Chapter 19
Zuko's POV
I glared down at the letter in my hand, and made to read the rest of the hidden message.
Zuko, are you kidding me here? What ever happened to our friendship, as the Avatar, I should have been told of this little treaty, but considering how this is being done on the Water Tribe side and they are enforcing this whole thing, I will quit "yell–writing" you. Toph and I will be coming there in the next couple of days, and we are seeing as to whether or not we can pick up Iroh, Sokka, and Suki, but I don't think we'll be able to with Suki. I don't know. See you soon.
Aang
By the way, it might be harder for us to communicate now that some of out letters are being taken "off route".
So not only is he the world's hero, but he is also my murderer. That's just great.
I burned the letter within my hand, leaving no traces of there ever being one. Glancing at the window, I decided that I may as well head off and go to bed, but something tugged at my gut. I couldn't leave Katara angry and sad, I had to apologize for losing my temper so quickly. Getting up from the chair, I walked over to the door, and made to open it, but then someone knocked from the other side. Opening the door, I saw two disgruntled looking figures, one with blue and one with gray eyes.
Katara's POV
Apparently Zhong and Mai have been sneaking off to that room for a long time, and the only reason why they do is because Zuko would never set one foot into that room anymore.
Zhong had led me through the tunnel system that he discovered not too long ago, while trying to find a way to escape Zuko finding the two together in his bed. It was not long since that he would use the system to continue his affair with Mai behind Zuko's back.
When he found the panel door that led to the door of Zuko's study, he took a deep breath, and pushed on the panel. Looking for anyone that could have spot us climbing out of the tunnel, he finally walked out and helped me out. He then walked to the door, told me to not say a word, and then knocked. The door opened, and I could see the scarred face of the Fire Lord standing before us, looking shocked at our appearance.
"Zuko, we need to talk."
He looked at us closely and moved aside for us to move into the room with him. As I passed he took in my features and then said, "Princess, if you wish you may use thee restroom in here if you would like, it is just through that door over there."
I shifted my eyes in the direction that he was motioning and then turned to look back at Zhong. He merely nodded, and I headed to the room in quick haste, not wanting to be seen like this anymore. However, I did not close the door entirely, making sure that I could hear the two men talking.
"Zhong, why does she look like that?"
"I am not quite sure Zuko, but when I had found her, she seemed in complete distress over something."
I heard some shifting, knowing Zuko probably moved further away from Zhong and the door that was propped open for me to hear.
"I see, well, what is it that you would like to discuss with me that couldn't wait until the morning."
Silence. There was no sound emanating from the room, and I had no idea if it was because Zhong was nervous to tell him about his affair with Mai or because he was thinking of a way to tell him about his affair.
There was a sigh, "I wanted to ask, if you did not mind me in doing so, but I would like it if you sped up the wedding process for the Princess and I, so that the treaty may stand effective immediately."
Time had stopped altogether, and I felt as though I could not breathe anymore. My legs gave out and I thought I might have died right on this floor, until I heard what Zuko had said:
"What are you kidding me? You barely know the girl, and all of a sudden you are trying to force a marriage upon the two of you. What about her, do you honestly think that she wants this?"
"Honestly, I think that she will do just about anything to protect her people."
The entire time that I sat on that cold damp floor, I felt my heart thudding harshly against my chest, and pretty soon I thought that it might have given out. Yet, when Zhong had said that final statement, I felt like the entire world was falling on top of me, and that it was my duty to rise up against the adversity of the whole thing and face facts. Zhong is right, I will do anything to protect my people from harm if I can help it.
Rising from the tile floor, I took a look at my face in the mirror, it had been wiped clean of the makeup and the tearstains, and my hair was slightly out of proportion. Quickly pulling it from the once-elaborate hairdo, it rolled in waves down my back. Looking back to the door, with all of my strength, I forced myself out and stared down the two men dead in the eye.
"Zhong is right, I will do anything to protect the Water Tribe. In this case, I want to marry him as soon as possible."
Two pairs of eyes stared at me… Gold amber was frozen in place, taking a rather somber look in them… Stainless steel gray remained vigilant in their stead, and held a look of great trust.