"Another drink, my Prince?" a bartender asked as he reached for Loki's stein.

"Yes," Loki mumbled. His body felt warm from the three pints of ale he consumed, but he still couldn't shake away the lingering pain of his parentage. Loki wondered if he needed a stronger drink. He figured he could always go to visit Anthony Stark for the night. Asgard was the last place Loki wanted to be right now-he didn't belong here.

"Loki?"

The prince perked his head up at the mentioning of his name. "Clinton," he grumbled, turning to glare at the archer.

"What are you doing here?" Clint wondered. "You shouldn't be out this late."

"And you should be protecting my city!" Loki sniped.

"My shift if over." The blond took a seat beside Loki at the bar. He had never seen Loki looking so disheveled in all the years he had known him. His eyes were bloodshot and the prominent bags under his eyes told Clint that he hadn't slept. The reeking scent of alcohol was what concerned Clint the most. "Did you and Lady Natalia have a fight?" he whispered.

Hearing Clint say Natalia's name sent him over the edge. Natalia was his. "What happens between my wife and I is none of your concern!" he seethed, baring his teeth.

Clint leaned away from Loki's body. If they didn't leave soon, Loki was going to start a scene which wouldn't be good for his reputation. "Let me escort you home, Milord."

"I have no home," Loki hissed under his breath.

The bartender held out a wooden stein for Loki, but Clint grabbed it and pushed it aside. "He's had enough," Clint told the man. "Put it on my tab."

"It's on the house," the older man grinned.

Loki reached for the alcohol, but Clint grabbed him by the arm. "No!" he snapped, "we're leaving!"

"Let him enjoy his dwindling days as a single man!" the bartender chuckled.

"No," the archer shook his head. "He knows he's had enough. Come on, my Lord." He jerked Loki off of his stool and they left the bar together.

"I can see myself home, Clinton," Loki slurred as he staggered behind.

"No you can't," he laughed. "You can't even walk straight. I never took you for such a light weight." Clint knew that his bold accusations wouldn't be remembered by the prince come morning, so he chose to make the most of the moment. It wasn't every day that he had the opportunity to sass his future King. "C'mon." He grabbed Loki's arm and let the prince lean against his body for support.

"Don't touch me!" Loki cursed. He tripped over the corner of a cobblestone and leaned further into the archer.

"You'll be home safe and sound soon enough," Clint promised.

"That's odd," Natalia overheard Frigga say as she entered the dining hall. "Loki has never been one to run off like that," the Queen continued. "However, I thank you for returning him home, Clinton."

"It was no trouble at all, my Queen."

Natalia froze at the sound of the archer's calming voice. It felt like years since she had last seen, let alone spoke, with him. He turned to her with the carefree grin she always loved and Natalia felt sick to her stomach. Seeing him only reminded her of what they did wrong. Clint started coming towards her and Natalia looked ahead towards Frigga as if he was invisible. "My Queen?" she asked, feeling her voice catch in her throat. "What did Loki do?"

"He decided to go out for a stroll on his own," the Queen sighed. "All is well, Natalia. Clinton brought him home safely."

"My Lady," Clint interrupted. "It's been a while since I've last seen you." Natalia refused to look at him and he became concerned. "Have you been well?"

She turned in his direction, keeping her eyes glued to the floor. There were a number of things she wanted to say to him. For one, she wasn't well at all with his child inside of her. The constant worry of Loki learning the truth was going to drive her crazy. "Fine," she quietly muttered. "Thank you for watching over my husband," she added, shooting the man a glare before turning her attention back to Frigga. Clint needed to stay away from her. It was the best choice for both of them.

"Loki. Just the person I needed to speak to," the King began in a displeased tone. He had been waiting all morning in his office for his youngest to come and face him. Before Loki had the chance to sit down, Odin went off on a fatherly rant. "Do you have any idea how foolishly you acted last night?" He dismissed his son's groan of displeasure. "You're lucky Clinton found you, Loki," he went on. "Drunk in a tavern-you're these people's next King! I pray you won't act out in this way ever again! And sneaking out at night! Your Mother and I are ashamed!"

Loki's nails dug into the arm of his Father's chair. His head began to ache at his hazy memory of last night.

"What if you were attacked, Loki? There are witches out there and you are their prey!" Odin glowered. The distant look in Loki's eyes told the King that the boy wasn't listening. "Your Mother and I cannot bear the thought of losing you…" he sincerely added. "You are our son and we care about you."

Loki let out a sarcastic laugh. "I'm not your son!" he grimaced. Loki noticed a look of anger in his Father's left eye. "Say it, 'Father,'" the prince mocked, rising from the chair. "Say that I am not your son!" His blood began to boil as he leaned across the King's desk to look him dead in the eye. "Tell me all about Loki Laufeyson of Jotunheim!"

Odin saw no way of escaping the proverbial corner he was trapped in. "How did you find out?" he asked in a hushed voice.

"Why did you hide this from me?" he demanded with clenched teeth.

The King had never seen his son in such a state of rage.

Loki's emerald eyes burned with hatred and the creases between his brows deepened as he beat his fist against the King's desk. "Liar!" he shouted. The Wisp was right- there were liars in the house of Odin. Of all people, his own 'Father' was one of them. Loki wouldn't stand for that.

"This is for the best, Loki."

"We were at war with Jotunheim! Do you think these people will accept me when they learn that Laufey's son sits upon the throne?!" he yelled, his voice echoing off the walls.

"You are Laufey's son no longer," Odin warned the boy. "You are my son, and you have been for all these years."

"I have a witch's blood running through my veins! How will your people feel about that?!" And poor Natalia… Loki knew this would destroy her.

"Our people already accept you, Loki," Odin began. "Sit. Let me tell you some things." He glared daggers at his son until he finally agreed to take a seat. "I have had hope in uniting both witches and humans in order to maintain peace for everyone. It was you who gave me that hope, Loki," Odin solemnly began. "When Thor came of age and refused the throne, I took it as a sign that you would help unite our people. This Jane woman Thor told me about-the kind witch… If such a thing is true, then there is even more hope for us. You are a good man, Loki. A wise, kind man destined for good." The King smiled for his son who refused to even look in his direction.

Loki let the old man's words sink in. Odin said he cared now, but what would happen if he learned of his powers? Chaos would erupt and Loki was sure he would be burned at the stake. He didn't want to be like his true Father-he wanted to be a good man, a beloved King. Laufey had taken Odin's eye in battle, but Loki was in possession of something far more valuable, for he had the throne. "Alright," he agreed. "We will never speak of this again until I believe the time is right."

"As you wish, my son," Odin agreed.

The raven-haired prince nodded and briskly left the room. If there was one thing King Loki wouldn't tolerate, it was liars. Liars in the house of Odin needed to be disposed of, especially one who would lie to his youngest son about who he was. Odin had broken the first commandment of Loki's moral code. For that, he deserved the ultimate punishment.