~ Dynasty ~ A Loki love story.

Chapter 2

Lilly's pov:

What was up with this stranger? He literally kissed my hand - that I extended for a handshake - (embarrassing). He actually bowed and called me 'Lady'.

'He's very gentlemanly,'  I thought, 'but really, it's kind of strange.'

I managed a smile, "Nice to meet you too," I stated.

Loki straight up and asked casually, "So, what is it that draws you to the woods."

"Oh, it's just the charming quiet of it. No hustle and bustle of town, just me and nature," I replied looking into the trees, "what about you?"

"Much the same really," he answered, "and it helps me think, I come here almost every day - unless there's some urgent matter to attend."

I nodded, "I work a pretty tiresome job, and even though I'm exhausted at the end of the day I always find myself here, completely revived."

Loki smiled, "yes, I'm not yet - working my Father's trade, so I find myself here all the time. Sometimes I stay here for hours," he explained.

"What does your father do?" I asked.

"It's of no importance," he replied, then sat on a fallen log and motioned for me to join him and I did. 

"You say you're working all day," he started, "do you live alone?"

"No," I replied, "I live with my mother, she's been sick for many years, so I am the only one bringing in the money - my  Father died when I was a young child," I lifted my right hand to show a delicate gold band, "this bracelet is all I have left to remember him. I have no siblings. I have an Aunt and Uncle, but they made their home in Midgard ten years ago. What of your family?"

"I have a Mother and Father, both in good health," Loki responded, "and one elder brother," then he looked at the ground, "he's Father's favourite. I love my brother, but it's hard to sometimes when he gets all the admiration, care and respect. He laughs it off whenever I mention it, saying perhaps I should be braver or strong like him, but he has no idea. So I tend spend my time training and studying."

I suddenly felt sorry for Loki, that is such a terrible thing, not to have the love you need from a parent, "I'm sorry," I sympathised, then tried to change the subject, "so you said you train, what do you mean?" I asked.

"Oh, I practice arms," Loki replied, "the one thing that my Father cares to discuss with me. He always encourages me to keep getting better, train harder, but I've done so all my life and I feel it is his more so his way of ridding himself of me for the day."

"You must be very good," I stated, trying to lighten the moment, "what weapons can you wield?"

"Any," Loki replied, "from a bow to a trident."

"Wow," I responded, "I'd like to see -," I was stopped mid-sentence by a lone rider.

"Ahh, there you are," he declared, dismounting the chestnut mare, "your Mother, Que-".

"Yes! Yes, what about my mother?" Loki cut in quickly.

"She has requested to see you," the messenger replied, "as you know a ball is being held in the royal palace in six days time, she probably wants to discuss the details of it with you."

'A royal ball?' I thought, 'his parents must be rich to have been invited there, as well as have their own messenger.'

Loki nodded, "yes I'll return now," he answered, turning to leave.