Servant of Jotunheim

Entrance

Princess Milea is positively breathtaking in her figure hugging, golden, mermaid style gown that the King had personally selected for her.

I help style her hair so that it is down in loose curls, opposed to her naturally straight hair that she normally wears up.

Milea: "Say what you may about the King, but that man has excellent taste in gowns" she giggles while I apply her golden eyeshadow.

Me: "You look beautiful. Perhaps you will even meet a pretty girl this evening?"

Milea: "Under my father's watchful eye? Are you mad?" she laughs and gets up to help button my gown.

The tighter black gown that the King had chosen for me to wear this evening however, left very little to the imagination.

A slit up the side of the skirt left one leg entirely on display, and the neckline plunged so deep that my chest and skin was very much exposed almost all the way down to my naval.

Milea had styled my hair into a side swept braid, with small black flowers pinned in place throughout that fell elegantly around my shoulder, at least granting me some modesty from my revealing dress.

Once our masks are in place, we head to the ball room quickly and decide it best that we enter together.

Before we are announced, I grab her hand and insist on holding it even while we enter to show how much I support her, even if her father does not.

Guard: "My King, Princess Milea of Jormir and Princess Valanya of Beddleheim".

The doors are opened and as we enter the guests look on in awe.

I sense her fear when we walk further inside, catching the eye of the man I believe to be her father. He has a clear look of displeasure upon noticing that we are holding hands.

Loki: "What did a King such as I ever do to deserve such splendour?" he asks us when we reach him.

He places a tender kiss on our hands and we move to either side of him, both taking one arm each while we go to get a drink.

Once we have a moment of privacy in the corner of the hall, he reminds us of the next step of the plan.

Loki: "I shall dance with Milea first".

Me: "That is fine".

Loki: "Just remember not to appear as though you are fine with it, and position yourself so that Naris can see you. Once we are finished and the guests applaud us, you must go out onto the balcony".

Milea: "Are you certain he will follow her?"

Loki: "Wearing a dress like that? I certainly would" he laughs before taking his final sip of wine and leading Milea out onto the dance floor.

A slow yet romantic melody echoes through the room as I position myself opposite to where King Naris is standing with some of the other guests.

I try my best to look saddened while they gracefully float along the floor together, but they look beautiful. Even her father looks somewhat proud.

Once the melody comes to an end, they both leave the dance floor, going in the opposite direction of where I am currently standing.

I walk outside towards the balcony quickly as to appear upset and look out over the kingdom just as the sun begins to set.

I stare directly into the sun for a brief moment to inspire tears to come to my eyes as I sense a presence approaching me.

Agnarr: "Apologies, Princess Valanya. I did not mean to alarm you".

Me: "It is quite alright. I was not expecting anyone else to come out here".

Agnarr: "You appeared rather upset, and what sort of King would I be if I did not come out here to ensure you were alright?"

Me: "You are a King?"

Agnarr: "I am".

There is a strange sense of sadness around him.

Agnarr: "In truth I never wished to be a King".

Me: "What man would not desire to be King?" I laugh in confusion.

Agnarr: "Me, I'm afraid. Having the throne always felt somewhat dishonest to me".

Me: "Dishonest how?"

Agnarr: "My family did not inherit the throne by honest means, and quite frankly I never approved".

Me: "Oh?"

Agnarr: "Surely you must of heard of what occurred many years ago on Alfheim?"

Me: "You are the King of Alfheim?" I ask as my legs buckle slightly in fear.

Agnarr: "That I am. It still amazes me that in polite society everyone knows the rumour, but no one ever dares to speak of it".

Me: "I come from a small mining planet, so you may need to enlighten me?" I encourage the story from him.

Agnarr: "The previous royal family of my realm had a daughter and she was betrothed to the Prince of Svartalfheim. You may perhaps know him as King Naris. She could not tolerate him to the point that she ran away".

Me: "What happened after that?"

Agnarr: "Angered by her betrayal, Naris's father along with my own, lured the entire royal family into one place under false pretences. They used dark magic to set the palace ablaze and kill all of them".

Me: "Why?" I ask, now with genuine tears in my eyes.

Agnarr: "For power of course. Naris needed a replacement bride and my younger sister, Elanor, was offered up like a lamb to the slaughter in exchange for a throne".

Me: "I heard that the Queen of Svartalfheim perished".

Agnarr: "Under more than suspicious circumstances. I cannot prove it, but I know Naris murdered my sister and I will not rest until the truth is known".

Me: "So you are also Princess Dahlia's uncle?"

Agnarr: "I pity that poor girl. She has been corrupted by her father's cruel nature her entire life".

Me: "We should perhaps head back inside now, the King may have noticed my absence" I smile politely and turn to leave.

The King sees me entering once more and has an immediate look of panic after watching me being followed back inside by the wrong man.

He swiftly comes over and asks me to dance with him as another melody begins to play.

Loki: "Did he follow you?"

Me: "Yes, but I felt no indication that he meant me any harm".

Loki: "You must stay away from him".

Me: "He spoke of Alfheim and confirmed that the previous royal family were murdered by his and Naris's father. He also believes that Naris murdered his sister, Elanor. He could be an ally?"

Loki: "No, Valanya. I will not have you putting yourself in anymore danger so stick to the current plan" he instructs.

Me: "I do love it when you are commanding like this" I tease.

Loki: "I did not have the opportunity to tell you before, but you are the most beautiful woman here this evening" he compliments as he spins me around.

After pulling me towards him, he leans me back so that my head tilts. He then places a kiss upon my neck in full view of King Naris as the melody comes to an end, and all of the guests applaud.

Loki: "You dance wonderfully, my love" he whispers.