"Loki?" Thor demanded incredulously, jumping back to his feet, lightning sparking around him. "The crown was to be mine!" he protested, sounding like an insolent child. And proving Odin's point as to why Loki was the better candidate for king. "I was to be coronated when he interrupted the ceremony with frost giants!" he roared in anger.
You stood slowly, with a grace and gentleness that you learned from Frigga. It was an effective strategy against the volatile tempers of Asgardian warriors. They noticed the gentle ladies in their midst and were all trained to protect them.
All three pair of eyes turned to you as you stood. You didn't have your magic to intimidate them, but you didn't need it. You placed one hand on the table in front of you. "You can't honestly say you didn't see this coming," you told Thor firmly. Odin sat back and watched you. You could feel him evaluating you.
Thor's temper rose. He was incredibly easy to read when lightning was sparking around him. You faced him without fear. Despite that he was angry, he wouldn't hurt you. Even without your powers, you didn't feel any fear of him. Hel, you'd throw down with him if that's what it took. Even without your powers.
It was a big change from when you used to be terrified of the powerful men. It had been years since you'd been like that, thankfully, but when you'd first lived with the Avengers you'd hidden from everyone while you were without your powers, not trusting that they wouldn't take advantage of your weakness. It had been understandable at the time. You'd come from bad foster homes before you'd ended up with the team. And they were all super powered in some way, shape, or form.
You weren't afraid anymore and didn't flinch when Thor glared at you.
"Why do you say that, lady?" he demanded, his words clipped as he tried to hold onto some semblance of manners and courtesy. You were his sister-in-law after all. He had to be somewhat polite, even if he was pissed.
"You were both raised to be kings and trained for it from the time you were children," you started. Loki and Thor both nodded while Odin listened stoically to your words. "Consider the past few years, though, Thor. Really think about it. Who has been being groomed for the throne? Who has been taking over the court for months at a time? Loki and I have acted as regents when the Allfather and Allmother were needed elsewhere," you were extra polite in front of Odin.
He still did scare you.
Thor looked a little chastened. He'd been galavanting around Midgard hitting things with his stupid hammer while you were ruling Asgard on Odin's behalf. He'd been enjoying that arrangement for years as Odin and Frigga called on Loki to rule more and more often. Thor should have put in the work, or complained about it earlier, instead of just letting Loki take over and then being mad when Loki was chosen to rule instead of him.
"You didn't even come to Asgard to see how Loki was faring acting as regent and you have the gall to demand the throne because you're older?" you asked calmly. Thor looked like he'd been slapped and his lightning faded instantly.
"I didn't mean- I-" he spluttered.
You raised a hand to silence him. "You and Loki both have your strengths and weaknesses. You're a warrior. You always have been. You always will be. That isn't a bad skill and is vital to the realm. But you and Sif are both warriors and that isn't what the realms need. We need our warriors, but we also need diplomacy and court savvy and that's where Loki's skills lie. We're in a time of peace, but it's tenuous, one misspoken interaction with representatives can lead us back to war. We need someone diplomatic on the throne, someone who can smell lies and court intrigue," you explained to him. Loki may hate sitting on the throne some days, but he was damn good at it.
Loki listened silently to what you had to say, prepared to jump in and fight his brother if you needed backup. He was impressed that you didn't, especially without your powers. He was more impressed, though, that you would stand up to Thor to not only defend your love, but to defend his claim to the throne. Defend that he should have it by right.
Thor considered your words, considered his actions over the past few years. He sighed heavily when he came to the same conclusion you had. "You're right as always, Sig," he told you warmly once he'd calmed his temper.
You gave him a warm smile in return and noted that Odin looked impressed at your ability to calm an angry Thor with just a few words.
Thor nodded to Odin and took his seat again. "I apologize, I was simply surprised by the news," he told the room as you took your seat as well, smoothing your long skirt as you sat. You'd gotten surprisingly used to Asgardian dresses over the last years.
"Though I did not take this into consideration, as this decision was made awhile ago, though not officially announced, there is also the consideration of succession of the throne," Odin started once you were all seated again. "Lady Sigyn is with child, so the line of succession is confirmed for another generation," he reminded you all.
Neither Thor nor Loki could argue that. You were with child and Sif was not. It was a valid reason to choose one son over the other, the line of succession had to be secure.
It made you feel better to hear that Odin hadn't made the decision based on that criteria. You would've heard the lie in his words if he had. You'd learned that skill from Loki after all.
"You will be sworn in as crown prince tomorrow morning in front of the court," Odin told Loki.
You saw the change in Loki's eyes as he seemed to finally, finally accept that he was really being named as the heir to the Asgardian throne. It was something he thought would never happen, but he was finally starting to accept that it was really, truly happening.
He was going to be king.
