I apologize for any grammar and spelling error in this chapter. I fear there may be more than usual as I'm not feeling that good today and my head is killing me. I tried my best to fix them all though.

Chapter 15: Eye Opener

Since Cephera's return from earth a month prior she'd been doing her best to do as Tony suggested. To forget about trying to impress or getting Loki to notice her and just do the things she loved to do and get to know the people around her. She had begun a new morning routine the moment she returned. She still slept in his room but she work long before him. She bathed, dressed, had a private breakfast with the queen and began her day by fetching Shay. The queen was educating Cephera in Asgardian customs and how best to make herself known and useful to its people. Frigga was excited for Cephera's renewed sense of self.

When Cephera would pass her husband, if she even saw him at all, she'd greet him with a simple head nod and the word husband before continuing onward. At first it had been hard to see him as the things he said were still fresh in her mind but as the month moved on it became much easier. It took the first month for her to realize how much time each day she had used thinking of how to spend time with him when he clearly didn't care nor want it. To not worry about that was freeing. She'd begun a daily movement through the main city. Stopping into shops to familiarize herself with how and what items which shop sold along with the people who sold them.

Shay accompanied her everywhere but they had come across trouble several times. Most of the time Cephera's presence kept tongues from wagging and getting out of hand but other times the insults would begin. Cephera found herself in several moments where she would have to defend Shay while those around them spat nasty things at her for her past behaviour. There were times Cephera's words were heard and other times they fell on deaf ears. Shay at one point even publicly apologized for her former actions when a crowd seemed to think Cephera was being to kind and naive toward Shay. They were convinced that Shay was making friends with Cephera for show while she continued to sleep with Loki behind her back. Cephera didn't believe a word of it as Shay spent 90% of her time Cephera.

As time went on less of these outbreaks occurred to the relief of everyone involved. Shay too was learning about the people around her not born to a higher nobility. Shay seemed to be enjoying their frequent trips to the common areas of the city. It amazed Cephera just how much Asgard had in common with every other land she'd ever been to. The people with the most power on top and in the darkest swells of the city lay the poor people. In Asgard poor didn't mean living on the streets and starving but it did mean a less comfortable life.

She spent time helping some people make repairs to older buildings or helping elders tend to over grown gardens. They laughed and played with children and she had even been invited into a shop to learn how their wonderful delicacies were made. She also did the same within the palace. Learning the names of all the noble men and women and greeting them every time she saw them. Learning all of this however would take far longer then one month but they had put a good dent in with their everyday efforts.

Today was no different then the rest of the month. Cephera woke and went about her morning routine and then joined Frigga for Breakfast in her sitting room. "How fairs your efforts in the city?" She asked.

"They're going well." Cephera said beaming.

"It's good to see you smiling like that again." Frigga commented.

"I'm glad that I feel I can. For a while I had given up on myself." Cephera admitted. "I allowed Loki's actions and words to belittle myself in my mind. I realize now that he is not my focal point and if he wants me he will come to me." Cephera took a breath. The thought of being unwanted still weighed on her mind despite her words. It was difficult to feel not good enough but her new daily life helped. The people gave her confidence and filled her with a sense of pride.

"Thor has been working hard to renew his relationship with Loki. It will never be as it was but so far Thor reports that he is seeing a gradual change in his brother. He no longer fights the thought of spending time with Thor but simply accepts the invites. Thor keeps it to a minimum though. I think taking our time with Loki is a much better idea. I fear my husband did him a great injustice by taking him from one punishment and throwing him into something he didn't want so soon. I think perhaps if Odin had waited and attempted to understand his younger son he would have had a better understanding of what would have made Loki's life better." Cephera could only nod.

Cephera had come to understand that before he could possibly allow her into his life he needed to first mend some relationships he once had. This was of course a theory as no one really knew what Loki needed except Loki and he seemed confused at times. "I've lived this long going through life with no significant other. What's another 100 years or so. I mean I would hope by then he would at least be talking to me." Cephera told the queen. The queen and Odin were the only two people who knew Cephera was a human anomaly. Cephera wondered how Loki would feel when she didn't die a humans death. If he didn't accept her in his life by then he would surely be pissed.

"I hope it will not take my son that long to see you for who you truly are." Frigga had reached across the table and placed a hand on Cephera's with a hopeful smile.

(Loki)

Loki saw Cephera and Shay make there usual trip out to the markets and local populace areas on foot and scowled. He'd been hearing all about his graceful, modest and caring wife from those all around him. Mostly whispers as he walked by as they spoke of him and then of her. Her recent behaviour had been a relief at first. Her constant nagging at him to join her for this or show her that he no longer had to deal with and yet he felt more lonely now than he ever had. It reminded him of his fall from the Byfrost. That one instant were a simple word from Odin had made Loki feel completely alone. He did well to hide these feelings but it was becoming more and more difficult. Like today he was interested to see just what it was she did with the locals to make them think so highly of her.

Loki used magic to set on him a disguise that no one would recognize. And he followed them. He found their daily activities to be boring at first but he understood the fundamentals behind. She was appealing to the people. Treated them like equals and making them feel appreciated. In other words she was sucking up. She was glorifying herself to them. Loki knew that these arrogant things he thought of didn't fit his wife's demeanour and knew she didn't view her own actions this way but Loki saw them that way. She was drawing attention off her failed marriage in the people's eyes by exposing a different side of herself to them. A side they could love and appreciate. She was creating herself as a separate entity. She was not Loki's failed wife she was Princess Cephera.

Loki was slightly impressed she had the skills for this. He assumed that her upbringing as a princess added a certain amount of political manipulation and she was putting that training to good use. Loki was once good at using his wit and his words to sway people. Now he didn't really have much to do with those outside the palace. It reminded him how different his life had become. Loki continued to follow them throughout the day and found himself in the outskirts of the city. In a small square gathered a crowd of children. It was clear this was something that happened often as they seemed eager to be there.

He watched Cephera smile, wave and even embrace the kids as they all gathered round. "What story will you tell us today?" A small blond girl said her eyes wide.

"A one filled with adventure." Cephera replied with a laugh. Loki watched the children settle in and waited for her to begin. "Once there was a princess..."

"A STRONG princess like you?" One little boy interrupted immediately.

"Strong? I'm not strong." Cephera told him.

"My mom says you are. My mom says you're one of the strongest women she ever had the pleasure of meeting once. To have to put up with the dark prince and his awful ways you must be strong." Loki saw Cephera look taken aback by the statement. She seemed speechless for a second. Shay shifted slightly behind her.

"Prince Loki isn't all that bad. He's kind when he wants to be. He's just misunderstood." Cephera finally replied. Shay's hand rested on her shoulder and Loki noticed the squeeze given there. Shay had an appreciative look on her face and Loki was reminded of their former friendship. Loki felt that pang of guilt again. Even after all he'd said and done his wife still spoke of him well. She could have just bypassed answering the boys statement but she hadn't. She choose to set a more positive atmosphere.

"Still, that's what my mom says." The little boy shrugged.

"Well you can tell her what I said. I appreciate her thoughts about me though." Cephera ruffled his hair and smiled. "Where was I?" She asked playfully and as all the kids cried out and reminded her. She smiled wider and began her tale.

XxX

Usually Loki either was asleep before his wife or she was already in bed before he arrived. Tonight he made sure to be there when she finally returned from town. After her words to the kids Loki had retreated back to the palace as he had seen enough. Cephera stepped into their shared room and paused upon seeing him. "Husband." She said giving that nod she'd been doing often lately. He watched her remove her shawl and fold it.

"I saw you in town today." He said to her as she put the shawl away neatly.

"I didn't notice." She replied. Loki repressed his smirk. She didn't need to know he was in disguise. Loki was aware she was trying to stay neutral in her tone and words.

"It's unusual for a princess to go that far from the palace." He said watching her closely. She turned completely to him then.

"If you're going to tell me to stop what I do I'm afraid I won't listen." She said straight out. It was clear she was passionate about her new daily actions.

"No. I just thought you'd be happy to know that I am glad you have finally found something else to spend your time doing. Your constant attempts to draw my attentions was wasted time and I never truly wished to see you harmed from Odin's stupid decision to marry us. I am happy we have reached an understanding." Loki couldn't help what he said. In many ways he still wanted to keep her away from him but yet he felt the need to speak to her and give his approval for what she was doing. "You work well with the people." He added. She was staring at him as if she was trying to read him.

"Thanks." She replied. She had undone the ties of her dress and Loki was amused that she had placed her nightgown over herself and removed the dress without once showing him any part of her he hadn't already seen. Her lack of words bothered him but he couldn't quite gauge why. She moved to the bathroom and he climbed into bed listening to her prepare her nightly routine before coming back out and slipping in beside him. She was immediately back on to him. Loki stared at her in the now dark room and for once he saw her slightly differently. Perhaps she wasn't just a sentimental fool after all.

As always you guys are so gracious in your reviews!

And as always I beg for continued reviews. I cannot express how much I appreciated them!

- Sherriex Kaiser: 3 it always makes me happy when Cephera gets some reviewer love!

- Dana Blood: I love Tony!

- Loki's Dreamer: it was more Tony. Lol. He have her a new way to look at things. Shay is no longer a huge part to the story but she's still there.

- Female Wraith: her own room would be awesome but not needed. Cephera is a people person for the most part. She gets along with all kinds of people.

- Katarina Lillis: I needed something a little more upbeat.

- Twifan 1987: Loki will learn his lesson at some point.

- Kurai Tenshi 015: welcome back. Yay for catching up! More Cephera finding herself coming up. Hehe

- Lightning and Ice: I had to have him in there!

- Otaku Wench: thanks for the praise. Your gonna make me blush. :) I'm really happy you like my little tale of a complicated relationship. I noticed you've been going through all my fics. I assume you're enjoying those too as you've been favoriting them. :)

- Poodle Warriors: haha. I enjoyed that image of Thor as well. Haha.

- Doctor Loki Love: it is very weird for the two of them to not know eachother first. But I thought it was fun to play with. :)

- Reneemm: she's finally opening her eyes!

- Akera Writer of the Night: I'm so glad your day after work feels better after a good read. :P

- 88 Dragon 06: Change is needed at this point and Cephera is realizing she had been trying to hard.

- June buggz: hope you enjoyed the update. I post an update once a day everyday!