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The Morning Rise – Chapter Seventeen
Elle sat at her desk chewing on her lip as she closed her diary.
In the center of her desk sat her art book with her lakeside painting of the princess gazing back up at her.
The young girl smiled with a twinge of redness adorning her cheeks while standing up just before pushing her chair in.
"I…should get to bed. Tomorrow…is going to be yet another great day with Azula-sama." Elle spoke quietly just as she turned off her night light before padding to her bedside now in her night clothes.
She sat upon her bedside with a serene countenance before widening her amber eyes as she suddenly clutched at her chest.
With speed she didn't know she was capable of she lunged for her backpack with a shaky hand.
All the while fumbling for her pill bottle in the dark of her room.
She finally recovered it before she sunk back with a cup of water in hand while quickly swallowing a small tan pill.
Moments later Elle fell back into her bedside holding a hand over her face with the barest traces of pain now visible in her eyes.
Elle moaned quietly with a faint trace of sweat on her forehead.
And sometime later she fell asleep at long last.
In the early morning hours unbeknownst to the now snoring girl a woman now sat before her bedside.
Azula glanced down at Elle with callous amber golden eyes all the while fondly watching her handmaid sleep.
The princess began to lean over the sprawled-out girl with her palms clasped together in her lap.
Her lips began to purse into a thin line while she turned away from the girl's sleeping face to glare at the closed door.
'Why does this peasant pique my interests? It's not just her tributes…is it? Why did I feel the need to come all the way down here? It's not as if I expected the girl to be awake at this hour.' Azula thought while turning her head to peer back down at Elle laying on her back with her mouth open in her sleep.
That was when she found herself brushing soft golden tresses in an almost affectionate manner.
As her possessive eyes continued to survey her servant's adorable face.
The princess closed her eyes before releasing a heavy sigh while she inwardly mused that this girl was becoming too great of a liability.
Then her eyes snapped wide open when she heard a faint whimper emanate from the sleeping girl.
Azula glanced down at the small blonde's face all the while frowning when took note of her pet's pained expression.
A flicker of worry began to grudgingly flash in her eyes while she scowled over the girl now leaning even closer as if to inspect her for injury.
"Ooh." Elle groaned in her sleep while Azula lowered her fingers to softly touch her cheek.
'Why is she in pain? The hangover is long over with…so why?' Azula pondered with her brows furrowed in concern while she stared down at her little admirer's quietly moaning face.
Her rigid eyes continued to sweep over the girl from head to toe searching for any defect.
Anything that would make her cry out in her sleep.
There were no surface wounds…not that she could see above the girl's clothing.
Which only left her with the conclusion that it must be related to the girl's mysterious health problems.
Then Elle unexpectedly opened her eyes.
The princess's fingers swiftly withdrew all the while peering down at her pet's half-asleep face with an imposing scowl.
It took a few moments while Elle held a hand to her forehead before she glanced up in surprise to realize that her mistress was seated beside her bed.
The princess was now staring down at her with icy amber golden eyes that already made her feel as if she has displeased her.
"M-Mistress! H-have I overslept?" Elle stuttered with a distraught countenance while trying to sit up only for the woman's palm to push her back onto her pillow.
"Stay in bed girl. It is two hours before you are scheduled to get up." Azula spoke with a frown still pursing her lips while Elle peered up at her with confused sleepy eyes.
"O-oh…did you…need me?" Elle mumbled with the sophisticated woman still glancing down at her with strict eyes.
"No. I was going for my morning walk when I walked past your chamber. I decided to step in and make certain that your arrangements were up to my standards. That is all." Azula responded before standing up above the young girl's bedside with her palms now folded behind her back.
"I…see…" Elle trailed off in mid-yawn while Azula now towered over her with her callous eyes peering down at her in a way that already sent shivers down her spine.
Then the regal woman began to turn away with her eyes peering down at her even still.
"Just go back to sleep…what?" Azula questioned with a curious twitch of her lips when a dainty hand grasped ahold of her pant leggings before she could turn away.
"W-would you s-stay with me…Azula-sama?" Elle requested bashfully with her words producing an instant scowl from the looming woman.
"Stay with you? Look at you…already trying to crawl into my lap." Azula scoffed with her cold eyes gazing down at the girl's now crestfallen face.
"S-sumimasen…" Elle trailed off with her drowsy eyes gazing away at the wall to which Azula rolled her eyes in response.
Azula closed her eyes for the briefest of moments while she exhaled under her breath.
Then the princess reopened her impassive eyes before peering back down at the half-asleep girl's turned back.
"Well? Move over girl. Make room for your princess." Azula commanded in a supremely entitled voice while glaring down at Elle who was now turning to gaze up at her with startled amber eyes.
"R-really? Azula-sama? You'll sit with me?" Elle mumbled while peering up at the towering woman's shadowed frame with her heart already beginning to beat rapidly.
"I said move girl!" Azula barked with absolute dominance before bending over to seat herself while the girl scooted out of the way of her lowering backside.
"Yes Mistress! If Her Highness says move. I move!" Elle chirped with her back now pressed up against the wall while struggling to contain her excitement when Azula seated herself at the top of the bed.
"You will not breathe a word of this to anyone...not even to Mai or Ty Lee." Azula remarked just as she bent over to remove her boots with her backside purposefully seated just inches from Elle's blushing face.
"I-I understand Azula-sama." Elle agreed with a jubilant yawn all the while peering at the princess's shapely bottom with a twinge of pink on her bashful cheeks.
"For as long as I am present in this bed you will yield the majority of the bed to me…you will get whatever is left. Now move over more." Azula demanded with smugness lacing her voice while sliding her long legs into the bed.
"Y-yes Azula-sama." Elle stammered before backing up as far as possible while watching Azula place her head upon her pillow.
Then the princess finally settled with her tall body taking up approximately seventy percent of the bed, all the while stretching her legs in a spoiled manner.
But even though her love interest had just rudely shoved her aside and almost sat on her face the small blonde was practically ecstatic to lay with her princess.
"Come here Elle." Azula purred with her amber golden eyes peering over at Elle's small frame all the while delighting in how the young girl began to crawl over like her kitten.
"Princess…" Elle whined before crawling to a stop before the regal woman wagging hand.
"You seek my lap…is that correct?" Azula asked lazily while she stared down at the girl with a pleased countenance when her pet sunk onto all fours before her belly.
"That's so." Elle admitted with a prolonged yawn while turning a shade of crimson when a strong hand was lowered into her hair.
"Hm. Very well then…I shall indulge your silly desires." Azula sighed while examining her finger nails before watching in amusement when Elle began to curl up beneath her petting hand.
Elle yawned once more before collapsing face first upon the princess's lower belly as Azula peered down at her with her fingernails trailing through her hair.
"T-thank you…" Elle spoke softly while breathing serenely once more with her head atop the regal woman's belly while it continued to rise with her every breath.
"Just consider yourself fortunate…that I have become fond of you." Azula muttered with her stern gaze always peering down at her servant now latching onto her belly.
"I…am indeed fortunate to have you as my best friend Princess…" Elle trailed off with a sunny smile that only grew brighter upon listening to a snort resonate through the woman's belly.
"Yes Elle…your best friend." Azula commented dryly with an amused countenance that Elle never seemed to notice while her hand grasped at the top of the girl's head.
All the while Elle peered up at Azula from her lap with a display of moved emotion in her innocent eyes.
Then a single teardrop fell onto the princess's robes which the princess noted with a detached amber golden gaze that shone with the barest trace of disapproval over the tear.
"Azula-sama?" Elle whispered while the woman's hand still resided in her hair.
"What is it servant?" Azula questioned with yet another sigh just as she herself began to relax deciding that she approved of her pet's favored sleeping area.
"Can…I talk to you about anything?" Elle requested while averting her eyes while Azula glanced down at her with her astute countenance searching for something unspoken.
"So long as that something isn't along the lines of secretly being in league with my brother or the Avatar…then by all means. Tell me anything." Azula explained with her head turning the pillow while her callous stare continued to scrutinize Elle's eyes to note a brief flash of sadness.
"Oh…no…I…don't even know what an Avatar is…and…I have never met your brother." Elle mumbled with her eyes closing as she lay upon the rising belly with the woman's palm digging into her hair.
The princess had already long since ascertained that her young admirer had no connection with the enemy.
But even so she was somewhat taken aback that the girl didn't even know what the Avatar was.
"I already know that. Why do you ask? Is there something that you are hiding from me?" Azula inquired in skillfully smooth voice with her keen mind already recalling the girl's pained moans in her sleep.
"No. Nothing at all. I…just…wanted to know." Elle stated with yet another yawn before lowering her head into the princess's stomach once more.
"Really? For your sake my pet…you had best remember that I own you. You no longer have the right to secrets…I own even that…as well." Azula purred with her long fingers grasping at the quivering girl's hair all the while pushing her into her lap.
"Y-yes, I-I am Her Highness's good girl." Elle murmured with a blush just as her breathing began to stabilize.
"That too…is self-evident. Now…go to sleep…you only have one hour with me. I suggest you make use of what you can." Azula announced with her eyes now peering up at the ceiling while she listened to Elle yawn once more.
Her pet was lying…not about the Avatar but…something unrelated.
But she will find out…of that she knew for certain.
"My mistress…" Elle whined in a muted voice with her face burrowing into Azula's soft belly all the while breathing peaceably.
"You are…a good pet." Azula sighed while trailing her hand through the girl's hair all the while enjoying how her pet hid in her lower belly.
The small blonde just mumbled incoherently in response with her eyes closed all the while just when the sound of soft snoring began to resonate into the air.
Azula's stern eyes flickered back down to Elle while she began to silently study her submissive girl's sleeping face.
From that moment onward her strict countenance never left her handmaid's murmuring visage all the while her hand remained planted in the young girl's hair.
All the while Elle continued to periodically snore while adorably clutching at Azula's elegant robes.
She didn't know what the girl was hiding…
But she intended to find out.
Two hours later…
Elle awoke with a loud yawn all the while stretching her limbs only to blink when she realized that her head was now on her pillow.
Then she glanced around to notice that Azula was no longer present.
She was somewhat disappointed that her princess didn't stay…but she knew that she was lucky that Azula even graced her with her presence for a single hour!
Most fortunate indeed!
The young girl quickly sat with a soft smile while she happily mulled over her growing bond with Princess Azula.
Then she stood up with yet another yawn before slowly padding about her chamber to begin her morning routine.
About five minutes later while she fumbled through her closet still in her night ware, she heard a curt rapping upon her door that startled her into straightening.
"Yes?" Elle called out before turning when she watched the door open to reveal Azula standing on the other end gazing back at her with impassive amber golden eyes.
Without even giving it, any thought she immediately dropped into a respectful kowtow on all fours.
Elle gazed down at the floor while Azula began to approach with her hands folded behind her back all the while peering down at her with approval in her stern eyes.
"Ohayō Gozaimasu Azula-sama!" Elle cheered with warm laughter while watching the princess's pointed boots stop just before her kneeling face.
"Good morning Elle." Azula greeted while glancing down at her well-mannered servant with her callous eyes reflecting her flicker of fondness for the girl.
"How may I serve you this morning Princess?" Elle asked sweetly before peering up at Azula looming above her with joyful amber eyes.
"Finish getting dressed. Then I wish for you to walk with me." Azula announced with her palms still clasped behind her while staring down at her pet with her usual hardened gaze.
"Yes! A walk with Her Highness!" Elle exclaimed with innocent cheer lacing her voice that had the princess peering down at her with an amused smile.
"I will be outside your door…do be sure not to keep me waiting too long." Azula spoke just before turning away with Elle watching her stride towards the door.
"I won't Azula-sama." Elle agreed in a chipper manner that prompted Azula to glance back at her for the briefest of moments before shutting the door behind her once again.
The petite servant arose with her spirits at their peak before quickly returning to her open closet all the while swiftly choosing her choice of outfit.
And then dressing herself all the while chewing on her lip in a panic fearing that her princess would go on the walk without her.
Then Elle releasing a yelp when she almost tripped on the leg of her chair that echoed outside of her door.
The princess gazed over her shoulder with her face scrunched up when she heard her favorite servant's clumsy cries that were soon followed by an unknown item falling to the floor with a clang.
Azula stared at the door with a blank expression of bewilderment with her arms folded over her breasts.
"I-I'll be right there Mistress!" Elle exclaimed in a fretful voice that now had Azula rolling her elegant amber golden eyes.
"Hm. I am sure you will." Azula taunted with a small smirk about her lips before another squeak followed from the girl's chamber.
"Just brushing my teeth!" Elle assured in a garbled voice while Azula now examined her clenched fist sighing all the while.
Several more moments passed by before the door opened and then closed soon after.
"All done!" Elle piped with a grin before she bowed at the waist while the woman now eyed her with a comical dry stare.
She bowed to her mistress with a bright smile while she shyly averted her eyes from the princess's gaze.
She was now dressed in red and gold robes that curiously mimicked her mistress's colors that signified her status as royalty.
As her backpack was now humorously slung over her shoulders and she once more wore her little golden bow upon just below her neck.
"As always…you please me with your bow…. your bow is in splendid form." Azula stated just as she walked closer all the while looming over her bowing handmaid with her crimson lips now adorning a pleased smile.
"I am honored that you think so Azula-sama! I strive to be show you only the upmost courtesy!" Elle answered gleefully just as she peered up at the princess still giving her a glance over.
"But your bow tie is upside down." Azula informed casually with a finger under her chin while her petite servant visibly deflated upon hearing that.
"H-huh…oh…" Elle trailed off lamely with her amber eyes now gazing down at her bow tie in a fretful manner.
"And your sash is tied backwards." Azula commented while pointing down at her pet's adorably distress little face.
"S-sumimasen…A-Azula-sama…" Elle stuttered with an audible gulp all the while feeling like a fool in the presence of such a divine woman.
"This simply will not do…come. I shall lend you my guidance once more." Azula sighed before gesturing for her handmaid to follow with the pouting girl padding after her.
"Y-yes Princess…" Elle murmured in a tone of low confidence while opening the door once more for her mistress.
The petite girl held the door for the tall woman stepping past her before watching her princess regally seat herself in her desk chair.
Then she shut the door behind her while Azula folded her legs elegantly before wagging her finger in a come-hither motion.
The young girl was already scampering forward before the princess even opened her mouth to speak.
"Stand right here…" Azula ordered with a snap of her fingers while pointing before her boots.
"O-okay." Elle replied with a noticeable stutter before halting to stand perfectly straight before her mistress.
She stood with her arms flawlessly held to her sides while the princess reached out to adjust her bow tie.
All the while callous amber golden eyes surveyed her ashamed face in an almost parental manner.
"From now on when I tell you to finish getting dressed…take a few more minutes to do so. I am not going to beat you for doing so…understand girl?" Azula explained with her strict eyes peering back at her sulking pet while untying the girl's bow.
"I…do Mistress. Forgive me…" Elle whined with her innocent eyes peering down at her feet while she felt the bow tie tighten up snugly around her neckline.
"Stop acting like I just backhanded you girl." Azula scoffed with her cold eyes now staring back at her pet's corrected bow tie all the while clicking her tongue in approval.
"Yes Azula-sama…" Elle agreed meekly while trying her best to stand proud with the sophisticated woman lifting her chin up with her long finger.
She stood motionless while her princess tilted her head to the right and then to the left.
"Your bruises are healing…good…very good. This pleases me." Azula commented just as she cupped the girl's chin while gazing down into the girl's emotional amber eyes.
While Azula may be a cruel person to nearly everyone else in the world…to young Elle she was the only person to have make her feel this cherished.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu!" Elle cried out with her misty eyes now peering up at Azula's impassive face while the princess furrowed her brows inquisitively.
"What for now?" Azula asked in a silken voice just as she released her handmaid's fragile chin.
"F-for making me feel cherished…you are s-so good to me Azula-sama." Elle murmured with a returning smile while she wiped at her eye sniffling as she did so.
"You are my most devoted follower…I recognize the loyal. Now raise your arms above your head." Azula ordered with her lips curling upward just barely while in amusement when Elle raised her arms as soon as she voiced the command.
"Yes Mistress! I am a good girl for my mistress!" Elle exclaimed jubilantly with a sunny smile while Azula glanced back at her with pleased amber golden eyes just as she began to untie her sash.
"Good girl Elle. Never forget that you please me. Very much…" Azula trailed off with her lips pursing into a stern stare while she began to retie her handmaid's sash.
"B-but have I not acted improper today Azula-sama?" Elle questioned with a faint blush when her pants loosened around her waist.
But through it all her princess made certain to hold her pants up while she tightened her sash the proper way.
'I trust Azula-sama with all of my heart and soul…she cares for me…' Elle thought while peering up at Azula with admiration in her gentle eyes.
It truly moved her that her mistress would take the time to assist her in such simple matters.
She truly was both her caretaker and her mentor.
"Improper? How have you been improper? Is this about what General Bujing said?" Azula queried with her lips pursed into a frown while she concluded in tying the girl's sash.
Then she glanced back at her servant's childishly worried face all the while mulling over why she even felt the urge to reassure the girl.
"I-I am uncoordinated…I am clumsy. I…put my bow tie on upside down…and I tied my sash on backwards. Y-you've had to take time out of your morning just to fix my appearance. I…apologize Mistress." Elle stammered with her palms grasping at her arms while she gazed off to the side in shame.
The sound of Azula snorting in contempt entered her ears while the elegant woman uncrossed her legs before rising to her feet.
Once again Elle stood with the princess looming over her much smaller frame while Azula glanced down at her scowling in disapproval.
"Look up at me girl." Azula demanded with a domineering snap of her fingers all the while observing in delight when her lovely handmaid gazed up at her with faithful amber eyes.
"If my princess says look up…I look up." Elle spoke with emotion lining her voice as she clasped her hands together while peering up at her caretaker's powerful visage.
"That's my girl. You speak to me with only the highest level of respect…. you never fail to bow to me…and your bow is simply flawless. Silly girl…do you really think that those trivial details make you improper?" Azula announced with her crimson lips beginning to curl into an amused smile while lowering her hand into Elle's soft hair.
"U-um…no?" Elle answered lamely with a returning cheer while she gazed up at the princess now rolling her captivating eyes once more.
"How many times will you continue to doubt me…when I tell you that I approve of you?" Azula snorted with her strict eyes narrowing down at her pet's quivering little face.
"Sumimasen Azula-sama…" Elle declared passionately before bending in a bow at the hip with her arms folded politely at her sides.
All the while Azula stared down at her bowing girl while holding a hand beneath her chin with her lips now forming a refined smirk of approval.
"If I had any issues with correcting your dress…you would know." Azula assured with her palm patting the girl's head which produced a most curiously satisfying giggle.
"I understand Azula-sama!" Elle cheered in a voice intermingled with warm laughter while she blushed beneath the princess's dominant hand.
"Good…so very good. Now close your eyes servant. I have a surprise for you." Azula informed with her head tilting to the side all the while surveying her pet's excited little face.
"A surprise for me!" Elle exclaimed merrily before closing her eyes all the while remaining in her respectful bow with a bright smile adorning her face.
Then the young girl felt a piece of fabric drape over her right shoulder while her mistress began to wrap the unknown cloth around her upper arm.
"Open your eyes my pet." Azula purred in a charming voice while Elle eagerly opened her little eyes before gazing down at her arm in confusion.
Then the small blonde's eyes widened in a heartfelt manner to find herself gazing down at fine ribbon that now hung upon her arm.
It was a golden cloth that featured her mistress's Fire Nation insignia in a bold red and gold colors!
'This…this is the Fire Nation Royal Family insignia!' Elle thought before peering up at the towering princess with joy overflowing from her eyes.
"M-my mistress…you honor me." Elle spoke with a moved emotion in her happy voice while Azula stared down at her vastly pleased by her devotion.
"You are to wear that at all times. You should have no further troubles as you go about your labors." Azula stated as she glanced down at her little admirer falling into an even deeper bow before her boots.
"A-Azula-sama…you are my home…" Elle murmured in a voice of endless loyalty before hugging the nearest boot while the princess observed her from above.
"Indeed I am. Don't concern yourself with what others say. All you have to do is serve me…and I shall do your worrying for you. I will take care of you…Elle." Azula explained with her hands now folded behind her back while peering down at her pet kneeling before her boot.
"Yes, my princess! Forevermore as Her Highness commands." Elle called out sweetly while grasping at the princess's pant leggings all the while falling into her knee.
"I am greatly satisfied by your reverence Elle. You may rise now…" Azula remarked with a graceful smile now on her refined lips all the while observing her pet push herself to her feet.
"If my mistress says rise! I rise!" Elle chirped with a radiant countenance that earned her yet another pat to the head.
She began to laugh warmly once more all the while peering up at her mistress with her face now at level with her upper belly.
"Mhm. Now that I just adore. You are such a good pet." Azula cooed while Elle peered up at her with a reddening blush on her cheeks.
"If a good pet is what you want Princess. Then it is what I shall always be." Elle boasted before childishly puffing out her chest with an expression of adorable pride in her loyal eyes.
"Of that I have no doubt. Come along now Elle." Azula commanded with yet another snap of her spoiled fingers before she began to stride away all the while her pet began to chase after her heels.
"Humph! There is no one that can surpass my loyalty to you Azula-sama! I'm your most faithful girl!" Elle cried out as she swelled proudly while now striding alongside the amused princess.
"I know you are. Now let's go for a walk you and I." Azula announced with her palms clasped behind her back all the while glancing down at Elle bouncing along cheerily alongside her.
"Yes, Azula-sama. I…look forward to yet another day with you." Elle stated with a serene smile adorning her cheeks before scampering ahead of her mistress to open the door for her.
The princess observed the door open with her lips now forming a content smirk while her little handmaid never failed to bow when she held the door for her.
"Good girl. Such a polite pet." Azula purred with a sage nod the while striding along with her pet who was now beaming up at her.
"O-oh Azula-sama…I strive to be the best girl for you that I can be…" Elle gushed with a hand on her bashful cheek while her princess gazed down at her with a regal countenance.
"Let's go have an early breakfast." Azula declared while casting her small companion a fond glance just as they made their way down the palace halls.
"That sounds wonderful Azula-sama." Elle agreed with a vibrant grin while the two walked closely beside one another down the long palace hall.
The princess and her servant were now forming an unspoken bond with each other that was felt even now.
No more words needed to be said.
Elle was quickly becoming accustomed to reading Azula's body language better than anyone else could.
And Azula was now growing used to the foreign role that was being Elle's protector.
Thirty minutes later…
Azula now sat in her throne within her study while she quietly read over her plans regarding her upcoming mission.
She briefly glanced up when Elle set her plate down before her along with her usual fresh cup of tea and a jar of orange juice as well.
"Is there anything else I can get you Mistress?" Elle questioned as she bowed at the hip before her seated princess.
"No servant. That will be all. You may sit down now." Azula informed in a pleased voice while granting her servant a nod of approval.
That was when Elle's eyes sparked when she removed the wrap from her plate while Azula while gazed at her through the corner of her stern eye.
"Ooh! I like hotcakes! T-this isn't the usual breakfast Azula-sama. Did you order this…for me?" Elle requested before seating herself in a smaller chair at the table while peering up at Azula with grateful little eyes.
"I did. You informed me that you liked hotcakes." Azula stated with her tea cup in hand while staring at Elle's overjoyed face sniffing her breakfast in rising excitement.
"Thank you!" Elle cried out with a sunny smile while gazing back at her mistress as she began to cut into her own meal.
"Hm. It is on your list of permissible meals. I will be managing your food intake for all of your days. From this moment onward I will be deciding what you eat for each meal." Azula remarked in a domineering voice all the while glancing back at her pet in a supremely entitled manner.
Instead of being horrified or angry Elle began to beam at the amused Azula with even more delight in her innocent eyes.
"Please make my decisions for me Azula-sama! I don't know what I would do without your authority. I-I like it when you decide for me." Elle confessed with a blush while the princess peered at her with a fond smirk growing upon her red lips.
"I have come to the conclusion that your appetite for dominance just may be insatiable…but fortunately for you pet…no task is too daunting for a woman of my genius. Very well dear. I will hence forth impose even more restrictions on your little mind!" Azula announced with her fingers pointing at Elle's reddening face before swallowing a mouthful with grace.
"O-oh Azula-sama…it really comforts me knowing that I have you to guide me along the way. W-will you promise me that you'll always be here to lead me?" Elle questioned in a shy voice with her words incurring a beyond gratified glance from the princess.
"You would be lost without me…it is clear that you need my dominance. Hm. So be it…you will never find yourself without my rule." Azula stated with a fond smirk now adorning her lovely lips just as she sipped her tea.
And then just like that Azula found herself grunting before gazing down at her side to find Elle had leaned over the arm of her throne to embrace her belly.
"I am so grateful for your friendship Princess. I just know we'll be inseparable!" Elle shouted radiantly while squeezing the woman's side only for the princess's hand to promptly pry her off.
"Yes, of that I have no doubt. Now go back to your chair!" Azula barked just as she snapped her fingers in Elle's pouting face.
"Y-yes Azula-sama…" Elle mumbled with a sulking countenance all the while gazing at the princess's lap with longing in her eyes.
"And eat your food." Azula commanded with her amber golden eyes narrowing down at her submissive girl's rapidly nodding face.
"As you command Princess." Elle agreed with a blush just as she began to gingerly nibble on her pancakes.
"There are a few things that we need to discuss this morning." Azula commented just as she cut into her eggs while Elle listened with a smile.
"I'll talk about whatever you like Azula-sama!" Elle chimed with her amber gaze peering up at the woman gracefully swallowing her meal.
"Good. Then perhaps you could explain the moans of pain that you were making in your sleep." Azula remarked with her callous stare now glancing down at the taken aback little blonde.
If there was one thing her pet was terrible at…it was deception.
"Pained moans?" Elle repeated as she chewed on her lip before quivering under her mistress's hardening glare.
"Mhm. Pained moans." Azula spoke in a voice of absolute control just as she set down her tea cup while she turned to peer down at her servant's vanishing cheer.
"I…don't know." Elle murmured lamely while she almost shrunk under the weight of the woman's stare.
"Do not lie to me girl." Azula warned in an icy voice while frowning down at her admirer's worried little face.
"S-sumimasen…" Elle trailed off with an audible gulp while she gazed down at her lap fiddling her thumbs.
"Lie to me again Elle…and you just may find yourself spending the next week or two pondering your disobedience while you wait for us to return." Azula announced casually while waving her hand before her face just as her words provoked an expression of adorable horror in her handmaid's eyes.
"W-weeks without Azula-sama?" Elle stammered with a sorrowful voice while the princess quirked a cruel smile.
"Weeks." Azula replied with smug satisfaction all the while trying to suppress the faintest sliver of something akin to remorse when her little admirer looked as if she would nearly cry.
"P-please don't leave me behind. I-I might die of heartbreak…" Elle whined out with a sniffle while Azula rolled her amber golden eyes down at her.
"While I find your adulation endearing I very much doubt that you would die. Even so…if you wish to maintain your many privileges, I expect absolute obedience from you." Azula spoke while glancing down at her sensitive servant with a strict gaze.
"Y-yes Mistress." Elle mumbled with a sullen countenance when a palm lowered to pat her pouting head.
"Good girl. Very good. I like good girls. You're my good girl…and my good girl obeys my every command." Azula purred with her fingers now dancing through her pet's hair while peering down at her submissive girl sinking into her seat.
"A-are you mad at me Princess?" Elle asked in a worried voice while she savored the woman's petting hand.
"That depends on you. I demand an explanation for those pained moans. Are you going to be a good girl?" Azula asked with her regal lips pursing into a frown while she brushed blonde bangs from her handmaid's eyes.
"I…don't know the reason for my pains…but I suspect that it is serious. I…didn't want to tell you. Because I didn't want to focus on it. I…have just been trying to ignore it." Elle explained quietly while the princess stared down at her with her eyes widening in concern.
"Serious? Naïve girl. Ignoring a problem doesn't make it go away. Explain this to me. Now." Azula snapped with her arms resting on the sides of her throne while glaring down at her flinching pet.
"W-well I keep having crippling pains in my chest." Elle admitted meekly with a trace of fear in her voice while Azula glanced down at her with a sliver of worry flashing in her eyes.
"And…you weren't going to tell me this?" Azula scoffed with a twinge of anger in her voice while narrowing her eyes over the girl's naivety.
"No." Elle responded once more while averting her eyes in shame from her mistress's displeased scowl.
"The Crown Princess of the Fire Nation, and the eventual Fire Lord has taken a romantic liking to you. I have access to virtually any and all medical treatments on the entire planet. Instead of telling me so I could investigate the matter…you…were going to withhold details from me?" Azula demanded in a voice that verged on unforgiving while she stared down at her little servant with callous amber golden eyes.
"W-well I have been taking pills for the pain." Elle confessed with a nervous gulp while Azula reeled around with even deeper anger flashing in her gaze.
"Pills?" Azula hissed with her hand swiftly grasping onto the girl's trembling shoulder with her cold eyes once more flashing in concern.
The fact that the girl's pain was so great that she was taking pills spoke volumes.
And the little fool had thought it brilliant to hide this from her!
"Y-yes. I acquired the medicine a little over a month ago. I am not certain what the problem is. I-I have had a lung condition ever since I was a little girl. It might be worsening…or there may be s-something more serious going on. B-but I prefer not to think about such things." Elle spoke quietly while avoiding meeting the princess's angry eyes.
"You prefer not to think about it. As opposed to what? You should have told me this before!" Azula snapped with her palm subconsciously tightening on the girl's shoulder.
"I-I meant no disrespect. I-I am just…finally happy. For the first time in my…life. I am happy. I w-would prefer to focus on serving you Mistress." Elle stuttered in an astonishingly carefree voice while Azula gripped her shoulder with her imposing glare making her cower in her seat.
Though Azula would not admit it aloud she was touched by the girl's answer.
It was all the more reason to be angered that she wasn't told earlier.
Try as she might to resist it, she has become fond of this peasant girl.
Elle's loyalty was truly moving. Even to a woman as cold as herself.
She supposed that played a heavy factor in why she has come to care for this girl.
Which was why it baffled her that Elle would hide this from her.
This…mousy little lady managed to catch her eye.
The health of her girlfriend was not to be neglected!
'Damn this peasant for making me feel such a weakness!' Azula thought with her hardened eyes now narrowing down at her pet's innocent face.
"You simple minded girl! How can you serve me if you can't even breath?" Azula inquired callously with her hand tightening once more upon Elle's fragile shoulder.
"P-please loosen your grip. T-that hurts." Elle whimpered with a yelp just as the princess's hand swiftly released her shoulder.
Azula gazed down at Elle now eying the girl's shoulder with an almost remorseful stare.
There was a brief moment of uncomfortable silence while the small blonde sat staring down at her food all the while fidgeting under the princess's continued scrutiny.
"This is not acceptable. You should have told me about both the pills and the severity of this condition before you saw the palace physician. I am displeased with you Elle." Azula declared with a scowl while she turned away from the young girl's now distraught countenance.
Those were the very words that Elle feared hearing more than anything else.
"S-sumimasen Azula-sama." Elle stated in a voice verging on tears while Azula grasped at her tea cup with her lips still pursed into a cold frown.
"I don't even want to hear it. I am henceforth forbidding you from speaking for the remainder of this breakfast." Azula spoke just as she sipped her tea while trying to suppress something akin to guilt when she heard a choked cry behind her.
"Yes Azula-sama." Elle whispered with a tear sliding down her cheek just as she began to eat in a sorrowful silence.
The two resumed their meal in silence while the princess occasionally glanced down at her crying handmaid with an annoyed scowl all the while trying to squash her remorse.
Elle was soon pushing her half-eaten pancakes away in favor of staring down at her lap with her shoulder slumping as she did so.
After another twenty minutes of this Azula also pushed her plate to the side while she turned to eye her sorrowful admirer with a displeased frown.
"Enough of your crying. It annoys me." Azula stated insensitively with her palm gripping her tea cup while she scowled at the girl's slumped back.
"Wakarimashita …" Elle answered with a sniffle while she sat gazing away glumly.
That was the straw that broke the metaphorical komodo rhino's back for Azula.
For reasons unknown it bothered her when Elle offered her an unhappy wakarimashita.
"Servant." Azula called out with a slight sigh while setting down her cup before turning to speak to the depressed girl once more.
"Y-yes Mistress?" Elle replied with a hopeful tone while she turned to peer up at her princess's imposing visage.
"Your punishment is over…you may speak now." Azula commented with her palms folded in her lap while gazing at her little servant wiping her wet cheeks.
All the while she couldn't help but purse her lips into a thin line at the sight of her handmaid's tears.
"A-are you…still angry with me…Azula-sama?" Elle questioned with her fingers wiping at her eyes while she gazed up at her in a fretful manner.
"No. You are too devoted for me to stay angry with you for long…over a small lie. But there will not be a repeat of this incident. You will show me these pills…and you will tell me everything." Azula responded with her head reclining in her throne all the while glancing down at her sensitive servant's damp face.
"Yes Princess. As Her Highness commands." Elle mumbled with another sniffle while her words finally produced a pleased smile on the regal woman's face.
She was very much relieved to see Azula-sama smiling once more, it broke her heart to know that she had angered her princess.
"My good girl heeds my will at all times. Are you my good girl Elle?" Azula purred with a finger curling beneath her chin all the while knowing that the young girl was.
But she still enjoyed lightly toying with her.
To her satisfaction Elle briefly peered up at her with a distressed face before leaping to her feet with her little eyes agape in worry.
Then Azula glanced on with pleased eyes when the petite girl promptly bowed before her at the hip with her arms neatly tucked in at her sides.
"I am your good girl Azula-sama! P-please forgive me Princess." Elle cried out with another tear streaming down her cheek while she gazed down at her mistress's boots.
All the while the princess surveyed her handmaid's emotional face before the tear drop fell to the floor below.
That was when Azula raised her gaze upward deciding that she would rather her pet smile once more.
"You are such a melodramatic little thing…but I am fond of you all the same. You are forgiven." Azula remarked with a lazy wave of her hand while staring at her bowing handmaid with an amused twitch of her lips.
"I-I am so glad to hear that Azula-sama. I-I don't like it when you are displeased with me…" Elle murmured glumly while pitifully kicking at an imaginary pebble.
"I can see that. The obvious solution is to simply do as I say. Do you understand girl? It's in your best interests…anyhow. I do have your well being in mind." Azula spoke with her face resting in the palm of her hand while she leaned forward on her throne to peer at her pouting pet.
"I-I know it is…my mistress cares about me…" Elle trailed off while quivering in her bow with her innocent eyes misting up once more.
"Hm. I do. You wouldn't be spending your mornings with me if I didn't. Nor would I have taken an interest in ensuring that your arrangements offered maximum comfort. And I most certainly…would not have even stepped foot into your chamber if I did not." Azula explained in a silken voice while gazing into her handmaid's pure hearted eyes with a gaze of genuine fondness that she only graced Elle with.
"I apologize Azula-sama." Elle stated morosely in a shameful voice on the brink of further tears just when a warm hand reached out to grasp her chin.
The small blonde's saddened eyes widened when her chin was lifted upward by the woman's finger to find herself gazing into stern amber golden eyes.
"No more tears! I have already stated that I forgive you. If you shed another tear then I will punish you once more!" Azula bellowed with her finger pointing into the young girl's trembling face all the while narrowing her icy eyes down in a terrifying stare.
"Y-yes Azula-sama." Elle mumbled with a final sniffle while she began to smile shyly in response.
"Good girl. Tell me Elle…why would you keep such details from me? I desire to see that you are given only the finest medical care…I would see you breathing normally. Is that not in your best interests?" Azula questioned with a frown of disapproval pursing her lips while she held onto her little servant's quivering chin.
"It…is." Elle admitted lamely with another slump of her shoulders while she once more felt like a misbehaving puppy.
"I see. So, would you not be better off heeding my will?" Azula purred just as she began to trace her fingers along her pet's fair skin.
"I…would Mistress." Elle agreed while chewing her lip in shame under the weight of the woman's reproaching stare.
"So…why do you prefer to ignore it?" Azula asked with her hand clutching Elle's face all the while peering into her handmaid's ashamed little eyes.
"Because I prefer not to focus on things like hunger and health…I just go with the flow. I…don't consider such things…my life isn't some precious thing to me…so I don't give it much thought." Elle confessed in a tone of low self-esteem while the princess gazed back at her with surprised amber golden eyes.
If Azula didn't know any better there was a trace of an unspoken suicidal tendency in the girl's voice.
"Regardless of how you view your life. You still need to eat if you wish to stay alive…and ignoring these pains will not make them go away." Azula stated in a tone verging on maternal guidance while frowning down at her little admirer's gulping face.
"I-I know. But I w-would still rather not think about it. I prefer to live the simple life without worrying about the outcome." Elle informed in a soft voice while Azula now gazed down at her rolling her lovely eyes.
"You really are fortunate that I am here to decide for you." Azula snorted flatly with her fingers still forcing her pet to peer up at her.
"I suppose so Mistress. I would much rather spend my evenings painting Her Highness's beautiful likeness than worry about things like that. I just don't want to think about it. Because it worries me." Elle remarked with innocence lacing her naïve voice while the princess glanced down at her as she sighed under her breath.
"As adorable as that may be…you won't live to paint me very long if you don't eat. Just heed my absolute will…and I will make all of your choices for you. All you have to do is serve me…and I will take care of the rest." Azula announced with her elegant lips curving into a refined smile all the while possessively grasping at her pet's chin.
"It comforts me when you decide for me. Please take care of me Azula-sama…" Elle pleaded with longing in her voice while the woman's graceful smile began to make her heart beat rapidly.
"Mhm. I will…you silly girl. I like you servant…and for that reason alone you do not have the right to neglect your health. I own that…as well." Azula explained in a domineering voice just as she began to pat her pet's soft blonde hair.
"You own that as well Azula-sama!" Elle cheered with a returning smile while she bent over to bow to her mistress once more.
"You are a well-mannered pet. And it is painfully apparent that you wouldn't survive without my rule." Azula commented dryly while she patted her bowing servant's head with her fingers in the girl's hair.
"That's so…can I ask you something Princess?" Elle began timidly with a bashful countenance while Azula eyed her in a slightly curious manner.
"What is it servant?" Azula inquired with a sigh while she stared down at Elle with grudgingly fond eyes.
"C-can we share a hug?" Elle requested just as she twiddled her thumbs all the while averting her eyes from the princess's comically stiffening countenance.
"A hug?" Azula snorted while rolling her eyes all the while watching Elle shift on her feet like a needy kitten.
"I…wish to hug you Mistress." Elle murmured with a blush just as she peered away adorably under the woman's deadpan stare.
"Ugh. Just make it brief." Azula relented with a sigh just when she allowed Elle to lean in to hug her around the neck.
"Even when my chest hurts…I still think of nothing but how happy you make me Azula-sama." Elle admitted with her face buried in the princess's neck unable to see the flash of concern in the princess's gaze.
It was a truly foreign feeling to Azula.
For the first time in her life she realized that she was worried for another person's well being.
She understood that she didn't want to see anything happen to her little admirer.
Because…she did not want to part ways with Elle.
"Does it hurt right now?" Azula questioned with her lips pursing into a frown once more.
"A little. My inhaler helps to keep it under control. Sort of!" Elle chirped in a stunningly carefree manner while pressing her face into Azula's flawless dark hair.
"You have got to be the most naïve little thing I have ever seen! You will be seen by the palace physician once again today. By a different physician if the first should prove inadequate. And you will not protest my will! Is that understood girl?" Azula snapped just as she carefully pushed the girl back to her feet all the while gazing at her handmaid with an imposing stare that sent shivers down Elle's spine.
"Y-yes Azula-sama…my mistress…my caretaker." Elle agreed as she stood once more before bowing at the hip while the princess surveyed her with approving amber golden eyes.
"Good girl. Now that is what I like to hear. I will take good care of you. Just…be my submissive girl…I'll be a good ruler to you." Azula purred with her arms resting in her lap once more all the while surveying her servant with stern amber golden eyes.
"Y-your submissive girl…my ruler." Elle repeated with a widening smile while she blushed under the weight of her princess's stare.
"I have already laid claim to you Elle. It is far too late for you to protest now. You no longer have a will of your own…I own that now as well." Azula declared with her lips now adorning a regal smile while she leaned in with her chin resting in her palm to peer at her handmaid's reddening face.
"I-I don't protest your authority Azula-sama. Why would I? I want nothing more than to be your g-girl." Elle stuttered with an adorable flush while she stared down at the princess's pointed boots.
"You are…my girl." Azula cooed with a flicker of fondness permeating her voice along with a smirk gracing her lovely visage.
"I…am Azula-sama's girl!" Elle cried out radiantly before bashfully leaning in while Azula eyed her with amused amber golden eyes.
"Hm. Are you trying to do what I think…" Azula trailed off only to blink in surprise when Elle gingerly kissed her upon her cheek.
The princess sat in a taken aback silence before observing Elle adorably withdraw all the while averting her eyes from her questioning gaze.
"I…am sorry if I shouldn't have done that…" Elle trailed off shyly while shifting on her feet.
"You certainly are an entertaining little thing. I will admit that much. I have could use a refill on my tea…that is. If you can manage." Azula remarked while leaning back in her throne just as she lazily gestured to her empty cup.
"I am always feeling up to serving you Princess!" Elle exclaimed while she bowed politely at the hip before her mistress's seated form.
"And clean these dishes up while you're at it. And then bring me my tea. When you get back…we'll go over the basics of Fire Nation currency." Azula announced while gazing at her bowing handmaid with a pleased countenance.
"As Her Highness commands! Always as she commands." Elle agreed with unrivaled cheer that had the princess's lips curving into a content smile.
"Now that is what I like to hear. You may go now servant." Azula commented with a wave of her hand while eying the girl with possessive amber golden eyes.
"Yes! I shall return to you straight away Mistress!" Elle chirped before quickly scurrying over just while carefully gathering the dishes in her arms.
"Oh, and one more thing." Azula began while peering at her handmaid's back with a trace of concern in her callous stare.
"Yes Azula-sama?" Elle answered in a tone of boundless devotion while turning to meet the woman's stern gaze with the dishes balanced in her arms.
"Don't…do anything strenuous. Just…return with my tea." Azula commanded in an offhand manner while the young girl now smiled brightly back at her.
"Understood Princess!" Elle called out with an infectious grin while Azula stared at her with a hardened gaze before waving her off once more.
"Get going then Elle." Azula sighed before turning away while watching Elle pad towards the door trying to conceal her grudging worries regarding the girl's health.
The dishes clanged while the innocent girl opened the door before making a final but altogether laughable attempt to bow before her mistress.
"I'll be back soon Princess." Elle stated with a smile while the princess gazed at her dryly when she almost dropped the dishes in mid bow.
"Just go get my tea." Azula snorted with her face resting in her open hand while she observed the girl shut the door behind her.
Her little admirer's beaming face was the last she saw of the girl before the sound of the door closing resonated into her study.
Though vastly pleased by her handmaid's dutiful behavior…
She found that her concerns for her servant were growing by the day.
And so, with that in mind.
She withdrew a blank document while she began to elegantly write an official order to the Fire Nation University.
She would settle for nothing less than the best for this one.