Endlessly

Bragi

You no longer exist within your own body; rather, your consciousness floats somewhere above you, dreaming of Asgard, waiting for the nightmare to end when you wake up wrapped safely in Loki's arms, while your body mindlessly moves through the steps of each day, functioning on autopilot.

It's been two weeks since you'd accepted Prince Aster's proposal, and a large part of you still has refused to accept that this is all real.

Unfortunately, an even larger part of you is very aware of your rapidly growing belly, and that you need to get this wedding under wraps sooner rather than later.

"Silver or gold, my lady?"

"Hm?"

"The table runners, would you prefer silver or gold?" Alma, one of your many event coordinators, repeats her question.

"Ah, yes... um, gold I suppose." You shoot her the most genuine smile you can muster, trying to shake away your intrusive thoughts.

She scurries away as quickly as she'd come, and you immediately slump into the nearest chair. This pregnancy is taking so much out of you; you're sore beyond belief, tired, your ankles are already swollen, and the nausea has been so frequent, it's made it quite difficult to hide.

You're just over a month along, with nearly seventeen more to go- you shouldn't be dealing with this many, or this severe of symptoms, already.

You desperately wish you had someone to talk to.

"No, no- Mama, NO!" Your eyes dart in the direction of the sound of one of the staff members' children shrieking, the commotion pulling you from your thoughts.

You watch as the desperate mother attempts to soothe her child, only for the small boy to shout again and run away from her.

The young boy slams into the legs of a man who's probably around your age, with his brunette waves cropped short- a symbol of his role as a servant.

You watch, completely captivated by the delightful exchange as the man kneels down to lower himself to the same height as the child, produces a small wooden toy- seemingly out of nowhere- and hands it to the boy who immediately squeals in delight at the gift, sitting down without another word to play with his new toy. The man ruffles the little boy's hair with a pleased grin as he stands back up to his full height.

You smile to yourself after viewing the wholesome exchange, allowing your mind to drift back into your thoughts.

"Lady Gersemi." Your eyes dart in the direction of an unfamiliar voice as you adjust yourself to sit up straight in your chair.

"Yes?" The same young man that'd just given the toy to the upset child makes his way to you.

"My name is Bragi Sørenson, I am the royal family's majordomo."

"You seem very young to be serving as the majordomo." You skeptically search his face.

"My father, the previous majordomo, passed away when I was thirteen. I've been in the role since then."

"I... I have to imagine you're quite remarkable in your role then." You swallow.

"Your words are kind, my lady." He nods. "The prince has been delayed by his duties and has requested that I gather you in his absence."

"And where am I to be deposited, after I am gathered?" You smirk.

"Wheresoever you wish, my lady." He makes eye contact with you for the first time.

His eyes are captivating; such a dark brown that they nearly appear black. His chestnut hair tumbles into his face, even with being cropped short on the sides. Several freckles run over the bridge of his nose and across his cheeks, giving him an unusually innocent appearance despite his massive muscular stature.