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“Ugh, that annoying Azula!” Zuko muttered irritably as he struggled to peel off his soaking wet clothes.
“What’s wrong with her anyway… It’s like she’d drop dead if she didn’t mess with me every single day,” the young prince kept grumbling, slipping into a fresh set of clothes the servants had laid out. “Honestly, how can anyone stand that pest!”
Collapsing onto the bed, he leaned back, eyes wandering absently to the ceiling. The dampness had gone, but the irritation still weighed heavilyhim. Best if everyone just left him alone right now.
“Why so silent, Zuzu? Daydreaming about someone?”
“Hey! Who told you you could just barge in my room?!” Snapping upright at the sound of that all–too–familiar mocking voice, Zuko glared at his little sister, who was lounging casually against the doorframe.
Azula smirked and sauntered closer. “Oh, dearest brother. We’re family, why so uptight?” she cooed, voice syrupy sweet, dripping with fake charm.
“Still, you’re such a jerk, you know.” The princess swiftly changed the subject.
“What do you mean?” Zuko frowned in confusion.
“Forgot already, Zuzu? How disappointing. You shoved a girl into the fountain and didn’t even look back.” She shook her head, feigning disappointment.
Zuko knew Azula was only teasing, but the memory still stirred an uneasy guilt inside him.
For a brief second back then, he’d heard the girl’s pained cry, of course she’d be hurt, falling hard like that, especially for a girl. He had wanted to apologize, had even taken her hand to pull her up. But with Azula laughing gleefully at his expense, shame had made him let go and walk away.
Seeing her brother lost in thought, Azula leaned in, lips curling into a wicked smile.
“What’s wrong? Fallen for her already?” she whispered slyly.
“What? No way! I’m not thinking about anyone! And if you don’t have anything important to say, get out and leave me alone!” Zuko snapped, pointing furiously at the door. His face twisted in irritation, clearly unwilling to continue this conversation.
“Fine, fine. No more teasing, I'm leaving.” She raised her hands in mock surrender and turned to leave.
As she strolled out, she added casually, “Oh, by the way, Uncle Iroh just sent a letter from Ba Sing Se. Mother told me to come fetch you, but if you need your peace and quiet, that’s fine. I’ll just let her know.” And with that, she vanished beyond the door.
“What?! Why didn’t you say so earlier? You little‐!” Zuko shot up and dashed after her.
At the same time, in another corner of the royal palace, someone else was also chasing after another.
“Oh my Agni! My lady! Why are you all wet like this? Are you hurt?” A servant rushed up, panic written all over her face at the sight of her young mistress drenched from head to toe.
“I’m fine. Just fetch me a change of clothes,” Mai replied flatly as she quickened her pace toward her room.
“And stop yelling. If my father hears‐”
“And what if I did?”
Mai froze. Slowly, she turned. The very person she least wanted to face was standing right there.
“Father…” She tried to keep her voice steady, but the unease slipped through nonetheless.
“Didn’t you say you’d be spending the day with Princess Azula? What is this disgraceful state? As a noble lady, what will people say about me and your mother?”
“Yes, Father, but‐” Mai began, desperate to explain.
Just then, the doors at the end of the hall burst open.
“Minister Ukano!” A servant hurried in, clutching a scroll.
“Minister, there is‐” He hesitated, clearly uneasy with all the eyes on him.
“What is it?” Ukano strode toward the servant.
Lowering his voice, the man whispered something Mai couldn’t catch.
“I see. You may go. I’ll be there shortly.” After a satisfied nod, Ukano turned back to his daughter.
“I have business to attend to. You’d best stay home today and reflect on yourself.”
“Yes, Father…” Mai’s answer was flat, resigned. She watched his retreating figure, the slam of the doors leaving behind only a suffocating silence.
“…Well. This soaked dress is just lovely. Feel free to stand there like a statue,” she murmured after a long pause, then headed wearily to her room.
“Forgive me, my lady! Wait for me!” the servant cried, scrambling after her.
Sigh…
Mai sank into the hot bath, letting the chill seep out of her body. But no amount of warmth could melt away the knot in her chest.
Afterward, she slipped quietly down the hushed corridors of the Ukano estate. With both her parents out, it was one of those rare moments she could truly let down her guard. And there was only one thing that eased her frustration. Knives.
Thwack! A blade cut through the air and buried itself into the trunk of a tree.
Thwack! Thwack! Two more followed, landing in a perfect line beside the first.
A cool autumn breeze stirred, rustling the leaves overhead.
Sigh… Mai lowered herself onto the grass, eyes drifting up to the drifting clouds.
What a beautiful day, she thought ironically. First, she’d been shoved into a fountain. Then, grounded by her father. Why was he always like that? Her hand clenched into a fist. He never listened to her explanation‐no, he had never cared what she said at all. All that mattered to him was his own standing.
“Mai, remember your place.”
“Mai, behave properly.”
“Don’t bring shame to me and your mother.”
The words echoed again and again until she curled in on herself, hugging her knees tight.
Crash!
The loud noise jolted her upright. The bushes shook violently. Knife in hand, Mai readied herself. Then, a figure stumbled out, muttering under his breath as he braced against the wall. Her blade flew before she thought, pinning his sleeve to the stone wall.
“Whoa!” A boy’s startled voice rang out. Their eyes met‐and Mai’s heart skipped, heat rising to her cheeks.
“Prince Zuko?” she whispered.
“Uh‐hi. Nice throw…” he said, trying to sound casual though his body betrayed his nerves. Who could blame him? Sneaking into someone’s garden was inappropriate, but it usually didn’t end with daggers aimed at your head.
“My lady! Are you all right?” a guard’s voice echoed, accompanied by rushing footsteps. The fragile moment was shattered.
“Apologies, Your Highness.” Before the boy caught up with the situation, Mai yanked the knife free and shoved him back into the bushes, driving another blade into the wall beside him. Understanding instantly, Zuko pressed flat against the stone.
“My lady! I heard something from the garden!” A burly guard appeared, concern etched across his face.
“I’m fine. You must have misheard,” Mai answered coolly.
“But, my lady‐” unconvinced, the guard kept looking at her skeptically.
“I said I’m fine. You may leave now,” keeping a neutral face, she sharpened her voice, leaving no room for argument.
“…Yes, my lady.” Reluctantly, the guard withdrew.
Once he was gone, Zuko exhaled, stumbling out of the bushes. He fixed his attire, cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Uh… thanks. Sorry for the trouble,” he muttered, scratching the back of his neck.
“It’s nothing,” Mai replied, gaze skittering away for reasons he didn’t quite understand.
“But why is Your Highness here at my house so suddenly?”
“I… just wanted to apologize. For earlier today.”
“I knew it was an accident. You don’t have to‐”
“No! I‐” Zuko stopped as the girl widened her eyes. He had unconsciously raised his voice. Flustered, he toned it down. “I mean… not about that.”
Tilting her head, Mai arched a brow, puzzled.
“I mean after falling… I grabbed your hand, remember?”
“…Yes,” she admitted too quickly, for some reason.
“Yea, I wanted to help you up. But Azula was there, and I… I got embarrassed. So I let go. I was irresponsible. I’m sorry.” His hand rubbed at his neck as he waited anxiously.
“It’s fine. I didn’t mind,” she said evenly.
“Mm.” Zuko fell silent, words failing him.
The garden hushed, save for the whisper of leaves. Mai twirled a blade idly, watching sunlight glint off its edge. Zuko found himself staring, remembering the moment she’d pinned him to the wall. He’d heard of Azula’s aloof friend, skilled with knives. But only now did he realize just how precise she really was. Knife throwing was a rare skill. Being able to master it at such a young age was impressive.
“Who taught you that?” he asked, curious.
“Hm?” She blinked, moving her gaze from the knife to the boy before her, confused.
“I taught myself,” she shrugged, finally understanding what he meant.
“Seriously? That’s amazing!” the young prince exclaimed. ”Can you teach me?”
“Uhm…All right.” She stepped closer, offering him a dagger, cheeks tinged pink.
“Great!” He accepted, surprised by the weight in his palm. “Wow, this is heavier than I thought. You must have used a lot of force. ”
“Not really,” Mai said calmly, demonstrating. “If you throw with too much force, it just heads straight down to the ground.”
Thunk. Her knife buried itself in the dirt.
“But if you balance force with control…” Another flick, another knife sank neatly into the tree. “…it goes exactly where you want.”
Zuko listened intently, not daring to miss a single word. And then... she smiled. His heart suddenly stuttered. Was that because it was the first time he'd seen her smile? True, but not exactly. There was just something really attractive in the way she smiled.
It wasn’t bright, nor smug like Azula’s. Just a quiet, satisfied smile at her perfect throw. But it lit her face in a way he’d never seen.
“Understand?” she asked, breaking his daze.
“Uh…yeah!” He flushed, realizing he’d just been staring.
“Good. Try it,” Mai said calmly.
He froze. He didn't know how much he had missed. Had she mentioned something about stance? Wrist? Or both?
Using everything he remembered, the boy flung the blade. It veered off, clattering uselessly on the dirt. He stood still, too embarrassed to move.
“You clearly understand very well,” she said dryly, stepping closer.
She reached for his arm then hesitated, her ears were tinged pink. Well, maybe he was not the only person who felt the air around them was kinda hot, although it was autumn.
"May I?” She finally spoke up.
"Oh… yea,” he replied shortly, his throat turned dry.
Then, she lightly grasped his wrist, guiding. Cool fingers against his skin made his muscles tense up.
“Relax. Not like that. There. Try again,” the girl stepped back, crossed her arms in waiting.
He looked at her, then turned back to the knife, inhaling, somehow knowing she was watching made him nervous. Exhaling, he threw again. This time the knife flew straighter, though it still ended up in the dirt.
“Ugh, come on!” he groaned, glaring at it like it had betrayed him.
“Better. But too much force,” she remarked evenly.
And so it went, throw after throw, correction after correction, until the sun dipped low.
Thwack!
“Finally!” Zuko whooped as the knife hit the tree dead center. He turned, golden eyes alight in the sunset, waiting for her reaction.
“Not bad,” she nodded.
There it was again. That smile. Even lovelier than before. Was it because of the sunset? He didn't know, he just couldn’t look away, a smile rose on his lips.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Don’t get cocky. That was only the basics,” she teased.
“Of course, my Shifu. I humbly await further training!” he teased back, bowing dramatically.
“It depends on my mood.” The faintest curve touched her lips.
He chuckled, content just to look at her. Silence fell again, but this time, a gentle, peaceful one. In the distance, the evening drums sounded, another busy day at the palace had ended.
“It’s late. You should head back. My father will be home soon,” Mai said softly, looking at the sky, now getting dark.
“…Right.” He answered absently, only realizing she’d already turned away to gather her blades.
The afternoon had slipped by unnoticed. He’d never expected to feel so at ease around this girl. He had thought her cold, dreary. But she was… different. Quiet, yes‐but intriguing.
Still reluctant to leave, he climbed the wall slowly. A thought struck him.
“Hey‐what’s your name again?” he asked sheepishly.
She turned, meeting his gaze.
“Mai.”
So short. So fitting.
“Mai, huh? Hope we meet again.”
“Goodbye… Zuko.” Her voice was softer than usual. Thankfully, the orange glow hid the blush on her cheeks.
“…Yeah.” He lingered, savoring the way she’d spoken without formality. It made his smile deepen.
Then, he dropped down the other side of the wall, heading back toward the palace. Somehow, the sunset seemed brighter tonight, his steps lighter too and the frustrations of the morning were long gone.
Now, only three things filled his mind.
Knives.
Her smile.
And… Mai.