The cool wind swept across the grand balcony of the Moon Palace, carrying with it the faint strains of music and laughter from the festivities below. Princess Kaguya leaned on the railing, her soft blonde locks brushing against her face. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration—her 18th birthday, a joyous event heralding her adulthood and her engagement to Prince Davius of Earth. Yet the glittering gowns and rare jewels adorning her did little to brighten her spirits. Her heart was far from the Moon Kingdom, yearning for someone who should have been by her side tonight.

"Loki…" she whispered into the quiet night, her gaze fixed on the stars.

The Earth loomed in the distance, a jewel of blues and greens glowing against the inky blackness of space. She should have been thinking of Davius, her betrothed, but all she could think of was the man she had left behind. The last time she saw Loki, he had been standing amidst chaos in Asgard, the revolution already underway. He had told her to leave, to save herself, while he stayed to face the storm.

And now, he was king.

Her fingers brushed against the silver skeleton key hanging from a chain around her neck. The key, a gift from her mother, symbolized freedom. Yet the very thing it represented felt far away. She thought of the man she had shared stolen moments with at royal balls, his sharp wit and piercing green eyes making her feel seen in a way no one else could.

She hadn't heard from him since he claimed the throne. He hadn't called for her. And now, she was engaged to someone else.

"Kaguya!" Davius's voice shattered her reverie, sharp and commanding. She turned to see the Earth prince approaching, his tall figure outlined by the glow of the palace lights. He was dressed impeccably in royal attire, but his handsome face was clouded with irritation.

"You shouldn't be out here alone," he said, his tone reproachful. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to wander off, even in your own palace?"

Kaguya's jaw tightened. "I needed a moment. The party is overwhelming."

"Then take me with you next time," he said, stepping closer and placing a hand on her arm. "You can't just disappear like that. It's irresponsible."

"It's my birthday," Kaguya replied evenly, pulling her arm away. "I think I'm allowed a moment to myself."

Davius sighed, his expression softening as he forced a smile. "Of course, you're right. But you have responsibilities now, Kaguya. You're not just a princess anymore—you're my fiancée, and soon you'll be queen of Earth. You can't act like a child."

The words stung, but Kaguya didn't let it show. "I'll keep that in mind," she said quietly.

"We have more pressing concerns."

She knew all too well what he meant. Lilith, the sorceress who had ravaged the Earth's defenses, was growing stronger with each passing day. Elysion's armies had been decimated in her most recent attack, and without reinforcements, the kingdom would fall.

Kaguya turned away, her fingers brushing the silver skeleton key around her neck. She couldn't deny the gravity of the situation, but Davius's plan unsettled her.

"We shouldn't be here celebrating," she said, her voice heavy with doubt. "Not when so much is at stake."

Davius's jaw tightened, but his tone softened, taking on the calculated charm he wielded so easily. "And yet we are. Because appearances matter, Kaguya. But this is also an opportunity."

She looked at him warily. "An opportunity for what?"

"To secure Asgard's aid," he said, his eyes gleaming. "Their army is unmatched, their resources limitless. With their support, we can turn the tide against Lilith."

Kaguya's heart clenched. "Asgard?" she whispered. "You mean… Loki?"

Davius smirked, and there was something in his expression that made her stomach turn. "Yes, your old flame. Who better to appeal to than the new king of Asgard? His affection for you could tip the scales in our favor."

The words cut deep, a bitter reminder of the bond she and Loki had once shared. Their relationship had ended abruptly during the revolution that had torn through Asgard. Loki had stayed behind to fight for the throne, urging her to leave for her own safety. She had obeyed, but the memory of that night still haunted her.

"And you think he'll help us because of me?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and anger.

"I think he might," Davius said smoothly. "If you play your part."

Kaguya's cheeks flushed. "You're using me."

"I'm doing what I must to save my kingdom," he replied coldly. "Don't forget, Kaguya, you're a part of that kingdom now. Your duty is to stand by me."

Her chest tightened, but she said nothing. As much as she hated his manipulations, the thought of seeing Loki again tugged at her heart. She had no illusions about their chances without Asgard's aid. And, if she were honest with herself, a part of her wanted to see Loki—to know what had become of him after all these months of silence.

"I'll go," she said quietly, her voice laced with resolve. "But not for you, Davius. I'll go because of Loki. So keep that in your teeth when you think you've manipulated me; you're my fiance and you are at war, but instead of going to Asgard to help you, I'm going for the love of another man, a better man than you."

Kaguya flounced off before he could strike her, pig that he was.

Xxx

The next morning, the Moon Palace was subdued as their small delegation prepared to leave for Asgard. Kaguya stood silently by the Bifrost platform, her silver cloak drawn tightly around her shoulders. Davius was issuing orders to his guards—Shiro, Tomoe, Kaius, and Koh—who all looked grim and ready for a fight.

"You'll stay close to me," Davius instructed her as the shimmering rainbow bridge began to materialize before them. "And you'll let me do the talking."

Kaguya nodded, though her thoughts were elsewhere. The last time she had traveled to Asgard, it had been a place of light and laughter, ruled by the mighty Odin. Now, it was a kingdom reborn from the ashes of revolution, with Loki at its helm. She wondered what kind of king he had become.

Xxx

As the shimmering Bifrost Bridge deposited them at the edge of Asgard, Kaguya's breath caught in her throat. The city before her was nothing short of breathtaking, a realm that seemed plucked from the dreams of poets and artists. Under Loki's reign, Asgard shone brighter than ever before, its golden spires reaching skyward like promises to the heavens. Each tower gleamed with a fresh luster, catching the sunlight and scattering it across the city in a kaleidoscope of golden hues.

The streets, paved with polished stone that shimmered faintly with magic, were alive with activity. Citizens bustled through vibrant marketplaces, their laughter mingling with the sound of music played by street performers. Stalls overflowed with goods from every corner of the realms—shimmering silks, intricate jewelry, and delicacies that filled the air with tantalizing aromas. Children darted between vendors, their carefree giggles a stark contrast to the stoic, cold atmosphere Kaguya remembered under Odin's rule.

The cascading waterfalls that framed the city seemed to sing as they poured into crystalline rivers winding through the streets. Bridges, intricately carved with vines and runes, arched over the water, connecting neighborhoods brimming with life. Every corner of the city exuded warmth, a far cry from the rigid, somber grandeur of Odin's Asgard. Here, the people moved with purpose but not with fear. They were not subjects cowering beneath the shadow of a throne—they were citizens of a kingdom thriving under new leadership.

Lining the main boulevard were banners of deep green and gold, bearing the symbol of Loki's reign: a coiled serpent entwined with a crescent moon. The design, elegant and regal, represented transformation and rebirth, a fitting symbol for the Asgard Loki had built. The air was thick with magic, but it was no longer oppressive or heavy. Instead, it felt alive—dynamic, pulsing with a sense of possibility and hope.

Kaguya's eyes wandered to the citizens themselves, who were nothing like the wary and subdued faces she remembered. These Asgardians walked with their heads high, their expressions filled with pride. Merchants called out their wares cheerfully, craftsmen worked in open courtyards surrounded by admirers, and warriors sparred in training arenas, their laughter echoing across the city. Even the guards, clad in gleaming gold armor, carried an ease to their movements, their vigilance tempered by the peace that clearly reigned here.

"This is… incredible," Kaguya murmured, unable to hide her awe.

"Impressive, yes," Davius said curtly beside her, though his tone was tinged with irritation. "But appearances can be deceiving. Don't let the gilded exterior fool you."

She ignored him, letting her eyes roam across the stunning panorama of the city. Beyond the bustling streets, the palace stood at the city's heart, its golden façade radiant against the azure sky. Unlike the cold, fortress-like structure it had once been, the palace now exuded an inviting warmth. Lush gardens spilled over its terraces, filled with flowers that bloomed in impossible colors, their petals glowing faintly with an ethereal light. Fountains lined the palace grounds, their waters dancing in graceful arcs as if enchanted.

As they neared the gates, Kaguya noticed Asgardians bowing slightly in respect to the guards but without the fear she had witnessed during Odin's time. These people were loyal, but not out of fear—they were devoted to a leader who had fought for them, who had overturned centuries of stagnation to create something new.

"This is not the Asgard I remember," Kaguya said softly, almost to herself.

"It's not," Tomoe muttered darkly from behind her. "It's worse—a trick by a Jotunn to fool everyone into thinking he's a king."

Kaguya's eyes flashed with irritation, but she held her tongue. Whatever the prejudices of her companions, she couldn't deny what she saw. Loki had taken Asgard's rigid, gilded cage and transformed it into a living, breathing kingdom. The Asgard she remembered had been a symbol of dominance, a monument to Odin's power. But this Asgard was something entirely different—a place of renewal, possibility, and hope.

And at its center was Loki, the king who had made it so.

"Impressive," Shiro admitted grudgingly. "But it's all a façade. Nothing but gilded lies."

Kaguya's gaze snapped to him. "Asgard has a history and power that deserves respect."

Tomoe scoffed. "Power built on conquest. And now they have a Jotunn sitting on the throne—a monster pretending to be a king."

"Enough," Kaguya said sharply, her tone brooking no argument. "You will not speak that way in my presence."

Davius placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm. "They're just speaking the truth, Kaguya. Asgard has always been dangerous, and now that Loki rules, it's even worse. We're here for our troops, so don't forget what he is."

"I know exactly who he is," Kaguya replied, her voice cold.

Xxx

The palace was as magnificent as Kaguya remembered, its towering columns and intricate carvings a testament to Asgard's timeless grandeur. Yet the air felt heavier now, the weight of recent upheaval pressing down on everything.

Kaguya's heart pounded as they entered the throne room. The vast space was bathed in golden light, its vaulted ceilings painted with constellations that seemed to shift and shimmer. At the far end of the hall, seated on a throne of black and gold, was the man she had come to see.

Loki.

He was a vision of restrained power, his dark hair falling in loose waves around his sharp features. His emerald-green robes glinted in the light, trimmed with black and gold accents that emphasized his regal bearing. The golden crown on his head was a simple yet unmistakable symbol of his authority.

Kaguya's breath caught. He looked every inch the king, but his eyes—the eyes she had once known so well—were unreadable. He watched their approach with calm detachment, his gaze flickering briefly to her before settling on Davius.