The ministers have started grumbling about marriage, lineage, heirs. Zuko can already envision the parade of poised, eligible young ladies ready to simper and wilt and seduce him.
Ready to bat their eyes, glance over their shoulders, rock their hips in whispers of silk.
Ready to secure advancement and wealth for their families.
Ready to use him.
Ready to consume him.
And then... Then the lies and the manipulation.
The poison. The dagger. The insurrection.
Then the war.
Zuko knows how this story goes.
He remembers.
Faithful Mai stays at his side. She herself would be an appropriate bride, as his ministers constantly remind him.
Luckily Mai understands as well as he does how happy a royal family can be.