Chapter Text
Zuko sat in the carriage with the curtains closed. He wasn’t in the mood to see any people, to know what the common person thought of what was happening. He knew that this was something he had to do for his country regardless of his own wishes and he didn’t want to know if others felt the same way as he did.
It wouldn’t change things.
He would still be sold to the Earth Kingdom like breeding stock.
Which he supposed he was.
As an omega, he knew that this was what was expected of him from a young age. As the son of a prince, he was awarded certain privileges in life but they came at a cost.
He supposed he should be happy that Uncle Iroh was the Fire Lord now. If it had been left up to grandfather, he may have been married off after his first heat at 15. It was the old tradition and his grandfather had been set in his ways.
Thankfully, his grandfather had passed when he was thirteen, before his secondary sex had made itself known. The old man had probably died thinking he was a beta, which was a relief in some ways.
Not that being a beta had been better in Father’s eyes.
But, Uncle had been sympathetic and allowed him to wait until he was 19 before arranging a marriage.
He sat back in the carriage and allowed his mind to drift back to memories of the months leading up to now.
“My dearest nephew,” Fire Lord Iroh said as they sat sipping tea together in his favorite parlor. “Do you think that I would give you away to just anyone? The Earth King is a gentle and kind man. I believe you two will find that you have much in common. Furthermore, the Earth Kingdom has a long tradition of strong male omega royalty. They will cherish you in the way that you deserve.”
“Plus, this will help to seal the peace treaties once and for all.” Zuko grumbled.
He would never have dreamed of talking this way in front of his Father (back when the bastard was still breathing) but with Uncle he had learned that it was safe to say what he thought, even if it wasn’t a nice, pretty, omega sentiment.
Uncle just chuckled.
“Prince Zuko, nothing would convince me to send you away if I did not think you would be happy where I was sending you.” Uncle said warmly. “You need to live your own life, to get away from the long shadows of your family. And besides, if at the end of the two-week betrothal period you can’t stand the man, then the contracts state you are permitted to end the relationship with no repercussions. You will return here and I will start looking for a better match.”
Zuko sighed.
Two weeks to decide if he wanted to spend the rest of his life with someone didn’t seem long enough at all, but it was the custom in the Earth Kingdom for arranged matches apparently.
This was a far kinder deal than he could have hoped for if his father or grandfather had been in charge of finding him his mate. He was just being sulky and sullen at the prospect of it all.
His life was dull in the palace, but it was safe, and it was his. He had his sister and her friends for companionship, he had his maids to keep him company during his heats, and he finally could just be himself. Uncle had Lu Ten and Azula to carry on the family as Alphas, he didn’t mind that Zuko was an omega in the slightest.
But there were memories here. Ones he could never truly escape. Nights of grief after his mother’s passing, nights of pain after punishments for not living up to expectations, and always fear below the surface. Fear of his father, of his tutors, of his grandfather’s cold stares.
Fear of not ever being enough.
“Your highness, we have arrived.” His personal maid Satsu informed him as the carriage came to a halt, pulling him from where he had been lost in thought.
He nodded to her and then the door was opened, letting in bright afternoon sunlight.
They had been travelling from the inner wall since that morning and just now were reaching the heart of Ba Sing Se. The city was enormous, making Caldera look like a simple crossroads town in comparison.
There was a group of people awaiting him as he was helped down from the carriage by a footman. He was grateful for the assistance since he had had to wear official omega court clothing for the occasion.
It wasn’t a dress exactly since he was a man, but the robes he was clad in were long and flowing with long draped sleeves that reminded him of his mother. His shoes, stupid heeled slip-on things he disliked, were constantly catching on the hem of his robes if he wasn’t very careful with how he stepped.
All in all, the hand of the footman may have been the only thing keeping him steady enough to not trip on his own clothing and end up making a fool of himself in front of the Earth King and what he assumed were high level courtiers or advisors that had gathered to greet him.
Uncle had had the forethought to send along a small portrait of him with the betrothal offer, so that there could be no misunderstandings as far as his appearance.
Despite that, Zuko couldn’t help but feel that all eyes were on his scar as he approached the gathered men on the steps of the palace.
Beside the King was a strange animal, large and brown in a little hat and shirt. It sat quite docilely and looked soft and furry.
Zuko had never seen anything like it, but he already knew he wanted to pet the creature. It yawned and fully laid down, apparently bored at the human proceedings around him.
Zuko repressed a smile and turned his eyes back to where they should be. On the King.
King Kuei of the Earth Kingdom was a tall man. His green and gold royal attire gave him the appearance of a somewhat bulky frame, but Zuko suspected that he was actually somewhat slender of build based on his face and neck. He did not smile at Zuko, but as he got closer, he saw that the man had kind eyes behind the spectacles he wore.
All in all, it wasn’t a bad first impression, he supposed. They exchanged formal greetings and Zuko presented the gifts that Uncle had sent along with him. (Tea, dried tropical fruits, and bolts of silk) Then he was finally directed towards a servant that would escort him to his new rooms.
He sighed once they were into the halls of the palace and out of sight of the dignitaries that had been present. Some of the tension in his shoulders finally released and he gratefully followed the young beta who led him through the maze that was the unfamiliar palace.
*************************
Four days had passed and Zuko had yet to see Kuei again. It hadn’t seemed strange to be left to recover from his travels the first day, they had come a long way, but to not see him after that was almost rude.
They were meant to be courting, right? Or something of that nature?
Zuko wished he had learned more about Earth Kingdom customs before coming here. There had been very little information in the library back home and Uncle hadn’t known much about the court in Ba Sing Se.
He had assumed that someone would be around to explain things to him, but he supposed he would need to take his education into his own hands.
“I would like to visit the library today.” He informed the servants that attended him in his private chambers.
His rooms were nice, if a bit green, but he supposed he would need to become accustomed to the color. He had spent the last few days simply being in his suite and reading books and scrolls he had brought along with him or conversing with his maid and the new servants.
Now he was starting to get bored and needed to understand better what was expected of him here in this new kingdom.
The servants led him through the hallways to a set of large double doors. Inside was a spectacularly large library with a large two-story section in the middle with a few tables and chairs situated in front of large windows. To the right and left were enough books to rival the university library in Caldera City.
After he had presented as omega it had been deemed unseemly for him to continue many of his habits and hobbies and going to the university at all, including the library, had been on the list of things he had had to give up. No one wanted an omega that was smarter than they were after all, if his father and Azula were to be believed.
Zuko took in the large library with a small smile.
He had been told to keep his smiles small and gentle by his tutors over the years. Demure was the word they used. It had become a habit he supposed.
Stepping into the library alone as the servant stationed herself at the door, he looked around to try and orient himself within this large collection.
To his surprise, the large gopherbear looking creature was sleeping next to na empty armchair by the windows.
He looked around but saw no one as he crept closer to the sleeping thing.
It didn’t have the right paws for a gopher bear and lacked the bill or tail of a platypus bear. It didn’t have the stripes of a skunk bear. What in the world was this thing?
“Hello big friend.” He said cautiously as he approach so as not to surprise it from sleep.
It grunted and opened its eyes at him. It’s nose snuffled the air, scented that he was omega, and then laid its head back down, deeming him no threat.
Zuko stepped closer and hesitantly reached out a hand to stroke the animals back.
It gave what he thought was a happy little grunt and stretched out for more pets.
“Bosco seems to like you.” The King’s voice said from behind him on the left.
Zuko startled a little, not having seen the man approach from his periphery. He didn’t have the best vision on that side after all.
“I think I like Bosco too.” He said with a smile aimed towards the king. “What kind of bear are they?”
“He’s just a plain old bear.” The King explained.
Weird.
“Oh.” Zuko replied, a little unsure how to take that in. He’d never heard of just a bear before.
“The royal family used to keep a menagerie of rare animals, and Bosco is the last of the lot. He was born the same year I was, the last cub of the mated pair who have since passed away.” The King explained.
“What happened to all the others?” Zuko asked.
“Well, some were released into the wild, but most have been given to various zoos across the country. My father didn’t particularly like the tradition of keeping them here at the palace.” Kuei explained.
They were silent a moment as Zuko continued to pet Bosco the bear.
“I suspect you did not come here to learn about my pet, though Prince Zuko.” Kuei said, smiling. “What brings you to the library?”
“Well… you in a way.” Zuko admitted.
“Me?” The King seemed a little surprised.
“Yes, I haven’t seen you since my arrival and I wasn’t sure why that might be. I don’t know much about Earth Kingdom etiquette and traditions and thought I might find more information here.” Zuko told him.
“Ahh, that is a wise course of action, Prince Zuko.” Kuei nodded. “Books on etiquette are upstairs but books on courting traditions are on the other side from them. Would you like help looking?”
“No, I think I’ll be alright. Though… if you have the time, would you be willing to tell me more about things yourself? It would be much faster I think.” Zuko hesitantly asked.
It was ridiculous to assume the king had nothing better to do but he was interested to get the man’s opinions on things. Especially as concerned their betrothal and courting.
“Well… I suppose I could spare a little time. Why don’t we sit?” He gestured to the armchair beside Bosco and the one next to it.
Zuko sat down, making sure to sweep his robes to drape properly and then sat straight with his hands in his lap as he had been taught.
Kuei sat equally stiffly in the other chair.
“What would you like to know?” The King asked.
“To start, why have I not seen you since my arrival?” Zuko asked, trying to keep his tone gentle and sweet without sounding bitchy. It was not something he was very good at and he wished he could speak more freely, but he wasn’t sure where they stood yet.
“That’s less tradition and more my schedule I am afraid.” Kuei said. “There is much to do during this time for the betrothal agreement.”
“But you see… I expected the two weeks to be something of, well, of a courtship I suppose. Time to get to know one another so that I might choose whether I wish to seal myself to you.” Zuko admitted with a slight blush towards the end of the sentiment.
“Oh.” Kuei seemed a little surprised. “Almost no one actually calls things off after the two-week time period. However, I suppose it is in your right to do so.”
Zuko felt his expression harden for a moment and worked it back to neutrality, though not before Kuei noticed if his expression was anything to go by.
He took a deep calming breath as he would during daily meditation.
“I was assured by my Uncle that should I disapprove of the match I am to call it off and return home.” Zuko informed the King quietly but clearly.
Kuei paled a little at that.
“Oh.” He said.
“So at least we now know where we stand a little better.” Zuko said gently, not wanting to be too unkind to the King. He did not think the misunderstanding had been a malicious one.
“Yes, yes we do.” Kuei agreed with a nod. “I apologize if it seemed I had been neglecting you.”
He had been but it hadn’t been long in the grand scheme of things, so Zuko didn’t point out that it didn’t just seem like he was neglected.
“It’s alright, Your Majesty.” Zuko said.
“So, Prince Zuko, what else would you like to know about Earth Kingdom courting and etiquette?” The King asked brightly.
****************************
Kuei was a little worried about actually having to woo Prince Zuko. It hadn’t occurred to him that that would be something needed in an arranged marriage like theirs. Of course, he knew that an omega retained the right to call off the wedding within the two-week betrothal period, but he always thought that was more of a formality than anything else. Never to actually be done.
He really didn’t want to be the first Alpha left at the altar in who knows how many years.
His intended omega was more independent than he expected. Most omegas he had known in his mother’s entourage were demure, soft spoken, and submissive.
Prince Zuko was soft spoken and could be argued to be at least passably demure, but submissive?
He had not seen that side of the prince yet.
It wasn’t a bad thing really.
If anything, Kuei himself had been described as somewhat passive for an alpha. Perhaps he needed an assertive and self-assured omega to rule the kingdom by his side. His tutors had always insisted on the importance of balance within a relationship.
They had probably expected Kuei to be the more aggressive one though.
He just never really understood the purpose of all that alpha posturing and fighting for status. Though, perhaps that was because he had been born into a high status to start with.
Kuei hadn’t grown up with many other Alpha’s his own age either. He had ascended the throne at a young age and trying to make friends when you are their literal King is nearly impossible. It was also heavily discouraged by his first advisor.
He was so glad Long Feng was gone.
The man had kept him ignorant of far too much and had attempted to seize power for himself when the avatar returned a few years ago. Though why he had chosen that time was anyone’s guess.
“Min, please send an invitation for Prince Zuko to dine with me this evening.” He instructed one of his servants.
She bowed and exited the room to follow his orders.
Even if he was busy with betrothal and treaty related meetings on top of everything he had to do as a ruler of his nation, he could at least spend a mealtime or two with the prince every day.
Surely that would help them get to know one another right?
Later as he sat in the silent dining room across from the silent omega prince he wondered where he had gone wrong.
They had greeted one another pleasantly enough but now there was nothing. No conversation. No sound aside from the clink of silverware.
He didn’t know what to talk about to someone around his own age and station.
Usually, he dined alone, or it was a state function where he spoke with people of the court or advisors he worked with every day. Only rarely did he have to meet foreign dignitaries, and never one on one like this.
“So,” He started, anything to break this awkward silence, “Aside from books on etiquette, do you enjoy reading?”
“Yes.” Prince Zuko replied quietly and in a friendly tone.
But that was all he said. No additional information.
Was this what their relationship was going to be like for the rest of their lives?
Kuei prayed to Guayin that that would not be the case.
Perhaps the prince was just shy or something.
“I enjoy reading very much. It is part of why I expanded the library once I was made King.” He explained.
Zuko nodded and gave him a small smile.
He decided to take this as encouragement to continue speaking.
Anything to fill the silence at this point.
“Perhaps we could add to the library together at some point. I would be interested in the topics you’d like to acquire more books about. It would allow for a more well-rounded collection.” Kuei suggested.
“That would be interesting, Your Majesty.” Zuko said in a somewhat happy tone.
It was harder to get a read on him in this setting compared to in the library. They had been seated closely together in a sunlit room then and now they were a full table apart with dishes between them and candlelight for illumination.
Kuei would have to start taking their meals together in a smaller room than the dining room. He needed to be closer to the prince and able to better see his expression and better to scent strong emotions.
He had liked being closer to the omega earlier in the day. His scent hadn’t been strong, but it was pleasant. Somewhat like an applewood fire and oranges.
He sighed when no further topics of conversation entered his mind and Zuko did not offer much in response.
This courting was going to be much harder than he had anticipated.
***********************
Zuko thought that dinner had gone rather well. He had managed to mind his manners and speak only when spoken to as a good omega should. Even if he had wanted to speak more about the library, he held his tongue and allowed the King to lead the conversation.
They had spent much of the time in companionable silence and Zuko thought that boded well for their relationship.
Growing up the silences around the table with his family had been cold and full of fear. Here, he was comfortable and able to better focus on not making any mistakes in behavior.
He retired to his rooms content with the evening.
When they had parted company, the king had even kissed his hand goodnight.
It was a bit old fashioned but he hadn’t minded it in the least. It reminded him a bit of a scene in the romantic theater scrolls he enjoyed reading so much.
Zuko had never dreamed of a romance, knowing his marriage would be a political one, but he had wondered if he could grow to care for his spouse. His parents had not cared for one another in his living memory, but he did know that Uncle had loved his wife dearly before her death.
However, Uncle's marriage had been a love match rather than an arranged marriage.
He wondered if there was a middle ground somewhere he could hope for. Not hating one another and caring what happened in one another’s lives. Raising children together without choosing favorites and sides.
Maybe it was possible.
He sighed as he changed into his night clothes and got into bed.
No, he wouldn’t hope for love, but he now had hope for something besides only duty and obligation.