"Yes, ma'am. I'll do it right away, ma'am."

I sighed. No one remembered me. No one knew who I was, who I had been. No one knew my name, my past. Not even my husband or children remembered me. But it was as it should be. I was no longer Lady Aaernia Folkvarsdotter of Asgard. History had changed. I was simply Nia, a servant girl in the palace.

"Quickly, child, before the little princes and princesses wake!"

I lifted the two trays of food and made my way carefully to the children's chambers. I pushed the door open quietly and tiptoed in, heading for the dining table. As hoped, the children were still asleep. I set the trays down quickly and turned to leave.

"Mommy?"

I froze. No, this was not possible. They did not know me. I glanced carefully over my shoulder. A little boy, about nine and a half, was curled up in the corner, asleep. His dark brown hair, much like mine, covered his face. I smiled softly and knelt beside him.

"My little Leif. Snuck out of bed again, didn't you, precious?" I picked him up gently.

"I don't want to go to bed, Mommy," he mumbled.

I blinked back tears. He was dreaming. When he woke, his mother would be dead. Simply a blank woman that not even Loki remembered. "Come, precious." I went to the adjoining room where the other three children slept and set Leif in his bed. I pulled the covers over him and headed for the door. Another voice called me back.

"Is breakfast ready?"

It was Arve. His amber eyes shone in the pale light. He was always eating, and if he wasn't eating he was running around swinging a dagger. He was only five. I always swore he was going to get himself killed.

"Yes, My Prince."

Arve clambered out of bed and ran to the other room. "Thank you, Nia!"

I bit my lip. He knew my name. Once that name was Mommy. I missed being called Mommy. "Of course, My Prince."

A hand tugged my skirt. I looked down. Vigdis, Arve's twin sister, looked up at me with her beautiful blue-green eyes. She looked so much like me. But her raven hair, pale skin. Those eyes... all her father's.

"I know," she whispered. "I know who you are. I know what happened."

I swallowed hard. Vigdis was very talented with magic, already almost as good as her father. "Who am I, Your Highness?" I asked softly. She wrapped her small arms around me. Yes, she knew. Her magic had told her. "Do not tell anyone, precious," I whispered, wrapping her in my arms. "Not even your brothers. Not even your sister."

"Why can't I tell Idonea?"

"She is two and a half. She wouldn't understand, and she wouldn't keep it a secret. But I know you can."

Vigdis nodded, hugged me tighter, and then looked up. "Daddy's here."

I stood quickly and turned to meet the glaring gaze of the man I still loved. "Y-your Highness." I curtsied.

"What are you doing?!" Loki demanded.

"I apologize, Your Highness." I did not meet his eyes. "I was only comforting the Princess, Your Highness."

"Out."

I stiffened.

"Out!"

I bobbed again and hurried from the chambers, my tears falling the moment I was out the door. I ran. I ran, searching for a place where I could be alone, where I could mourn all I had truly lost.