Erna saw to every detail she could think of to prepare for the meeting. She fussed over which dress to choose, whether to wear her hair down or not, and all the other tedious little choices that were fully in her control. Because she couldn't control her reception from the high council. And as certain as Loki was of her place, she knew others wouldn't feel the same.
That morning, while fussing in front of the mirror far longer than was her habit, she saw him come up behind her and wrap an arm around her waist. "Little one, if you preen any longer we'll have to postpone." He kissed her neck and pulled her against his chest. "You belong in that room more than any of them. I wish you wouldn't worry."
"Well, I can't help but worry, but you're right that we'd better go."
"Just act fully assured in their presence and hide any temporary misgivings you may have."
"Darcy gave me similar advice before the wedding, but hers was a bit more poetic. 'Fake it till you make it', I believe was the phrase."
He grinned and offered her his arm. She took a deep breath before they left their rooms, but once the door opened, made sure her face was a mask of peaceful confidence.
As with almost anything in Asgard, the king and queen had to make a proper entrance. There was even a small chamber off the main council room for the express use of the monarchy. They waited there for the remaining lords to gather, before they swept into the room.
Even Erna had to admit they made an impressive pair. Though mismatched in height and coloring, they wore garments of matching shades of green and gold to emphasize their togetherness. She drew strength from the circlet resting on her brow and Loki's hand in hers. She could absolutely do this.
They seated themselves at the head of the table and Erna studied the faces of her husband's closest advisers. They'd known she was coming, but not in what capacity and they had yet to hear the true scope of her involvement.
The first fifteen minutes were a waste of florid speeches and welcomes for the new queen. She smiled and responded appropriately, just waiting for them to turn when Loki explained the situation.
Once the pleasantries were over, the ministers looked expectantly to Loki. When he began speaking of the education issue they'd previously discussed, she could see comprehension start to dawn. At first it was just furtive glances among the other men, followed by heated whispers among some of the more tradition-minded members. Loki knew full well what was happening and had even warned his wife to expect it. He continued on, waiting for one of them to deign to interrupt him.
Lord Volsung, a holdover from Odin's council, finally plucked up the courage to speak. "Your majesty, I would hate to bore the queen with what is sure to be a long debate. Surely she'd rather attend to other matters." Of course he'd spoken to Loki as if she wasn't present.
Erna looked him squarely in the eye and responded with a saccharine smile. "Lord Volsung, I'm pleased we have someone that is so concerned with my level of boredom, but I assure you, this issue interests me, as all those of the realm do. I'm part of this council now and I won't shirk my responsibilities."
"Of course, your majesty." She could sense that the seeming acquiescence would be tempered with something else and he didn't prove her wrong. "But traditionally the queen only attends the meetings that involve issues directly pertinent to her." She knew this meant what he considered ladies issues such as royal dinners and other such social items.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Loki's lips quiver, suppressing a smile. He stayed quiet and let Erna fight this battle. It wouldn't do for the lords to think she had to be protected by her husband. That and he wanted to enjoy the show.
"Lord Volsung, I fail to see how education wouldn't be pertinent to the queen. I know I'm relatively new to government, so I would be pleased to have you explain it to me." Again she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She was in what Loki liked to call predator mode, like a lioness methodically stalking her prey.
"Well, your grace… it's just that… traditionally the um queen usually only concerns herself with women's issues."
"Tell me, Volsung, do you happen to know what percentage of our population is female?"
Taken aback by this seeming non sequitur, he fumbled through his papers as if the answer would suddenly present itself. After several panicked moments, he replied, "No, your majesty I do not."
"By the count of the last census, Asgard is 54.2 percent female, meaning there are actually more women than men in this realm. So using the traditional logic you seem so fond of, I fail to see how anything important enough for the council to consider isn't a women's issue."
She could see him trying to form a rebuttal, but no words seemed to come. So she continued, now addressing the whole room. "I am your queen. It is my privilege and duty to sit on this council and I plan on doing just that. If you take issue with it and have only tradition to fall back upon, then I suggest you resign your seat and my husband and I will appoint a replacement. We will bear no ill will, but you will not continue to participate in the governance of the realm. Is that understood?"
Several men just looked stunned into silence, but a few chants of hear hearand some sporadic clapping broke out from some of Loki's appointees. At least the whole room wasn't antagonistic towards her.
Loki finally spoke once the worst of the tension seemed to have abated. "Well said, my queen. Now I believe you have some additional items to bring up based on the last meeting's conversations?"
"I do, thank you, husband." She proceeded to outline her thoughts on the matter and watched as the protesters settled into sullen silence.
By the end of the day, two had walked out over the queen's involvement, but it was actually a lower number than they'd anticipated or even hoped for. Unfortunately, Volsung hadn't been one of them. This was an easy way to weed out the council without taking any drastic measures. If a lord resigned, he could be replaced without a messy power struggle. But two was a start.
They made a grand show of attending dinner in good spirits and even invited a few of the more supportive lords to sup with them at the high table. Erna called it manipulation while Loki said it was simply reinforcement of desired behavior. He intended to train his council in the same manner many expected him to train his wife. But they were already starting to show the old guard what they thought of that particular opinion.
After the meal was cleared, he leaned close and spoke in a low growl. "I beg you not to torture me further, my queen."
She looked quizzically at him, not understanding his words. He explained further. "I've watched all day as you've proven yourself and all day I've had to fight the urge to take you on whatever available surface was at hand. Please have mercy on your poor husband."
Again, she studied his face, seeing the blown pupils and hard set to his mouth. He didn't seem to be exaggerating. The day's events had sparked something in him, something she rather liked the look of.
Without further discussion, she stood and began making their excuses. They rushed down the corridor and slammed the door shut behind them. Thankfully, Loki hadn't seen fit to use his magic to dispose of their clothing right away, or they would have had an awkward situation on their hands. Because her new maid, Tora, was standing patiently in the middle of the room, placid smile on her face.
Loki didn't bother disguising the look of impatient anger on his face, but he let Erna do the talking. "Tora, you and Bera are always dismissed after we leave for dinner. If I have need of you I'll summon you. Surely Bera explained that to you?"
The young woman blushed all the way to the roots of her white blonde hair and curtsied. "Yes, your majesty she did, but I thought that since your grace was wearing a gown with quite a lot of lacing, that my help would be required before your majesties retired for the night. It's only that the lacing is quite complicated and I-"
Erna stopped her with a wave of her hand, appreciating the woman's need to go above and beyond, but also tamping down the frustration from her idea of being helpful. She hoped it was just that the girl was new to her service and was a little to eager to please her new mistress. There was not a hint of malice or subterfuge with Tora, she just genuinely wanted to help, which lately seemed to irritate Loki even more than if she was openly hostile.
"Tora, that was very kind of you, but my husband helps me prepare for bed each night." And he was usually far too impatient to unlace things properly. Often he would just rip the offending garment off and repair it with his magic later. But the girl didn't need the details. "Until you're used to our habits you must listen to Bera, all right?"
"Yes, your majesty." She curtsied again. It seemed a nervous habit for the girl, so Erna was sure to keep her face from registering any frustration. Loki was radiating enough silent ire for the both of them. "I'm sorry if I've overstepped."
"It's perfectly all right, Tora. Have a good night." It was as kind a dismissal as she could muster and Tora rushed off to her rooms.
Loki was upon her the second they were alone, hands roving over her possessively. "You were far too kind. That one doesn't have any sense and requires firm words."
She wasn't idle either, fingers fumbling with all the damnable layers he insisted on wearing. "Do you really want to discuss the relative merits and drawbacks of my maids now?"
"No I damn well don't." With that, he slid down to his knees and buried his nose in the junction between her thighs. Even fully clothed, the gesture was strangely erotic. "I would like to worship my brilliantly brave and clever queen now."
She carded her fingers through his hair, enjoying his very frank admiration. "I'll leave it to you to decide how best to express your feelings."
He ended up expressing them quite eloquently and thoroughly, worshiping her a grand total of five times that night. As she lay curled around him later, she watched him sleep, face smooth and untroubled in his slumber. Loki still remained such a mystery to her in many ways. Today had been a prime example. Nothing would have led her to believe he'd react so strongly to seeing her embrace her new role. She thought that maybe he was just happy to have someone share this part of his life with, a true partner in all things. She certainly thought of them that way.
But the thought kept nagging at her and something told her it was more than that, something deeper. He'd become such an integral part of her life so quickly, that it could be a little overwhelming at times. Maybe he felt the same way and today had just been a manifestation of that?
After mulling about it far later than she should, she decided she had to make an effort at sleep. Leaning over carefully, she brushed her lips across his forehead and murmured a soft, "thank you," before settling back down. She wasn't exactly sure what she was thanking him for, but it felt important.
Eventually, she was able to quiet the thoughts swirling in her head and joined her husband in sleep.