Chapter 1077: Father and Son (Six) _1

Loki stands at the door of his own sleeping quarters, arms spread, letting a guard secure his cape in place. He lowers his head deep in thought, after a while, he lifts his head and asks, "Is Helen still with Frigga? Did the Queen of Gods say they were expecting me to come to get her?"

"Her Majesty Frigga hopes you could go to the greenhouse in about twenty minutes, join His Majesty Odin and Princess Helen for dinner," came the reply.

Loki paused, asking, "Father of All Gods is also coming? But Thor has gone to observe Centaurus and won't be back for a few days, has no one informed His Majesty?"

"Her Majesty Frigga only asked you to come, we know nothing else, nor have the authority to ask," replied the etiquette officer standing next to him, lowering his head to Loki.

Loki fell silent for a while, suddenly he shook off his cape. The guard who was tidying his collar hastened to step back two steps. Loki stood his ground, his expression darkening. He said, "No matter what I ask, all you can say is, 'we don't know, we have no right to ask.'"

"I ask you, the rights you lack, who took them away? Was it Thor Odinson?" Loki looked into the eyes of the etiquette officer, who, evading his gaze, was quite old.

"That's the rule, Your Highness," the etiquette officer responded.

"Don't call me prince, I'm no longer one," Loki continued to gaze into his eyes, saying, "your expression tells me that if you don't call me prince, you wouldn't know what to call me. Perhaps you're wondering whether, if I'm not a prince, could I be a royal prince? There's no such ridiculous position in Asgard."

"The Divine King has brothers, but Asgard has never had a royal prince, do you know why that is?"

Loki's tone became increasingly grave. The etiquette officer wiped the imaginary sweat off his forehead, answering, "I do not know, nor do I have the right to inquire."

"You wouldn't dare to respond with such words to Thor," Loki flicked his cape and turned around, taking his helmet from the guard. He slowly put it on his head, saying, "but you're right, what am I but a wretch? Would I dare demand treatment equal to the Divine King?"

After Loki stormed off, the etiquette officer felt his forehead, this time sweat did make his cuff wet.

Feeling the weight of the long horns on his helmet, Loki felt somewhat unaccustomed. Therefore, before entering the garden, he took off his helmet.

To the east in the Fairy Palace's garden, there is a beautiful greenhouse filled with rare and curious plants non-native to Asgard mainland. The outermost part of the greenhouse, with a crystal canopy, is Frigga's favourite restaurant.

By the time Loki walked in, Odin, Frigga and Helen were all seated. Loki stood by the door, waiting. Odin gestured to the space at his left, and Loki walked up.

"Why didn't you wear your helmet?" Odin looked at him and asked./p>

"Because it's a little heavy, Father of All Gods," Loki answered while placing his helmet on the seat next to him.

Odin frowned, but seeing Frigga's face, he didn't say anything. Frigga was arranging the napkin for Helen, she appeared cheerful. Returning to her seat, she smiled at Loki, "You might have to do this yourself now, after all, you're not a child anymore..."

Receiving the tableware from Frigga, Loki bowed his head and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

On hearing his form of address, Frigga's smile halted for a brief moment. She glanced at Odin's solemn expression, heaved a slight sigh and said, "Don't be nervous, Loki, this is merely another ordinary family gathering, it's rare for us as a family to have the leisure to sit and enjoy the winter scenery..."

"Indeed, Your Majesty, usually at this time, you would all be on the star ship, waiting for the next battle to start," Loki straightened the utensils on the table, sat up straight, chair backed and looked straight ahead, "Indeed, it is rare to be like myself having leisure, admiring the snow in winter."

"Loki," Odin's voice droned, "you're purposefully trying to upset your mother. You know full well, she wants this dinner to be a pleasant one."

"But there was never going to be a pleasant dinner." Loki said suddenly weary, "We all know who is the cause of that."

"Loki!" Odin's voice boomed like a struck bell, filling the room with an intimidating presence. Loki closed his eyes and said in a steady voice, "My apologies, Father of all Gods, please forgive my disrespect."

Sitting across from Loki was Helen. As he slightly lifted his eyes, he could see the curious little girl who bore a strong resemblance to him, watching him.

Truth be told, Loki and Helen weren't entirely familiar with each other. Even though they looked alike as though molded by the same cast, there was actually no parent-child interaction between them.

Their relationship was merely that of transport. Loki acted as the exclusive courier for Helen between Earth and Asgard, carrying her back and forth.

"Loki, let's start eating," Frigga said in a gentle tone, "Even though you are no longer a child, it seems I still need to help you with your napkin, come on…"

Having said that, she walked behind Loki and gently tied his napkin for him. When Frigga's delicate robe brushed against his hardback chair and his hand, Loki felt like a prisoner tied to a restraint chair, seeing a thread of moonlight.