The Queen of Jotunheim

Chapter 16: The Royals and Peasants

Chapter 16: 
The Difference Between 
The Royals and Peasants

"Yes," Loki said, not even trying to deny it as he turned to Fandral, a slight blush on his face, "I have." There was no denying it anymore; he had fully and truly fallen in love with Nix, and he was both flying and sinking with that revelation.

"..." Fandral walked up to Loki's side as he too watched Nix and Crystal dance together, laughing earnestly as they smiled at each other and even some other people dancing. "... Nice."

"Nice?! Is that truly all you can say?!" Loki hissed, the sinking feeling starting to win in the conflict of his heart. "I don't think a relationship like that could ever work!" How could it?!

"Why?" Fandral asked confused, turning to Loki and raising an eyebrow. "From where I'm standing is it not perfect?" He spoke earnestly, and Loki groaned in frustration at how clueless he was.

"She's a Jotunn," Loki whispered, but to that, he heard Fandral snort loudly and looked at him shocked. "Really?" Fandral asked, looking hard at Loki, "I don't believe that is ANY kind of issue! It's clear that what we knew about Jotuns was ancient and flawed knowledge, they are nothing like the scary stories mothers would tell their children in order to make them behave."

Loki frowned, looking at Nix. He knew that now! That had not been what he meant. "But what if our races are not... Compatible?" Loki asked unsure, fidgeting with his hands. "That has never stopped me," Fandral said, a cheeky smile on his face, "and from what I have experienced so far, I think most are compatible with each other, but if there is any difficulty I'm sure there are solutions."

Loki blushed hard at that, groaning and covering his face. "Right, I forgot, you are the leading expert in interdimensional sex!" He hissed as he glared at Fandral, but his friend just laughed and patted his shoulder.

"I'm just trying to help Loki!" Fandral said, his smile turning more sincere and warm, "I can tell you have true feelings for her, so," he turned Loki to face him more, "what other worries are bouncing around that nogging of yours?"

Loki frowned, hands fidgeting. "Our realm's relationship is not stable! There is so much tension between them and-" "And is that not what you are trying to solve with all these peace declarations and diplomatic talk?" Fandral asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well... Yes but-" Loki tried to argue but got interrupted. "But what?" Fandral asked, gesturing around them. "I understand what the problem would have been had you been a peasant trying to court the enemy of your King Loki, but you are not." He put his hands on Loki's shoulders, looking him in the eyes. "You are the prince fighting for peace between the realms."

"Yes, I'm a prince! I have duties!" Loki said seriously, looking around at his people, "We are in a delicate situation! I can't go around courting-" "Courting the Queen of the other realm?" Fandral asked, raising an eyebrow. "Correct me if I'm wrong Loki, but are royal marriages not often used to settle disputes between realms?"

Loki jumped, shocked at that. "M-Marriage?!" He had not even been thinking that far ahead! His cheeks burned from the intensity of his blush. "But I don't want an arranged marriage! Mother promised me that would never happen! That I get to choose-"

"But that's what makes this perfect Loki!" Fandral said seriously, gesturing to Nix. "If you choose her, and she chooses you back, is that not the perfect royal marriage between our realms?"

Loki paused, blinking surprised, and stared at Nix... Why had he not thought of that before?! Fandral was right! But still... "What if she does not choose me?" He asked worriedly, his eyes hard. "Loki, with the way she looks at you, trust me." Fandral put his hands on his shoulders again, this time from behind. "She'll choose you."