The Dragon Princess and the Wolf Warrior

Chapter 87 [~|~] To Love and To Lose // Sokka's Master

Azara sighed as her tutor smacked her back once again. "I said keep that back straight, Princess Azara! You cannot be walking around like some simple peasant! Again!"

Straightening up again, Azara walked slowly across the carpet, the stupid dress they had made her wear swishing around her. Turning around with her hands clasped together beneath her sleeves, Azara waited for the verdict.

"Better," her teacher sighed, studying her again.

Azara stood rigid as the older woman stalked around her, trying to find any and all flaws in her appearance. A servant stood to the side, ready to write down everything that her tutor decided to nitpick. No doubt that her father was probably sent a copy of it.

"You'll need to add more rouge. Her cheeks look sullen. That won't do." Azara glared at the woman as she continued to circle her. "And we need to do something about those circles under your eyes, Princess. And what happened to your eyes?"

Clenching her jaw, Azara looked away for a moment. "Allergies," she snipped returning her eyes, which were twinged with red, back to her teacher.

"Well, then you need to properly steam every morning to lessen the effects," the woman huffed, sending a look over to the servant to make sure she was writing everything down. "But I suppose that's enough for today. Princess Azara."

With a quick bow, Azara was hurrying out of the room, eager to return to the sanctuary of her room. It was the only place in the entire palace where she didn't feel the need to vomit over everything. However, on the last turn, Azara paused when she spotted Izen in the hallway, clearly looking for her. Hoping to slip away unnoticed, Azara cursed as Izen called out to her.

"Azara, I saw you," he stated as he walked over. Stepping out from behind the wall, Azara crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Izen as he approached. "I've been looking for you."

"Why?" Azara snapped as Izen sighed.

"Can we at least be civil to each other?" he pleaded as Azara's glare intensified.

"Why should I be civil with you?" Azara demanded, uncrossing her arms.

"Can we please just talk? I'll explain everything and anything you want," Izen promised as Azara looked away for a moment.

"Fine," she grumbled out before following after Izen.

They walked in collective silence through the halls before ending up at one of the courtyards she had frequented as a small child. Sitting under the shade of the cherry blossom tree, Azara waited for Izen to start the conversation. If he wanted to talk to her, he would need to be the one to initiate. There was no way that she was going to be the one to start this conversation.

"First of all, I'm sorry for how I treated you in the past."

"Just in the past?" Azara snipped, causing Izen to straighten up.

"Alright, then I'm also sorry for how I greeted you, for being engaged to you, and for everything that's happened so far since you were released." Azara didn't say anything, merely glaring at the ground at his apology. "I know an engagement wasn't what you were expecting . . . and I wish we got the time to warm up to each other again beforehand, but I really do think we can make it work, Azara."

"What if I don't want to make it work?" Azara asked, shooting him a glare. "I don't want to marry you."

"Look, if I had it completely my way, I wouldn't be here either," Izen grumbled out, causing Azara to scoff and roll her eyes. "We're both being forced into this, Azara."