Chapter 73.
Floria placed the Chambers, her fingers nervously twining together as she walked. Her gown rustled and she looked out the window, the crowd in the street growing to watch their new Queen take her place at her husband's side. The door behind her opened and shut, her heart pounding and she turned to see Loki in his gleaming armor. He stared at the gown of lavender and gold and she gave him a curtsy, her hands trembling. She prayed her did not see, and was unsure about how to voice her fears.
"You look so beautiful." He said, walking toward her and she smiled and it faded quickly. He could see her fear and his brows knitted, walking toward her and lifting her chin.
"I thank you for your compliment." She said and he pressed his lips together. He had never seen her so terrified, and she looked away softly. "I was hoping you would find me appearing as a woman of my new station."
"Why are you so scared? It is just a simple ceremony, and I place a crown on your head." He said and she sank to a seat and held her stomach. She trembled, and he took one of her hands and she let out a long breath.
"I am afraid that they will not want me, that my actions have made me less than worthy of my new station in their eyes. What if they dislike everything about me, and what if I am abandoned by all?" She said, Loki squeezing her hand and he sat across from her. She looked as if she wanted to run screaming from the room, and she took in another deep breath and let it out.
"All I have heard is how much they adore you, how they cannot wait to see their new Queen. They are all so very much in live with you, as am I and I know it will never change." He said and she looked at him, her heart calming. "I do advise not imbibing too much during the feast however, someone tends to vanish."
"You tease me." She said and laughed a bit, shaking her head.
"Only to make you laugh, you look too pale. Tell me you have eaten something?" He asked her and she shook her head, looking at the tray of fruit and meats.
"I... my stomach is to knotted to eat." She replied, Loki standing and placing food on a plate. He brought it back to her, his cape fluttering and he held a berry in his fingers.
"Please try, I beg you." He said and she let him slip the berry between her lips. "It may help you to feel better, and we cannot have you unwell today."
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"Sofia! My darling child, and Maid to the Queen!" Lord Brand the Councilman who attempted to arrest Floria said, holding his arms open to embrace his blonde haired daughter. She smiled sweetly, walking to him and returned his embrace. "How does the new Queen fare?"
"She is nervous, and jumps at every sound at the door." She said, smiling sweetly. Her pale face and blue eyes making her a beauty, and she knew it well. "Oh Papa, she wishes Lord Hogun would see her, but he is still so angry with her actions."
"As are the rest of the Council, she acted like a foolish child. Taking the kindness given her, then throwing it away as if it were not good enough." He said, taking her arm and walking with her. "Wouldn't it be a shame if the King grew weary of her, and set her aside for a different Queen?"
"You mean, I should make myself known to him? But he cannot annul his marriage to Queen Floria now, the laws forbid it." She said and her father calmed her, patting her hand and he cradled her cheek.
"Queens die Sofia, be it illness, or childbirth, or even a weary husband slipping her a poison, Queens die. The new problem after their passing, is finding an acceptable replacement for the former one." He said, and the blonde haired Maid turned pale. "Just be the sweet and dutiful Lady you are now, and he will notice you above all others."
"Yes Father." She said and blushed, biting her lip and she giggled. "I do like the sound of Queen Sofia."
"I knew you would, it is a title that suits you." He said and dismissed the girl to return to attending her Mistress. "From that whore to my daughter, I believe a change is needed."
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The doors opened, and the crowd cheered as she walked the long hall with her six Maids behind her. She kept her chin up, fighting to keep her nervousness off her face as she walked toward the six Councilmen and her King. Floria made the walk, and she took the hands of Loki, he helping her to kneel upon the cushion as her Father watched as the Temple Lord stepped forward with a cup of oil.
"With this Oil, I anoint thee Queen Floria." The old man said, placing a dab to her forehead and she bowed her head. Her Father stepped forward, and two Ladies took from him a mantle to place on her shoulders.
"With this mantle, you pass from Maiden to Goddess. Always remember that you are Matron to this realm now, and let your courage and heart be true always." He said, and she felt the clips snap over her shoulders and the flowing cape of shimmering white was spread behind her. The embroidery of gold and roses gleamed in the light and the men stepped back. A boy presented her crown, the shimmering gold of delicate vines and flowers dotted with diamonds and pearls. Loki picked it up from the pillow, holding it above him and the crowd looked on in awe.
"Behold! All realms in the Sacred Tree, this humble woman has come before you to become your loving Mother. And with tender hand, she will watch you grow and thrive under her kind gaze. Behold! I give you a woman of great reason and concience, and I crown her my Queen!" He said, and the gathered people roared in a cheer as he placed the crown on her head gently. He helped her to stand and he kissed her lips, making her blush as she stood before him.
"Such kind words for me." She said and he laughed, caressing her cheek. She looked at the men and she saw her children, Alerea giggling and waving her hands as a Nurse held Falfar.
"All of them well earned, sit with me in out throne." He said and her mouth fell open, his hand guiding her to the golden throne and he helped her sit on the arm of it as he sat in the seat. "Your head will always be higher than mine."
"My King, this is a break from tradition." One Councilman said and Loki frowned, sighing and he waved the man toward him. He leaned close, his eyes narrowing and he grinned.
"I have never been one for tradition, and her council means more to me than yours." He said, and Floria resisted the urge to grab a horn on his helmet to pull him back from verbally beating the man.
"He meant no harm My King. He only was concerned about appearances, and he wants us to appear strongly united. He was mistaken in you gesture, please forgive him." Floria blurted out and he glanced at his Wife, smiling at her and patted her hand. She held his, and he calmed as he felt her fingers caress his.
"I will forgive him then, now that he understands my intentions to make us look so strong together." Loki replied and she smiled, he brought the fingers to his lips and she blushed at his affection. The audience dispersed, going out to celebrate and Loki smiled at Floria.
"I am glad that he understands, and that you are so forgiving." She said and she smiled at him. Her amber eyes shone as brightly as the crown on her head, and she looked at the people as they filled out of the doors.
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She watched the fireworks in the sky, her eyes and mouth wide as she watched in wonder as Asgard celebrated their new Matron. She laughed, Sari holding her shoulders and the girl giggled, Floria smiling back at her.
"Can you believe it? All of this! The parades, the gifts to earn favor, they are all for you Floria!" Sari said and Floria blushed, her smile wide and she nodded.
"It is like a dream, and I cannot believe that I may wake." She replied, smiling and she turned toward a familiar voice.
"Then I shall beg you to never wake, my beautiful Queen." Loki said, the Maids curtsying. Sofia put her arms out gracefully and sank low, earning his approval for her obedience. Floria dipped and he stopped her, taking her hands and he shook his head. "Never bow to me, for I will kneel to you my Heart."
"You truly dislike tradition, but I shall obey My King." She replied and he put a finger over her lips.
"I don't want you to obey, you are not a servant or a dog. Just be my shining star, and I will celebrate you always." He said, turning her back to watch the fireworks. "I do look forward to holding you as you sleep tonight. I will chase away your fears, and weave dreams of pleasant things for you."
"Thank you, for everything you have done. I am truly blessed by you, and the prople." She said and he kissed her lips. Sofia watched, her smile fading as she imagined herself in the place the foolish girl stood in currently. She would have that position, she would make her father so proud of her. The door opened, Hogun entering and she watched the witless Sari dance about and Floria turned to greet her Father.
"Papa." She said, and he bowed to her stiffly. Her smile faded, his hands holding a letter to Loki and she stepped back.
"A letter of Congratulations from the Alfar Court for the Queen. They also send fine silks for new gowns, as a token of goodwill to Her Majesty." Hogun said, and Loki handed the letter to her. She accepted it, and she smiled politely.
"I will send them a letter of thanks, their silks are so beautifully made." She said and looked at Loki. "May I please speak to my Father, for just a moment?"
"Of course." He said and looked at Hogun, grinning at his Counciler as he leaned toward him. "Hear her out."
He left them, the Maids curtsying and Floria stood silently before her Father. He crossed his arms, and she waited for him to rage at her or to tell her she was nothing but a fool. He let out a breath, and she looked at him and a tear fell down her cheek.
"I am so very sorry Papa..." She started and he shifted on his feet. "I... I was a foolish woman, and guided by silly emotion. I nearly ruined your prospects, and Mother's as well. May I have your forgivness?"
"You may, but you will from now on you tow a fine line. You do not have the freedoms you once enjoyed, and need to realize that your position is now as one of a level headed and steadfast woman." He said, his words making her feel trapped, she say Sofia giggle and flirt with Loki as he stood in the door, her graceful hands and posture making her heart sink at the sight. Hogun frowned at the girl, and he looked at Floria again. "Ignore her, she will loose his interest quickly. You gave him a Son to follow him, and he will grant you favor over her."
"I pray you are right Papa, please give me your advice often. Especially when you see me scared." She said and he put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently.
"I will, as a Loyal Subject and your father." He said and Sofia curtsied as Loki walked back toward them. He kissed Floria's forehead, holding her hands and he pinched her chin.
"Why the tear my sweet Nightengale? Was Lord Hogun cruel?" He asked and her eyes drifted to Sofia for a fraction of a second, she shook her head and kissed him.
"I am just so very happy to be forgiven, and so very loved by you." She replied, and he knew the new source of her anxiety immediately. He was a married man, and the girl had flirted with him openly. He kissed her cheek, his hands on her waist and he pulled her close to him.
"You are my Queen, never forget that Floria. She is but a silly girl, and she will never pull me away from you." He whispered, and he kissed her below her ear. Her heart pounded, and she gasped at the affection as he turned her to watch the fireworks with her.
"I love you Husband." She said, his eyes drifting back to the simpering blonde girl, her blue eyes smiling at him in seduction.