Fire Lord Sozin looked extraordinarily dissatisfied that his best friend and brother-in-flame, Avatar Roku, hadn't agreed to his vision to extend their nation's wealth. Suddenly, Sozin had a moment of transparency. He immediately realized bringing it up at Roku's wedding ceremony hadn't been the best timing. No, he should've known better than approaching Roku on his wedding day with his dream for their nation's future. Instead, the handsome monarch quickly concocted another strategy. He'd give Roku time to be with his gorgeous bride. Afterward, they revisited the idea after he'd had time to cool down and enjoy himself.
As for himself, he should heed Roku's suggestion and unwind some. After all, it was a wedding celebration, and Roku was correct. He should uncover a gorgeous lady to dance with. He was the Fire Lord and quite a good-looking specimen if he did say so himself. Consequently, there should be a considerable amount of young, ravishing gentlewomen who'd throw themselves at him.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case tonight. Everyone focused on the couple except one young lady who looked at them disgustedly. Sozin figured he should keep her company as she was also being overlooked. The lady in question undoubtedly proved an idealistic representation of attractiveness by Fire Nation standards.
She was tall and elegant, with immaculate porcelain skin. Her waist-length silky ebony locks cascaded down her back like a waterfall of black silk, making her dazzling almond-shaped golden eyes stand out more. She wore an extravagant red gown with a golden train undulating behind her. Her makeup was as flawless as her skin. Her classy gold and ruby accessories glowed brilliantly in the fading sunlight. Indeed, this woman was a sight to behold.
Sozin couldn't help but wonder why everyone was ignoring this spectacular young woman. He proceeded to grab two golden cups of sake and handed her one. "Shame everyone's attention on Ta Min when your magnificence surpasses hers," Sozin commented affectionately as he sipped his beverage.
The woman down her glass like a shot and then replied, "I've never heard such flattery before. Especially not from an individual of your esteemed background, Fire Lord Sozin," the woman answered beautifully.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I imagine tons of men would've given you a mountain of praises for your otherworldly loveliness."
The woman took another shot before replying. "Oh, I've been given plenty of compliments, my Lord. Its always by intoxicated assholes who wanted to drag me off to a brothel. I'm fortunate most individuals wouldn't suspect someone with my beauty to be a master firebender. It's a good thing looks can be deceiving," she chuckled darkly.
"Hmm, I wouldn't have guessed that either. Please tell me more about yourself. For instance, would you kindly give me your name?" he requested with genuine interest.
"My name is Aguya. My father named me that as a bit of a joke," as she traced the rim of her golden cup. She looked like she was becoming embarrassed.
"Why would he find it a joke?" Sozin asked, confused as he set his gold cup on the nearby table. He couldn't tell why she was blushing so severely.
Aguya took a deep breath before she clarified, "My clan is the lowest of servants in your pristine palace, my Lord. My name means "Mistress of Fire," so to him, I had a snowball chance of ever meeting you or becoming the true mistress of fire," she explained, turning redder then her gown.
Sozin looked dumbfounded, "I would never guess you were one of the servants." Aguya quickly reminded him that looks could be deceiving. She took another breath before describing her background to her Fire Lord.
"My mother is one of the royal seamstresses. My father, on the other hand? Well, I doubt you ever notice the individual who disposes of the rubbish and is a dishwasher." She looked mortified to admit that to the Fire Lord when he deemed her beautiful.
He again looked at her, shell-shocked. He attempted to change the subject a bit. "So, did your mother sew your gown, or did you?" he asked curiously.
"Well, I did learn how to sew from my mother. Technically speaking, you know servants aren't permitted to attend these occasions. However, she figured if I looked the part, I could at least witness one wedding in my lifetime. The wedding itself is quite enticing for us who are disregarded. You are the Fire Lord, and your best friend is the Avatar. Do you think any of us could resist the temptation of going to this wedding?" she questioned nervously, still reddening.
"Fear not, Aguya. I won't penalize you or the servants who crashed the wedding. So don't agonize about that. Come, have you ever seen the royal gardens at twilight? It is an incredible sight to behold," as he held out an arm, and she joined him. The noisy wedding quickly vanished from their ears as they embraced the silence of the night. Aguya gradually revealed more of her life to him, including how servants' children weren't allowed to attend school or firebending lessons.
They had to learn everything independently, so she'd never been to a proper academy or taken an actual firebending lesson. She'd merely memorized firebending by hiding and spying on others' lessons. She confessed that her attractiveness made it easier to sneak the occasional treat or other necessities. As long as she dressed and acted the part, she could pull it off, like today at the wedding.
"Nobody notices how servants watch and observe everyone around them. We're flies on the wall. We pick up a wealth of information without anyone noticing we're in the room with them. My Lord, this isn't my first time in your presence. It's just the first time you've noticed me," she said as they stopped in the middle of a bridge. Sozin again looked surprised. How could he conceivably have overlooked this enchanting young woman before? And what did she mean by this was the first time he had noticed her? He asked her to clarify what she meant.
"It is as I said, Fire Lord Sozin. No one ever notices us servants, so I'm not surprised you don't recognize me as the chambermaid who attends to your bedroom." She turned away as more heat rushed to her cheeks. She didn't comprehend why she was telling the Fire Lord of all people she was nothing more then a chambermaid! She still didn't know why he even listened to her as she told him about growing up without a formal education or a firebending teacher!
She then suddenly couldn't take it anymore. It was alright at first when he sincerely remarked on her beauty, unlike the asshole sentries or other male servants. But no! A chambermaid shouldn't be walking in the twilight of the royal gardens with the Fire Lord! "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have intruded on your best friend's wedding. I'll go back to where I belong. Sorry again!" she bolted away, not even realizing the Fire Lord was calling for her to return.
She quickly returned to the sparse servants' quarters. She threw off her gown before heading to the communal servants' bath to wash herself of her fake appearance, swearing never to tell a soul what had happened. She only prayed to Agni that the Fire Lord would keep his word and not whip her or the other servants for coming to the wedding uninvited.
Furthermore, she'd keep the circumstances of tonight private from her parents. They wouldn't believe her, and by the slim chance they did, they all would fear banishment! Aguya then hastened to bed, not wanting to chitchat with the other servants who snuck off to the wedding. She silently cried herself to sleep.