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Rai and Loki sat in silence for a bit. She was trying to take in everything Loki had said. He told her he was a Frost Giant. How Odin had taken him from Jotunheim and that Laufey was his real father. Loki even told her about his plan to get Thor in trouble with Odin, when Thor decided to exact revenge on Jotunheim, but he never thought he would get him banished.
She rested her head on his shoulder and held his hand gently. Sighing softly, she closed her eyes. He looked down at her with a surprised expression. "You… do not hate me?" Without opening her eyes, she responded, "Why would I hate you?" He rested his head on hers and sighed heavily. "I am a monster… I got my brother banished… and father is in the Odins' sleep because of me…"
She gently gave his hand a squeeze. "Now Loki, do not blame yourself. You did what you thought was right for Asgard. To be honest, I never thought Thor ready for the throne… I always thought your father wrong for choosing him…. Odin always chooses Thor over you… and now I can see why… you are no monster Loki… being a Frost Giant does not change who you are… and it does not change my love for you." He was silent for a few minutes. Then Rai could feel cold tears hitting her face.
She looked up to see Loki crying… she had never seen him cry… gently using her thumb to remove the tears, she asked, "Loki… what's the matter?..." he swallowed hard and cringed his face. He refused to open his eyes. He was afraid to see her looking at him like this. Weak, vulnerable, crying like a babe… no... he didn't want to see the look of pity she gave him… "Loki…" He felt her warm embrace and she started to gently rub his back. Letting his tears freely spill out he whispered, "Don't give up on me… please…"
"I would never give up on you Loki…" she was still holding him tightly. He opened his eyes, though she could not see him. His facial expression darkened. "What if I do something you do not approve of… something… dark…. Something… evil…" Rai closed her eyes and could feel her heart become uneasy. "I don't care… I'll always love you… I'll protect you and I'll always be at your side in right or wrong. I will remain forever loyal Loki… unless you kill a child or ran off with another woman, then I do not know about that one, I would be very angry with you." She chuckled a bit at her last statement and so did he. He knew she was only jesting with the last part and though Loki did not show it, he was overwhelmed with joy and pride that his bride-to-be promised to be forever loyal to him.
"My love… I wish to have children with you." Rai was shocked and overcome with happiness. She gave Loki the biggest hug she ever could and blushed madly. "I'd like that." Was all she said before they both drifted off to sleep.
~ Next Morning ~
Loki, the children, and Rai were sitting at the dining hall awaiting breakfast. Jormungand, Fenrir, and Rai were not wearing anything formal. Some plain training attire for Fenrir, some casual clothing for Jormungand and a pretty violet sundress for Rai. Hella was in one of her many beautiful gothic Victorian dresses as usual and Loki in his Kingly armor wearing his horned helmet. "Is that helmet really necessary at breakfast Loki?"
He raised an eyebrow at her and smirked. "Jealous my dear? I can have one made for you." She scoffed as he chuckled. The servants suddenly walked in and started placing the food on the table.
"Wow I can't believe I'm actually having a family breakfast…" Rai looked at the delicious food placed before her and smiled warmly to herself. "Get used to it love, for we shall have many more." Loki smiled, but before any of them started eating, a male servant appeared before Loki holding a bottle of wine.
"A gift for you my king." As the servant placed the wine on the table in front of Loki, Rai suddenly stood up and made her way towards the servant. "Wait." She said before he had a chance to leave. He turned around and half-heartedly awaited for Rai to speak up. "Yes my lady?" He did not meet her gaze. "From whom is this most gracious gift? It is a rather rare and expensive wine…" She said as she inspected the bottle.
"I do not know my lady. It was left on the kitchen table with a note saying it was to be delivered to his highness as a gift." Rai eyed him carefully. "Come here." He refused to move. "Did you not hear me?" Again he didn't move. "The lady asked for you servant." Loki's tone was slightly angry. He slowly and reluctantly made his way to Rai. She stood behind him and grabbed a glass cup. She poured him some of the wine and handed it to him. "Drink." Everyone was now looking at Rai and the servant with confusion.
"I do not wish to my lady. I am not worthy of such a gift." Rai smiled sweetly at him but her eyes held a mischievous glint in them. "Love, what are you doing?" Loki was becoming impatient and Rai knew it. "Why nothing my dear… I just want him to drink some wine as a thank you, for delivering such a wonderful gift." Again she held up the glass to the servant and said, "Drink it."
Loki looked over at him. He saw how nervous he began to get and refused to drink it again. After about a minute or two of awkward silence, "DRINK IT!" That sudden shout from Loki even made Rai jump. The servant looked over to his left then quickly to his right. He made a run for the door but Rai quickly grabbed him by his arm twisting it behind his back. He tried to struggle free but Rai got a good hold of him. Suddenly Fenrir and Jormungand were at her side. "Don't strain yourself ma… we got him." Fenrir pulled the servants head back by his hair as Jormungand fiercely held him. Rai walked over to Loki who was now standing.
"Loki, I have reason to believe that wine is poisoned. See how he refused to drink it? And how peculiar that such an expensive gift were to just magically appear in the kitchen, just awaiting to be delivered to you? But what is most peculiar… is that no one outside the palace knows you are king yet… so who here would have the wealth to buy such a gift?" Loki was suddenly standing before the male servant. Hatred and malice were radiating from him. He quickly and harshly grabbed the servant by his throat and lifted him up. He was kicking his feet and gasping for air.
"You're gonna get it now." Fenrir smirked up at him. "Who sent you here to betray your king?!" The servant shook his head and Loki loosened his hold a bit so he could speak. "ANSWER ME!" The servant gasped and managed to get out, "I shall not betray the lady." Loki glared at him and the servant realized he had just identified the person as a female. "Well that narrows it down." Rai walked over to Loki. "Let's place him in the dungeons and have him tortured until he confesses who was behind this." Loki looked over at her and raised an eyebrow.
"What?" she simply stated. "Since when did you become so… cold?" he put the servant down and motioned for the guards to take him away. "I will not have anyone threatening my King nor my children. I vowed to protect you all and protect you I shall. I have only so much patience for people… but when they try something like murdering those I love… well I cannot let that go." Loki smirked in approval. "You surprise me every day my dear."
"When I find out who the hell tried this… I'll tear them apart!" Fenrir was bearing his fangs and his eyes started to glow red. "Not before I strip them of their flesh dear brother." Jormungand was slightly calmer, however his eyes glowed a brilliant evil green. "I can torture him for you father." Hella stood up from her chair and made her way next to Loki. She placed her head on his arm and closed her eyes. Loki softly laughed. "No my dear, I will not have my daughter doing such a thing. Besides, you must help Rai with the wedding preparations." Hella and the boys looked over at Rai then their father. "Daddy! You and Rai will marry?!" Hella exclaimed enthusiastically. Loki nodded and Fenrir gave Rai a bear hug.
"It's about time!" Fenrir laughed and Jormungand sighed. "Don't kill her before she marries father Fenrir…" Fenrir let go of Rai and gave his younger brother an annoyed glare. Loki, kids, though I'm sure you are all still hungry… I believe it is in your best interest if I have the maids dispose of all this food… I shall tell them to prepare a new breakfast under my supervision… I will not have an incident like this to happen again… not while I'm still alive…" Rai furrowed her brows.
"Fenrir and Hella go with Rai to supervise this. Jormungand and I shall go down to see this traitor…" Rai placed a hand on Loki's shoulder. "Do not kill him Loki… we need him to tell us who was behind all this." Loki kissed her forehead and with a dark smirk replied, "I am sorry my pet, I cannot make any promises."