After I settled in, though I was sure I wasn't supposed to, I decided to take a walk around the palace. It was highly ornate and beautiful. The architecture of the Fire Nation was foreign to me, and therefore I admired it even more. In actuality, I was just roaming the hallways, not brave enough to open doors. After all, who knew who was behind them? It would've looked kind of awful if the daughter of the avatar was caught snooping around the Firelord's palace.

As I walked I began to hear a muffled conversation in a room nearby. I saw an archway not too far away; perhaps that was where the voices were coming from?

All of my common sense told me to turn around and find my way back to my room, but what was the point of exploring if you didn't find anything? As I inched closer I recognized my father's voice in the conversation. They were probably talking about boring adult things…

"They're only children, Zuko."

What? Who was he talking about? Was he talking about me? Me and…

"I understand, but you have to realize that you and Katara were younger than they are when you fell in love, Mai and I were the same age. I don't mean to imply an immediate marriage, but don't you think it'd be good for the sake of the nations? You are the avatar, after all."

Marriage? What? I surely hope he wasn't talking about-

"She's my daughter. Shouldn't she be able to choose who she weds? Does love mean nothing anymore?"

My heart sank as I listened; an arranged marriage… Why me? Surely my mother wouldn't agree to this.

"Aang, you act as if I haven't given this any thought. It's not only your daughter, but my son, too. Think about it; the world is still scarred from the war. Through the joining of the water and fire nations through marriage is symbolized great unity and peace…"

After the Firelord spoke there was a horrifying moment of silence. I couldn't wait for my father's response; I had to flee. I made my way back to my room quickly and silently to let this all sink in…

It was ridiculous. They couldn't possibly just set me up with the fire prince. That goes against everything both of my parents stand for: my father especially. He was brought up by the monks; they taught him to treat everything with love- he couldn't possibly hand his only daughter over to a stranger, right?

Spirits, I hoped not…