chapter 6

A few days had passed since the ball had taken place. (Y/n) and Natasha had taken it upon themselves to explore the palace. Natasha had been asked on an outing with Loki, so you took it upon yourself to look for the library. After about an hour of wondering, you arrived at a gorgeously carved wooden door. 'I wonder what's in here,' you thought as you slowly pushed the door open; stepping inside the room your eyes widened in surprise. 

The room is filled from top to bottom with rows and rows of bookshelves. Each shelf filled with all kinds of books and tomes, sliding ladders placed periodically around the different shelves to help visitors reach the higher editions. You let out a small gasp as you walk around in awe. Glancing at the various books you notice, there were Shakespear's complete works and plays, Edgar Allen Poe, Charles Dickens, and many more. 

Walking over to the Shakespeare section, you decided to spend time reading and choose your favorite play, Romeo and Juliet. You had read it only a million times, but it was a classic, and you were a sucker for romance. Settling down on one of the couches, you opened the book and began to read. 

It had been several hours since you began your book; it was silent and peaceful within the library. Standing up, you return the book to the self only to catch a glimpse of a green cape out of the corner of your eye.

"Is someone there," you ask, a little nervous. Loki chuckles. You jump at the noise. "Did I scare you?" You clear your throat. "No, I just didn't expect someone to be in here."

 "I see… You were reading Romeo and Juliet. What did you think?" You sit back down.

 "Well, I love it. It's my favorite play. That was not the first time I've read it."

 "Ah, I see. Are you a Shakespeare fan?" You nod your head. "Who's your favorite author?" "(F/a), but I also really love Louisa May Alcott, J.K Rowling, J.R.R Tolkien, Shakespeare, Jane Austin, Kate Seredy, Suzanne Collins, Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, Nancy Farmer, Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe, and F Scott Fitzgerald. How about you?"

 "Wow, I'd have to agree with you… Although I have to say I haven't read anything by Jane Austin. What kind of books does she write?" You look at him, shocked.

 "How?! She mostly writes romance. I guess that's why you haven't read any of her work…" 

"Actually, I like romance. But I guess I'll never have my chance at it because of this stupid contest," Loki confesses.

 "What if you fall in love with one of the maidens here?"  you ask him softly, he sighs.

"Let's face it. Most of the maidens are only here because I'm the Prince of Asgard, and they want the money and title that comes with marrying me. You and Lady Natasha are only here because of your association with Thor and felt you owed him a favor. " he glared, turning around in a huff. 

"While most of what you said is true, the reason I came was to experience the culture. I don't care about money or titles" you sighed feeling offended, "I should go prepare for the first event; excuse me your highness" you bow and leave the library. 

Loki's pov

At mother's request, I decided to ask Lady Natasha to walk the castle grounds with me, as a sort of date; as mother put it. I should get to know the maidens better. 

(Time skip brought to you by Loki's illusions)

"So Lady Natasha tell me about yourself, besides wanting to wipe the red from your ledger," I speak softly walking through the gardens. Natasha glares at me. "It doesn't matter does it?" I sigh a little annoyed. "I guess not…" 

"You really wanna know me?" I nod my head slowly a little unsure of what she's about to do or say. Natasha smiles. "Ya know there was this one time in New York where this crazy guy tried to take over the world but the Avengers stopped him. Then we had to stop a crazy killer robot that Stark and Banner created." I roll my eyes and scoff.  But I'm honestly a little hurt she brought up New York. 'Doesn't she know what actually happened?' I keep my emotions hidden. 

"Oh, and I'm here at a stupid contest that I'm not allowed to have weapons at. I thought this was the home of warriors!" I roll my eyes again. "Lady Natasha, it's just that we don't trust you with a weapon. Anyway, I'd like to hear more about this robot." "Ok… Uh, you should have seen Thor's face when Vision lifted his hammer." Natasha chuckles. 

"I heard about that. Thor was very amused and slightly angry. What did the robot want?" "To kill the whole human race." I roll my eyes. "See I'm better than it is. I just wanted to rule." I chuckle a little. "That's true I guess… But I mean enslaving all of Earth is still pretty bad…" I sigh. 'How can she not know?' "Yeah, I guess it is…" "Why doesn't Odin want me to have weapons?" I roll my eyes again. "Lady Natasha drop it," I command super annoyed. She rolls her eyes and walks off. 

Grumbling about being rude I decide to bide my time in the library, perhaps finish the romance novel I had stolen from Midgard. 'If only someone could understand the real me. Not the evil, chaotic, front I put on but the softer, mischievous, loving side; the side only mother has seen.'  I sigh softly as I quietly enter my favorite room in the palace. 

My green cape swished behind me as I rounded a corner. 

"Is someone there," (Y/n) asked a little nervous. I chuckled mischievously watching her jump at the noise. "Did I scare you?" she cleared her throat. "No, I just didn't expect someone to be in here."

 "I see… You were reading Romeo and Juliet. What did you think?" she sat back down.

 "Well, I love it. It's my favorite play. That was not the first time I've read it."

 "Ah, I see. Are you a Shakespeare fan?" she nodded her head. "Who's your favorite author?" "(F/a), but I also really love Louisa May Alcott, J.K Rowling, J.R.R Tolkien, Shakespeare, Jane Austin, Kate Seredy, Suzanne Collins, Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, Nancy Farmer, Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe, and F Scott Fitzgerald. How about you?"

 "Wow, I'd have to agree with you… Although I have to say I haven't read anything by Jane Austin. What kind of books does she write?" (y/n) look at me, shocked.

 "How?! She mostly writes romance. I guess that's why you haven't read any of her work…" 

"Actually, I like romance. But I guess I'll never have my chance at it because of this stupid contest," I confessed though not entirely sure why. 

 "What if you fall in love with one of the maidens here?"  she asked softly, I rolled my emerald green eyes sighing. 

"Let's face it. Most of the maidens are only here because I'm the Prince of Asgard, and they want the money and title that comes with marrying me. You and Lady Natasha are only here because of your association with Thor and felt you owed him a favor. " I glared, turning around in a huff knowing I was right about them all. 

"While most of what you said is true, the reason I came was to experience the culture. I don't care about money or titles" she sighed feeling offended, "I should go prepare for the first event; excuse me your highness" (Y/n)  bows and leaves the library. 

I watched after her surprised by her reaction. I couldn't understand how she could make me so irritated and yet leave me in awe. 

'How can she not want the title of Princess of Asgard?' I ask myself beginning to pace thinking over our brief chat. Shaking my head slightly I was startled when a guard announced the maidens were gathered in the commons to receive the first task. Nodding I slowly made my way there. 'I hope she passes this task. She intrigues me so.'

Normal Pov

"Ladies, please focus. It's time for the first task" the head maid announced as Prince Loki entered the room, his handmaid holding a pile of parchment. Each maiden bowed in recognition.

"Your highness, please pray tell what is the first task?" Lady Freyja asked softly everyone silently nodded in agreement to her question. 

"The first task is a test of intelligence. Each of you will answer the questions, if you score high you will move on in the contest, but the lowest scores will be in the bottom two and I will decide who leaves and who stays." Loki says confidently as his servant hands out the tests. As each maiden takes the parchment and quills Loki is slightly shocked by one of the maidens.

"Thank you" (Y/n) says to the servant after receiving the items, the maid smiles softly and walks back to Loki's side. "You may begin, once finished please hand the tests to Anita," (the head maid). 

Time skip brought to you by completing the task

After a few hours, Loki comes back into the room to announce the results. 

"After careful consideration, I would like to congratulate Lady (Y/n) and Lady Sigyn for getting the highest scores possible." he bowed and gave them both a Ruby encrusted bracelet. Everyone clapped out of kindness, though several maidens glared at both women. 

Once everyone had quieted down Loki cleared his throat., "Lady Jörð and Lady Freyja I am sorry to say but both have gotten the lowest scores." he looked at both women. Jörð looked down shyly; she had been taught that being a noble meant knowing etiquette, not book smarts. Freyja just batted her long eyelashes hoping her beauty would keep her in the contest, thinking Loki was shallow. Loki simply rolled his eyes at her. 

"Lady Freyja I am afraid that your score was the lowest overall. You are dismissed from the contest." Loki bowed, kissed her hand and then left.

Every maiden in the room started in shocked silence. Freyja stared after the prince in disbelief, how could he not want her, her beauty was unmatched in all of Asgard. She looked back at the women before leaving to pack her items and leave the palace. 

(Y/n) returned to her own room. 'How is that even possible, Freyja was drop-dead beautiful, surely Prince Loki would have wanted someone beautiful by his side. Maybe he's not as shallow as he seems.' you thought before going to see Natasha.