Chapter Text
The weather was warm today, too warm. Moon wiped the sweat from her brow and went back to washing the wound dressings on the washboard outside the clinic.
"Moon! Miss Moon, please help!" A young girl named Aya ran up to her in a panic. She grabbed Moon's hand and tugged her.
"Hold on, little flower! Let me dry my hands." She said, already wiping her hands dry.
The girl had dark black hair and her clothes were worn. Moon often helped her treat her minor cuts and bruises from playing around the neighborhood. She led Moon into one of the more tucked in alleyways where a boy, no older than 17, was slumped against the wall. Moon broke from Aya and hurried over to the boy. He had a nasty scar over his right eye, and was clutching his side with a pained grunt.
"Sir? Sir, can you hear me?" She asked kneeling beside him, hesitant to touch him.
"Yes…" He grunted, looking at Moon with striking golden eyes.
"What happened? I work in the clinic nearby, and though I'm no doctor I have experience to help you."
"…The clinic? But you're so young."
"That's unimportant, please let me help you."
With weary eyes, he lifted his shirt, revealing a deep gash on the left side of his waist. Agni Kai gone wrong maybe? Moon leaned forward, touching the sensitive skin with gentle fingers.
"Are you able to walk, sir?"
"Yes."
The furrow in his brow as he responded told Moon otherwise, but it would be helpful to get him to the clinic.
She watched as he stood, groaning in pain, and stumbling. She shot up and despite her small stature, helped him on his right side. He hesitated to lean on her, and she glared at him, her pink eye clearly telling him he had no choice. He stared at her for a moment longer before exhaling and leaned on her. Moon made a small noise as she adjusted herself with his weight on her and they began the short walk to the clinic. She moved the curtains and helped the boy to lay down on the cot.
"Let me get Dr. Victor," She started to say, and he grasped her wrist, interrupting her.
"No need, you seem more than capable." He said. Truth be told, Zuko didn't want anyone recognizing him, and it seemed this girl didn't know.
Moon paused, looking from him to the curtains outside. "Are you sure…?"
"Yes."
Moon sighed and pulled up a stool, grabbing some gauze and fabric bandages along with the antibiotic ointment her and Dr. Victor had made earlier that morning. With gentle hands, she lifted his shirt for easier access, and couldn't stop herself from staring. He was well built, like a solider. With the war going on, Moon wasn't surprised.
"Is this a battle wound?"
"You could say that."
His non answer told Moon it wouldn't do her any good to pry, so she went quiet, and slowly wiped the wound clean with sterile strip of cloth, causing the boy to hiss in pain. He didn't thrash around though, which Moon was grateful for.
After a while of silence, with Moon starting to bandage up the wound, Zuko finally got a good look at her. She was small, but as she showed earlier while supporting his weight, strong. Her hair was unkempt, and her clothes had patches on them. Strikingly though, her left eye was closed, and a lightning strike scar covered it.
"You aren't curious about me…?" He asked tentatively.
"Many people come through this clinic with many different motives and stories. It's not my responsibility to know them. Fire nation or not, everyone deserves care."
Zuko stared at her. So young, and so intense. She reminded him of himself. Chasing his honor, trying to make things right. Was this the fate of all fire nation children?
"You aren't in school?"
Moon gave a bitter laugh at that, wrapping the bandages around his midsection. "School doesn't want me. My fire bending is pitiful. In war, if you can't fight, you're as good as nothing. Dr. Victor teaches me things."
"I see…"
Moon finished with his bandages, and stood, putting together a small pot of the ointment, and packing away strips of gauze and bandages, tying it together into a nice bow. She turned back to him, and held it out. "If the bandages get dirty or soak through with blood, reapply a bit of this ointment and re-bandage the wound. It should close in a few days, but will most likely leave a scar. If you feel feverish, or the wound turns yellow, return here, or to a different doctor. Just… go to a doctor."
Zuko sat up, looking down at the cloth for a moment, before meeting her eyes. "Th-thank you. What do I owe you?"
"Nothing. Victor takes no payment. He works in the hospital, and this clinic is his passion project."
"But your time…?"
"It's nothing."
Zuko put on his shirt, and stood, rubbing his neck awkwardly.
"Then… Your name. So I can properly thank you in the future."
"Moon, though thanks aren't necessary. My thanks are for you to be healthy."
Zuko put his fist under his hand and bowed his head to Moon, an ancient Fire Nation tradition to show respect. Moon looked taken aback, and returned the gesture. With that, the boy left the clinic, and as Moon watched, she realized, she never got his name either. She shook her head, and sat back down to return to washing the bandages, figuring she'd never see him again, so it didn't matter.
Many years had passed since that fateful encounter. The 100 year war finally ended, and yet the Fire Nation wasn't yet truly at peace. Things were rocky with the new Fire Lord, just a young prince trying his best. Dr. Victor had grown older, and left the clinic in Moon's capable hands despite her not even being a doctor. Moon had cried much that day, it was like losing a father. But even if the war was over, the clinic still helped people from all walks of life, and it was now her responsibility to hold.
The people in the slums knew her, and trusted her. After a few rocky years, Aya had grown into a beautiful and talented teenager, and helped Moon out sometimes. Moon was sitting at the desk Victor used to occupy, going over donations and the expenses of the clinic chewing on the tip of her quill absentmindedly. Business in the clinic had gotten slower over the years, but some people came in for minor issues, so Moon mostly stayed inside, so she could always be available. She heard the curtains shift, and she looked up to see who it was who came to visit.
He was tall, and wore clean, untattered clothes. He had on a cloak, and stepped up to Moon's desk. He didn't seem to be injured, but one could never really be sure.
"Hello, what can I help you with?"
He exhaled, as if relieved, and lowered the hood of his cloak. Moon's eyes widened the second she spotted the scar on his face. It was the mysterious boy from all those years ago! And god was he hot now. As if he wasn't attractive back then, but still. He had long raven hair, and a very kind but tired look in his beautiful golden eyes. He knelt in front of Moon, bowing his head.
"Moon. I'm finally here to thank you properly."
"Wh…what? I told you that wasn't necessary." She waved him off with her quill.
"You treated me in my time of need, with no bias. You never even asked my name. I've never once forgotten you."
Moon could feel her cheeks heating up, and tucked a particularly unruly piece of hair behind her ear. "That's… Not… anything special." She stuttered, taken aback by his display.
"The Fire Nation owes you a great debt for saving its fire lord, Miss." A man walked in behind him, holding his hand and fist out and bowing to her.
She stared a hole into the kneeling man before her. "F-F.. Fire Lord?!" She put her hand over her mouth. How could she be so stupid? It was common knowledge that Fire Lord Zuko had a scar just like his. She treated the Fire Lord? And didn't even know?!
Zuko smiled a lopsided smile. "So few in the Fire Nation wouldn't recognize me. You saved my life, Moon. I owe you a life and many more."
"N-Nonsense! Th-the Fire Lord has brought peace! That.. is payment enough."
Zuko slowly took one of Moon's hands. His hands were large, and calloused from battle. Moon could feel her ears burning. "As Fire Lord, I'd like to formally appoint you as Royal Physician."
"M-me?! But.. I'm not even a doctor."
"I've already arranged for your license. Your work in this clinic is an invaluable testament to your skills. Additionally, we have a letter of recommendation from an honorable Doctor Richtofen." He held out his other hand to his aide and the aide gave him a scroll that he handed to Moon. She unrolled it, moving her hand out of Zuko's.
Your highness,
I can fully vouch for Moon Synthesia's competence both as a physician, and person. She is caring and meticulous in all medical tasks. Any institution would count themselves lucky to employ a woman such as her.
Sincerely,
Dr. Victor Richtofen.
Moon could hardly hold back the tears welling up in her eyes as she read the letter. Strict and to the point, just as he always was with her, and yet the kindness was so open. She rolled the scroll back up and handed it back to Zuko who handed it back to his aide. Zuko's eyes were kind, and she frowned. It was hard to accept such an upheaval to her life.
"Could… could you give me some time to think this over, your highness?" She said slowly. Zuko frowned a little, but then nodded, as if understanding.
"Of course. I'll return in three days eager for your answer." With that, he stood, and put his fist under his hand, bowing to her. She stood as well, following the motion while bowing her head lower. "Have a nice day, Moon."
He turned around and walked out, putting his hood back on as his aide held the curtain open. They walked through the alleys and back out to where a carriage awaited them.
"It's surprising she didn't accept on the spot, my lord."
Zuko smiled fondly, and shook his head. "It doesn't surprise me in the least. That clinic is all she knows. Asking her to leave it straight away is like asking someone to uproot their entire home. I'm sure she's worried to leave it."
The aide hummed as the carriage rolled back up to the palace. "I suppose I can see that. Do you think she'll say yes?"
"I think so."
Moon sat at the desk, her ledger long forgotten. She sat in silence for a long moment before she was shaken from her trance at the sound of curtains. Aya strode in, wearing her Fire Academy uniform, and a smile on her face. She was doing so well, and was such a talented fire bender. Her raven hair was tied into a long braid, and her eyes sparkled with untainted youth.
"Auntie Moon, are you okay?" She asked as she sat down in front of the desk, setting her books down with a plop.
"A-aya… I didn't realize it was that time already…" Moon said, shaking herself from her daze. "How were classes today?"
"They were great! We even got a visit from Fire Lord Zuko!"
Moon coughed, choking on her spit in surprise. "O-Oh?!" She said, and Aya got up in concern, patting Moon's back.
"Why do you act so surprised, Auntie Moon? We get visits from him quite often, and I've told you about them before."
"Ah… I see." Moon paused, chewing on the tip of her quill again. "Well. I also got a visit from the Fire Lord today."
"What?! No way! Auntie Moon are you in trouble?!" Aya looked panicked for a moment.
"N-no, Aya. Quite the opposite. Many years ago, you dragged me over to a boy that was hurt and I treated him. Turns out… that boy is the Fire Lord."
"W-What? No way!"
"He stated that I saved his life and he owes me one in return."
Aya smiled, and jumped around Moon with an energy she could only recognize as childhood energy. "Oh my gosh, Auntie Moon is going to become the Fire Princess!"
Moon blushed a bright shade of red and flicked Aya on the forehead, causing the girl to double over, holding her head. "Hey! What was that for!"
"It's not like that, Aya. Go focus on your studies." Moon stood, and ushered Aya out of the clinic. As Aya left, Moon sat down at the desk and dragged over the wash bin of dressings needing washed.
As she settled into the calming action, she let her mind wander. It was an undeniable fact that since Fire Lord Zuko settled into his reign that business at the clinic was slow. She often went weeks without seeing anyone, most neighbors stopping by with gifts for her. Zuko had made many reforms in this time of peace, and Moon had wondered about closing up shop. Was this the time to do so, then?
The next day, she kept the clinic closed and visited Victor's home in the upper neighborhood. Victor gave her a small smile as he opened his door, letting her in. He walked with a cane now, and mostly spent his time reading at home. Moon came by to play checkers with him when time allowed.
"Hello, Moonlight. Not working today?" As Victor had grown older, he'd grown more affectionate to Moon, but still kept his straightforwardness when it was needed. This was why she came to him.
"Sit, Uncle. I'll pour us some tea." She said plainly and walked over to his cupboard. He sat down at his table, and Moon set the cups down and poured the tea exactly as he'd taught her many years ago. He smiled fondly as he watched her.
"I hope I'm not bothering you, uncle." She said as she sat.
"Nonsense, a visit from my moonlight is a pleasure. You look troubled. What is the matter?"
Her many years with Victor had trained him to read her like his many books, a fact she'd always hated when she was younger. Now in this moment, she was grateful.
"When did the Fire Lord reach out to you, Uncle?"
"Ah, he finally came to see you then?"
Moon nodded and took a sip of her tea.
"It was a few months ago, I believe. He personally came to my home, can you believe that? A Fire Lord bowing to a mere physician. He explained that you had helped him when you were younger, and how he wished to repay you, but didn't know how."
"So it was you who suggested making me a Royal Physician?"
"Of course it was. Your kindness and talent has always been wasted in those slums. I cursed the Academy and your father for not seeing your true worth." Victor almost spat the words and sipped his tea. Moon bit her lip and folded her hands together. She knew Victor cared for her, it was obvious to everyone. But to see him go so far made her a bit emotional.
"Th-thank you." She murmured, and Victor waved his hand.
"Don't thank me. You're the one who proved herself. I would be foolish not warn you that the palace is much harder than a clinic. Treating nobles is a pain in the ass."
Moon snorted and shook her head. Victor never minced his words.
"You'd have an easier time if you just gave him an heir."
Moon spit out her tea back into her cup, her face turning a bright red. "UNCLE!"
Victor laughed heartily, clutching his stomach. "I know, I know, Moonlight. Forgive me, I had to at least mention it."
Moon spent the rest of the day with Victor, and even won a few games of checkers with him.
Moon could hardly sleep that night, so she went down to the clinic and started packing things up, setting various medical supplies away in crates where she knew Aya could find them if she needed them. The sun rose on the third day, and Moon only had a single bag of items to take with her to the palace. Luckily for her, she wouldn't be mistaken as a concubine in her shabby clothing. Just as he'd promised, Zuko and his aide returned to her clinic. Zuko took off his hood and looked around the clean clinic with pleased eyes. Moon stood and put her fist under hand, bowing. Zuko did the same, a smile on his face.
"You've decided then?"
"Yes, my lord. I agree, if you'll still permit me."
Zuko smiled. "If the matter is settled, let's return to the palace." Zuko put his hood back on, and extended his hand to Moon. She stared at it. Would it truly be right for her to touch him? Zuko shook his head and took her hand himself, and led her out of the clinic. Her home for many years. He led her through the alley she'd traversed many times, and out into the main street where a nice carriage waited. It didn't scream royalty, but it definitely screamed nobility at the least. His aide sat in the front and Zuko led Moon inside the carriage with him, letting his hood down once the curtains settled. Moon had never been in such a fine carriage, and looked around curiously. The wood was spotless, the curtains a beautiful shade of crimson. Zuko only stared at her. She met eyes with him and hastily looked away. Zuko cleared his throat, also looking away.
"Today, we'll get you settled in at the palace." He started, and Moon looked at him again. "Tomorrow I will have you meet with Tolga, one of our experienced physicians. He will show you around the medical facilities and expectations. The third day, we will have a ceremony officially naming you as a Royal Physician. I took the liberty of inviting Dr. Richtofen. Was there anyone else you wished to invite?"
Moon bit her lip and shook her head. "No, Dr. Richtofen is more than enough."
Zuko nodded. They spent the rest of the ride in silence, and as they pulled up to the palace, Zuko climbed out first, and held his hand out to help Moon out. She took his hand, a deep blush on his cheeks. Luckily it was only him, his aide, and a palace maid waiting for them.
Zuko gestured towards the woman with a smile. "This is Aina. She will show you to your quarters in the medical hall. Come to her with any concerns you have." Aina put her fist under her palm and bowed to Zuko and Moon followed suit as he and his aide strode into the palace. Moon stared at the palace, and turned to Aina.
"I leave myself in your capable care, Miss Aina." Moon bowed to her, and the maid waved her off.
"A Royal Physician bowing to a lowly maid? Miss Moon, you have much to learn from Master Tolga." Aina said with a carefree smile. "Follow me, my lady." Aina led Moon through the doors of the palace, leading her through winding hallways, before stopping in front of a door. "These are your chambers, my lady. Please get changed in the clothes we've provided for you, and I will lead you to Master Tolga."
Moon opened the door, and almost fainted. Her quarters were massive. The furniture was opulent, and the grand room was shaded in many hues of red and gold. The entryway had a living room with a long lounging couch, overlooking the gardens of the palace with a large porch leading outside. To her right was a bedroom with a large four poster princess bed, draped in red curtains and rich bedding. To her left was a large bathroom with a tub that would fit 5 of her easily. Moon dropped her bag in shock.
"A-are… are we sure I'm not a concubine?!" She turned her head to Aina who laughed a little with her hand covering her lips.
"No my lady, these are normal quarters for a Royal Physician. I will give you a few moments to get changed." Aina said with a smile and closed the door to the hallway.
Moon wandered over to the bed where a stack of robes sat folded. They were white and gold, with an apron that most physicians wore. She stepped out of her patchy robes, and put on the new ones. They were as soft as silk, and had more embroidery than she'd expect out of a physicians robe. The pants were baggy, but comfortably so. She stepped into the slippers, and tied her hair back with the red bandana that they'd provided her. When had they had the time to prepare all of this?
Moon opened the door to the hallway, and Aina smiled. Moon could have sworn she saw pride in the woman's eyes.
"That's much more fitting, my lady." Moon rubbed her neck. "Let's go meet Master Tolga. I'm sure he's been waiting for us." Aina led her down the hallway and into the medical office. The office was sterile, and there were four people sitting and sipping tea on a couch, laughing lightly as sun shone through the sheer curtains. She really was in high society now.
"Master Tolga, here is Lady Moon as requested." Aina bowed, and a tall man wearing an outfit much like Moon's stood and walked over to them. He was an older man with a kind smile, his black and gray streaked hair tied into a low ponytail. He placed his fist under his palm and bowed to Moon. She stepped back in surprise as the three others in the office followed his lead. Moon started to return the favor, and Aina held her straight with a shake of her head.
"Lady Moon, we are ever grateful to you for saving the Fire Lord's life." Tolga began. Moon sputtered.
"P-please! I… only did what anyone would!"
Tolga smiled at her. "Humble. I see why he's taken a liking to you." He gestured to the other three medical officers. "This is Hiya," A woman with a brown pixie cut smiled at Moon. "She will be your assistant once you begin your work. "And this is Casper and Seyun, our other physicians. This is the medical office where many officials come for our services."
"But you won't be spending much time here," Seyun started, and Tolga put his fingers to his lips to shush him. Moon was confused.
"Wh…" Moon started but Tolga interrupted her.
"Don't pay any attention to him, he just blurts out nonsense."
"Hey!"
"Now, Moon, let me show you around a bit." Tolga smiled and gently placed his hand on Moon's shoulder to lead her down the hallway. Aina bowed as she walked the other direction. They began to walk down the hallway in silence. "Lady Moon, may I ask a question?"
"Of course, Master Tolga. Ask me anything you'd like."
He tapped his left eye lightly. "Are you able to see out of your left eye?"
Moon stopped walking, and Tolga turned to her. She opened her left eye, revealing a blank, silver pupil. "No sir. It does not hinder my ability."
"I never doubted that, my dear. Might I ask what happened?" Tolga's eyes were kind.
Moon sighed, and closed her left eye again, turning to face the railing that lined the inner garden of the palace, watching as the turtle ducks splashed in the pond. "My birth father… was not a good man. Much like our previous Fire Lord Ozai. I am not a talented fire bender in any sense. I can light a stove and that's all. My father put me through the Academy, and I was kicked out due to my lack of fighting prowess. Upon finding out…" Moon paused, her mind returning to that day.
It was raining. Her father was making dinner. Her sister was practicing her fire bending, always the favorite of the family. Moon walked in, already knowing that her father knew. She expected 50 strokes or more over her incapability. Her father turned to her, face calm. This was never a good sign.
"I hear you're not good enough for the academy."
Moon got to her knees, bowing to the floor. "I'll pay back the money. I'll look for a job immediately."
"You think the world needs another useless piece of trash on it's streets?"
"F-Father… Please. I'm sorry."
"Your sorry mean nothing to me. Come outside. I show you what a sorry truly is." Before Moon could stand, her father dragged her out and threw her into the mud. Her sister stood in the doorway and watched with wide eyes.
Moon heard a crack of thunder, and then a blinding pain in her face. Her father was standing over her, lightning bending sizzling from his fingertips.
"Go. Filth like you belongs bleeding out of the streets." With those harsh words, he turned and walked inside, slamming and locking the door to her home.
That night, she wailed on the streets, blood pooling on her clothes as if she was a murder victim. She dragged herself into an alleyway, and fell unconscious. Whether it was from blood loss, or exhaustion from crying, she didn't know.
She was shaken awake by rough hands, and she jolted, screaming in terror. When she opened her eyes, she could only see through her right one. Through blurry eyes, she saw Victor, he was looking at her in grave concern.
"What happened to you, little one?"
Moon could only cry inconsolably, and Victor picked her up, carrying her to his clinic, with her crying that she couldn't see and that it hurt. Victor patched up her left eye, and monitored her for days, often staying up through the night to soothe her from her nightmares. After everything, she was still blind in her left eye, and Victor helped her to live with it, and be stronger than her disability.
Moon shook her head of the memory. "My father, sought retribution for my worthlessness."
Tolga remained quiet behind her for a long moment, and then stepped forward, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I see. I apologize for bringing up such a sensitive matter."
"It's fine."
The next day, Moon spent much of time learning the lay of the land with Tolga and what was expected of her as the Royal Physician. Just as she was about to relax for the night, Aina came to get her.
"Lord Zuko requests to meet with you, Lady Moon." She bowed and Moon took off her apron and bandana, looking a little surprised.
"Right now?"
"Yes, My lady."
"Oh… okay." Moon had been so busy the past few days, she hadn't even seen the fire lord around. It seemed only natural.
Aina led her to the other half of the palace, where the various high ranking officials and the royals conducted business. She led him to the doors of Zuko's study where his aide waited by the doors.
"You can go ahead and enter, Miss Moon." His aide said with a smile, and Moon nervously opened the door. When she opened it, Zuko was sitting at his table, writing a letter of some kind with a furrow in his brow, and his brush moving smoothly.
"Lord Zuko," Moon murmured, bowing to him with her fist under palm.
"Moon, come closer." Zuko looked up with a smile as she spoke. Moon stepped up to the table, and he urged her to sit on the cushion across from him. "Have you eaten yet?"
"Yes, my lord, I just ate."
"Good, good." He leaned back, relaxing a little. "How are you liking the palace?"
"It's… big. I'm afraid I'm going to get lost for a while."
Zuko chuckled, and leaned his cheek against his hand. "Yes, it can be a lot to get used to. Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"Master Tolga has taught me well and assures me that I am very capable."
"That's great." Zuko put a box on the table and slid it to Moon. "Before tomorrow, I wanted to give you this."
Moon stared at the box, and took it, opening it curiously. Inside was a golden hairpin. The tip of it was twisted into the shape of a rose, with a ruby inlaid into it. There were 3 golden strands with pieces of ruby on the edges of them. Moon gasped and immediately closed the box, setting it down on the table.
"Oh, no. I cannot take this, my lord." She shook her head and slide the box back towards him. Zuko chuckled, expecting this reaction.
"Ah, but you must, dear Moon. It's necessary to show that you're a Royal Physician after all. Didn't you notice Tolga's golden lapel?"
Moon frowned, remembering the lapel very clearly. Zuko smiled, and stood. "I will take no other arguments on the matter." He opened the box, and gently tied some of her hair into a bun, his fingers practiced. He put the hairpin into her hair slowly, the gems making a light clinking sound as he did so.
"Perfect." He said after a long moment, and sat back down across from her. "Tomorrow it will be official. Wear that every day, so there's never any misunderstandings."
Moon sat across from him in shock. Her brain had short circuited and Zuko just smiled at her as if he wasn't the entire cause of it.
"S-surely a pin would have sufficed…?" She finally murmured.
"A mere pin for the woman who saved my life?"
"Like I keep saying—"
Zuko put his hand up and shook his head. "You will not sway me on this decision, Moon. When you accepted my proposition, you accepted all the rewards and responsibilities that come with it."
Moon opened her mouth to argue further and then closed it, hanging her head in defeat.
"Yes, my lord." She stood and bowed to him. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Zuko smiled and lifted his hand in farewell. "See you then."
As Moon left his study, Zuko's aide and Aina looked at her and then up at the hairpin, both smiling knowingly. Moon sighed, and took the hairpin out, holding it in her hand now that Zuko was out of sight. Just what kind of mess did she get herself into?
She rotated the pin in her hand as her and Aina walked to her quarters. The hairpin was gorgeous for sure. It was obviously made by a master craftsman. She smiled as she looked at the rose, her favorite flower. Aina bid her farewell, and promised to be there bright and early in the morning to get her in her ceremonial garb. Moon had argued that she could very well dress herself, while the maid had reminded her of her own inability to do her hair, and she was well outwitted.
Moon tossed and turned all night, her brain a mess of complicated feelings she dared not get into. By the time the sun had poked through her curtains, she had gotten an entire hour of sleep. Aina had wasted no time in helping Moon get ready. The outfit for her ceremony was made of embroidered silk, flowers made with gold and pink thread all along the skirt. She felt more like a courtesan than a Physician but Tolga had assured her that he too had to wear such heavily embroidered garb on his ceremony. To be named Royal Physician was a high honor, even more so for a woman. Aina tied her sash behind her and sat her in front of a mirror. She braided Moon's hair, leaving some strands curled and free falling against her shoulder. She pinned a red lily into Moon's hair and slipped the hairpin into the bun-braid she'd made.
"Absolutely beautiful." Aina said with a warm smile. "Are you ready, my lady?"
Moon sighed, touching the hairpin self consciously. "Isn't this a bit much, Aina?"
"No, it's just enough. Now let's hurry along, we mustn't keep Lord Zuko and your father waiting."
"He's not my fa—" Moon started and then closed her mouth. Victor was close enough she supposed. Aina led Moon to the ceremony hall where many officials over many ranks stood among the hall, soldiers and scholars alike. As Moon stepped in, all eyes were turned on her, as they would be for the entire affair. She would just have to learn to get used to it. She immediately searched for Victor and he was standing very close to the throne, smiling at her. He nodded his approval at her, and she smiled back. It eased her nerves to have him there. Zuko was not yet present. His aide stood beside the throne in a ceremonial uniform.
Everyone present was instructed to get on their knees. Moon looked at Victor worriedly, but saw Zuko's aide assisting him while he stubbornly got on his knees, despite the aide bringing him a chair. "Nonsense," He'd grumbled. "I will show the respect deserved of such occasion."
Zuko entered shortly after, wearing his full Fire Lord garb, and Moon almost gasped audibly. He commanded such respect, and everyone, including her, bowed their heads in respect. Zuko sat on his throne, and everyone sat up and looked at him. Moon felt Zuko's eyes on her for moment before they swept through the crowd.
"I thank you all for being here." He said. He looked to the chamberlain and he held out a scroll.
"Today we are gathered to recognize our new Royal Physician. Moon Synthesia, please approach." The chamberlain announced, and Moon exhaled, standing as all eyes fell on her as she walked up to the throne, bowing with her fist over her heart. After waiting the required 5 seconds, Moon knelt on the cushion before the throne as she was taught by Tolga. Zuko had a neutral expression on his face, but his eyes spoke of pride, and something else Moon couldn't quite place. His eyes settled on the hairpin for a moment, and then back down at her.
"Moon Synthesia has saved my life once before." Zuko began, looking to the officials gathered. "She treated me with no bias, and continued to do so for many years in a clinic with no reward. Many years ago, I promised to thank her for her kindness, though she had never asked for any such thing. Therefore, I hereby declare Moon Synthesia as the Royal Physician. Moon will shoulder all medical responsibilities of the Royal Family, and will be a pillar of our nations prosperity, leading with kindness and virtue. Any who question this decree may speak now." His voice carried through the hall, and no one spoke up. Victor nodded his head in pride.
Moon bowed her head as the chamberlain placed the scroll with her duties in front of her, and stepped away. Moon was told to return to her place, and a few other matters pertaining to border patrol was discussed. After a little while, everyone was dismissed. Moon was given a small amount of time to see Victor off at the palace doors alone, no doubt a kindness granted by Zuko. She was bound to get busier after all. They stood outside the palace doors and Victor patted Moon's shoulder.
"It warms my heart to see this day, Moonlight."
"It warms my heart that you shared it with me, uncle."
A moment passed between them, and Victor squeezed her shoulder.
"I've viewed you as my daughter for many years now, moonlight. It is fine to view me as a father."
Moon froze, and then her face softened. "Of course… father. Get home safe. I'll come visit as soon as I have a spare moment."
Victor patted her cheek affectionately. "It is good to see my daughters beauty in such a way."
Moon smiled and led him to the waiting carriage. "Yeah, yeah, you old geezer, you can shut up now."
As she watched Victor's carriage pull away, she finally opened the scroll with her duties for the first time. She skimmed the contents, Tolga had already told her the things she'd be handling. She'd be making medical decisions that would benefit the entire nation. Yet, at the bottom there was a surprise addition.
III. Moon Synthesia is to treat Lord Zuko exclusively. Any other medical concerns shall be directed to the medical offices.
…What?!