Natalia wasn't sure how long she had been asleep for. She heard crying and it took her a second to remember that her little girl was actually with her. The birth had all felt like a dream that quickly turned into a nightmare when memories of Clint resurfaced.

"My Lady." A servant noticed that she had awakened and brought the tiny, bawling red-head to her mother. "Are you feeling well enough to hold her?"

Natalia nodded, grateful to hold her daughter again. "Was I asleep for long?"

"It is well into the afternoon, my Lady."

"Where's my husband?" she asked, helping her daughter's mouth latch onto her breast. Natalia's question was answered with uncomfortable silence. She furrowed her brows as she stared up at her servant. "Where is he?" she repeated.

The woman bowed her head. "I will fetch him. Prince Loki will like a word with you…"

Natalia dreaded what Loki had to say to her after he ran out on her and the baby. With any luck, he had talked to Jane about what exactly happened to them. Loki said that he wanted her to be happy, but she was more miserable than ever. Natalia glanced down at Merida, feeling like a traitor for what she had done. She wanted nothing more than to feel happy, but it was hard knowing that she betrayed the man she loved.

She heard a set of familiar quiet footsteps approaching. Natalia didn't need to look up to know that it was her husband.

"Natalia…" Loki approached the bed, focusing on his wife's face.

"Hmm?" she absently hummed, stroking her baby's hair. Loki sat down on the edge of the bed, his silence worrying Natalia even more. "Did you talk to Jane? Loki, I don't want this to change us. I love you…"

"The King is dead, Natalia," Loki said under his breath.

Natalia stared at him, her mouth open as she wondered what to say.

"He fell at the hands of Amora," he divulged.

"I'm sorry…" she breathed. "Loki." Her hand reached out to stroke his cheek. "Are you going to be okay? And Frigga?"

"The throne is mine now," Loki informed his wife as he turned to her. "My first ruling as King will be to have your child kept away from me at all times," he glowered.

Natalia's brows furrowed with anger. "What are you talking about?"

"I will pass her off as mine, however, I no longer wish to look at her." He reached for a lock of Natalia's red hair. "Do you understand?"

Natalia slapped his hand away. "What the hell has gotten into you!?" she demanded. "Of all people, you have no right to say that to her!" she seethed. "Odin accepted you as his son. He gave you the throne despite knowing who you really are! Merida is no different than you!" she shouted.

"That man wasn't my Father!" Loki growled. "Do not associate me with him."

"I don't know who the hell you think you are, but this isn't you, Loki!" Natalia yelled. She shifted forward and made Merida start to cry.

"And change her name!" Loki added with a scowl. "Honour is the last thing she deserves!"

Natalia clenched her teeth as she lunged forward, smacking her husband across the cheek. "Just yesterday she was the best thing to ever happen to you!" Tears started rolling down Natalia's cheeks. "Did I really make you so miserable that you needed to alter months of my life?!"

"You made me happy. Clinton was the one to ruin us."

"If I made you so happy, then why did you make me forget him?" she demanded. "Before we were married, I told him that I wanted nothing to do with him anymore! I only wanted you, Loki, and I still do!" Loki turned to avoid her glare. Natalia hugged her daughter closer to her chest. "I…" She was afraid to say what was on her mind, but Loki needed to know. "I feel like it's you who doesn't love me…" A tear fell on Merida's head and Natalia quickly wiped it away. "You're not-"

Loki abruptly rose from the bed as he made his way to the door. "The funeral will be held in two days, but you are to stay here. Believe me, Natalia, if I could take your place, I would, but you are to stay in this room," he announced as he stood in the doorway. "Your friend Sif will also be remembered for her valiant struggle."

Natalia looked up at the mentioning of Sif. "What do you mean?" she gasped. "Loki, please don't tell me…"

"Yelena killed her," Loki finished before leaving the room, shutting the door just as Natalia began to cry out.

Natalia had found it odd that she hadn't seen Sif since last night. Was that really the reason? She was dead? A choked sob escaped her throat. Loki didn't love her or her daughter, Sif was dead… Overwhelmed, Natalia began to scream as Merida wailed in her arms. "I-I'm so sorry!" she cried. Natalia tried to stop her tears, but she felt horribly drained, both physically and emotionally. Apparently, her life couldn't have one day of pure happiness.

Natalia forced herself to stop crying when Merida's screams became unbearable. "You're okay," she sniffed, rocking the newborn. "I know he still loves you…" The baby soon drifted off to sleep as Natalia fixed her blanket and gently rocked her back and forth. "And I'll always love you. No matter what…" She laid Merida on a pillow beside her before wiping her tears on her nightgown. Taking a few deep breaths, Natalia forced herself out of bed. Her knees were shaky and she felt sore all over, but she ignored the discomfort and slowly walked towards her desk. Several pieces of parchment were waiting for her. Natalia had planned on writing to Ivan about Merida, but she chose to wait. As of now, her gaze was far more preoccupied with a silver letter opener. She reached for the miniature sword and saw her tired eyes reflected back at her. Natalia narrowed her eyes as her free hand grabbed a fistful of her long curls that Loki loved so much. Her long hair had become a nuisance what with the knots and drool from the baby. Natalia wanted a change-she wasn't doing it simply to spite her husband. She brought the blade close to her and felt her rebellious nature show as she heard the blade grind her hair.

A good chunk of hair fell to her feet and Natalia looked down at it with a growing smile. She ran her fingers through what was left of her hair, now shoulder length. She continued to hack away at her hair, doing her best to keep the cuts even. Natalia refused to stop until a servant entered, gasping as they saw the princess surrounded by a mess of fallen curls at her feet. "Help me cut the back," she ordered, facing the servant with a smirk.