(Took a few liberties with this, hope you don’t mind…)
The princess is approaching her confinement, and it occurs to her that something’s not right. She takes it up with her attendant, because of course taking it up with her husband is not appropriate. He would call for her if she was needed.
“There will be a nursemaid, of course,” her odd maid says, all in green. The princess frowns, sure that wasn’t quite what she asked, but her day is full and her child is heavy, and if her gown is a little less well-filled than others, well, she’s a peace-bride, chosen for strong alliances and not for beauty.
There is no war in Ba Sing Se, and she is part of why.
There are some days, though, when she remembers- and she has gotten better at hiding it. Gotten better at hiding the sudden shock of feeling the life-spark burning in her, the shock of thinking I am a prince, and I should not be here, the thought that this is not my life and this is my life, I was bartered for peace but not this way…
I was bartered for domination because I am this way.
The child kicks inside herhim, and he rests his palms there. He is Prince Zuko, once Crown Prince, now declared defective and given as tenth wife to the Earth King. Something that was done quietly, in backroom deals and underground catacombs and for once, the plants don’t boil in their pots.
For once, he does not hear-think that she has been invited to Lake Laogai, and she is honored to accept.
She is the wife who will bring her child dominion over the Earth Kingdom. He is the father who will bring his child to safety-
-out of reach of either Fire or Earth.
The rebels are coming, water and air, and he knows exactly how to get their attention.
Brainwashed!Zuko, Pregnant by a Dai Li (ish)
The princess is approaching her confinement, and it occurs to her that something’s not right. She takes it up with her attendant, because of course taking it up with her husband is not appropriate. He would call for her if she was needed.
“There will be a nursemaid, of course,” her odd maid says, all in green. The princess frowns, sure that wasn’t quite what she asked, but her day is full and her child is heavy, and if her gown is a little less well-filled than others, well, she’s a peace-bride, chosen for strong alliances and not for beauty.
There is no war in Ba Sing Se, and she is part of why.
There are some days, though, when she remembers- and she has gotten better at hiding it. Gotten better at hiding the sudden shock of feeling the life-spark burning in her, the shock of thinking I am a prince, and I should not be here, the thought that this is not my life and this is my life, I was bartered for peace but not this way…
I was bartered for domination because I am this way.
The child kicks inside herhim, and he rests his palms there. He is Prince Zuko, once Crown Prince, now declared defective and given as tenth wife to the Earth King. Something that was done quietly, in backroom deals and underground catacombs and for once, the plants don’t boil in their pots.
For once, he does not hear-think that she has been invited to Lake Laogai, and she is honored to accept.
She is the wife who will bring her child dominion over the Earth Kingdom. He is the father who will bring his child to safety-
-out of reach of either Fire or Earth.
The rebels are coming, water and air, and he knows exactly how to get their attention.