She bows at your feet in submission, as she must, but you quickly pull her up and place a hand on top of her head. Daughter, you say, always have you exceeded my expectations. I sent you after your failure brother and traitor uncle, and you have brought me back a kingdom.

Azula smiles, satisfied. Murmurs, Zuko has returned to his crown.

And why is that?

Because— a dramatic pause— he accomplished what even I could not. When the traitor tested his loyalty to the Fire Nation, Zuko slayed the avatar and laid the corpse at my feet. Such ferocity deserves a reward.

You laugh and laugh and laugh, and after a second Azula laughs, too. Reward, indeed. And what prize would you like, my sweet?

Her eyes remind you of a spider's. Black widow. I want nothing, she says artfully. To serve my country and my lord father is more than enough.

This one is your child and there is an ancient madness in her, cruelty that she just barely manages to contain— nothing drives her but a parasitic desire to advance herself. She lies lies lies, concealing her motives behind a mask of sororal affection, and you don't think you've ever been prouder.

Azula kisses your cheek— unexpected, unbidden— and bows again before flouncing out of the antechamber. Send for Zuko soon, she calls over her shoulder. He's very anxious.