Chapter 40: A Beautiful Prince

Author's Note: This chapter is all about Zuko. If you want to read more about him, check out my new stories "Weathering the Storm" and "Healing Invisible Scars" Both deal with Zuko and Mai's journey in missing moments from this longer story. Full versions of these stories are only available on AO3 because they are explicit.

Zuko was going over the household accounts, looking for ways to trim expenses. He had already eliminated several wasteful practices, like daily linen changes in empty bedrooms. He was looking through the lists of staff for redundancies and useless busywork. He didn't necessarily want to fire anybody, but surely there were a few people employed in the palace who had higher ambitions, who would be thrilled to take a generous severance package and a personal recommendation letter from the Fire Lord, and seek a more fulfilling career.

On the list of staff, there were four names he didn't recognize. Strangely, where the form would have listed their duties, the space was left blank. He called in the exchequer to ask for more information.

"Can you explain to me what work these four people are doing in the palace?" He asked, pointing to the names on the list.

The man reddened and sputtered. "I think-I'm not in charge-you should ask Li and Lo."

Mystified, Zuko nodded. "All right. Send them in."

When he put the same question to the twins, they glanced at each other furtively.

"These are women your father hired while you were absent from the palace, my lord." Li informed him.

"To do what, exactly?"

The twins looked at each other again.

"Your father felt that he had a duty to provide the country with an heir and a spare, as he put it." Lo stated carefully.

"And since you had been banished and disinherited-" Li continued the explanation.

"He set himself to the creation of a new prince or princess." Lo finished her thought.

Zuko paled. Such a thing had not occurred to him. He'd known he had been disowned, but he never would have imagined that his father might try to literally replace him. Though he had thought he was over that pain, it still stung all over again to hear how thoroughly his father had renounced him.

"So these payments are for….." he trailed off, unsure how to phrase it delicately.

"Concubines, my lord." Li answered.

"Four of them."

"Fire Lord Ozai tasked us with their maintenance and management."

"Our job was to ensure that one of them would be available to him each night in the Fire Lady's chamber-"

"And to rotate them to maximize the chances of conception."

"Then why haven't I heard-" Zuko asked, stunned. "Do I have a sibling I don't know about?"

"To be honest, my lord, Fire Lord Ozai's….efforts with these women was….halfhearted at that time." Lo admitted. "He was much more interested in military conquests than in…..amorous pursuits."

"And when you returned to the palace triumphant from Ba Sing Se, he sent the women away." Li told him.

"His heir was back and he did not need another, he said."

"But then when you left again, on the Day of Black Sun…."

"He called the women back to his chambers-"

"And this time he was much more determined to succeed."

"He visited one or more of them nearly every night between the Day of Black Sun and the return of Sozin's comet."

"He was not kind. They were often bruised." Li informed him resentfully. Zuko grimaced, filled with guilt for the way his father had vented his rage against his son on these women.

"He doesn't need to know that." Her sister scolded her in a whisper. Then she turned to the Fire Lord. "One of them is with child, my lord."

Zuko fell back in his chair, astounded. "Why am I just now hearing about this?"

"She had had several miscarriages, my lord, and did not wish to inform you until she was sure she would carry the child to term."

"Does he know?" Surely if his father knew of the impending birth, he would have taunted his guards with it, and word would have gotten back to Zuko.

"No, my lord." Li answered. "Her pregnancy was not confirmed until after your coronation."

"And of course, your father has had no visitors."

"Where is she? And the other three?" He asked.

"She and two of the others have been staying in the servants' quarters."

"That was where your father had ordered them to stay when they were not called to his chambers."

"The fourth?" He wondered.

"She fled when your father fell."

"She is…..a true believer."

"She's still getting payments….." he pointed at the ledger.

"We have been setting the money aside for her, but she has not picked it up in months."

Zuko had a chilling thought. "Are we sure she's not also pregnant?" The illegitimate child of a former Fire Lord, in the hands of an extremist, could potentially become the focus of an uprising against him.

"Yes, my lord. It was part of our job to monitor such things-"

"And we can confirm that only one of the concubines conceived, despite your father's best efforts." Li reassured him.

"Tell me about the one who is pregnant."

The twins exchanged a smile. They seemed to like the girl. "Her name is Nozomi."

"She is meek and sweet-tempered."

"She came from a poor village on Ochado Island."

"The payments saved her family's farm."

"And paid for her brothers to be educated."

"She enjoys drawing and painting."

"The nicest girl you'll ever meet."

"Except for your own mother, of course."

"Almost as pretty as we were in our prime." The twins smiled at each other again, and Zuko knew he didn't wish to hear any more from them.

"Thank you for telling me. You may go."

Zuko sent the twins away so that he could think. He was still reeling from the news. He had stopped caring about his father's approval, but it still affected him to know how completely he had been rejected, accepted, and then rejected again. However, he had to put those personal feelings aside to figure out what to do next.

When he cleared his mind of his baggage, he realized that this was good news. He would have a baby brother or sister. But he would have to manage the situation carefully.

A monarch with no heir was insecure. Currently Zuko was all that stood between his country and a succession crisis. He supposed that in the event of his untimely death, Iroh could be called out of retirement, but that would only put off anarchy a few years; Uncle could not live forever and had no heir except his only nephew. It was out of the question to allow his insane sister Azula anywhere near the throne, and without his bending Ozai was disqualified, not that the Avatar would ever allow the man he'd defeated to rule again anyway.

A younger sibling, one who had not been poisoned by his father, could inherit Zuko's crown and continue his legacy. This child would be illegitimate, but could still be granted his birthright if recognized. Usually the father would have to recognize his child himself, but in this case the Fire Lord's word, plus testimony from the twins, would have to be good enough. Of course Zuko hoped he would have his own children someday, but having an heir already lined up would make his reign that much more secure, would give his people that much more confidence concerning the future.

Zuko realized there was actually no conflict at all. His former villain brain and his new moral sense were giving him the same advice: to keep this child and its mother close. He knew this royal baby could threaten his reign just as easily as strengthen it. He needed to make sure that he or she would grow into an ally rather than a potential usurper. So his best bet was to be kind and generous to the child and its mother, to engender loyalty. Zuko recognized the cold calculation in his own thoughts, and it made him uncomfortable. He told himself he would make the same choice even if it would weaken his position, because he wasn't a monster.

He did have a sincere desire to treat this woman well-Nozomi, he repeated the name to himself—and the other concubines, too, even the one who had run away. He would move them out of the servants' quarters into more respectable accommodations. He'd offer them even more money and give them opportunities. Their lives should not be limited by the way his father had used them. He would try to ensure that.

That evening, when Mai came to his room, Zuko told her what he'd learned.

"I have something to tell you. It's good. At least, I think it's good." He said to his girlfriend, and recounted his conversations with the exchequer, and Li and Lo. But then he was surprised and put off when she barely reacted. They had never discussed children before, and now her lack of response made him worried that he might have made the wrong assumptions about what she wanted in that regard. "I thought you'd be happy. It takes a lot of pressure off you. Now you wouldn't have to have a kid if you don't want to."

Mai snapped, "I was never going to have a kid I don't want."

Zuko couldn't figure out why she was annoyed with him. "Are you upset about the idea of concubines?" He asked warily.

"Pretty common practice among Fire Lords. I know your family's history." She scoffed.

"But I hope you know I would never…" He trailed off uncertainly.

"Yeah, because you don't have a death wish."

"Right. But even if you couldn't, or didn't want to-"

"What would you do?" She challenged.

"Well, nothing, I guess." He answered uncertainly. "I've already got an heir now, thanks to Nozomi. I can help to raise this kid right, and pass it all on to him or her."

"Don't you need a spare?" She asked, an edge in her voice.

"I'd like one," he answered slowly, tentatively. "But, ummm, maybe if you didn't want to….put yourself through all that, we could…..fake a pregnancy and adopt?" He proposed, hunching his shoulders as if expecting a blow. It was the only other way he could think of to have a baby without having a baby. "You'd have to hide for a few months."

"I don't want to fake a pregnancy, Zuko." Mai's arms were crossed and her voice was flat, decided.

Discouraged, he looked down. "Well, I guess this baby would be enough…."

"Zuko, you know I don't fake anything." Mai reminded him pointedly.

He reddened, catching her double meaning. "You mean you'd-"

"I've always figured having a baby or two was part of the deal." She shrugged in a matter-of-fact way. "You've seen me with Tom Tom. I like kids enough. And there's plenty of help around here. If the kid is a brat and I don't want to see her, I wouldn't have to."

"I would help," Zuko volunteered.

"Really?" She smirked, amused. "What do you know about babies?"

"Nothing. But I would learn."

She snickered. "Can't wait to see that."

"Well, we'd have to wait-" he began.

"I mean, you're going to help with this baby, right? Your new little half-brother or sister?"

"Oh, yeah. Of course. It'll be good practice."

"This kid needs someone who doesn't see him as just practice. You're going to be the closest thing to a father he'll have." She reminded him sternly.

"I guess so. You're right. And I want to do a good job." He told her earnestly. "I mean, if this kid decides I'm a horrible tyrant someday, he could try to throw me in jail and take the throne. Just like I did to my father. And he did to Uncle."

"Don't you see?" She touched his arm. "This is your chance to break the cycle."

Zuko nodded. "Yeah. Yeah. That's true. That's what I want to do." He took her hand. "You'll help me?"

One corner of her mouth tilted up. "You'll need it."

Zuko asked the twins to bring Nozomi to meet him in the royal family sitting room. Not the throne room, with its intimidating fires and giant map of the world, but a cozy, comfortable place. He made sure there would be refreshments, although he didn't know what she might like to eat, or if the pregnancy made that difficult in any way.

When the woman entered the room, the second thing he noticed about her—after her gigantic stomach, of course-was her youth. She was much closer to his own age than to his father's. In fact, she looked like she could be the younger sister, or perhaps cousin, of Zuko's mother. Noticing that felt awkward. Everything about this situation felt awkward, in fact. It was probably worse for her, he realized.

"Please sit," he invited her, gesturing to the couch across from him. This seating position put them on equal terms, which seemed to make her uneasy.

"I understand you are to be congratulated, Nozomi." He began.

"I'm honored to carry a child for the royal family." She answered meekly.

"You, uh, look well. I hope you feel well."

"The backache is the worst part now. I am only happy that I didn't suffer another miscarriage. The doctor says the wait will be over soon."

"I'm also glad for that." He felt so strange making small talk about pregnancy with his father's mistress. There was a silence that stretched on a bit, and as the person in the room with more authority, Zuko knew it was his job to end it. He put on his 'magnanimous ruler' voice.

"I'd like to offer you a place to stay here at the palace." He began. "Not in the servants' quarters. In the second floor hall above the Fire Lord's chambers. Near my own girlfriend's room." Then he cringed at himself, realizing that might have made it sound as if he wanted her to be a second girlfriend to him, which was not the case at all. He rushed to clarify, all self-assurance falling out of his tone. "I would like you to be…..an honored member of my family. My...aunt, let's say. And I want to make your child my heir. As you may have guessed. I'd hope to have some input on his or her education. But no more input than you yourself would have. You will have all of the help and support you could possibly ask for. You may spend as much or as little time with the child as you like." He finished lamely, realizing too late that he was promising her exactly what any normal new mother would have. Nurses, maids, and gold-trimmed baby blankets were all he could provide, and if she thought those weren't worth the freedom she'd lose by staying in the palace, he couldn't blame her. If she decided to take the kid and run, he would let her. But his purpose now was to prevent that.

"That would be an honor my lord." She was proper and subdued. "And I'm glad to hear you won't take him from me."

"Oh, no, I'd never dream of separating a child from his mother!" Another brief flash of his own mother's face came to mind. "I'm sorry if you were worried about that."

"You would have every right, I suppose." Nozomi shrugged. "It was in the documents my father signed. And…your father."

"That agreement was not nearly generous enough, so I'm offering you a new one." Zuko informed her. "In addition to the regular payments as long as you live, I would like to pay for your education. Even for your dowry and wedding, if you meet a man you like. Any opportunity you could want, you will have. I've made the same offers to the other women as well. This…situation shouldn't define your whole life. Although you'll always have a home here. Or enough money to purchase a comfortable house for yourself far from here, if that's what you'd prefer."

"Thank you, my lord."

"Li and Lo tell me you enjoy painting. Atisuto, the court painter, recommended this set of brushes and colors." He gestured to a case on the table. It was a transparent bribe for her affection and loyalty, but he also did have a sincere wish to do something nice for her. She opened the box, and he was gratified and relieved when her eyes lit up with uncomplicated, childlike delight. It seemed she wasn't cynical enough to see the calculating side of his openhandedness, which was remarkable, given her experience.

"These are the finest materials available! I've never been able to use such delicate brushes, such rich and subtle pigments!"

"You'll have as much of this as you can put to canvas." He promised. "And I asked Atisuto to give you lessons, if you wish."

"I would like that, but I may not be able to paint much for a while," she patted her belly.

"I understand." Zuko smiled. He continued. "I've informed the staff that you are to be addressed as 'my lady' or Lady Nozomi. The mother of the crown prince or princess is automatically elevated to nobility. And you have the freedom of the entire palace, of course. No need to stay shut in the servants' quarters like you have this whole time."

"Of course, my lord."

"There is only one thing I cannot allow you to do. I ask that you have no contact with my father. He is in solitary confinement, as I'm sure you know. He will not be informed of the child's existence. I hope that you can accept that, and that it does not pain you."

She shrank a little at the mention of the man. Noticing this, he probed. "I hope he treated you gently at least."

"He did not, my lord." She said shortly. "I have no desire to see him."

He felt disgust and sadness at the thought of his father's actions. Surprising himself, he also felt protective of this young woman who resembled his mother. "I'm sorry for anything you may have suffered at his hand. You will be safe now, I promise. And the child, too."

"Thank you, my lord."

"My own children, when they are born, hopefully, someday, would outrank yours in the line of succession, you understand. But I would like them to be raised together, as siblings, or cousins." He imagined this child might be to his own as his cousin Lu Ten had been to him: an older role model, a playmate and ally in mischief. "I hope they could be friends. And that….we can be friends."

"I would like that too, my lord," she answered shyly.

"Please, call me Zuko."

"Thank you, Zuko." She perked up a little, looking him in the eyes for the first time since coming into the room. "I want you to know that in addition to this generosity, I'm also grateful that you ended the war. I don't have to worry anymore about my brothers being drafted and killed. The Fire Nation war machine has used boys like them as cannon fodder for decades. As you know." She touched her face, as if embarrassed at referring to the incident that had led to his scarring. "So I had patriotic, as well as personal, reasons to welcome your father's downfall. I'm happy to see the direction you're beginning to lead our country, and I'm glad my child will strengthen your position rather than a tyrant's. To be included in your family in my own right is a much greater honor than any your father ever bestowed on me. I have nothing to give you for your kindness. Except this: would you like to name the child? Since he or she will be your heir?"

He smiled, touched at the thought. "Thank you, Nozomi."

Over dinner the following day, Zuko told Aang, Katara, Sokka, Suki, and Toph the news: "It turns out, while I was away last year, my father had some concubines here, and one of them is pregnant."

"Oh! I wondered about that." Aang remarked.

"You knew?" Zuko was surprised.

"Well, I know what he knows," Aang answered vaguely. "But I tried not to think about it."

"Oh, me too, believe me." Zuko shook his head emphatically.

"Kids always do that anyway, right? Pretend their parents never did that?" Toph questioned. "I know I do." She shuddered.

"It's worse if it's not both of your parents." Zuko reminded her. "And even worse than that when there is coercion or force involved."

An uncomfortable silence followed.

"Is she….all right?" Katara asked uncertainly.

"The mother? Um, I suppose. I met her. Her name's Nozomi. But we didn't really talk about the….psychological scars she might have, although she admitted he was….rough. I'm hoping she can put it behind her. She's moving to the second floor. The royal relative hallway."

"Next to us!" Sokka said, throwing his arms around Suki and Toph, on either side of him. "Your family is growing, Zuko!"

"It is." The Fire Lord grinned. "I'm going to have an heir. Much earlier than I ever hoped I would." The others didn't miss his blush, or his glance toward his girlfriend at those words. "Nozomi even offered to let me name the child."

Sokka and Toph immediately started spitballing baby names, mostly fire puns, jokes at Zuko's expense, or self-aggrandizing nicknames.

"I've already picked the name." Zuko told them, once they'd had enough fun with that. "I'd like to name the child after you, Aang. In a way. If that's all right with you." He said shyly to his friend.

"You'd give the crown prince of the Fire Nation an airbender name?" Katara asked, surprised.

"There's no Z in Aang; is that even allowed?" Sokka joked.

"No, that's not what I was thinking. I do need a Fire Nation name." Zuko admitted. "So, if it's a boy, Roku. And if it's a girl, Homura. That was the most recent female Avatar from the Fire Nation, several centuries ago."

"Roku and Homura are two of my favorite past names!" Aang was grinning. "What an honor, Zuko!"

"And a great big middle finger to your dear old dad," Sokka chuckled. "Naming his illegitimate child after the kid who took away his bending."

"I hadn't thought of it that way until just now, but it's definitely a bonus," Zuko admitted.

"And yet another signal to the world that you're rejecting Sozin's legacy, choosing your other great-grandfather instead." Aang understood.

"Exactly," Zuko was glad his friends got it.

"Do you think Nozomi would you like me to assist at the birth?" Katara offered.

"If I tell her what a great midwife you are, then I'm sure she would. She's due soon."

Zuko got word that Nozomi had gone into labor during one of his military reorganization meetings. He was able to finish the meeting, and then he grabbed Aang for firebending practice, figuring the physical outlet would keep him from getting too anxious. That worked pretty well, until a messenger brought him urgent word to come to the sickroom immediately.

When they arrived at the door of the sickroom, Aang hung back while the royal family physician came out to greet the Fire Lord, solemn-faced. "The labor is not going well, my lord. I propose I perform a surgery to remove the child."

Zuko was shocked. He'd never heard of such a thing. "Do you know how to do that?"

"Yes. I performed this procedure at the birth of your cousin, Lu Ten."

His jaw dropped. "Is that why—Uncle's wife—" he was ashamed to realize he didn't even remember the woman's name.

"Yes. She did not survive. Fire Lord Azulon ordered me to save the child at all costs. I presume you wish the same?"

Zuko didn't know what kind of relationship his uncle had had with his wife. Iroh had never spoken of her. He knew the marriage had been arranged, like that of his own parents. He knew how much Iroh had loved his son, how he still mourned the boy who hadn't lived much longer than his own 18 years. He asked himself if his uncle would have made the same choice his father had, if he had been allowed to decide. He wondered what his forgotten aunt would have chosen for herself and her child.

Then the young Fire Lord remembered his Circle of Praise. Whatever Azulon would have done, I'll do the opposite, he had vowed.

"No," he told the doctor firmly. "Save the woman, even if it costs the life of the child. My father used her abominably, and I won't allow his cruelty to end her life. She is not disposable. Get back in there and save her. And send Katara out here."

The physician hesitated.

"Do it!" He yelled.

The man retreated, fearful.

In another minute, Katara came out.

"That man just proposed cutting Nozomi open to get the baby out." Zuko informed his friend.

"But that would-" The healer was appalled.

"Kill her. I know. I told him not to do it, to prioritize her life over that of the child, if there is a choice. I need you to make sure he follows my order."

"All right," Katara agreed, stunned but resolute.

"How bad is it?" He asked, hoping the doctor was overreacting.

"It's the hardest labor I've ever seen, but maybe not quite as bad as he seems to think. He just seems impatient to me."

Zuko nodded, somewhat reassured.

"I'll do my best to save them both, and if I can't, to preserve her life." She promised, touching his arm. "And I'll keep an eye on that doctor." Determined, she went back into the delivery room.

Aang came forward and tried to soothe his friend. "You can trust Katara. She's a great midwife. I've seen her deliver two babies now. Well, I wasn't in the room, but I was around. She's really good at it and she knows what she's doing."

"I certainly trust her more than that doctor." Zuko muttered, still preoccupied.

"Would you like me to go get Mai? And the others?" The airbender offered. "Maybe some snacks too?"

"Sure. Thanks."

Zuko paced the hall, worried that he'd made the wrong choice, guaranteeing the deaths of both the mother and baby. If Nozomi was doomed anyway, it made sense to save the child while it was possible, he rationalized, doubting himself.

Mai arrived first, and then Sokka, Suki, and Toph. There wasn't much they could do except lounge in the hall and wait for word. Toph bent them some chairs from the stone floor and played with her meteorite bracelet. Sokka and Suki sharpened their weapons. Aang meditated.

Mai had brought a couple of plays with her, as well as some proposed legislation for Zuko to try to read, or for the two of them to read together. He kissed her cheek and thanked her for the effort, but said he couldn't concentrate. She whispered another suggestion in his ear, which made him smirk and nuzzle her hair a minute before shaking his head again. She shrugged and sat down by Suki, pulling out a knife from her sleeve to sharpen. Zuko resumed his pacing.

Three more hours passed. Aang attempted to distract Zuko with pai sho, tea, and yoga. When that didn't work, Sokka tried turtle ducks, tequila, and sword sparring, and also failed.

Finally, Katara came out of the sickroom door, her arms full of blankets, beaming. "Zuko, I'd like you to meet your brother, Roku." The child had a full head of black hair, and his eyes were alert.

"And Nozomi?" He asked anxiously.

"She's fine. The baby's shoulder was stuck." She explained. "We had to try a few different positions, and I had to really focus on both of their blood pressure, but he got out safely. She's resting."

"Thank you, Katara." Zuko's shoulders relaxed for the first time in hours.

The healer beamed at her friend. "I'm so happy I could help. Here," she passed him the child. The Fire Lord's posture was tense as he held the newborn's unfamiliar weight, but he seemed entranced by the tiny boy's frank gaze. Mai and Aang came close. The girl stroked the infant's soft hair, and the airbender counted the toes of a foot that had escaped from the blankets.

"I can tell you're meant to be a beautiful prince," Zuko murmured, touching his brother's delicate cheek.

Author's Note: Birth by Caesarean section is so common now that this scene might seem odd, but it wasn't always that way. Wikipedia says that the mortality rate for women undergoing C-sections in 1865 was 85%. This year is pretty close to where many fans consider the tech level of the ATLA universe at this time. Besides, doesn't it make the story more dramatic if a C-section is a death sentence, and Zuko has to make a choice to differentiate himself from his predecessors?

Please leave me a review if you liked reading about Zuko's continuing redemption arc!

Next chapter: more colony talks