Chapter 4
I awoke feeling refreshed, though it took me a moment to remember where I was. As my eyes adjusted to the grand surroundings, the memories of the previous day came rushing back. I lay there for a moment, trying to wrap my head around everything that had happened when a soft knock on my bedroom door startled me.
Before I could respond, the door slowly opened, revealing a familiar face and a warm smile.
“Good morning, dear. My son told me he showed you to your quarters last night. I hope they are to your liking,” Frigga said kindly.
I pulled back the blankets and hopped off the high bed. “Yes, the rooms are beautiful. I can't see how they wouldn’t be to anyone’s liking,” I replied with a smile.
But as I stood before her, the realization hit me—this wasn’t just any kind woman; she was the Queen of Asgard. A sudden wave of nervousness washed over me, and I could tell she noticed.
“What’s wrong, my dear? Are you quite alright?” she asked, placing a reassuring hand on my arm.
I looked at her and gave a small smile. “It’s just that I feel a bit lost. You are the Queen of Asgard, Loki is a prince, and you both have been so wonderful to me, yet I feel like a fish out of water. I don’t even know how to properly address you. I have hundreds of questions, but I don’t know if I’m allowed to ask any of them.” I fidgeted with my dress, uncomfortable with my own uncertainty.
Sympathy washed over Frigga’s face.
“I can imagine this must feel very foreign to you,” she said with a nod. “But I will do my best to help you. Let’s sit in the sitting room, and we’ll go over a few things.”
We moved to the chairs near the fireplace, and Frigga began to explain.
“First, let’s discuss how to properly address people in the palace,” she began. “The basic rule is that you must be introduced before addressing someone in public if you are not already familiar with them. The introduction can be made by anyone who knows the person in question. They will be introduced by rank and name.
After that, if they are a member of the royal family, you address them by their rank. If they are nobility, you may use both their rank and name if they are of equal or lower standing than you. For example—” she smiled, likely noticing my confusion, “—yesterday, you met Lady Eir. Her title, ‘Lady,’ signifies her noble status. If your rank were lower than hers, you would call her ‘My Lady.’ If your rank were equal or higher, you could call her ‘Lady Eir.’
As you become better acquainted with someone, they may ask you to call them by their first name. This is a sign of friendship. Royals may address those of lower rank however they please, but out of politeness, we rarely call someone by their first name unless invited to do so. The only exception is children, but once they come of age, they are addressed formally.”
I nodded. The rules seemed straightforward enough, and I thought I could manage.
Frigga continued, “There are also servants in the castle, and they can be recognized by their simpler attire. They do not require an introduction, and you don’t need to learn their names. However, if a servant provides exemplary service, it is considered a great honor to be addressed by name. Servants, in turn, are never allowed to use your name directly. They must address you only by your rank, though exceptional service may grant them the honor of adding your name after the title.”
Again, I nodded, though I found it difficult not to feel uncomfortable with the hierarchy. Servants were just people like any lord or lady. A title didn’t make someone a better person. But I chose to remain silent on this, not wanting to cause any trouble.
“And lastly,” Frigga said, “we have the royal family. This includes me, my husband, my two sons, and any visiting royals. Odin and I hold the titles ‘Allfather’ and ‘Allmother,’ but these are used only in the most formal situations, usually by strangers. Most people address us as ‘My King’ or ‘My Queen.’
Loki and Thor are addressed as ‘My Prince.’ When a person becomes more familiar with a royal, they may be invited to use ‘Queen Frigga’ or ‘King Odin.’ This is a great honor, usually reserved for nobles or diplomats.
The highest honor of all is when a royal asks you to use only their first name. Even then, at official events or in public conversations, you would still be expected to add their title. But in private, using only their first name is a sign that you are considered as close as family.”
She smiled at me. “Do you have any questions?”
I returned her smile. “No, my queen. But I can already tell there’s an entire unspoken hierarchy at play—one you can only truly understand by listening to how people address each other.”
Frigga laughed. “Loki told me you were very astute. I think you will fit in here quite well. But my dear, please call me Frigga.”
I couldn’t help but smile, honored and surprised at the gesture. I now understood the weight behind it.
I tried to respond but must have looked like a fish out of water because I could see amusement in her eyes as she patiently waited for me to find my words. Taking a deep breath, I carefully said,
“Thank you very much, Frigga. I truly appreciate this honor.” I meant every word. “Please, do me the kindness of calling me Aurora.”
She squeezed my hand and smiled warmly. “I feel for you, my dear. You are alone in a strange land, and though we haven’t spoken much, I can already tell I will like you very much. Perhaps it’s silly, but I hope you will come to see me as family. I love my own family dearly, and I can only imagine how it must feel to be in an unfamiliar place with no memory of your own. I hope I can help make you feel less alone here.”
The sincerity in her voice struck me, and I had to swallow a few times to push down the lump forming in my throat. She was such a warm and kind woman.
“Thank you so much,” I said softly. “I know I’ve been here for two years already, but to me, it has only been a couple of days. Everything still feels strange and unfamiliar. But I am truly grateful to have someone as kind as you and the prince to guide me. I wouldn’t know what to do without your help.”
Frigga patted my hand reassuringly.
“The next thing I’d like to discuss is your title,” she said.
I hadn’t expected that. I had been amazed by their generosity already, but I had never considered being given a title. Before I could voice my thoughts, she lifted her hand and opened her palm, revealing a collection of familiar jewelry.
I recognized them instantly—they were mine.
“When my son found you and brought you to the palace, we examined your belongings,” she explained. “I hope you can forgive us, my dear. But while we do not yet know your background on Midgard, we were able to discern that your possessions are of a very high standard. Not only the craftsmanship of your clothing but also the value of your jewelry.”
I glanced down at the pieces in her hand as she continued.
“We discovered that not only are the green stones in your jewelry real emeralds, but the metal is white gold.”
Frigga looked at me expectantly, waiting for my reaction.
While I understood what Frigga had said, I couldn’t fathom why this would change things. So, I decided to ask.
“I don’t mind and even understand you looking through my things. I was out for two years, so I can understand you wanting to know more about me. I’m sorry that now that I’m awake, I still can’t be more of a help to you in that regard. But I must say that I don’t know the importance of the stones or the metal. I’m glad that they are of high value, but I don’t understand their significance,” I admitted.
I saw Frigga nod, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before she answered. “In Asgard, and in other realms with similar formal rules,” she added quickly, “white gold is a metal reserved for royalty. It’s considered a serious crime for a non-royal to wear any jewelry made of white gold.”
This revelation shocked me, and I felt my eyes widen almost comically. “Frigga, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I hope I haven’t offended you,” I exclaimed, but at the same time, an idea formed in my mind. “It would be my honor if you would accept my jewelry as a gift. You and Loki have done so much for me, and there will never be a way for me to repay you for your kindness. Keeping me safe for two years—I could never repay you for that. But even now, when I’m awake, I am even more indebted to your generosity. So, if my jewelry is as precious as you say it is, I would be honored if you would take it as a gift.”
Frigga’s eyes widened in surprise. “Aurora, do you understand that with this jewelry, you could claim yourself as a princess?”
I smiled and shook my head. “But I don’t think I’m a princess,” I said honestly. “While I can’t remember anything about my past, I still have some instincts about certain things. Like with my phone—I knew what it was and how it would work. But when I see my jewelry or think about your words, I just get this feeling that I’m not a princess, and I don’t want to falsely claim a title I have no right to.”
Frigga regarded me curiously. After a few moments, she raised her hand and placed the jewelry back into mine.
“I have given your situation a great deal of thought, and last night, I spoke to Odin about you. We concluded that given all the circumstances, you will be given the title of Princess of Midgard. You must understand that within Asgard, there is a prejudice against people of Midgard. While not many in the castle will openly confront you about being from Midgard, we believe that, combined with the title of princess, we can offer you the best possible protection.”
Now, I truly didn’t know what to think or say, and I sat there with my mouth slightly open. It took me a moment to compose myself.
“I hope you won’t take this the wrong way,” I said carefully. “Please understand that I am very grateful for all you have done and still do for me. I will do what you believe is best. But… are you sure such a high rank is not wasted on me?”
Frigga smiled warmly. “First, let me explain my people. While the Æsir are in many ways similar to Midgardians, we are gifted with seiðr . The more seiðr a person has, the more magic they can produce. However, every Æsir has a basic level of seiðr , and as a result, our bodies are stronger and more resilient. Compared to Midgardians, we heal at a much faster rate. This also grants us a much longer lifespan. Where Midgardians currently, at best, have a lifespan of 50 to 75 years, a normal Æsir can live at least 5,000 years or more. This is all because of our seiðr .
Because of this, there are Æsir who consider Midgardians insignificant and far beneath them due to their lack of strength and short lifespans.”
If my eyes had been wide before, now they must have been falling out of their sockets. I was tempted to ask Frigga her age—she didn’t look a day over thirty-eight—but even I knew now wasn’t the time for that. I was at a loss for words, and I think Frigga noticed.
“I understand this is a lot to take in, my dear, but I assure you, it is the truth. It is for this reason that I ask you to accept the title of Princess. This would assure you the respect of any Æsir, regardless of your birth. The knowledge of your presence has been kept from most in the castle. If you agree, we would like to formally introduce you to the court in two days. This will give us enough time to prepare a wardrobe for you. Not many people have much information or interest in Midgard, so we do not believe you will be asked many questions about your home. However, since your last name is Williams, we thought we would introduce you as Princess Aurora Williamsdóttir.
Odin has a few connections and allies on Midgard. We will inform people that your father, King William, has passed. We will claim that your life was threatened when people began fighting over the succession of your throne. With your family loyal to Odin, he granted you passage to Asgard, where you can live out your life until it is safe for you to return to Midgard. There are none who would challenge Odin on this or even suspect it to be untrue, as there is little public knowledge about Midgard’s rulers. But I must ask you, for your own sake as much as for ours, to stick to this story. We do not want any trouble or discord among our people.”
I didn’t want to lie or present myself as something I wasn’t. But this story was vague enough that I wouldn’t have to work too hard to maintain the cover. All I would have to say was that I was a princess and that my father was King William. The rest, if needed, I could fill in myself.
“Frigga, are you sure this is necessary to protect me at court? I will do as you ask, but I still don’t like the idea of pretending to be a princess when I’m not. Please don’t take this the wrong way—I am grateful for the honor and understand the reasoning behind it. But I really don’t want to cause more trouble or inconvenience than I already have.”
This earned me a warm smile from Frigga. “You are a kind soul, Aurora. But I have looked at this situation from many angles, and I believe this is the best course of action.”
I saw a flash of determination cross her face, and I knew there was no point in arguing further. She had made up her mind. There was nothing left for me to do but accept the situation.
“Then I hope I will live up to your expectations. I will do my best not to let you down,” I said, forcing a smile, trying to reassure myself as much as her.
This earned me another warm smile from her. The rest of the morning went by in a blur. Frigga helped me choose a chambermaid who would assist me with anything I might need. She assured me that the girl was loyal and discreet and that I could ask her any questions under the pretense of being new to Asgard and unfamiliar with its rules.
The maid, a lovely young girl named Yara, had long, straight blonde hair and big blue eyes. After our introduction, I was off to the dressmakers. They took my measurements and, in the meantime, provided me with some ready-made dresses. They quickly altered them for a perfect fit and left me with a variety of shoes. It seemed I was a bit small compared to the other Asgardian women since all the hems had to be shortened.
Amidst all this chaos, a small brunch was served in my chambers, which I enjoyed with Frigga. Before I knew it, the morning had flown by. A bit past noon Frigga excused herself to attend to matters regarding my formal introduction. However, she instructed me to remain in my chambers for now. After the introduction, she would show me around the castle, but until then, it was best that I stayed unseen.
Yara helped me navigate my bathroom, and my eyes widened as I took in the massive bath—it was so large I could have a party with ten people in it if I wanted to! Yara explained that this was the standard size for nobles, which left my head spinning. She showed me how to adjust the water temperature, and since I had time to spare, I decided to take a bath.
After relaxing for a while, I washed myself and my hair with the bottles Yara had shown me. She had asked me to call her when I was ready. She had also left a towel and undergarments, so I quickly dried myself, put them on, and wrapped my long wet hair in the towel.
“I’m ready,” I called, and within seconds, she entered the bathroom.
“If my princess will follow me to the bedroom, I will help you dress and do your hair,” she said, holding the door open for me.
I couldn’t help but think this whole princess act was strange, but I quickly reminded myself of Frigga’s request—I had to play along. For the next two days, I needed to embrace the role, at least in private, until I got used to it.
Yara helped me into a soft robe and guided me to the vanity table in my bedroom. It was filled with various bottles and vials, and Yara held some up for me to smell. She explained that I could choose my preferred scent, and all my beauty products would be tailored to my liking. I chose a blend of a light vanilla-like fragrance with jasmine—sweet but fresh and not overpowering.
She then worked on my hair, and with the help of another bottle, it was dry and beautifully curled in no time. Given its current length, drying it under normal circumstances would have taken hours. She loosely braided a few strands around my head, pulling the front sections away from my face while leaving the rest to cascade freely.
I was grateful for her help as she assisted me into the blue gown the seamstresses had altered for me. I had thought the pale green gown I had worn before was beautiful, but this one was even more stunning. The blue bodice fit like a second skin, and the long, flowing layers of fabric cascaded around me with an almost ethereal softness. It felt like heaven. Frigga had decided that all my gowns should complement my now fiery red hair, meaning I would be wearing an array of blue, green, and even purple dresses. Apparently, my hair color was quite rare in Asgard, and she wanted to highlight it.
The entire bathing and dressing process had taken only about thirty minutes, thanks to Yara’s assistance—it would have taken me much longer on my own. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. I almost looked like a real princess.
I appreciated that makeup wasn’t a big deal in Asgard. They used only a small amount of mascara and eyeliner to enhance the eyes, but their true obsession seemed to be skincare. Yara showed me several potions that kept the skin looking flawless. Asgardians preferred a natural look, which I quite liked.
Just as I finished, there was a soft knock at my door. Yara stepped out to answer it and returned moments later.
“My princess, the prince is here to see you. I hope you don’t mind, but I told him you were nearly ready and would be out to meet him in a few minutes.”
I nodded and smiled, letting her know I didn’t mind.
“If there is anything you need, just call for me, and I will return,” she added with a small curtsy before turning to leave.
“Thank you, Yara. You have been an immense help. I hope you would do me the honor of addressing me as Princess Aurora,” I said with a smile, hoping to befriend her.
“It would be my honor, Princess Aurora,” she replied, clearly surprised but beaming. “Is there anything else, Princess Aurora?”
I hesitated for a moment, realizing I did have a question.
“Yes, I do have another question. How will you hear me if I call for you?” I asked, curious about how she would know when I needed her.
“Seiðr , Princess Aurora. As your maid, if you call out for me by title or by name, I will know and will come to serve you,” she explained with a bright smile. With another curtsy, she left.
Taking one last glance in the mirror, I took a deep breath and walked toward the sitting room, where I presumed Loki would be waiting. As expected, I found him standing near the fireplace.
“Good day, my prince,” I greeted him with a small smile.
Loki turned to look at me, his eyes widening slightly in surprise at my appearance. However, he quickly regained his composure, though I couldn’t help but feel a small flutter in my stomach at his reaction.
“I see my mother has been teaching you about addressing people within the palace,” Loki remarked, motioning toward the chairs before taking a seat.
I followed his lead, settling into the other chair.
“Yes, we had a long talk this morning. She told me a lot, though I still have many questions. She had to leave to prepare for my formal introduction, so for now, I have to stay hidden. But after that, I’m free to roam the castle,” I explained, watching as surprise flickered across his face.
“Your formal introduction? Usually, when a lady is received at court, there is no formal introduction. They are simply presented to my father and mother in the evening and then left to do as they please.”
I couldn’t help but snicker at the clear confusion on his face.
“My prince, it seems your mother has not informed you of her plans concerning my new status,” I said, doing my best to sound regal and formal. His confusion only deepened, and I couldn’t hold it in—I burst out laughing.
“I’m sorry,” I managed between giggles. “But you should see the look on your face—it’s really quite funny.”
A mischievous glint appeared in Loki’s eyes. “You know, it’s very impolite to laugh at a prince,” he said in a mock-threatening tone, though his smile betrayed his amusement. “This prince might have to find a way to get even.”
The situation was too funny to resist. I might not be the god of mischief, but I wasn’t the type to let him win a challenge without trying to get even.
“Well, then you should know it’s very impolite to threaten a princess,” I countered in a haughty tone, though my smile made it clear I was teasing. “She might find a way to retaliate, and we might endanger the peace between our kingdoms.”
I tried to keep a straight face, but Loki’s baffled expression was too much—I dissolved into laughter once again.
“Mother is going to give you the title of princess?” he said, shocked, and I could see the disbelief clearly plastered on his face.
I nodded slowly, coming back from my laughing fit. “It seems she and the King have talked it over. This has to do with the fact that my jewelry is made of white gold and real gemstones. And the fact that me being from Midgard might otherwise be a problem.” The smile dropped a bit from my face. “I offered her my jewelry as payment for all you have done for me and hoped it would somehow repay the debt I'm in. But she wouldn’t take it, and instead, I’m now Princess Aurora Williamsdóttir—an orphan princess from Midgard seeking refuge with friends of my late father. I was forced to flee in fear of my life because people are threatened by my line of succession.” I let out a sigh, still not comfortable with the fact that I had to lie to so many people.
I could feel Loki’s eyes scanning my face. “You do not like the idea of being a princess?”
I shook my head. “I don’t like pretending to be something I’m not. While I don’t know about my past, I do know that I’m not a princess. I told your mother that I’m honored that she takes such great lengths to keep me safe, but a lower rank would be just as agreeable to me.” I paused for a moment before continuing. “She told me that she had looked at this from every angle and thought this was the best way. So who am I to argue? Frigga has done so much for me already. If she thinks this is the way forward, then I will do as she and the King wish.”
I looked back at Loki to see what he thought.
I could see he was thinking it over. “It is usually wise to follow my mother’s lead. Especially if she ever comments on having foreseen things. She is the goddess of love, marriage, and destiny. She tends to foresee future events, so I just tend to do as she says most of the time, especially with things like this. She can be quite determined. I am just amazed she got my father to agree to this, seeing as he is normally far more reserved in these kinds of matters.”
That, I could understand. It was hardly normal, I thought, for a random stranger to be given one of the highest ranks in a palace just because she was a mortal. Furthermore, the way I had arrived and been at their mercy these last two years wasn’t exactly in my favor.
I just sat there with him in comfortable silence, both of us thinking.
“I could not help but notice you called my mother Frigga and still refer to my father and me by our titles. Why is that?” Loki asked after a few minutes had passed.
I looked up at him, puzzled by his question. “Well, that’s the right way of addressing you, isn’t it? I was under the presumption that if I was on a first-name basis with a royal, I could address her like that in the company of her family. Did I get it wrong?”
He seemed surprised again. “So you are on a first-name basis with my mother?”
“Well, yes. She asked me to call her Frigga. Of course, I’m totally honored and asked her to call me Aurora. Did I get the rules wrong?” I asked again, getting a bit nervous.
Loki just looked at me for a moment, his eyes scanning my face again as if I were a book and the answer was written there. “No, it is just that my mother is not known to extend these kinds of courtesies often, and especially not this fast. She takes these things very seriously, and there are only a handful of people outside of her family who are allowed to call her that.”
I took a moment to think over his words. I was already honored by her request before knowing this, but now even more so. It was true that I liked Frigga. She was a warm and gentle person, and when she was around, I felt at ease—the sort of feeling I imagined one would have in the presence of their own mother. But my thoughts were interrupted when Loki spoke again.
“I know I’m breaking our own rules of etiquette, but can I please continue to call you Aurora?”
I could see a vulnerability in his eyes while he asked this, and I sensed it was a big deal for him. I couldn’t help but smile. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Does that mean that I can call you Loki?” I asked with a smile.
“I would really like that,” he answered, smiling back. “So, what are you planning to do today?”
“Well, nothing, to be honest. As you might remember, I’m trapped inside my room for two days.” I slouched back into my chair in disappointment. “I really want to explore the castle or maybe go outside because the weather looks heavenly, but I must suffer, I think.” I dramatically placed my hand over my forehead, earning a chuckle from Loki. “But tell me your plans for today? The life of a prince must be far more entertaining. Especially compared to that of a princess locked in her room for two days.”
He grinned and looked out the window. “Well, I was about to go for a ride and visit Fenrir this afternoon. I thought I would check up on him since it’s been some time.”
This grabbed my attention. I had almost forgotten about the huge wolf in the woods. “Aw, that’s too bad. I wish I could have gone with you. I know it’s been two years since I’ve seen him, but for me, it still feels like just last week when he was hurt. I would love to see how he's doing.”
“You would like to accompany me?” Loki asked, almost in shock.
Instantly, I regretted my words. The look on his face told me I must have made an awkward or wrong suggestion.
“Loki, did I say something wrong? Is wanting to see Fenrir shocking or improper for a female in Asgard?” I could feel a blush creeping up my face. He looked so shocked, you would think I had proposed something scandalous.
Loki just sat there blinking a few times. “No, it's nothing like that. It’s just that Fenrir is something of a taboo in Asgard. People know of his existence, but they would never volunteer to see him. Besides me, no one visits him. The court likes to act as if he doesn’t exist.”
His words surprised me. “Well, I don’t understand why. He seemed very nice.”
Loki smiled. “You know what? I’m taking you to see him.” He stood up.
“But I’m not allowed to leave my room,” I protested.
“Leave it to me,” Loki said, mischief in his eyes. “I’ll be back in about twenty minutes.” With that, he turned and left my room.