't seem to be smart enough to take advantage of him. And that's saying much."
"You think so?" The Earth King asks as he suddenly appears, shocking everyone. Specially Sokka.
"I-i-i-i-i-i-i-i mean."
"Snoozles here is just resentful of the hardships he faced here while Long Feng was manipulate you." Toph explains.
"Okay." The Earth King replies. "Now I'm gonna be introduced to the ladies." And then leaves.
"Sokka, you should be careful about what you say." Katara scolds her brother.
"Sugar Queen, you should know Snoozles here is only used to open his mouth to eat." Toph replies. "Now, if you excuse me, I gotta help the Earth King."
At the dining hall, the ladies are entertaining, or rather saying, boring Toph and the Earth King with lists of their virtues.
"So, what do you think, Toph?" The Earth King whispers to his advisor.
"Other than being extremely boring, none of them poses any danger." Toph replies.
Later on, when Toph goes to her quarters, she 'sees' someone approaching. "Enter."
A surprised woman enters. "How did you know somebody was coming."
"Don't underestimate me." Toph replies. "What do you want?"
"Milady, I'd like to tell you I'm friends with your parents and they'd like if I married the Earth King." She says.
"Get out of here before I have you arrested for lying to the royal advisor." Toph furiously replies. The woman then leaves.
In the next morning, Toph's friends are discussing the marriage issues, except for Sokka, who's more interested in the breakfast.
"So, a woman falsely claimed to have connections to your parents so you would favor her?" Aang asks.
"Yeah, Twinkle Toes." Toph answers. "But I should have seen it coming. These people are nothing but a bunch of golddiggers."
"How awful." Katara comments.
"It's the nobility, Sugar Queen." Toph comments. "Bear with it."
"So, what are you going to do about it, Toph?" Aang asks.
"Well, I'm just gonna bear with it and pick the best one." Toph says. "Or the least bad one."
At dinner time, The Earth King, his royal advisor and his guests are enjoying tea served by Iroh, who was brought there on Toph's advice.
"Toph, are you sure he's Fire Nation Royalty?" The Earth King whispers to Toph.
"Yes." She answers.
"And why did you call him?" The Earth King asks.
Flashback begins"Iroh, I need your help." Toph says.
"I'm honored the Grand Royal Advisor of the Earth King would ask for a humble tea server's help." Iroh replies. "What do you need me for?"
"The Earth King is seeking a wife and I need you to help keeping an eye on the candidates." Toph explains. "They'll think you'll only serve tea but you'll also evaluate her."
"Very clever, Lady Toph." Iroh says. "I'll help."
Flashback ends"Clever, indeed." The Earth King comments. "But what if he decides to be biased towards his nation?"
"Then I'll notice it." Toph explains. "That crazy niece of his is the only one able to lie to me."
Contrary to my initial expectations, I'll have to make another part to the wife-picking story. Please review.