The sun smiled down on us, its warm and enchanting rays slipping through the cracks between towering buildings, lending a touch of warmth to the chilly morning. The faint chirping of birds competed with the bustling sounds of the city beginning to stir to life.
We stood in a narrow alley wedged between two old red-brick buildings, their walls weathered with age. The damp scent of the alley, mingled with the aroma of food wafting from small stalls at the far end, filled the air.
"It seems we've arrived," Loki said with his ever-confident smile—a constant part of his carefree demeanor.
I glanced down to see a faint magical circle glowing beneath our feet. Before I could say anything, Loki turned to Fenrir and me. "This alley is secluded enough for teleportation without attracting attention. No one will notice if we do it here."
I merely nodded, but Fenrir let out a small huff, her tail and ears twitching with impatience. "You could easily hypnotize a crowd if you wanted to, Loki. Then we wouldn't need to sneak into a narrow alley like this just to teleport."
"Ha-ha-ha," Loki chuckled lightly. "Have you forgotten, young lady? You drained most of my mana earlier. I only have enough left to teleport you to my castle."
"Ugh, annoying," Fenrir grumbled, unable to counter his argument.
I furrowed my brow, watching their back-and-forth, puzzled by the constant bickering and sharp remarks between them.
"Alright, I'll start the spell."
Snap.
Loki snapped his fingers, activating the magic. The circle beneath us began to glow with a blinding blue light, forcing me to close my eyes. A loud ringing filled my ears as the spell took hold.
Gradually, the ringing subsided, and I opened my eyes. We were no longer in the grimy, dark alley. Instead, we stood before a grand golden gate, intricately engraved with depictions of fierce beasts on either side.
Two burly guards flanked the gate, their stern faces and imposing stature underscored by their gleaming iron armor. Their heads were covered with iron helmets, and they carried swords at their hips while two-meter-long spears rested on their backs.
My gaze lingered on their helmets. They don't have horns, do they?
Movies often depict Viking warriors wearing iconic horned helmets, but according to more recent research I'd read, Viking armor and helmets resembled the practical iron designs of the medieval era rather than the horned versions seen on the big screen.
Well, those horned helmets were a creation of medieval European theater anyway, so it made sense that their helmets looked different from what I had imagined.
Loki strode forward with the poise of a king, and we followed behind him, mimicking his regal gait. The guards' eyes widened as if recognizing who stood before them.
"Open the gate, guards. These two, along with Linnie, are my guests," Loki commanded.
The guards nodded and began pushing the massive gate open. As we passed through, they flashed us polite smiles.
I nodded back, returning their courtesy with a warm smile of my own.
Beyond the gate stood an awe-inspiring castle, its pristine white walls crowned with a grand golden dome. The vast courtyard was adorned with meticulously tended greenery.
The pathway we walked on was paved with neatly arranged stones, reminiscent of the ancient Roman roads often hailed as marvels of their time. On either side of the path, rows of manicured shrubs added to the serene beauty of the scene.
The air was warm, with only patches of snow lingering in some corners of the castle. This place was clearly protected by Loki's magic, given how adept he was with spells, as evidenced earlier.
Snap.
Loki snapped his fingers again, and his clothes began to shimmer faintly. In an instant, his attire transformed into a rich, deep-blue cloak made of thick, luxurious fabric. Golden embroidery sparkled subtly under the light, adding an air of regal elegance.
The material was flawless, without a single wrinkle, resembling the opulent garments of European nobility from the medieval era—both grand and refined.
"Ah!" I gasped as I realized the same thing was happening to us.
The same glow enveloped us. Our tattered clothing began to shine, slowly transforming into entirely different attire—elegant and valuable garments fit for nobles.
Linnie wore a silver gown adorned with delicate lace that draped around her skirt, flowing softly like mist. Around her neck hung a pendant with an orange gemstone that glimmered faintly like a sunset. A small gold crown studded with precious stones adorned her head, making her look every bit like a regal and graceful princess.
Fenrir wore a light purple gown that was captivating, contrasting with her dark hair. The elegant cut framed her figure, making it look like a living work of art, replacing the fur jacket I had crafted for her.
Silver bracelets encircled her wrists, and her long, dark purple hair was now decorated with exquisite ornaments from who-knows-where, exuding undeniable charm. The purple pendant I had given her, which she always hid, now rested prominently on her slender neck.
"Woah, this is amazing," Fenrir marveled, her eyes fixed on her outfit with admiration. Her face lit up with happiness.
Then her gaze shifted to me, a wide smile gracing her lips. "You look handsome, Yata," she praised in a cheerful tone.
Instinctively, I glanced down at myself. My body was now clad in a jet-black coat with sturdy shoulder pads on both sides. Silver buttons with intricate carvings lined the front, gleaming under the magical sunlight. Beneath the coat, a white shirt with a high collar added a striking contrast, making my appearance elegant yet commanding.
"You all look much more appropriate in those outfits now. I hope you like them," Loki's voice snapped us out of our admiration.
Fenrir and I nodded simultaneously, showing him grateful smiles.
"Thank you for your kindness, King. But wait, where are our old clothes?"
"I sent them with my magic to the servants for cleaning. I'll have them returned once they're washed," Loki explained.
Moments later, an elderly servant hurried toward Loki. "Your Majesty, you've returned," the servant greeted him with a deep, respectful voice.
"Oh, what is it, Fern?"
"Ah, hold on, there's something I must attend to. You may explore the palace in the meantime," Loki said, turning his gaze to his daughter. "Linnie, please show your friends around the palace. Introduce them to their surroundings."
"Of course, Father."
With that, Loki departed with the elderly man, leaving Linnie to guide us through the palace. "Come on, friends, let's go," Linnie said brightly.
"You look more elegant and less childish. Does wearing a princess gown make your personality change too?" Fenrir teased, half-joking.
"Hehe." Linnie chuckled, taking Fenrir's jab as harmless banter. "You might have a point, Fenrys."
"Yeah, she's a princess, didn't you realize?" I said to Fenrir.
"A princess?" Fenrir tilted her head, her slender finger pointing at Linnie. "This girl? So she's really a princess?"
"Hehe." Linnie let out a soft laugh, scratching her cheek shyly.
I sighed. Is this girl clueless or just pretending to be?
"Regardless of what's happening, Linnie is Loki's daughter, the king of Utgard. That makes her a princess."
"Ah, I see... how enviable..." Fenrir muttered, sounding a bit whiny. Then, with a sly grin, she turned to Linnie. "You must be able to eat as much as you want, right, Linnie?"
I gave a small smile. Of course, even now, food occupies her thoughts. Meanwhile, Linnie chuckled softly, struggling to handle Fenrir's blunt and carefree demeanor.
Thud.
I gently tapped the back of Fenrir's head, signaling her to quiet down.
"Ow," Fenrir grumbled, rubbing her head as she glared at me. "Why'd you hit me, you wretched bird?!"
"It's best we don't chatter too much so Linnie can focus on showing us around the palace," I replied.
"But..." Fenrir glanced at Linnie, who was still smiling politely. "Maybe you're right," she admitted begrudgingly.
Her regret, however, quickly turned into joy, her mood changing as fast as a switch. "Alright, I won't interrupt anymore. You can focus on giving us the grand tour of your big house."
Linnie nodded slightly, a confident smile gracing her lips. She seemed eager to guide us around her palace. But just a few steps into our walk, my shoulder accidentally bumped into a maid hurrying by.
"Sorry," I said.
"No, it's I who should apologize, sir," the maid replied, bowing her head before hastily departing.
"Who was that, Linnie?" Fenrir asked, her sharp eyes narrowing.
"I'm not sure, maybe a new maid. A few months ago, Father opened positions for more servants," Linnie explained.
I couldn't help but feel curious as I noticed the suspicious expression on Fenrir's face. It wasn't like her to show such interest in someone she'd just met.
"Why do you ask, Fenrys?" I questioned.
"I don't like her scent."
Her answer startled me. Fenrir's nose was exceptionally sharp—nothing escaped her sense of smell. But she also had high tolerance for unfamiliar scents.
If she found someone's scent unpleasant, it meant there was something off about that person. That woman might have ties to the Norse gods. I glanced back, trying to catch a glimpse of the maid, but she was already out of sight.
No matter, I had her image in mind. I could investigate later.
For now, I tried to reassure Fenrir to let it go. "Don't dwell on it, Fenrys. Let's just enjoy this palace tour peacefully."
"You're right," she replied with renewed cheer. "Why worry about others when we're in our friend's home? I'll make sure to enjoy every moment here—especially the food!"
I gave a small smile, noting how easily distracted she was. Her immense strength seemed to make her reckless and oblivious to the subtleties around her. In her mind, every problem could probably be solved with sheer power.
Linnie resumed her enthusiastic tour of the palace, showing us the rooms, decorations, history, and every detail with great excitement.
Seeing her bright smile made us smile too. We realized that the burdens she had carried for so long had lifted ever since her father declared her freedom.
The girl now radiated a newfound spirit and enthusiasm, reflected in the sparkle of her orange eyes. She seemed eager to embrace the life she dreamed of, once all of Loki's conditions were fulfilled.