Princess of the Fire Nation

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Zuko woke to the knock of a door. Since returning to the Palace, no one had woken him so early – at least not with such urgency. Throwing on a robe, Zuko stormed over to the door.

"What?" he demanded to the terrified messenger standing on the other side.

"Your Highness" bows the jumpy messenger, "The Fire Lord requests your presence at breakfast."

Zuko raises an eyebrow in surprise before slamming the door in the servant's face. Why would father want his company at breakfast?

The Prince had hardly seen his father since he returned to the Palace. He spent most of his time alone, with Mai or Azula. He wasn't surprised, however, even before his banishment he hardly saw his father and joining his for a meal was a rare thing. His father was often busy with war meetings or other issues regarding the war. War was the main thing his father focused on. It was the most important, even more important than his own children.

Washing and dressing quickly, Zuko headed for the throne room eager to find out why his father had requested his presence. Passing the guards with ease, Zuko entered surprised to see his father already sitting at the head of the long table with Azula to his left.

"I apologise for being late, father" says Zuko, bowing respectfully.

"No problem Zuko" replies his father pleasantly, gesturing for his son to take the seat on his right which he does. Zuko looks up to stare at a bored looking Azula opposite him, it seemed she too was unaware of the reasoning behind this prompt breakfast.

As soon as he sat, servants entered the room placing trays of food on the table in front of them. It was definitely more food than necessary, way too much for three people and Zuko couldn't help but feel guilty. While on the run from Azula and the Fire Nation, he had seen plenty of families struggle to get enough food to live let alone flourish.

The family ate in silence – both Azula and Zuko didn't want to be the first to talk, instead they waited patiently for their father to say the first word. Zuko observed his father and he couldn't help but notice he was in a good mood today. Perhaps there had been a breakthrough in their plans against the remaining Earth Kingdom rebels.

Finally, as breakfast neared its end, a guard entered and silently made his way over to their father. "It's done, My Lord," Zuko hears the guard whisper before he bows and leaves.

Zuko and Azula both stare at each other, confused. Whatever had been done had obviously brightened their father's mood even more.

After the servants had taken the plates and cleared the table, The Fire Lord was left alone with his children. "I'm sure you're wondering why I called you both here today," says the Fire Lord finally.

Zuko sits up straighter in his chair, eager to hear the news while Azula looked on bored.

"I decided it was best to rid the Fire Nation of its traitor. Lian is gone" declares the Fire Lord.

"Good riddance" says Azula haughtily. "Have you sent her to a prison in the colonies?"

"No" responds Ozai before correcting his daughter's assumption. "I got rid of Lian permanently. The traitor was executed last night."

Zuko's eyes widen at the news. Executed? Gone?

His father couldn't be serious. Had he really had Lian killed. It didn't make sense. She could do no harm from her prison cell. The traitor was executed last night rings repeatedly in Zuko's mind.

It couldn't be. No. Lian couldn't be gone.

Zuko closes his eyes, feeling a sudden pain in his chest before he turns to face Azula. Like him, she too looked stunned by the news she just heard. Zuko thought he saw her eyes begin to water but he must have just imagined it.