Azula’s ladylike demeanor lasted until the very moment she stepped into her private quarters. As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, her posture transformed abruptly. Any semblance of refinement dissolved as she unleashed an unladylike laughter that left Maxi utterly dumbfounded.
"Did you see the look on Queen Maeve’s face?! I mean that woman has to be a weapon fashioned against Oberon!" She laughed
"That was not funny, taunting Queen Maeve like that," Maxi remarked, her voice tight with disapproval, lips pressed into a thin line.
Azula waved Maxi’s concerns away with a dismissive gesture. "Oh, come on, that was nothing! You worry too much. Besides, I had it under control, didn’t I?"
Maxi wanted to refute Azula’s words, but she couldn’t find any reason or action to fault her for. The truth remained that Azula had done well, and it left her without a solid argument. Frustrated, she let out a huff, her brows furrowing in annoyance.
"There, there! I knew you were going to like me," Azula teased, a playful grin spreading across her face. Her tone was light, almost mocking, as she leaned in closer to Maxi.
"Come on, just admit it, that you were moved by my acting in there," Azula teased, reaching out to touch Maxi’s hair, trying to get her attention.
"Stop it!" Maxi smacked her hand away, her irritation growing.
"Come on, just say that I did well. Even better than Islinda." Azula persisted, continuing to bother Maxi.
"I said, leave me alone!" Maxi snapped, hitting Azula with much more force than she intended.
It happened in an instant, Azula dropped to the ground, the playful smirk vanishing from her face as she crumpled. The sound of her hitting the floor echoed in the tense silence.
Maxi’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t meant to hit Azula so hard. For a moment, everything seemed to stand still. Maxi stared down at Azula, who lay motionless on the ground.
"Azula, are you okay?" Maxi asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she stood beside her.
However, Azula remained motionless on the ground, eyes open, and unresponsive. For a moment, Maxi’s heart skipped a beat, panic seizing her as she thought something was wrong with her.
But then she recalled something crucial—Azula was a demon. The force she had used wasn’t nearly enough to knock out a human, let alone a demon. It dawned on her that Azula must be playing a prank.
"Fine. You win, you’re a better actress than Islinda. So, wake up." she told her.
Azula didn’t stir, maintaining her ruse with impressive commitment.
Maxi sighed, rolling her eyes. "Seriously Azula? If you think that I would get on my knees and apologize for that slight move, then you’re in for a huge loss."
She moved to the armoire and began to pick out her change of clothes for the night. Maxi said to Azula, "I bet the ground is quite comfortable for you, so you can lay there as much as you want while I go have a bath. See you when I’m back."
And Maxi left. Determined to prove to Azula that she wouldn’t fall victim to her useless prank, Maxi spent more time than was required in the bathroom. She belted out loud tunes, admiring her features in the clear mirror and trying out different styles she could put her hair into the next day. It wasn’t until after what felt like an hour that she stepped out, only to stumble onto Azula still sprawled out on the ground.
"What are you planning, Islinda? You think you can just kick me out?" Azula sneered, trying to regain the upper hand.
Islinda’s eyes narrowed, and a dangerous glint appeared in them. "This ends now, Azula. You don’t belong here, and I will take back what’s mine."
"We’ll see about that," Azula replied defiantly, her eyes lighting up with excitement. It seems the human never learned and she was more than delighted to teach her a lesson, again.
Islinda banged her hand against the barrier, but it held firm. She did it over and over, much to Azula’s disappointment. "Really? That was it?" Azula burst into mocking laughter. She taunted her, "For a moment there, I thought you had upped your game. Don’t tell me that was a test run."
"Yes, that was a test run," Islinda spoke.
Azula stiffened on the spot. It wasn’t the cold threat hanging in the air that made her uneasy, but the fact that the voice came from right behind her.
Azula turned around, sudden fear gripping her, and found herself face to face with Islinda, who wore a smug smirk. "Perhaps the next time you try to pretend to be me, try not to get too immersed in the role," Islinda said, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You literally unlocked the doors to the prison yourself."
Azula’s face went pale as the realization hit her. "No... that’s impossible."
Those were the last words Azula let out before Islinda shoved her hard in the chest. Azula stumbled back, eyes wide with shock and anger, as she was forcefully pushed right back into the same prison where she had confined Islinda. Right back into the void.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m
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