[PoV ???]
I pushed the food cart leisurely, my steps calm and composed. The hem of my maid's skirt brushed lightly against the smooth stone floor of the palace as the cart wheels wobbled slightly. My appearance was flawless: a gentle smile, polite demeanor, and the composed movements of a perfect palace servant.
But beneath this serene facade lay a mind racing with plans, calculating the time I had left.
My master's last command echoed in my head, a lingering reminder from our most recent contact: "Hold out for ten days. Don't do anything foolish. Help will come soon."
Ten days. It had sounded like such a short time—until a few days ago, when rumors began circulating among the other servants. Whispers of a spy in the palace.
Sure, I hadn't been caught yet, but the murmurs unnerved me. They planted doubt in my mind and made me careless in my duties, earning me scoldings from my irritable senior maids.
The atmosphere in the palace grew oppressive. The air felt heavier, suffocating even. Every glance seemed to linger, every set of eyes scrutinizing my every move. My thoughts spiraled into paranoia.
"Damn it, everything feels different now," I muttered, biting my lower lip hard enough to almost draw blood.
Turning into a corridor, my steps faltered. Ahead, a tall man dressed in elegant black strode calmly down the palace hallway. His dark hair and eyes gleamed like an abyss, exuding an aura of endless shadow.
Of course, I recognized him.
Yatagarasu.
Or "Yata," as Fenrir and those close to him affectionately called him. He was a guest of the palace, Fenrir's lover, and Loki's apprentice.
He had also been an unwitting distraction in my plans—a distraction that backfired spectacularly. I had sent him to the Spinosaurus lair, expecting him to meet his end. Instead, not only had he survived, but he had returned with a Spinosaurus egg, of all things.
Thanks to that fiasco, Loki seemed to have grown suspicious about the presence of a spy. Yet, as of now, there was no proof to link me to the betrayal.
I exhaled deeply, my fingers grazing the silver pendant hanging from my neck. It was a gift from Odin, an artifact designed to mask my presence from Loki's magic.
"Thank you, my lord, for giving me this before I came here. Without it, I doubt I'd still be alive."
I hadn't realized how strong Yatagarasu was until that incident. He wasn't just any ordinary man.
Still, I hadn't reported him to my master. There was no clear reason why—just an inexplicable feeling. He didn't seem like a threat. Not because I underestimated him, but because there was something... different about him. Something I couldn't quite place.
As I passed him, pushing the cart along, his gaze flicked to me, his expression laced with confusion. His eyes lingered on the food cart, one brow arched, as if questioning my purpose.
I kept walking, my face adorned with the usual fake smile, not uttering a single word.
But his voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Hey, wait."
I turned slowly, ensuring my expression remained calm and friendly. "Yes, sir?" I asked politely.
He approached, his eyes still puzzled. "Do you know where Fenrys is?"
Ah, Fenrys. The alias Fenrir used to hide her identity. Too bad for her—I'd figured out who she was from the very first meeting.
I resisted the urge to scoff. Fenrir was the core of my mission, but also my biggest problem. "I believe she's in the palace gardens with Lady Linnie, sir," I replied respectfully.
"I see..." He nodded slowly, his gaze distant for a moment before locking back onto me. "I feel like I've seen you before. You're a servant here, right?"
I gave a small, measured smile, even as my heart raced slightly. "Yes, sir. I'm one of the new maids hired by King Loki. I've been working here for two months. Perhaps you've seen me in the kitchen or laundry area."
His frown deepened, clearly unsatisfied with my answer. His eyes seemed to study me, as though trying to uncover something. "Do you... have a name?"
"Emma," I replied without hesitation, borrowing the name of the real Emma for my cover. "It's not the prettiest name, but it's one I'm proud of—my mother gave it to me."
Forgive me, Emma, for using your name like this. I promise, once this is over, I'll beg my master to grant you amnesty and make you a queen in my home in Valhalla.
"Emma, huh..." He rubbed his chin, his unreadable expression making it impossible to discern his thoughts.
He seemed ready to ask more questions, but I cut him off with a cheerful tone. "I'm sorry, sir, but I need to deliver this food. If there's anything you need, I'll return as soon as I'm done."
He forced a faint smile and waved me off.
"Go ahead."
"Thank you, sir."
I bowed politely before continuing on my way, pushing the cart as my mind buzzed with unease.
Yatagarasu...
Was he suspicious? Or merely curious? Whatever the case, I had to be more careful. His connection to Fenrir was strong, and any slip-up could cost me dearly.
At the end of the corridor, I slowed. From the opposite direction, the real Emma appeared, looking flustered.
"Emma!" I called out brightly, my usual cheerful smile spreading across my face. "Come here, let me hug you."
"Kyaaa!"
Before she could evade me, I threw my arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Ah, this warmth, this softness, this familiar scent—it was the perfect antidote to the frustration of pretending to be a palace maid.
She stiffened, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden hug, but I didn't care. She was the only thing keeping me sane in this wretched palace.
"Stop it," she pleaded weakly.
"Not a chance." I tightened my hold. "This time, I'm not letting go until my stress melts away."
She sighed, clearly exasperated, but I knew she wouldn't resist for long. Despite her complaints, Emma always indulged me until I was satisfied.
But then, to my surprise, she shoved me away roughly.
"I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry," she said quickly, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound composed.
I froze, tilting my head as I watched her. "Oh? What's wrong? You seem—"
Before I could finish, she turned away and hurried off, her steps brisk and panicked, like someone fleeing.
I narrowed my eyes at her retreating figure, a sense of unease creeping into my chest.
"There's something off about this," I murmured, clenching my fists. "Your reaction was too extreme, Emma."
Emma was timid and awkward, but I knew her well enough to know she wasn't naturally rude or harsh. If she acted out, something must have been bothering her—or perhaps...
"Did she suspect something?" I whispered, pushing the abandoned cart forward again.
"No, that's impossible," I muttered, shaking my head to dispel the thought. "Someone like her wouldn't care about palace spies. Unless..."
After delivering the food to its destination, I walked toward a secluded balcony rarely used by anyone. From there, I could see much of Utgard Palace.
Though the palace was magnificent, its beauty meant nothing to me. Compared to Asgard, this place was a gilded cage.
I stared at my trembling hands. I had infiltrated many places before, but none had ever felt as suffocating as this.
Emma's face flashed in my mind again. Her behavior earlier was too suspicious. I needed to confirm if she'd learned anything.
"Emma... did someone tell you about me?" I whispered, my gaze fixed on the vast, endless sky.
My steps carried me back inside, through corridors that felt increasingly narrow and stifling. I needed to stay calm, to continue playing my role as a dutiful servant. But at the same time, I had to revise my plans.
"Ten days," I murmured again, trying to reassure myself.
I didn't know if I could last that long. One thing was certain, though: If they discovered who I really was, I wouldn't live to see the tenth day.