Chapter Text
"Ozai, please, think about it! He is our son; you, you can't just kill him!" Usra stood in front of her husband as strong as she could. Ozai gritted his teeth as he did when there was an obstacle in his way, and right now it was the bitch of his wife.
The only reason she stands and not gutted is because she is useful. When she is not, there will be no one in my way no one to argue against my judgements. He thought as his face gave away with a small grin.
"Please, I have an idea." She muttered quickly. "It will give you the throne." Ozai's eyes widened with malicious fire just at the word throne; for the first time, Ursa had given a noteworthy idea. Maybe she is not just useful for childbearing.
"Speak."
Ursa froze; however, it didn't last long as she spoke with conviction, "I could poison your father." She paused, looking at Ozai hopping he would take the idea well. "With what?" He nearly laughed before she showed him a small bottle of clear liquid.
"It- it's undetectable."
Ozai stared at the bottle, then stared at her and scowled, "You just happen to have a poison already whipped up?" Ursa felt his anger rise, although before he got physical, she lied, "I had a nightmare that you were going to kill our son for your father's approval."
A deep, annoyed sigh left Ozai's lips as he just wanted her to be quiet. "Give it." He held out his right hand, awaiting the vial of poison. Ursa felt dreadful, but it was either Zuko or Ozai's father, and one was close to death already. "I'll give it only if you no longer hurt Zuko. I don't care if you continue to hurt me..."
Ozai thought about it for a moment before stepping closer to her, "He will be spared." To Ursa, it was like a storm just passed; Zuko, her only son, could eventually be treated more equally to her only daughter, even if she took more of the trauma, for she would do anything for her son.
"Okay..." She muttered, her hand lightly shaking as she gave him the vial, completing the deal, leaving her in the bedroom. Ozai grinned as he walked with the vial in his pocket. She thinks I will spare my weak, useless son over some poison? Hah.
He stopped in his tracks. If she can make something like this, I should remove her from the Fire Nation as well.
Another pause as he looked at a mirror on the wall. If I banish her, would she try to get back at me?
Normally Ozai would not care, but this evening was a night to be paranoid. He entered the kitchen of the castle and got two cups and a teapot. He could easily have told Ursa to do this, but what if she didn't follow through and he got framed?
+---------+
Pouring the poison into his father's cup, he left the kitchen with the tray and went looking around for his father. He found him in one of the many living rooms looking at a board of Pai Sho almost as if he was waiting for someone to join him.
Azulon stared at Ozai with indifference as he spoke, "Have you done it yet? Is your firstborn dead?"
"No, I wanted to give Ursa one last evening with him."
A grunt left Azulon. "Weak, a man should not care for what his wife thinks."
Ozai bowed his head, still playing the dutiful son. "You are right, father. As always, I want to see how strong Zuko was against me before I killed him with my bare hands."
"I see." Azulon grinned, proud of Ozai for doing it himself and not having someone else do it for him. Maybe there's still hope for you yet, Ozai.
"Will you join me for a game?" He spoke with less indifference.
"Yes, father, if that is what you please, I also brought tea."
Azulon glanced to his right and laughed, something that Ozai only heard between his brother and father. "You brought tea?"
"Yes, father, I felt I needed it to get better sleep before I kill Zuko, and then I thought I would share it with you." He said while pouring hot tea into both cups.
Silence passed between the father and son as the cool air whisked outside.
Azulon grinned before taking hold of the cup in front of him. "Do you care for him?"
"Caring is a weakness, father."
Azulon took a sip of the tea and smiled, "Good. I can not wait to see you kill your first son."
Ozai did not speak, as he just nodded his head. While they played the game he despised and drank tea, another thing he hated, a thought crept into his mind. Something he would ask his father right before he died.
Time flowed by as Oazi won the board game to Azulon's amusement. "You're lucky, Oazi, but someday that luck will run out."
Oazi just rolled his eyes and thought with sarcasm, Too bad there won't be another game to prove him right. "Shall we play another game, father?"
Azulon grinned. "Tomorrow, Ozai, the light is gone; now help me upstairs to my room."
"Of course, father."