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Asgard was a sight to behold during the fall. The sky was as cloudy as ever and yet some stray rays of sunlight had managed to break through and reach the land, caressing everything they came across. It was times as this that one could truly appreciate the royal gardens in the palace. From the almost naked trees to the paths that spread inside said gardens with the fallen leaves, their gold tones brightening the scenery even more. A truly beautiful picture that could put anyone's mind at ease…

"Prince Thor! Prince Loki! Please, don't run inside the palace!"

But not mine apparently.

I let out a deep sigh as I removed my longing gaze from the library's window and cast it to the wooden, double door. It had become a daily routine for every resident in the palace. Ever since the two princes had gained their ability to stand on their two feet and stabilize themselves without any maid's or the queen's help, they had made our daily misery their personal life goal. And I was not exaggerating the least bit. They were running around every corridor, hall or room they happened to discover during their playtime without even pausing to catch their breath or for the sake of any poor maid that had been burdened with their well-being. Not an easy task as we all came to acknowledge (some of us from personal experience) during the years.

"Prince Loki, please put that down!"

My frown deepened. Seven years. That's how long it had been since the All-father and I found him on that temple, abandoned by his own people. By his true father. Seven years. And I would still get that sickening feeling like my insides were twisting every time I happened to be in the same room with that child. It wasn't that I hadn't try and suppress it. I did, countless times. And I still tried, mostly for the queen's sake. Like her husband had predicted, Frigga was excited the moment he presented her with the new addition to their family. It only took a look from the kind woman and the frost giant was soon showered with love and adoration equal to the one Thor received. One part of me was actually happy for the boy. He was enjoying something that in different circumstances he wouldn't. But there was also that part inside me that wouldn't allow me to embrace him as I did with the true Odinson.

Loki was not a naïve child. He was too bright for his own good. Always with his nose deep in any book he would find in the library, his mind had learnt to work in different ways than the mind of any other from his peers. It wasn't long before he had started to utilize his cleverness to entertain himself. Needless to say, his shenanigans had not made him any popular among the other children. And mostly among the palace's workers. The only person beside the King and Queen that tolerated his pranks was his older brother, even though he had his share of first-hand experiences from being Loki's target.

The loud sound of something shattering came from the corridor. I felt my eye twitch as I slammed my book shut and stood up from my seat in the usual spot I always occupied whenever I visited the library, seeking some solace. With quick strides, I reached the double doors before pulling one open and stepping outside in the corridor. My narrowed eyes searched the two sources of the chaos only for them to narrow more at the sight before me. The maid that had been assigned to watch over them was on her hands and knees, a deathly pale color on her face as her widened eyes stared at me in utmost fear. I moved my gaze lower and towards the floor, taking notice of the small pieces that were scattered right in front of her. Another sculpture, no doubt. Fortunately, one of the small ones.

It was the second one. This week…

"My lady, I'm so sorry! I tried to stop them-!"

I exhaled loudly as I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to ignore my blood boiling inside my veins. Shifting my hard look from what once was one of the beautiful marble statues that decorated the long corridor and towards the two culprits, I found them side by side with none of them daring to meet my eyes with his as they both kept their gaze on the floor. Good. At least they had some decency to feel or even pretend to feel guilty.

"Leave them." My voice came out soft despite my state causing the woman to freeze as she had already started to gather the broken pieces. "Inform any maid that is available so that they can help you clean them." She hesitated for a moment before she thanked me breathlessly and left the corridor quickly like she was being chased. Not that I blamed her. I crossed my arms on my chest as I focused back on the two boys, catching them both share a small smile before they faced the floor again.

"I saw that."

They both flinched a little but they still refused to look at me. I looked down at them coldly as I took a few slow steps towards them. Their bodies tensed as soon as I came to stop right in front of them, my eyes dancing between the two of them.

"I should have made you clean up the mess on your own." I threatened only to receive another moment of silence. Only Thor seemed to have gained a bit of courage as he managed to move a little, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. As for the other boy, he remained frozen on his spot.

"I should inform your father too. Probably talk to him about your punishment." It was enough to cause both of them to raise their heads and meet my icy glare as I tilted my chin. They shared another look, this time the worry evident on both their faces before Thor returned his attention to me while Loki dropped his gaze again.

"But you won't…?" Came the blonde's hesitant reply. I took a minute as I held his gaze, the look of uncertainty and uneasiness clear in his eyes before I spoke again.

"No, I won't." A smile of broke into the older prince's lips, turning to share his relief with his brother who also seemed like a heave weight had been lifted from his shoulders. I let out another deep breath, my frown breaking into a small smile of fondness as I raised a hand and placed it at the top of the older boy's head before ruffling his hair lovingly. "But this is the last time I let you slip away." I added with a stern tone despite the fact that my features had softened.

"We will be more careful." Thor spoke quickly as he cast a glance towards his brother who nodded eagerly. The slight movement from the raven-haired brought my attention to him causing my smile to falter a little. He must have noticed because as soon as our eyes met, he turned his attention elsewhere.

"You better be." I run my fingers at Thor's already messy hair, combing them in the process in order to make his golden locks presentable again. The sound of footsteps coming closer brought my attention towards the direction of the source of the noise signaling the approach of the maids. "Now off you go. And don't make me regret my decision."

They didn't need to be told twice. As soon as I finished my sentence they run off whoever knows where, probably to destroy another momentum of their family. I shook my head at them, my smile never leaving my lips as it grew wider before I turned around to meet the women that had come to clean up the mess their princes had created. I, soon, knelt on the floor in an attempt to help them but as soon as I started to collect a few pieces, I was stopped by the fearful tone of one of the maids.

"No, my lady! You might hurt yourself!"

"It's fine." I tried to reassure her but she insisted that I would leave it to them. I was ready to protest once more but my words froze on my lips as I caught sight of something from the corner of my eyes. I quickly turned my attention towards it only to find a small figure down the corridor, almost hidden behind one of the columns. Even with the limited light, I was able to make out the dark hair of that person along with their green eyes that were taking in every move of mine. I straightened up slowly, standing on my full height again and raised a brow, signaling that I had noticed him despite his try to remain hidden. As soon as I did, the boy's eyes widened slightly in shock before he fled, disappearing from my sight. I realized then that my lips were pressed into a thin line that I forced away.

With one final smile towards the maids and another assurance from them that I wasn't needed, I reentered the library, taking my usual seat again and losing myself into my book.

"Another statue?"

"Yes, but only a small one this time."

Frigga sighed as she took a sip from her tea. I leaned back against the back of my seat, crossing my legs as I kept my gaze on my good friend's form. She placed her cup back on its small plate before she turned her eyes to gaze outside the window at the beautiful scenery of her private gardens, a gift by her beloved husband.

"If they continue like this, there won't be even a single column left standing." I let out a breathless smile as I took my cup in my hand and brought it on my lips, enjoying the sweet taste of my tea. I took a small sip before I placed it back on the table between us.

"I'm sure that sooner or later they will learn to be more responsible." I said softly as I folded my hands on my lap. "I only hope that you'll keep it between us and not tell your husband."

"By the Norns, no!" She exclaimed quickly, her eyes wide as plates as she turned to look at me. "He has already reached his limit with those two."

"He'll be furious." I added nonchalantly as I straightened any wrinkles on my dress' fabric that covered my lap.

"What Odin doesn't know won't hurt him." My friend replied as she raised her eyebrows at me expectantly, a small smirk on her lips as she took another sip from her tea. I chuckled at her causing her to laugh along with me before she let out a small breath of content. There was a small moment of silence as each of us enjoyed the calming effect of the view that came from the large window.

"So, how are your lessons with Loki?" I asked casually, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"They're alright. In fact, he keeps improving with each passing day. He has a lot of talent." I could only give a small nod, noticing how her voice held so much pride as she filled me in with information about her adopted son. She took notice of my silence as her expression changed and I could see that her over-protectiveness for her son was taking hold of her once again.

"You still disapprove." The slight cold tone was evident in her voice mixed with her usual calm one. I met her gaze, holding it for a moment as I tried to choose my words wisely. Yes, I disapproved. From the very moment she confined in me with her thoughts about teaching that boy everything she knew about magic, I expressed my objections. An enemy was already inside our walls and now we were even training him to become powerful?

"I think…" I hesitated for a bit, not knowing how to approach this again without upsetting her. With a frustrated sigh, I leaned in and took my cup in my hands, relishing the warmth it provided them. "We should be careful, that all." I muttered as I run my fingers absent-mindedly over the fragile china in my hold. The queen let out another sigh in exasperation this time as she removed her gaze from my form and went back to staring outside again.

"You'll never fully accept him, won't you?" I didn't dare to respond, suddenly finding my skirts a lot more interesting as I dropped my gaze on them. "Ylva, you can't be so prejudiced. He's only a child-!"

"I know." I mumbled. She furrowed her brows as her eyes spoke loud of her disbelief towards my words. But I knew that she was right. Or rather, I hoped that she was. But I couldn't help myself; every time I was around that child I would be filled with doubts about everything that had to do with it.

"He admires you, did you know that?" My head snapped towards her as I stared at her with surprise evident in my features. One of the corners of her lips curled up in a smirk as she brought her cup to them again. "He told me yesterday."

My lips parted as if to form some words before they closed. Gritting my teeth, I stood up slowly, placing my cup on the table. Lingering there for a minute or two, I straightened my shoulders as I cleared my throat. The woman was silently staring at me, waiting for my next move. I didn't dare to meet her gaze as I pretended I was fixing my dress.

"It's late." I announced casually. "Your husband will be here in a while and both of you need rest." Frigga rolled her eyes at me before she stood from her seat and accompanied me towards the door, the whole time feeling her scrutinizing look on my form the whole time.

"Stop giving me that look. It won't help to change my mind." Her lips curled a little at that.

"But you're already reconsidering your actions." I bit the inside of my cheek as I stood at the door frame, resting my hands on my hips as I glared at nothing in particular on the floor.

"Why are you so persistent all of a sudden?" I noticed how her smile slowly fell despite her tries to keep it in place. Even the mischievous glint disappeared from her eyes as they remained focused on my form.

"He's not an infant anymore, Ylva. He can feel your reluctance towards him." Shifting my weight from one foot to another, I crossed my hands on my chest giving the woman a small nod as I let her words sink in. I knew she had a point despite my constant tries to ignore it. The child was receiving only rejection from me. Perhaps not in words or certain actions but it was still evident from my behavior towards him and Thor.

A soft touch on my arm brought me out of my thoughts. My eyes found hers again and I tried to give her a small smile, a simple gesture as to ease her worries. A gentle squeeze on my arm was her response as she returned my smile with one of her own.

"Well, then. I'll see you tomorrow. And please, try to think about it."

I could only nod with the smile still on my lips. I didn't trust myself with speaking, afraid that I would say something that would both disappoint and sadden her. With a mumbled "good night", I turned around and took off, not once turning to look at the other woman, knowing fully well that a satisfied expression graced her features.

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