Iroh had come home a broken mes, a funeral would be held for his son , it was more of a ceremony for the nation since Iroh had already held a funeral for his son in the Earth Kingdom.
Therefore Ozai stood in his white funeral ceremonial robes, the white formal robes were only worn at funerals. Ozai watches as Ursa made sure the wet nurse was all set to look after her baby son while she was at the ceremony. Even though Ursa let the wet nurse tend to her son at night or when she felt overwhelmed or to tired to deal with the newly born baby, but still the new mother was cooing over her son before she left him. She looked after their son Zuko well, fed him well, she was very hands on for a Royal Princess, Ursa was already dressed off course in her white robes, she just kissed her sons head one last time before she backed up from her little baby.
She looked back to her son one last time as the wet nurse put her son in his crib and took a seat to watch over the the new Prince. Zuko was a name Ozai had chosen it came from a old Fire Lord's name, although since it had not been used in so many years people though it was a new and original name.
" Zuko is in fine hands. We need to go now Ursa." Ozai commanded softly
Ursa gripped her husband hands, she was well considering she only given birth last week, bur her she was still recovering in many ways but she was strong enough to come to the ceremony.
" I know.. She replied softly "It just hard to leave our son's side."
She kept eyes toward her son as they left, Ozai glared at the wet nurse fiercely as he too left nothing could or would happen to his heir not with what was about to be announce today.
After all his father had called him into an into an important but secret meeting, he had been informed how his brother has retired from the army and already chosen a successor continue the war effort.
Iroh also had advocated the throne, he had no desire to rule or fight any more, he just wanted to live his days in peace. Thus today at the ceremony Ozai would officially be crowned heir to the throne, Ozai kept it secret as he was ordered to so he had to keep it from even Ursa. She had no idea what was to happen today but successions always happened at funerals it wasn't that unusual.
The ceremony began to mark Lu Ten's death, they burned an empty casket off course, while the Fire Sages spun off the the list of Lu ten's family line Ursa cried. She knew she'd be forgiving for her tears as new mother's often cries easily enough, it was unusual for royals to cry at funereal.
Ozai knelt silent by her side, he could see her tears steaming down her eyes, he looked as sombre as he could, Iroh knelt with eyes closed with a stern yet with a pretend mournful look.
" With Lu Ten's death a great turmoil has inflicted my first son Iroh." Azulon began grandly "My son Iroh has giving up both his role as General and as giving up his right to the throne. "
The people gathered at the public funeral grasped, this was the one of the few time the people of the capital came together, they mourned together royal deaths, they were used to new Fire Lord's being announced at funerals but this was shocking news to the people, it soon became apparent what was about to transpire.
Ursa eyes widened a bit as she heard the announcement, she had no idea that Iroh had giving up so much, she knew what Azulon had to say, Azulon needed an heir, and with his first born giving up that right, the second in line was about to take his brother's place.
Azulon gestured and Ozai to get up, The second born Fire Prince arose and bowed in front of Fire Sages as he knelt with eyes closed looking humble yet remorseful to the people, to make it look like this wasn't how he wanted this.
"Therefore I shall name my second son Fiire Prince Ozai the crowned Prince of the Fire Nation, after my death he shall become the next Fire Lord." Azulon announced
The nation cheered as a new crowed was placed into Ozai top knot, Ursa eyes became wide, her grandfather's no Sozin's original princely crown was placed onto Ozai's topknot.
She had not seen the crown since it was taken by Azulon, now that crown sat upon her husband's head as he stood and bowed to the people slightly as they cheered to him. She saw his smirk, it was slight but still she saw his satisfaction, that day as he finally got what he had wanted for so long, the thing he had planned for so long.
…
Ursa walked behind her husband after the ceremony had finished quiet, her husband was the crowned Prince now, he'd be Fire Lord once his father died, but now she wondered about her place at his side. She'd giving him what was required of their marriage, a son born of their joint bloodline, so she took his shelve with worry there was much in her mind.
Even though she had been distracted by Zuko a lot. it didn't mean she wasn't watching him, she didn't think he had ben acting right.
"We should talk when we are alone." Ursa lowly announced
He looked behind him, he could see how she hung her head low and gently held his shelve. The should be celebrating his raise to power, but she looked low and unhappy, he was finally first in line, he could finally take his brother's place not only his father's favourite but as Azulon's heir he now had the power to change his fate and his heir's fate.
"We can talk as we celebrate." Ozai replied strongly
"We can celebrate but remember what the doctor said about us being intimate." She replied gently
He rolled his eyes at her as he walked, he knew her body needed time to recover from giving birth, he had to give her a few months for that to happen.
" Yes I know, you can't drink either. " He replied annoyed
Ursa sighed now as she snuggled into him a bit and held his arm as they walked.
…
Yet returned to their room Ursa checked on Zuko in his room, the wet nurse had done a good job with him so Ursa left Zuko in the Wet Nurse's watchful eyes for the night. She often left Zuko for the night in the Wet nurse's hands, although it felt strange to do so it allowed her to rest and recover and the wet nurse was a loyal woman and she would never hurt her son.
Therefore when Ursa went back to the room she shared with Ozai, they were alone again, Servants had changed them into there night robes and left them be so they could be alone, Ozai poured a glass of wine for himself and made his wife tea. He wanted to celebrate with alcohol but Ursa still couldn't drink while she breastfeed. The doctors feared toxins from the wine may be passed on, so tea was all she could drink,Ozai was heir to to throne he had to make sure nothing happened to himself, his son or his wife.
"What is it you want to talk about my dear? " he asked eventually
She sat looking into her tea, she bit her lip for a moment, she should be careful in how she chose her words as they edged on treason.
"It is a fine day for you , my love. Your new title give you a lot more power and influence, even I know the crowned Prince holds more influence.." she began proudly
She looked down, she didn't look in his eyes, she knew there was something not quite right in how he had been acting over his nephew's death.
"Yet I know enough to know when someone is acting right and when something isn't right. I know you haven't been acting right.. " she began steadily You got what you wanted right? "
She saw how he eyes her up, it was a tactful look, he was waiting to hear where she was going with her words.
"Look me in my eyes you have this power now, you have everything..You could have wanted...Tell me what you intend for me Ozai, what is my fate now you have all this."
Ozai watched her look up to him, she stared into his eyes defiant, he saw her tearful look though, he huffed as he saw she held her cup of tea tightly. She probably didn't want to think on how he got this title, he knew she was better then to hint at that or even question how he got here. She knew if she said what she suspected of him then she would be branded a traitor and throwing away into prison or worse.
Her grandfather had died at Sozin's hands, she knew that now, but she looked to him longing yet fearful.
He knew what she feared now, she fear she would be tossed aside, be taken away from this place at his side, the woman who had not wanted this marriage longed to stay by his side.
"Yes this is what I desired, war is ugly though Ursa remember that well. I never foresaw Lu Ten's death or my brothers advocating his throne." Ozai began carefully "Lu Ten's death was tragic and I never was close to the boy so I did not mourn his death like you did."
He lied about not knowing about Lu Ten's death, but truthfully he never foresaw his brother actions. Truthfully Iroh was on his death list too but now he wasn't a threat to his power his brother could live.
Ursa nodded, she didn't like to think on how brutal the war was, yet Ozai had a way of taking to her it convinced her that his words were truthful, so she put her hand to her chest, he erased her doubts.
"Yet you haven't answered my question, I know your father set us up so I could give you a powerful heir, you have your power and a son… You.. Could. I don't want you too." She cried in fear
She put her hands to her face as she wept, she knew deep down he didn't love her.
He acted as if he did, he pretended he did, but she knew it wasn't real. She acted her part too, the loving wife who, she devoured herself to him, she met the exceptions laid upon her, she was his and she couldn't help it because she had falling for him long ago.
Ozai took her hand gently, she cried in feared. Truthfully she could do as she feared, but yet he like having her here, she had done her part part well, yet he couldn't let her go yet as she was his and he could not abide anyone other then him having her.
"Ursa you are my wife, my darling partner, you have a place at my side now more then ever." He replied as romantic as he could muster
She seemed to calm down as he kissed up her arm.
"You belong at my side I wouldn't let anyone but me have you, I'm not going to simply throw you away or discord you."
He kisses her lips, she kisses him back lightly with joyful tears flowing from her eyes. She put her arms around him as she moved from her seat, she clung to him. He rubbed her back as he held her head over his shoulder, he smirked satisfied, no he wasn't letting her go, no he wasn't letting this beautiful woman out of his grasp.
They kissed again as there was a knock on the door. Ozai knew it would not be servant, as they were under instruction not to disturb him at night, he went to open his door to yell at the person who was rude enough to disturb him, yet when got to the door his saw his brother.
"What are you doing here brother?" Ozai asked annoyed
" I came to talk for a bit I have something import to say. , may I enter?" Iroh asked
Iroh looked beyond his brother seeing Ursa sat wiping her eyes, she must of been crying, Ozai looked to him huffing as he saw where his eye darted too.
"Fine but make it quick. " Ozai responded sharply
Iroh entered he took note of Ursa drinking her tea still with red eyes but she looked to him a little taken aback, Ozai crossed his arms annoyed.
" Go ahead brother say what it is you want? " Ozai demanded impatient
Iroh knew his brothers flaws well, he did not have the energy to argue with him or change his brother. This man before him would reign if their father died and he didn't know what Ozai would do with that power, he didn't know Ursa well enough to judge her, but she was kind and sweet.
"Ozai your far too impatient, but I won't impose on you for much longer. I have decided with father's blessing to go on a journey. I need to refine myself after my son's death, find my new meaning in life. I don't know how long I will be away so I am grateful my brother is here to take my place. "
Ozai titled his head a bit.
" Your free to do as you please brother, I don't understand why you came here to me and Ursa to say this. " Ozai replied annoyed
Iroh sighed, he saw how Ursa was trying to keep out of this, so he sighed.
" I came to say good bye off course brother." Iroh replied lightly
They had not got on in years, they never seen eye to eye in years, but Iroh could see even though Ozai had his power and position he could not move past his hate.
" I bid you farewell brother, I hope you are safe and well while I am gone. "Iroh announced humble
Ozai bowed a bit awkward , yet it was Ursa whom spoke.
" I bid you good health in your journey, I hope you find what your looking for. " Ursa announced
Ursa had got up and hugged her brother in law quickly.
" I'm sure Ozai feel the same but you know him, always shy with his feelings." she offered kindly
He looked off from both of them as they laughed, Iroh could see Ursa saw the best in Ozai probably understood him better then he could understand his brother, so he kissed her head.
"Look after my brother well while I'm gone ,my sister. " He insisted gently
Ozai looked at his brother with daggers of jealously, Ursa backed up surprised with a little giggle as she saw Ozai's look Iroh too laughed joyful as he left, one more mockery.
Ozai waited to the door closed before he pull his wife in and kissed her head too in the same space his brother had then her nose and lips.
"How dare he touch you, you are mine alone to touch." he whispered jealous.
She kisses his lips gently, she giggled at his words and feeling toward his brothers actions.
" I am yours to touch, but there only so much you can do right now"
She winked as he huffed and held her again as he smirked down at her.
"Then I'll touch you as much as I am allowed to touch you."