07. superstar
Ozai was the one left in the sun, forgotten. Second-born, second best, he was no contest. Iroh got the soon-to-be-throne, the title of "prodigy", and the girl (but this was a well-kept, royally revolting secret).
She appeared out of nowhere, twelve, young and roaming wild. The cousin of some relative or another (twice removed), Ursa was renowned for her quiet personality and glacial glares—and beautiful eyes that looked like the embodiment of sin.
His mother shoved him—both of them—towards her and introduced the snotty-snit girl as "Lady Ursa" and Ozai damn nearly doubled over laughing. Stupid name for a stupid kid.
"I'm Prince Ozai," he replied, extending his hand awkwardly (adding the prince so she would know for a fact).
"I've heard about you, heard that you were a brat."
"What! Who said this?"
"Does it matter? It's true, isn't it?"
He thought about aiming a thread into her nose except—
"I'm Iroh. It's wonderful to meet you, Ursa," (the idiot ruined everything).
She blushed. Ozai wanted to die, to kill, to be anywhere but there. And his mother smiled like it was nothing, like she predicted this to happen. Iroh, Iroh, Iroh, the world revolved around the rotund ball of quivering cowardice and wasted "kindness".
But then, Ozai was the one who married the girl—kissed her sweetly on the wedding day—and off Iroh went to lay siege to old Ba Sing Se. And for a while, Ozai even forgot about his brother and his wife (and a too-long lingering stare they shared before the brother departed.)
For now, he could bask in the nation's extolments as One And Only Prince, with a gorgeous wife in addition.