It had been a long and tiring two weeks as the palace staff worked tirelessly to get ready for the contest. Each maiden invited would have their own rooms and seamstress to design the outfits for each event or Activity the prince had planned for them.
"Ugh, I can't breathe" Trixie complained as the maids tightened the corset of her dress. Knowing that each of the other contestants would opt to wear the Prince's colors of green and gold to try and gain favor, she was determined to be unique.
"I'm very sorry Lady Trixie, but a proper maiden must be able to look the part of a royal bride," her handmaid Anastasia said softly. Once she had finished, Trixie turned to look in the mirror and gasped.
She was dressed in a deep silky smooth icy blue dress that slowly faded to a dark blue at the bottom as the dress fanned out around the ground at her feet. The corset was a royal blue with pearls sewn into intricate designs; the sleeves were made of lace, allowing her pale skin to peek through. It hung slightly off the shoulders.
"I look like a princess" she smiled brightly, holding back tears of joy at how beautiful the dress looked, and how it hugged her curves perfectly.
"The prince would have to be a fool not to notice you at the ball milady" Anastasia smiled back before helping her over to the vanity to apply makeup and style her hair.
Anastasia was putting the last pin in place as Trixie's hair was braided and then wrapped around a bun that sat atop her head before adding blue and Purple gems and flowers to the design.
There was a knock at the door, "enter," Trixie softly called out. Natasha walked in wearing a slimming green, and black dress; it looked like the kind of dress Pepper would wear to one of Tony's galas.
"Omg Trix, you're gorgeous!" She exclaimed, looking at her friend from head to toe smiling happily."
Trixie blushed slightly, "thanks, Nat, you look amazing as well."
As they both admired each other, a guard soon appeared to escort both women to the ball. Nervously Trixie linked her arm with Nats for comfort as she was never comfortable with large crowds. 'Breathe, just breathe, Trix,' she repeated to herself trying to calm the rising anxiety, glancing at Nat; she was more controlled and gave Trixie a small reassuring smile.
Once at the ballroom entrance, each of the other maids turned to see who was next to arrive. Trxiie saw everyone glance and stare at her, some whispered, some looked away, and one woman simply glared. Trixie looked at her, raising an eyebrow silently. Trixie would remember her; she seemed like trouble.
Soon all the women heard Odin announce for the doors to open.
"Now ladies, each one of you will enter one at a time; your name and realm will be announced. You will bow to the All-father and the royal family. Once each of you has been introduced, the ball will begin, and Prince Loki will dance with each of you. You may talk amongst the guests, but under no circumstances are you allowed to dance with anyone outside the royal family," the head maid explained. Everyone nodded in understanding.
The doors swung open. A man started announcing everyone. "Lady Angrboða Of Jotunheim."
A beautiful Jotun with long dark hair. She, of course, is wearing a green, black and gold dress. She steps forward and walks through the door.
"Lady Jörð Of Jotunheim." Another Jotun with shorter black hair walks in.
"Lady Sigyn Of Vanaheim." The most beautiful woman you had ever seen walks into the ballroom. She had long blonde hair, fair skin, ruby red lips, blue eyes, and a perfect little nose. "Lady Asoar Of Svartalfheim." She looked like a typical dark elf. Grayish skin, silver hair, and pointed ears.
"Lady Zidka Of Svartalfheim." She looked very similar to Lady Asoar.
"Lady Dracora of Muspellhiem." She had an illusion on so you couldn't see her true form. She had red hair and red irises.
"Lady Freyja Of Asgard." She was as beautiful as Sigyn. You couldn't believe it. She had short brunette hair, dark skin, brown eyes, and a larger nose.
"Lady Trixie Of Midgard." Finally, she was announced. she walked through the doors, bowing to Odin. she felt Loki's eyes rake over her. Trixie then bowed to Frigga and Thor and even bowed to Loki. He took her hand in his and bowed over it, kissing it on his way up.
Natasha was last to be announced. She bows to Odin, Frigga, and Thor. Trixie saw the restraint it took for Nat to bow to Loki. He bowed back, kissing her hand on the way up just as he did with every other maiden.
Once each maiden bowed to the royal family Odin stood up to make an announcement before the ball would officially begin.
"I would like to thank each maiden for attending this competition. The events chosen may be tiresome and rough, but I hope each of you puts up a good effort" he smiled to the guests, "let the ball begin."
As soon as Odin assumed his throne once more, music and chatter began to fill the room
Loki walked over to Jörð, asking her for the first dance. Smiling sweetly at each other, he lead her to the middle of the dance floor. The rest of the women watched the raven-haired prince as he guided the jötunn around the dance floor.
"My my, Lady Trixie, you look stunning" Thor's voice boomed behind her, causing Trixie to jump slightly. She turned and smiled at her friend.
"Thank you, your Highness, and might I say you look handsome as well" Trixie bowed slightly, trying to be as formal as possible especially since many of the guests didn't know she was an Avenger and knew their crowned prince personally.
Thor smiled and gave Trixie a soft hug. "Lady, we are friends, no need to be so formal." He chuckled as she hugged him back. Glancing over at Loki to see he had now started to dance with Natasha, Trixie giggled when she saw Nat sneak a shocking disk onto his right shoulder when he twisted her around; Her face was empty of emotions, yet Trixie had noticed the anger in her eyes.
As Trixie and Thor chatted, he introduced her to Lady Sif and the warriors three (Hogun, Volstagg, and Fandral); they invited both her and Nat to train with them when you both had free time. Both of the women agreed; Trixie looked around, noticing Odin smiling and followed his gaze.
'Oh great, Odin has seemed to have chosen his favorite maiden.' Trixie thought not realizing she had a look of longing in her eyes.
Natasha seems to have realized Trixie's expression as she stealthily activated the small device causing Loki to collapse in pain. Watching the scene, both had to stifle their laughter.
Soon Frigga walked over to Loki and found the device on his shoulder using magic to shut it down. Natasha calmly excused herself to get a drink hiding the remote in Sigyn's pocket as she leaned over Loki looking concerned.
"Who dares attack the Prince? " Frigga spoke loud and rather forcefully.
Loki simply looked at his mother, whispering in her ear. Shortly after, the music started once more. Trixie turned back to talk to one of the guests, telling them about Midgard when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Excuse me, miss," a velvety smooth voice spoke from behind her.
Turning, Trixie looked into beautiful, emerald green eyes. Loki now stood in front of her.
"May I have the honor of this dance?" He asked politely though his eyes, showing disgust at having to dance with a bowed slightly "it would be my pleasure, Prince Loki" she smiled softly, accepting his outstretched hand.
Slowly he led Trixie to the dance floor as a soft waltz played. He placed one hand on the small of her back while his left hand held her right. Slowly he drifted around the dance floor, twirling both of them every now and then; Trixie smiled her eyes, never leaving his eyes as if under a spell.
"Lady Trixie, you look quite ravishing this evening, so different from the last time I saw you," Loki commented as the two of them danced, "you look h-handsome as well," she softly replied.
He chuckled, "though I am curious, all the other maidens are wearing green or black dresses, yet you choose a royal blue colored dress..why?" Loki asked, genuinely wanting to know.
"Well, Prince Loki, I choose a blue colored dress to stand out from the crowd. As being a shield agent and an avenger, I never get to show my individuality. This contest is about you getting to know us personally, right?" Trixie asked as she explained. He nodded slightly, "well, I am determined to be myself during this competition."
Soon after the music ended as well as the dance, Trixie excused herself to find Natasha to inform her she would be heading back to her room. Natasha nodded and wished Trixie a good night. Trixie felt her mind spinning, trying to cope with the 180 spins with Loki's emotions. Just weeks before the ball, he treated her as if she was a maid; tonight, he treated her like a princess. She didn't know it yet, but she wanted to know more about this mysterious, handsome, and sometimes brooding prince.