Chapter 4
Wanda and Natasha explained as they walked with you what they had been tasked to do for the day.
“Today Natasha and I are to tidy up the guest chambers within the palace. There are some in the western wing and some in the eastern, totaling twenty.”
Your eyes widened and your pace slowed a step momentarily before you caught back up. Wanda chuckled.
“That’s why we were given the whole day to complete it. However with your help, it’ll go by faster.”
“Not to mention there will be someone to talk to. Normally these tasks are done alone. The solitude in certain tasks is probably the worst part of the job,” Natasha added.
That’s comforting, at least, you figured.
“Come, you can follow me around for a bit, and when we regroup for lunch, you can split off with Wanda for the rest of the day,” Natasha said, pulling you along.
You headed toward the western wing of the palace, passing guards and other servants tasked with other duties. You entered your first chamber and immediately let out a small gasp. It was complete with a large bed, a balcony, a large, in-suite bathroom, a fireplace, and shelves and shelves of books. The walls were a deep mahogany, creating a greatly regal aura for what would be used simply for guests. Although, you had to think that anyone staying within the guest chambers of the palace would most likely be royalty, if not close to.
Noticing your awe, Natasha chuckled. “I remember my reaction to seeing it all for the first time. Not too different from yours. It’s much different from what we had back home.”
“What district are you from, if you don’t mind me asking?” You inquired as she handed you a broom.
“I’m from the eastern district. Poor, for sure, but the north had it worse,” she said, beginning to strip the bed. “Coming to work here in the Capitol though, that was definitely a shock. It was strange seeing so much wealth in one place. What wasn’t strange were the attitudes of most of the people who live here in the Capitol. That was just what I had expected of people who lived in such wealth. The people here in the palace are nice enough, but the Capitol is full of people who think they’re better than you. If they find it you’re from a poorer, their treatment of your changes instantly.”
“I know that feeling all too well…” you said softly, slow dancing around with the broom. “Even in the southern district, where I’m from, people treat me and my sister like we’re less than. They’re not wealthy or anything, they just have hate in their hearts.”
“I bet escaping for a while is nice,” Natasha said. “That’s why I like it here. The east doesn’t have a lot. Everyone growing up was either trained to work or to fight. I spent my youth training to fight in this never-ending war. It wasn’t until I was on my own that I finally got to make my own choices. I like working here. One day I’d like to have a simple family. No fighting, no war, just… family.” She laughed half-heartedly. “What a simple thing to desire, yet have to struggle so hard to gain.”
You stayed silent, watching her stare at the sheets intently, as if lost in fantasy. She shook her head, bringing herself back to the present.
“I hope you get everything you’ve worked so hard for,” You said gently, continuing to sweep.
“Thank you,” she said quietly, before flashing you a smirk and placing a hand on her hip. “You know, you’re very easy to talk to. I haven’t revealed that desire of mine to most.”
“I’ve learned to keep an open mind.”
The two of you continued to clean and chat, bringing up many different topics, ranging from servant gossip to personal likes and dislikes. Eventually the conversation fell to how you arrived at the palace in the first place.
“So Prince Loki just offered it to you?” She asked.
You nodded. “He knew of our money trouble and had actually witnessed me being let go from my previous place of employment. It was… a little over the top. Ever since I’ve met him, he’s been nothing but amiable and caring. He’s done a lot for me and my sister.”
“That’s interesting,” Natasha said, implications hiding behind her words. You furrowed your eyebrows.
“What is?”
She shrugged. “It’s just that Prince Loki doesn’t really go out of his way to help others. He rarely gives the help the time of day, let alone helping us with money. I’m just surprised he jumped at the opportunity to help you so soon after meeting you.”
“Well, I suppose we did quickly become friends. I could understand him, and him me. He confessed he didn’t have many friends, due to the actions of himself and others, and that he appreciated me treating him like a person. The whole kingdom decided he was trouble before he could do anything about it. It was easier to fall in line with their beliefs than constantly fight against them to no avail.”
“Interesting. Perhaps this will shift things for him.”
“He did say it was time he repaired the reputation he had gained over the years.”
“I hope so. Prince Loki is a good prince, he simply lacks social skills. I’ve never heard a good word of him from anyone but the people here in the palace, and even that is rare. Not one soul outside of these walls has a good story to tell of him, and I’ve seen that side of him before on multiple occasions. But I suppose that will happen when the whole kingdom believes you to be a monster, like you were saying. I suppose he really didn’t have any other choice in what he became.”
“He’s not what they say of him. I’ve never seen that other side of him, but it’s not truly him. He’s kind and generous and has provided great help for my sister and I. I’m very appreciative for him. I wish the people hadn’t left him with any other option but to turn into something cold. They turned him into something he wasn’t.”
You glanced at Natasha, who wore a smirk.
“What?”
“Oh nothing,” she said, continuing her work. “Nothing at all.”
Your eyed her suspiciously before changing the subject.
-
A few hours passed before it was time for lunch. You finally met back up with Wanda and the three of you made your way to the servant’s dining hall. You each grabbed a plate of food, just as Loki said would be provided, and took a seat at a far end table.
Even within the servant’s quarters, everything was so much nicer than you had at home. Everything was elegantly crafted and detailed. It was beautiful.
The three of you continued to chat while you ate, laughing like you hadn’t met only that morning. It was a breath of fresh air, you found. You hadn’t been like this with someone your age since… well…
“Do excuse me for interrupting,” a voice said. The three of you turned to look at the voice, leaving you all to stand suddenly and curtsey.
“As you were, ladies.” Loki turned to look at you as you all sat back down. “I’ve come to fetch you, if you will allow me. Walk with me?”
“Of course,” you said. He offered his hand and helped you to stand, to which he then offered his arm. You looped yours through his and he turned to face the other women.
“I will have her back before it is time to resume work.”
Wanda and Natasha nodded, though Wanda had a curiously confused look on her face, whereas Natasha had a smug look, raising her eyebrows at you. You gave her a look and walked off with the Prince, the two women no doubt discussing the two of you as you left.
Loki took you outside and through the garden, the sun shining brightly in the cloudless sky. It was peaceful and quiet, not a sound but your feet beneath you and the birds whistling their tunes.
After a few minutes of silence, Loki spoke. “How are things going so far?”
“Wonderfully,” you said, a soft smile grazing your lips. “I’ve bonded with Natasha and Wanda a bit, which has been grand. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been in the presence of someone else my age without them feeling disgust towards me. It’s… nice.”
“I’m glad you feel welcome. I figured you’d like it there. How has the work been?”
“Simple, yet extensive. I’m sure it’ll grow more complex the more I learn. I’m just grateful to be doing something that seems enjoyable. I’m having a good time, and the company helps. Everyone’s just been so kind here.” You chuckled. “Part of me doesn’t want to leave.”
“Well, I would offer the servant’s quarters, but I’m sure you’d much rather prefer your cottage and sister.”
“Yes, that is true. My home may be in an… inconvenient… location, but it is my home. I cannot just run away from it. Nor my sister. Everything I do is for her. She is my all. My everything. I’d face the cruelest world head on if that meant she could be happy…”
Loki smiled gently, though looking down at his feet.
“That is very honorable of you.”
“Cordelia doesn’t have much. Our Mother is gone, our Father is absent, she has no friends… well, I suppose she has one friend…” you said, nudging him slightly, causing him to chuckle. “All I want is for her to be happy.”
“I think that’s wonderful,” he said, “but do allow yourself to be happy as well? Cordelia is very happy around you. Now that she’s here, she’ll meet new people and hopefully develop new relationships. Allow yourself to do the same. Allow yourself to take your needs into account as well as hers. Let yourself be happy too.”
You gazed at him, the breeze flowing gently through his hair. His smile was enough to warm you completely. You slowly gave a smile of your own and gazed down to your feet, unable to maintain eye contact with him. He had the most piercing, blue-green eyes that sent a thrill through your veins. They reminded you of the sea, shimmering atop with mystery below, but with beauty running through every part of it. How lucky had you been to be blessed with such a remarkable friend in your life. Someone who perfectly displayed beauty inside and out. It was so very different from the ugliness you were used to facing every single day.
The two of you continued your walk through the garden, not saying anything but simply enjoying each other’s company. Time passed far too quickly you realized, as Loki spoke after what felt like only a few minutes,
“I believe I’ve kept you for long enough. I shall return you to your duties and check on you once more before you depart for the day.”
He walked you back to the servant’s dining hall, right where he had taken you from. Natasha and Wanda were still there chatting. Upon seeing you enter, they smiled at each other and stood, curtsying for the Prince. He waved them off and they sat back in their seats.
“This is where I leave you, have a lovely rest of your day, dear maiden.” He patted your hand before releasing your arm, nodding at the two women behind you and leaving you alone with them at the table. As you saw him exit the hall, immediately Natasha said,
“That was quite a walk you had. You were gone for almost the entirety of the lunch hour.”
You turned to look at her, a smirk planted on her lips. You gazed over at Wanda, who had her lips pursed in an attempt to hide her smile, gazing down and picking at whatever was left on her plate.
“And you’re positively pink,” Natasha added, only causing your flushed face to redden. “Now why in the world would that be, hm?”
“I have no idea what you’re insinuating,” you said, shaking away the fluster.
“Perhaps it was just the sunlight that turned your cheeks a rosy color, right Wanda?”
“Yes, that must be it,” she said, still not gazing at you.
“We’re simply friends,” you stated as you sat down, “if that is what you’re saying.”
“We didn’t say anything,” Natasha claimed, standing to clear her and Wanda’s places. “Now finish as much as you can of your lunch, we must get ready to begin work again.”
You only had a few minutes to spare before heading off with Wanda to finish off the guest quarters. Wanda didn’t speak as much as Natasha, seeming to prefer the quiet. Which was just as well, you enjoyed silence as well if you could be in good company. It was lonesome silence that ate at your soul. That was when your mind began to pick on you. Sometimes it seemed as though it sided with the rest of the district, saying mean and awful things that made you feel terrible about yourself. But here, with Wanda, you could let your mind go to other, more peaceful places.
You wondered how Cordelia was holding up. You hoped she was having fun. It must be strange for her to be in a place that would allow her chaotic ways, but you’re certain she would come to love it there. She would have some wild stories to tell you tonight on the walk home, you were sure of it. The thought made you smile. You could already picture her bouncing up and down, excitement bubbling over just to tell you of her day.
“What’s got you smiling like that?” Wanda asked, a smile of her own planted on her lips.
“I was just thinking of my little sister. She’s with a new nanny today, and is bound to have many stories of how today went. It just brought a smile to my face,” you explained.
Wanda waved you along, moving on to the next room to be tidied up.
“You have a sister?”
“Yes, she’s seven. Her name is Cordelia,”
“What a beautiful name,” Wanda cooed.
“A fitting name for a beautiful girl. I do love her so. She has such a fiery and eccentric spirit. She’s very mischievous and chaotic. It’s quite entertaining,” you laughed. “Do you have any siblings?”
“A brother,” she said, smiling at her feet. “He’s off fighting in the war. He writes me as often as he can. Reading his letters are my favorite thing. He’s got a sarcastic sense of humor. I do miss him so.”
You could see the love radiating from her as she spoke. It was special. It filled you with warmth.
“Does he have a return date yet?”
“Not yet. He’s been out for around half a year now, though. He’s due for a trip home soon, short though it may be. I’m sure he’ll write me as soon as he knows.”
You continued cleaning, silently thinking about your own soldier. Because your Father was leading the forces, he didn’t really get visitation days. You wondered how much longer they would keep him before allowing him to journey home and see you.
The two of you finished cleaning the quarters of the eastern wing and made your way back to the servant’s quarters. The work day was nearly spent, which meant you got to go home soon. As wonderful as a day it had been, you looked forward to resting in the comfort of your own home.
Your regrouped with Natasha and the two women showed you where to find the list of daily tasks to complete.
“Here will be listed what needs to be done and by whom. It changes daily, so first thing when you get in is to check this list. You won’t be on the list for this first week, so you can meet up with Wanda and I when you first get here and help us with our tasks,” Natasha explained. She turned to face you. “Other than that, the day is over. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I look forward to a week spend with you.”
“As do I,” Wanda chimed in.
“Thank you,” you said softly. Hearing those words sent many different emotions flowing through you. You were just amazed that people would think such things of you and speak so kindly to you. Perhaps it would be something to get used to.
You gave them a bow of your head as a goodbye and made your way to the entrance of the servant’s quarters. As you walked through the garden, illuminated in the oranges and reds cast out by the setting sun, you heard a voice call your name.
“How did your first day fare?” Loki asked, catching up with you and walking slowly at your side.
“It went amazingly. Really, this has been one of the best days I’ve had in a very long time,” you said, smiling sheepishly as you fiddled with your hands. “I honestly can’t wait for tomorrow, regardless of what I may be doing. You could having me scrubbing the latrines and I’d be smiling the whole way through.” Loki let out a laugh, only adding to your good mood. He had such a melodic laugh. You stopped walking and turned to face him. “And it’s all thanks to you. I don’t know why you chose me to grant so much to, but my life has become immensely better since I’ve known you. My sister has a friend, she could possibly make more, I have a job where people seem to actually enjoy my company, and I got to know you beyond just knowing you as my Prince. I got to know you as a friend, something not only Cordelia was lacking, but I was as well. I may never understand what went through your head when you decided to take pity on me and give me a chance, but I will spend the rest of my life thanking the gods that you did.”
“I would say meeting your sister and coming to see the similarities in our natures helped, and knowing you were related to someone who was so similar to me helped open my mind a bit. And, again, the flour incident was really quite entertaining.” You let out a soft laugh at that. “But I really can’t say how I became so open so easily with you,” Loki said, continuing your walk. “Perhaps fate played a hand in our game of life. Perhaps it knew how desperately I needed someone who understood, and similarly how you both needed the same. I can’t say definitively what the reason was, but I must concur with you: I will send the rest of my days thanking the gods for your presence in my life. I’m just grateful I can help you in whatever way I can.”
“Which, please, don’t think you must provide me with everything. You’ve done so much, and having you as a friend is more than enough to keep me happy,” you clarified. You wanted him to be certain you weren’t simply maintaining this relationship because he has and can give you so much more than you had before.
“Oh, I am aware. I suppose I’ve always had a thing for gift giving. Even with my family, I was always helping them when I could or gifting them things. Granted, over the years, those gestures turned more selfish, I’m afraid, but since meeting you, I can see I want to improve. To change.” He met your eyes and smiled gently. “To be like you.”
You blushed slightly and looked to the grass beneath your steps. He was ever the flatterer. After being deprived of any good thing said about you for years, you felt like you didn’t deserve the things that were being said about you. When he sent a compliment your way, however, you found you didn’t mind as much. He made you feel worthy of them.
“May I walk you home?” He asked. “I’m not needed for anything for the rest of the night. I wouldn’t mind sharing a bit more time with you.”
“Of course,” you nodded. He extended an arm to you, to which you laced your own around.
The pair of you walked out the garden and off the palace grounds. Loki knew you needed to stop and get Cordelia, leading your walk in that direction as you both talked.
He told you about his day, full of meetings and discussions that snagged none of your interest, though you were sure to give a listening ear. You didn’t envy his political position. However, his description of his time in the palace library and tea with his mother did interest you. The Queen sounded like a splendid woman, so kind and good-hearted. It would be a treat to meet her one day.
Eventually you made it back to Guinevere’s home. You walked up to her door and gave it a firm knock. After a moment of silence, the door swung open to reveal Guinevere covered from head to toe in flour.
You let out a gasp as Loki chuckled. He nudged you slightly, saying,
“This is exactly what you looked like when I first met you.”
Immediately apologies started spewing from your mouth. Guinevere only laughed and waved your concerns away.
“Please, dear, don’t fret! We were experimenting in the kitchen today. I can’t say we made anything desirable to eat, but I can assure you I’ve had the most fun I’ve had in years with your little one today!”
As Guinevere began speaking with Loki, you released his arm and looked inside the house. You saw Cordelia running around the corner of the hall, also covered in flour. She saw you and grinned wildly, turning to run at you. You let out a huff as she embraced you, sending flour pluming through the air.
“We made pie today!!” She exclaimed. You let out a surprised chuckle.
“Did you now? I take it you had a good time?” You asked, waving the flour particles from the air around your face.
Her head bobbed up and down faster than you had ever seen it before.
“I had a wonderful time! Can I come back tomorrow?” She asked.
“That was the plan.”
She squealed and turned to give Guinevere a hug as well, who welcomed her with literal open arms.
“I will see you tomorrow, little Lia,” Guinevere said, releasing the young girl.
“Bye, Guinevere!!” She yelled back as she grabbed your hand and began walking with you and Loki down the pathway to the street. “Hi, Prince Loki!” She finally said, letting go of your hand and grabbing onto his.
“Hello, Lia. It’s wonderful to see you. Tell me about your day.”
You smiled as Cordelia began spinning her tale, excitedly telling you both every detail she could remember. She spoke the entirety of the way home, simply being excited to have so much to tell about her new friend and their escapades together. When you got home, you sent her directly to the bath, much to her dismay. She said goodbye to Loki, embracing him before going off to bathe, effectively covering him in flour as well. After she left, you chuckled.
“And now you look exactly like you did when I first met you.”
He laughed as he shook off the flour, you handing him a rag from the kitchen.
“I’m glad she had such a good time.”
“Me too,” you sighed. “She deserves it.”
“Well, I’m afraid I must be going. You have to get up early, and I’m sure you would like to eat before you get some rest.”
You nodded and walked him back to the door. On the porch, you spoke to him once more.
“Thank you, again, for everything. None of this would have been possible without you. We’ve been given a new chance at life thanks to you. I am entirely grateful for it all. ”
“Of course,” he said, bowing his head gently. “Anything.”
You felt an urge. Uncertainty filled you quickly, but ultimately you decided to take a risk. Perhaps this new chance at life had provided you with a bit of confidence. You took a step forward and stepped up onto your toes, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.
“Goodnight, Loki,” you said quietly before closing the door. You immediately leaned up against it and took a deep breath, your heart pounding faster than you had ever felt it go. You didn’t know why you’d had the urge to do that, but it just seemed right. You smiled gently before walking back to the kitchen and starting a meal. Today had been a good day. Here was hoping tomorrow would be even better.