"Late, as per usual, I see Loki..." Odin grumbled as the Raven-haired Prince attempted to sneak into the dinning hall.

"Oh forgive me, dear father..." Loki spat venomously at the All-Father, sarcasm dripping from his words.

The female visitor lifter her eyes from her plate, curiously, to study the newest member of the dinner. Her dark brown hair cascaded gracefully down her shoulders as she tilted her head, her pale skin becoming illuminated in the candlelight. Freckles peppered her cheeks and nose. Her eyes were so dark that they seemed to be black. A navy blue dress made her skin compare to a sheet of paper.

Momentarily, Loki's blue eyes met her dark ones, but she soon looked away. 

"Ah, I see you have noticed our visitor, brother." Thor spoke, his voice echoing in the silent hall, "this is Lady Aelene."

He gave a friendly glance at the female, who attempted to return a smile, but the God of Thunder had already looked away.

Before Thor could continue, Odin interjected, earning a glare from Loki, "She will be staying here in the palace. She is to be treated with respect... Loki."

Loki rolled his eyes at the All-Father, "If that is the case, then she will have to earn my respect."

"Loki-" Odin warned, "-I will not tolerate any of your tricks! She is to be respe-"

An annoyed sighed escaped Aelene's lips and she set her fork on the plate.

"Please, All-Father, do not waste your breath. I believe it is acceptable that I should have to earn Prince Loki's respect..."

Odin grumbled softly at her referring to the God of Mischief as 'prince' but he nodded. Loki, on the other hand, was taken aback slightly.

First of all, she had interrupted Odin. Second, the woman had called him 'prince'. Little to none of the inhabitants of the realms even bother with him any longer. Not after Frigga's death.

Her eyebrows arched slightly as she picked up her fork, continuing the meal as if nothing happened. 

He was beginning to like her.

Suddenly, Aelene stood quickly, a look of discomfort washing over her fine features.

"M-May I be excused?" She spoke quickly, hoping that her voice wouldn't falter.

The All-Father looked up from the table, along with Thor and Loki. 

"Yes child, get some rest, tomorrow is to very eventful..."

Nodding, she turned, lifting her dress slightly so that she would not trip. Loki waited a few moments before he excused himself. Without a word, the Raven-haired Prince stood and made his way from the table. He pushed open the doors and rushed after Aelene.

Why had she left so suddenly?

Turning a corner, Loki was lucky to see her blue dress slip around the corner. He was also lucky that he was not wearing heals like she was. With ease, he caught up to her. But as he turned the corner and nearly ran into her, their eyes met. No longer were they dark, but rather a bloody red. Her pale skin had turned a light blue, markings scarred her lovely face.

"Pr-Prince Loki!" She squeaked, her arm leaning against the wall, "W-what are you doing her?!"

She made an attempt to cover her face with the loose fabric around her arms, hoping that he had not seen her appearance, but he had. Strong hands forced her arms beside her, away from her face. Loki had now pinned her to wall and her breath hitched in her throat. He would have her slaughtered for hiding her true form.

"Please, my Prince-" Aelene pleaded, "Do not hurt me..."

Tear burned in her still red eyes, threatening to spill over onto her cheeks.

"Why would I hurt you?" The Prince's eyebrows furrowed slightly his grasp on her wrists loosening.

"For I am... A- a..." She adverted her gaze, abashed of her true identity.

"A Jüton. A frost Giant-" Loki smirked, "-I see..."

Aelene looked up at him, confusion fazing her. The God of Mischief blinked a few times before his eyes turned the same bloody color as her's; Skin, a little darker blue. Her eyes widened and her lips parted slightly.

"Y-you are...?"

"Yes. Lied to most of my life about it, however..." At this point, Loki's grip on her wrists was non-existing. His arms fell to his sides and his skin returned to its original paleness and soon, Aelene's did so too. The female's arms wraped around his neck, pulling his down into a tight hug and he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Then I am glad it twas you that come after I, rather than Thor or Odin himself..." Aelene mumbled into the God's shoulder and Loki chuckled.