Ozai: Prince of Love

Just because it was a foregone conclusion, that didn't mean that Ozai couldn't still glorify in his victory.

A month after he turned sixteen, Ozai was told by his mother, the Lady Ilah, that he had been betrothed to Ursa of Yukuefumei. It was explained that the marriage was significant for various reasons, both political and personal. The Outer Islands had, over the course of the War with the Earth Kingdom, drifted into a kind of sovereignty, with some of the more obscure islands no longer even bothering to send tax tributes to the Fire Lord. Yukuefumei was a cultural leader amongst the Outers, even boasting a Noble presence in its denizens, and by joining a prominent member to the Royal Family, was declaring allegiance to the Fire Lord and reminding the other islands of their true loyalty. This, it was explained to Ozai, was his father's canny and subtle way of reestablishing control over the Outers, without wasting any resources that could better be applied towards the war.

Ozai hardly cared. The Outer Islands would bow to the Burning Throne, or be dealt with after the Earth Kingdom had been broken and harnessed.

The other major reason Ursa was considered worthy of a Prince of the Fire Nation was her lineage. Her grandfather was none other than Avatar Roku, and while both Sozin and Azulon had begun a policy of downplaying the Avatar's significance in Fire Nation history (and its future), there was no denying the power commanded by such a Bender. Perhaps, if a descendent of the Avatar were married to a member of the Royal Family, all of whom were known to be mighty Firebenders in their own right, the offspring would be even stronger yet. This didn't even get into the possibilities offered by mingling the chi energies of the two families, and what that might achieve. It was a worthy experiment, certainly.

It's not like Ozai's children would serve any other real purpose, with Iroh already expecting an heir.

Despite the implications, Ozai found this prospect interesting. If it worked, he had everything to gain, and nothing really to lose (that he could think of, anyway). Surely, if Azul- Father were interested enough to arrange the experiment in the first place, he would be especially pleased if Ozai's heirs turned out to be successes. Iroh might be the darling conquering general, but what was guile compared to power, to a Fire Lord?

This Ursa might even be a worthy ally in her own right. Some companionship would be nice.

So it was that Ozai decided to fully support the betrothal, and bring Ursa into his family as a loyal and proactive wife. However, personal devotion was always more reliable than mere Law, so Ozai resolved to woo this Ursa of Yukuefumei, to make her adore and revere and treasure and love him. After all, he was attractive and wily; what more could a woman want?


"Greetings, Father, my Fire Lord. First, I would like to formally offer my gratitude for the betrothal you have seen fit to arrange for me. I understand the ideas and purposes behind it, and I am honored to serve you in such a manner, and feel..."

Azulon tuned Prince Ozai out as the young man droned on. Really, the kid was quite annoying, always playing the toady in hopes that it would win him more importance and power. And Ozai wondered why Iroh was the favored heir; what kind of a Fire Lord would a professional suck-up make? Anyone who relied on flattery and fortune to win favor would never learn what was necessary to lead effectively. It was better to be the best, rather than merely good enough and excessively loud about it.

"Prince Ozai, cut to the chase."

The young man nodded and offered a slight bow. "I have come to you with another request, but one that I feel ultimately serves you. I ask that the Lady Ursa of Yukuefumei be brought here, to the Capital, as soon as possible. While the plans for the marriage are proceeding, I feel it best to be allowed to properly woo the girl, so that she will enter into the union with the same enthusiasm for the Greater Glory of the Royal Family than I myself possess. It would allow-"

"Very well, Prince Ozai, I see your point. But have you considered that perhaps the girl would prefer additional time in her home before leaving it forever?"

Ozai blinked. "Of course, Father, but what are any of our individual needs, compared to the greater benefit of the Fire Nation? We must all think of-"

"I get the idea." Azulon lifted one hand to massage his skull; Prince Ozai had a knack for giving him headaches. "I will issue the order that Lady Ursa be sent here to learn the ways of the Capital before her wedding."

It took another five minutes for Prince Ozai to finish bowing.


Ursa arrived two weeks later, and Ozai wasted no time in composing a formal invitation for a meeting. He sent his most reliable personal servant to deliver it, and carry back a reply. Granted, since the mansion in question was directly across from the palace itself, it would have been easy enough to simply walk over himself, but Ozai wanted to do this right. What would a girl think of a prince who did his own dirty work? Better for her to think he was focused on what was really important, Fire and Power. What girl would want a weakling for a husband?

The servant bowed as he walked into Ozai's room. "Lady Ursa was delighted to receive you invitation-"

"YES!"

"-but regrets that she cannot meet with you today. She needs to settle in, after her journey."

Ozai sunk back into his seat. Refusing an invitation from a Prince of the Fire Nation? The girl was either insane, suicidal, or more powerful than he had ever suspected.

He would have to handle this personally.


Ozai himself, dressed in his most resplendent robes, his hair newly oiled and arranged, stood at the doorstep to Ursa's temporary home. A servant, a young teenager, answered the door. "I," Ozai growled, "am here for the Lady Ursa."

The servant fled. Good. She had some sense. Ozai followed her through the open door.

He hadn't been waiting long in the sitting room when Ursa appeared. Ozai detected her presence before she had even entered the room, the soft grace of her movements betrayed by a subtle warmth. He spun to face his fiancé for the first time, his expression crafted to project sternness and strength.

It was completely undermined by his jaw dropping as soon as he laid eyes on Ursa.

"Prince Ozai, you honor me with your visit. Your desire for my company is very flattering, but I'm afraid that I must defer the opportunity for now. My mother made me promise that I would write her as soon as I arrived in the Capital, and she worries so much. Perhaps the Royal Family could lend me a hawk, so that news of my safe arrival would reach her quicker? Thank you so much. I look forward to joining your family, and meeting with you later."

It was then that Ozai realized he had been led straight out the mansion's front door. It closed softly behind him.

Well, ashes.


"It was... unsettling! Her appearance- her very presence- robbed me of intelligence and ability!"

Cadet Candidate Zhao resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He may have been a little older than his fellow former student from the Royal Fire Academy for Boys, but it simply would not do to show even the slightest bit of disrespect to a Prince of the Fire Nation. He spoke gingerly. "Your highness, you... uh... have not had much experience with women, so perhaps it's merely an issue of-"

"Think, Zhao. Think carefully how you want to continue that statement."

Zhao did so. Surely, kissing up to Prince Iroh might be easier, but Cadet Candidate Zhao had an eye for up-and-comers, and Ozai definitely had a winner's drive. It was that same instinct that had led Zhao to Admiral Jeong-Jeong, who the cadet candidate looked forward to studying under next month. Being a friend to Ozai would pay off in the long run, Zhao was sure of it. "I meant no disrespect, my prince. I merely meant that, just like with any endeavor, commanding a woman takes training. You wouldn't try to command a warship, having merely seen one from afar, would you?"

Ozai stroked his chin, and the small amount of hair growth it had accumulated, as he considered that advice. Zhao resisted the urge to smile. That should settle Ozai down, and allow them to get back to Firebending training. Admiral Jeong-Jeong was by all accounts a demanding teacher, and Zhao wanted to be ready to-

"Excellent point, Zhao!" Ozai boomed, standing up. "I need more information about Ursa, so I must observe and study her! And, to maintain an advantage, I need to know her better than she knows me! That's what they taught us in the academy, isn't it?"

"Um, well, yes, but-"

"So I must spy on Ursa. And you'll help me, of course."

Well. So much for training.


Ozai wobbled where he stood. "Steady, Zhao. If you mess this up, my life could be in danger! And my father will be most displeased if you're complicit in the death of a Prince of the Fire Nation!"

Below him- literally, for Ozai was standing on Zhao's shoulders- the cadet candidate grumbled something under his breath about watching his voice. That was a good point, actually. This mission depended on absolute secrecy. What would people think if a Prince of the Fire Nation were caught below a local girl's bedroom window? Granted, those thoughts would likely be absolutely correct, but no one said the truth wasn't treasonous.

Ursa's bedroom balcony was within reach.

Zhao took a halting step forward, and Ozai grabbed the railing with both arms, steadying himself. He held himself motionless, and listened. He thought he detected the sound of a feminine voice, humming softly. It wasn't a tune he recognized, so it probably came from Ursa's home island. Perhaps he could win her attention by asking to be taught the words...

Ozai's eyes rose above the balcony railing, and he peered into the bedroom at the figure within.

A servant girl- the young one who had answered the door before- looked over from where she was polishing a full-length mirror, let her eyes grow wide, and screamed.

Ozai instinctively let go of the railing to assume a proper Firebending stance, but said stance unfortunately called for a widening of his legs that worked a lot better on stable ground than it did on the shoulders of another man. Predictably, Ozai and Zhao tumble to the ground together.

When they extricated themselves from their undignified heap, Zhao looked to Ozai. "What now, my prince?"

Inside, the dratted servant girl was still screaming. "Tactical retreat, Zhao. Tactical retreat. Negative jing at its finest."


There was no better cure for anger and frustration than a good, intense Firebending sparring session. Ozai had just knocked Zhao to the floor with for the sixth time in a row- in this instance, with a leaping scissor kick that sent a wave of fire at the target's head- when Ursa stepped onto the sidelines of the arena. Ozai was so distracted by her that he nearly forgot to send another fireball in Zhao's direction to make sure the other young man stayed on the ground.

Ozai turned to face his betrothed. On the horizon, the sun began to set.

The Lady from Yukuefumei smiled and bowed at the waist. "My servant claimed she had quite a scare, earlier. When she was cleaning. In my bedroom."

Ozai made a face. "I'm sure I would know nothing about that. I don't usually pay attention to servants."

Ursa just stared. "Well... I'm sorry to have bothered you, Prince Ozai. Perhaps we can meet again, in a formal- supervised- setting." Her hands were clasped in her sleeves, but the movement of the fabric betrayed nervous fidgeting. "I will be honest with you, Prince Ozai. Leaving home, to come marry a man I never met before... a Prince of the Fire Nation... I apologize if my behavior has been frustrating, but... I will do my duty. I will do the honorable thing. No matter what." She turned-

"I'm sorry."

Ursa turned back.

Ozai wondered what had made him say that, But the look on Ursa's face made it more than worth it. "I... I understand that my father arranged this marriage, for very good reasons, but... I would be pleased if you... liked me. I certainly hold you in regard, and would like to value you even more as time goes on. That is what has driven my actions. If I have made this more difficult for you... I... regret that. I just want to know more about you, so that I can make you love me."

"Make me?" Ursa quirked an eyebrow, but her voice held amusement. "Prince Ozai, we on the Outer Islands cannot be made to do anything. Not to a good end, anyway. It would be so much better for everyone if we wanted to have loyalty to the Fire Lord, if we wanted to enter into a union of friendship and proper decorum. Do you hear what I say?"

Ah, the girl understood subtlety, to a measure. "Yes, I hear. I think I have much to learn from you, aside from how to treat women."

She smiled. "Oh, much more than that." Her eyes focused down at his bare chest. "And the other way around, of course."

After she left, Ozai indulged in a leap that sent wings of flame towards the sky. "YES! I'm! On! Fire!"

Still on the ground, Zhao indulged a good, long rolling of his eyes.

END