Chapter Text
Zuko was in the Fire Nation palace, seated in the throne room. As he listened to the chamberlain, he felt tired, but mostly bored. Yet, just when he thought the meeting was finally ending, the man simply changed the subject and extended a scroll before him with a solemn gesture.
"Fire Lord Zuko, the nation prospers, but the people are starting to murmur. A throne without a queen is like a volcano without lava. Here are the portraits and lineages of the noble families’ candidates…"
Zuko rubbed his temples, stopping halfway through the speech. The headache was sharp and persistent.
He didn’t need to hear the rest. He had heard it all before.
For weeks, the chamberlain had insisted on the same topic, over and over again. And it didn’t matter that he refused. According to him, Zuko was of marriageable age. According to him, he couldn’t keep postponing it. According to him, it was a matter of stability.
And that’s why he kept showing him the same portraits again and again, hoping for a change of heart.
"Leave," he ordered coldly before the scrolls could be extended "I don’t want to see any more portraits."
The chamberlain hesitated for just a moment.
"But, Fire Lord… I’ve brought new candidates."
"I’m not interested."
"With all due respect, you cannot keep postponing it. Who will take that place by your side? If I don’t present these proposals, who could you meet? You barely keep correspondence with the Avatar and the rest of the team. Not to mention when you meet. Your social life… is nonexistent."
Zuko looked up, and in his eyes was an uncomfortable flash, he couldn’t believe the audacity. But the chamberlain wasn’t entirely wrong.
And that was perhaps the most irritating part of all. Even more irritating was that the chamberlain didn’t move.
Zuko narrowed his eyes, immediately noticing the lack of obedience.
"Did you not hear my order?"
"I heard it, Fire Lord," he replied with a slight bow. "But my duty is not to obey silently when the future of the Fire Nation is at stake."
Zuko let out a brief, humorless laugh.
"My marriage is now a matter of national security?"
"Everything concerning your figure is," the chamberlain replied, his calm unshaken. "The people watch. The nobles wait. Time judges."
The scroll remained extended between them, like a provocation.
"A proper union would consolidate alliances, strengthen internal stability, and silence rumors. It is not just a personal matter."
Zuko averted his gaze, staring at the columns of the hall. For a moment, the weight of the words seemed to settle on his shoulders.
"I already have enough responsibilities," he murmured, more to himself than to the other.
"Precisely because of that, you need a queen," the chamberlain insisted, stepping closer. "Someone to share the burden. Someone to represent the Nation by your side."
Zuko looked at him, frowning.
"Share the burden? With a stranger chosen for her lineage?"
The chamberlain did not hesitate.
"With someone suitable."
Silence returned, tenser than before.
"I have selected exceptional candidates, Fire Lord," he added, pointing at the scroll. "Educated women, loyal, from influential families. I do not ask you to decide today… but at least consider them."
Zuko did not respond immediately.
His gaze finally fell on the scroll. Carefully painted faces stared back from the paper, all flawless, all… the same.
He looked away. Instantly, he felt a pang of rejection.
"Is it because of Lady Mai?" the chamberlain asked cautiously.
Zuko did not respond right away. His expression hardened slightly, as if he had a response he wasn’t willing to give.
"Do not mention her," he cut off, faster than he intended.
The abruptness hung in the air. The chamberlain observed him carefully, as if he had just confirmed something important.
"I understand…" he murmured.
Zuko clenched his jaw, clearly uncomfortable.
"This has nothing to do with her."
"In that case," the chamberlain continued in his formal tone, "if there is no one who occupies that place in your heart… or secret relationships, will you finally consider a proper union?"
Zuko stared at him. Sigh. It was the same thing again. The annoyance spread across his chest. He was tired of this.
"There is someone," he finally said, his voice dry.
The chamberlain tensed slightly, but his eyes gleamed with interest.
"Someone, Fire Lord?"
Zuko nodded. Then he spoke:
"Toph."
The name fell in the room like a stone.
The chamberlain blinked, clearly surprised.
"Lady Toph Beifong?"
Zuko nodded, holding the lie with more firmness than he felt.
"Yes."
The chamberlain interlaced his hands, thoughtful.
"It is… unexpected," he admitted cautiously. "However, her lineage is respected within the Earth Kingdom. Such a union could be seen as a politically significant gesture. Although her temperament may not be the best, she can be… educated."
Zuko did not respond, his mind a chaotic mess, ignoring the man’s mumblings.
Now that he had said it out loud, the name sounded strange in his own mouth. He had only thought of it because, among his acquaintances, she was the only one without a partner (that he knew of).
"Should I understand then," the chamberlain continued, "that there is a bond between you and Lady Beifong? Are you engaged?"
"Yes."
The chamberlain nodded slowly, as if he were already reorganizing half the kingdom in his mind.
"Then I shall not trouble you further… for now."
The chamberlain bowed, finally satisfied. Zuko waited until he left.
When the doors closed, the silence of the hall enveloped him again.
He exhaled slowly, bringing a hand to his face.
"Great," he murmured to himself. "Just great."
He had just affirmed an engagement that didn’t exist… with someone who would probably hit him once she found out.
And, knowing Toph Beifong, that would be the least of his worries.
