𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓒𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷 {𝓐𝓣𝓛𝓐}

Part 6: Praise

With the sun warming your back, you stare ahead towards the skyline. A rich blue with flocks of birds freely flying this way and that, with a cool breeze under their strong wings that could carry them for hours on end, you admire them with a hint of jealousy.

It makes you wonder.

Would you be able to achieve such freedom?

Would you ever sore in the sky with the birds that you admire so?

"6!" You heard a shout from your side.

With a mouth that held only two teeth, Azula smiled at you as she wabbled her way towards you. Her tiny hands raised in a way that indicated that she wanted "uppies," carrying her legs one by one.

Your gaze softens. She's growing up quite fast, you thought.

"Oh my, she already started walking?"

The voice made you bite your tongue. With a breath, you look away from Azula and greet her highness, princes Ursa. She smiled at you while her son, Zuko cheerfully waved. He greeted you enthusiastically, "Hi, Zero!"

Your lack of attention wasn't received so kindly by the child at your feet. With a wack, her soft hand with her fingers wide spread, Azula hit you on the knee. She leaned on your leg as she let out an "Auu" with a loud exhale. Staring up at you expectedly.

Right, you haven't rewarded her for her prior achievement.

Her first steps.

Leaning down, you picked her up in your arms. And once she was there, her hand went to your cheek, where the branded number of yours lay, burned, scarred, and later healed.

"6..." She said once more.

The strange texture must have taken her interest, her baby fingers patting and pressing on the scarred tissue. Her eyes analyzing the painted surface of your face.

You look away from her when you were called. Princess Ursa had set her son down and made her way towards you. "Zuko and I were going to have a picnic in the garden, why don't you join us?" she requested with a smile.

"If Her Highness wishes, who am I to decline." You lower your head for a bow.

However, your respectful bow didn't seem to be translated too well for the little princess. Before you or anyone else could say anything else, Azula copies your movement, though with a bit more added force as she slams her head on your lips. You could taste the familiar bitter taste as your lip gets smashed between the child's head and your teeth. Creating a gash where blood could easily escape.

You let our a small noise of pain as you flex your arms to not accidentally drop Azula.

In return, she smiles brightly at you. The impact did not seem to faze her as she wrapped her arms around your neck. "6. Pwase!"

Letting out a sigh, you pat her back.

"... pwase?" Questioned princess Ursa, sharing a puzzled look with her son. "Does she mean 'please'? Does she need something?"

"I think she's hungry!" Zuko chimes in.

Swallowing the bit of blood, you replied with a negative. "I don't believe so. I just fed her before we came outside."

The princess lets out a hum, "Strange..." she mumbles before turning to her son, "Zuko, dear, why don't you play with your sister while I talk to 6? Could you do that for me?"

The young boy nodded before dashing towards you. Waiting for you to lower Azula down so he could fulfill his mother's wishes.

Your now swollen lips form a thin line. You weren't sure if letting a three-year-old boy play with a toddler was the best idea. Children his age would be more rough and might, albeit accidentally, hurt someone as young and small as Azula.

Your hesitation seemed to be clear enough for the older woman to pick up. She found the care you held for the girl adorable as she placed her hand on your shoulder. Trying to show comfort. "Worry not, my dear. There will be maids around in case anything happens."

Hesitantly, you lowered Azula. She held onto your sleeves as you did so. Staring at you with those beady eyes of hers. Even when she let go, her hands opened and closed with her palms to you.

You wanted to pick her up again.

Ursa, with her hand still on your shoulder, guided you away. Pulling you to the blanket the maids have prepared. Decorated with fruits and sweets.

As you sit down, she takes a seat beside you. Your body tense, shoulders straight, and hands folded on your legs. You wished, prayed, to the Gods above to have minimal contact with the woman as much as possible.

Despite the years you've been with her, being near her makes you feel uneasy. Especially when she does things like-

"My dear." Her hands breaches your vision. Holding onto the sides of your head, she pulls your head to her lap. Her eyes trained on your swollen lip, where Azula had prior demanded a kiss on her forehead. "Just look at you. Such deep eye bags and your poor, damaged lips." Her thumb caresses your bottom lip.

She leans down just a bit, her hair falling from the sides, brushing ever so lightly on your cheek.

Your number itches.

And suddenly, your breath came out ragged. There's that pressure on your chest. The familiar stinging behind your eyes. Every touch she gives stings, leaving your skin irritated.

Your lips parted with a gasp when you tried to speak. But nothing came out. The parting of your lips was big enough to let the still-unhealed gash to seep through. The blood ever so slightly dribbles out.

The offending thumb on your lip moves. Smearing the rich red around, painting your lips in blood as her eyes follow the movement.

"I've missed you..." She whispers out. Her hair curtaining your faces from the world.

Temporarily hiding your shame behind strands of rich hair.

"Did you miss me too, my young guard?"

You couldn't say. Your lips were sealed once more as you stared at her, unblinking.

Oh, how you wish you were a bird. To fly and chase the sun. To be free and sore the neverending.

But you can't.

Just like you can't deny an order. You can't abandon your post.

Your breathing became unsteady. Tears began to brim. Your mouth began to gasp as you felt your lips tremble. You could feel dread clawing at your back.

If Ursa truly did care for you as she said, why is she simply staring at you? Why is she still holding you? And why is she tilting your head up like this?

Before you could fully fall off the edge.

You felt an actual, physical pressure on your stomach.

"Mommy!" The cry snapped you back into reality.

You heard Ursa let out a sigh before she looked up to see her son running to her. A scratch on his cheek.

"What's the matter, my dear?" She asked. Her hands finally left you as she soothed prince Zuko.

"Azula hurt me." He mumbles out, trying to tame his wild tears with the help of his mother.

Once her attention was fully drawn away from you, you were quick to sit up, minding the weight on your stomach.

When you were up, you looked down to see Azula already staring up at you. She held onto your collar with surprising strength for a toddler. "Pwase." she repeats.

"See, my dear. Azula's sorry for what she did." You heard the lady speak behind you.

You paid no mind to the two royals behind (you shouldn't.)

Azula pouts, still intently staring up at you.

You let a smile slip by, glad that you had your back to Ursa. Bringing your hand up, you gently pat Azula's head.

Giving the praise that she wanted.

You lean down to her head with a smile.

"Good job." You whisper into the kiss.