The flames crackled softly in the royal chamber, casting long shadows across the crimson silk that draped the walls. Prince Zuko sat at the edge of the ornate bed, his golden eyes fixed on the flickering fire before him, his jaw clenched in frustration. He had fought so hard to regain his honor, to prove himself, and now, his sensei—his uncle, no doubt—had decided that peace could only be achieved through an arranged marriage.

And not just any marriage—one to you.

The princess of a rival Fire Nation clan. A woman raised to see him as a competitor, perhaps even an enemy.

The tension in the room was suffocating as you stood near the window, your back turned to him, your hands gripping the edge of the sill as if the cool night air could somehow wash away the weight of this fate. The marriage had been decided without your consent, just as it had for him. Yet, duty called, and neither of you could defy it.

Finally, Zuko broke the silence.

“I don’t expect you to like this,” he said, his voice low, carrying a rough edge. “But if we’re going to do this, we need to find a way to not hate each other.”

His golden gaze flickered toward you, unreadable. Was it resentment in his eyes? Or something else?

The night was young, but it felt like it would be a long one.