The night was cold and long, I don't think I slept even a minute, kept on tossing and turning in this cold bed, maybe it was the lack of his warmth I am used to, or is it my anxious heart that doesn't seem to pull itself together, or maybe it is my bruised pride, or all of this together,
After failing to fall asleep I sat up in my bed as light enters my room, the sun is rising, one thing I don't understand is why I am not hurt by his betrayal like I am angry but not hurt, even if General Lee planted it in his head he is still to blame for this betrayal
I pulled my hair back, getting up I got out of the glass door and sat at the wall, curtains in his door are down, can he sleep without me in his arms, can he find peace without me?, isn't his bed cold, isn't his heart restless?
I pulled my legs up forming a meditating pose, I need to calm down and chose my next move wisely, it is just not about our relationship it is about the entire nation, I closed my eyes and focused on my breath clearing my head, the birds are singing, the wind is cold and refreshing, god how much I love morning air,
After about ten minutes of me sitting here, I felt like someone was looking at me, I opened my eyes to look around there was no one, I looked at his door and saw the curtains moving, is it wind or was he watching me? part of me wanted to go and check if he left his door open for me like he normally does or today it is locked like he locked his heart away,
Kai and Jiang will leave today, probably for good, nothing matters more than their safety, other than that after last night I think it is better if I and Jiang keep some distance, I am will forever be loyal to Zuko doesn't matter what monster he decides to be,
I promised my loyalty on Agni I can't turn now, not for someone who was never mine; he belongs to Kai now, how lucky she is,
Today Kai didn't come to help me get ready but Jun did, probably for the best, I need to get use to this, the breakfast fast was quiet, no one had anything to say, normally someone starts a fight or discussion by now,
"I hope you are prepared you need to come in front of the council today to tell us about both projects," Zuko said breaking the silence, "Yes my lord Project republic city is almost ready to be represented"
"Peace treaty is ready too," Sokka said, drinking his tea, "Good" Zuko nodded,
Then silence took us over once again, which was broken by me, "Please excuse me, My lord" I said standing up,
"Where are you going?" he asked, "Kai and Jiang are leaving I haven't said my farewells yet" I replied
"Jiang is going somewhere?" Sokka asked, he and Jiang have gotten closer, they practice sword fighting together,
"Yes, they have to go back home" I replied, "Why?" he asked,
"There is no place left for them here," I said looking at Zuko, who kept on eating ignoring me,
Sokka looked back at Zuko, "You are doing this? Why send them away" he asked,
"I am not doing any such thing, Ryu wants this" Zuko replied,
"Ryu?" Sokka asked,
"There lives are being threatened here, I can't put lives of my family in danger, I accepted to give my life for this nation not theirs" I replied his eyes rose to meet mine,
"You are excused," he said, wanting this conversation to come to end,
"You threaten their lives?" Sokka asked slamming his hands on the table,
"That's not your problem, this is a private matter, keep out of it" Zuko replied,
I bowed, "My Lord" and walked out, Ryu and Jiang were already packed and ready when I arrived in my chambers,
"I hope you understand why I have to do this," I said, looking at Kai, she nodded, I pulled her in to a hug,
"Maybe we can come back someday" she said, "Hopefully" I lied knowing too well they won't even if Zuko got back to being himself, I can't let them come back, what if he lost it again and did more than just threaten again,
"Take care of him," I said kissing her forehead,
she took my hand in hers, "I will, promise me you will take care of yourself", "I promise," I said.
Jun hugged Kai,
I walked up to Jiang, who was standing, with his hands folded on his chest next to the luggage,
"I don't want to leave you," he said,
"I know," said,
"What if he hurts you?" he asked, I can see the fear in his eyes, I put my hand on his shoulder,
"Jiang you know me, I am more than capable of keeping my self-safe" I lied, he and I both know I can't stop Zuko, but I know he won't, I believe he won't,
"Take care of Kai or," I said, tighten my grip on his shoulder, he chuckled, "You will kill me, I got it"
I pulled him into a hug, "I will miss you" I said, "She will miss me" he repeated
He kissed my head before moving away, we looked back and Kai and Jun were watching us, I smiled at Kai who returned the smile, she knows how I feel about Jiang, but she knows I will never do her like this,
She walked up to us and hugged us both, "We will meet again" she said, "We will, I love you guys" I said, pulling away, I hold Kai hand in mine,
"Tell Grandma and Bao that I love them" she nodded, "I hate that I won't be here with you on your mother's death anniversary," she said,
"You will always be with me in my heart," I said, she punched my shoulder, "You are so cheesy" she chuckled,
After they left, the Palace for the first time felt, lonely so this was what Zuko use to talk about, now he has brought it on me too, well when you married someone you get everything good and bad, I guess now I have his lonlyness too,
On my way back I found Sokka sitting alone in the garden, he came to say goodbye but left before they left,
"Mind if I join you?" I asked, he looked up and nodded, "What are you thinking about?" I asked,
"Can't believe he threatens Jiang just because he was sitting next to you, I knew he was possessive but this is too much" he shook his head,
"He was so understanding a day ago how much a man can change overnight?" I said,
"If he does something stupid please know you can come to me or the rest of the gang, you don't have to deal with this alone"
"I know, Thank you that means a lot" we sat there in silence for few minutes then I broke it,
"Sokka I have noticed he is closest to you," I said, he nodded, "He is like the brother I never had" he replied,
"So you must know him best, I want to ask you something?" I said,
"Go ahead"
"He told me he loved me a night ago, but he thought I was sleeping, he doesn't know I heard it, I am just not sure if he does anymore, do you think he does?" I asked,
"Since I met him, he carries more anger and pain than a thousand armies could every bear, he was betrayed, deceived, hurt by the people he loved, believe me when I say he has already crossed hell, and the only time I saw peace in his eyes is when they are on you,"
He took a deep breath trying to gather words,
"I don't know why is he doing what he is doing, he has a history of destroying his happiness, but I hope you won't let him, Mai gave up on him, I hope you don't because he needs you"
He said with sadness in his eyes, he looked up and smiled at me, "I know you love him too"
"Is it that obvious?" I asked,
"Yeah you look at him like he was the one who puts stars on the sky, I think everyone else realised you both are in love before both of you, and I am sure both of you idiots haven't told each other" he smiled, I punched him on the shoulder,
"You have any idea who I am dealing with, Lord Zuko is hard-headed, stubborn, and someone who doesn't listen to a word I say"
he chuckled, "Well he is yours now"
"Lucky me," I said sarcastically,
"We should go we are late for the meeting," he said getting up, he put his arm in front for me to hold it,
"What a gentleman," I said, taking it, "Always" he smiled,
When we walked to the throne room everyone was standing outside, "Ready?" Aang asked, I nodded,
Everyone started going in, I stopped Admiral Chao, "I have something I need to ask?"
he nodded, "Yes , my lady," he said, "Who was the one who paid colonies visits before I did?"
"That will be General Lee" he replied, I knew it,
"Thank you, Admiral" I nodded, he bowed and left to join others,
I went in and everyone has already taken their spots, I told a servant to put an extra cushion next to Aang on the front, which I took,
"What are you doing?" Aang asked,
"Seeing how far I have dropped in his eyes," I said
"I see, if he, which I think he won't like it, he will humiliate you further," he said looking little concerned,
"Well at least I will know he still wants me next to him" I replied, this will hurt both ways, if he left me sitting here means I don't mean much to him anymore, if he didn't I am sure he will say some mean things,
He entered a few minutes later with general Lee following close behind, he has become Zuko's shadow, I have to send this shadow far away, everyone stood up and he walked up to his throne, everyone bowed, I can feel his eyes one me without even looking,
"Sit down," he said before taking his seat, General Lee is sitting opposite to me, he has this good awful smile on his face, I will find a way to wipe that off today,
"Fire Lady Ryu what do you think you are doing?" Zuko's deep voice vibrated thought the whole throne room, he is angry I can tell without even looking at him,
"I thought you wanted me in the meeting" I replied calmly acting dumb,
"What are you doing sitting down there?" he asked running out of patience,
"A lot of things changed overnight, I thought this did too, a servant shouldn't sit beside her king" I replied, tension in this room is so much it feels hot, people are looking anywhere but at us, expect General Lee, who is enjoying this way too much,
"If I wanted you down there I would have said it, don't act like a child, will you make me tell every time where you will sit?" he said,
"No My Lord, I apologize, it won't happen again," I said and bowed,
"Now don't waste time and come sit at your place so we can start our meeting" he ordered, I walked up to the throne and sat on the right side,
"Let's begin," he said, the first admiral, Chao stood up and informed about the army situation,
Then Sokka did who represent the peace treaty, they did an amazing job, it seems like they have thought of everything, Zuko approved it and said that Fire nation will sign it,
Then a minister stood up and told about the problem that is happening in one of the cities, some people are spreading hate, turning people against Zuko's rule,
Then It was my turn, "Fire Lady Ryu, Please inform us about the project republic city?" Zuko said, still sitting on the throne I told them about the plans and changes we have made,
"We are almost done with the planning of the city, which we will represent in a month, Democracy and Law system is taking a little longer than I thought but we are going in the right direction, other than that we are going to start to destroy the standing town there, the only way to start new is to destroy what's already there, People who were staying there have been accommodated fairly"
I looked at General Lee whose eyes haven't left me the whole meeting, "If you allow me I have a question for General Lee" I said looking at Zuko, he nodded,
"Admiral Chao told me you were the one who went to the colonies on Lord Zuko's order, is that correct?" I asked, "Yes fire Lady" he nodded,
"Then tell me one thing why didn't you inform him about families, all this would be avoided," I asked,
"I didn't think it mattered" he replied, "So separating families means nothing to you?" I asked,
"Not in front of my lord's orders," he said smirking,
"Who makes you be the one who decides if it matters or not, your duty was to inform it to our Lord and he would be the one who decides," I said making that smirk go away,
"I made a mistake," he said in a bitter tone, "Your mistake put our lord's life in danger, your mistake cause pain to the people of this nation, your mistake destroyed a girl's life," I said,
"I apologies Fire lady I guess I didn't think it through," he said,
"General Lee your duty is not to think but to do what is told, be careful it's a dangerous game you are playing you can end up in situations you don't want to be in" I repeated his words to him, I smiled at him, which cause him to frown,
He stood up, and took a knee, "I beg for forgiveness, I will make sure a mistake like that won't happen again" he said still head down,
"You better, you never know how many mistakes you can make before you are out" I mocked, yesterday I had to go on my knees because of him and today he does because of me,
"General Lee Fire lady Ryu is right your mistake cause a lot of problems but since you have loyally served this nation for so long, I will let this one pass," Zuko said,
"Thank you, my Lord," he said sitting back down, he smiled at me, really he thought he won, let's see about that,
"My Lord if you don't mind I have a request," I said, Zuko turned to me, "You do?" he asked,
"Yes, since you just mention General Lee's loyalty to this nation, I wanted to find someone we can trust to help me with republic city, general lee will be perfect, so if you allow I would like to acquire his services"
"For what?" Zuko asked, "I want to send someone we trust to be my eyes in the construction site, I am sure general Lee would love to serve his queen and nation," I said turning to him, his smile is gone, "Right General lee?"
"Of course Fire lady, it will be an honor to be at your serves," he said with a frown making me smile,
"If you feel the need then sure," Zuko said and moved on with the meeting, for about next thirty minute they discussed earth kingdoms relationship with us, after that meeting was urgent,
I walked out with the rest and didn't stayed behind like I normally do, leaving him behind alone, when I walked out Aang, Katara, Sokka and Suki were standing on the side,
Before I could go to them general Lee walked up to me, "Fire lady" he bowed, "General Lee good you are here, we need to talk"
I turned around and one of the Kyoshi warriors was standing, "Come here" I said looking at her, "Take general Lee to my office and wait outside with him till I come" I said she bowed,
"I will be there In a minute," I said and left toward the gang,
"They told me what happened," Suki said when I was close enough, "Yeah"
"So it was a good thing?" Aang asked looking at me, "Yes, it means he still has respect for me, it means I still have a chance"
"It's great that you find a way to send General Lee away," Katara said, "Yeah hopefully, Zuko will eventually come back to his senses without General lee's influence"
I took my precious time walking to my office, he should wait for a little, when I did they were both standing outside, I walked up to them,
"You can go," I said she bowed and left, leaving me and General Lee, "Come in," I said walking toward the door, guards opened them,
"General Lee you are something else I have to say," I said, taking my seat, leaving him to stand in the middle of the room,
"I will say same about you," he said with a smirk,
"Why waste time talking about your foolish attempts to take me down, talking me down is not easy it will take a lot more than this," I said,
"Now I can see that" he replied, not even hiding the fact,
"You know that I have immunity, if I kill you right here all I have to do is say you tried to first"
"But you won't do that," he said,
"No I won't, what's fun in that?" I chuckled,
"I like little competition here and there, but I don't like competition with a coward like you who have nothing more of a game but to whisper in my husband's ear"
I took a glass ball I keep on my desk, and threw it from one hand to another, "So you are out" I said, still focused on the ball,
"Catch," I said throwing it to him, he did, "Let's get down to business" I stood up as he admires the glass ball in his hand,
"You will go the site and make sure everything runs smoothly, make sure no civilians are making trouble if they are I want you to inform me, you can't take any action without my permission, if anyone got hurt by your actions I will hold you accountable, you will leave tonight"
I said walking up to him, "Did I make myself clear?" I asked, "Yes," he said,
"Yes, what?" I asked,
"Yes your highness," he said bowing,
"Good now leave," I said, he got back up and glare at me putting the ball back on the table behind me and left, now General Lee problem is solved, for now, let's see is my zuko comes back.