Chapter Text
And so they met up in the morning again, at the back of the library. Loki had conjured a map of the entire castle, including the surrounding grounds, and had spread it across the table. He offered a small introduction of each location. From the insides of the complex castle structure, with its many halls, ballrooms and chambers, to the courtyard within and the smaller structures scattered around the massive main building. Discussions and explanations followed, as well as descriptions of staff roles and responsibilities, which were all to be put into practice. It was daunting, though she listened with great interest. All of this would become her home for however long she wished to stay. She could see herself helping with the herb garden in the courtyard, or wandering through the forests within the outer walls, and exploring each nook and cranny of this building would keep her busy for quite a while. However, she would have to complete her studies first and establish herself within high society.
Loki moved his gaze back to her. “You will need to appoint a personal maid who will aid you with practical matters such as choosing what is appropriate to wear. She will also play a role in the gathering of important information. It is crucial to choose someone who has experience, who can read between the lines of your guests, and who can offer advice that will not harm your reputation but strengthen it. She needs to be someone you can trust and rely on.”
“It would be nice to have someone to ask for advice when you are not close by. What will the selection process be like?”
“It is hard to gauge someone’s knowledge on social intrigues and how to act when caught in them. I am thinking of giving them an imaginary situation and asking how they would act or what advice they would give.”
She let out a dejected sigh. “Please give me a sign when their answer was satisfactory, as I hardly know how to deal with those situations myself. I am already dreading the drama that might come my way.”
He chuckled, leaning back and magicking the map, notebooks and other materials away. “If it becomes too tiresome we can always put a halt on balls, tea parties and other gatherings, perhaps under the guise that you have been feeling under the weather. It is all up to you.”
That was a comforting thought indeed.
After lunch was had, Loki’s teachings on staff functions were to continue. Their first stop was the kitchen. The pale afternoon light flooded in through three massive arched windows, the frost on the glass sparkling welcomingly, and with one flick of Loki’s wrist flames burst from the fireplace. Just like any other part of the castle that they had explored, this hall was beautifully furnished and decorated – yet nothing would hinder functionality. The large, white marble countertops were spotless, and wooden cabinets with beautiful carvings most likely hid a treasure trove of cutlery, dishes and utensils. High quality pots and pans hung from shining metal racks over the multiple marble stations, while from other iron bars along the walls hung braids of garlic, herbs, and different kinds of dried or smoked meats. Ovens fit snuggly into the stone walls and broad fireplaces offered room to cauldrons and roasting spits of sizes befitting a king. Well, he had been a prince, after all.
She looked around in awe, eyes gliding over whole rows of pickled and bottled vegetables in all colours imaginable. There were glass jars of amber honey, their labels illustrated with the flowers of which the nectar had been used, and similar jars with delicious looking jams and spreads.
“I know we just had lunch, but I cannot help but wonder how incredible all of this must taste. Oh, and thank you for all the delicious food so far, of course!” She sent him a bright smile before letting her eager eyes wander again as she walked deeper into the kitchen, one hand trailing over the cold marble countertop to her side.
He followed not far behind, gaze on her as she explored cabinets and drawers. “Befriend the kitchen staff and they will make sure to cater to your tastes.”
She chuckled. “That’s a wonderful idea.”
He let her curiosity set the pace for his teachings as she investigated her surroundings. Whenever she spotted a utensil she had no knowledge of, he would clarify its function. In case of unknown foods he would open the jar or cut a slice and let her taste, and he would watch with a smile as she hummed in delight – or with a grin when her face contorted in disgust. Once, even, his laugh echoed through the kitchen at her watering eyes pressing shut while she waved her hand in front of her open mouth, hissing as the spice burned her tongue. He may or may not have given her a piece that was slightly too large. To make up for the mischief he handed her a wedge of citrus fruit to soothe the burning sensation.
In a similar way he showed her around the adjacent pantry and the larder before explaining who would make use of what, and in which ways. From the tasks of cooks to bakers and sauciers to scullions, none were left untaught.
During their activities the light slowly turned a watery golden, then a deep, vivid orange, until the flickering candles and fireplaces were all that were left in de dark blue shade. Yawns kept creeping up to her more and more often though she tried to suppress them so as not to seem rude, but he knew she was weary.
“Come, I have one more place to show you.”
She followed obediently, to the pantry and through a door, then down a long flight of stairs. The air grew colder with each step. Once they reached the bottom one nonchalant swing of Loki’s arm set lamps alight in the windowless cellar, their breaths forming clouds before them.
“The main use of this room is to store all that needs to be kept cold and dark, of course.”
She nodded, taking in the many barrels, chests, jars and the like. Everything was neatly labelled.
“However,” Loki continued, “there is more to it than meets the eye.”
He led her to the edge of one of the many cold halls, to a small gap between two large piles of barrels stacked against the wall, and pressed against one of the bricks. A small click could be heard. With a strong push, part of the wall silently moved backwards and sideways – revealing a dark hallway beyond.
Her eyes widened. “A secret passage! Where does it lead?”
“Everywhere.” Light glistened in his ruby eyes. “It is a network of connected pathways, with multiple hidden ways in and out, and there are spyholes into certain rooms – not yours, not to worry. It will allow you to move in secrecy, to listen in and hear what guests may say in private, or to leave the castle and flee if there is any type of calamity.”
“Certainly there is no kind of calamity you cannot handle?” She shot him a playful grin, but the distance that appeared his gaze was strange and her jest faded. “…Loki?”
He stammered a little. “Well, I…”
There was something he wasn’t telling her, something he was hesitant to share, yet before she could think to inquire about it he seemed to have regained his composure – or had slid some kind of mask back into place.
“Of course, there are many things I can take care of. However, it is good to be heedful, don’t you agree? For example, if someone were to threaten your life in my absence, then the passageways will give you a means of escape and allow you to warn the guards. Since I cannot stay in my human form for long yet, we will have to take precautionary measures in case I am not beside you.”
She had a feeling that this was not why he had been hesitant. But, he had a point, and so she had no choice but to nod in agreement. “I suppose that’s true. Will you show me all exits and entryways, then, and how to access them?”
“Tomorrow,” he promised, gesturing back to the stairs. “I suggest you rest this evening, it is best not to overexert yourself.”
“All right, then let us have dinner.”
The two of them returned to the kitchen, simply grabbed a stool each, and sat down at the corner of one of the marble-counter stations; Loki magicking the food into existence before them. In the dim light of the candles they ate in silence. He, too, seemed tired, and she assumed that social interactions must still take a lot of his energy after his long time in solitude. Though it seemed as if there was something else weighing on him as well. She couldn’t expect him to share everything, however. She had not kept track of the amount of days she had been here, but it may be too early for them to be ‘friends’.
Or… were they?
She was having fun spending time in his presence, felt safe around him, and she appreciated him for the things he taught her as well as his hospitality and his care. Not to mention his appearance was easy on the eyes and it felt like a small victory whenever she could make him smile or even laugh. Did he feel similarly at ease when he spent time with her? Was she still, as he had claimed, easy company? She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes, at his blue skin, raven-black hair, four horns and fashionable outfit. The shape of his sharp jaw and nose, the thin line of his lips… She could imagine herself kissing him -
She turned her focus back to her food, feeling her cheeks warm up ever so slightly. She couldn’t deny that she was attracted to him. Yet it was still a little strange to sit here, next to the man from her dreams whom she had thought to be imaginary, whom she had thought to be created out of her own desires. And it was hard not to let her eyes wander back. His mischievous yet gentle personality had begun to shine through now that his reservations towards her were gone and she recognised his playful behaviour from his visits within her sleep. Still, she felt some distance, as if he was afraid of something. Perhaps his fears would fade over time, or he may feel more inclined to share them once they had gotten to know each other a little better. For now, however, they were still host and guest, teacher and eager student. To their visitors and servants they would pretend to be husband and wife, while the truth was that they were more akin to strangers. Would they be able to keep up appearances? She wondered how far he would be willing to go, and her thoughts morphed back to him kissing her -
She cleared her throat and lay down her cutlery, seemingly startling Loki who had been lost in his own thoughts as well.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump. I… I feel satisfied, though a little weary. Is it okay if I retreat to my chambers?”
He blinked. “Yes, of course.”
“Tomorrow at sunrise again, then? At the library? Or are cooking lessons also part of my training?” She grinned, hoping he would not notice the blush that had been created by her inappropriate thoughts.
He answered with a smile. “I’m afraid I do not possess those skills, but you are welcome to use whatever is here in your experiments. Take any cooking books from the library, too, if you so wish.”
He stood, got rid of the plates, and walked with her to the hallway where she expected them to part ways, yet he escorted her all the way to her chambers. She felt a little awkward walking beside him in silence. It gave her thoughts far too much free reign and she could not help but notice how he towered over her, and how it made her stomach flutter. Her heart heaved a sigh of relief once her door came into view.
“Tomorrow at sunrise, then,” he confirmed. “In the library.”
She opened her door but turned back to him before entering, smiling brightly. “I look forward to it. Good night, Loki.”
And, as he softly wished her goodnight and stood there still, she closed the door;
her hand lingering on the doorknob.