Darcy's POV

Light floods my room and assaults my aching eyes.

"Good morning, my lady." Ragna's high pitched voice floats from my left, and I roll to see her standing near my bed. Her eyes widen when she takes in my face and disappears, returning quickly with a cool washcloth.

"To help with the swelling," she explains as she dabs under my eyes.

I nod absently, not entirely ready to focus.

When she has finished, Ragna steps back. "My lady, it is time to ready you for the day."

I nod again and stand, following her to my wardrobe. She puts me in a dress very similar to what I wore yesterday, although this one has royal blue accents as opposed to gold. When she's doing my hair in an updo typical of Alfheim noblewomen, Ragna speaks. "I'm sorry you did not sleep well." Her words are careful and hesitant, but I hear the real concern in her voice. For her, I am already grateful. This leads me to answer honestly.

"It's…" I pause and gather the right words. "Difficult to be moved from what I've known for so long."

Ragna is silent for a moment, her fingers expertly twisting my hair. "I can empathize, my lady."

I raise my eyebrows, hoping she will go on. She does.

"When I was a child, barbarians kidnapped me from my village and sold me to the Alfheim throne. I haven't seen my family since." There is no sadness in her voice, no longing. She's simply stating the facts.

"That must have been very hard." My eyes staring at her through the mirror reflect the shock I feel.

"Yes," she agrees, "although it truly does get easier with time. Quite quickly, I adjusted to my life here. In all honesty, I most likely would have died had I remained in my village. I was the youngest of seven, and my parents couldn't afford to feed us all. My life in Alfeim allows me to be clothed, fed, and housed. I have a purpose, and I have friends. It is a better life than I was meant for, surely."

I suck in a breath. "You speak of this so easily."

Through the mirror, she smiles kindly at me, understanding clear in her eyes. "You will, too, one day. It will take time, but you will grow to love your husband. You will have children you adore and rule over a realm that adores you."

Love, I think wistfully. No, I have given all my love away.

"What do you know of my fiance?"

Ragna's eyes sparkle and she launches into a fast-paced telling of everything she knows. I can see that she enjoys gossip, but I can't find it in myself to be annoyed about this. After all, this could prove very helpful to me.

"His name is Audunn, and he is very wealthy. That's why your father chose him for you, I'm sure. His family is one of the original families of Alfheim, and he is a pureblood. Not a single member of his family has ever married someone other than someone of Alfheim descent, so it set some people off that he's marrying you. I mean no offense, of course, but you are Asgardian. Still, the Royal Family is Asgardian, so if Asgard blood is good enough to rule all nine realms, why shouldn't it be good enough to marry? Audun handsome, but quite a bit older than you. I wouldn't let that worry you though. Age equals experience, and experience equals fun." Her eyes light up, and I can't help the shocked laugh that escapes me. "Sorry, my lady." But Ragna's eyes still sparkle, and I can tell she does not mean it. I feel my fondness for her grow as she shows her personality to me with abandon. "Anyways, he has no children, thank your lucky fates, but that means he will expect them quickly from you. No matter though. You are young and will surely be with child after your first few years together."

Nerves pool within me. Children? I don't think I'm ready for children.

Ragna continues. "Your father is not an old man, and it is likely he will continue to preside over Alfheim for hundreds of years. Once he leaves us for the stars, your husband will rise to the position of Chief Diplomat and you will be extended that status as well. I'm not sure what the people will call you, though." Her face furrows as she thinks. "I don't remember a time when your mother shared your father's throne. Do you remember her title?"

"Duchess." The title comes easily to me, although I wasn't aware I knew this. "My father was technically a duke back in Asgard."

Ragna smiles. "Duchess, then."

Upon hearing the title directed at me, I gulp.

Finished with my hair, Ragna smiles at me through the mirror. "You will be wonderful."

And although I do not feel like it, I smile back.

{***}

I sit on a bench somewhere on the castle grounds enjoying the sun. Ragna sits below me on the grass. I had offered her the space next to me, but she emphatically refused, saying it would not be proper for a servant such as herself to sit on an equal level as a woman of my status. I had fought the urge to roll my eyes.

A servant looking slightly older than myself runs up to us. He bows deeply to me and does not look me in the eyes when he speaks. "My Lady, Master requires your presence immediately."

I raise my eyebrows. Who the hell is Master?

Ragna jumps up and her eyes beg me to do the same. For her sake, I do, although I am already suspicious of meeting a man who calls himself Master.

The servant walks a good fifteen paces ahead of us and does not look back. Ragna takes a place behind my left shoulder so she can whisper in my ear as he walks.

"That is Sveinn, the manservant of your betrothed." There's something in her voice, something odd, but I can't place it due to the panic I feel.

"Audunn? I am meeting him now?"

"I believe so, my lady." Her voice is grave, a clear sign of the importance of this meeting. I straighten my back. Ragna fusses over my dress as we continue our way up and through the castle.

Finally and yet all too soon, we arrive outside a massive set of doors.

"You are to wait here," Sveinn instructs Ragna.

I consider protesting, but Ragna has already curtsied and taken a step back.

I swallow and Sveinn knocks.

"Come in," calls a deep voice. Audunn.

Sveinn holds open a door. I hold my head high, fake all the confidence I do not feel, and enter.

The man I presume to be my fiance stands in the center of the room, back turned to me and hands clasped in a tight grip.

"Stay, Sveinn."

"Yes, Master." There's that title again. So abrasive.

Silence resumes. I refuse to speak first. He's the one who called me here, after all.

Somewhere nearby, a clock ticks.

"I thought it prudent that we meet, given our current status."

I bristle at his haughty tone. "How can we meet when we do not look each other in the eye?"

Slowly, he turns so he is facing me.

From across the room, I take him in. He is of moderate height and full of Alfheimish features. His ears are long and more narrow than mine, his nose small and graceful. Blonde hair speckled with silver covers both his head and the lower part of his face. Ragna wasn't kidding. He is much older than me.

He studies me as well. From the glint in his eyes, I can tell that he likes what he sees. Gross. He is dressed extravagantly, covered in an ornate cloak even though he is indoors. Still, I notice with a hint of glee, his clothes are darker than mine. As of now, I hold a higher status than him. That small bit of power gives me more confidence, and I take the necessary steps to meet him in the middle of the room.

"Shall we sit and get to know each other," I offer.

"That won't be necessary. There is no need for you to be here much longer."

I raise my eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

He takes a step towards me, coldness in his eyes. "What is there to know? Soon, we will be wed. You will exist to give me pleasure, status, and heirs. That is all I need to know."

I feel the fire of anger spread through my body. "How dare you! I am so much more than an empty body existing only for her fiance." I straighten, doing my best to reel in my anger. "You will not speak to me like that again."

His features pinch as anger hardens them. "Sveinn, come here." His voice is tight.

Sveinn follows the order, but his steps are slow.

"Sveinn," Audunn barks.

He yelps and rushes to stand near us.

Audunn's hand cracks across Sveinn's face.

I gasp and rush forward to stop the assault, but Sveinn reaches a pleading hand from his position on the ground.

"Please, my lady, don't-" his voice is cut off with a sharp intake of air as Audunn strikes him again. "You'll only make it worse."

The poor servant's mouth has now begun to bleed and he looks at me with begging eyes.

I hesitate.

"That's right, you listen," Audunn growls, gripping Sveinn by the hair and forcing his bleeding face in my direction. I shrink back, horror racing through me. "You did this."

Horror turns to anger. "No! You're the one beating him! You-" but before my words are finished, Audunn begins anew, striking Sveinn without reservation.

"My lady, please." Sveinn's voice, broken and desperate, is what grounds me.

I try to force myself to calm down by focusing on my breathing. As soon as I'm silent, the beatings stop.

"There's a good girl." Audunn's voice sickens me. It reminds me of a poison apple-sickeningly sweet and unbelievably dangerous. "Svienn," Audunn throws him on the ground but releases him, choosing to walk a circle around me instead, "is what's known as a whipping servant. Are you familiar with the concept."

Heart stuttering, I nod.

"Good. Then you understand that anytime you do something to displease me," his voice darkens, "poor, poor Sveinn gets a beating. Because of you!"

I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to be strong. Do not break, Darcy.

"If you behave," Audunn's voice is back to being sweet and deceptively pleasant, "all will be well. I'm sure that is logic even a woman can follow."

I exhale in my anger but otherwise hold it in. My body is coiled tight, and by gods, I want to let it spring. But the look on Sveinn's bleeding and dejected face keeps me from acting.

"You are dismissed."

I do my best not to run from the room. I cannot show this man my weaknesses.

Once clear of the room, I speed up. Before I know it, I'm running. I can hear light footsteps behind me, indicating Ragna's pursuit, but I do not slow. I exit the castle and run past the place where I sat earlier. I run for as long as I can, but eventually, my legs give out. I collapse in a pile of sobs, finally breaking. The grass prickles me, but I barely notice it. The sobs are my main concern, wracking my body and causing my chest to seize.

"Oh, my lady." Ragna's voice is full of concern and distress. Hesitantly, she wraps her arms around me and I rip her, unable to stop myself.

"He-he," I gasp.

"My lady, I am so sorry. There were rumors but I-I never thought…" horror colors her voice as she trails off. Instead of speaking, she concentrates on stroking my hair, and the action gradually soothes me.

My heart is in deep distress. It calls for Loki. I want nothing more than to be in his arms. Loki is mischievous and morally ambiguous at best, but I know that he would never do to me what Audunn has. Loki cares for me, loves me, respects me. Audunn essentially sees me as his personal servant. I shudder.

"Ragna I-" I sniffle, "I cannot be with that man. I will…" But my voice trails off because I don't know what I will do. I desperately want to end the engagement and leave this realm. I want to return to Asgard and ask them to take me back. I will even beg to Odin himself. And I want to run into Loki's arms and kiss him and hug him and tell him that I am his. I want him to be mine as well. It's him I want to marry.

But I know that this will not happen. People like me and Loki rarely get what we want, simply due to our status. We exist as pawns, ready to be moved at the will of our fathers. As a man, Loki has more free will than I, but not much. As a prince, he will be expected to marry an Asgardian noblewoman, just as I will be expected to marry Audunn. It is my duty. I must be strong enough to carry it out.

I sit up, willing myself to find any strength left in my body. "Will you help me get ready for dinner?"

Ragna looks relieved at my gaining composure. "Of course, my lady."

{***}

Audunn joins us for dinner. Every time he looks at me, I do my best not to scowl. I may hate this man, but I have no ill will against Sveinn. For the majority of the evening, we eat in silence.

As I pick at my dessert, Father speaks. "My council and I have set a date for your marriage ceremony."

My stomach clenches. Suddenly, Loki's face flashes in my mind, apathetic and detached. I do my best to mimic his mask in order to hide my panic and displeasure. "Oh?"

Father grunts. "Three weeks from now."

But I am not as practiced as Loki. A breath escapes me, and my voice sounds strained when I speak. "So soon."

Audunn puts on a winning smile. "What she means to say, is that she is pleased. Isn't that right, dear Darcy?"

I swallow down my bile. "Yes."

"Shall I invite anyone in particular from Asgard," Father questions.

Yes. "No."

Father takes a bite of his dessert. "I will, of course, invite the Royal Family, though I doubt they will be in attendance. It is unusual for the entire family to leave Asgard." A thoughtful look crosses his face. "Although perhaps the Allmother will come. She seems the most likley, if any."

Hope rushes through me and I cling to it. "Yes, I wish she would attend. It would be lovely to see her again. Queen Frigga was always so kind to me." An unexpected pang of longing hits me, and I realize that I had been so focused on missing Loki that I hadn't realized I miss Frigga as well. Now aware, I ache for her kind words and motherly affections.

Father gives a small smile. "I will be sure to convey your words in the invitation."

I nod, thankful. Perhaps if Frigga attends the wedding, I can get through it without screaming.

A/n Hey all! This wasn't edited too closely, so let me know if I need to fix anything. Thank you for reading! Let me know what you think so far!