#accuses

You swap stories of your respective realms’ past, describe traditions, and share your opinions on various topics. It feels strange at first to consider someone such a dear friend when you’ve never met them, but you do. You’ve told each other things you would never dream of telling anyone else.

The letters become an event you each look forward to. Loki stays on the lookout all day for your perfume-spritzed responses. Meanwhile, you press each of his letters against your heart upon reading them.

Loki just knows you must be the most beautiful woman in existence. You imagine him as a handsome, smooth-talking charmer.

In one particular letter, Loki remarks that he hopes your husband isn’t the jealous type. “I would hate for Asgard to be invaded over our letters.”

“Your realm is in no danger,” you write in response. “I’ve never married. Perhaps I’m the one who should be worried about your wife becoming jealous?”

Loki assures you there’s nothing for you to worry about, since he’s a bachelor himself.

Neither one of you realize how relieved you are to learn the other is single. Nor can you explain it whenever someone points it out.

You let a lady-in-waiting into your room to answer a question, not thinking to douse the candles or put away your expensive wine. The thought struck you to reread Loki’s most recent letter, and you had wanted to set the mood.

She looks around, having forgotten her original question. The evidence speaks for itself. “Does His Majesty, King Loki, know? Have you told him?”

“Told him what?”

“Of your affections, Your Majesty.”

“My...? Oh, but I’ve never seen this man!”

“But your heart has seen his.”

It dawns on you. Of course! That’s why you were so thrilled when Loki told you he wasn’t married.

Meanwhile, a guard notices Loki’s ever-increasing good mood.

“What?” He doesn’t seem bothered by the realization that he’s being observed so curiously.

“You, um... Forgive me, Your Majesty, but you seem to be... ah... humming... to y-yourself.”

“Huh. So I was. But it’s a lovely day to enjoy life, no?” Loki’s soft smile never fades as he excuses himself to pluck a flower from the palace gardens and then retreat to his own chamber.

He pens another letter to you, and enchants the flower to never wither before tucking it into the envelope.

When you receive his letter, you’re floored in the best possible way.

“Another message from King Loki, Your Maj—? My queen! You’re crying!”

You dab at your eyes and cheeks. “They’re tears of joy. And yes, he’s written me again. But this is the best one yet!” You show the letter to your friend. “Look! He’s asked me to marry him!”

Naturally, you accept. You do have some anxiety that you won’t be everything he’s dreamed of, but you remember he did tell you he had long since fallen in love with you.

When the time comes for you to arrive in Asgard, you’re taken aback just by how handsome Loki is. But as silver-tongued as he seemed in his letters, he acts so shy and innocent now. That sweet, almost-boyish smile. The way he blushes when he speaks to you.

On the other hand, you’re not quite what Loki had expected. Yes, he had already suspected that you were beautiful, but now that fantasy seems... well, ugly, compared to you.

The two of you converse even more easily in person, and he gives you a grand tour of the Asgardian palace. All the while, you never forget this will soon be your palace, too.

At the end of the day, Loki walks you back to your own chamber like the gentleman he is. “I hope you rest well, dear. We do have a... big day... approaching.”

You feel your face burn a bit as you fight a giggle. “I hope you rest well, too, Loki.”

He leans down to kiss your cheek. “Good Night.”

“Good Night,” you reply before he heads for his own chamber, not wanting to make you the latest topic of Asgardian gossip.