Loki stood at the entrance to his bedchamber with his arms spread, allowing the guards to fasten his cloak properly. Head lowered, he thought intently. After a while, he looked up and asked, "Is Helen still with Frigga? Did the Queen of the Gods say I should pick her up later?"
"Lady Frigga hopes that you will go to the greenhouse in approximately twenty minutes to dine with Princess Helen and His Majesty Odin."
Loki paused and asked, "The All-Father is going too? But Thor has gone to Centaurus on patrol and will not return for several days. Has no one informed His Majesty?"
"Lady Frigga only instructed us to have you go there. We know nothing else and have no authority to inquire further." The master of ceremonies standing beside him lowered his head as he spoke to Loki.
Loki fell silent for a moment, then suddenly flicked his cloak. The guard arranging his collar hastily stepped back two paces. Loki stood where he was, his expression darkening. "No matter what I ask, you only ever have two answers: 'We do not know, and we have no authority to inquire further.'"
"Tell me, who stripped you of all those permissions you do not have? Thor Odinson?" Loki stared into the master of ceremonies' eyes. The elderly official avoided his gaze.
"It is the rule, Your Highness," the master of ceremonies replied.
"Do not call me Your Highness. I am no longer a prince." Loki kept staring into his eyes. "Your expression tells me that if you do not call me Your Highness, you do not even know what else to call me. Perhaps you are wondering whether, if I am not a prince, I am supposed to be a royal duke? Asgard has no position that stupid."
"The God