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“I’m heading to see Iroh. You have her right?”
“Of course.” Zuko replied to Mai. Izumi, the crown princess, in his hands. “Go.” He insisted. Mai nodded, turned her back to make her way out of their room. Although, she didn’t move. She couldn’t take a step forward.
“Mai?” She heard Zuko’s voice kindly ask. “What’s up, why are you hesitating?” His voice got louder as he spoke, closer. He was right there when she turned her back. “I’m- not.” Mai answered. Then she looked up to his face. He was worried. “Mai…” he spoke. “It’s nothing we haven’t talked about. Here and there… It’s just- I don’t know if the things I’m worried about are okay to talk with… I mean you’re my husband I can talk with you but your uncle- I don’t know.”
She was mumbling. Zuko was still there, listening with all his patience. She did notice how similar he grew to be like Iroh. “He won’t force you to talk about anything. I know he can read people well and tends to bring things to surface but-“ He took a step closer to her. “He only wants to see how you’re holding up.”
“Okay.” Mai spoke. Zuko gently left a kiss on her cheek without moving Izumi. “Go.” He said once more. After she returned a kiss back on his cheek and softly caressing her daughter’s with her knuckle, she made her way to the garden.
-
A sweet smell of berries hinted where Iroh was before she could ask any of the guards. It was coming from the nook they placed some older chairs and tables to. They used that corner, especially Mai and Zuko, to hang out with the closest members of their family. Sometimes their closest friends. Iroh already knew where she would be most comfortable, he already knew her favorite tea.
“Mai!” He cheerfully called to her before she could even spot him. She made her way to Iroh.
He stood up to greet her. As Mai was trying to decide between a bow or a simple “good evening”, he just made clear they were going for a hug. Which Mai accepted. She wasn’t really a person of touch but Iroh wasn’t someone she wouldn’t accept a hug from. Also, she was glad that it wasn’t an awkward moment. After he broke the hug, he invited her to sit.
“I made you tea from your favorite berries and added all the good herbs for your recovery. I also know you have a taste for sweet things, so I brought some fine honey with it.” He began talking as he poured the tea into a cup and served it to Mai along with the honey before he poured his own and sat down himself. “How have you been?” He asked before Mai could even thank him.
“Thank you.” She did anyway. “You really didn’t have to.”
“It’s the least I can do for you. Now tell me. How are you?” She smiled at him. Unintentionally, she did appreciate him asking how she was directly to her. Mai hadn’t been able to see many of her friends just yet either and the nation never really cared for a Firelady after an heir was born. Even if Mai did wonders for the good of it.
“I am okay.” She didn’t lie. “Zuko is wonderful with Izumi and me. Thank spirits for Ursa and her family they’ve been such great help.” She intended to end her sentence. Iroh however was still listening. Not even asking her to continue. She took a sip of her tea to cover up the awkward pause. “Oh that’s gorgeous.” She uttered instead.
“I am glad you like it.” Iroh responded. Although Mai failed to follow up with her own words.
“I did hear that Zuko immediately bonded with the girl. It’s my guess that she bonded with her too?” She was glad Iroh was good with keeping up a conversation. Neither did she miss that he brought Zuko up because he noticed she was more comfortable talking about him.
“Yes. You’d know, he was so worried the baby would fear his scar and such but Izumi is so calm around him. I wouldn’t know if it’s related but she also loves grabbing at his face.” And she ran out words again.
“You know” Iroh continued as if he read her mind “Firelords of the past did horrible with their wives after their heir was born. How’s Zuko with you?”
“Wonderful.” She replied without pause. “He never leaves my side, never even lets me out of his sight. He constantly takes care of Izumi, like she is with him unless I have to feed her or want to spend time with her and-“pause.
“Mai, what bothers you?” She didn’t know how much she should share. There were things her and Zuko didn’t talk about. Not things that create problems. She could maybe share a bit. Iroh was the most experienced when it came to things like this.
“I know they talk.” She began. “The people. Zuko keeps it away from me. He guards me from the guards so I don’t overhear them gossiping, he supervises every healer I see so they don’t step out of line. I’d normally hate to be protected but am so glad Zuko is protecting me from it. But I know he hears all of it.” She took a quick glance at Iroh, gave him a few seconds to maybe receive a response. But he listened.
“He’s doing so much for me and it’s killing me that I can’t be there for him.” Mai felt so much guilt for saying that. To Iroh specifically. Zuko was the person he cared most for and she straight up told him she wasn’t doing good enough. So, she tried to take responsibility for it. “I’m sorry.”
“No.” Iroh simply replied. “It’s not your fault that people talk and it’s his responsibility to take as much care of you as he can. I know you’re worried about him as much as he’s worried about you. But do not mind. I, Ursa even Kiyi, we have plenty of time to help him with his worries, and yours. He isn’t alone.”
“But they think so.” Mai uttered under her breath.
“I’m sorry?” Iroh gently asked. Of course he heard.
Mai did hesitate to reply. “You aren’t alone either Mai. You can tell me if you please.”
She took a breath. “The people think so. That it is my fault. I can’t talk about this with Zuko the way I could before Izumi was here. Now I see how he looks at me when I dare to mention it. How upset he gets.”
She paused, put her words together in her mind, took a sip of her tea and continued;
“After Ursa, the descendant of the Avatar from the mighty Fire Nation, mother of two fire bending prodigies, wife of one of the strongest benders of history… I am the non-bending Firelady who couldn’t even give birth to a son. I can only imagine what they could be saying. They don’t only question my daughter’s ability bend because I can’t but also her ability to rule because she is a girl. They question my position as a Royal, a wife, a Firelady as they never questioned it as a politician. And they question Zuko’s choice of a decent wife.”
“Mai…” Iroh hummed. And she continued to utter the last bits of her train of thoughts.
“And I know you could bring Azula up because she would be next in line when Zuko was banished but even then, they talked. She was the strongest bender not to mention her age at the time and they still questioned if a banished prince would be better. And he eventually was. And he was the rightful heir anyway at least because he was older. I’m scared of what she will face and with the Ozai loyalists still around, I’m scared for her life.”
Iroh didn’t say a word for a while. He grabbed his cup and sat closer to Mai instead. Then he spoke. “When Ursa married Ozai, they talked about her lying about being the descendant of the Avatar, knowing she was married off against her will. When she got pregnant with Zuko, they talked about him being someone else’s son but Ozai’s and I was a suspect. When Zuko was born, the nation was absolutely sure he could not bend, he was only two days old.” Iroh gently put his hand on hers to grab all of her attention, so she looked right into his eyes.
“They will talk. They always have, they always will. Believe me, none of it matters. Zuko is the first Firelord to bring and protect the equality of all nations and you are the first Firelady to be all in the politics. Yes, some have no idea how much you have done for them as a politician but your name is already in history books of all nations. They can talk, but they can’t change that.”
Mai gave him a simple nod before he continued; “And about Izumi. She is safe. She is safe in the arms of two masters for parents and even more for their friends and family. One day in the future she will make the most decent Firelord because she has the smartest, bravest, strongest, kindest, most loving and caring Firelady as her mother. The nation along with baby Izumi are in the safest of hands thanks to you. However now, it’s your turn to be in the safe hands of your loved ones. You did wonderful Mai. I know you will keep doing so. I am so happy you are a member of my family and I am so proud of you.”
“Thank you.” Mai said with a sincere smile on her face and a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad I can talk with you.”