Summer 99 AG
Agna Qel'a, Northern Water Tribe Royal Palace

Yue

Before I could answer his question, guards rushed into the room and quickly took defensive positions.

"Princess are you alright?" one said as he walked forward "You there, get up slowly and then face the wall"

"Of course," oh by the spirits his voice was nice too "No need for such hostility, if my spectacular fall was seen and I have no doubt many people watched as I fell, then you must know that I didn't mean to fall on purpose"

As he moved to face the wall, he gave me a very nice smile and I could see that he found the situation funny, he was mysterious and no doubt strong, or he wouldn't be so calm even as he faced the wall.

"The shout that I gave as I fell would also be proof of my sincerity" he turned his head and looked at the guards "Didn't you hear me screaming?"

"I Said to look at the wall!" The guard screamed and the sound hurt my ears, but I couldn't even reprimand him as I didn't know his name. Nevertheless, I need to intervene.

"There is no need to raise your voice," walking forward I placed my hand on his weapon "please lower the spear, I'm sure our…visitor will not cause any trouble"

The guards remained alert and prepared for anything but the marked hostility from before was gone. I could not help but feel sad at what isolation had done to the attitude of people.

"Turn around Zuko" he did and that infuriatingly charming smile was once again there to greet me.

"Thank you, I doubt many people would have been as gracious as you if a stranger suddenly fell from the sky" he moved with his hands up to his chest in a sing of surrender "So where are you taking me?"

We both looked to the leading guard, the same one that had been talking until now, he looked to his partner who just shrugged his shoulders clearly saying, 'you handle it'.

"You will be taken to the Chief; you will answer his questions and if he deems your visit peaceful, he will allow you to remain for a night or two before you are asked to leave"

Zuko moved in-between the guards with astonishing grace, almost like a dancer performing, all the while he didn't stop making eye contact with me, I felt my face redden at his boldness. No one had ever been that forward even Hahn had barely seen her since we were betrothed.

It felt nice, being desired for who I was, for how I looked and not for politics or status, that such a handsome guy was the one doing it only made it better in my mind.

We all walked in silence, but it wasn't an awkward silence, it was more tense and with an undercurrent of excitement. It made sense, hardly anything impactful had happened in the last few years, I'm sure the guards would relish being the center of attention and would no doubt tell slightly embellished stories about the encounter later today.

I felt eyes on me as we passed the halls, servants, palace staff and other guards. Nothing unusual as people always stared at my hair or simply at me but I could tell their interest was focused on Zuko.

Who looked as if this was all part of his plan, that smile, those eyes and his confidence is very arousing…I had to bite my lip to concentrate on something else, it wouldn't be good if anyone saw me looking at him like he was the finest piece of meat on the table.

Thankfully we arrived at the throne room where the whole court was already waiting, no doubt they were in a meeting already when the news arrived because master Pakku would normally be with his students at this hour.

Apart from those normally at these meetings a strange man was there too, he seemed very unassuming and the only relation I could see between Zuko, and the man was that they were wearing practically the same clothes.

"Old man!" Zuko said with enthusiasm as he ran to him "I'm glad you're ok" he gave him a hug and then politely inclined his head in a bow.

"Forgive me for not bowing first but this accident that landed us here was all my fault and I'm just glad that my teacher is ok" the stern stares of my father and master Pakku seemed to barely affect Zuko.

"Then this is the perfect time for you to explain yourselves and to tell all of us here how it is that you managed to fall from the sky" I could tell by his tone that dad wasn't exactly happy with them.

"We-" the balding man answered "we flew here" before he could continue shouts erupted all over the place.

"SILENCE" master Pakku shouted "we will all conduct ourselves in the proper manner" it didn't take long after that for the hall to fall silent "continue"

"As I was saying, we flew here in my newest invention-"

"That strange thing with the big basket" Pakku interrupted him

"Yes, I won't bore you with the details, the important thing is that by controlling a device that spews a gas-powered flame we can fly, sadly we had an unexpected problem and we lost control"

"And that is how you ended here" finished my father

The old man nodded and then remained silent, many people started talking in hushed tones, I looked at Zuko again hoping to catch a glimpse of his face.

Zuko didn't seem worried if the way he was looking around at everything, from the walls to the windows and even the tables, was anything to go by. He must have felt me looking because it didn't take long for him to look my way.

Blushing, I tried to look at anything but him. I failed spectacularly, and it felt like we spent years lost in each other's eyes. We only stopped our staring contest when one of the guards politely coughed to get my attention.

"Princess your father would like to see you after this is over"

Nodding, I idly wondered what it was about, it couldn't be about Zuko. Even if I did spend more time than what was proper for an engaged woman looking at him, surely no one could blame me, I had never seen someone like him.

"You are men from the Earth Kingdom, correct?" father asked "but I see that you were well prepared for the cold climate of the north pole" it was an accusation, plain for all to see.

"We are originally from the Earth Kingdom" Zuko answered while opening up his winter clothes "however the war forced us to move, we now live in the northern air temple, that is why we are prepared" a terrible burn scar in the shape of a hand was on his throat it was unmistakable, he was burned by a firebender.

The silence in the hall was almost a palpable thing, it was one thing to know about the dangers of being close to the war but seeing with your own eyes the cruelty of the war was another.

"I apologize" dad made a shallow bow to express his sincere regret "You may stay here until you can repair your hmm, invention, we will be honored to have guests after so long"


Dad's private room behind the throne always seemed a little silly to me but I can appreciate the benefits it brings.

"Yue" it had been a while since dad hugged me "I was scared when they told me-"

"Dad, it's ok. Nothing happened." hugging him back is only natural "Zuko didn't even land close to me"

"Zuko?" he asked with an arched eyebrow "When did get the time to ask his name"

"I didn't ask, he just gave it to me after his fall" he stared at me judgingly "I'm telling the truth he fell and not long after that he said, 'hey I'm Zuko can you help me up', I didn't ask, really"

"I don't want to remind you but-"

"Yes, I'm engaged to Hahn, I remember" huffing I moved to the door "if that is the only thing you wanted to say I'm leaving"

"Yue, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to do what is best for you"

"I know dad. That doesn't make it better" that was probably mean, even if I'm going to go through with the wedding in the end, after all it's good for everyone that I do.

A thought suddenly struck me, if I was going to live an unhappy life after I was married, then nobody could begrudge me having some fun as long as nobody else found out.

Yes, a last bit of fun before living my life as tradition demanded. Zuko is the perfect choice for it too, he's handsome, interesting and he won't remain here to give me any temptations after I'm married.

Now where to find him.


Agna Qel'a, Sparring grounds

I really didn't expect him to be here, but I'm so very glad that he is here. Zuko was training against some of the nonbenders, without his shirt and covered in sweat that was trailing deliciously to the forbidden parts of his body.

It was exiting watching Zuko fight three other men at the same time and not only holding his own but defeating them as he used twin swords, my earlier comment about his movement proved prophetic as I saw him dance between spear thrusts just to put his blade on the throat of his opponent.

"That was amazing!"

"Princess" as one the soldiers bowed but Zuko didn't follow suit, he just gave winked at me when he saw me looking at him expectantly.

"Do you mind me stealing our visitor for a while, I'm very curious about any stories he might have" it was framed like a question, but everyone heard the implicit order in my words and soon left, I tried not to think on the rumors that might spring up from this but in the end I really don't care.

"Hello princess" I really couldn't tell what was so funny to him as he said my title "Let's enter the hut so I can change, I fear that without any physical activity I will soon freeze"

I followed him inside, but I made sure to take my time watching his back and his ass, by the spirits he had an amazing body.

"Call me Yue when we're alone"

He turned with his clothe still in his hands, walking ever closer to me, so close that I could feel the heat of his body, he grabbed my face with one of his hands and made me look up at him, once more I couldn't help but see how handsome he was, that beauty spot was really helping him look exotic.

"You've been staring at me too much Yue" his face was suddenly too close "I can't help but wonder what you want with me"

"I-i-, you are very close" how shameful for a princess to get tongue tied because of a man.

"Does it bother you?" he said as he pressed his forehead to mine, his lips were so close that if I moved, we would no doubt kiss.

"It doesn't"

"Good"

He separated from me and started putting his clothes on while my heart raced, he was teasing me, and I wanted him more for doing so.

"You came her for some stories, didn't you?" he offered me his arm "I couldn't possibly deny your request but I'm hoping you could show me around"

It really wasn't proper, it would be scandalous and very wrong for me to do as he asked, and I didn't care.

Taking his arm, we started talking about everything and anything, even as the sun disappeared on the horizon and the moon shone on the sky, we kept talking. I felt I had found a true friend, the perfect partner and I realized that I wouldn't, couldn't let him go, I was starting to fall in love.

It was something out of a story but I would ensure I got my happy ending, even if I had to fight for it.


Author note: just a little chapter to create a realistic personality for Yue before Zuko finally gets to claim her, i will also have you know that i talked to some of my female cousins that are about that age and Yue's thoughts are as realistic as i could make them. it was a difficult week, anyway, hope you enjoy it.

As always it is my duty to remind you that the next chapter is on for a dollar, also to my higher tier patrons some polls have already been published and more will come, so remember to vote. i also would like to say that i'm happy with the progress of my first goal on , we have 67 out of a 100. i appreciate the support and will be forever in your debt.

Also somewhat related to this do any of you guys know why the app has a bug on the money thing, like it shows me a big amount of money but i don't really make that much, it's super weird and a bother.
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