5 A Family Dinner

I am informing you that I am changing my translator to improve your experience, thank you for your criticism. : )

Pov: Ozai

Azula's appearance was quite sudden, normally at this time of day she should be studying geopolitics according to the timetable.

- Shouldn't you be studying Azula?" I say seriously, without showing any expression.

- "I'm sorry, my father, but since you suddenly left for an appointment, I got worried. - Azula said with a little nervousness in her voice.

-*Azula, I want you to tell your brother. We're going to have to have company for dinner.

- You're having dinner with us?! - Azula expressed clear surprise, losing her composure.

- Just tell your brother. -I ignored my daughter's presence and headed for the royal hall, hoping that not too much work had accumulated. 

When night finally covered the skies, moonlight took the place of the sun, while the nation of fire was illuminated by lamps or torches. 

I was at a large table that stretched for several meters, but no one occupied a chair, apart from me who occupied the main one in the corner.

Next to me, a group of servants waited silently. 

A few minutes later, I heard footsteps. Lifting my gaze, I saw the door open to reveal Azula wearing a long dress that suited her small body. 

- Sorry I'm late, Father, my maids had a problem with my dress, but I've taken care of it. -Azula commented while bowing slightly, but without hiding her malicious tone. 

- "Where's Zuko?" I asked angrily, as Zuko, heir to the throne, had no excuse for being late. 

- "My brother should be here soon," he replied with a sarcastic and malicious tone.

Azula approached and sat down on a chair to the right of her father, as if she was satisfied with just being near Ozai.

Azula, like a princess worthy of the fire nation, behaved herself and showed no reaction to her older brother's delay, waiting patiently for dinner.

 Just as I was about to call a guard to look for my son, the door opened, revealing a panting Zuko.

- Sorry for the delay, Dad! -He said, tired and embarrassed. Turning to Azula, an angry look came over him for a moment.

I noticed his gaze on his sister, and an imperceptible smile on his lips, implying that he was responsible for his brother's delay.

- You're late! - I scold. - Do you think you'll succeed me with this kind of behavior?

- That won't happen again. - Zuko replies with his head lowered. 

- A man must know how to face his problems, if he can't solve them, then he's not worthy of the crown, son. -I correct my son, hoping he'll understand that he can't be dependent on his mother.

- Yes, my father." Walking slowly with his eyes turned towards the ground.

- So my dear father, who is your guest? - Azula asked, observing the room without noticing any presence that caught her eye. - Shouldn't whoever it is already be in your presence?

As Azula asked and Zuko walked towards a seat near his father, the door through which the princes had passed was opened, revealing a figure of similar stature to the crown prince.

When Kai revealed himself, he impressed the princes either by his arrival or by his appearance. He was now wearing an outfit that went against the predominant colors normally worn by the royal family. His outfit was a long-sleeved shirt that reached all the way down to his hands, complemented by gloves that only left his fingers out, wearing distinctly baggy pants, along with a set of silver-toned black boots. The outfit itself was black, with a few red details. Unlike the quasi-religious habit of every member of the nation, Kai didn't wear a ponytail, just let his hair down, which was long enough to reach the end of his back.

I watched Kai's movements carefully as he stood still, drawing everyone's attention to his presence. His eyes seemed to trace movements across the table, until they met my eyes. Imperceptibly, I could sense that my own golden eyes were also shining.

Even though his arrival was not rebuffed by anyone already present, it was clear that everyone present, except Ozai, was confused about his identity. 

Slowly, Kai moved towards Zuko, but he didn't face him, passing by the prince, clearly confused. 

Azula watched as the scarlet-eyed boy approached his father, instinctively she was going to rebuke such an offense, until she saw his father's eyes showing a gleam that even she herself didn't know.

Facing my first-born son, I followed his every step, until he approached me and just dragged his chair, sitting down on my left side. 

At that moment, the princes had expressions of total shock, as if they had seen something inexplicable that they would never be able to decipher. This was no different from the servants and guards who saw it. 

- You took your time. - I commented, making my dissatisfaction clear.

- I walked around the castle to familiarize myself with the place, only to get lost halfway through.

- Q-who! Who are you! -Zuko shouted, pointing at Kai accusingly. - How dare you sit next to the king! 

Azula immediately pulled herself together, got up from her chair and stretched out her arm towards the stranger, a yellowish-orange flame covering her small hand. If you looked closely, you could see a slight blue tinge in the center of his flames. 

Kai simply didn't take Azula's threat seriously, he just stared at it in silence and then faced his brother Zuko, letting out a heavy sigh.

- Since I'm the sword of the fire lord, naturally I should be close enough to draw it. -Crossing his arms and closing his eyes. -So it's only natural that I should be by your side, even at your meal.

- Father! Are you going to allow such offense and insubordination? - Azula replied, holding back from doubling over.

Hearing my first-born's response, I'm pleased, even though it was a reckless action on his part, he clearly understood what his role in my plans would be.

To be my sword is not just to be my bodyguard or the princes', but to be the very representation of my will and the storm for those who defy me. 

- Azula and Zuko... this is the guest I warned you about. -I extend my hand towards my third son. -This young man's name is Kai, you'll get used to his presence from now on, and he's your older brother. 

The bomb was dropped on the princes, their shocked expressions evident. Azula even lost his elemental control, causing his flame to go out of control, being extinguished by Kai who raised his arm and snapped his fingers, but was quickly ignored. 

- Brother! He's my older brother." Zuko said this with his body trembling, confused in his heart, and couldn't help remembering his mother, Ursa. -That doesn't make sense, you only married Mom!

-"I don't want to argue about it!" I raise my voice, causing the temperature in the dining room to suddenly rise. - Kai is my son, that's the end of it.

Azula, still shocked, kept looking at her "new" brother. Her heart was in a whirlwind of emotions, staring at her father, who didn't care what Zuko said.

- How is the hierarchy of the royal family? - Azula asked, trying to regain his composure.

- There's no need to worry. - Kai said. - I'm not in the running for the throne, and even if I could, I don't want that position for myself.

Azula turned to face her father, trying to get some confirmation of Kai's words, only to see Ozai nodding subtly. 

For the rest of the dinner, Zuko stared at Kai, irritated at being at his father's side, without taking into account his emotions at remembering his mother. 

Unlike Zuko, Azula watched Kai's every move with clear curiosity, as if studying everything possible. 

Kai just ate in silence, concentrating on maintaining the cordiality he had been taught in his homeland.

The same went for Ozai, who concentrated on his food, enjoying the silence, but still attentive to the actions of his two heir sons. Inside, Ozai knew that Kai wouldn't make a rash move against his brothers, as long as he wasn't provoked, of course.