556

Sif also looked up, observing her surroundings, revealing a somewhat nostalgic smile. But soon her expression turned despondent. Frigga said, "Let's go back to my room. I will make you a cake."

"Thank you, Queen of Gods. You're always so kind and gentle. I'm different, I..." Sif shook her head and said, "Everyone knows me as tomboy, the famous wild girl. I don't bathe in hot springs or make flower crowns; I spend my days in the training grounds. Many people say that I won't be a good wife..."

Frigga took Sif's hand and said, "Has someone said something to you?"

Sif lowered her head and said, "I know. Other goddesses wouldn't say things like me. They would blush and run away when talking about such topics. But I know that Father of All Gods wants me and Thor..."

Sif took a deep breath, turned to Frigga, and asked, "But now, His Majesty Odin has changed his mind, hasn't he?"

Upon hearing this, Frigga hesitated momentarily before responding, "Yes. Originally, you were the best candidate for Queen of Gods. But now, Odin favors Loki."

"This is a complicated issue rooted in history. It's okay to tell you, doesn't matter."

"You remember the war between the Aesir and the Frost Giants, don't you?"

Sif nodded. When Frigga confirmed her guess, she seemed a bit dejected. After all, it's inevitable one would be upset when she becomes an option but isn't chosen. But at the same time, her eyebrows relaxed somewhat, as if some pressure and responsibility had vanished.

Frigga began to recount the story in her gentle, whispering voice:

"Originally, Odin and the Frost Giants engaged in a long-lasting war. The strength of the Frost Giants was considered very formidable in the Nine Realms, and the Aesir were not as powerful as they are now."

"The war lasted a long time, both sides suffered heavy losses. Eventually, it was Odin who made the final decisive move and defeated Laufey, the leader of the Frost Giants, and brought a baby back from their territory."

At first, Sif was intensely listening. But when she heard the last sentence, she suddenly widened her eyes and looked at Frigga. Frigga nodded, confirming her speculation, "That baby was Loki."

Sif opened her mouth wide, turned her head back, and said as if she had remembered something, "So that's why he's been different from the Aesir since childhood, being physically weaker, fond of magic, and previously displaying a fear of fire..."

Frigga nodded and said, "Originally, Odin brought this baby back, for political considerations."

"At that time, Odin had grown tired of the continuous wars and began seeking a way to peacefully rule the Nine Realms. He hoped that by raising Loki as a prince of Asgard, and then having him lead the Frost Giants, it would prevent further wars between the two races."

Frigga took a deep breath and said, "Having lost a son before, I was overjoyed at the presence of this small baby. I thought I could raise him well and let him become an excellent prince."

"Everyone knows that Odin favors Thor more. I know it too. So I take care of Loki as much as possible so he doesn't feel unhappy about it."

"However, over the years of raising Loki, Odin also developed feelings for him. Thus, the plan to let him lead the Frost Giants was gradually put aside. We both came to view him as a real Aesir and gave him the honor a real prince should have."

"But now..." After thinking for a while, Sif said, "Loki has transitioned from prince to princess, and it looks like she actually wishes to be a princess. And if that's the case, Loki and Thor are not blood-related. So that's why His Majesty Odin..."

Frigga nodded and said, "Besides the issue of the Frost Giants, you've known Thor since childhood. You should be well aware of his shortcomings. Although he has grown a lot and has awakened from his former state of chasing meaningless honor, sometimes he can still be reckless."

"That's just the way he is," Sif defended Thor, "But I think that's the quality a king should have: bold, fearless, strong..."

Frigga ran her fingers through Sif's hair, stating, "Odin believes that Loki's personality perfectly complements Thor's. If she were to become the Queen of Gods, she would be able to assist Thor and make up for his lack of strategical wisdom."

Sif's mood dipped a little as she replied, "That's not wrong, I have a temperament more similar to Thor's, and I also tend to be impulsive. If the two of us were to be together, it would be like stuffing two cannonballs into one cannon…"

With that, the two women broke into laughter, seemingly envisioning a rather explosive situation. Sif gave her armor a slap and rose to her feet, taking a deep breath as the creases on her forehead eased. She added:

"I have been thinking if Asgard is a little too conservative?"

Frigga looked up at her as Sif seriously added, "Ever since Thor became the new king, I have been pondering a lot, about him, about Loki, and about myself."

"I know the Asgardians reject Loki. I used to think they did so because she enjoys pranks that sometimes go out of line, just like ruining my hair back then."

"But it seems that I may have confused cause and effect. It's because the Asgardians reject Loki, which is why she desperately seeks attention from others."

"I have experienced this as well. Everyone views me as the future Queen of Gods; they hope that I would be as gentle, kind, and proficient in spells as most goddesses, and be able to educate children. Yet whenever I spar and handle weapons in the arena, they look at me with disapproval."

"For a very long time, my relationship with Thor hasn't progressed because of this. It always feels like they view me as Thor's accessory, which doesn't leave a good impression." Sif emphasized.

"Needless to say, under the crown of a queen, Your Majesty is the perfect Queen of Gods, perhaps it is hard for you to understand my unconventional thoughts."

Unexpectedly, Frigga also rose to her feet, smiled at Sif, and replied, "Sif, do you know? 'Queen of Gods' is my second title."

Sif tilted her head, asking, "What was the first?"

"The first wizard of the Nine Worlds."

As Frigga uttered these words, her eyes shimmered with the light of countless stars; a mysterious radiant glow emerged from her body, and through this glow, Sif perceived infinite power.

Frigga's gentle and kind aura faded as she became solemn, dignified, and powerful.

Sif heard Frigga say, "I became the strongest mage among the Nine Worlds, even the previous Supreme Magician wasn't my match. Eventually, Odin pursued me, I accepted his courtship, became his wife, and became the Queen of Gods in Asgard."

"But that doesn't mean I lost this immense power. I simply keep this power in solitude and use it to protect my family and children in critical times."

"No one would dare say that I am Odin's accessory, and their address to me as the perfect Queen of Gods is not because I am gentle enough, but because I am formidable enough."

Sif watched Frigga as radiant light flickered around her, a hint of envy appeared in Sif's eyes. She then took a deep breath, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword at her waist and said, "You're right, before becoming a queen, I should become a strong warrior."

At that moment, he face completely relaxed, and she looked resolute with a wild beauty. Sif turned around and said to Frigga:

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Please also relay my thanks to His Majesty Odin. I'm going off to train in other dimensions. Don't forget to invite me back for the wedding feast when Thor and Loki get married." With that, she left.

Sif left in such a hurry that she didn't notice the slight furrow in Frigga's brow when she mentioned 'the marriage between Thor and Loki'.