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- Loki's point of View -

It was the morning of Thor's birthday party and Loki didn't even want to get up. He let out a soft groan remembering the conversation he had with his father about Angrboda. 'She is a giantess…what could she possibly want with me?' he thought as he started to get ready for the party. 'She wants to marry me and bare my children?...granted I have slept with her on a few occasions…' He continued to think as he was brushing his teeth. 'but marrying me and baring my children?...Well that escalated quickly…' He started to look through his magic books, wanting to practice a few tricks he had in store for Thor this evening.

'Well it doesn't matter, I will simply have to deny her. Though she is beautiful and we have slept together various times I do not wish to marry her…' thoughts of Rai had popped into his head as he started to remember Loki's little escapades with Angrboda. The few times he was gone for days, Rai would always worry for him. Always asking him where he was going and of course he used his silver tongue and lie to her. Telling her he was off on some peace mission to one of the nine realms. When she asked why Thor wasn't going with him, he simply reminded her of how brash and hot-headed Thor was. That always seem to convince her, for Rai knew Loki always had a way with words. If anyone were to convince the leaders of the nine realms of peace with Asgard, it should be Loki. He always knew just what to say. To either comfort or hurt you.

She would always pack him a lunch that lasted for at least a week. He was always thankful to her and promised to bring her back a souvenir on his return. She would get excited and hug him. But Loki couldn't bring himself to tell her that his little peace missions were a complete lie. He had met Angrboda while doing some research on magic and the nine realms. He had gone to visit her and upon his arrival he was taken away by her beauty. He didn't understand why they called her the 'Hag of the Ironwood.' She was stunning. Though Loki knew that Angrboda was also referred to as a 'power hungry whore,' He was so taken with her beauty that he dismissed it. So of course she would try to get Loki to bed her. Of course she would try to bare Loki's children. So that she may one day make herself queen of Asgard because she planned to kill Thor. That way, Loki would be king and be forced to marry her because of their children.

Every time Loki had bedded Angrboda, he had wished it was Rai. What he wouldn't give to have Rai be the one moaning out his name and giving him pleasure. What he wouldn't give to feel Rai's touch, loving embrace and kisses. But he was too afraid. Too afraid that if he told her how much he loved her, she would reject him and forever be a scar upon their friendship. So whenever Loki hungered and lusted for a woman, he would go to Angrboda. Loki wasn't the type to go to just any woman. No. He wanted a woman that he thought would be deserving of a prince. He wasn't like his brother Thor, that any pretty face and body would do just fine.

Loki shrugged off his thoughts and continue to practice his pranks he would play on Thor tonight. 'Tonight when I see her, I shall make it clear to Angrboda that I do not plan on marrying her or have children with her' he thought.

- At the party *Still Loki's point of view* -

Angrboda looked beautiful tonight, Loki noted. She was wearing a black slick dress that looked to be made just for her. Her hair was up in an elegant bun and her body seemed to glisten in the light. Loki took her hand, lightly kissed it and they made their way to the table where all the nobles and king and queen were. After a small speech from his father King Odin, the maids had just walked in and started serving everyone. They all started to have fun. Talking, drinking, eating and dancing. Loki took this opportunity to try to make things clear to Angrboda and be able to spend the rest of the night looking for Rai.

Angrboda started to bring up a random conversation how the palace was beautiful and so on. Loki was half listening when suddenly she called out to a maid. "Excuse me maid! Bring me and my prince here a drink!" Loki looked over to see who she had called over. It was Rai. 'Shit!' Loki thought as Rai quickly made her way over to them. 'Don't look at her!' He inwardly yelled at himself. But it was too late. He noticed how 'hot' she looked in her maids' uniform. He suddenly started to fantasize how it would be to have a 'secret romance' with her as a maid. He couldn't stop staring at her and suddenly Angrboda spoke up. "Do you know her Loki?" she purred at him and he quickly looked over at her. "No Angrboda, she's just a maid."

'Shit! Why did I just say that?! Dam you silver tongue when I need you the most you fail me!' he inwardly screamed at himself. He then heard a loud 'slam' and noticed Rai had spilled the wine on him. Angrboda quickly yelled at her saying, "You clumsy maid! Look, you got Prince Loki all wet!"

"It's quite alright Angrboda, it was a simple mistake." He touched her hand reassuringly. She smiled sickingly sweet at him and heard Rai say, "Our friendship was a mistake your grace." Quite bitterly. Loki gave her a sorrowful glance and was about to apologize when she quickly bowed to him and left. 'Damit…what have I done…' he thought but was suddenly ripped from his thoughts as Angrboda grabbed his hand and dragged him to the dance floor.

"Wait Angrboda I must speak with you." He started to say but she laughed and dismissed him. "We can speak later tonight…in your chambers my prince." She whispered in his ear lustfully. Loki was about to protest but then saw Rai dancing with Einar. 'Einar…' he thought as he unknowingly made a face of disgust. 'What game are you playing Rai?...' he held onto Angrboda's waist and pulled her closer to him. Loki took another glance in Rai's direction and noticed Thor with her this time. And by Odin's' name, what was Thor doing to her?! He had her leg up on his waist and she seemed to like it?! What the hell is going on now?! He's whispering to her…what in bloody hell is he saying?! Loki was burning with jealousy. He swore he could feel his blood beginning to boil. He then noticed them heading to the balcony. He quickly told Angrboda he would meet her back at the dining table. That he had some quick business to take care of. She agreed and he proceeded to quietly follow them.

He heard their conversation. Rai apologized for her behavior realizing she was wrong and Thor also apologized. That made Loki feel slightly better but not really. He then noticed Thor asking Rai for a kiss. How dare he! Rai was his friend since childhood. He had saved her from that horrid family of hers! He was the only one that knew of their little dark secret. He had laid claim to her and here comes Thor, as usual, taking away what belonged to him! No. Thor's going too far. He saw how Rai moved away and asked him if he should court her first. What the hell is going on here…how could she do that?...Now he felt he couldn't tell her of his feelings in fear of rejection. Rai liked Thor…it was painfully obvious now…

This is enough, Loki thought. It's time I have a talk with Rai."Brother." Loki called to Thor sternly. Thor looked over at him surprised to see him standing there. "It seems the party misses the birthday boy." Thor laughed and put a hand on Loki's shoulder. "Yes thank you brother I leave lady Rai in your care then." He turned to Rai once more and said, "My lady, please think about what I said." She nodded and he went back to the party. Rai tried to follow Thor out but Loki blocked her way.

"What was all that?" He grabbed her arm rather forcefully. She pulled her arm from his grasp and bitterly said, "What are you talking about? I have to get back to work so if you'll excuse me…" She tried to get past him but he grabbed her arm forcefully again. "You and Thor. How he grabbed you and how much you liked it! That's what I'm talking about!" He said in a dangerous low tone. "I don't think you are in any position to talk about things like that Loki. Besides, what I do with anyone, whether I like it or not is none of your business." She glared at him just as intensely as he glared at her.

"Rai I know you…you do not act this way…what has gotten into you?..." He let go of her waiting for her response. "You are right Loki. This isn't me. I want to deeply apologize for thinking we were close friends…for thinking that you didn't care that I was poor…that you liked me for me and not for my rank in society…but you made it very clear when you said I was just a maid…you led me along for all these years…led me to believe you truly loved me…as a friend of course but I see I was painfully wrong…and what's worse is I thought I knew you…after all we've been through I thought I knew the real you…though you show everyone how strong and cold you can be on the outside I thought I had seen the real you…the you only I knew…but letting some woman flaunt her breasts all over your face and you falling for it …really Loki? I thought you had more class than that." She continued to glare at him and he could see where her tears where beginning to form but refused to let them fall.

"Rai it's not what you think-" He tried to say but she cut him off. "Yes Loki you're right. Wait I'm sorry my prince…" She bowed to him and continued, "This simple, poor maid shall now take her leave. I will not be a burden to his majesty any longer." She forcefully pulled her arm back from his grasp and shoved her way through him.

He stood there unable to say what he truly wanted. How much he loved her. How much he wanted to apologize and tell her why he had said that. Her words kept playing over and over in his mind. He wasn't aware if Rai knew just how much those words hurt him. How much he just wanted to stop her, grab hold of her and kiss right then and there. He didn't care if anyone saw him with the simple poor maid girl. He didn't care about anything anyone said. He just wanted to assure her she was his. That the only thing that mattered to him was her. But how stupid he had acted lately…going to Angrboda and lying to her about it. Rai was always the one he could count on. When push came to shove, Rai had been his rock. His firm ground he could always rely on.

'Enough is enough…' he said to himself. 'I will tell her the truth…no more lies…no more secrets…Rai has always told me everything…its time I did the same…' Loki decided to wait until the party died down and he could catch Rai alone. Then he would tell her everything…even at the risk of her hating him for when he told her of what he was doing with Angrboda. But he knew Rai had always been very understanding. Perhaps if he chose his words well Rai would dismiss it and everything would go back to how it was. Yes. He thought. I shall tell her tonight.

Finally the party had ended and all the maids were cleaning up. The guards had left to escort the nobles and other people out. He saw Rai picking up some trash and dishes and decided this was it. He approached her and said, "Rai please listen to me…" he tried to take hold of her hand but she moved away. "No my prince, you listen to me." She gave him a stern look. "I…I will make you proud of me my Prince…I will train like never before and I will pass my guard exam…I don't want you to be ashamed of me…" she stared at the floor unable to keep her gaze on him.

He could hear the slight quiver in her voice as she spoke. He knew she wanted to cry but refused. 'Oh Rai…I have never been ashamed of you! I've always been proud of you…proud you always choose me over Thor…proud you always stand up for me, how you defend my honor…no one does these things for me but you…Rai I love you!' is what he wanted to say but couldn't bring himself to say it. He stayed silent unable to say the words that were eating away at his very soul.

Since Loki could not say what he truly wanted to, Rai spoke again. "You promised to protect me Loki…you promised you would let no one hurt me…yet you are the one who kills me with your words…" She let the tears finally spill over her cheeks. Her face was flushed in pink and she furrowed her brows trying to hide the obvious pain.

'I failed you Rai…I failed you I'm so sorry…please just call me Loki…don't be so formal it hurts me…you make it seem as if we are strangers' is what he wanted to say but proceeded in saying, "Please…don't call me that…Rai I-" But she cut him off again, "Rien my prince. My name is Rien the simple maid." She bowed to him and walked away.

'Have I lost you forever Rai?...' was the last thing he said quietly to himself. Watching her walk away felt like she was leaving him. Like she had just confessed to him that she hated him. No. Loki thought. If she hates me I want to hear it from her very lips. I will not give up until I have cleared this whole mess with her. He started to make his way to his room unaware that Angrboda was waiting for him there.