The Queen of Jotunheim

Chapter 8: Diplomatic Feast

Chapter 8:
Enjoying a truly
Diplomatic Feast

After everyone had their cheers, the food was brought in by the servants and the feast could truly begin. Loki looked at the dishes, a mix between traditional Asgardian meals and some of the old Jotunn recipes that they had confirmed through messages to the Jotunheim realm were indeed still in their diet and safe for consumption.

Loki had a small fear that even if the food was edible, people would turn up their noses at the food, even more so the nobles, but he was pleased to see they were giving it a try. He had also feared that he would find it a bit repulsive, but quickly found that he enjoyed the meal. The meat was juicy and full of salty fat, and it tasted absolutely divine! He found himself reaching for the Jotunn dishes more than those of his own realm, but decided it was probably because it was new and exciting.

He was also pleased to see the Jotuns reaching for Asgardian dishes, seeming delighted about some of their fruits and sauces, but the biggest hit among them seemed to be the Asgardian drinks. The drinks were not the strongest stuff, in fear of people getting drunk and starting a brawl, but they were clearly still enjoying it. The table that held the warriors seemed even more relaxed as they drank happily and ate their food.

Loki had noticed some of the Asgardian nobles looking toward the warrior table with condescending smirks and whispering to each other. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the actions and expressions on them. They were mocking the Jotuns, talking about their lack of table manners and laughing behind their backs. Loki's eyes hardened at the clear hypocrisy because the warriors were no more rowdy and unrefined than the Asgardians themself were at the big feast, but then again, these were the old noble families of Asgard, and they could be a bit more judgmental.

Loki was about to comment on it to Nix, who he was sure had noticed this too, and to apologize for their rude behavior, but instead he was stunned as he watched her and the other Jotuns at the head table. They were moving with such grace and care as they dined, and yet didn't show any sign of hesitation or slowness in their movements. Looking at them, they were the embodiment of nobility in their dining, where every gesture exuded an exquisite elegance

Loki looked at the other Asgardian nobles and could not keep a grin from his face. It was clear they were just as shocked as he had been the first time he observed her, thinking she would be nothing but a ferocious monster, but nothing could be further from the truth at this moment.

He wanted to redefine the definition of elegance as he watched Nix dine with the other nobles, she was moving with such grace and precision that the Asgardians were the ones who looked like they were lacking in manners.

But Loki was not that surprised. Sure these were the elite Asgardian nobles, but even they were more used to the party-like feast than the rare noble dining, and even when they had attended the more refined dinners they had been the elite of the elite and had not needed to refine their skills in table manners since they already considered themself the best. Now it was clear that they all had been slacking and falling behind.

The only person at the table who matched Nix's elegance was his own mother, who moved just as much as a true queen as Nix did. They truly were the most radiant people here, even more so as they in no way seemed like they were competing over a fictitious spotlight as some of the other nobles did. They were shining on their own, not needing to chase after the attention, it came to them all by itself.

And of course, Loki himself could hold his own in a battle of elegance and refinement. Where his brother had focused more on brawling and strength, Loki had focused on dexterity and precision. His brother had trained how to swing his hammer and other ways to fight, and Loki had studied the more delicate parts of being a noble, including dining.