In Azula's heart, her father Ozai had always been the person she respected most.
She had spent her entire life trying to meet his expectations—becoming the daughter he wanted her to be.
Even her own likes and dislikes were molded after his.
Ozai wanted to conquer the world, so she too wanted to conquer the world.
Ozai despised Zuko, so she learned to despise Zuko as well.
But there was one difference between them—her feelings toward Ursa.
As Ursa's biological daughter, no matter how much Ozai disciplined her, he could never truly erase that faint, hidden desire for a mother's love.
It wasn't obvious, and even Azula herself didn't realize it—until the day Ursa disappeared.
That same day, Ozai brushed her off for the first time.
That small act left an invisible crack in the absolute obedience she had always felt toward him.
Afterward, her venting with Kahn began to fill that crack.
Bit by bit, he carved a place for himself in her heart, and without her realizing it, he had started competing with Ozai for that space.
Perhaps one day, Kahn would completely replace Ozai and become the most important person in her heart.
But none of them realized it yet—not Ozai, not Azula, not even Kahn.
The subtle confrontation between the two men had already begun.
When Ozai mentioned Kahn, Azula's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, though she quickly hid it.
Why would he suddenly bring up Kahn? she wondered.
Outwardly, she smiled and replied casually, "So what? He can't beat me anyway."
"That's for sure," Ozai said, pride flickering in his eyes.
"Whether now or in the future, you will always be my most outstanding, most proud daughter."
He paused, then asked, "I've heard that you and Zuko have been spending quite a bit of time with him lately. What do you think of him?"
"What do I think?" Azula tilted her chin thoughtfully, pretending to speak offhandedly.
"He's much more interesting than Zuzu. At least he's not as timid or weak."
"Oh?"
Ozai raised an eyebrow, intrigued. For Azula to find someone interesting—that meant something.
His tone shifted, revealing his true intent.
"Do you think he's one of Iroh's people... or someone who could get along better with us?"
The meaning was clear. Ozai was gauging whether Kahn could be used.
Though he looked down on Iroh's sentimentality—thinking it disgraceful that a royal would personally mentor a common orphan—things changed if that orphan possessed extraordinary Firebending talent.
A genius valued by Iroh was, at the very least, a potential top fighter in the future.
And if that same genius could be pulled into his own camp? Even better.
In fact, the thought of stealing someone Iroh valued and turning him into a tool for himself made Ozai smile coldly.
Azula immediately understood what Ozai was after. He wanted to bring Kahn under his command.
But deep down, she felt a sting of displeasure.
Kahn was hers. Why did her father decide something like that without even asking her?
She tilted her head and replied lightly, "As it stands... he seems to get along better with me."
"Is that so?" Ozai's smile widened. "Excellent. I'm glad he isn't a coward."
He leaned back, eyes narrowing. "Still, he spends a lot of time around Iroh. I don't want him influenced by the wrong ideals."
Azula gave him a knowing smirk, her expression almost a mirror of his own.
"Leave it to me, Father. I'll make sure he isn't influenced... and that he stands on our side."
To be precise, she thought, on my side.
"Very good," Ozai said with satisfaction.
"It's a bit of a shame," he added after a moment.
"He's been to our palace many times, yet I've barely spoken to him. It's rather rude of me—but I suppose he's just a commoner. Hardly worth my personal attention."
After a pause, he decided, "Then I'll leave this matter to you, my dear daughter. Don't disappoint me."
Azula bowed her head. "Of course."
—
"…And that's basically what happened."
Azula lounged on the sofa, lazily popping grapes into her mouth and spitting the peels neatly into a trash bin across the room.
Her tone made it sound like she was discussing the weather.
Kahn, however, was anything but relaxed. Being noticed by the Fire Lord was not a good thing.
Azula smiled. "Isn't it a good thing? Even Father acknowledged your talent."
"I'd rather he didn't," Kahn muttered darkly.
Being on the radar of an emperor as ruthless and cunning as Ozai—who usurped power, killed his father, banished his wife, and abused his own son—was a terrifying prospect.
Would he start being followed everywhere he went? End up mysteriously 'disappeared'?
Great. Guess I'll just have to act like a coward from now on, he thought bitterly.
He sighed aloud.
It made sense, though. He'd met Ozai only once, but he'd interacted closely with his entire family—Azula, Zuko, Iroh, and even Ursa.
Naturally, the Fire Lord would have taken notice.
"Still," Azula said, "I'm curious—where do you think Father got your information?"
Kahn thought for a moment. "Probably the Firebending school. I've only used Firebending there... well, and in front of you."
He frowned. "Iroh told the school I'd be training under him personally. They must've reported it up the chain."
"Or…" Azula's lips curled into a mischievous smirk.
"Maybe it wasn't them. Don't forget, we have two outsiders hanging around—Mai and Ty Lee."
Kahn groaned. "Can't you trust anyone? If you're pointing fingers like that, the most suspicious person should be you!"
"What did you say?!" Azula's eyes blazed—literally.
She unleashed a burst of Firebending right at him.
"Hey! It was just a joke! Don't overreact!"
Flames filled the room as Kahn and Azula launched into yet another chaotic scuffle—equal parts fury, laughter, and sparks.