A/N - SORRY FOR THE WAIT, READERS! I was on vacation for a week and couldn't update. But I'm back; and I got a good one for ya! It took a couple days (plus a week =P), but I like it. How about you?

I walked briskly and formally down the corridor to the Royal Dining Hall. Katara walked by my side, as had been instructed of us. Sokka was off eating with the other guards that weren't currently on duty. A message had come from my father before dinner, saying that I was permitted to bring along my maid, but my guard was not necessary: there were plenty of guards on duty in the Dining Hall.

So there we were sitting on comfortable cushions at a rectangular table close to the floor; butler across from butler; brother across from brother; sibling across from sibling; maid across from maid. Once we were all settled and had begun eating our first course, my father said, "It must feel nice to eat a full meal after all those years at sea."

"It is greatly appreciated, brother." Iroh said, having become a full General once more.

"I would very much like to hear of your successful capture of the Avatar." the Fire Lord said smoothly. I thought I saw, out of the corner of my eye, my uncle's butler flash a sly smile. But, when I looked, he looked calm and obedient; exactly how a butler should look in the presence of his master. I only thought I saw that. I blinked, and began telling the false tale.

Throughout the story, Ozai nodded and smiled at my triumph. Azula glared and rolled her eyes frequently. Again, I thought I saw Iroh's butler grinning at something, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out why, so I dismissed it as me seeing things again. Ozai's butler remained looking perfectly normal the entire time, as did Azula's maid. Katara and Iroh didn't give anything away in their expressions, and neither did I. When the tale was done, my father congratulated me and told me how much I've grown since he saw me last.

"What about you, dear? What have you made of all this?" my father said, turning to Katara. I clenched my fist underneath the table, knowing I would step in if the Fire Lord upset her at all.

Katara sighed, and said, "Well...I really miss Aang- I mean the Avatar. I, um...well I really liked him."

"Really?" my father said with interest, "Well, then, I apologize, for you'll never really see him again."

Katara closed her eyes tight for a moment, then said, "Yes...I know." I now realized how strong Katara had gotten since we arrived. This morning, she was weeping at the thought, but now...she was being very valiant, and I was quite proud of her. Katara opened her eyes and looked my father straight in the eye, and said, "But I'll be fine. I can't live the rest of my life wishing about something that won't happen. I've just got to think about what's going on now and what I'm going to do. And what I am going to do, right now, is be Zuko's maid."

"You will address him as Prince Zuko. Beside that, you are quite right, um...what was it?" my father asked.

"Katara." she said, then, turning to me, "My apologies, Prince Zuko." I nodded to her approvingly.

"You are forgiven." I said, and she went back to her meal, as did everyone else.

After dinner and dessert, everyone went to go to bed. As I was walking out with Katara, I heard a formal voice behind me say, "Sir, do you need anything else for the night?"

My uncle's voice replied tiredly, "No, you may retire," he yawned, "as will I." He chuckled, and walked past me out the door. "Good night, my nephew."

"Good night..." I said, "Katara, you head off to our room. Can you find it? Good. I've...got to do something..."

Katara went on ahead, and I turned around to see Iroh's butler looking straight at me. "Seems like you enjoyed the retelling of my capturing the Avatar." I said suspiciously, leaning against the wall with my arms crossed.

"Oh, yes." he replied slyly, "Especially the fact that it was a lie."

I had suspected this, so it didn't throw me off very much. "How'd you know?" I said angrily.

"I head you talking about with your friends and uncle. I was just going to ask General Iroh if he needed anything, but I couldn't help but listening in on the meeting." he said with a grin.

I kept a calm, yet stern expression, even though my head was screaming in fear. I said levelly, "So, now what?"

He crossed his arms also, a sign that he wasn't afraid, and said, "You do whatever I say."

"I don't take orders from butlers." I hissed.

He replied with the same threatening anger, "You will unless you want your father to know what I know."

"What do you know?" I asked. I wanted to make sure he was talked about the same horrible facts that I was.

He chuckled, and said, "Just that your capture wasn't nearly as hostile as you made it sound. And that you and Katara had some sort of conversation before her capture. I'm willing to guess that this girl is more friend than maid." More love than friend, actually.

"Maybe." I replied, "So what do you want? Money? Power? I just got here this morning; I can't really get you anything."

"I know. That's why you've got two weeks before you've got to pay up. And by pay up, I mean 500 gold pieces. This job as butler barely pays one silver piece a day, and I want more. Also, tell Uncle Fatso to talk me up. I want the Fire Lord to appreciate me, so I might get a promotion that pays better!"

I was slightly taken aback as I cried, "Two weeks to get 500 gold pieces? It's impossible! I don't get paid to be the Fire Prince!"

"But you do have access to money." he replied.

I paused, trying to figure out what he meant. "But...that's my father's private store! I can't just take it without reason!" I said after a moment.

"Well make up a reason!" he said angrily, "I don't particularly care how you get the money, just get it! And don't forget to tell your uncle to compliment me around the Fire Lord!" And with that, he walk briskly and purposefully out of the room, leaving me, once again, dumbstruck against the wall.