The Fire That Grows || Zuko x Reader

♨ sticks and bones ♨

She dared not speak unless spoken to in fear that she would annoy these royals who were foreign. While King Ozai and his queen ate comfortably, their offspring did not. The daughter was next to her father and ate with little to no emotion at all. Only the occasion smirk here and there. She was her fathers daughter with that trademarked smirk. But the son, Prince Zuko, ate rather uncomfortably. His fork was hesitant with every bite and sip of water he would take, he eyed it first. As he was scared of something.

King Ozai looked up from his meal with a kingly smile, "I'm sorry, the Queen never introduced you. What is your name?"

"I'm Suki of Kyoshi, but here I'm Lady Suki, one of the Queens ladies," Suki curtsied.

He eyed her, "Ah, I see. It's a bit ill-form that the Queen didn't introduce who was accompaning us for our meal, which is splendid, by the way."

"Oh, good! Would you like any pastries or desserts?" She offered, ignoring his comment about her Queen.

He looked at his family and none seemed have wanted any, "No thank you, Lady Suki. Thank you for the meal. But could my family and I discuss some private matters. You're more than welcome to come back when Queen (Y/N) comes back. I'll have a guard posted at the door to notify us."

She curtsied, "Of course, and do you need the servants any longer?"

"Just a refill of that wine," He courted that kingly smile again at her. A servant then came and poured him an glass. "Ah, better. I believe we're done. Thank you again."

With a nod of the head, she escorted herself out of the room. The noble, Jet, was waiting for her in the gallery. He had his narrowing smirk plastered on his face.

"Where's Queenie?" He asked more so as a rhetorical question.

She threw a sharp glance at him, "She is a Queen and deserves respect."

"Oh, have I pissed you off, Lady Suki?"

"You're intolerable and nauseating, you know that?"

A coy smile appeared on his face as he reached for a cigar, "Ah, yes. But that's not what the women say when I've made them peak."

"My God, man. Do you know nothing of discretion or common decency?"

He blew a puff of foul smoke in her face, "No. That's what they love. I care for not."

"Leave if you're believe your job to be annoying me."

"Alright, prude," He smirked and she grimaced at his words. "I heard some news from the messenger boy. That boy we sent isn't the same boy who returned home."

She stalked around them for watching ears and pulled him off to the side, "What do you mean that he's not the same?" She hissed.

He exhaled again and stared her down. She could tell that he wasn't pulling strings. As much as he joked about the Queen and whatever else, he was more loyal to the Crown than any other noble.

"Someone is playing with witchcraft here. That boy today was nothing more than a pile of sticks, mud, and hay in the forest today," he paused and took another look around them to ensure no one was listening. "One of the groundsmen found him like that. I was nearby on my horse, heading home when I found the groundsmen. I came back to you to tell the Queen. I believe for that to be the reason there was why no letter was delivered back until today when he arrived with the family."

Suki eyed him, "You're making serious accusations there. No one has seen witchcraft in years. It died with the Hundred Year War and to bring it here? Well, it's treason," she explained in a hushed manner. "The law forbids it. Plus, how do you know it was the boy?"

"He had a skull attached to the stick and our insignia was found on him. That's why I'm telling you and you alone. I trust you to tell the Queen because this doesn't seem right. I'm skeptical too. But if this is true and if somehow people find out, we'll have more cause for revolt."

She checked for people and saw the Queen and her family coming their way in new attire. A frown appeared on her face, "I hope you're wrong. Discuss this with the court physician, Lune. He'll know more about this."

Jet nodded his head and turned to greet Queen (Y/N) and her family. "Queenie, such a pleasure to see you! You changed for the occasion. You look beautiful as amazing," then he changed his gaze to the other royals. "Princess Toph, you look pretty as well and Queen Mother, you look like you haven't aged a day. Well, I must be off!" He waved himself off and looked at Suki before leaving.

"He's dreadful," (Y/N)'s mother commented.

"That he is," (Y/N) remarked. She then walked to the Grand Hall doors and looked at the guard. The guard bowed slightly and opened the door.

He walked before to announce them, "Queen (Y/N) and company."

"Thank you," King Ozai stated, "Guards, make room for the family. Let them sit and eat with us."

(Y/N) bowed slightly in favor, "Ah, thank you, King Ozai but we've had our fill for lunch already. I've come to tell you that your rooms are prepared for you to rest in. We may discuss business over dinner."

He smiled at her, "You're a very kind Queen, Queen (Y/N). Don't allow others to abuse that."

For some odd reason that warning felt more like a threat to her. That smile of his made her itch but all she could was smile and tell the servants to accompany them to their rooms when they were finished.

———

Okay hi hello. Sorry for not updating. I've been working my summer classes and my other zuko story. Yesterday I had a hiccup bc personal things but I'm better now. I'll get the next chapter up tomorrow or Monday. I'm going on a trip to visit a friend.

So yeah enjoy!