A/N:
Alrighty, I'm back! Sorry about the delay! I got distracted by a chinese drama. (Princess Wei Young) if anybody is interested. Great stuff! Literally cried myself to sleep most of the show. :D
Warning: Mention of suicide
Chapter 29:
"Right this way." A representative of the Earth King showed them through the palace to where they would be accommodated for their stay. It was requested that their own guards be stationed around the perimeter. These terms were agreed upon and the Fire Nation family settled into their exquisite chambers.
While Ozai had his men check out each room to make sure everything was secure, Katara held her arms around herself as she took a look around. She had never seen these chambers before as an ambassador. Everything looked as extravagant as the Fire Nation palace, perhaps even more so, as the decor was bright and colorful, full of much more pleasantries. This must be reserved for the royal or special guests. Either way it was nice. Though, she could live with less.
As she discovered a small courtyard within their chambers, she went towards the makeshift pond in the center and crouched down. It was surrounded by beautiful and exotic plants that covered the entire courtyard. There was a man-made waterfall built right over the pond and inside the pond, she could see fish swimming around. Katara placed her hand in the water and moved her hand back and forth. She wished Ozai would have let the boys come here with them. Didn't make sense to send them back home. But of course, when she mentioned it he just shot her down and wouldn't hear her out.
Settling in the patch of grass by the pond, the Fire Lady stared longingly at the fish in the water and envied them. Sure, they were confined to this pond that was so much smaller than the waters they hailed from. But at least they were at peace with their home. She wanted to feel that way. So much so that she drank that stupid tea Ozai wanted her to have every morning even though she knew it was making her react and behave differently than she typically would. If it made things easier, she'd take it because the fighting was wearing on her and she was so tired of fighting. Ozai didn't fight fair. Never did.
Furrowing her brows somberly at the pond, Katara felt like she lost her pride and her fighting spirit. Like she let him win just for the sake of wanting to not fight anymore. She didn't know if it was wise to stop standing up for herself just because she was exhausted. Maybe she was supposed to fight till the bitter end but then, what good would that do? To be bitter and full of anger the rest of her life. Of course, she didn't want to be miserable either but if she drank that weird tea every morning and she let herself believe the lie she had been practicing in her head since leaving the South Pole, then maybe misery would be no more. She'd let herself believe the lie that he loved her and that everything he did was for them and their family.
It was a lie he told her first. One he repeated every night he took her to bed, wanting her to serve him in the absence of his consorts and give him what he had been asking of her for weeks. Then in the morning, he'd whisper it in her ear when they'd wake in each other's arms. She'd go on to reaffirm it to herself when she bathed and she sat at her vanity brushing her hair. It was a lie but she wanted to believe it if it meant even a slight improvement of the quality of her life and marriage.
Seeing Ozai's reflection in the pond standing behind her, Katara quickly wiped her tears away and sniffled quietly before climbing to her feet. She forced herself to put on a smile for him since he hated seeing her cry. Told her it made him uncomfortable and he didn't know how to respond to her when she did it. He only stared at her for a moment as she figured he knew she was crying again so she decided to speak first.
"I think I should have more tea." Katara said. "I don't believe they made it strong enough this morning."
Ozai eyed her as his wife smiled at him. Her expression was almost maddening with how her eyes were somewhat red and there were tear streaks staining her face, her smile obviously didn't reach her eyes which told him all he needed to know about the facade she was putting on. He only nodded as she wanted to have more tea. As she walked by his gaze went to the spot she was sitting in.
For the three weeks it took to get from the South Pole to Ba Seng Sei, they had been trying for the next child he wanted her to have for him; however, she hadn't yet conceived. He confronted her and asked if she was interfering in any way with her bending but she swore she wasn't. This morning before arriving here, he had to take her before they got into their carriage and headed here. He took every opportunity they had to ensure she'd be pregnant before they returned home. As soon as she had more of her tea, he'd take her again and do so again tonight.
…..
The servants helped clean up the Fire Lady after her husband took her to bed midday. Apparently, it wasn't common for a couple to be involved during the day unless they were in love or hoping to conceive. As they dried her off and helped her into a plain red dress to wear around the chambers, they left her hair out and unbound since it was clear that the Fire Lord would want her again soon.
When they brought the Fire Lady to sit in the sitting room and placed a tray of snacks down for her, they noticed she didn't make a move to touch any of it. She just stared blankly, looking completely out of it, like she was lost in thought. To be honest, this wasn't new to them. The Fire Lady had been like this at the beach and then when returning from the South Pole. At first they believed it was because the Fire Lord had his attention elsewhere but after seeing how the Fire Lord literally had her multiple times during the day, they figured maybe it was something else. From the gossip at the beach house, Consort Himiko was pregnant and the Fire Lady may be attempting to become pregnant as well to save herself the embarrassment. She and the Fire Lord had been at it nonstop in their cabin onboard the ship for weeks and even on the two day venture from the coast to the landlocked city of Ba Seng Sei. They pitied the young woman. Maybe it was the stress causing her difficulties. What wife wouldn't have trouble after finding her husband impregnated another woman?
"You should eat." The Fire Lord told his wife as he approached the sitting area in merely his trousers, bare-chested with his hair down completely. He sat across from her and grabbed a peach as he lounged with little care for being graceful. "You'll never get pregnant again if you don't keep up your strength. Eat."
The Fire Lady nodded and a servant fixed her a small plate. She forced herself to eat the fruit and small cakes prepared for her, only taking small bites as she couldn't really bring herself to eat. All in all, she was only able to eat a little since she didn't have much of an appetite.
"You're still not eating." Ozai pointed out as he noticed Katara's plate was still very much full. "Nibbling isn't going to help our situation. Are you even trying at this point?"
"I'm not very hungry." She replied.
"Doesn't matter. Eat." His eyes narrowed at her.
Katara nodded and forced herself to eat more, shoving the food into her mouth to swallow. She teared up as she tried to eat more but she really wasn't hungry. However, she had to. Ozai would get off her case if she just ate it.
The servants shifted their gaze away as they watched the Fire Lady crying as she tried to eat when it was clear she had no appetite. Eventually, the woman made herself sick to her husband's displeasure and he left her there hurling on the ground, ordering them to clean it up.
"Come, my lady." A servant took the Fire Lady to a bathroom on the other side of the chambers as the Fire Lord slammed his bedroom door behind him.
When she was cleaned, the servants put her to bed in one of the spare rooms of the chambers and tucked her in. As soon as they shut the door behind them, they heard the poor woman begin crying and hung their heads. No wonder she wasn't able to conceive again. She was miserable and trying to appease her husband that didn't seem to care or realize what he was doing to her. He could be a little more tender and affectionate. Those things helped. When a woman felt relaxed enough, she could easily receive her husband's seed and give him a child.
…
The following day, Ozai had meetings planned with the Earth King and both their officials. He ordered the guards to make sure his wife was not to leave their chambers under any circumstances. He also didn't want anyone other than him or the servants entering their chambers. The Fire Lord even went on to order that there be periodic check in on his wife and that he be reported to immediately.
"Fire Lord Ozai, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." King Kuei greeted the Fire Nation ruler as he and his entourage approached. "I do hope the accommodations we prepared for you and your wife are suitable."
Ozai nodded, "I'll be taking a page from your book, King Kuei. Quite the palace you have."
Smiling as he noted the man was capable of pleasantries as his representatives told him after their visit in the Fire Nation. "I'm glad to hear." Kuei looked around the Fire Lord to find one missing person. "Ummm, is Lady Katara planning to join us shortly? I am excited to see her as the Fire Lady. I'm told she's absolutely beautiful. All my officials say she's breathtaking."
Not liking that men had been studying his wife to the point of describing her as breathtaking, Ozai's expression hardened. "My wife will not be joining us. She's resting." He stated.
"Oh, what a shame. Your wife and I are quite familiar with one another. I was a bit shocked to hear you, of all people, snagged her up. It had been my hope to take her as my wife but you've beaten us all to the punch. Lucky man, Fire Lord Ozai."
Familiar? In what ways was this bastard familiar with his wife?
"Maybe I'll see her some time during your stay. I hope she still likes green tea with fruit tarts." Kuei said as he began leading the way.
I guess familiar enough to know what she likes. This didn't sit right with Ozai. He was not happy to hear another man was interested in his wife and knew what things she liked even if it was as simple as a favorite snack.
As the two monarchs sat on the patio in the luxurious garden, going over their plans for a peaceful union between the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation, King Kuei looked over the documents presented to him by the ministers of the Fire Nation. He wasn't very pleased with what he saw. Seemed like the ministers were completely ignorant to the state of affairs of the Earth Kingdom as well as clueless to the current state of the economy too. There were plenty of flaws he pointed out to the Fire Lord and his ministers with the documents. Explaining that the Earth Kingdom was comprised of two individual kingdoms. North and South, very much like the Water Tribes. He ruled over the Northern regions while King Bumi ruled over the Southern territories. King Kuei also explained the other issues with the documents but assured the Fire Lord he believed they'd come to some sort of agreement that was beneficial for them all.
"Hopefully, once Lady Katara is well rested, she can join us. She was quite knowledgeable of the state of the Earth Kingdom and found a great solution for us to work with the Fire Nation in the reconstruction right after the war." King Kuei smiled as he stood. "Perhaps, you should consult her. Not only do you have a beautiful wife but she's very capable. I do hope you will allow her to be a part of this."
As the Earth King left with his entourage, one of his advisors came to his side, wanting to give his two cents.
"Official Ping, are you sure things were alright between Lady Katara and that man?" Kuei asked as he glanced at the official.
Ping sighed, "I believe the Fire Lord has feelings for his wife from what I've witnessed in my time in the Fire Nation. However, everyone noticed his unwillingness to include her in political matters. Though, I'm not sure if he doesn't value her input or that it is traditional for the Fire Lady to not participate in political matters."
"I'm told it's both." Official Sho came to the other side of the Earth King. "The sitting Fire Lord is the one that determines the role of the Fire Lady. Some will have their wives rule at their side as an equal, some will pass on duties they are unwilling to do to their wives, but it is very common for the Fire Lady to be no more than a mere wife with a title. It would seem Fire Lady Katara is simply a wife, only to serve her husband and stay out of the world of politics."
King Kuei figured as much. He spoke with not only his officials but also the dragon of the west and the former Fire Lord. Apparently, there was more to the marriage between the waterbender and Fire Lord than meets the eye. He was very much aware of the kidnapping that took place but he learned more about their dynamic and Lady Katara was not in a very good place with her husband. Though the Fire Lord didn't look as intimidating as they believed, Kuei was willing to bet he was different behind closed doors. He hoped to see Katara and have a word with her, perhaps in front of the Fire Lord to make it very clear he was in more favor of working with the Fire Lady.
Returning to his guest chambers, Ozai was told by the servants that his wife was still in bed sleeping. They claimed she hadn't been up or out of bed. It worried them and they checked to see she was alright, finding she was indeed just tired. He took this as a good sign and hoped it meant what he thought it did.
"Have her awaken to eat something." He ordered.
The servants nodded and woke his wife for dinner. When Katara showed up to the dining room to eat, Ozai beaconed her to come sit closer to him, having the chair closest to him pulled out by a servant. She sat and stared at her plate, seeing it was sliced red meat cooked only to medium rare with quail eggs and red potatoes. Sighing as she picked up her chopsticks, Katara swallowed hard as she eyed the plate, feeling sick just at the smell.
"The Earth King claims you two are familiar with each other." Ozai started as he side eyed his wife while eating the steak from his plate. "You two friends?"
Katara shrugged after forcing herself to swallow down the potatoes, avoiding the meat on her plate, "We helped King Kuei gain control over his court and kingdom after certain people took advantage of his ignorance. After the war and during my time as an ambassador, I spent a few months at a time here. He's always been kind to me and generous but I wouldn't go so far as to believe we are friends."
"He claims to find you attractive. You sure he's not at least a friend?" Ozai pushed to get answers.
Eating around the red meat, "I'm positive."
"I don't believe it."
"And why not?"
"He seems rather smitten with you."
Poking at the red meat as she tried working up the nerve to eat it, "There are plenty of men smitten with me and I'm not friends with them."
Scoffing, "You think so highly of yourself?"
"No, not really." Katara set her chopsticks down, reaching for her glass of water. "I just go by what I hear."
Ozai snorted, "Then you must not hear the people that refer to you as a savage."
Katara looked from the glass to him and looked confused.
Not even sparing her a glance as he continued, "Not every man is interested in a low-bred woman from a tribe of uncultured savage folk. You're lucky you even have my attention. I think King Kuei means to annoy me, speaking of you with such fondness, of course, he doesn't mean any of it."
The waterbender shifted her gaze from him and stared blankly at her plate as he continued talking. I knew you were lying to me. She told herself as she recalled him telling her she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. Of course, she wasn't. If she was so beautiful, he wouldn't have other women or knocked one of them up.
"You barely have any breasts. Not that I care but plenty of men prefer that sort of thing. Not to mention you're short and a bit thick in the thighs, almost sort of stocky. The Earth King wouldn't be making such a fuss over you if he knew what you looked like under your clothes. With the tiny scars and burn marks, he wouldn't even pretend to find you attractive." Ozai saw her hanging her head and continued his assault of her appearance. She needed to know her place and now, her situation was unique. She needed to be reminded that she was the lucky one. That way when she heard flattery, she'd know it was all lies and nothing to take seriously. "Sometimes people will say things they don't mean to be nice. So, I'm sure those people telling you that you're this gorgeous woman, believe me when I say, they don't mean it."
Sniffling, Katara rubbed her eyes and nodded.
"Only I mean it when I tell you. I can see past your flaws the way others can't. I needn't fill your head with pointless flattery. That'll only make you full of yourself. Good women are humble. Even in your position. Understood?"
"Yes." She replied, wondering why he was talking about her like this. Katara had never been vain before or been boastful about anything. She just didn't think she was ugly. Well, not until now.
When dinner ended, Katara asked the servants to bring her a bottle of wine in the courtyard but they let her know she wasn't allowed to drink. She didn't have to ask them why. Remembering that Ozai had wine to drink while she was given only water. Not to mention the red meat and quail eggs was something she heard pregnant women should eat to sustain themselves in early pregnancy. He must have thought she was pregnant. Tui and La, she hoped she was too. She was completely uninterested in sleeping with him anymore. So much so that things took longer because she wasn't very receptive to him. He complained she wasn't wet enough and she knew that. She was turned off by him. Getting aroused was proving to be difficult for her but he seemed to think she was doing something with her bending to cause that.
As she sat in the courtyard under the moonlight, Katara looked at herself in the pond and furrowed her brows at herself as she looked for flaws. Of course, when you're looking for something to be wrong, you'll find it and she did. Little by little with the more flaws she found, the waterbender felt uglier and uglier. Immediately, she started comparing herself to Ozai's consorts and knew they were far more womanly than her. With their slender bodies, big breasts, long legs, and smooth porcelain skin. How could she compete? Not to mention that they had better upbringings and didn't have little scars on their bodies from fighting in a war.
Forcing herself to stop looking at her reflection, Katara climbed to her feet and made her way back inside, heading to the spare room she had slept in all day. She was going back to bed.
However, before she could get to her room, she was stopped by her husband. He pressed his lips to the back of her head and ran his hands up and down her arms.
"While I hope you're pregnant, until we have confirmation that you are with child, we don't need to slack." He told her, nipping at her ear before kissing the side of her face.
…
Morning came and with it came the waterbender's cycle. The servants quickly changed the bed sheets as the Fire Lady was in the bathroom crying while her husband was pissed off, yelling at her that she was doing this on purpose. He seemed to believe there was something she was doing to interfere. Claiming she became pregnant the first two times without even trying and the moment they try, she can't seem to conceive. He wasn't buying it. So he yelled and shouted at her. Demanding an explanation. Things grew so bad that as some servants were taking the bloody sheets out of the chambers to wash, the servants of the Earth King caught wind of what was going on and reported to the Earth King and his advisors.
Upset by this, King Kuei and his entourage of advisors and guards headed to that part of the palace. Fortunately, one of the Fire Lord's servants made him aware of this and just as the Earth King showed up, he had things in order. Ozai had Katara in bed while he sat in the sitting room with a book, pretending all was fine when the Earth King arrived. Of course, the man wanted to know what all the commotion was about that his servants overheard.
"We're trying for another child. This morning she had her cycle and was hysterical." Ozai explained. "I tried to calm her down but you know how women are about that sort of thing."
Not convinced, "Perhaps, I have my physicians look over her. Maybe there is something wrong."
"I assure you nothing is wrong. She just needs rest." The Fire Lord said defensively.
Not liking this but not wanting to cause an international issue, "Very well. I hope she will go easy on herself. I hear some women have difficulties when they stress too much. She should probably go out around the upper ring for some air and to stretch her legs. Staying cooped up in these chambers will do her no good."
Ozai begrudgingly thanked him for his concern and advice but assured him they would get to the bottom of her 'issue'. When the Earth King was gone, the Fire Lord went back to his bedroom where his wife had the covers over her head. He glared at her.
"Apparently, you're under a lot of stress and need to get out. Get dressed and we'll go for a walk. That way when your cycle ends you should have no excuse for not getting pregnant right away."
Katara didn't want to go for a walk. She was tired and didn't feel good. Not to mention, she was cramping terribly. She just shook her head and stayed under the covers.
Angered by her refusal, Ozai snatched the sheets off of her and grabbed her by her arms, forcing her out of bed. He threw her to the servants and demanded they have her ready in ten minutes.
"Fix your face and drink the tea. You'll have some idiot thinking I'm mistreating you." Ozai said as he stormed out of their bedroom.
The waterbender literally fainted not long after he left out the room and the servants tried their best to get her up but she was out cold. They all made it aware that she was unwell but the Fire Lord believed she was acting and shook her a little. Some pleaded for him to stop as he slapped her and gained no reaction, begging him to let the physician see her. Reluctantly, he did so after Katara was unresponsive and grew a fever. When the palace physician came, so did the Earth King, he seemed to want to know what was really going on.
As the physician took a look at the Fire Lady's condition, both the Fire Lord and Earth King remained outside of the bedroom waiting to hear what was wrong. King Kuei assured the Fire Lord that the physician was actually a healer from the North Pole and was able to see more clearly what was wrong with Katara.
When the physician exited the bedroom, shutting the door behind him, the physician addressed the Fire Lord.
"Your wife is under a lot of distress. So much so it looks like she's taking a herbal remedy to help cope with it." The healer explained. "Typically, the remedy has very little side effect if taken once a day but from what I see, she's been drinking it anywhere from three to five times a day. Perhaps, the potency is wearing off on her. She'll need to find something else that'll work for her."
Ozai didn't realize Katara had been drinking the tea that often.
"As far as her having issues with conception as I'm told, she has an infection and I took care to heal her for it. Once her cycle is over and her mood is better, I see no reason for her to have complications." The healer assured the Fire Lord.
As the healer left…
"I wonder what Katara has to be distressed for that she'd be taking such a remedy so frequently. I know the war was hard on everyone but she's always struck me as a more stable person. I do hope she gets better." The Earth King said seldomly as he glanced at the door where the waterbender was resting on the other side of.
"She's just having trouble adjusting to her new life." Ozai pointed out.
"Like her element, she's adaptive. It typically isn't too hard for Tribespeople to adjust. Unless-"
"I think I'd know what's at the root of my wife's stress seeing as I'm her husband. I thank you for your concern but I'll deal with my wife."
King Kuei apologized and left the Fire Lord to his wife. As soon as he was gone, he ordered his staff to keep an eye on these chambers and report to him anything unusual or of concern. He felt like what he heard from the former Fire Lord was true about his father and the waterbender. Something grave was going on behind the scenes.
…..
A few days passed and Katara was out of bed, detoxing from the tea she had been drinking. She was told she could have no more which sent her into a frenzy. That tea was how she coped and how she dealt with things better. If she didn't have the tea she'd really fall apart. She begged to have some. Just a little. Anything but going cold-turkey off of it. However, Ozai had ordered that the remedy be tossed away, assuring her he'd find her an alternative. In the meantime, he gave her permission to leave the chambers and go out during the day as long as she had her new set of guards accompanying her.
Katara didn't waste a moment getting ready and heading out. She didn't look back as she climbed into the carriage, giving directions to the shofer on where she wanted to go. Upon arriving at her destination, the waterbender climbed out of the carriage and her guards followed her into the establishment. As soon as she entered, everyone inside paused at the sight of her and the crown on her head. She wished that she had worn something less 'Fire Lady-ish'. However, as she made her way through the shop to the front counter, Katara saw who she was looking for leave out of the kitchen door holding a tray of tea.
Pausing as he held the tray of tea, "Katara!" Iroh beamed happily. "My, wonders. Please, have a seat anywhere, I'll be right with you."
Smiling, the Fire Lady looked for a place to sit that was secluded and found a perfect spot on the patio of the tea shop. It wasn't long before Iroh could join her and brought with him a tray of tea and snacks.
"Goodness, I almost forgot you and my brother would be here. Are you both just arriving?" Iroh asked her.
Katara shook her head, "It's been a few days. I'm not sure how much longer we'll stay but hopefully long enough for me to enjoy your tea as much as I can." She smiled at him.
"Ah, well hopefully you can have my tea everyday that you're here. I'll be sure to send you back with a few of my special blends and instructions to properly brew them."
The Fire Lady happily accepted this and they went on to catch up. Iroh told her how things were for him and Zuko. How Zuko finally accepted the reality of things and was settling into working around the shop again like they did during the war. He seemed happier and less stressed but Iroh did point out that he still has his grievances with how things took place when he last saw her. Katara nodded and said she wasn't too happy about how things ended either. But she knew Zuko meant no harm.
Drinking her tea, "Where is Zuko anyway?"
"Ah, he's out with his new girlfriend." Iroh chuckled. "Sweet girl. She's from the former colonies and now lives here in the upper ring with her mother's family."
Genuinely happy to hear this, Katara expressed her fondness for Zuko moving on and in the right direction. She felt he deserved to be happy despite their past. He wasn't an awful person. They were both just young and confused. What they had was no more than a fling that turned into a difficult situation.
"So, how are things with you and my brother? Did your vacation patch things up?" Iroh asked sweetly as he poured her some more tea.
Seldomly, Katara's gaze dropped to the tea. She decided it best to avoid that question. Reaching into her pocket, the waterbender pulled out a bag of the herbal remedy she was able to save before Ozai threw it all out. She placed it on the table and pushed it towards Iroh.
"Are you familiar with this?" Katara asked him.
Iroh picked up the small pouch and looked it over, sniffing it even before placing it down to look strangely at Katara.
"Where'd you get this?"
"Ozai's been making me take it since after you all left. I didn't have a clue why he was adamant about me taking it everyday until a few weeks ago but now, I can't have anymore of it since I've been drinking it far too much and it's caused side effects." Katara explained. "Do you have anything similar to this that I can have?"
Iroh furrowed his brows as he looked back and forth between her and the tea pouch. "Katara...this is a drug the high borns use on their wives to make them more submissive and obedient. Why would you want anything like this?" He felt deeply concerned.
"Because it helps me." She told him as she started fidgeting. "I need it but Ozai tossed it out after King Kuei's physician said it was causing me side effects. You see, we're trying to have another child and I haven't been able to conceive. If I could just get my nerves to calm down without the added side effects, I could get pregnant and then Ozai won't be so upset with me. You have to help me, Iroh. Please."
Shaking his head, Iroh couldn't bring himself to do that. There was nothing wrong with the woman. His brother was just cruel.
"Iroh, please," Katara reached for the old man's hand and squeezed it as her eyes begged him. "I can't-...I need something to get me through this. Please, I'm scared I won't be able to keep this up."
"Kat-"
"An assassin came to kill me not long ago." Katara dropped her head as she cried. "And I stopped fighting back. Not because I was scared or was too weak, I stopped fighting because I was tired of everything. I just wanted it to all be over. Iroh, you have to help me, please, I don't have anyone else. My own family can't help me. Just you. You know how he is."
It was utterly sickening what his brother did to this girl but Iroh could see she didn't have many options. Relenting, Iroh nodded and squeezed her hand back.
"Even if I gave you this, Katara, it won't change anything." He told her.
Trying to clear up her face, "What can I do? I can't leave, he'll just find me and if anyone helps me, he'll kill them. Besides, Kai loves him and he's Soji's father. I can't just take them from him or leave them with him."
Iroh sighed, "Ozai is a monster for doing this to you but I'll help however I can. I'll alter the blend to make it more potent and cause very little side effects. I'll have it ready tomorrow."
Katara stood up and went around the table to hug the old man, "Thank you, Iroh! Thank you so much!"
But Iroh didn't think he was deserving of being thanked. He should have intervened long ago when he noticed the waterbender was seeing his brother in prison. She was clearly suffering from Stockholm syndrome and was attached to the man because she was carrying his child. Clearly, she didn't see any of this coming but they all knew she was playing with fire. Now, things were worse, much worse. So much so she admitted to being suicidal knowing there was no way out. He'd do this for her if it kept her alive. If it meant Kai and Soji didn't have to grow up without their mother.
"Please, Katara, take care of yourself." Iroh told her.
Nodding her head, "I will."
Later that night, Iroh worked on the concoction and it was well past midnight. He wanted to make sure he had gotten the right portions of everything before he gave it to Katara. Like he told her, it would be stronger and cause her fewer side effects but he had to be precise.
"Uncle, why are you still up?" Zuko asked as he came down stairs rubbing his eyes.
Iroh continued focusing, "I'm just making tea for my sister-in-law. She stopped by earlier while you were out."
"She did?" He seemed surprised. He didn't think her and his father would actually show up. "How was she?"
"She was fine." Iroh lied to his nephew. "I told her about you and Rin. She's happy you've moved on."
Zuko nodded, "How's things with her and father? Is everything alright?"
Taking his eyes away from what he was doing, Iroh looked at his nephew and gave him a smile. "It's getting late, Zuko. Get some rest. I need you to look after the shop tomorrow. I'm going to pay her a visit at the palace."
Though his uncle was smiling, Zuko knew he was hiding something, maybe Katara wasn't fine and his uncle didn't want him getting involved. It was probably wisest that way. He only ever hurted her. It was better for his uncle to handle things with her.
…..
"Is that so?" Ozai replied as Katara told him she went to see Iroh and got him to alter the remedy so that she could take it.
Nodding her head, Katara pulled her hair behind her ear and told him it would be stronger. She hoped it really was. Maybe she wouldn't feel anything at all. She'd like that.
"You know, you wouldn't need to take anything if you'd just be cooperative on your own." He told her, sitting in the study of their chambers drafting up a plan for the Earth King to review. "I don't see what's so hard about getting along with your husband. You women always have to make a fuss about something."
Katara's gaze dropped as he went on berating her for not simply being a good wife and needing to rely on a drug that he gave her. She clenched her dress in her hands and bore through his rant. He wouldn't let her leave the study until he was done working on whatever he was overseeing. He needed her help understanding the climate of things here and while he wouldn't allow her to participate with him in the meeting he had to go to shortly, he did seek out her knowledge.
Once he finally stopped telling her how she was too reliant on the drug, the Fire Lord resumed his work in silence, only speaking when he needed her input on something. Katara just sat across from his desk staring at her hands in her lap as she patiently waited for him to call on her or finish. Really, she just couldn't wait to see Iroh. Not only would he have her tea ready but his presence made her feel better.
"Your majesty, your brother is here to see you." A guard stated as he poked his head into the study.
Katara jumped up out of her seat and rushed out to see Iroh. Ozai glared at her as she did this and caught up to her, snatching her arm as he pulled her back.
"I'll deal with Iroh. You go sit in the courtyard or something." He told her.
"But-"
"Don't argue with me. Just do as I tell you." He squeezed her arm.
Katara winced as she felt his hand heat up.
When he let go, Ozai proceeded to meet his brother in the lobby of their chambers and saw the man carrying a box wrapped in a blue bow. He eyed the older man suspiciously as he approached.
"Brother, you look quite youthful." Iroh stated.
Cutting to the chase, "Is that the blend you made for my wife?"
Iroh nodded, "Yes, I stayed up all night to make it for her. She seemed pretty eager to have it."
"And you're just as eager to make it, it seems." Ozai looked Iroh up and down with disdain.
Chuckling, "Your jealousy is unwarranted, Ozai. Katara is like a niece/daughter to me. I only ever mean to look out for her."
Ozai took the box from Iroh, "You needn't look out for her. She has me. You may go now."
"But I was hoping to see Kat-"
"Your purpose is served, Iroh. Leave."
"Oz-"
"Guards." Ozai called and the guards immediately apprehended his older brother. "Escort him out."
As soon as Iroh was gone, Ozai carried the box to where he found Katara pacing back and forth. When she saw him with the box, he saw she was disappointed that his brother wasn't accompanying him.
Walking up to her, the Fire Lord handed his wife the box and saw her stare at it as it was in her hands.
"Iroh didn't want to come in?" She asked.
"Why would he?" Ozai retorted.
Sighing as she shut her eyes, "You didn't let him in, did you?"
"I don't understand why you're worried about another man coming to see you."
"Iroh is my friend but more like family. I wanted to see him." Katara held the box tight as she saw the blue bow on it. "Tea always tastes better when you have someone to share it with."
Scoffing, "Then we'll just have tea together."
"I'll just drink it alone. Iroh's tea is good either way." Katara stated as she walked away with the box.
….
Next few days, Katara noticed the tea wasn't working and she was losing her grip. Instead of making her docile and timid, she felt like she was on edge. She was paranoid and fearful. She couldn't sleep because she was antsy and she'd completely zone out whenever Ozai was saying something to her, literally hearing no word he said. Most of the time she was crying or on the verge of tears. Everything was off with her. She was a hysterical mess and Ozai couldn't take it for another minute. He ordered Katara to be restrained while he left to go speak with his brother. Obviously, Iroh was at fault.
Ozai burst into his brother's tea shop and demanded everyone leave. The people all ran out, frightened by the Fire Lord's presence as he strolled up to where he saw Iroh wiping down a table.
"Brother, you've finally come for a visit." Iroh sat the rag down on the table.
Setting the table on fire, "What the hell did you put in that tea, Iroh?!" Ozai bit out.
"I just enhanced the ingredients and added something that would lift her mood a little." Iroh furrowed his brows. "Is she okay?"
"I wouldn't fucking be here if she was okay, you old fuck! That woman is all over the fucking place! And she's a terrible mess because of that Agni damn tea! You make something to calm her down!"
Iroh sighed, "Ozai, I'm not a physician. I only make tea. Maybe you should seek out the Earth King's physician."
Ozai grabbed Iroh and threw him up against a wall, "You fix my wife, Iroh! You fix her now!"
Staring seldomly at his brother, "There's only so much I or tea can do. I told her that. It will solve nothing. Whatever you're doing to make her like this, you have to stop it or she'll always be this way. You're breaking that girl and everyone that knows her will see that."
Lighting his fist on fire, Ozai was about to straight up kill his older brother when he was suddenly stopped by his eldest son, who pulled him off of Iroh. Zuko tried to throw a punch but Ozai grabbed his wrist and snapped it right that second. As Zuko went down wincing in pain, Iroh rushed to him and offered to help him away.
"What have you done to Katara?!" Zuko yelled.
"What have I done?! Ask your uncle! He gave her some fucked up tea and she's a heaping mess!"
Iroh sighed, "Ozai, why don't you let me go see her? Maybe I can help if I see what's wrong with her."
Ozai clenched his fists. "Fine."
"Zuko, go see a local physician for that. I'll be back soon." Iroh told him.
"You don't want me to come with you?" He asked.
Iroh shook his head, "Katara's in a fragile state. It's best if it is just me."
Bringing Iroh into his chambers, Ozai led his brother to where Katara was restrained to a chair with a gag over her mouth. Iroh was distraught by the sight of the waterbender as she was drooling through her gag and leaning forwards in a lethargic fashion. He rushed to her and quickly removed the gag. The old man watched her eyes lift to him and he cupped her face as she didn't seem to register anything. She was out of it.
Looking over his shoulder to his brother, "Ozai, she needs a physician."
"I'm not letting that palace physician look at her. He'd just run back and tell King Kuei everything!"
"Ozai, it's not the damn tea! I can't save her! Go get someone to help!" Iroh snapped.
Ozai glared at him but watched Katara fall forward onto the floor.
"Someone get help!" Iroh directed towards the servants and they quickly ran off, ignoring the Fire Lord when he tried to stop them.
Help eventually came and the palace physician had the Fire Lady moved into the infirmary. Of course, her husband didn't like this but the Earth King had ordered she be placed there to get all around care until she was better. Even though Ozai was Fire Lord, he had no jurisdiction here and therefore very little authority.
It didn't take long for the physician to find someone poisoned the Fire Lady with a plant based poison that caused madness. It was usually slow acting but it seemed to work pretty fast with the Fire Lady. Ozai was going to blame Iroh until the physician had looked through the tea the Fire Lady had received from the Fire Lord's brother and noticed there was no trace of the poison in the tea. The source was from somewhere else and it was a plant that could only be found in the Fire Nation which made the Fire Lord's own servants suspects. Ozai had them all interrogated and found the culprit. Apparently, the servant claimed to be putting the Fire Lady out of her misery and did it as an act of mercy. The statement called the attention of the Earth King.
"Mercy? Why would it be mercy?" King Kuei asked.
The servant looked down, "We look after her all the time and so we see things. Her majesty is a sad woman and is constantly put under stress. I have watched her talk to herself, cry herself to sleep, force herself to eat till she is sick, do her best to put on a smile when anyone looking at her can see she's in pain, I just wanted to help her."
"By taking her life?" Iroh asked in a disheartening tone.
Nodding her head, "She's already tried. Several times. We keep having to stop her from drowning herself or slitting her wrists. She's even tried to jump off a balcony."
Angry at this, "And why the hell wasn't I made aware?!" Ozai demanded to know.
"Forgive us, your majesty but you only make matters worse. We felt it was best you didn't know. The guards too. They sometimes help us cover things up." The servant said tearfully. "I told none of them about what I was prepared to do. I thought the poison would take her in her sleep. It would be a much more peaceful end than the one she was seeking out. It was mercy. I promise."
King Kuei had heard enough and ordered his guards to take the woman to a prison cell in the dungeons below ground.
Having one last thing to say, "The Fire Lady is a good woman but the things she endures, I pity her."
Before the guards could take her away, the servant caught fire and screamed in agony as the palace guards moved away from her. Iroh and the Earth King were in shock as Ozai watched the woman burn and turned his back to her.
"It's only right she die for trying to kill my wife." He stated before walking off.
…
As the Fire Lady spent her days of recovery in the infirmary, King Kuei had a long discussion with his advisors and the Fire Lord's brother. They all felt that with the horribly drafted plan and the clear mistreatment of the Fire Lady, that Fire Lord Ozai was not a changed man. To them, he was still a threat and was biding time until he could repair his own forces and economy to launch another campaign of war. It was apparent to them that the only thing to do was to take him down before he reached such heights again.
Of course, there was some opposition to this. They felt it was a terrible idea as the Fire Lord's relationship with his wife and poorly drafted union agreement wasn't enough to condemn him to death. There was also the issue of who would take the throne. Sure, Zuko was the obvious choice but Fire Lord Ozai had two other candidates. Some tried to point out that the boys were merely children but the strife for the throne would be clear when the boys were older. It was a matter that they wanted no part in and needed to be careful as the politics of one nation affected all nations.
But King Kuei was set in his ways about this and privately ordered the assassination of Fire Lord Ozai to take place on the day of his departure.
When Katara finally woke, the physician went to get the Earth King and brought him to the infirmary as ordered. The palace servants were helping her wash up and change her clothes when King Kuei finally showed up. Once she was fully clothed, the Earth King entered and saw the waterbender looked out of as to be expected.
"Glad I can finally see you after an entire week of you staying in my home." Kuei chuckled as he was granted a seat by the physician.
Rubbing her head, "Sorry, I haven't been well lately."
"So I've heard." He said. "I wanted to ask you something. Something that's been brought to my attention."
Katara nodded as she sat up in the infirmary bed.
"Fire Lord Ozai, does he put his hands on you?" Kuei asked in a serious tone with an expression to match.
Shaking her head, "No."
"Is he cruel in other ways?"
Pulling her hair behind her ear, Katara looked away and shook her head.
"Katara, please. I want to help." Kuei stated as he showed empathy. "I'm well aware of what took place before you ended up as his wife. To be honest, none of this sits right with me but I want to know, do you want my help?"
Hanging her head, "Forgive me but I don't think it's appropriate to be talking about my husband this way with you."
Furrowing his brows, Kuei sighed and nodded. "Of course. Forgive me. I've just heard a lot as of late and I want to make sure you're safe."
"I-"
"How about you stop interrogating my wife?!"
The two turned their heads to see Ozai enter in a fit of rage. King Kuei stood up and his guards entered as the Fire Lord got between the man and the Fire Lady. He was fuming with rage. No one reported his wife was awake or anything. He had to find out all on his own and he was not pleased with what he heard.
"You've overstepped! If you were a married man, you'd know that no one should DARE come between a man and his wife! You ask my wife absurd questions! Are you trying to make her turn against me?!" Ozai shouted angrily.
Keeping his composure, "We all heard what the servant said, Fire Lord Ozai. Your wife tries to kill herself and none of them inform you for the reason of you causing a far greater problem. That servant was even going as far as to kill your wife out of mercy. If that doesn't speak value to your cruelty towards Lady Katara behind closed doors then surely your past with her does."
Ozai was about to strike the man when a pair of arms wrapped around him and pulled him back. He was about to turn his rage onto that person until he saw it was his wife and she was in tears.
"Ozai, stop. Please, stop. Let's just go home. Okay?" Katara begged.
Hesitant, Ozai looked back at the Earth King who was giving him a smug look.
"Maybe you should listen to your wife, Fire Lord." King Kuei told him as he moved past the hotheaded man and took his leave. "You may spend your final night here and a carriage will be prepared for your departure in the morning."
As soon as the Earth King was gone, Ozai turned to his wife and saw she was trying to get back into bed. He scooped her up immediately and carried her out of the infirmary, ignoring the physician trying to stop him. Back in their chambers, he laid the waterbender in the bed and sat on the edge beside her. She didn't look him in the eyes. Timidly hanging her head as she shook a little. Obviously, she was afraid of him now. He mentally begrudged this as he moved his hand to cup the side of her face and watch while her blue eyes lifted to him, fearful and distressed.
"Is dying better than being with me, Katara?" Ozai asked her, still caressing her face.
"That's not-"
"Be honest with me!" He demanded.
Katara reached for his wrist and pulled his hand from her face as her face balled up in anguish. "You said you'd never hurt me again but you've hurt me more in these few weeks than I've ever been hurt in my life. I had hoped this vacation would make things better between us but…" looking down as she shook her head. "I can't run away, you'll just find me. No one can help me, you'll just fight them. And you refuse to divorce me even though I don't understand why you wouldn't. We're not happy together. Sometimes death looks like my only way out but I only halfway go through with it. Every time I think of the boys, I know I can't leave them behind. So, I'm just here. I only know that I'm still here and I'm trying to survive you."
Ozai's gaze hardened as he turned his head from her, "I'm not trying to hurt you."
"But you are."
"I wouldn't if you'd just love me already." He shut his eyes.
"I don't know how to." Katara cried. "I don't know how to love someone like you, Ozai. You scare me most of the time."
"I'm just a man, damn it! What the hell do you want from me?!" He rose to his feet and shouted at her. "I deserve to be loved just like every other Agni damn person on this fucking earth! Why can't anyone just do that?! Why?! Why do I have to beg people to give a fuck about me?! Why?!"
Katara swallowed her tears and continued staring down.
"I'm your fucking husband and I'm not ever going to divorce you! And you're damn right if you try to leave me, I will find you and you will be no different than you were when we met! I'll chain you to the bed and your sons will never see you again! I'll tell them you've abandoned them!" Ozai screamed at her. "Your life would be so much easier if you'd just give me what I want!"
"What do you want, Ozai?"
The waterbender soon watched her husband undress and climb into bed on top of her. He took her by her jaw and squeezed her face. "I want you to love me! Even if you have to lie or pretend! Just love me!"
The waterbender cried and nodded. "Okay, Ozai. I will."
"Say it!" He hissed as he shook her head, still squeezing her face. "Say you love me!"
"I love you." Tears spilled down Katara's face.
"Again!"
"I love you."
"I want you to keep saying it while I take you. Maybe then you'll give me the daughter I've been asking you for." His hand moved from her face to her neck and he pulled up her dress, tearing her panties from her to toss aside. "I want you to say my name too. Say 'I love you, Ozai.'"
"I love you, Ozai."
"Good girl. Now keep saying it. I'll make it quick." He purred.
…
The following morning, the Fire Lord and Lady were making their way through the halls to the entrance of the palace to leave. Their things had all been packed by the servants and placed in the carriage. They planned to leave without saying as much as a goodbye to anyone. Ozai had pissed off the Earth King and everyone else. Not that he cared. Clearly, relations weren't going to be improved but he didn't exactly give a fuck about that at the moment. He just wanted to leave.
Holding his wife's hand as he pulled her along with him, Ozai was accompanied by his guards and kept his guard up. He had a suspicion that the Earth King might have a few extra words for him or no words at all, really. Things didn't sit well with him about that man.
Katara held onto Ozai's hand as she tried matching his strides to not but yanked along for not keeping up. She wasn't exactly feeling too well as she hadn't recovered from being poisoned and Ozai didn't let her get much rest last night. It had been a lie when he said he'd make it quick. Her sore body could attest to that.
As they reached the entrance, the two were met by an official and his entourage. They seemed to want to say something but Ozai wasn't in the mood.
"Fire Lord Oz-"
"I've had enough of the pleasantries, men. My wife and I would like to return home." Ozai bit out as nicely as he could muster in his super annoyed state.
"Then allow us to send you home with a warm farewell." They all smiled.
Katara could tell something wasn't right and was surprised that Ozai hadn't realized the men were reaching for something within their sleeves. She acted quickly and in time. Shoving Ozai behind her, she erected a wall of ice between them and the officials using the water from the vases of flowers around them. Knives pierced into it seconds later and Katara ordered the guards to defend the Fire Lord. Ozai was soon surrounded by his men as his wife took out the men in their way. She brought down the wall off ice, turning it into water to slam the men into the wall, freezing them in place.
But before they could make a run for it, some figure leapt down in front of the Fire Lord and his men. The guards quickly defended their sovereign but were easily tossed away by the earthbenders' fighting capabilities. Ozai struck the assassin down without effort but Katara saw yet another figure come down behind him and once again she jumped into motion. However, Ozai noticed her coming towards him and then saw his attacker. As soon as she tried to get in the way, he grabbed her and threw her to the ground, refusing to let her take the blade for him.
Katara stared wide as her husband was stabbed in his back and then immediately knocked upside the head with a rock by another. She saw his amber eyes fall on her as collasped and could see his lament. It looked like he wanted to say he was sorry or that he regretted how things were. And maybe she was reading too much into it. Maybe she just wanted to believe he was capable of truly being apologetic. Or maybe she just felt too attached to him to let him die here. Whatever it was, Katara went to tear the bastards that attacked her husband away from him and finished them both off. She didn't feel like she was completely aware of what she was doing. Simply running off of instincts and adrenaline.
Once things were secured, what was left of their guards quickly helped her get Ozai into their carriage so they could escape. Nursing his head in her lap while the carriage rode off, Katara saw her husband was staring up at her and looked somewhat responsive. She caressed his face and gazed somberly back down at him.
"I won't let you die, okay? I won't." She told him before squeezing her teary eyes shut.
Katara felt his bloody hand go to her face and she reopened her eyes to see him mouthed something to her. She could tell he was struggling to, likely from his head injury but she could make out just a little of what he was trying to say. It bothered her to see those words come off his lips and it honestly, broke her heart.
Shaking her head, "I won't, Ozai. I won't. I don't care about what's happened. I won't let you-"
Before she could finish her words, Katara's heart set into panic as she watched his eyes roll to the back of his head as he coughed up blood.
…..
A/N:
Thanks for reading! I'm already halfway through with the next chapter. Should be up in a week.