First off, I'm absolutely speechless! Over 60 reviews for the last chapter, that's just downright ridiculous! I honestly can't believe it :) Thank you so very much for each and every one of them!

This chapter is a little shorter than the others I've uploaded so far. This and the chapter that follows were going to be one, but I just didn't like the way it flowed so I've split it into two. I really hope you enjoy it, the next chapter will be up in the next few days!

Thank you all so very, very much for taking the time to read my story! As always, all feedback is adored!

"Forgive me Rosa, please forgive me," he murmured when their lips parted. He did not let go of her. Instead, he held her close and pressed his forehead against hers. He was breathing heavily, Rosa could practically feel the tension seeping out of him.

"Loki…" she said softly, her brows furrowed. There had been such pain in his voice.

Rosa felt something lightly bump against her neck, something that was dangling from Loki's hand which held her head in place. Gently, she placed her hand over his and pulled it into sight. Held tight in his grasp was her jade necklace and as soon as she looked upon it, she met his gaze with guilty eyes. Hesitantly, her fingertips settled upon it. The guilt she had felt earlier returned to her, blooming in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

"Loki-" she began.

"Please... don't take it off." Loki's voice was gentle but there was something desperate in it.

The pair jumped at the sound of the door slamming shut. Each of their heads shot in the direction of the sound to see Lyora leaning up against it, as if ready to hold it shut should an angry mob attempt to beat it down.

Lyora's eyes locked with Rosa's, who was still in the Prince's arms. Awkwardly, Rosa pulled herself from Loki's grasp though she remained close to his side. The look Lyora shot at her, filled her with shame. She knew Lyora felt betrayed. This wasn't how she would have had her find out. She did not know how she would have told her, but not like this.

"Rosa, what…" Lyora couldn't manage anything more than that. She just stared with accusing eyes, waiting for answers.

"Lyora, please. Be calm," Rosa tried weakly, taking a timid step towards her friend.

"Him?" she screeched, "him?"

"Please Lyora, if you would just listen to me," Rosa begged, moving closer to her but Lyora physically shrunk back from her, "Lyora… I wanted to tell you, I truly did. I just-"

"Rosa, are you insane?"

"Lyora, you don't understand-"

"No! I do not! Not at all! Why would you not tell me? How? How did happen?"

"If I may-" Loki tried to cut in, his voice holding so much authority when compared to those of the two maids. The sound of his voice caused Lyora's mouth the snap shut, she looked at him with a strange mixture of anger and fear upon her features. She faced him and lowered herself into an unsure curtsey then bowed her head towards him respectfully.

"Of course, My Lord," she answered, "you are perfectly at liberty to say whatever you wish to."

Rosa watched the redness creep up Lyora's neck and cheeks. Lyora had always been apt to speak before thinking. Her outburst had occurred with complete disregard for the Prince standing present in the room. She had been to shocked and angry with Rosa to have considered his presence whilst choicing her words. Lyora had never liked the Dark Prince; she'd never had anything pleasant to say about him. And that considered, things certainly had the potential to have played out far worse.

Loki and Rosa exchanged glances, and she turned towards him. "Perhaps, you should go…" she said gently.

"I'm not leaving until you speak to me," he stated firmly, anger rising within him.

"Go to the Library," she told him gently, her hand upon his chest. A gesture which always comforted him, "order the maid away and wait for me."

"You will come?" He asked her.

"As soon as I am able," was her reply. She had duties to attend to for the day, she would not be able to meet with him until later that night.

Loki took hold of her hand, "swear it," he begged in a whisper.

Their eyes met and she held his gaze. It soothed the anxiety he had felt, having her so close to him again, "I swear it," she told him, and he knew she meant it.

Reluctantly, Loki exited the room, leaving Rosa and Lyora alone in a heavy silence. Lyora crossed her arms and Rosa's shoulders hunched.

"Lyora, I'm sorry," she said in a small voice.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Lyora implored, her tone sharp

"I couldn't…" was all Rosa murmured.

Lyora stared at her incredulously, waiting for more of an explanation, though it did not come. She let out a hiss of frustration and shook her head, "If ever there were a man who deserves you less than any other, it would be him." There was unmissable disgust in her tone.

"He is not what you think him to be, Lyora… he is truly kind and gentle. He makes me so very happy… I-I love him." Rosa took a small step towards her friend, "Lyora, please, I know you are upset but-"

"Rosa, I do not like him, that much is true. But what you do with your own life is your choice. I think you are making a mistake, but I would have stood by you all the same, not matter what," Lyora gazed intently at Rosa, "what pains me is that you hid this from me! I think of you as a sister, Rosa. And I have never kept anything from you, not once… I don't understand what it is that I have done to lose your trust."

"Lyora, you have never lost my trust!" Rosa told her, "I wanted to tell you, but I knew how you disliked him and so I was at a loss of how to go about it… the longer I left it, the harder it became. I despised keeping a secret from you, but I felt that I had no choice."

"You had the choice Rosa," Lyora scowled, "You always had the choice."

Lyora turned to leave the room.

"Lyora," Rosa called after her but she was answered only by the slamming of the door.

When Thor saw her approaching, he offered Rosa a charming smile. It seemed to him that their interactions were becoming a game of sorts. He fancied the idea that she as actually growing to enjoy them as well, though she remained resolute in rejecting him, returning none of his advances whatsoever. It was for this reason, that it shocked him so much to have her smile back at him for the very first time.

Upon this day she returned it; an action that Thor had thought would leave him overjoyed. Yet Thor did not miss the deep sadness in her eyes. It puzzled him to see it there. He had, in fact, only noticed it because she had chosen to smile at him at all – something she never did. Except for upon this day she did, in what appeared to be an attempt to mask her sadness.

"Rosa," he called after her as she passed him.

She immediately turned to face him, "Yes, My Lord?" she answered, respectfully.

Thor took a few steady steps towards her, "Is everything alright?"

"Of course, My Lord." She answered, unconvincingly. She wore her emotions freely upon her face, whether she was conscious of it or not, Thor was unsure. But regardless, they were there and it made her a pitiful liar.

"You know," he began, swinging his hammer haphazardly, "it is within my power to have someone beheaded, if need be. You would have to but say the word and any issue can be absolved. If, that is, someone has caused you any form of upset."

In spite of herself, Rosa had to smile, "Thank you, My Lord," she answered, "but it won't be necessary. It is certainly nothing that warrants a beheading. Though, I will keep the option in mind should need ever arise for me to call upon your services."

Thor smiled, "see that you do."

She inclined her head to him.

"You are certain that you are alright?"

"I am, My Lord. Thank you, most graciously."

It was the most civil and indeed lengthiest conversation he had managed to coax out of her. The Prince decided to try his luck with her once again.

"Would you perhaps care to join me for a stroll amongst the gardens?" Thor offered, bending into a humbling bow.

"Not today, Sire," she replied, though there was now something that could be called playful in her tone. As she walked away, she turned back to offer him a small curtsey. There was the tiniest of smirks upon her lips.

Thor beamed as he watched her walk away.

The sun had only just set by the time Rosa finally opened the door of the Library. She barely made a noise as she slipped inside the room. The smell of books instantly hit her and she smiled. She hadn't realised how much she'd missed the place until she was there again. Her footsteps echoed as she walked inside and she let out a content sigh at the feeling of warmth that filled her. It was dark, but there was enough light spilling inside from lanterns on the wall outside.

As she moved towards the rows of bookshelves, she ran her fingers reverently along the spines. Touching each one as if it were an old friend she meant to greet. Rosa's gentle smile remained where it was.

She felt his gaze upon her before she saw him, but when she turned to face him, he was not there. Her brow crinkled and she moved through the shelves, craning her neck around corners in search of him.

"Loki?" she called out softly, "Loki, where are you?"

And just like that he was there, emerging from a row of shelves which she had just checked. He stood entirely motionless as he watched her, cautious. Rosa gazed back at him for a moment before letting go of a small sigh and walk back towards him. Once she reached him, she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. She felt the tension in him ease immediately, and his arms moved up to encircle her, pulling her in closer to him.

"I did not mean for you to find it." She whispered, referring to her necklace, "I was just upset, I was overreacting…"

His stare was so intense when she looked up at him, she almost found it difficult to meet his gaze. It was as if he were seeing her for the first and last time all at once. Heat seemed to radiate off of him and she was so glad for the proximity. Rosa had lay awake all night, debating whether or not to go to him. She hadn't though, out of fear that he would deny her. The idea of him no longer wanted her had caused her throat to knot up and she had cried silent tears, not wishing to wake Lyora.

Loki kissed her before holding the jade necklace out to her. With a feather-light touch, she ran her fingers over it. He watched her with the smallest of smiles playing on his lips. Rosa took it up in her hands and moved to clasp it back around her neck, but Loki spoke.

"No…" he stopped her.

She looked up at him, confused. Frightened, even. Had she misunderstood? Was this not at all what he'd wanted? Loki saw the fear in her eyes and ran his hand gently down her arm, reassuring her. Green eyes met blue and Loki took in a deep breath.

"I want you to wear it like this," he murmured as he ran his fingers down the chain. It quivered and twirled under his touch. But not only that; it returned to it's true form. Gold and glittering.

Rosa stared at it, speechless.

"Loki…" she managed to choke out.

"No more hiding Rosa," Loki murmured and Rosa's heart began to beat erratically, "If it please you… I will present you to the Kingdom as my own. Be damned what anyone thinks."

A gasp of a laugh escaped Rosa's throat as her eyes began to well with tears, which she stubbornly tried to blink away. He pulled her into his arms and smirked as she bunched up his garments in her hands, pulling herself as close as she possibly could manage.

"Tomorrow," he promised, "I shall tell them tomorrow."

Rosa could not help but to smile, and Loki guided her towards the Library door. He cast the spell to render her invisible by his side, for what was to be the final time. After tomorrow there would be no need. After tomorrow, everything would be different.

In truth, Loki had no idea what sort of reaction to expect. His mother was fond of Rosa, true enough. She had handpicked her for her service. But would she think her a worthy match for her son? Loki considered the notion and speculated that if anyone were to be supportive of his choice, it would be his Mother.

Less could be said for the Allfather. He had never vocalised it, but Loki knew his Father wished he was more like Thor; strong and brave, a true warrior. Instead, Loki was the cowardly Asgardian who hid behind magic and daggers. He could practically see the disapproving gaze of his Father upon him already for his choice of partner. But it mattered not. None of their opinions did, so long as Rosa remained by his side.

Though, in truth, Loki was very much looking forward to seeing Thor's reaction to the whole ordeal. After all his failed efforts pursuing her, to find out that she had belonged to his younger brother all along… Loki smirked at the very thought of it.

Rosa gave his hand a gentle squeeze, pulling him from his thoughts. She smiled at him and it was enough to confirm for him that he was making the right choice. Yes, everything would change tomorrow, Loki thought to himself.

If only the Prince had known how very right he was…

Dum, dum, DUM! New chapter coming super soon! I pinky swear! :) For the meantime, thanks again for reading and I'd love to know what your thoughts are, please review!