𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓒𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷 {𝓐𝓣𝓛𝓐}

Part 4: The older Women, Our mothers

Ursa liked looking at you.

Her eyes would trail behind you as you went through your daily routine. From sunrise to sundown, it's just her, you, and her son.

As much as she loves her son, the rare moments that she shares with you are treasured. It's adorable how shy you get whenever she would show her affection to you through hugs and kisses.

She thinks that it's due to your young age, no matter what training you went through prior to your meeting, that you are quick to get embarrassed. Shying away from her touch and avoiding eye contact.

No matter how long you've been together or how old you've become, she couldn't help but adore you.

You may never know, but you are dear to her.

She holds you close to her heart.

In this cold, hollow palace, it's you who brings her solace.

It's you who provides her comfort and any sense of warmth.

And just as how you were her saviour, she believes that she was yours.

Once more, she was in labour. And fortunately, unlike her first, everyone was prepared. When her water broke early in the morning, you and the maids were quick on your feet.

Unlike her first born, this one was more painful. She could tell this one would be a stubborn one from how close the contractions were.

The pain was so intense that she couldn't reach out to you. She was too busy doubling over and crying to her heart's content.

After five hours, with shaking arms, freshly burnt thighs from the child, and tears that freely fell like waterfalls, the fire nation welcomed their new princess.

As the palace doctor brought her newborn child to her, Ursa couldn't help but feel resentment towards the new life. She didn't want another child, one was enough, Zuko was enough.

The tears that now fell were not of joy nor of love, but of despair.

She didn't want to hold her, she didn't even want to look at her.

Ozai praised her, who he named Azula in his father's honour. A wicked smile on his face as he preached on how he alone could father such greatness. He even had the gall to say that you could be his bastard. After seeing how quick you were to learn new techniques, and knowledge, and how fast you mastered your bending.

The man had no shame.

That prideful beast.

She looked to the side, her eyes on the bundle in the arms of its father.

That poor child will surely suffer within these castle walls. Her birth was a curse for the both of them.

Letting out a breath of air, she wished you were beside her.

The moment the doctor came, you were tasked to take her son out while she was in delivery. She hugged herself. It would have been at least a bit more bearable if it were you in place of Ozai's.

Once Ozai left to retire for the day, she ordered the maids to take the child and to call you and Zuko. You stood by as she fell asleep with her child in her arms. Embracing him with all the love a mother has for her child.

The next day, she was awoken by a sudden swing of the doors. They slam violently against the walls as Ozai marches in with fury in his eyes.

"What's wrong with you!" He shouts as the torches begin to roar awake, the flames intensifying with each word he spewed. "How could you lie here when your child has been crying out in hunger! You pathetic excuse of a mother!"

He then points to the maid who wheeled Azula in her crate. Crying, red face stained with tears, her tiny body tense in her bundle.

As Ozai yelled and degraded her, she tried to soothe the now-wailing Zuko, who had been startled awake by his father's shouting.

It was getting too much for Ursa: her crying son, the insults from Ozai, and the non-stop croaked yells of the child that was in her crib. She wanted all of them to stop. She's not a cruel woman, unlike what Ozai has been insinuating since barging into her room, she did order a maid to find a wetnurse, someone who will care and feed the newborn.

How would she have known that the child wouldn't take to the hired woman. Why must she suffer due to the unforeseen? Why must it be always her that must go through the hardship of life?

Her eyes began to sting as tears began to well up.

Just as she was about to break down, one of the three sources of her panic had subsided.

Even Ozai has noticed the sudden shift. Much like untying a knot, the tension unwound, slowly but steadily.

Ozai looked back to see you gently cradling the baby. She breathed heavily with her eyes closed as you rubbed her tears away.

The room was left to only Zuko whining, hugging his mother's side as she continued to soothe him.

Ozai looked at you in interest before an idea began to brew behind his eyes. His anger calmed down, he sent you a smile. "I thank you for bringing peace within my palace." He walks towards you, "A reward must be in order. I believe a promotion will find your fancy. Starting today, you will be the guardian of the princess. Do make me proud and train my daughter into a fine bender, one who will surely bring honour to our nation."

He spares a glance to his wife, "Your talents are being wasted playing guard. The palace is secure and we have the royal guards on standby." His eyes zeroed in on you as he guided you to leave the room, "Tell me, 076, do you know who your parents are?"

The doors close behind you as you walk beside him with the baby still in your arms, "No, my lord. But I was told by the nannies that my mother was taking care of me before I was saved. I am ashamed to admit but I don't believe I have a father..."

That same smirk when he held his daughter appeared, "That's quite alright. It makes sense why you wouldn't have a father." He places his large hand on your shoulder as the three of you continue your walk towards the throne room.

Despite having the prince walk beside you so close, it doesn't feel as half as suffocating as when you're just standing near Ursa. Maybe the theory of you being weary of being in close quarters with others due to your past training was not true. Maybe the strange feeling of being akin to prey is just reserved for when you're with the older woman.

"I can tell that, despite your origin of birth, you were made for greatness." His words were warm yet the grip on your shoulder and the glint in his eyes told you otherwise. "I see myself in you, my child. Half your blood may be tainted by that woman, but the remaining is pure and noble." The way he looked at you was crazed, hungry.

"I can tell that your father was and is a great man of power. How else can you be so blessed? It is only fate that you were taken in. Your destiny to stand by the throne and swear your loyalty to the crown." He pulled you into his side.

As he said, it is your sworn duty to serve.

That is what you were trained for.

Your destiny to serve the crown.

The Accursed Crown.

Author's note: 

What do you all think would happen next? Comment down your theories on how this would play out. And hint: 

MC is a victim.