Chapter 23
"Are you ready?" Ozai asked from the doorway.
Ursa turned towards her husband, necklace in hand. It had a black band with gold beads designed to look like the Royal emblem. Ozai had given it to her on their second wedding anniversary and she tried to wear it whenever they had a public appearance. Her robes were a deep red with gold trim, and her hair had been done up in an elaborate curled hairstyle, her ceremonial headpiece nestled on top of her hair. "Almost," she replied. "Can you help with this?"
Ozai nodded and stepped into the room and walked over to her, taking the necklace from her hand, she swept her hair over her shoulder as he stood behind her and clasped the necklace around her neck. Her hand went up to the necklace and toyed with it with a small smile.
"You look beautiful," Ozai told her, leaning down and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you," she said.
The Caldera City Theater was premiering a brand new play tonight in honor of Fire Lord Sozin's life, and the entire royal family, as well as all of the Fire Nation nobles, would be in attendance. Ursa had been looking forward to it for the past few days; she always loved when they were invited to the theater. Attending a night at the theater was more entertaining than the boring dinner parties that they were invited to. When Ursa had married Ozai, she hadn't realized how many boring dinner parties and tea parties that she would have to attend over the years, and it never got any easier. But attending a night of theater was something that she loved to do, and she would never dream of complaining about it.
"You look nice," Ursa told her husband.
"Thank you, darling," Ozai replied, offering his arm for her. "The carriage is waiting outside."
Ursa nodded her head and took his offered arm. Together, they made their way outside to the waiting carriages. Ursa and Ozai were going to take one of them and Fire Lord Azulon and Lu Ten would be in the second carriage. Lu Ten was already waiting outside the palace, but Azulon hadn't arrived outside yet.
"Lu Ten," Ursa greeted her nephew with a smile as Lu Ten fidgeted and pulled against the collar of his robes.
It amazed her how much he had grown in the past year. At nearly thirteen years old, Lu Ten was becoming more and more grown-up by the day. He was growing taller by the day, and soon he was going to be taller than Ursa. His voice was beginning to get deeper, and he was starting to become a man instead of a child. She was proud of the person that he was becoming, and she was sure that he would be a great man and soldier when the time was right.
"Aunt Ursa!" Lu Ten greeted with a smile on his face. He bowed respectfully to both Ozai and Ursa, and Ozai simply inclined his head towards his nephew.
"It looks like you've grown taller since this morning," Ursa said with a laugh. "Don't you think, Ozai?"
"Your father would be pleased to see how tall you are getting," Ozai commented.
"Thank you, Uncle Ozai," Lu Ten said with a small smile on his lips. "You look lovely, Aunt Ursa."
"Thank you," Ursa replied, leaning over and hugging her nephew. He stood there stiffly, and Ursa let go a moment later. It made her sad that Lu Ten was so uncomfortable with affection, especially in public, but Ursa was determined to make her own children, whenever she was blessed with them, comfortable with showing and receiving affection.
The doors to the palace opened behind them when Ursa straightened up, and Fire Lord Azulon and his retinue of guards followed behind him. He was wearing black robes with gold trimming with armor over them. His long graying hair was up in a top knot with his headpiece standing tall. Ursa, Ozai, and Lu Ten turned towards Azulon and bowed to Azulon as he came down the steps to where they were standing. Despite the fact that it had been several years since she had married Ozai and became a part of the family, she still found her father-in-law to be incredibly intimidating, especially with his guards trailing him. His guards fanned out and Ursa glanced at the carriages with the dragon moose harnessed and ready to go.
"Father," Ozai greeted him with a nod.
"Prince Ozai. Princess Ursa, you look nice," Azulon said, barely glancing at Ursa before he turned to his grandson to address him.
Ursa felt her stomach flip; she had noticed that Azulon, although never an affectionate man, had seemed more dismissive of her lately, and it made her nervous. She knew that they were disappointed that she hadn't had a child yet, but nobody was more disappointed than Ursa. She desperately wanted a child, more than Ozai or Azulon could possibly want, and it hurt to see that they were starting to treat her differently than they had when Ursa had initially married into the family.
"Come now, Ursa," Ozai's voice took her out of her thoughts and she forced a smile on her lips.
"Of course," she said, letting him guide her towards the second carriage.
It was slightly less ornate than the one that Azulon and Lu Ten would ride in, and Ursa was just glad that Iroh wasn't there. She knew that Ozai would be angrier if his brother was there to ride in the other carriage. She glanced at his face and he seemed impassive, which was a good sign. A servant opened up the doors and Ozai helped Ursa step up into it and she sat down, placing her hands in her lap. Ozai joined her a moment later and the door shut behind him as he sat down across from her.
"Are you excited to see the play?" Ursa questioned her husband.
Ozai shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure that it's going to be a rather exciting play. I've heard the story of my grandfather's life many times."
Ursa nodded her head slightly. "Well, I'm looking forward to it."
"I know that you like plays, so I hope that you enjoy tonight." Ozai paused. "I was thinking that we could spend some time together tonight, afterward."
The carriage had started to move forward, so Ursa had been looking out the window, but when she heard Ozai's question, her heart started to beat faster. Even though he hadn't explicitly said that he wanted to come to her bed tonight, it was heavily implied. He hadn't come to see her in that capacity since her last miscarriage several months ago; after the midwives had suggested that her body needed a break and that they should abstain from trying for a little while. She had known that that was part of why Ozai had been so distant lately, but it made her feel hopeful for the first time in a while that perhaps they would try again, and that maybe this time it would be successful. She desperately wanted to be a mother, desperately wanted a child, and she had been losing hope that it wasn't going to happen.
"I would like that," Ursa replied.
"Good," he said. "I look forward to it."
When they arrived at the Theater, Ursa glanced out the window and saw nobles and military officials milling around, spilling out of the Theater and onto the steps and the grounds. It was a beautiful summer night that wasn't too hot or too cold, so it made sense that people were enjoying the beautiful weather before they were inside for several hours. She watched as a servant rushed up towards the carriage and opened the door for them. Ozai stepped out first and then held his hand out for Ursa, and she took his hand and allowed him to help her step out.
"Thank you," she said, smiling.
Ozai nodded his head. "You're welcome."
"It looks like your father and Lu Ten haven't arrived yet," she mused.
"You know that my father loves a dramatic entrance," Ozai replied.
"True," Ursa agreed.
They made their way up the steps and into the theater. Ursa was always struck by the beauty of the theater, with its hardwood flooring and white walls with beautiful ornately painted murals on the walls; the lobby of the theater was one of her favorite places. She could look at the different murals for hours. It was much nicer than the theater on Ember Island, and they employed only the most talented actors and actresses. Ursa spotted her parents across the lobby and she turned to Ozai.
"I'm going to go say hello to my parents," she told him.
"Okay, I'm going to get a drink, do you want anything?"
Ursa shook her head. "Not right now."
Ozai nodded and Ursa extracted herself from his arm and walked across the lobby to her parents.
"Ursa," her father greeted with a smile on his lips.
"Hi," she greeted them, leaning forward and hugging both of her parents.
"You look beautiful," Rina complimented.
"Thanks," Ursa replied. "So do you, mom."
"Has Fire Lord Azulon arrived yet?" Jinzuk questioned.
"Not yet," Ursa said with a small smile. The play wouldn't start until Azulon arrived at the theater with Lu Ten. "Is Mura here?"
"Somewhere," Rina said. "Have you looked into finding her a place at court?"
Ursa bit down on her lip, guilt filling her stomach. She had promised her mom that she would look into something for her sister, but she had been so busy that she hadn't thought about it. She realized that she wasn't being the best sister that she could be, and she decided that something needed to change.
"I'm working on it," Ursa lied.
"She's going to be so appreciative," Rina said with a smile.
Ursa nodded. "I know," she said, feeling that guilt heavy in her stomach.
They stood there for a few minutes making small talk about various different officials and nobles that were in attendance. It stuck Ursa how over the past few years, she had grown distant from her family and she couldn't help but wonder if that was normal, or if it was because Ozai was her husband. It made her sad to realize that their once-close family wasn't nearly as close as they used to be. She excused herself from her parents when she spotted Ozai standing with a couple that she didn't recognize, and made her way towards her husband.
"Ursa," Ozai greeted. "This is Lieutenant Zhao and his wife Natsuki."
"Hello," Ursa greeted as the couple bowed respectfully to her.
"It's so lovely to meet you, Princess Ursa," Natsuki commented.
She was a pretty woman with a kind face, who looked to be about the same age as Ursa. Zhao, on the other hand, had a hunger in his eyes when he looked at Ursa, and it made her uncomfortable. There was something dark and dangerous to him that put her on edge, but she kept her smile on her face.
"Lieutenant Zhao was just telling me about a library that he found in the Earth Kingdom, it's a fascinating story."
"Oh? What kind of library?" Ursa asked curiously.
"A spirit library, my lady," Zhao replied.
Just as he was about to elaborate, Fire Lord Azulon's guards opened the door and Ursa could see her father-in-law coming up the steps. Everybody lowered down into a bow as Fire Lord Azulon entered the theater with Prince Lu Ten. The theater attendants lead Azulon and Lu Ten up to their box, and Ursa and Ozai said their goodbyes to Zhao and Natsuki and followed in Azulon and Lu Ten's footsteps.
"I would like you to invite Lieutenant Zhao and his wife for tea one day," Ozai told her.
"Of course," Ursa replied, not looking forward to entertaining the Lieutenant but she knew better than to argue with Ozai about the guests that they entertained.
Halfway through the first act of the play, an attendant came and whispered something into Ozai's ear, and he had told her that he would be back, and he followed him out of the box. Ursa had been unable to focus on the rest of the act because she was too focused on thinking about Ozai and who needed him. She knew that it couldn't be something bad, otherwise, they would have gone to Azulon to tell him. When the curtain closed and everybody applauded and stood up for the intermission, Ursa bit down on her lip.
"Can I get you anything, my lord?" Ursa asked her father-in-law.
"No, I'm quite alright," Azulon dismissed her.
Ursa nodded her head and slipped out of the box and went back downstairs to the lobby, hoping to find Ozai.
"Princess Ursa!" Michi called out when she saw her. She was standing with a group of ladies.
Ursa took one more look around before she walked across the lobby to where Michi was standing with Senna and Natsuki.
"You look amazing!" Michi complimented.
"Thanks," Ursa smiled. "So do you. Have you seen Ozai?"
"No, sorry," Senna replied.
"He must have stepped outside for some fresh air. It's such a nice night out," Ursa mused.
"It is, the weather is perfect for a night like this."
Senna excused herself to find her husband, leaving the three of them standing in the lobby.
"Did you see Madame Opal's robes? They are the ugliest that I've ever seen," Michi whispered with a laugh.
"No! Where is she?" Natsuki asked, looking around the lobby to spot the woman. She was standing on the other side, near the door, in a bright orange robe that clashed horribly with her headpiece. "Wow, that's quite the look."
Ursa laughed. "That really is, I'm surprised that she thought that that was a good look."
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Princess, but can I speak to you?" A voice asked from behind her.
Ursa turned and saw Lee, Ozai's best friend, standing there. She didn't know that he was in attendance tonight, but she shouldn't have been surprised to see him. He usually attended these kinds of events.
"Sure," Ursa replied. "I'll see you later," Ursa told Natsuki and Michi before she let Lee lead her away from them. "Is Ozai alright?"
"He's fine," Lee said, waving her concern away. "He had some sudden business that he needed to tend to so I'm going to accompany you for the rest of the night. He said that he would see you back at home."
Ursa furrowed her brow and looked at Lee. Sudden business? What did that even mean? It gave Ursa an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She trusted Ozai, of course, but she didn't like that he had left without telling her.
"What kind of business?" She pushed.
"Don't worry about it, Ursa," Lee said firmly. "It has nothing to do with you, okay?"
She frowned as the attendants began to ring the bells, telling them that the next act was going to start. She didn't trust Lee, and she didn't like what was going on, but she knew that now wasn't the time to push, and Lee wasn't going to betray Ozai's trust anyways.
"Okay," she replied, taking his offered arm.
"You weren't supposed to be in until tomorrow," Ozai commented as he stood on the dock, his arms crossed over his chest.
"We made great time," Meiko replied, the nanny that Ozai had sent to her holding a sleeping Asahi.
"Clearly," Ozai said, looking around the dock. He had come straight from the theater and he looked out of place in his formal robes.
"You look nice," Meiko complimented.
"I was at the theater," he replied. "When Lee told me your ship had arrived I came right here, but I don't have long, I need to go back to the palace soon."
Annoyance flashed in Meiko's eyes. "We didn't need you to come."
"Yes, you did. You don't know where your new apartment is and I have the key."
Meiko looked away and Ozai was regretting this, not for the first time. He knew that Meiko and Asahi living here would cause complications, but his father had made up his mind that Asahi needed to live in the capital and Ozai had known that it was no use to convince him otherwise. He just needed to do his best to keep Ursa and Meiko separate and make sure nobody started to talk about who Asahi's father was.
"Let's go," Ozai said, glancing at the servants as they continued to come in and out of the ship with Meiko's things. He didn't have much time until he needed to meet Ursa back at the palace.
"How was the rest of the play?"
Ursa turned to look at her husband standing in the doorway. "It was good. You would have liked the second act."
"I'm sorry I missed it, maybe we can go again," Ozai suggested, walking into the room.
"Sure," Ursa replied. "Where did you go?"
Ozai reached out and rested his hand on her cheek. "I'm sorry that I had to leave suddenly, I had an urgent letter from Iroh that I needed to respond to."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes. Nothing to worry about," Ozai lied, looking down at her. "Forgive me?"
Ursa bit down on her lip. She wanted to trust him, and he hadn't given her any reason not to. She looked up at him and finally nodded her head. "Okay. I forgive you."
Ozai leaned down and kissed her. "Good. Now let's forget about tonight and enjoy our night."
Author's Note: I hope that you enjoyed this rare midweek update thanks to the two feet of snow outside! I really enjoyed this chapter and I hope that you did as well. As always, leave a review if you enjoyed this chapter and I hope to get another chapter up soon!
