“Why are you here?”

Sigurd stared at the woman lounging in her room without care. Liv — her sister — wore tight leather armor that hugged her body yet allowed free movement. Her sword was tossed casually to the side, and she lay sprawled across the couch, hands behind her head like she owned the place.

“You haven’t left the palace in decades,” Liv said with a smirk. “Don’t tell me the Queen has forgotten where she came from.”

“I have other duties.” Sigurd turned away, her tone clipped.

“Duties?” Liv scoffed. “I heard Ijoss doesn’t even let you into court. Seriously, Sig, what could you possibly be—”

“Why are you here, Liv?” Sigurd cut her off with a weary sigh.

Liv sat up, her smirk fading. “Rumors are spreading among the people,” she said quietly. “They say you’re not of sound mind.”

“Why should I care what anyone thinks?”

“You’re the Queen,” Liv shot back. “Your reputation does matter.”

“Don’t lecture me about what being a Queen means.”

Liv hesitated. “And your son? When’s the last time you even spoke to him?”

“Is this why you’re here?” Sigurd’s voice sharpened. “To patronize me? To call me a bad mother?”

“No.” Liv’s voice softened. “I’m here because you look tired.”

They locked eyes. The silence between them was heavy — not just with resentment, but with years of things left unsaid.

“Listen, Sig—” Liv began.

“Announcing His Highness, Ijoss Helvig!” A servant’s voice cut through the air. The doors swung open, and the Jotun King entered in full regalia. His eyes swept the room until they landed on Liv.

Liv sighed, glancing once more at her sister. Without another word, she stood and left.

Sigurd didn’t move. Even as Ijoss approached, she refused to acknowledge him.

“It’s been fifteen summers since his birth,” Ijoss said, running a finger across the dusty table. “It’s time he was engaged. Why hasn’t it been arranged?”

Sigurd’s tone was cold. “When was the last time you came here of your own accord? Ah yes — his birth. So why now?”

“His engagement is to one of the Originals,” he said. “They need to be kept in check. The engagement will be the carrot.”

“Your greed sickens me.” Her markings faintly glowed under her skin. “What does a man want when he already has everything he should have? More. The answer is always more.”

“He speaks of you, you know,” Ijoss said, turning his gaze on her. “Asks me to speak with you, to make sure you’re well. Because his mother all but vanished out of spite and jealousy.”

“You are a coward of a king.”

“I’m more of a king than you ever were a mother.”

A wave of fury flashed in her eyes. “Get out!”

The markings along her skin flared to life, glowing green as power pulsed through the room. The air thickened, pressing down on the walls until they groaned and dust rained from above.

Ijoss didn’t flinch. He simply turned and walked toward the door.

“Fine,” he said. “Do as you wish.”

He left her standing there — alone, surrounded by the dust of what she’d once ruled.