Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Vongrak.
Kiyi Pov.
"Do I really have to do this?" I asked anxiously as I stood in front of the meeting room door. I could hear someone shout as the big brother replied with equal force.
"Do you want to help Zuko? There's no other way. I'll tell you what to say; just repeat what I tell you and act as if you were me so they take you seriously, and everything will be fine," the big sister whispered in my ear.
"Can't you just call or talk to them or something?" I asked, squirming as I straightened my clothes again, then tapped the tiny earpiece in my ear and the microphone inside my clothes, both connected to my phone in my pocket.
"No, as I already told you, right now the council members want me back as Fire Lady. If I go and order them to do something, they'll obey, I have no doubt. But basically, they'll think I'm agreeing with them, they'll think I'm trying to undermine Zuko's power and orders. Even if I tell them to support Zuko after that, divisions will form."
"Zuko's government can't be divided like that, not now. It's still too weak, even after four years, so it can't be me. It has to be you. You're on Zuko's side, on Ursa's side, and they know it. That's how it has to stay," the big sister said quickly.
"B-but-"
"You wanted to help, didn't you? Then grit your teeth and act like a princess." The big sister said immediately. I shuddered and straightened up even more.
"Yes, big sister!" I said firmly. I took a deep breath and listened to my inner voice.
"Fire Lord Zuko, please reconsider the exile of Princess Azula and the restoration of her status as Princess! We need her back in the Fire Nation before it's too late!" I hear a woman shout.
"For the tenth time! Even if I lift the exile and force Azula to return, Miyamura will still have to stay in Japan! We can't afford to steal Ryuma's grandson!" Zuko retorted forcefully, sounding tired.
"We're not stealing! Ryuma's grandson will choose the princess as his first wife! The American girl and the girl from Vale are just commoners! If you restore Princess Azula's status, Ryuma and his grandson will be more than happy to choose Princess Azula for themselves and lead the Fire Nation," the woman exclaimed once again.
"And with all due respect, Fire Lord Zuko, the fact that you are 21 and still have no offspring is a concern. If Princess Azula is able to conceive Ryuma's grandchild, it would be a blessing."
"By restoring Princess Azula's title, her children could inherit the crown without any problem," another voice added. The big sister burst out laughing.
"As if they could convince Izumi with something so pathetic," big sister whispered in my ear. "Alright, Kiyi, come in, it's time." I heard the big sister's order and moved.
Take one more deep breath. She had to act like the big sister. Regal, with calculated and precise movements, her presence fills the room and forces everyone to listen—everything a princess is supposed to be.
I exhaled the air I'd been holding, calmed the trembling in my body, and placed my hands on the twin doors. Then I pushed them open with all my might. The doors swung open with a loud bang.
There was no time to back down, it was now or never.
"Kiyi?" Zuko asked, confused, as he looked at me. My gaze shifted to the councilors and ministers.
"Big Brother! I have news!" I said firmly as I approached.
"Lady Kiyi, now is not the time," an old woman tried to say tensely. I ignored her.
"And when will the time be? I've been waiting for hours and all you've been doing is ranting and insulting your Fire Lord. Honestly, this is all a joke. You can leave now and let me talk to my big brother." I said casually, though my voice trembled slightly.
I had never spoken like this to anyone on the council, to any minister or councilor, but even so, I clenched my fists tightly with nervousness and took deep but discreet breaths. Calm, control; I had to act like the big sister. Without reacting.
"Lady Kiyi, I understand you want to... help your brother, but this is a private meeting, please, if you could leave." One of the ministers said, standing up. I just glared at her.
"I am your Princess. I may not be of the blood of the previous Fire Lord, Ozai, and I may not have any inheritance rights, but I am still YOUR Princess and you will address me as such." I said coldly, the woman's eyes opening slightly.
"My apologies... Princess Kiyi," the woman said, bowing slightly. "Even so, I must insist that you leave, Your Highness. We are discussing Princess Azula's future. We need her to return to the Nation of—"
"And you think my big sister wants that? Have you been in contact with her and we didn't know?" I asked coldly as I interrupted her. The woman trembled slightly as she looked at me in surprise.
"N-no, of course not," the woman said quickly.
"Then don't assume what my sister wants." I dismissed her coldly. "Do you think my sister didn't plan this? That she didn't know Izumi Miyamura was Ryuma's grandson?" I asked coldly, questioning her every move. The commotion resumed.
"Princess Azula knew all along!?" another old woman asked, standing up. "And we weren't warned?!" she demanded indignantly over all the other voices.
"I didn't know that a Princess or a member of the royal family was obligated to inform you, Minister." I said coldly, glaring at her. The woman shuddered slightly.
"O-of course not, Your Highness, b-but we're talking about the grandson of Japan's National Rank, Sword God Ryuma! It's not something the princess should be hiding! It's something that concerns the entire nation!" said the minister as she bowed slightly.
"Do you want to know why my sister kept quiet about this?" I asked mockingly. They all seemed attentive. "Because my sister knew exactly how you would react. She saw all this coming. She knew you would behave like children, not like the adults in charge of our nation." I scoffed at them.
"Your Highness! How can you-"
"Silence, councilor." I quickly hissed, silencing her. "Your job is to help my brother, your Fire Lord, rule! And all you're trying to do is depose him! My sister is and always has been loyal to the crown! She has protected the crown with her life countless times! And that's what she always will do!"
"She's out there getting stronger! Learning from one of the world's greatest heroes, All Might! Learning from Ryuma's grandson! Forming a relationship that will benefit the Fire Nation!"
"What do you think she'd think of all this?" I hissed sharply, looking at everyone present. Most of them lowered their gazes in apprehension. I snorted heavily. "She'd be disappointed in all of you." I growled one last time, and I could see them shudder.
I shuddered slightly with emotion; my sister's name could make even grown women and elderly women tremble. It was incredible. I could feel my heart racing with excitement.
"Yes, my sister knew about Ryuma's grandson. She's been constantly keeping me and Zuko informed, and in fact, she's managed to get engaged to him." I finally said, controlling my entire body so it wouldn't tremble at the news.
My sister? Engaged to Ryuma's grandson? My body trembled with excitement. Luckily, no one noticed, as everyone was in shock at the news.
More than one of the elderly women stood up.
"Is that true, Princess Kiyi?!" one of the women asked hopefully, and I nodded quickly.
"Of course, she's been engaged to Izumi Miyamura for months; she's his third fiancée." Confirm the information.
"Months?! And she never warned us? How do we know it's true!?" asked an old woman I didn't recognize.
"Once again, my big sister doesn't have to tell anyone about her movements." I glared at her, making her squirm. "And what's more, you're implying I'm lying?" I asked coldly. The woman gritted her teeth.
"Of course not, Your Highness, but... it's possible that... you may have misunderstood the information. It's... well known that Princess Azula doesn't maintain contact with the Fire Lord, so you're the only source of this 'information'," one of the women said slowly.
"If you're questioning my age, then you're underestimating me, Minister, and I find that very... offensive." I said with a grimace. The woman paled slightly, but I dismissed it with a wave of my hand. "But putting that aside, and regardless of what you think about me, it was actually my big brother, Fire Lord Zuko, who accepted such a commitment." I said casually.
"Is it true, Fire Lord Zuko?!" several overlapping voices asked. Zuko looked at me conflictedly, staring for several long seconds. I managed to avoid squirming.
"Of course that's true," I said quickly. "As is expected of the royal family, any member must obtain the current Fire Lord's approval for any engagement. My big sister wouldn't make an engagement without telling her big brother." I added quickly. Even so, everyone looked at the big brother, as if waiting for an answer.
"…Kiyi is right." Zuko said weakly after staring at me for another long few seconds. The big brother looked slightly pale; I could see him trembling a little as his eyes were fixed intently in my direction, but I tried to ignore it—I still had things to do.
"This is great news for the Fire Nation!" exclaimed a woman jubilantly.
"It is, certainly. My big sister had decided to work on a slower angle, since they had enough time while they were still at UA, but with Miyamura Izumi's identity as Ryuma's grandson now being made public, all his information will be revealed soon, including his engagement to Princess Azula being confirmed."
"Part of her plan was also to slowly convince Miyamura to have a child, perhaps one of his first children, a child between Ryuma's grandson, who is extremely talented in his own right, and Azula, the greatest prodigy the Fire Nation has ever seen, would have exceptional offspring."
"Unfortunately, due to last night's incident, their plans are changing a bit, but the outcome will still be the same. Even so, my big sister needs to stay in Japan, by Ryuma's grandson's side, to maintain her position," I said confidently.
"Yes... if that's true... we have to celebrate the engagement! Get in touch with Japan and Ryuma's daughter, and sign a solid engagement contract," one of the women said quickly.
"There's no time for that," I interrupted quickly.
"Excuse me, Your Highness, but if what you said is true and you need to expedite your plans, a contract is truly necessary, a completely ironclad one. It's possible that Japan might try to force Ryuma's grandson to back out of the engagement in order to keep his descendants in Japan," the woman said. I raised an eyebrow.
"Are you going to force the grandson of a National Ranker to do something he doesn't want to do?" I asked curtly. The woman was about to answer, but I stopped her. "But that's not what I meant. We have to offer our help to Japan for the reconstruction of Kamino due to the destruction caused by the villain, not make enemies of them," I said simply.
"What?! Why? We don't have enough people for that!" grumbled an old woman, I massaged my temple.
"I really feel sorry for my brother if he had to put up with this nonsense all this time." I mocked the woman, I could see her turn red with anger, I just laughed. "But as I was saying, the information will come out sooner or later, Princess Azula of the Fire Nation is engaged to Izumi Miyamura, grandson of the Sword God Ryuma. How do you think our reputation will look if we don't send help in a crisis?" I asked mockingly.
Everyone's eyes widened.
"Although... you may be right, Your Highness, it is also true that we do not have enough manpower for such an undertaking," said a more respectful woman.
"It doesn't matter, it has to be done. The relationship with Japan and Ryuma's grandson is more important. We can reduce staff in other, less essential sectors, but it has to be done," I said without hesitation. "All Might is retiring." My voice trembled visibly as I repeated the words my big sister had just told me.
All Might… retiring? What? I could feel myself visibly pale and my body tremble slightly.
I only awoke from my stupor when a cacophony of voices shouted throughout the room and startled me. I could hear my big sister's voice forcing me to act.
"Silence! Don't act like children!" I silenced everyone, gritting my teeth to recover from the news. "And before you ask, yes, this information is completely true. I just spoke with my big sister, and she heard it directly from All Might. The announcement will be made in a few hours. It's what I wanted to talk to my big brother about, but you all were still in this pointless meeting."
"Now that they know, we have to offer our help before then. Japan might reject us since there were few casualties and the destruction was only on Kamino, nothing Japan can't rebuild in a few days, but we have to show that the Fire Nation agrees and supports the union between our Princess and Ryuma's grandson."
"And we have to do this before All Might announces his retirement so they don't think we have some nefarious plan to take advantage of them when they lose their two national ranks." I said quickly and looked expectantly at the other members. "What are you waiting for?! Go on! You can handle this yourselves! I have important matters to discuss with my big brother!" I exclaimed, waving my hands at them. All the ministers and councilors stood up.
"At your service, Princess Kiyi!" they all said at the same time and bowed slightly, then they began to hurry out of the place. I could hear some whispers as they all left.
"As expected of Princess Azula, always several steps ahead." "Not only her, Fire Lord Zuko is also involved in this." "This is a great opportunity; we can't waste our Princess's work." "Speaking of Princess, Princess Kiyi reminds me of Princess Azula at her age—such ferocity, it's as if Princess Azula herself were here." "It's not surprising; Princess Azula has been teaching her, but it seems to be much more than just teaching her how to use her Quirk." "With them in the royal family, the Fire Nation has nothing to fear."
"Well done Kiyi, I'm proud of you." I heard my big sister's voice in my ear, pulling me out of my reverie.
I shuddered slightly with excitement. A huge smile spread across my face. I had done it, I had done it, I could do all of that perfectly with my big sister's help.
That… that was what big sister could do. Even without being present, only able to tell me what to say and what to do, she was able to compel everyone to work immediately in the direction she wanted.
I had controlled all the ministers and councilors in just a few minutes and with extreme ease. As if it were child's play. A wave of euphoria washed over me. I smiled broadly and turned to look at my big brother, my mother, and the others with excitement—"Huh?"
My body froze completely as I stared at my mother and big brother's faces; their normally kind and loving faces weren't... they were looking at me with... they were looking at me with fear.
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Why are you looking at me like that?! I just wanted to help! I felt like I couldn't breathe.
"Azula?" Mom murmured breathlessly, her eyes glazed over. I sighed in relief before stopping stiffly and feeling my stomach grow heavy and begin to feel nauseous.
Were they mistaking me for the big sister? Weren't they afraid of me? Were they afraid of the big sister? Is that how the big sister felt her whole life?
That my mother and big brother looked at me with fearful expressions every time I tried to help? It was… it was horrible, it wasn't fair. I almost wanted to throw up right then and there. I could feel myself getting short of breath.
"Kiyi, breathe!" I heard my big sister shout, and my body reacted instantly, taking deep breaths. "Whatever's happening isn't directed at you, Kiyi, calm down," my big sister said quickly. "Take out your phone and put me on speakerphone."
"Y-yes, big sister." I squealed shakily.
"Big sister?" my big brother asked carefully. Trembling, I carefully took out my phone and unplugged the headset.
"Zuzu, I heard you were having problems." The big sister teased once she was speaking out loud.
"Azula!" exclaimed the big brother and mother as they stood up. They both walked quickly toward me, and I stepped back in surprise. The big brother snatched the phone from me while mother grabbed me and held me tightly, my hands quickly wrapping around her.
"Azula! Why did you do that!" Zuko demanded sharply, glaring at big sister. She just rolled her eyes.
"I heard you were letting a bunch of old fogies walk all over you, and like a really good little sister, I decided to help you out. I hope you appreciate it." The big sister mocked.
"And you decided to use Kiyi? You forced her to say all those things?" Mother asked solemnly.
"I told her I wanted to help!" I quickly intervened, but Mother just grabbed me tightly.
"You don't need to defend Azula, Kiyi." Mother said immediately without hesitation; I could feel her hands gripping me tightly.
"But it's true! I asked her for help! I told her I wanted to help big brother and she agreed!" I said quickly, trying to defend the big sister.
"Kiyi... you may really believe that, but you saw what Azula did just by telling you what to say, she surely manipulated you into doing this." Mom said, slightly pale, and my eyes widened.
"What? No!" I said immediately, but she didn't hear me.
"Wow, you really think so highly of me, Lady Ursa. You seem to believe my favorite pastime is manipulating 10-year-old girls," the big sister mocked. "I just wanted to help, cross on my chest and all," the big sister said, sounding sincere.
"Help me? Everything you said was a lie to help me?" Zuko asked, mortified.
"Lies? Not again, Zuzu" the big sister said exasperatedly. The big brother gritted his teeth.
"So everything you said about your... fiancé is true? You approached him to use him? You plan to have his child just because he's Ryuma's grandson? You plan to place your child as heir to the throne?" the big brother asked, sounding almost horrified. My eyes widened.
"What?! No! Azula loves her boyfriend!" I blurted out as I walked away from Mom. How could they not see it?! "Big sister loves her boyfriend so much! Everything she told me to say was planned, it was a lie! I didn't understand most of it, but the big sister was just telling you what you wanted to hear!"
"Kiyi." Mother said, looking at me with pity. I could see her face; I didn't believe a word she was saying. No. No. No. No. No. Why?!
"Oh, Zuzu, you caught me red-handed," my big sister said playfully. My eyes widened. "Actually, yes, I'm doing exactly that. I've decided that since I obviously won't be able to return to the Fire Nation for the next 10 years, and maybe longer, my son should inherit the title of Fire Lord."
"The union between Ryuma-sama's grandson and me would produce exceptional offspring," the big sister said playfully. I could see the big brother's and mother's faces fall several degrees. No, stop! Don't continue!
"Would you really do that?... You're... you're just like your father." Mother murmured, trembling slightly.
"Thank you! I'm trying so hard to follow in your footsteps!" the big sister said happily. Mother was completely pale. This wasn't supposed to happen!
"I... thought you were getting better... that you really loved your boyfriend." Zuko murmured, stunned. Big sister laughed.
"And what's your opinion now?" the big sister asked playfully.
"I... I don't know anymore." The big brother said as he looked away.
"Lies," the big sister mocked. "You really think I can't love? You never believed it." The big sister finally said, and the brother shuddered, but didn't reply. No! She is capable of love! Why can't they see it?
"Very well, think what you like, dear brother, it's not as if I care," the big sister said nonchalantly. "But I'm leaving now. I have more important things to do than waste my time with you, and you have more important things to do, since I gave you a task that was quite easy, even for you."
"And why do you think I would do any of that?" the big brother asked bitterly.
"Because you have no choice. Either you do it, or you'll end up back in the same hole I just pulled you out of. I know you're an idiot, but I want to believe you're not that much of one," the big sister mocked. "See you, Kiyi. Get some rest; you did spectacularly. Zuko, I hope you stop contacting me; it's really annoying."
The call finally disconnected, and we were all silent. Tears began to stream down my cheek. I could feel my mother pulling me closer.
"Don't worry, Kiyi, Azula can't hurt you anymore," Mom said, trying to comfort me. She came over to hug me. No! That wasn't it! Azula didn't do anything wrong! Why did it always end like this?!
"No!" I exclaimed as I pushed my mother away, snatched the phone from my big brother, and ran out.
"Kiyi?!" I ignored the shouts as I quickly wiped the tears from my cheeks, my hands trembling as I dialed Azula's number again. The call answered instantly.
"Zuko, for the love of-"
"Big sister!" I exclaimed quickly.
"Kiyi? Are you... crying?" asked the big sister, sounding worried.
"No!" I exclaimed in embarrassment, but I continued whimpering as I ran through the palace corridors.
"…Kiyi… go to my room, they won't look for you there," my big sister said with a sigh. I bit my lip and obeyed, phone in hand. I turned down the hallway and without hesitation entered my big sister's room.
Everything was as it had been a few minutes ago, without hesitation I threw myself towards my big sister's bed and snuggled into it.
"Kiyi?" my big sister asked softly. Trembling, I grabbed my phone and focused the camera once more to see my big sister's face. My big sister sighed the moment she saw me. "Kiyi... what happened?" my big sister asked gently.
"They're... being mean to you." I murmured, my lip trembling slightly. "They were being mean to you, and you just wanted to help, you wanted to help me, why... why are they mean to you? Why do they think you can't love? You... you love your boyfriend, so much, but they..." I bit my lip as I whimpered. I could hear the big sister sigh.
"Because they have their reasons," said the big sister, as if it were obvious. "Kiyi, you're old enough to know everything I did, some things... questionable, things that some people would consider disgusting... monstrous, and they know it, and so do you."
"Don't forget, Kiyi, after all, I also tried to kidnap you when we first met, I even tried to kill everyone," my big sister said gently. I pouted.
"But that was a long time ago! You were sick, but now you're better! Why can't they see it?!" I asked in frustration, wiping away my tears. My big sister burst out laughing.
"It was three years ago, it's not that long, and besides, there's none so blind as he who will not see, Kiyi." The big sister said with an amused smile before making a face. "Ugh, I sounded like Iroh again." The big sister said while shuddering, making me laugh slightly even with tears in my eyes.
"You didn't mention tea, so you're better than Uncle Iroh," I said, laughing. My big sister burst out laughing.
"I guess that's an improvement," said her big sister playfully. "Getting back to the topic... don't worry, Kiyi, it doesn't matter what Zuko, Ursa, Iroh, or anyone else says anymore. I don't care in the slightest. They can insult me, blame me for everything, and paint me in a bad light all they want, but that won't change my goal."
"I will protect the Fire Nation as I always have, even if they despise me. I was born a Princess; my duty is to my Nation," the big sister said without a hint of doubt, her eyes shining brightly. It made me tremble with emotion, but I quickly calmed down.
"So... wouldn't it have been better if you became a Fire Lady?" I asked shyly, the big sister looked at me amused.
"You want to depose Zuko too? I didn't know he was really bad." The big sister mocked.
"No! Big brother is great!" I quickly yelled, but that only made my big sister laugh.
"Don't worry, I know," said big sister, humming a tune. "Zuko... he's good. He's what the Fire Nation needs right now. Zuko is a Fire Lord devoted to his people, too kind, too self-sacrificing. That's why he often has trouble standing up to the ministers and councilors."
"That's why Zuko can't control them; he doesn't speak their language. Zuko thinks for the people and tries to convince them as such, but his council thinks for itself most of the time; it's as if they speak two different languages."
"I don't mind taking care of them occasionally, but Zuko... he can keep the crown, he can rule in peace. I will become the protector of the crown, even if Zuko throws a tantrum or opposes me or hates me."
"None of that matters," big sister said with a gentle smile. My eyes widened. I... I'd never seen her so calm, so... out of her own skin.
"You... you've changed." I said, surprised, without even thinking. The big sister smiled slightly.
"Yes... I suppose so," big sister said, sounding pleased. "Besides, it would be annoying to rule the Fire Nation; I wouldn't be able to go to Japan and visit Izumi in the future," she added casually, and my eyes widened.
"I knew it! You love him!" I mocked her, the big sister raised both hands with a mocking smile.
"Oh, you got me," the big sister said casually. "And if... I do, I love that idiot and I'm... reluctant to part with him. Zuko can rule and stay stuck in the palace, meanwhile, I'll spend as much time with Izumi as I can." The big sister shrugged. I laughed happily.
"This is amazing!" I squealed happily, and my big sister nodded.
"That doesn't mean that if Zuko ruined everything, I wouldn't remove him from the throne." My big sister mocked, and I nodded.
"He won't! Big brother is amazing!" I said confidently. Big sister snorted mockingly but said nothing.
"I really have to go, Kiyi," said big sister gently. "But before I go, like I said, ignore what Ursa and the others are saying about me. My problem is between them. Don't do anything stupid. Can you be angry? Of course, it would be hypocritical of me not to let you express your emotions."
"But I don't need you to get angry for me. I can take care of myself in this case. It's nice that someone is actually angry on my behalf, but you don't need to do anything."
"But you don't have to hate Ursa, Zuko, or anyone else because of me. My relationship with them doesn't have to affect yours, it's that simple. Despite my dislike for them, they're still your mother, your brother, and more. That relationship doesn't have to change." Big sister said without hesitation. I bit my lip.
"R-really?" I asked timidly, my big sister nodded.
"Seriously, it doesn't bother me. Now come back, it seems you escaped from them. I'm sure they're searching the whole palace, and I don't want them coming into my room. And by the way, if they decide to take your phone or prevent you from contacting me, remember the hiding place in my room. There are disposable phones; call me with those." The big sister said nonchalantly.
"Why do you have so many phones?" I asked curiously, glancing at the corner of the floor where a board was sticking out. The big sister shrugged.
"You always have to be prepared. And you can also use my room if you want to rest a bit. You said no one visits, so no one will bother you. If anyone comes into my room, just call me, I'll take care of them," the big sister said casually. "I'll let you go, Kiyi, we'll talk later," the big sister said before smiling slightly and ending the call.
I kept staring at my phone for a few seconds before taking a deep breath. I stood up with a small smile, quickly wiped away my tears, and practically bounced out of the room.
I was hungry… I'd skipped dinner. I turned toward the kitchen. Maybe someone there could make me a sandwich.
Author's Notes: Whew, these chapters are long and it was more complicated than I expected to write this, I hope it turned out well! This is the first POV, there are many more to come!
And in case you haven't noticed yet, we have a new editor :D
A/N: If you liked the story, join my patreon, patreon.com/Camellya_Addams, there are up to 10 chapters in advance, thank you. Or you can also visit my Ko-Fi, ko-fi.com/camellya_addams.
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Now, a quick heads-up. Just like last year, I'm always extremely busy the last two weeks of December with the holidays, so it's possible that during those weeks I'll only be able to release one chapter at most per week, if I even manage to finish them.
Those dates would be Friday, December 26th, and the following one, Friday, January 2nd. I'll give you another heads-up the week before, but I wanted to give you a heads-up now!