A/N:
I'm back! Enjoy!
Chapter 26:
Katara brushed her hair while eyeing Ozai staring at her in the mirror and rolled her eyes. She hoped he wasn't expecting anything. His comment earlier about having other women to tend to him while she sorted out her feelings towards him made her a little upset. While he could find comfort elsewhere in the arms of someone else, she was restricted to just him. It wasn't exactly fair. She wished he would just focus on her and improve their marriage rather than just go to his concubines when she was in this unsure state of hers. How was anything supposed to change if he could just easily go on without her and she could do nothing but rely on him.
Her gaze fell when he approached her, placing his hands on her bare shoulders and rubbing them. "You're not still upset about earlier, are you? If so, tell me, I'll apologize."
"You don't need to apologize." She lied to him, setting her brush down and lifted her eyes back to the mirror. "I don't have much to say to my brother. Or rather, I don't know what to say. My mind is that. Not anything earlier."
"Are you sure?"
"You're right." She lied to him and to herself. "If I can't fulfill your needs then you have options."
Ozai knew she didn't truly agree with him. She was obviously being agreeable rather than argue with him. He figured he'd just have to pay attention to her and not always go based off of what she said. One thing he knew to be true was Katara could downplay her feelings in the face of situations that she wanted no conflict in. At first he thought she was only doing it to get under his skin but found she just didn't want to fight all the time.
Pressing his lips to the crown of her head, "Whatever you need of me, tell me. I won't object."
Katara only nodded as he went to kiss her ear lobe and told her he loved her before leaving her to herself.
The waterbender sighed to herself and continued fixing her hair up before dinner started. She hoped everything turned out alright. Her brother could be an idiot sometimes and didn't know how to watch his words. Sometimes he sounded like a complete asshole but she knew it was just him not knowing how better to express himself or his frustrations. However, it was hurtful and with Zuko already humiliating her earlier this week, she did not need to be further humiliated. Not to mention, she felt vulnerable enough without either of them saying anything to her.
When her hair was done, a topknot with her crown nestled in it, Katara stood up and looked at the evening gown she was wearing. It was rather revealing of her cleavage and the collar traveled all the way down to her navel where a gold sash was tied loosely off of her hips. Ozai had wanted her to wear it, no doubt for his own pleasure and give him something to boast about to the other guests he invited for dinner. It wasn't just an evening with her brother. A few Earth Kingdom officials along with their court officials were joining them for dinner. It would be the most attention she'd get this week since her humiliation that Zuko caused. Though, Ozai assured her that everyone believed Zuko was a fool.
Leaving their bedroom to see Ozai just waiting there with his arms folded and back to the wall, the Fire Lady went to her husband and stood in front of him as he gazed down at her lovingly.
"You know, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met." Ozai told her as he smiled and leaned off the wall to cup her face.
Bashfully looking up at him, "You don't have to lie to me to make me feel better, Ozai." Katara replied as she removed his hands from her face. "I know what I look like and I've seen the women around here. I have no delusions about what you see when you look at me."
"You're my wife. Of course, I see you as more beautiful than other women."
"Or am I just a Water Tribe woman you knocked up and married because you wanted to taunt your son?" Katara furrowed her brows.
"Kat-"
Shaking her head, "I'm your wife now. You don't have to lie to me about what I really am to you. I'm a good fuck and exotic enough to make others envy you. My past makes you look good in this reform world and I'm significantly weaker than you both physically and politically. I'm a caged bird with nowhere to go even if you set me free. So don't lie to me to make me feel better, Ozai."
Ozai watched his wife pull away and stand facing away from him, waiting for him to lead her to their guests. He wanted to tell her she was wrong and that he really believed she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met but...she was convinced he was lying to appease her. It was dawning on him that she was not well mentally. Things were getting to her and he could see that. He'd have to find another angle to get her out of the melancholy she had fallen into. Her distress was becoming his and he lamented that her unhappiness was solely because of him. Despite his wrongdoing in recent times, he did love her but he knew she hadn't yet come to feel the same for him. But he planned to change that.
…
The Fire Lord entered the dining room with his hand around the waist of his wife and every man in the room had their attention drawn to her. He smirked as he could see from the look in their eyes that his wife was desirable. Ozai helped her to her seat, one to the direct left of him as he then took to the head of the table. Everyone had been standing in wait for the two of them to show and as soon as they were seated, everyone followed their lead.
Once everyone was seated, Ozai went on to greet the small group of officials he had invited for dinner while Katara seemed more fascinated by her silverware that she had seen a hundred times over. She was not at all liking the way she was being looked at by the men present, especially with many bringing their wives along but she knew Ozai loved rubbing it in their faces that his wife was young and exotic. The waterbender felt like a trophy wife. Some women liked that feeling but she didn't. If all she was good for was to make him look good, then she felt no good at all. But he called her beautiful and just the other day he praised her for being more brilliant than any of his ministers with years of formal education. However, he did stop her from working on a trade agreement and sent her to see their sons as if that were her only duty as wife and Fire Lady. Not to mention, he never again praised her for anything else. Not for putting the banquet together or for defending him when Zuko was humiliating them both. Not for anything but the few nights she had let him have her in bed. He worshipped her like a goddess and all she had done was open her legs to him.
Furrowing her eyebrows at her food, what's the point of taking me on a trip? You're not actually trying to make things better between us. If he were, then he'd let it just be the two of them. No concubine included. Sure, she suggested he take his concubine with him but what made him think she wanted to be there while he plowed his way through each and everyone of his more beautiful concubine? And weren't they visiting her home? It would be embarrassing to be seen with her husband and his other women by her own people. Bad enough they looked down on her for Kai but this would be the icing on the cake.
"Your majesty, are you alright?" An official across from her asked.
Katara lifted her gaze from her food and settled her chopsticks down,"Yes, I'm fine."
Doubting that, the official let it go and went on to ask her the question she had not seemed to hear the first two times. "I was asking if you were interested in staying in an estate outside of the palace or in the palace when you and your husband arrive in Ba Seng Sei?"
"I'll stay wherever my husband is." She replied.
"Ah, his majesty has the same sentiments. I was hoping you'd be more direct."
The waterbender glanced at her husband who averted his eyes when she looked at him and sipped his wine, sighing. "Then we'll stay at the palace. It's not really a vacation as much as it is a time for us to finally make things right with the Earth Kingdom. Being at the palace would assure we are never tardy for meetings."
"And you plan to attend these meetings? I know all would be pleased to see you there. We remember your time as ambassador and you are quite passionate about your role in political peace." The official praised the Fire Lady.
Smiling as she was genuinely happy to hear this, "I do plan to be present. I have even been working on a trade agree-"
"I think you should enjoy your time abroad, dear." Ozai chimed in. "I planned an entire trip leading up to our visit in Ba Seng Sei. I'll handle relations and you can do whatever it is you like in the meantime."
"I want to help with relations." Katara stated. "I can be useful."
"Useful, I'm sure. But I rather you not have to stress over matters that most women don't have to oversee. Stress will age you faster. Relax and enjoy your youth while it lasts."
Feeling belittled, Katara slowly shrunk in her seat and lost her posture in the process. His comments only proved to validate her concerns of how he viewed her. She kind of felt embarrassed that an official that had just praised her for her devotion to working for the betterment of the world witnessed her husband dumb her down to a simple wife, no different from any of the wives present. She was no longer one of the warriors that fought for peace or the ambassador of the Fire Nation that wanted to be a symbol of peace, but a wife with nothing to offer but youth and a pretty face.
Sitting further away from his sister, Sokka had been watching her while an official's wife spoke with Suki and gushed over their son. He saw his sister go from looking bored to finally smiling as she spoke with an Earth Kingdom official before looking defeated by something her husband said. He couldn't hear the conversation but he could see on her face that something was wrong. It wasn't long before Sokka watched his sister excuse herself from the table, getting a displeased look from her husband before she left the dining room entirely.
"Suki, I'll be right back. I need to check on something."
The Kyoshi warrior nodded her head as she was in the middle of talking and all partially heard him.
Sokka got up from the table and went after his sister. Finding her as soon as he left the dining room, he saw her ahead down the hallway and disappeared around a corner walking pretty fast. He tried matching her pace but she was practically running at this point. He hoped he didn't lose her. As many times as he had visited here when Zuko was Fire Lord, he was not very familiar with the halls.
When he finally caught up to her, Sokka saw his sister holding her hand to her face as she tried hiding herself behind a pillar. He felt his heart sink as she slid down the pillar.
"Kat-"
"Your majesty!" A servant and two guards hurried to the pillar, pushing past him to get to her.
Sokka could only stand there and watch them help his sister to her feet, leading her off to her chambers. She didn't seem to notice he was there and he couldn't blame her. Katara looked like she was dealing with a lot. Maybe he would get to talk to her before he left.
…..
Curled up under the sheets as the sun rose and the servants entered the room to wake her, Katara noticed Ozai's side of the bed was untouched. Meaning he didn't come to bed last night. He was elsewhere. Sitting up, she shielded her face from the evidence that her husband was laid up with some other woman. She knew she shouldn't have slept with him again. But it was fine. She wasn't going to do it again. She'd just see to her own needs since only she really was there for herself.
But not wanting to sulk, Katara went to see her sons and spent time with them. She figured since she was lacking in every other department that she could at least do better with motherhood. Even if it wasn't what she needed as an adult that wanted to vent, it was one that could make her feel less lonely. Her and the boys played tag. With Soji just learning to walk and Kai being very playful with his little brother, the two of them ran after their mother as she tried to keep a distance. All three laughed, including Soji. Katara eventually tired and found herself tumbling in the grass as her boys tackled her.
While the mother and sons trio continued playing games that would be fun for them all, palace guards stayed alert and their attention soon turned to an intruder sliding down off of the rooftop of the royal domain. They immediately engaged the suspicious figure and quickly took the Fire Lady as well as her boys away. However, many of the guards were easily subdued by the figure. Katara responded without hast as the figure took out two of the guards leading them to safety and sent the figure flying into an outdoor pillar. She urged Kai to follow the rest guards with his little brother, not wanting them to get hurt.
"I don't want to leave you, mama!" Kai yelled.
"Go get your father!" Katara told him as she saw the figure thaw the ice she was using to keep him on the pillar.
Kai gave in and hurried with the guards to get his father.
As Katara's attention was on the sudden appearance of the assassin, she noticed there was something familiar about them but what? The assassin charged at her and grabbed her around her waist, swinging her around till he forced them both on the ground. Pinning her there, the waterbender found her arms being raised above her head as his knee was on her chest and he pulled out a knife.
"Pretty as you are, Fire Lady. Your kind has no business at the Fire Lord's side." The knife was about to be shove down on her chest and she was just about to allow it, closing her eyes when a large fireball knocked the man off of her.
Katara's eyes opened as she looked to see Ozai had shown up and went after the assassin as he hurried to get away. However, the man was quick and agile, getting away before the Fire Lord could catch him. She sat up and looked over herself. The assassin hadn't laid a finger on her yet. His knife was just laying in the grass beside her. Ozai eventually turned his attention to her and rushed to her side, in the grass on his knees. He looked over her to see if she was injured or harmed.
"I'm fine." She told him, knocking his hand away from her as she climbed to her feet, wanting to see if her sons were alright.
Ozai furrowed his brows at her. She thought he didn't see her just a moment ago but she literally closed her eyes and was about to let that assassin kill her. What the hell is wrong with you, woman!
Seeing to it that more guards were placed around his sons and wife, Ozai didn't tell his guests or anyone other than a select number of guards and Zhao of the attack. He wanted a private investigation done on whoever it was targeting his wife. Whoever it was, they weren't after him, just Katara. Fire Nation puretist no doubt. He managed to get Katara to tell him what the assassin said to her and that was enough to narrow down the likely groups responsible for the attempt on his wife's life.
"Tell me, your majesty, why do you think your wife would just lay there and be killed?" Zhao seemed curious about this detail that the Fire Lord pointed out.
Ozai didn't know. He just knew that woman was not in her right mind and hadn't been for a while.
"You don't think she wanted them to kill her, do you?" Zhao asked.
That was absurd. Katara was out of her mind sometimes but she wasn't suicidal. That was impos- "I'll kill you if you're lying to me again...Or maybe I'll just kill myself, I don't know." Well maybe she was being dramatic that time. But she wasn't depressed. "I'm lonely! Very fucking lonely!" Lonely didn't mean someone was depressed. But then again, Katara wasn't exactly happy either. He couldn't even say she was content.
Sighing, "I'll have the palace physician look at her. If she's lost her will to live, then she'll need to be medicated." Ozai concluded that maybe something was wrong with his wife. She didn't tell him much or confide in him. So he couldn't say if she was or wasn't. Maybe she was. She sure looked like she was going to let that bastard kill her.
"Honestly, your majesty, I say you should send her away from the palace for some time." Zhao suggested. "I'd be fine with letting her stay with me and my wife. Agni knows Mai could use the company. Woman stays cooped up all day. Not to mention she's been all over me as of late."
Ozai figured that wasn't the best idea. For one, Zhao and his wife were not exact friends of Katara. In her vulnerable state, she probably let them kill her if they were tempted to end her life. He'd have to find something else to improve her mood.
….
After bathing, Katara put on her nightgown and got ready for bed. She had Ming bring a bottle of wine on her nightstand with a single glass. Before bed she needed something to help her sleep. It had been a long time since she was attacked and it had her nerves all over the place. Plus, she was fairly sure she had nearly given up living when she was thrown to the ground.
The waterbender poured herself a glass and drank several before she lied in bed, eyes staring at the empty spot beside her. She wondered if it would have been this lonely if she had agreed to marry Zuko instead. Would he have her laying here while he was with other women? No, Zuko wasn't perfect but he wasn't that kind of person. Even with Mai, someone he claimed he didn't love, he never once cheated on her. Sure, he proposed the idea of having a concubine. But he wasn't interested in an entire harem.
Shutting her eyes, I fucked up. Katara knew that. She knew that a long time ago but her pride was stopping her from admitting it even to herself. But she had. Tears fell from her eyes as she reached to touch the side of the bed where her husband was supposed to sleep beside her, running her hands along the cold silk sheets.
"Why am I so discardable?" Katara sniffled as she continued staring longingly at the sheets. "What's it take to make someone stay? Even for a moment." Shutting her eyes, "I'll do anything. I just don't want to be alone anymore."
When morning came, Ozai returned to see if his wife was up but when he entered the room he found her asleep on his side of the bed. He walked over and sat on the edge. He brushed her hair from her face and saw her eyes were puffy. Furrowing his brows, he looked over to her nightstand and saw the empty bottle of wine nearly about to roll off and a used wine glass.
Caressing her face, "Katara." He said, trying to wake her up.
The waterbender stirred and opened her puffy eyes, seeing her husband sitting at the edge of the bed. She rubbed her eyes and shielded them from the light piercing from the window.
"I'm going to stay in bed. I don't feel good." She pulled the sheets over her head.
Watching her roll on her other side, back towards him, Ozai sighed and looked away. "I'll have the physician come take a look at you."
Katara didn't reply. Just stayed hidden under the sheets as she felt Ozai sit off the bed and heard his slippers lead into the bathroom. When the shower water turned on, the waterbender shut her eyes and went back to sleep.
Once Ozai was showered and left the bathroom, he saw Katara was back asleep. He was hoping she'd at least wake up but maybe she really wasn't feeling well. As soon as he left their chambers, he went to pay the physician a visit and explained what he wanted the physician to look at. Pointing out she was unhappy, depressed possibly, didn't want to get out of bed and was moody. These were legitimate issues that many husbands had with wives that weren't necessarily women that wanted to be with them.
"I have the perfect herbal remedy for her. I've recently given some to General Zhao's wife and there has been major improvements in their marriage."
Ozai was curious about how much Zhao's marriage had improved. He did mention his wife was clingy a few times and he offered to have Katara over to keep his wife company. Maybe things were so good that cold bastard Zhao didn't know what to do with his wife. That'll definitely do. Ozai would love nothing more than to have Katara all over him. It was all he wanted from her. To have his wife love him.
"I'll have the kitchen staff prepare it in her morning tea every day if you'd like. That way she knows nothing about it and you'll have a pleasant wife."
The Fire Lord agreed this would do and ordered the physician to have his wife's tea prepared with this herbal remedy starting today. It only took an hour for the staff to receive the orders and prepare the tea. Ozai wanted to take it to her directly in order to make sure she drank it.
Arriving back in his chambers, Ozai found Katara sitting by the window with covers wrapped around her and her head leaning against the window, staring blankly out of it.
"You're out of bed." Ozai noted aloud as he went over to her and sat beside her. "Good."
Katara shifted her eyes from the window to him, "I couldn't force myself to fall back asleep."
"Then drink this. I had the kitchen make it especially for you. Figured it'll cheer you up."
The waterbender eyed the cup in his hands as he offered it to her, "You had tea made for me?"
Nodding.
"Thank you." She said appreciatively as she accepted the cup.
Ozai watched her begin drinking it, "Want to tell me what happened yesterday in the garden with that assassin?"
Averting her eyes, "He overpowered me."
"Overpowered? Or did you give up?"
Drinking the rest of the tea, Katara handed Ozai back the cup and eyed him. "I've gotten weaker over time from not bending or working out as much. It's easy for someone to get that better of me." She said which did little to convince him. "Thank you for the tea, Ozai."
Standing up, the waterbender kissed her fingertips and pressed it to his forehead before leaving to go get ready for the day. It wasn't much of a kiss on the forehead but it was the closest thing to her genuinely being affectionate towards him, he'd take it. But then again, "don't make this more than it is." He remembered what she told him. Well even so… Ozai hoped the tea made her even more pleasant. If it worked Zhao's bitch of a wife, it'll work for Katara, who was capable of kindness if given the opportunity.
….
As Katara entered the gardens and made her way to the spot where the caregivers took her sons to play, she saw, to her surprise, Sokka waiting for her at the entrance to the gardens. She felt a bit nervous at seeing him. Honestly, she hadn't a clue why he was waiting there or if he had something to say to her. If he did want to speak to her, she wondered if he was planning on saying anything to make her further hate herself and her life decisions. If so, she didn't want to hear it. Katara was well aware of her faults and her shortcomings. She rather not be reminded of them all the damn time by everyone around her. It was tiring and truly, she didn't think she could bear it too much more.
Approaching the entrance, Katara saw her brother turn to her, making it clear that he wanted to speak with her. She stopped half way as he came to her, holding her posture in a dignified and prideful fashion as she didn't want to be seen as less than what she was. She was more than his sister now, she was the Fire Lady and she had to assert that if he had come to ridicule her.
"Hey, sis." Sokka said as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
Katara held her hands over her middle, maintaining a neutral expression as she looked him over. "Sokka."
"Look," He started, shifting his gaze away from her. "I know we didn't end things on a good note last time and I never really apologized for how things ended before you were kidnapped...but I just wanted to say you're still my little sister and I worry a lot about you. I'm sorry for how I responded to what you were going through and dealing with. You didn't deserve it and I'm sorry."
Exhaling as she tried relaxing a little after preparing for a verbal attack, Katara nodded her head. "I forgive you, Sokka. Even if you never apologized."
Equally as relieved, "So hug?" He opened his arms to her.
Giggling, Katara went in for a hug and embraced her older brother. She was happy that they were finally able to reconcile with so little effort. Sokka could be very stubborn but so could she. It was a wonder they had never ripped each other a part as kids. As they pulled apart, Katara asked her brother to come see the boys with her, she wanted to introduce him to her youngest, Soji. When he agreed, the waterbender took his hand and pulled him along with her.
Reaching the boys, Sokka saw his nephew Kai waving a spider-lily in front of a small baby that was sitting upright in the grass. He paused as he watched his sister run over to the two children and be hugged by her eldest as she reached down for the smaller child. She brought both boys over to him and saw Kai run to him for a hug. He hugged his eldest nephew and rustled his hair as his eyes shifted to the baby boy in Katara's arms.
"This is Soji." Katara told Sokka.
Sokka chuckled a little as he was handed the baby and got a good look at him. "He looks a lot like Kai when he was this age."
"He does?" Kai tilted his head as he beamed up at his uncle holding his baby brother.
Katara smiled and placed her hand on Kai's shoulder as she pulled him to her side, "Yes, you were cute and squishy like Soji too."
If someone didn't know better, they think the two boys had the same father. Soji looked exactly like Kai. But it still made sense. The fathers were related. Father and son to be exact. Zuko did look a lot like Ozai, Sokka noticed as he got to see more of the latter these last few days.
"So, are you really planning to have a girl like you told those noblewomen?" Sokka raised a brow at his sister.
Katara asked Kai to take Soji and go play with the baby turtle ducks near the shrubs. When the two boys were a little ways out of earshot, the waterbender shook her head and turned her attention to the grass as she sighed.
"I say things to appease people. Maybe, later, if things are better, I might consider it but as of now, I'm not ready for another." Katara answered honestly.
The chieftain nodded his head, "After what I heard from Suki and Iroh, I figured you were just putting on for the guests."
"Yes, well, everyone doesn't need to know the ends and outs of what goes on in private. Besides, Ozai isn't terrible. We just don't see eye to eye a lot ."
"He's not putting his hands on you, is he?"
Katara shook her head and explained Ozai just wanted her be in love with him, no pretending, but she wasn't exactly forgiving of their past. Her brother patted her shoulder and told her she had that right. She knew that but she made it clear she wanted to not have to pretend either, however, she was the one most affected by their past and she developed a trauma from it.
"You really shouldn't forgive him at all." Sokka told her as he folded his arms and scoffed, watching the boys to make sure they were alright playing with the turtle-ducks.
Nodding her as she turned to watch her sons, "Yes, well, we are married and it would be best if there wasn't so much resentment between us. In prison, things were somehow much better between us."
Snorting, "An armadillo-tiger is always more harmless in a cage than it is in the wild."
"I've learned." Katara said with a melancholy smile. "I just hope with this trip we're taking we can repair our relationship to some degree."
Sokka placed his arm around his sister's shoulder and pulled her to rest her head in the nape of his neck, "Even if I hate that bastard, I do wish the best for you all. You're my sister and I only want the best."
It made her happy hearing that.
As the caretakers got ready to take the two princes to their lessons, Katara and Sokka hugged them both before they left. The two siblings hugged as they parted and went on about their business.
Katara decided she'd go see Ozai in his office. She hoped he wasn't busy. It wasn't often that she saw him during the day. Their interactions were usually restricted to early morning and the late evening. As she was on her way to see her husband, the waterbender made another run in and this time, she wasn't questioning their intention. She already knew.
"Katara."
The waterbender's expression hardened, "Zuko."
…
Zhao was leaving a meeting with the Fire Lord and their guests when he suddenly overheard the Fire Lady speaking with someone. She didn't seem like she was in a pleasant mood and how she wasn't restrained in how she spoke, he could think of only one person she could be speaking to. The nobleman sighed and decided to eavesdrop.
"I know this changes nothing but I wanted you to know, I still love you and I-"
"Zuko, what happened in the past was a fling. Nothing more." Katara stated. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. I do not feel well."
Of course, this wasn't enough to stop the fool and Zhao stepped in. He stared down Zuko and moved in front of the Fire Lady.
"Confessing to the wife of your father is quite scandalous, Zuko. You should be careful. You not only make trouble for yourself but others too." Zhao's hard gaze didn't let up.
Zuko looked around Zhao to Katara and saw she was staring at the floor. He figured there was no point. She made it quite clear she didn't feel the same and even if she did, that was hopeless. His father had a tight grip on her. So much so that his lackies kept an eye on her. Sighing, Zuko apologized and left before things got ugly.
Katara was about to thank Zhao until he turned his narrowed eyes on her.
"You must enjoy giving Ozai a hard time." Zhao scoffed at her. "Out here flirting with his son."
Shaking her head, "No, it wasn't like th-"
"You should be grateful he didn't listen to his advisers and make you a sex slave. A status lower than the lowest concubine. Used by anyone wanting to fuck a filthy cunt." Zhao spat as he glared viciously at her. "You haven't a clue how many men around here want to fuck the blue eyed Fire Lady. Ozai gives the word and you'll have every hole filled by some stranger's cock."
Falling silent as the nobleman told her off, Katara could only stare at her feet and listen. Sometimes being Fire Lady felt like a punishment. Not like she ever wanted to be Fire Lady. Her husband ignored her when she needed to be comforted. People wanted to speak to her but couldn't because her husband didn't allow it and those closest to him spoke to her any kind of way. Maybe it wasn't being Fire Lady. Maybe it was just her.
As he continued barking at her, the waterbender knew she couldn't listen to him much more and decided to interrupt.
"I need to go." Katara stated.
"Where?" He bit out.
"To see him."
Zhao grabbed her arm and dragged her along with him, wanting to escort her himself. He really didn't like her. There were times he empathized with her but all in all, he just couldn't stand her. The Fire Lord had been a good friend of his over the years and this bitch was the only person to be a thorn in his side that couldn't be dealt with accordingly. It was an understatement to say he wanted her dead. Zhao wanted the bitch to suffer miserably before dying a tragic death.
"Here, you go in there and don't give him any trouble. Otherwise, I will deal with you myself."
Being shoved in front of the guards to the doors of the Fire Lord's office, Katara noticed neither guard responded to her being handled so poorly by the noble. It seemed apparent to her that her title was not much to anyone. Anyone could do anything and she was at their mercy unless Ozai was around. It was a stark reality but Katara didn't see how she could expect differently. She was just a waterbender with a low upbringing anyway.
….
Surprised to see his wife had come to his office, Ozai stopped what he was working on and gave his undivided attention to her as she made her way up to his desk. She looked a bit antsy as she didn't stop in front of his desk and instead walked around. He watched her take a seat in his lap and rest her head against his shoulder. Maybe the tea was starting to work on her.
"Are you okay?" He asked her carefully.
Katara nodded her head and wrapped her arms around him as she threw her legs over his other leg. "I just felt like coming to see you. You're not busy, are you?"
"I have time." Ozai replied, curious if she was feeling the effects of the tea.
The waterbender shut her eyes and made herself comfortable against him. It wasn't long before Ozai realized she had gotten heavy on him and heard the soft snoring. This was not exactly what he was hoping for but he'd take it as a win. He let her sleep against him as he worked on a few things. He didn't have much on his agenda today. Tomorrow their guests would be leaving and they would be leaving for their trip. He was debating if he should bring the concubines still. Maybe he still needed to bring them. At least for the beach trip, he'd keep them and afterwards, he'd send them back to the palace.
When he finished his work, Ozai carried his sleeping wife out of the office and back to their chambers. A few court nobles caught sight of this and whispered amongst themselves. He knew within the Fire Nation itself, not many liked his decision for Katara to be his wife. Especially, when they all recently learned she had mothered a child from his son. From what he heard, the common folks in the capital were fond of her after she worked on the healthcare project. The nobles weren't as pleased with her. Not only was she seen as a used woman but she was a Water Tribe woman. He figured maybe one of his nobles hired assassins to kill his wife the other day. He currently had Zhao looking into it but he was on alert to hear anything that would give him clues. He probably wouldn't be able to find anything until he returned from their trip.
Making it to their chambers, he ordered the guards to increase patrol around this section of the palace as well as where his sons were. Inside, he laid Katara down in bed and undressed her from her heavy robes. Down to her under dress, Ozai pulled the sheets over her and looked over her as she wiggled a little, repositioning herself on her side. His brows furrowed as he sat on the edge of the bed, running his hand along her side.
"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on." Ozai told her as she slept. "I wasn't lying. I have no need to." Running his hand all the way up to her hair. "And I didn't care about spiting Zuko. That was just a perk. No one wanted me to take you as my wife. You were supposed to be a concubine but you'd really hate me then, wouldn't you?" Sighing, Ozai's gaze softened on her. "I hope one day you won't hate me so much. Until then, I'll be patient. I've waited long enough to meet someone like you. I can wait a bit longer for you to have feelings for me. Even if you don't tell me till I'm on my deathbed. I'd still die a happy man."
When he got up from her side of the bed, Ozai went to his side and undressed, climbing into bed. He laid on his side staring at her until he fell asleep. When his eyes shut, Katara's eyes opened and she stared at him with guilt.
In the morning, Ozai found the waterbender curled up against him with her arm and leg over him. He decided to stay in bed a bit longer to enjoy the feel of her small physique against him. Shutting his eyes to savor the moment. However, the waterbender began to stir and she lifted herself off of him. He opened one eye and saw her staring at him with an unreadable expression.
"Morning." He greeted her with a smile.
Tilting her head, "Are we leaving after the guests leave today or are we leaving tomorrow?"
Ozai thought a little, "Tomorrow would be better. No need to rush."
Katara nodded and laid herself on him again, snuggling herself to him. Her hand ran over his abdomen and then rested on his chest as she relaxed into him.
"Will it just be us or are you still going to bring your other women?"
"For the beach I was going to have four of the consorts come with us. Afterwards, it'll just be us."
"Can the boys come with us to the South Pole?"
Figuring she probably wanted her grandmother to see them, Ozai agreed but Ba Seng Sei would just be them.
…
The tea must be working because the waterbender looked to be in a better mood. Sure, she wasn't all over him, showering him in affection and pulling at the waistband of his pants. But she was pleasant and actually had a normal conversation with him during breakfast. She mentioned how she missed being near the water and asked him if he could swim. Of course, he didn't know how to swim. If she remembered back when they fell through the ice, she had to save him. Other than for bathing or drinking, he was not a fan of water. Might have been an elemental thing but he knew there were plenty of Fire Nation people that could swim, especially those in the military.
"I could teach you." Katara offered him as she ate the fruits from her plate.
Ozai shook his head, "I'm too old to learn."
"No, you're not. I'll teach you while we're at the beach and if you're afraid for someone to see, we can practice at night." She told him.
Not so sure about this, Ozai looked completely uncomfortable about his wife teaching him to swim. Even if she was a waterbender, he felt some kind of way about it.
"How about this, I don't know how to fight hand to hand or use a weapon. I rely on my bending but I heard from Zuko years ago that royals learn all forms of fighting. You can teach me to fight." Katara gave a small smile.
Thinking this over, "I feel like you'll use what I teach you against me."
"I won't." Katara laughed. "I promise. Pinky swear."
Ozai eyed her as she held her hand out to him with her pinky sticking out.
"Fine." He caved and wrapped his pinky around hers. "But I'm not taking it easy on you. I know all about you being a prodigy. You'll learn quickly and with ease."
Smirking, Katara nodded. "And I'm sure you'll pick up swimming without any problems. I'll be sure not to let you drown."
Somehow he felt like he was already drowning.
…
Bidding their guests farewell, the Fire Lord and Lady were genuinely in a pleasant mood. Many of their guests wished them well and some even gave them advice on how to have a girl. They both ignored those comments knowing they weren't really ready for another child with Soji not even a year old but Ozai did want more children in the future. Mostly because he was curious about the possibility of fathering a waterbender. That and he wanted a daughter. One that wasn't a psychopath. Just a sweet girl that would dote on her father and looked like his wife.
"I'll miss you, Katara." Ursa said as she hugged the waterbender goodbye.
Hugging the woman tight, "I'm sure you'll love the Earth Kingdom."
"I hope so." Ursa smiled as they pulled apart. "I hope maybe you can be happier here than I was."
Katara could only nod to Ursa as she smiled weakly in return.
Seeing his ex-wife leave, Ozai tried not sucking his teeth and pulled Katara closer to him.
"It's fine." Katara told him as he looked up at him. "She didn't mean anything by it."
"Of course not." Ozai scoffed.
Iroh gave Katara a big hug and she hugged him back just as warmly.
"Please stop by the shop and have tea with me." Iroh told her.
Nodding her head, "I wouldn't dare show up in the city without seeing you, Iroh."
Looking from the waterbender to his brother, "Be good to my sister in law, will you, Ozai? A little patience and understanding will get you a long way."
Ozai mumbled something about shoving patience and understanding up his ass and Katara elbowed him in his rib.
"Sure." He corrected himself after he winced.
Chuckling, "You two get along and give me many more adorable nieces and nephews."
Katara hugged Suki and Sokka for a long time, not wanting to let go.
"We'll see you soon, sis." Sokka told her as she was cutting off his circulation.
"I know but I hate saying goodbye." Katara told him somberly.
Sokka patted her back, "I know, sis. I know."
When the siblings separated finally, Suki told Katara about making sure to bring something warm to wear for the climate.
"Also, I'll tell gram gram about him." Sokka eyed his sister's husband. "I can't promise she won't have a heart attack but I'll try to make sure she's sitting down when we tell her."
Katara winced at this, "Actually, can you wait till she meets him first? We'll tell her who he is afterwards."
Sokka shrugged, "Okay, but at least her death won't be on my hands."
Rolling her eyes as Suki slapped Sokka upside the head.
"Ow! I'm serious! Katara shows up with that big guy and gram gram is going to fall out." Sokka said shielding his head from his wife.
Ozai rolled his eyes, "I'm sure your grandmother will find I'm not that frightening."
All three looked at him like he was an idiot.
"I literally shit myself when I first saw you." Sokka stated.
Suki nodded, "and that was after you were defeated."
"I nearly pissed myself running from you when you were chasing me." Katara commented as she remembered when Ozai first abducted her.
Rolling his eyes, Ozai folded his arms. They're exaggerating.
No, they were quite serious.
"Anyway, I'll keep my lip sealed and let you kill our grandmother." Sokka told her.
Both Katara and Suki started hitting Sokka several times in the head.
"Ah! Leave me alone!" He ran down the steps to get away from his mean ass wife and sister.
The two women hugged and said goodbye before Zuko showed up. Both Katara and Ozai eyed him impassively.
"I'm just saying goodbye. Uncle said you both will be in Ba Seng Sei in a few weeks." Zuko said awkwardly.
"That's the plan." Ozai replied.
"Then maybe we can put the past behind us by then."
Ozai scoffed as Katara nodded her head.
"I'd like us to at least be friends again, Zuko."
"I can do that."
"Great, now get on and leave." Ozai said as he was extremely annoyed with his eldest son.
Zuko nodded but before he left, Katara did hug him.
"Be safe, Zuko."
Hugging her back as he eyed his father, "You too, Kat."
When everyone was gone, Ozai let Katara know to have the servants pack her things while he went to the harem to inform the consorts he was bringing to do the same. Katara nodded and headed back to their chambers. As she had the servants pack her things, she tried thinking up what she would do when they first arrived at the beach. It had been a long time since she had been there but she remembered wanting to explore the island more than she had been able to do during the war.
A few hours passed and Ozai hadn't returned yet. Katara had to order the servants to pack his things as well. When night fell, she kind of got a little antsy looking to talk to him about the trip. She wondered if he had any specific plans when they got there. Or were they just going to wing it. Either was fine with her. She kind of looked forward to the trip. Meant she could get out and not have her guard up all the time.
"Where is he?" The waterbender couldn't even settle into bed after taking her bath. She really wanted to talk to him. Maybe he's wrapping some work up in his office.
Katara threw on her night robe and a few of the guards stationed outside of the chambers followed her. She ignored them, focused on finding Ozai.
Reaching his office, Katara saw two guards outside and was happy to see this was a sign that Ozai was in his office.
"Your majesty, your husband is busy." They told her.
Nodding her head, "It's fine. I'll offer some aid."
"Um...your maj-"
Katara pushed past them to enter and hoped to find Ozai at his desk. However, his desk was empty but she soon heard his voice and turned in the direction where she heard it come from. Pulling the curtains that were drawn over the sitting area of his office, the Fire Lady's pleasant mood was quickly erased as she found her husband. Only, he wasn't the only person she found.
Gripping the armrest of the sofa as she moaned was Himiko, Ozai's 1st consort, and behind her was Ozai, who thrusted into her relentlessly. Katara just stood there in shock as she watched the two of them. When it became too much for her to witness, the waterbender pulled the curtain back the way it was and left the office.
Back in her bed, Katara laid on her back staring up at the canopy of the bed and zoned out. "Think it'll rain tomorrow?" She asked herself. "I think it'll rain."
There was nothing but the quiet of night.
"Wonder if we'll go sightseeing?"
"Of course, we'll do that. Isn't that what you do on a vacation?"
"I don't know. I've never been."
"Oh really? I promise it'll be great."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm very sure." Katara's lip twitched into a forced smile as tears spilled from her eyes. "Everything will be fine. I promise."
"You always promise. Do you really mean it?"
"On my life. I love you. It'll be perfect."
"Okay, Ozai. I trust you." Katara said as she rolled over on her side and forced herself to fall asleep in the bed where she slept alone.
…..
A/N:
Next chapter will be released in the morning! Sorry for the wait!