Servant of Jotunheim

Guests

Loki quickly becomes weary of the nobles surrounding him, barely granting him the opportunity to take a sip of his wine between introductions, but he remains the polite welcoming host regardless.

However it does not take him long to notice that his mother and Valanya have yet to arrive. Much to his annoyance, Princess Dahlia approaches him accompanied by her father.

Dahlia: "Allfather, it is wonderful to see you again" she greets him.

Loki: "And you, princess. So glad you could join us this evening".

Dahlia: "You remember my father, King Naris, of course".

Naris: "Pleased to see you again, Allfather. Unfortunately I have not had the time nor the opportunity to visit Asgard since before your father passed away".

Loki: "Asgard is happy to welcome you back".

In truth, he could barely tolerate King Naris as he had the worst reputation for his cruel treatment of his subjects.

Loki could feel Dahlia's eyes eating into him, when the only woman he truly wished to be by his side this evening was not yet here.

Loki: "Enjoy the festivities" he smiles and heads over in Thor's direction.

Thor: "What troubles you, brother?"

Loki: "They are late" he replies with worry.

Thor: "Who is?"

Loki: "Mother and Valanya, of course".

Thor: "You know how women are. They always strive to be fashionably late so they will make a far grander entrance".

Loki: "They do?"

At that moment a guard enters.

Guard: "Frigga, Queen Mother of Asgard" he announces loudly enough to capture all the guests attention before she enters the grand hall.

She is soon followed by Ruth and Sara who are now dressed in much finer purple gowns, with their hair up in a tight bun.

Thor: "Mother, you look wonderful".

Loki: "As always" he adds, placing a kiss on his mother's cheek.

Frigga: "I apologise for my absence. I had to pay a visit to Valanya's chambers first to give her a gift".

Loki: "So she is coming?"

Frigga: "Do not worry yourself, my son. She is on her way as we speak".

Guard: "Princess Valanya of Beddleheim" he announces before everyone in the room falls silent and turns towards the door.

All of them have been desperately wanting to lay their eyes upon the princess rumoured to have captured the Allfather's interest.

The doors open once more as Valanya enters with a graceful confidence. Loki is taken aback by how elegant she looks, with the pale pink dress he designed only accentuating her beauty.

The guests part like water when she walks towards him and he finds himself desperately longing to kiss her.

Thor: "Brother, I believe this is truly the first time that I have ever been envious of you" he declares, patting Loki on the back.

Loki slowly approaches and is without words once he reaches her. The room remains in complete silence when she curtsies and he takes her hand, placing a tender kiss on the back of it.

Valanya: "Thank you for the invitation, Allfather. It is an honour to be here as your guest. I can only apologise for my late arrival, Prince Thor" she smiles sweetly.

Thor: "Princess, thank you for coming" his voice bellows out as the room refills with chatter among the nobles.

Valanya: "I would not have missed it for anything".

Thor: "I will go and get you something to drink while my brother picks his jaw up off of the floor" he laughs, much to Loki's embarrassment.

Frigga: "My son, is she not the most beautiful princess you have ever seen?"

Loki: "She...she is" he stutters nervously.

Across the room, Princess Dahlia is positively seething with envy at the sight of the Allfather so enamoured with this unfamiliar princess.

Dahlia: 'Look at her throwing herself at him like some desperate whore'.

Naris: 'Jealousy is hardly a flattering colour on you daughter'.

Dahlia: "She is not even that pretty".

Naris: "That you are correct about my dear. She is far from pretty, she is indeed exquisite. Far too beautiful for the likes of that boy".

Dahlia: "Do not tell me you desire that begger queen?"

Naris: "She is the only princess in this entire room that is not a begger queen. She already has him entranced with her mere presence, whereas you had to throw yourself at him for an ounce of attention only to be rejected".

Dahlia: "You were the one who insisted that I make an attempt at seduction. I cannot help the fact he was uninterested".

Naris: "Do not fear, daughter. Your time to rule this land will surely come".

Dahlia: "You have a plan?"

Naris: "I intend to use all of my resources to find out everything there is to know about this mystery princess of his. Once I know what makes her tick, I will soon use it to my advantage and make her mine".

Dahlia: "You desire her for yourself?"

Naris: "After your mother's tragic accident I need a new bride to take into my bed if I am ever to produce a male heir. I believe she will do quite nicely".

Dahlia: "Do your playthings down in the dungeons no longer satisfy your needs? And how do you propose you will separate them when they are so clearly in love?"

Naris: "My playthings have their purposes, but this girl is special. She needs a real King to rule over that body of hers, not some boy with a crown and I will be the one to do it".