When You Say Nothing at All

Chapter 4

It was time for Frigga's birthday. The celebration was going to last a whole week with the last day being her actual birthday. Our servants had packed everything that we need for the week. Even though we were pretty close to the palace we were still going to be spending the week there. I was so excited. Loki's book had been carefully packed so I could return it to him. We had to take two carriages, my family would ride in one, I was to ride in the second one with the few servants we were taking with us. I didn't care. At least the servants were nice to me.

When we arrived at the palace we were shown to our rooms. Unfortunately I had to share a room with Sigyn. I frowned at that. It would be harder to get Loki his book without her seeing it. I had kept it secret from her. I didn't think she would've done anything to the book as it belonged to Loki but she definitely would've stolen it from me or something.

"NO! Put those dresses over here! The shoes go UNDER each dress!" Sigyn ordered the servants.

I rolled my eyes and hung up my own clothes. At least we didn't have to share closet space. Once I was unpacked I grabbed the book of poems and headed to the library, hoping I would find Loki there. I left Sigyn as she continued to yell at the servants.

The festivities wouldn't start until later tonight so I had a little bit of downtime to relax. I turn a corner and walk right into someone. I look up to see that I had walked right into Fandral.

"My lady, I'm very sorry! I did not know that you were there." He bows to me.

I shake my head at him, the book had fallen from my hands and I quickly sign an apology. Fandral leans down and picks up the book handing it to me.

"I take it my lady was heading to the library?" He asks.

Sigyn's voice echoes down the hall as she yells at a servant and I grimace. Fandral grimaces as well and he holds out his arm.

"I shall escort you to the library fair lady."

I gladly take his arm. Anything to get away from the hall. I listen to him as he talks about what is going to happen during the celebration. Feasts every night along with music, dancing, plays, and drinking. The last day would be the biggest of course with something special to end the night on. I looked up at Fandral with a questioning look on my face.

He smiled. "I'm terribly sorry fair lady, but that is a secret."

I narrow my eyes at him in mock suspicion before shrugging.

"Here we are my lady. You're destination." Fandral takes my hand and kisses the top of it.

I smile at him and curtsy as he turns and walks away. I open the doors to the library to see it empty. I let out a sad sigh but look around anyway.

"Not that one." A voice startles me as I had started to reach out and grab another book.

I turn to look at Loki who has a satisfied smirk on his face knowing he just scared the living crap out of me. I glare at him.

"Stop scaring me like that!"

Loki only shrugs as he steps over to the bookshelf I was look at and grabs a different book.

"Here! This one is much better." He hands the book over to me.

I take it and walk over to where I had placed his book. I set my new book down and grab his handing it back to him.

"Thank you for lending that to me."

He takes it and in a flash of green the book disappears. He grabs another book from a shelf going to sit down on a nearby chair and begins reading. I take another chair and begin reading the book he had given me. Even though we are not talking it's a comfortable silence between us. The only sound is the occasional turn of the page.

Though the silence doesn't last as soon a servant comes into the library. He announces that the celebration will begin soon. I close the book and stand. I had to get ready. The clothes I had come in were not appropriate for a party. I curtsy to Loki and leave the library walking back to my room. Sigyn was busy ordering the servants on how to dress her and style her hair.

"Ugh, you would think that with all the time you spend with your nose in a book that you would at least know how to speak by now." Her eyes narrow at the book in my hands.

I place the book down and turn to look at her. "And you would think that with all the time you take pruning yourself, that you would sprout wings and fly."

She frowns. "I have to make myself presentable to Prince Loki. I intend to marry him one day. The best you'll do is some lower noble, and that's even if you get lucky in getting married in the first place." She stands up and walks over to me. "Don't even think of trying for either of the princes. No one wants a dumb princess."

I narrow my eyes at her. "Then why are you even trying?"

Her hand leaves a stinging slap on my cheek. "I have a better chance at Prince Loki than you do getting a pig farmer!"

She stares at me a little longer hoping I'll break down and cry but instead I just glare back at her. She finally turns back to let the servants continue styling her hair. I turn to my closet and begin picking out my dress for the first night of Frigga's birthday celebration. I only get help from the servants once Sigyn has left to join our parents. The apply a little makeup to cover the handprint on my face. It's nowhere as red as when my parents slap me but its still noticeable. I hide the book in my bag before leaving to head to the dining hall. To my surprise I see Sigurd waiting for me.

He frowns a little at me and rolls his eyes. "What did you do to Sigyn now?"

I shrug. "Nothing more than usual." I answer innocently.

He sighs but offers his arm for me. Even though he was still shorter than me it still made me happy that he was still the nicest to me out of my family. Together we head towards the dining hall.