Protected Princess || Zuko

01 || The Northern Water Tribe

"We also celebrate my daughters 16th birthdays. Yue and Hai are now of marrying age." My father speaks as he points to my twin and I.

I look to my sister as she gives a short speech. Being that she was born first so she delivers the speeches. I nod as she finished. Me and Yue sit as we begin to watch Master Pakku and his students perform. Quite honestly, this is extremely disturbing. I'm a water bender but Master Pakku and the Northern Water Tribe say women are not allowed to water bend in the Northern Water Tribe.

Because of this, I've always dreamt of living in the Southern Water Tribe, able to master my ability like a bender should. I never thought it would be possible to do so. But the avatar is here along with two Southern Water Tribe members. I do not know much about them but I do know that they will be my way out of here. Not being able to water bend and the sexist ways were bad enough, but now I will be forced to marry some jerk. It is extremely rare for someone to marry a good guy around here when its arranged AND you're royalty. Although, that Southern Water Tribe boy does seem to have interest in Yue. He was giving her the goggly eyes earlier on the boat ride when they first arrived. Not to mention their chatter at the table just now.

I ate in silence as we watched Master Pakku, and laughing every now and then at the Southern Water Tribe boy, who's name is Sokka, flirting with my sister.

"Sokka, this is my sister, Hai. Hai this is Sokka." Yue introduces Sokka and I within their conversation.

"Hello Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, it is very nice to meet you. I'm Hai. Yue's twin sister." I bow with a smile at Sokka.

"Sokka, Southern Water tribe, nice to meet you." Sokka then raised and eyebrow and looked at Yue and I, quickly back and forth between us. "Wait a minute, you guys are twins right?" Sokka asked.

"Yes, we are." Yue and I responded in unison.

"Then why does she have black hair?" Sokka asked pointing to me. Me and Yue exchanged glances then looked back at Sokka and shrugged. "Okay." Sokka said back looking forward while him and Yue continued talking.

I proceeded to continue eating, watching Master Pakku intensely, studying his movements with the water. I couldn't help but think that Sokka does have a good point. For many, it is very confusing as to why Yue and myself look the same besides our hair color.

°°°°

After the gathering we headed back into our rooms. I paced back and forth in my room planning how I could escape with the Avatar and his friends. It's going to be hard leaving Yue behind but I know she understands. She has told me before that she supports me wanting to leave, but she does not want to leave. She wants to stay here with our people, and I respect that as well. It's just not what I want in my life.

"Princess Hai." A knock sounded on my door as I opened to see who it was. It was a worker from the palace and my father. "There is someone here to meet you, princess Hai." I nodded my head as I followed my father and the guard down to the main floor where Yue was already there with some boy. Another boy stood next to them and watched as I walked down the stairs.

"Princess Hai, this is your Fiancé Tao." I just turned 16 and I already have a fiancé? IN THE SAME DAY??!?

"Hello Tao. It is very nice to meet you. I look forward to being your wife." I respond walking to Tao and giving him a hug that I did not want to give. I have no clue who Tao is but I do know that I won't be around long enough to marry him.

"Hello Fiancé Hai." He gave me a kiss on the cheek and then bowed.

"Hai, this is Yue's fiancé Hahn." My father said pointing to the boy holding Yue's hand.