The Sovereign's Sabbatical.
Two months had dissolved into the ether of the Multiverse. Loki, reveling in his role as the God-King, had taken an impromptu tour of the realms. He spent a fortnight in the lush, familiar wilds of Vanaheim before losing himself in the starlight spires of Alfheim. The Light Elf maidens, with their ethereal grace and sharp wit, were a welcome distraction from the heavy crown he wore.
During his travels, he secured a vast shipment of Vibranium from the local Dwarven outposts. As for the Adamantium, his research confirmed a chronological hitch: Earth's scientists wouldn't synthesize the alloy for another thirty years.
"Patience is a kingly virtue," Loki mused, reviewing the Dwarven blueprints. He planned to send Hela and Rose—the newly named Hela Number Two—to secure the Infinity Stones, while he would personally bridge the gap to Earth's future. He needed the Dwarves to master the integration of Vibranium, Adamantium, and Uru. When he was done, the armory of Asgard would be a collection of god-slaying masterpieces.
A message arrived from the Palace: Frigga requested his return. The "Lola Squad" was growing restless. Loki realized with a jolt that he had entirely forgotten about the "super-reward" Hela had promised him. It was a rare lapse in his focus; he should have collected the collateral in advance.
The Family Feast.
The dining hall of the Golden Palace was a masterpiece of warm gold and flickering candlelight.
"Welcome back, my husband," Frigga said, her voice a melody of relief and lingering concern.
"Welcome back, Father..."
Loki, draped in Odin's heavy furs and wearing his weary majesty, embraced the Queen. He cast a sharp, singular gaze over his "children." He offered a stiff nod to the Thor-imposter (Hela) and the Hela-imposter (Rose), then took his seat at the head of the table.
"Children, sit," Loki commanded.
"Yes, Mother," they murmured, falling into their chairs with practiced obedience.
Frigga offered a gentle smile, but as she turned to Loki, her expression shifted into something more formal. "Hela's wounds have healed, Odin. We have spoken at length. She has shown me that she respects your authority now. I ask you... let the bitterness end here. Forgive her youthful impulsiveness."
Loki set his goblet down with a heavy thud. "Queen, I do not wish to speak of this rebellious daughter today. She still refuses to call me 'Father King.' She has offered no apology for her treason."
"Hela," Frigga whispered, looking desperately at Rose. "Apologize to your Father. Listen to your Mother..."
Rose felt a surge of genuine, white-hot fury. "The audacity of this man," she thought, her fingers twitching under the table. "Loki is playing this too well. I want to throttle him."
"Hela," Loki repeated, his voice a low growl.
Rose gritted her teeth. "...Father King... I am... sorry."
Loki watched his "Fun Points" dashboard spike in his peripheral vision. "Oh, they hate this," he thought. He leaned forward, doubling down. "You sound unconvinced. I am your father, and more importantly, I am your King. You defied my will and abused your power. Imprisonment was an act of mercy. You should be grateful for my kindness. Do you understand?"
Rose's knuckles turned white. Hela (as Thor) took a deep, steadying breath. "He's a genius and a bastard," Hela thought. She looked at Loki and said, "Father, my sister is not ungrateful. She is... overwhelmed by your mercy."
"Ah, Thor," Loki said, his tone turning sweet and paternal. "You are a good brother. A true heir. You are your father's eternal pride."
Hela and Rose exchanged a look across the table. It was a look of pure, unadulterated disgust. They wanted to vomit.
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Loki blinked. "Wait, what?" he thought. "Who am I cuckolding? Myself? Odin? The timeline?" He shook the thought away.
"I have a mission for you two," Loki announced, standing up. "You depart tomorrow at dawn."
Frigga gasped. "So soon? Her injuries—"
"Mother, we are fine," Hela (Thor) said, standing beside Rose.
"Yes," Rose added, her voice dripping with forced filial piety. "Do not worry."
Loki turned to the Female Loki of this world. "And you, my child. I have no demands of you. Life is not just about duty; it is about poetry and the lands beyond. I hope you spend every day in joy."
"Father King!" Female Loki raised her cup, a bright, calculated smile on her face. "I wish you health and might. To peace!"
"To peace!" the table echoed.
Loki watched his "sister." She was a survivor, offering exactly the kind of hollow compliments the old Odin craved.
The Queen's Inquest.
The dinner concluded, and the children retreated. Frigga followed Loki into Odin's private study.
"I have much work tonight, my dear," Loki said, turning his back to her. "You should sleep."
"Stop acting, Odin," Frigga said, her voice cracking with a long-suppressed sigh.
Loki froze. "Is this it? Am I exposed?" He'd practiced his "meaningful smile" for weeks, but in the presence of Frigga's intuition, he felt like a novice. He remained silent.
"You are old," Frigga said softly, walking up behind him. "Admit it. You travel these realms and favor these women to prove your strength and your bravery, but it only shows your insecurity. I don't want you to become a controversial monarch who traded his dignity for indulgence. Is this the peace you truly want?"
Loki let his shoulders slump, adopting a heavy, muffled tone. "I could have executed Hela... but I wavered. Perhaps you are right. I am old."
He turned to her, his gaze shadowed. "Soon, I will pass the throne to Thor. If I am gone one day, Queen... I hope you will guide him. Make him the King I could never quite be."
Frigga sighed, her hand touching his arm. "Birth, age, and death are natural laws, my husband. It is human to fear them. Even a God-King can be confused. But you are Odin. Maintain your dignity for the end."
"I... I accept your counsel," Loki whispered, his voice genuinely choked.
He looked at her, seeing the wisest and most magnanimous woman in any universe. She had just provided him with the perfect "Odin-exit" strategy.
"Thank you for listening to me," Frigga smiled, her heart finally at ease. "I am just glad you solved the problem of Hela before leaving it to Thor."
"It's great that the old Odin is dead," Loki thought. "Absolutely fantastic. He would have left Hela as a nightmare for his children. I'm doing everyone a favor."
"It is a father's responsibility," Loki said. "But it is late. We shall talk tomorrow."
"One last thing," Frigga said. "The mission for Hela and Thor. Is it dangerous? Is it a test?"
"It is safe," Loki assured her. "They are retrieving an item that must remain secret from the realms. They won't be gone long."
Frigga studied his face for a long moment, then nodded. "Good night, then."
"Good night."
Loki watched her leave, then immediately sealed the study door with a powerful magic ward. He exhaled a breath he felt he'd been holding for a century.
"That was terrifying," he thought, slumping into Odin's chair.
Outside in the hall, Frigga paused. "What kind of secret requires such silence?" she wondered. "The relics of Buri? Or something older?" She shook her head. As long as they were safe, she could live with the mystery.
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