The third princess arrives

Thor could hardly believe it. He planted a foot on the base, gripped the handle with both hands, and gave it everything he had.

"Hnnngh!"

It still didn't do a damn thing. Thor gave up, staring blankly at his hands before looking up into the pitch-black sky, the cold rain pelting his face without mercy.

"Aaaaaaargh!"

Thor threw back his head and howled, overcome with grief.

He looked like an abandoned puppy, enough to stir anyone's pity. Yake shook his head. This was the punishment for his recklessness, he supposed. Heavy was the head that wore the crown. Yake understood that well, which was why he had chosen not to wear one. But the look on Thor's face was making it hard for him to keep it together.

The others watched with mixed emotions. They could all feel Thor's anguish, but Yake wore a strange expression and had even covered his mouth. He was professionally trained. Unless something was especially funny, he absolutely would not laugh out loud.

Thor must have exhausted himself with all that shouting. He sank helplessly to his knees in the mud, utterly despondent. At last, he understood that he really had been banished. He had even lost the right to lift Mjolnir.

Yake rubbed his chin. "Bring him over. I think he understands his situation now."

In fact, Yake had already sensed a faint gaze watching them. Unless he was mistaken, it belonged to the third princess. He needed to give Loki an opportunity to speak with Thor alone, or Loki would never show himself.

And so, sunk in endless silence, Thor was escorted to a quiet room by two agents like a soulless shell. He sat on a bench, lost in thoughts no one could guess.

"Let him have some time alone."

Yake addressed