Courting a Prince: Book 1 (Complete)

ch. 25: Shimmering Jewels pt. 2

I skipped into Zuko's room, without knocking, and laid myself out on his bed. He was at his desk again, looking over some paperwork that I wouldn't understand anyway.

I watched him for a while, both of us in silence as we did our own thing. After maybe half an hour of this, Zu finally out down his papers and turned to me, again looking me in the eye.

His expression was one I've never seen him make, it confused me more than anything. He didn't say anything and neither did I. We just stared at each other, me blinking in confusion at times, and him seeming to not know what to say.

Eventually, there was a knock on the door as one of the crew members needed our attention.

"Prince, General Iroh has yet to return and the sun is going down. Would you like to send a search party?"

He and I both look at the door, then at each other before shaking our heads.

"We'll go ourselves, get ready to go out. Someone prepare a riding lizard."

The crew member acknowledged the order and walked away from the door while Zu and I got up and sighed together.

"Think he's got himself in trouble, Zu?" I asked, putting my hands in my pockets.

"That, or he's taking a nap. You know how he likes napping."

"Yeah, old man gets distracted easily too.... I hope he's alright." I sighed.

"Are you going to ride with me, or are you taking Kai?"

"Kai would be easily spotted since this is Earth Kingdom territory, so I'll ride with you."

Zuko nodded and started putting his papers away. When he was done we both the left the room and still didn't say anything to each other.

It was very strange, but I don't mind it. Zu and I make our way to the ships hull, then to the area where the riding animals are kept. Zuko helped me board the lizard before getting on himself and we, and a few guards, make our way onto the land.

I still don't get why he stared at me for so long, but I guess it doesn't matter, does it?