Ursa was sitting next to Ozai; her hair pulled up and decorated with various flowers. Her milky skin was covered with white and pink robes, mainly white. Her make up was light, but made her already pretty face look even more stunning. A week before, when she thought of marriage, she would dream of the happiest day of her life. Now, she could hardly hold back her tear, from rolling down her porcelain cheeks and destroying her make up. Her husband noticed how she hadn't touched her plate and how her eyes were shining, filled with sorrow. He smirked to himself. He had a beautiful wife and she should count herself lucky the Firelord's son asked for her hand. He stared at the beautiful face for several minutes, but she didn't turn to look back at him.
"Why so gloomy?" he asked, in a slight teasing voice. It took Ursa several minutes of silence before replying. "I broke Ikem's heart." her voice was cold, but broken. Ozai chuckled darkly. "He was nothing more than a peasant…" he whispered, leaning closer, his lips brushing against the skin of her neck, causing her to shiver. "You're mine now." Ursa whimpered silently at his touch. The slightest skin contact with him made her shiver, both annoyed and disgusted. Ozai chuckled again. "Don't worry. I don't bite…much." he whispered the last syllables in her ear, blowing some hot air in it.
Ursa shivered again and tilted her head to the side, in an attempt to escape. She inched away from him on her seat and glanced at her parents, letting out a soft sigh, knowing she may never see them again. Her eyes wandered around the heavily decorated room, and stopped on an elderly figure walking toward them. Firelord Azulon. She swallowed and bit her painted lip nervously as the man came and sat next to her. "My, my… My new daughter-in-law, you look stunning." he smirked. His voice was as cold and creepy as his son's was, maybe even more.
The young woman could feel her heart beating fast, and she knew she needed some fresh air. "Excuse me…" she spoke calmly. "I need to use the bathroom." she raised from her seat. "Do you need me to escort you?" Ozai smirked. "No." she almost snapped at her new husband and walked away. She took the closest corridor and found herself out in the gardens. The smell of freshly mowed grass was everywhere, it made Ursa relax a little. Small lights were shadowing and lighting the colourful flowers around the garden, their light was reflecting on the small lake, in the most beautiful way. Pity Ikem wasn't there to share the moment with her.
She kneeled by the lake, as hot tears started to stream down her cheeks, remembering the way she had spoken to him before leaving. 'Now, for your sake and mine, go home.' A small sob left her lips, as the memories were suddenly unbearable. "Ursa…?" she heard a familiar, kind voice behind her and turned to see the usually joyful face of Iroh, now filled with sorrow and worry. He sat by her side. "Tell me, what is wrong?" he asked. Ursa sobbed a little more, before she had regained enough self-control to reply calmly. "I-I can't do it, Iroh…" her voice sounded broken, lost, just like she was right now. "Can't do what?" her brother-in-law asked kindly.
She sniffed and looked at the lake, before replying, between her sobs. "I can't spend my life with Ozai. I don't love him…" she whispered half-heartedly. Iroh nodded. "From the first day you set foot in the Palace, I could tell you put your feelings aside to honour your family. That's always too much for a person. But sharing our sorrow, happiness or pain with a friend, always makes things better." he offered her a calm smile. "And the even best part, is sharing tea with that person while talking." A small smile curled Ursa's lips. "You've always been kind and caring, Iroh." she spoke, nodding her head in respect and appreciation. Iroh nodded in response. "Whatever troubles you; you can come and tell me." "Thank you." she replied, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"How touching…" Ozai's harsh and mocking voice was heard behind them. It made Ursa shiver violently. "Is the wedding over, or did you just decide to spy on us, dear brother?" Iroh asked, sitting up with Ursa. His voice was cold, indifferent. Ozai nodded. "Yes, the wedding is over. Ursa, come." he ordered, tilting his head. The young woman sighed deeply and bowed her head to Iroh, before following Ozai, avoiding eye contact.