The Prince's Servant

Part eight

Prince Loki shifts his gaze from my eyes, to my hair, then back to the ground. I notice he's blushing a bit. Well, let's be honest, it's easy to tell because of his pale skin tone! I glance around the hedge garden. I am hoping that Joshua won't run into me with my hair like this. I will never hear the end of it if he sees me. Prince Loki stands to his feet and straightens his back. He takes a deep breath, then exhales. He looks at my hair again, then he chuckles. He shakes his head and looks down.
"Mother has really stepped it up this time." He says trying to keep a cool calm tone. "I'll try my best this week and see what I can do." He adds. I nod still looking down. He takes a couple steps toward me, reaches out and hooks my chin between his fingers and gently tilts my head upward. He looks into my eyes, he has a strange expression on his face. I feel as if he's rummaging through my mind. He smiles warmly.
"Jennifer," He starts. "would you like to tour the palace with me?" He asks with a calm cool tone. He realizes he was holding my chin too long and blushes as he releases.
"That sounds lovely." I answer.
"Excellent." He exclaims softly as he stretches his arm out for me to take. I smile and take hold of his arm. He leads me through many different parts of the palace that I have never even seen before. We reach a hallway that has many different doors on each side.
"Now," The Prince starts as he releases my arm and takes a step toward one particular door. "This next room is one of my favorite parts of the palace." He says with an excited grin. I can see the excitement in his eyes, I can hear the enthusiasm in his tone, and the joy in his expression. On the inside, I wonder for a short moment why Prince Loki would be taking an interest in me? Why is he spending time on me? Doesn't he have better things to be doing, rather than showing a maid around the royal part of the palace?

On the outside I smile and nod gently. He opens up the double doors and excitedly reaches out and grabs my hand. He looks from my eyes, to the room. He pulls me into the room. I glance around in amazement.
"Jennifer, welcome to my little piece of paradise." Prince Loki says as he looks from my eyes, to the ginormous, overwhelming, book shelves filled from shelf to shelf with books. I look around the room in pure amazement. Prince Loki watches me as I take in all of the beauty in the room.
"What do you think?" He asks, still watching me.
"It's so elegant, so amazing, so, so..." I'm at a loss for words. He chuckles.
"I thought you'd like it." Prince Loki says with a grin. "Come on." He says leading me by the hand further into the most beautiful library I've ever seen. He smiles back at me multiple times as we walk through rows and rows of massive book shelves. We finally stop towards the back of the library. He takes a book off of one of the smaller shelves and looks at the cover.
Midgardian History
In the back of my mind, I'm wondering why he would be interested in Midgardians, but I don't have time to think on the subject any longer. He reluctantly releases my hand and opens the book. I feel a bit of sweat on my palm and try my best to wipe it without him noticing.

He looks from the book, to my eyes.
"Their lifespan is so short it's sad." He says with a caring tone in his voice. I can see the genuine care in his eyes.
"I wish to one day be able to expand their lives." He says looking back at the book. He chuckles softly. "You don't share the same thought about midgardians as I do..." He asks. "Do you?" He asks looking into my eyes. I glance down.
"In all honesty, I haven't really given any thought to midgardians." I answer looking down.
"I see..." He replies looking down at the book. "Why not? If I may ask." He adds. I think for a moment, then look over at him.
"It really hasn't been a part of my life. I don't have an opinion about midgardians. I mean, I don't think about them, I don't dislike them... I just... I don't know." I answer trying to find an answer.
"Interesting..." He says.
"My life has mainly been about trying to survive. Then I was chosen at the reaping of the youth when I was 13. Ever since, I've just been trying to do my job and please my higher-ups." I add. I look down.
"I see..." He replies. Just then we hear a noise coming from one of the rows of book shelves. Prince Loki and I look at each other, then back toward where the noise is coming from. Prince Loki raises a finger to his lips, motioning for me to stay silent. I nod as he silently places the book back onto the shelf.

He smirks and extends his hand to me. He gives me a reassuring look as I take his hand. I see a small golden light engulf the Prince and I. I close my eyes, then open them again. I see Loki smirk at me then motion for me to follow him. He motions for me to stay silent as we walk to investigate. I receive a thought in my head, but it's more like a memory. It's Loki back in the hedge garden, trying to stay invisible. I then understand what's happening. Loki has turned himself and I invisible. We reach the source of the strange noise. Prince Loki has a hand on his hip, and a disgusted look in his face. I walk over and stand next to Loki as I see a Prince Thor with a young maiden. The maiden and Prince Thor are having a make-out session. I try my hardest not to laugh, or get disgusted. Prince Loki and I make eye contact as he smirks. He motions for me to follow him as he reaches out and grabs my hand again. We exit the library and he makes us visible again. We both start laughing as he closes the doors to the library.
"That was a bit disturbing." He says with a disapproving look on his face.
"I would have to agree." I add a bit disgusted.
"Well," Prince Loki starts as he takes a step toward me. "it's almost time for dinner." He says looking into my eyes.
"Time sure does fly." I say.
"Especially if you're enjoying it with favorable company." He says grinning. "Jennifer, I take great pleasure in being around you." He says grasping my hands and looking into my eyes. I blush and try to find the words to say.
"Don't say anything." He says. "I just wanted you to know." He adds. I smile looking into his eyes. I feel a connection happen between us. I feel as if he has connected our emotions. I decide to be bold and reach into his consciousness. I have no idea what I'm looking for, I just search. I finally come upon this speck of emotion that seems different from everything else.

I examine it and realize it's a tidbit of love and compassion. Prince Loki breaks the connection and looks into my eyes. It takes me a couple minutes to come back to reality.
"Jennifer." I hear Prince Loki call my name. "Jennifer." He calls again. He smirks in realization of what I did. He's impressed and pleased with my actions. I come back to reality as he gently grazes his knuckles over my jawline.
"You're such a clever girl. What were you looking at?" He asks me with a mischievous smirk.
"I... I don't exactly know." I answer trying my best to focus.
"Here, allow me to help." He offers as he reaches over and kisses my cheek. My senses come back and I begin to blush. I inhale as my senses come back. Prince Loki pulls back.
"Better?" He asks with a sly grin.
"Yes actually. Thank you your Highness." I answer looking down.
"Glad to be of assistance." He says with a smirk. I chuckle softly.
"Now then, I must join my mother and father in the royal banquet hall. I'll join you in the main dining hall later tonight." He says raising my hand to his face. He kisses it and looks into my eyes.
"Thank you Prince Loki." I reply.
"Just Loki." He says with a smirk as he releases my hands and takes a few steps away from me. "And no work until further notice!" He calls over to me as we go our separate ways.

I reach the dining hall. There's not many people there yet. I spot Josh walking in through the opposite doorway. He's walking with another soldier. Josh waves goodbye to the soldier and he makes his way to a table. He scans the room. I know he's looking for me, we usually do this. He locks his eyes on me and makes a face. I then remember my hair color. I have a mini panic attack as a smirk spreads across Josh's face. He's spotted me. He's spotted me and there's nothing I can do about it.