A Young Princess's Guide To Usurping The Throne | Chapter 14 (Patreon)

It was a time filled with significant moments, and Tanya wore a gentle smile as she leaned against the decorated stone wall. It was heartening to witness the family reveling in joy; they truly deserved this respite. The relentless pressure of work, coupled with a lack of rest, could gradually erode a person's spirit, especially as the war drew to a close. In these trying times, prioritizing both physical and mental well-being was essential for survival.

Tanya found herself pondering the potential benefits available to war veterans. Her knowledge on the subject was limited; she understood that they received land and a fair amount of financial support, but she was uncertain about the mental health resources available to them.

The burden of taking another's life could weigh heavily on a soldier's conscience, compounded by the grim reality of witnessing friends and family perish in the name of the nation they held dear.

She wondered if there should be added advantages for those who took part in this grim war. She'll have to bring it up to her uncle and cousin. They both would have their own views and could prove well in understanding the needs of those in their military.

"Your head's gonna burst into smoke with all that thinking," Mai remarked, breaking Tanya's reverie.

Tanya rolled her eyes in response. "There's a greater chance of assassination than that happening. But with my ability to manipulate fire, who knows what could be possible?"

Mai chuckled, positioning herself against the wall beside Tanya as they surveyed the gathering of noble men and women mingling.

"Oh, I almost forgot to mention," Mai said, her tone casual yet conspiratorial. "I spotted your brother Zuko with a girl. Not sure if you already knew, but you did ask me to keep an eye out for him. Also, your father was seen leaving the factories you entrusted to me."

Tanya's curiosity piqued at the news, her mind racing with thoughts of her brother. "My father's intentions of browsing into things unrelated to himself have been growing vast as of late. I understand taking an interest in the do's and don'ts of your children, but even I grow suspicious, and with Zuko, would you mind doing a small check on this girl you supposedly saw with him? I don't need some parasite pushed by their parents in hopes of marrying my brother."

"I could look into that, but honestly, it seems your brother was enjoying himself, and I don't think interfering would benefit your relationship," Mai replied, offering a warm smile as she met Tanya's gaze. "Also, if you want me to dig deeper into what our dear father is up to, you'll need to give me something in return."

Tanya sighed, "It's a miracle I put up with you, especially with this new attitude of yours. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you take pleasure in irritating me."

Mai feigned a serious expression before breaking into a grin, "Hmmmm, maybe I do, or perhaps I just enjoy pushing you out of your comfort zone. You can't control everything or dictate outcomes, so it's my duty as your friend to remind you of that."

Tanya remained silent at that moment, for deep down, she knew Mai was right. Ever since her reincarnation into this life, she had been attempting to control how others perceived her and what she wanted them to believe. It was a defense mechanism, a way to shield herself from the unpredictable nature of existence. The thought of dying again so soon was not something she wished to entertain. Her primary goal was to build a stable corporation, manage the overwhelming backlogs of business, and ultimately retire as one of the richest individuals in the world.

Yet, she found herself questioning whether that was truly all she desired. The memories of her first life were fading, becoming more indistinct with each passing day. In this new life, she bore the name Azula, but she struggled to feel worthy of it, as if the name belonged to someone else entirely.

With a heavy sigh, she finally spoke. "You’re right, and I apologize. I've been under a lot of stress, and you are correct; I can't control everything. It's simply impossible."

Mai tilted her head slightly, a victorious smirk playing on her lips, which only served to irritate Tanya further. They stood in silence for a moment, both lost in their thoughts, until a voice nearby caught their attention.

"Fools! They can't see what truly can be gained. That cow-pig of a general should have perished in Ba Sing Se along with his crippled son. They lack the motivation to rise above a minor setback and now flee from battle and glory like swine filth."

Tanya's eyes narrowed as she turned to Mai, who wore a similarly stern expression. There was only one general stationed at Ba Sing Se—her uncle Iroh, who, with her cousin Lu Ten, had returned to the mainland, specifically for this event. Hearing someone speak ill of her family stirred a deep unease in Tanya's stomach.

Her chi reacted as it violently stirred inside of her.

With a subtle hand gesture, Tanya communicated her intent to Mai, who understood immediately. Mai scanned the area, flashed a knowing smile, and then vanished seamlessly into the crowd. Tanya lingered for a few moments, her mind racing, before she too disappeared, determined to uncover the source of the insult and protect her family's honor.

Zhao stepped out into the cool embrace of the moonlight, distancing himself from the gathering that buzzed with laughter and idle chatter. He had only attended this tedious party to seek out deeper pockets and influence some of the most powerful figures in the Fire Nation. Like him, a few commanders had gathered, their ambitions intertwining with his own, each seeking to climb the ranks of power.

He was acutely aware that he wasn't the smartest or the strongest; his old teacher had made that painfully clear. Yet, Zhao possessed a keen understanding of the political landscape and what needed to be done. The idea of allowing refugees from the Earth Nation to encroach upon Water territory was utterly absurd to him. He had not ventured into that forsaken library ahead of schedule for nothing. He had wished instead to take his time, earn a promotion, and build a better reputation. However, the Fire Nation was evolving at an alarming pace, and he felt an urgent need to accelerate his rise to the title of Moon Slayer.

Frustration bubbled within him, and he clenched his fist, letting out a primal scream, "ARRUGGGHH!!" A plume of fire erupted from his hand, illuminating the darkness around him. All his meticulous planning seemed to be unraveling due to Iroh's incompetence. How could the man let such a golden opportunity slip through his fingers? With Lu Ten's interruptions and his own anger laid bare, he risked losing everything he had painstakingly built over the years.

Iroh might inadvertently reveal too much. While he doubted the general would speak out of turn, his son Lu Ten was a different story. The young man—no, the battle-hardened warrior—had become more resolute, especially after losing an arm. There was a real possibility he could call an assembly and expose some of Zhao's less-than-flattering remarks. That could spell disaster for him, setting him back further than he was willing to endure.

But what options did he have? Bribes were futile; they were crowned princes, and wealth was woven into the fabric of their very existence. He had already made false promises to Iroh regarding the coveted title of Moon Slayer. Zhao gripped his head in despair and sank to his knees, overwhelmed by the weight of his thoughts.

His breath came in labored gasps, and his eyes darted with panic. NO, NO, NOOO!! He couldn't allow this to happen. The stakes were too high, and he had to find a way to regain control before it was too late.

Could he kill them? The thought lingered in his mind, a dangerous whisper of possibility. It wasn't unheard of for those returning from such campaigns to contemplate foreign suicide; it was a grim reality many soldiers faced. Yet, getting close enough to either Iroh or Lu Ten would be a formidable challenge. They often roamed without any security, their arrogance leading them to believe that no one would dare strike at a prince or a seasoned warrior who had traversed seas and lands to wage war.

"I have to..." he murmured, feeling the weight of desperation. He had no other choice. Staining his own hands with blood would be foolish and would guarantee his own demise. However, hiring an assassin could be a clever alternative. If the assassin succeeded, he could claim the glory of vengeance; if they failed, he could eliminate them, leaving no trace of his involvement.

A grin spread across his face; it was a brilliant plan. He just needed to be present when the deed was done, positioning himself as an innocent bystander in the chaos that would ensue. "I'll be the ultimate downfall for not only the Dragon of the West but also the Immortal Sun," he declared, his ambition igniting a fire within him.

"HEAR ME!! FOR I AM ZHAO THE MOON-SLAY--"

Suddenly, Zhao collapsed onto the cold floor, a chilling sensation enveloping him. His eyes strained as he lay in a pool of foreign liquid, confusion clouding his mind.

"Not to question you, but why did we kill him again?" A neutral voice broke through the haze, jolting Zhao's senses. Who was speaking? Why did everything feel so frigid? He couldn't feel his fingers or move his toes.

"Though I would admit, he made a remark that irritated me. His sudden smile dredged up some awful memories... and thus I believed this was the right course of action," another voice replied, laced with a hint of anger.

"Well, it's not my place to complain. So what are we going to do about the body?"

Zhao forced his eyes to roll upwards, struggling to focus. He met molten gold eyes that glared back at him with a frown. The princess? But why was she here?

"I'm going to try something," she said, her voice steady. "Though I haven't fully mastered it, I believe I can burn the body without leaving any traceable evidence."

Zhao watched in horror as her palm opened, revealing blue flames that danced ominously. He would have screamed or begged for mercy, but it was too late. In an instant, he was reduced to ash, nothing more than a fleeting memory in the wind.

Mai stood silently, observing the aftermath of the incident. The body of the man lay in ruins, and she couldn't help but wonder who he was. A sigh escaped her lips; was this man truly foolish enough to openly insult one of the most revered princes of the Fire Nation? While it was common for some to harbor disdain for certain members of the royal family, Mai understood that Azula was not someone to provoke lightly.

Despite appearances, the girl cherished her family deeply, especially her uncle and cousin. They were two men she respected and loved profoundly, always making time for the princess, regardless of the hour. Even though Azula often spent her days with her father, Prince Ozai, it was with Prince Iroh and Prince Lu Ten that she shared a more personal bond.

Mai glanced at Azula, who was fixated on the nonexistent remains of the man. She refrained from inquiring about the memories that haunted her friend, memories of a 'smile' that ignited a fierce anger within her. It wasn't her place to pry; she knew better.

With a sigh, Mai realized this was not how she had envisioned the night unfolding. She gently placed a hand on Azula's shoulder, feeling the tension ease as the princess leaned her head against Mai's shoulder.

"We should leave and return to the party," Azula suggested, and Mai nodded in agreement as they made their way back.

Many would have fled in terror at the sight of a child capable of such destruction, but Mai felt indifferent. She would stand by Azula through thick and thin. She was not just her business partner or sparring buddy; she was also her personal assassin and—most importantly—her friend.