Wives be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them.
~Colossians 3:18-19
Ursa tried to fight against the grip of her husband but his anger enhanced his power over her. He unlocked the door to his room and tossed her unto the bed.
"Foolish woman."
"Call me what you want Ozai, but I will not allow you to harm Zuko or Luten. A mother will do what she must to protect her child."
She slowly pushed herself up with her face still throbbing from his attack earlier.
"Luten is just a young boy, trying to figure out his place in the world, do not drag him into the dark side of politics"
She looked at him sternly and Ozai chuckled, his golden eyes glimmering as he stared at her.
"Protect your child? Tell me Ursa, is that why you killed the mother of another child just to protect yours?"
The princess froze at his remark and lifted her chin defiantly.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
He slowly began taking a step closer to his wife and she returned it by taking steps back.
"You think I didn't know? It certainly wasn't a coincidence that Lihua went into labor just after you two decided to have a meal together."
She was unable to move any more as her back made contact the wall. He placed a hand on her chin, forcing her to look into his golden orbs. His smirk dropped, and his voice took on a dangerous tone.
"Taking the throne from my treacherous brother is what I desire, and I want you by my side."
His fingers made his way to her lips and he stroked it softly, tilting his head to the side as he examined where he had struck her.
"The world may make me out to me the wicked ambitious brother, but what will happen to you or Zuko when the world finds out about your sins?"
His fingers began to make his way to the bruise and she hissed in pain, unable to shake him away.
"Poor Ursa the princess whose husband abandoned her to seek other women, but continued to stay by his side will become Ursa the jealous princess who killed and sterilized every woman who was a threat to her son."
Her hands seized his and yanked it away from her face. Ozai's grabbed her arms more forcefully this time and brought her close to him. She tried fighting away from his grip, but he was too strong.
"You were the former royal healer's daughter. If you've done this so many times before with your knowledge on herbs and medicines, why stop now?"
She stopped struggling and her gaze took on a serious tone as she glared at him.
"Because Iroh is your brother."
He stepped closer, place his lips on her ear and mumbled sweetly.
"You will kill Iroh for me. Or the daughter of an earth kingdom whore will take his place. I will see to it that Azula takes the throne. After all, a child of a royal is a child of a royal no matter who they sleep with."
He responded to her glare with mocking laughter. He wanted Azula on the throne more than anything if she continued to surpass the incompetent son of his.
"Trust me it won't be hard getting rid of Zuko. He was always sickly during birth; how hard would it be to tell the people that his illness was the cause of his death."
Ursa's eyes widened with fear as she pulled herself away from him.
"How can you say such a thing" she gasped. "He is your son!"
"Like you said a mother must do what she must to protect her child. If you want to protect your son…"
He planted a soft kiss on her cheek and whispered.
"You will do as I say."
Leaving her trembling in with unease Ozai smirked to himself, he had won, and the wheels of his plans were now in motion. The princess fell to the ground, her breathing becoming fast and shallow. He knew she had killed Lihua if he knew then that means the whole palace would know and that would be the end of her and Zuko.
According to palace rules, a woman was not supposed to show jealousy when her husband had another woman. She had broken this law a long time ago and he knew all along.
Slowly making her way to the small desk, she grabbed a piece of parchment and ink. She squeezed the paper tightly her knuckles almost turning white. A tear rolled down her cheek as she began writing, picturing Iroh and Luten in her mind. Remembering what Iroh had told her when Ozai brought Ilah in.
The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.
"I'm so sorry."
The maid knocked on the door and hearing no response she maid her way into the chambers.
She noticed the room was unusually dark and went on to open the curtains. Although it was raining it didn't stop the Fire Nation sun from penetrating into the room. The citizens would be very delighted as the rain would allow for good farm soil.
She carried on to remove the bed sheets of the bed but noticed blood stains on it. The red liquid made it's way onto the floor and trailed its way into the bathroom. She carefully opened the door to see the princess sitting on the floor in a puddle of blood with a blank look on her face.
The maid opened her mouth to speak but could only formulate two words.
"Your Highness?"
The princess looked up as if waking up from a trance, she looked at the maid with a confused look on her face as she looked at herself and her surroundings.
"Why is there so much blood?"
The maid was unsure what to say to her princess. Ursa asked again.
"Lady Anya? Why is there so much blood?"
Anya undid her aprons and knelt in front of her, wiping the blood stains from her hands. Unable to meet Ursa's gaze, the maid replied.
"Your baby has died princess Ursa."
There was a tense silence between the two women. Ursa then removed her hand from Anya's grasp and began to laugh uncontrollably. The maid felt a bit uncomfortable with her reaction.
"What do you mean my baby is dead. Babies are supposed to be resilient, just look at Zuko!"
As she laughed the tears also began to pour out.
"Babies are supposed to be resilient! Look at Zuko! He hasn't died yet!"
Laughter turned into tears, and tears turned into anger as she began to hit the maid's chest.
"Babies are supposed to be resilient!"
It had been almost a year since she had Zuko and she never got a chance to hold him. Because he was so sick the doctors took him to the sage's temple to undergo spiritual healing by the fire benders. She had just gotten pregnant again and she had now lost her second one. What was she supposed to do?
She whipped her head in Anya's direction as if she had solved a puzzle
"It's her isn't it?"
"It's all because of that whore!"
"Princess Ursa-"
She hastily grabbed Anya's hand, giving her a pleading look.
"Anya please help me, I can't stay in this palace like this! People are talking!"
The maid sighed. This was true as the only child Ozai had was dying, everyone in the palace was anticipating for the child Lihua would bring.
Anya gently nodded to the princess.
"It is my job to serve you, Princess Ursa. Whatever you need I shall assist you."
The maid squeezed the letter the messenger hawk had just dropped for her. Shaking her head she folded the paper, even in Ba Sing Se Ursa needed her help again in pleasing her husband. She silently burnt the parchment and made her way to the kitchen responsible for preparing Firelord Iroh's meal.