Katara
"Still planning to strike me in the face?," Samin held a smug grin as he leaned against one of the spiraling columns of the entry room.
"Everyday the urge is harder to suppress," I said sweetly with a smile.
Samin chuckled and shook his head," You're still such a child in many ways."
I held my hands to my sides and relaxed the fists they were forming into. Why was Samin obsessed with making my life miserable.
"At least I can remember to flush a toilet," I felt so satisfied to see the smile be wiped from his face. During his stay at our house, Samin had a forgotten to flush more than once. Another reason to be glad he was no longer staying with my family.
"Why so hostile, Katara? We're family now."
"Ugh," I shivered. "Not even close."
Samin dramatically placed a hand over his heart," I'm sure my new mother would be stricken with grief to hear you say that."
I couldn't fight my hands being forged into fists, how dare he call my GranGran his mother!
"She is no more your mother than I am your niece," I replied through gritted teeth.
"My niece, hm?," Samin pushed off the pillar, closing the distance between us. "I'm not so sure I like the sound of that."
"Good. Because it'll will never be true. You are just a boy to me; a boy of the man who married my GranGran."
A fire ignited in Samin's eyes, it scared me a little. I nearly stepped back from him, but I caught myself before hand and stood my ground.
"Just a boy? I am older than you, Katara and I have more experience."
"More experience? I've battled masters, traveled the world, and helped the Avatar end the war," I said proudly," I'd hardly say we have the same accomplishments."
"Exactly my point... a child in so many ways," he eyes were a light piercing blue, they nearly froze me in place. "I speak of experience in a way you have never known."
"Words like that, you're asking for a fight," Katara glared in return.
Samin stepped back, relieving the tension built between them and smiled smugly," As I said, a child in so many ways. Goodnight Katara." He turned and left for his suite.
Disgusting, I shuddered and went off to the gardens. I can't stand the thought of him! Why does he care so much to go out of his way to annoy me! We could just do our jobs and not interact at all. Samin says he wants us to work together and have the tribes be together but he does stuff like this! He does this on purpose! Like saying that stuff in front of Zuko! What is he, some sort of sex fiend! I hope Jakina shot him down and damaged his precious ego!
"Watch your step," a voice interrupts my thoughts.
"Huh?," I turn to see a woman in the gardens with a guard on either side of her. I had nearly ran into her while being too focused on my thoughts. "I'm sorry."
"You nearly walked right into me. You are not from here, are you?"
I looked down at my blue dress, it stood out greatly next to all the golden decor.
"I am an ambassador for Firelord Zuko, my name is Katara."
"A waterbender?," she asked with no warmth in her tone.
"Yes, the Southern water tribe. Who are you?"
The woman looked Katara up and down, her guards hovering close behind her. Katara looked up at her, she was tall and dazzling with her sparking gold jewelry and stained red lips. Her dress was adorned with glittering jewels and strings of expensive beads that made her tight dress seem stiff and uncomfortable, albeit exquisitely beautiful. Her long nails matched her lips and the only thing she seemed to be missing was a crown on her head. Katara still could not place her as she searched her memory.
"I am Iza, daughter of Count Drakku and future Fire Lady of this nation," she smiled brightly, but it was frigid and only for show.
Future Fire Lady? That would mean she is engaged to Zuko?!
"Fire Lady?," I mumbled to words.
"Yes," she looked down at me.
"Zuko never mentioned he was engaged."
She arched a brow and re examined me with narrowed eyes," You should address the Firelord with respect, especially as a guest in this palace."
"Zuko would have told me if he was engaged," I swallowed the lump in my throat.
He would have, right? He wouldn't tell me about an assassination attempt and not about his future marriage!
Iza scowled and it made her face wrinkle unpleasantly.
"You seem vastly uneducated for the role of ambassador. I suggest you learn your place," she turned and Katara listened to the sound of her heels and she strode away.
What just happened?! Is Zuko engaged?! He's going to be married! TO HER! I have to find him and ask! Wait, wait, wait! I can't just march up and ask him about that? It's... It's none of business. Of course Zuko is going to get married, he's the Firelord. They're probably trying to settle him into his role since he is so young... Most likely so he will produce an heir.
Katara's own thoughts gave her whip lash and she gasped out loud, covering her mouth with her hand. She ran through the corridors and to her room, throwing herself onto the bed and trying desperately to forget the mysterious woman she had met in the hall.
Zuko
"The Head of Administrative Affairs is requesting an audience with you, my lord," Tasris was reciting his agenda for the day.
"Raitek? What for now?," Zuko sighed as he slid his crown onto his head.
"I suppose he will mention it himself at the time of the meeting," Tasris cleared his throat.
Zuko turned to his chief aide and raised an eyebrow, it was obvious Tasris knew what Raitek wanted to speak about. Tasris let out a slow sigh and lowered his scroll, admitting defeat against the Firelord.
"You know very well what he wants to discuss, my lord."
Zuko clenched his fist and released it, he was sick of these talks.
"He knows that something this trivial is not to take priority. I have a nation to run and more important things to worry about than... than that!"
"Yes, I agree, sire. Count Raitek looks at the smaller picture when it comes to your reign, he wants to increase your approval ratings and believes that a wife will be the best way."
Zuko fell back into his chair," Yes, I know his argument. This will be the fourth time he has tried to broach the topic."
"Well, there is a," Tasris cleared his throat," long list... of consorts awaiting your approval into the palace."
"I approved the first list because I thought it would get him off my back."
"Yes, but surely he does his due diligence and knows you have yet to call on any of them."
"This really is such a waste of time. A Fire Lady is of no use to me."
"A consort has many uses other than romantic, my lord."
"I do not wish to be bombarded with woman who only see me as a way to gain political power."
"I must admit, sire, this women do give up a lot in the effort to become consorts."
Zuko's head snapped to Tasris," There will be none of that. I will no rule as my father has. No one is forced to stay in the palace or leaved any family behind, make it known to them they are free to do as they please... especially if it means to leave me alone," he mumbled the last piece.
"Perhaps if you only met with them, it would be enough to oblige the Count for now."
Zuko snorted," If my memory serves, then I believe the count's daughter is on that list as well."
Tasris rifled through his notes and found what he needed," Yes, her name is Wasea."
"Meeting with these woman will not change my mind, Tasris. If that is all Raitek wishes to discuss then I will decline the request."
Tasris nodded and scratched the message into his notes before looking back to the Fire lord.
"Perhaps there is a solution for both parties."
"I don't see what is going to make him stop."
Tasris cleared his throat," Forgive my boldness, sire, but perhaps if you were to make former governor Ukano's daughter an official consort then he would be pleased."
The room went still, Zuko was processing Tasris' words before forming his response. Make Mai an consort? How could I? It would only make our relationship more complicated. If anything I need to end it once and for all with her not upgrade her to a mistress. It would never word, besides it would fuel Ukano's hatred for me. Everyone knows how fiercely loyal he still is to Ozai.
"No, it's not an option."
"Forgive me, my lord," Tasris bowed his head.
Zuko taped his knuckle on the counter, thinking of solution to a problem he didn't want to deal with. Finally he leaned forward and took in a deep breath.
"How many consorts currently in the palace?"
"As of now, there are only 11, my lord."
"11 is still too many... There are all in the Southern wing?"
"Per your request, my lord."
Good, last thing I want is for any of them to run into Katara... or any of my ambassadors, Zuko shook his head.
"I will not meet with Count Raitek, but I will have a group lunch with the consorts. There I will send all but 5 home, leaving them hopefully less likely to distract me."
Tasris stayed quiet as he took notes, but Zuko sensed he had something to say.
"You can say what you want, Tasris."
"5 consorts is an awfully small amount, my lord. It may fuel Count Raitek's quest to get you to the altar."
"5 is small but also manageable. I will make a selection to keep those with little authority hopefully they grow bored with my rejection and return home."
Tasris lowered his scroll," There will come a day when you will have to take a wife, my lord."
"Yes, but that day is far in my future," Zuko stood. "Come we should get to the council meeting."
The meeting ran smoothly and once dismissed Zuko was ready to get to affairs of the nation when Katara stepped Infront of him. Zuko couldn't even been upset at the delay as Katara stood before him. Her long hair was tied into a long braid and her white dress made her blue eyes electrifying.
"Firelord," she bowed her head.
"Firelord?," Zuko nearly smiled. "Awfully formal for you."
"I have been reminded of my etiquette in the palace," she rolled her eyes.
"Well, I've given all the ambassadors the right to address me casually."
"Yet, I seem to be the only one who does it."
"That's' because we're friends, right?"
"Yeah," she smiled. "Speaking of which, shouldn't friends tell other friends big and exciting news?," she raised her eyebrow.
What news? There is no news...
"News like?"
"Like the fact I hear you got engaged," Katara smiled, but for a fraction of a second it seemed forced and uncomfortable.
"Engaged?," Zuko scoffed. "Katara, I assure you I am not engaged,"
"Oh," Katara looked to her feet. "Sorry, I... I just had heard that you were."
Zuko couldn't tell if Katara was pleased or disappointed in the news.
"Who is spreading this rumor?"
"Firelord," Tasris interrupted. "Forgive me, but the luncheon is starting."
"Luncheon?"
"Uhm...," Tasris looked between Katara and Zuko. "With the... the ladies, sire."
Tasris! I didn't mean to schedule it for today! Zuko bit his tongue and felt a blush rise in his cheeks. This couldn't be worse timing!
"Firelord Zuko," a shrill voice called for him. Zuko turned to see a woman adorned with heavy makeup and excessive jewelry call for him.
"I see Iza is excited to see you," Katara face fell.
"I assume it was her that started the rumor of engagement," Zuko's jaw was tight.
"Yes, I ran into her last night. She claimed to be the next Fire Lady. ... you didn't know?"
She will be the first I dismiss.
Zuko sighed," Forgive me, Katara. I will address this immediately. Please knows that any rumor of me getting married is false, it is something I'm battling with my administrative staff."
Katara leaned closer and whispered," Good because I hate being the last to know."
"I assure you, you will be the first I inform if such an event ever happens," Zuko whispered in return.
"Firelord Zuko?," Iza sounded worried as she called for his attention again.
"Katara, if you will excuse me, I have some pressing matters to attend to," he straightened and his face transformed into his Firelord persona. His mouth fell into a straight line as he turned to the woman waving to him. He walked to her without a smile, and slowly her demeanor wavered and she became shy. Zuko had an aura of power and dominance when he chose it, others around him had no choice but to submit to him, just as Iza had turned to Katara who was still watching him. "Get home safe, Ambassador."