An Enemy
All Sigyn had wanted when she had climbed under the table to find the prince was a friend. Instead she got an enemy. Sometimes she wished she was still lonely.
More run-ins with the princes was the result of accompanying her mother to the Queen's chambers. Thor was kind enough during their interactions, but she found him a bit arrogant. All he talked about was being king one day, and his friends seemed to think that made the lot of them superior somehow. Loki, though he was included, was often found on the group’s outskirts, rolling his eyes at their antics. This was something Sigyn found hypocritical because he certainly had his own antics she would have loved to roll her eyes at. She couldn't, though, because her mother had the rule about being respectful. Even to stupid princes who didn’t deserve it. Even to stupid princes who deserved a punch in the nose.
When she read books in the corner Loki snatched them from her hands, read the last page and then threatened to spoil it if she didn’t do something or other. Kneel, insult Thor, do magic. Then, depending on his mood, he’d spoil it anyway
When she played with dolls he knocked them over, kicked them away, or stole them from her hands and changed the story. All the sudden her favorite character was dying on the sword of the doll he chose, or the favored couple was splitting up because his doll had cheated on hers. Maybe a doll turned to worms in her hands.
When she was supposed to be helping, he tripped her up or undid everything so that she had to start over. If she was bringing water: trip, organizing shelves: mess them up again. She hated him, but she couldn’t do anything about it because he was a prince and she was nothing. She wished she had never found him under the table.
Sigyn’s favorite task to help with was putting away the Queen’s dresses. They were so pretty. She imagined herself in gowns like them. The balls she would attend. The knight in shining armor who would ask her to dance. Her knight wouldn't let mischievous princes bother her.
A sharp pain pulled her from her head. She yelped and jumped away, a hand to her scalp.
“Are you just going to stare at it, or will you put it away?” Loki teased.
Sigyn managed to swallow her retort, but she could not erase the fierce glare that took over her face. She curtsied to hide it. “Your highness,” she forced herself to say. It didn't quite sound sincere. She hung the daffodil colored gown in the Queen’s wardrobe and moved on to the next.
Loki pulled the dress back out and dropped it on the floor.
She sprang up quickly and scooped it from the ground. The trouble she would get in if she got the Queen’s dresses dirty. Or wrinkled. Or did anything that could possibly displease someone. She hung it up and Loki pushed the careful pile of dresses she had yet to hang off the bed. Sigyn almost snapped. The order to leave her alone was at the tip of her tongue. She could tell Loki knew by the little smile that tugged the corner of his lips. He wanted a reaction. Knowing that was her biggest motivation in withholding the words. She smiled at him.
“Loki,” scolded the voice of another boy, “Stop messing with her. She’s trying to do her job.”
Sigyn glanced up and hastened into another clumsy curtsy for the crown prince. She hated all the rules.
“We were only playing,” Loki lied smoothly. Sigyn ground her teeth, unable to do anything else. She hung a dress with more force than necessary. The hook clanged on the wooden bar. What she wouldn't give to be allowed to disrespect princes.
“Well come play with us,” Thor ordered, “Sif says we need an even number. It’ll be more fun than teasing Mother’s servants anyway.”
Sigyn bristled at the dismissive words and tone. At least Loki wouldn’t bother her anymore.
Loki crossed the Queen’s room to stand at his brother’s side. “You’re right. Anything would be more fun than her.” He made a face at her as he followed his brother from the room and Sigyn was left boiling. She had never wished for an enemy, but Loki was the absolute worst one she could have wound up with. She hated him.