Courting a Prince: Book 1 (Complete)

ch. 6: They're Mine Now! pt. 2

I keep going back to that room every now and then but the door is always locked. In that room, on the back wall, is a pair of swords that are calling my name. I don't care who I gotta suck up to I want those damn swords!

It's been like a week now, only a matter of time 'till I gotta go and my arm is actually getting better. Shocker.

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I knock on Zuko's door, mostly because I'm kinda worried about him. He hasn't came out since the sparring match. "My lo-... My pri-..... Capt---...." I'm not entirely sure what to call him, which just makes this more difficult. "Uh.... Zuko?"
I didn't get an answer, but I heard the lock click so I opened the door.

When I walk in, I notice Zuko hitting a wooden doll used for training in close combat. Obviously he still hasn't changed his bandage.

He grumbles like he doesn't want me to be here. "What do you want?"

I understand that he's upset, but I kind of wanna mess with him for some reason. "If I say I just came in here to see your pretty face, would that set ya off?" I take off my hood and run my fingers through my hair.

He stops what he's doing and glares at me. "Is now really- ... It's you?"

I nod and out on my best sunny smile. "Long time no see fire boy~ haha. Glad ya remember me after all this time. Wait, we did meet again about a week ago didn't we..." I casually make my way over to his bed and fall back onto it. Its kinda hard, but eh.

"You seem pretty comfortable."

I shrug, "Wasn't I always comfortable around you and her... It feels like forever since I've been able to be myself." It true, I had to serve as Princess Ursa's semi-personal maid for a time. So I knew Zuko since we were seven years old.
Ursa was a kind Lady, she pitied me and told me I don't have to pretend around her and her son, she trusted no body else. So of course I was myself around the both of them! I was more like her daughter than Azula, she's a bitch by the way. Never met such a conniving child in my lives, like bitch where the hell did we go wrong with that?- anyway! Whenever the three of us were left alone, I immediately went full me. Sharp tongue and all. I'd complain, train and play with Zuko, and just never do my work.

That all had to stop though because Zuko started talking to me when others were around. Of course I pretended to be all sweet and sugary while internally cursing him, but that dammed Azula, that fucking conniving witch of a child, just had to rat us out. I got out of a punishment by lying and a little bit of pretty crying, but I ended up getting taken away from the two of them.

That's when shit really hit the fan. Zuko and I were ten at the time I was taken away. From then on I was kept under heavy surveillance and my food rations were almost completely cut. Which is where my gratitude to Zuko comes in. He would secretly visit every other week and slide some food under my door. After Ursa left, I was moved to be a servant for literally everyone else, and often taken to the war chamber to they could pry information outta me. But I never forgot what he did. He was my best friend, even when we couldn't face each other.

He looks at the floor, clenching his fist. "H-how's your arm? My uncle told me you hurt your arm before coming onboard."

Awe, he's concerned! How cute! Glad his uncle didn't rat me out else I'd never hear the end of it...

I sit up and hold my hurt arm. "Eh, it's fine. I'm gald ya didn't hold back, then again, you've always been sore loser." I tease him, 'cause I can.

He punches the wooden doll then stomps over to the bed, like aggressively sitting down. "You're right."

I giggle like a little girl (which I keep forgetting I am) and start unwrapping the bandage on his eye. "I bet it still hurts... I'm sorry I couldn't do anything for you." I pull out the medicine Iroh gave me and apply it to Zuko's burn.

He just looks at the corner, not replying. He either doesn't want to talk or just doesn't know what to say. When we were kids, he would carry all our conversations on his own, now he's so... Quiet. He's changed a lot, it's almost scary.

I intentionally lean on him, making em fall back onto the bed while I fall on top of him. "Ah, I'm sorry Zu." I smile innocently.

He just rolls his eye, probably used to my antics even after all these years. "Get off me." I notice the slighted hint of a smile in his face, which is what I wanted so of course I back off with probably the biggest smile on my face.

"Well, I know you'll be okay now." I pull a fresh bandage out of my pocket and wrap up his eye again. "Ha, reminds me of when you pushed me into the pond and I fake cried to get you to carry me out."

I notice his half smile before he turns his head. "Ugh, don't remind me." He tries to sound annoyed, but I know better than that.

"Aye aye, captain!" I stand up and take a few steps away from the bed then use air bending to make my arm move (mostly because I refuse to tell Zuko about my burn). "Hey, there's a room with Dual swords in it! I wanted to ask if I could have em?"

He raises his eyebrow. "What dual swords? My broadsword?"

I shake my head. "No, the Katana! They're black and match my clothes and I swear they're calling me!"

"Why would I let you have them?"

"Why not? I like them, I want them, and I will definitely get them regardless of what ya say. Unless ya kill me of course, but that's not happening." I teasing blow him a kiss just to watch squirm a little.

He clears his throat. "I'll think about it, just leave already."

"You're no fun now." I fake pout and make my way outta the room, but turn back just to teasingly say, "See ya, sweetie~."

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I'm actually really mad right now. He basically said I couldn't have them! I'll just steal em if he's gonna be like that! Seriously, how could he say no to someone as cute as me!
Omg May stop being such a narcissist, calm down!
I am cute not that cute... Okay I am that cute but I don't have to be a narcissist! I never wanna become something I hate!

Thanks to my internal struggle, I end up back at the door that separates me from something I want. This door must have a damn death wish.... Wait its just a door! Uggh, I really want those swords!