Rai had finally arrived at her bedroom exhausted. Her eyes were red, puffy, and swollen from all the crying. When she lay down on her bed, she realized how stupid she had acted. 'Why the hell did I cry for that?' she asked herself. 'Loki is a prince. I am a maid. Granted I just made it into the royal guards but…I will still do my duties as a maid. Loki may do as he pleases, who am I to get upset about something like that?' She sighed as she heard a knock on her door. She was praying it wasn't Loki. She cautiously opened it to reveal Einar, a fellow guard and one of Rai's closest friends. If not for Loki, Einar would have perhaps been her boyfriend. It's true that Rai spent almost all day with either Loki or Thor. However, as princes, they were always very busy. Sometimes, they were both off on noble duties to bring peace to one of the nine realms. And as much as Rai would have loved to have been a guard back then, to accompany and protect her beloved princes, she was not and could not.
That's where Einar came in. Einar and Rai had been through battles together, hunting, studying and sparring together. And just as his name implies, Einar had always been a 'lone warrior' type. Rai's quiet, sweet and caring nature had appealed to him and they became friends. He had tried twice to court Rai but she always told him she was not ready for a boyfriend. She had told him perhaps when and if she becomes a guard. Loki was well aware of Einar and his feelings for Rai. In fact, he had warned Einar to stay away from her. When he refused Loki threatened to have him flogged. Einar stood his ground against Loki and told him Rai could choose for herself if she would be courted by him or not. Naturally that made him a target for Loki. He would constantly prank him and try to discourage him from seeing Rai but Einar's resolve was strong. Loki wanted him exiled or even executed but they had gotten into an argument one day. Einar told Loki, "You don't scare me Prince Loki. Even if you have me exiled or executed, you will forever be a coward. Unlike you, I made Lady Rai aware of my feelings and have not given up, though she has turned me down twice. That's more than I can say for you." Those words caught Loki off guard. Ever since then, Loki hated Einar more and more with each passing day. But he knew he was right. That's why, for the time being, as long as he didn't try anything, Loki decided not to kill him, yet.
She opened the door for him, relived it wasn't Loki. "Hey Ein, what's up?" she said as he started to pour him some wine. Rai wasn't a drinker. In fact she had never tasted wine or any alcoholic beverage, but she kept some around for her friends. He took a big sip and sat on the edge of her bed. She started to climb under the covers as he gently lay next to her. She rolled over so her back was to him. "I didn't see you at Prince Thor's birthday party after I asked you to dinner. I was at your guard exam, but when you passed, you disappeared soon after. Where have you been?"
She let out a small groan. "I got into a fight with Loki…" she pulled the covers over her face. "Care to elaborate?" He gently nudged her back with his elbow. "Long story…" he managed to hear through her muffled sounds under her blanket. "I've got all night." He smiled. She pulled the blanket off her head and slightly pouted. Einar let out a small laugh. "Well…." She started.
Flash back 4 days ago *Rai's point of view of the party*
It was the night before Thor's 19th birthday party and all the maids were gathering everything for the morning. Rai was rushing up and down to make sure she had everything she needed. She quickly went outside to bring in all the meat that would be required for the party. The way Thor ate, she knew there was no way she'd carry it alone. As soon as she went outside, it was as she thought. There were at least five carts filled to the point of spilling with various meats. The guards bowed and left her with it all.
'Wonderful…how the bloody hell am I supposed to carry all this inside?' she started to bite her nails. A nervous habit. She was looking franticly for any assistance when Einar showed up. "Ein!" she called out as she ran to him. "Rai I didn't know you fancied me this much." He smirked at her and she playfully punched his shoulder. "Don't be dumb Ein! Are you busy at the moment?" He laughed and shook his head no. "Awesome! Please help me carry all this meat inside yes?" She looked at him with pleading eyes. He smiled and agreed. Once all the food was inside he grabbed her hand before she could get away.
"What's wrong?" she asked with concern. "Nothing I just…Rai, would you do me the great honor of being my date for Prince Thor's birthday celebration?" He gave her a soft look and she smiled at him. "Ein I'd love to but I will be a maid for this celebration. I have to help out with the guests and serving food and drinks. I'm really sorry." She gave him a kind look and he sadly nodded. Rai apologized again and he said it was alright he understood. Einar bid her farewell and took off.
Finally as all the maids were finishing up and heading to bed, Rai took one last look around. Satisfied with the preparations, she too went to bed.
The next morning everyone was up and about bright and early. All the maids, including Rai, were rushing back and forth making sure everything was perfect for Thor's birthday. Though she wanted to spend time with the princes, Rai knew her duties came first and tried to finish quickly. For tonight's party, Thor had chosen the maids outfits specifically. It was a French-Maid style uniform but in Thor's colors. The skirt was pretty short and the top revealed cleavage, though not too much. They also had to wear knee-high stockings with heels. Heels, Rai's life-long enemy! She didn't mind wearing the uniform too much but the heels would be the death of her.
It was around 7pm and the party was underway. Everyone had shown up. Nobles, Royals, friends, family, and even some guards and maids that had the day off came. Everyone was having a wonderful time but Rai couldn't find Loki anywhere. She frantically searched for him. She wanted his opinion on her uniform. She knew she looked 'sexy' in it but she wanted to show off for Loki. Rai sighed and pouted when she didn't find him. Thor was easily spotted of course. Women from near and far all swooned at his feet. Some were offering him food, drinks, and even their bodies.
'Wow, do they have no shame?' Rai thought as she tried to push her way through all those women to get to Thor. Thor had a huge smile on his face when he saw her. He quickly met her half-way and looked her up and down. Rai smiled slyly and asked, "Does this uniform please you my prince?" Thor had a small smirk, took her hand and kissed it gently. "My fair Lady, it pleases me more than you know." Rai laughed and handed him a drink. He took it eagerly and she smiled. "Don't get absurdly drunk tonight Thor! You wouldn't want any of these women to take advantage of you. Everyone knows what and innocent poor thing you are." She joked and he let out a booming laugh. "By the way," she continued, "Have you seen Loki? I can't find him anywhere…" He shook his head no and Rai sighed. She thanked him and made her way to a marble pillar.
She stood there for a while just making sure everyone had plenty of food and drink. Suddenly, she looked over at Odin and Frigga and saw Loki. He was dressed formally of course wearing his royal attire. As she made her way to him, she noticed he had a woman with him. She was all over Loki. She kept touching his arms and kept giving him coy looks. Loki seemed to be semi-interested in what she was saying. Suddenly the woman spoke up and asked, "Excuse me maid! Bring me and my prince here a drink!" well it was more of a command then a question.
'HER prince?' thought Rai as she made her way to them. 'Who the hell does she think she is calling Loki HER prince?' jealousy was bubbling within her but she smiled and bowed sweetly. She noticed Loki looked at her hungrily. That uniform accentuated Rai's curvy figure exquisitely, and Loki was having a hard time looking away. The woman noticed it and gave Rai a glare.
"Do you know her Loki?" she purred at him and he quickly looked over at her. "No Angrboda, she's just a maid." Loki started having a conversation with her and Rai was in shock. Wide eyed and heart-broken, Rai could not believe what she had just heard. How could he say that…how could he deny their friendship like that?...Rai didn't know what to do and let her anger over-take her slamming his drink in front of him.
"You clumsy maid! Look, you got Prince Loki all wet!" The woman yelled at Rai and she just stared at the floor. Loki reassured Angrboda that it was alright. That it was just a mistake.
"Our friendship was a mistake your grace." Rai said very bitterly. Loki was about to speak when she bowed respectfully and took off. Loki wanted to go after her but he couldn't leave Angrboda. Rai's eyes started to fill with tears but she refused to cry. She stopped and thought for a second. If this is the game Loki wanted to play, then she would play.
Rai noticed a new song being played and then saw Angrboda dragging Loki to the dance floor. She quickly looked for Thor. She knew if she danced with Thor Loki would burn with jealousy. Thor however, was dancing with Sif and Rai did not want to start a fight with her. 'Damit!' Rai thought and continued to scan the room for anyone else. She then spotted Einar. 'Ein my friend you will save me twice now!' she thought as she searched for one of her maid friends. Rai explained to her friend that it was about time for her break and if she could look after her duties for a moment. She agreed and Rai put the drinks she was carrying down and swiftly made her way to Einar. She told him that she didn't know how to dance and if he would be kind enough to help her learn. He of course quickly agreed and off they went.
Rai made sure she danced close enough to Loki. Of course Loki noticed but he knew she was playing with him. So Loki decided to play with Rai too. Loki took Angrboda by the waist and held her close to him. Rai noticed and got very angry but refused to show it. They continued to dance but the song ended rather quickly. She thanked Einar was about to part from him when Thor came in. He politely asked Einar if he could take Rai off his hands for the next dance and he agreed.
"Thor wait I…I don't know how to dance!" she tried to tell him but it was too late. Thor had a good hold of her and quickly put his hands on her waist. "My fair lady Rai this uniform does so many wonders for your figure." Rai blushed madly but gave him a small glare. He laughed at that and held her closer to him. It was a semi-fast paced song that was being played and Thor quickly grabbed one of Rai's legs. He placed her leg on his waist and leaned his face to her ear and whispered, "You look beautiful my lady. Will you accompany me to the balcony?" Rai had completely forgotten about Loki. She had no idea what had come over Thor but shyly nodded yes.
Loki took a quick glance to where Rai was, expecting her to still be with Einar. To his dismay, she was now with Thor. And her leg was on his hip?! What's more he was caressing it! Loki burned with anger and jealousy. He wanted to rip Thor to shreds. Angrboda noticed his sudden change of mood and asked him if he was alright. He said he was feeling a little dizzy from drinking all that wine and told her to wait for him at the table they were dining at. He said he needed to take care of some small business quickly. She agreed and went to sit down starting a conversation with Odin and Frigga. Loki couldn't take it. How Thor had a hold of Rai, how he had whispered in her ear, and how Rai was reacting. Suddenly, Loki took one last glance at Rai and saw Thor was leading her to the balcony. Loki wanted to explode in anger but quickly composed himself and followed them.
Thank you for the reviews! I hope the story is coming along well!