Ikem was upset. It was happening for the 3rd time in a week. Kiyi was caught up in some ceremony again and he was all alone. He was trying his best not to get angry. He felt like a burden. After Ursa left him for Uzai, he was all alone then. But it didn't hurt like this now. He didn't have to wait in a long queue to get an "audience" with his daughter and wife.

He was excited about today. He and Kiyi were going to practice an ancient dance form native to the fire nation. He loved spending time with his daughter. But his daughter had very little time nowadays. Being the Stepsister of mighty Firelord Zuko was not easy. Kiyi had to train hard so that she can defend herself. But to Ikem's disappointment, It was not self-defense training anymore they were turning her into one of them while Ikem was tossed aside. Zuko wanted him to act like a royal too. But he couldn't. He loved being "Ikem the director" than " Ikem stepfather of lord Zuko"

" I am nothing but a burden to them" He tried his best not to. He shook off all his negative thoughts. Ursa was always busy but she always tried to be with him whenever she could. This was more than enough for him to convince himself. he decided to go to the garden to get some air.

"Father will be upset today Mother," Kiyi said

" I know Kiyi but what can we do? We can't just avoid royal duties. not after I abandoned Zuko once" Ursa said.

She was feeling a bit guilty, the last few months weren't easy. She barely spoke to him. She would often return late and Ikem would often fall asleep while waiting for her. She felt bad for him but was too desperate to make things up with Zuko.

"You make it sound like it's father's fault he exists in our life"

"KIYI! How dare you!"

" Do not scream mother" Kiyi said in a calm voice. Something in that voice warned Ursa.

" Kiyi I..."

" Just think how a father feels day after day you are gone he. He can't leave the palace. He can't meet me or you without an appointment. Hell, you even took his acting from him. Why? Because your Great son Zuko said his stepfather couldn't act like a lowly peasant anymore. Did you even think about how father felt? He gave up his entire life for you. his dreams, his freedom, his desires, Everything. Just to make you happy. Did you ever consider how he feels living in this palace? The place where you lived with that filthy man? Why does he have to make all the sacrifices?

You don't need him anymore Do you?

THASSSSSSSSSSSSSS Ursa slapped Kiyi

" Stop It. Just stop it. After all these years I am trying to make everything right and you...after all these years I have my son back. Ikem will understand. He always did. Things are hard for him now but I am trying my best. He understands I love him. he will..." Ursa couldn't finish.

"Mother you disgust me! I can't believe After all the mistakes you made raising Zuko, You are repeating them again. This time father happens to be on the receiving end. Father might really love you. Somebody else would have killed themselves rather than living like this.

"Kiyi you will apologize to your mother right now," Ikem said in a firm voice.

Both Ursa and Kiyi were shocked. "Ikem I..." Ursa tried to say something.

'It's fine Ursa as you said I understand. I always do. No matter how painful it is I always do." He then looked at Kiyi and said "Bow down and apologize right now"

"Father, whatever I said isn't wrong even you know that. Don't think I don't know about your hidden prop collection that you cherish so much. I saw the look on your face when they were forcibly taken from you in the name of national safety. Do you know who ordered them to be taken?

" Why Zuko did. But Kiyi It's okay. Zuko can't have a father who goes around and performs Street shows after all. I understand ..it's okay Kiyi So, please apologize to your mother" Ikem said.

" Father, It was mom. She ordered it. She ordered every single thing to be taken from you. I saw how you cried like a baby after they took them."

"You are wrong Kiyi Ursa will never do something like this. She knows how much they mean to me. She even tried to protect them, I saw it " Ikem said confidently

" HA ha ha ha ha ha ha ha" Kiyi was laughing " Father, She had 2 kids with a man she resents the most. Do you still think she can't act?"

Ikem looked at Ursa in disbelief. Ursa couldn't look him in the eye.

" Ursa, tell me she is lying"

Ursa kept quiet. She was ashamed of herself for what she did to him. This was the main reason she's been avoiding Ikem for the past few months. How could she do this to the man she loved. Azula was right she is the real monster

"Ursa please" Ikem pleaded.

" YES, It was me. I did it. I ordered them to take away your props and everything"

Ikem couldn't react. He just felt empty. Ursa, the love of his life. The girl he waited his entire life for. Did this to him. He just asked, " Why?"

" Ikem I am so sorry. I really am. Past few months, I was so ashamed of myself for this. I just couldn't face you."

Ikem barely heard her. He asked again " Why"

" You are now Zuko's father. All the fire nation nobles were Criticizing how the stepfather of the Firelord likes to perform like a peasant. This was bad for Zuko's reign so I thought ...just for some time until things cool down"

Ikem should be angry but for some odd reason, he felt nothing at all. He said " Ursa you could have told me that. I would have given my life if you asked"

Ursa just kept sobbing. Kiyi tried to hug her dad. But Ikem suddenly spoke up " I want to meet the fire lord"

Ursa was afraid " Ikem please, I did it. I was the one who wronged you. Punish me, scold me hit me anything, please at least say something"

Ikem said to kiyii" I need some time I would be sleeping in one of the guest suits. I would really appreciate I am at least permitted the private time I deserve as a human being"

Kiyi just nodded.

Ursa tried to apologize again. Ikem simply walked away. Ursa sat there thinking about Ikem. She needed him. No matter what she had to make it up to him. He can't leave her. It would be really bad Zuko.

Note: was down with Covid-19. Failed in an admission test. Worked 19 hours a day. So it took a lot just trying to focus. Sorry if this chapter feels rushed. I am not a native speaker so any suggestions will make be better

I will try to update frequently from today

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