I returned to my room and changed into the gown that had been laid out for me by the helpful servants. I myself was, honestly, uncomfortable with the idea of people waiting on me, but I supposed if you were royalty…

Pulling away from my thoughts I observed myself silently. My hair was down just like it normally was, and my face was still plain. My body, however, was covered in a lovely blue silk dress: a dress you would never see in the Southern Water Tribe. It amazed me. It fit me well, too.

I knew now that it was time for the peace dinner. I was getting hungry, and I hoped to myself that they were going to serve decent amounts of food there (because, you know, sometimes when you eat somewhere fancy they charge you twice as much for half the food).

I decided this was as good as I was going to get, and made my way to the main dining hall. I felt out of place and uninformed as I walked; I wasn't exactly sure what was going to happen and when.

As I was busy worrying, none other than Shang crossed my path. He was dressed up a bit more than usual, and he looked very nice.

"Everyone meets in the foyer before we eat," he informed me, offering me his arm. I stood back wondering for a moment whether or not I should take it; if I did it could signal that I was totally into the arranged marriage thing and people would assume that, well, we were together… but at the same time what if it was just the proper thing to do in the Fire Nation?

Despite my better judgment, I took his arm and allowed him to lead me to the foyer, where all of the people were.

The excited chatter floating in the air hit me like a wave as we entered. I saw people glancing over their shoulders at us and turning back to their peers, no doubt to gossip. I figured that there was no turning back now. I noticed Shang glancing down at me every few seconds, to make sure I wasn't feeling too out of place, I suppose. The truth was, though, a gala such as this had me totally out of my comfort zone, and I wanted more than anything simply to just run back into my room. But instead, of course, I would stay and endure the night's events.

Shang walked around and greeted so many faces that were unfamiliar to me it had my head spinning. They were all polite and proper with me: the girl on Shang's arm. After a while I felt really terrible about accepting it, because I'd honestly had no idea I'd be here all night.

After what felt like an eternity, the Firelord finally interrupted the chatter and invited everyone to adjourn into the main dining hall. Shang led me to my seat and pulled out my chair for me, being a gentleman. I thanked him and sat, and, unsurprisingly, he sat next to me. Not that I was complaining; I just knew people were getting the wrong idea, and it seemed to me that Shang didn't seem to care.

The servers brought out the first course, which was, to my dismay, ocean kumquats: in honor of our arrival from the Southern Water Tribe. Again I saw my father grimace, and again I was amused at his disgust.

The meal was almost over, and I was pleased that my stomach was in fact full. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the Firelord stand up. He soon acquired everyone's attention, and it grew quiet.

"Ladies and gentlemen, before we serve the final course of our meal, I have an announcement to make," the Firelord began, filling my stomach with dread. I brushed it off as paranoia, and continued to listen. "I would like to announce the engagement of my son, Shang, and Avatar Aang's daughter, Jade."

As the room erupted in cheers and congratulations, my heart sank into the bottom of my being. How could my parents do this to me? How could they agree to such a thing?

My thoughts continued to whirl as the Firelord informed everyone that no date had been set yet, but they could all look forward to coming to our wedding in the near future, and other things that I couldn't hear over my nausea.

Dessert soon came, but I couldn't even look at it. I felt like all the heat had drained out of my body, and I sat there shivering, holding back tears. Shang noticed, I was sure, but I didn't care.

Why me…?