3 Coronation Day (Frigga Interlude I)

'Six months certainly flew by quickly,' Hela thought.

It was now Lithasblot - the Harvest Festival dedicated to Urda for her bounty, and the ceremony had gone smoothly. Odin crowned Frigga and announced her new status and everyone celebrated with a massive feast which came from the grains and plants harvested during the festival. She could tell the new Queen was used to all the proceedings and did her duty by interacting with the various lords, ministers, nobles, soldiers, and citizens to make small talk. Before long, Frigga had smoothly integrated herself into the circle and, as far as Hela knew, she somehow managed to successfully endear herself to everyone.

'Odin never had a chance, did he?' Hela watched it all happen in amusement and felt reluctantly impressed. Frigga was sharp. If she had stayed silent and shy throughout the celebration, she would have lost face and probably garner a bad reputation. By integrating herself early into politics, she had already set her mark and showed she wasn't weak for the position.

Queen Frigga indeed.

Hela was still forbidden from drinking wine at her age, and so she could only toast water in her direction to congratulate before downing it and standing up. No one batted an eye as Hela left the Great Hall. Everyone knew she quickly grew bored in feasts, especially ones that would last the whole night. The important part was over anyway.

...

The next morning, Hela headed straight to the other side of the palace, bypassing all the drunken Aesir still lingering in the halls and grounds. Hela glanced in amusement at an official who looked like he's one sway away from throwing up. Seems like the celebration became a little wild last night. She stepped around him, and strode through the winding halls and corridors, out into the grounds, and towards the stables. She whistled, and a faint whinny sounded from within. She broke into a run, bursting inside with a grin, "Dagny!"

An excited whinny and a toss of its head answered her and Hela quickly climbed on Dagny - a lovely and playful white foal her father gifted her after she finally completed her horse-riding lessons last month - and gently pulled on the reins to guide her out of the stables, across the grounds, and to a slow trot towards the bridge.

Hela loved Dagny the moment she laid eyes on her, and was overjoyed when the horse easily returned her affections. Dagny was young and playful still, but Hela had no doubt that the foal will grow up to be a powerful warhorse, and a valuable ally in the coming battles.

This was the first time she rode somewhere that was not the riding grounds, and she was relieved that Dagny reigned in her own enthusiasm for being let out the palace grounds for what she knew was the very first time.

She can't blame her, it's her first time on the rainbow bridge too.

She immediately felt her mouth fall open in awe as she took in the sheer size of the structure and the beautiful rainbow bridge she had to cross. It was something she had only ever seen on screen and in her imagination. She never imagined that she would see the Bifrost itself with her own eyes. And words cannot describe how beautiful and ethereal it really looks.

Hela felt a slow smile curl on her face. "Let's go Dagny, giddy-up!"

The foal quickly galloped, and it wasn't long before they're finally right in front of their destination and dismounted. Hela stroked her one more time on the snout for the trip, before the overwhelming feeling of someone boring their gaze at the back of her head made her reluctantly tear her eyes away from Dagny and the colorful bridge to instead land on the figure of a huge man standing in the middle of the chamber, his whole body encased in intimidating golden armor.

Heimdall, the all-seeing and all-hearing guardian of the Bifrost.

She grinned so wide it hurt. She had asked Frigga while she had been making small talk with Hela for permission to leave the palace and visit the Observatory and the Bifrost bridge (Odin was so busy she doesn't even see him most days). Meeting Heimdall in person was an opportunity she couldn't pass up and she could not wait any longer.

At first, Frigga looked reluctant, but Hela insisted that she was old enough and could already take care of herself; besides, the Observatory was only a short ride away on horseback from the palace, and Heimdall sees everything. Therefore, he'll definitely know ahead of time if she was in any danger so she's as safe as she could possibly be.

That argument swayed Frigga, and she smiled. "You definitely inherited Odin's persuasiveness." She had muttered in amusement before calling out in a light voice. "Good Heimdall, I ask you to watch over my daughter as she journeys to you."

Hela had frozen then, too surprised at Frigga calling her her daughter to say anything. There was no hesitation, and Hela knew the Queen hadn't meant anything bad by it. But the thought remained; Frigga already thought of her as her own daughter, and she doesn't quite know what to feel about that.

Frigga didn't notice though, she just nodded after a few moments of silence and proceeded to send her off.

And now here she was, standing stiffly by the entrance in front of the stoic Gatekeeper who remained unmoving from his position in the dais. Behind her, the rainbow bridge hummed.

She resisted the urge to shift nervously as their gazes locked on each other, bright green meeting gold. Though the difference was that his eyes were unreadable while hers were almost bursting with curiosity and excitement. Still, she did not speak and could only stare at him in wonder.

Heimdall only stared back.

"Your Highness." He inclined his head after the silence became too long.

At his words, Hela quickly remembered her manners and curtsied. "Nice to finally meet you, Lord Heimdall."

"You are my princess, and I am just a guardian; there is no need for formalities." He informed her, though his golden gaze was now kind and almost amused.

"Heimdall." Hela acquiesced. She still couldn't help but stare at him though. Here in front of her was one of the most recognizable figures in the MCU. Heimdall, The One Who Sees All. And Hela found herself fangirl-ing quite a bit. "I've heard so much about you. Is it true you could see everything?" She blurted out excitedly.

He nodded. Even now, he looked like a statue, standing unwaveringly with his large golden sword held in front of him. He was a large man, and indeed had dark skin like in the movies. However, there was still one thing the movies cannot possibly replicate no matter how hard they try.

His golden eyes.

Even from afar, the color was unmistakable. Hela gasped softly as their gazes locked and she found herself drawn into the bright golden orbs and into after-images of the Nine Realms of Yggdrasil itself. It was only then that she realized she was staring into the only pair of eyes that can see entire worlds, nebulae, and the beings that lived in them in its entirety. Words cannot capture how mesmerizing and beautiful his eyes truly were, and Hela found it quite hard to stop herself from blatantly staring even though it's rude.

As beautiful as his eyes were, Hela felt a spark of nervousness. She knew he could not possibly see or know her thoughts, but she still felt worried that he might find out her true identity just by looking into her eyes and seeing a completely different person behind them.

Still, her curiosity knew no bounds. Hela placed a hand behind her back and held up two fingers. "How many fingers am I holding up?"

Heimdall raised an eyebrow and answered dutifully. "Two, Your Highness."

Hela covered the hand behind her back with her other. She then held up a finger. "How many now?"

Heimdall's beautiful eyes now glinted in amusement, but he still humored her. "One."

She stared at him in awe, and proceeded to say in the most genuine tone possible, "You are amazing, Heimdall."

The Gatekeeper looked completely stunned for a moment, his already rigid stance tensing even more. After a while, he relaxed, and his voice now held a touch of warmth. "I thank you, my princess."

"Hela," She grinned up at him, "Call me Hela."

They both knew he couldn't do that, difference in ranks and all that, but she likes to think he appreciated the thought.

"So," she continued, her eyes almost glittering with mirth. "How exactly does the Bifrost work? And do you not get tired of standing all day?"

…

Heimdall watched silently as Asgard's young princess insisted on walking instead of riding her horse back across the bridge. She claimed she wanted to observe how the bridge worked and see over the edge properly, both of which she cannot do on horseback. Before she left though, she gave him one last bright smile, one he was hard-pressed not to return.

She might be young still, but he could already tell that her genuine curiosity, lightheartedness, and kindness will shine as brilliantly as the brightest star he had ever seen among the branches of Yggdrasil.

It also does not hurt to admit that her honest praise immediately endeared him to her. Heimdall then decided that he would watch her closely from now on. Her kindness might just be what Asgard needs during these troubling times.

…

She practically skipped back after a riveting and highly informative discussion with Heimdall, noting that the gatekeeper looked almost relieved to see her off after her endless stream of questions. She knew she could be quite a handful when curious, but Vor had said often enough that holding back questions leads to ignorance, which will eventually lead to her death if she's not careful (Vor can be pretty cynical at times), and frequently encouraged her to ask if she wanted to know something. And she definitely wanted to know how the Bifrost bridge worked.

She never thought about it back then, but the Bifrost could transport a person to other realms several light years away from Asgard in just over a minute or two. If anyone on Earth even had a device capable of trying that, she knew that person will be ripped apart or basically fade into nothingness. It was just not possible, but then again, this was magic. Defying the laws of physics is practically in the job description.

An interesting tidbit she also found out was that Heimdall doesn't actually need sleep. He didn't elaborate on it, and Hela instantly knew that this was somewhat of a trade secret and couldn't blame him for keeping silent. After all, who would want a child knowing all your secrets and other invaluable information?

He doesn't need sleep, but he had break times, which made sense. After all, one cannot be expected to stand around all day and night watching the realms in the entire World Tree without feeling the least bit tired or hungry. However, those times were confidential, since it will be a serious security breach in Asgard's defenses if someone found out when Heimdall leaves his post, and so Hela refrained from asking anything more about the subject.

She doesn't know why she felt so surprised that Heimdall had break times, since he never seemed to leave the Observatory, but she supposed it made sense. If the great and all-powerful Odin could feel tired, then Heimdall could damn well feel it too.

Hela hummed and tugged on Dagny's reins, slowly guiding her across the Bifrost as she strolled around. Seeing the rainbow bridge up close instead of the view on horseback was quite a sight. She watched intently as the colors of the rainbow bridge pulsed around her feet with every step she took. The bridge looked and felt like colored glass, but she figured it was more like a material similar to crystal but stronger. It had to be if it could withstand the mighty blows of Mjolnir.

One might expect that the bridge was slippery or smooth because it looked like a crystal; however, it was actually quite rough. This made walking on it not too much trouble, but there were no handrails so there was still every chance that she might fall off. Heimdall's always watching, though, so she knows she's safe.

Hela carefully peered over the edge, and her eyes bulged at the sight of the sheer drop below. She was normally not afraid of heights, but that sight almost did her in. Underneath the Bifrost bridge was just ocean, with the water flowing off the edge of Asgard itself. She knew this world was flat, not a round and sphere-like planet like Earth, so how does gravity work when there's no core or magnetic fields to keep her feet on the ground? And where does the ocean even fall to, space?

So many questions, and she absolutely delighted in trying to answer them all.

Later though, Herryk is waiting.

…

"You are late."

The other trainees paused in their katas and stances and watched warily as the princess faced off against their instructor, the latter looking absolutely pissed.

Commander Herryk became her fighting instructor ever since Odin spoke to her about training. He considered the Valkyries at first, but quickly shot that idea down because of the fact that Hela would have to swear the Valkyries' eternal vow as Odin's personal warriors and Asgard's protectors, and she can't do that if she's the heir to the throne.

It took a while, but Odin finally hired Herryk who, unlike Vor, is completely insufferable, irritating, and quite blatant with his bigotry towards women. It turned out that misogyny existed even in Asgard. She couldn't believe at first that there is someone who believes that women warriors like the Valkyries were not equal in battle with Asgard's army, but she's quickly proven wrong.

With such prejudice, it didn't exactly help that she was the only girl amongst the recruits.

Another thing was that Herryk does not like seidmadr. He considers them as tricksters, cowards, or even cheaters for using illusions and spells instead of fighting the enemy head-on. It had caused several arguments to erupt between them numerous times, especially since Herryk found out about her interest in studying the art and proceeded to ban any use of seidr in their training. Since that day, Hela resolved to be the best warrior and sorceress in the entire Nine.

She had been surprised at first when she heard that it would be a commander who would personally train them. She had expected a sergeant or captain, not a high-ranking person like a commander, and yet here they were. Hela had heard rumors that Commander Herryk wasn't originally going to be their instructor, but with Hela's induction to training, Odin himself had commanded the best warrior to personally oversee training for this batch. And that's him.

So technically, it was her fault Herryk had been downgraded from a commander to an instructor. She was sorry at first, she wasn't now.

At present, she finally arrived after her trip to Heimdall's Observatory, and Herryk looked pissed. Actually, Herryk always looks pissed, though the reason was probably because he's forced to train – babysit, according to him – children instead of going out to fight. Sometimes, she couldn't help but notice that Asgardians take their titles as a warrior race very seriously. It always seemed like that's all they ever want to do.

She would've asked that her parents replace him with another instructor who was actually decent, but pride prevented her from asking. She just knew Odin would take it as a sign of weakness.

"I was in the Observatory to discuss some matters with Heimdall by order of the Queen." She told him carefully. It's the truth, from a certain point of view. "You can confirm it with her."

The statement seemed to make him pause, before he bulldozed ahead. "I don't care where you've been, I only care about the fact that you are late." Herryk's eyes narrowed. "I am sure you know how to tell time, yes? You could have gone there early morning or late afternoon, when it would not interfere with our lessons. My life does not revolve around you, princess, so stop wasting my time." He then whirled around to confront the watching trainees who visibly jumped in surprise. "And who said you could stop? Fifty laps around the grounds now!"

The other recruits startled and basically began running for their lives, the sound of frantic footsteps slowly fading the farther they ran.

Hela stayed silent. He was right after all. She straightened, "I apologize, it won't happen again."

However, it seems something showed in her tone, because Herryk suddenly scowled, "You will treat me with respect."

"...Sir?" Hela asked, visibly frowning now.

"Why do you insist on staying defiant and unruly like a spoiled brat?" He snapped.

Hela stared at him, "I do respect you. Even if our opinions contradict on some things, especially about that ban on seidr use."

Herryk glowered, his eyelid twitching at the mere mention of the word 'seidr'. "I will not allow such tricks and cowardly behavior to be present in my training grounds."

"I believe it is the opposite of cowardly." She raised an eyebrow, "Seidr is still a form of fighting, albeit an unorthodox one. Both the King and Queen wields it, so it is my right to wield it too."

"Odin at least recognizes that such an act is unfit for a King and chooses to be a warrior first, and as for the Queen, she is a woman. Her use is not ideal, but acceptable. You, on the other hand," He looked down on her, his eyes narrowed to slits. "You might be a girl, but you are also training to become a warrior, and a warrior has no time for such tricks. I have already been lenient with you. If it were up to me, I would have forbidden you from learning seidr completely, but the Queen insisted."

"Then it is a good thing it is not up to you," Hela clasped her hands behind her back, narrowed eyes blazing green. "Though I defer to your authority, as it is your training ground, you cannot stop me from learning it outside of this." She tilted her head; both ignoring the way the other trainees ran past them staring blatantly at the exchange. "How about a compromise? I won't use seidr anywhere near here, and you won't get in my case about it, even if you see me using it outside. Is that acceptable, Commander?"

Seidr was an important part of combat too, she doesn't want to become like one of those warriors who could only rely on their physical strength. There will always come a time when other unconventional methods were required to win a fight. Besides, the use of seidr in combat was something she'd always wanted to do. It's a very valuable skill, but it's obviously not something she could learn here. Her own teacher practically snarls at the mere mention of the word 'seidr', for god's sake.

Herryk only looked at her impassive expression, firm stance, and narrowed gaze, before snorting. "It is. This same old song and dance has gone on long enough and I grow tired of it."

"Now," He tossed her a wooden sword that had been lying beside him in the weapon's rack. "Since you are late, then you must already know a great deal about our lessons. Show me what you have learned."

Hela ignored the jibe in order to catch the weapon. She swung it experimentally, judging its weight and the feel of it in her hands, before taking a stance. Herryk crossed his arms and settled in to watch as Hela began moving through a series of forms and katas, each move timing with her breaths.

She spun and swung the wooden sword in a wide arc, feet spreading apart and body bending down to an almost crouch. At that moment, the running trainees passed a few ways ahead of her, and she absently noticed two boys lagging behind the group. Now, she normally wouldn't mind it, but just for a moment, one of the boys' weary eyes met her confused ones with awe.

She stared at his back as he passed. 'What was that about…?'

…

Hela almost collapsed on her bed in exhaustion, her chest still heaving and her whole body drenched in sweat. Herryk was absolutely brutal today. The guards she passed outside could only stare at her in sympathy, all of them knowing just how merciless the Commander could be in training.

If only she had been assigned to General Tyr, who she had heard was extremely fair as well as being the greatest warrior and tactician of the Realm Eternal after the Allfather. But he was always busy, so instead, she's stuck with Herryk.

She began removing all the layers of sweaty clothes before she even reached the bedroom, tossing the dirty laundry in the basket in the corner. She didn't bother resting her aching body for a moment and promptly sank into the prepared bath, sighing in relief as the warm water with lovely scented oils soothed her sore muscles. She definitely missed using shampoo, soap, and conditioner, but the oils can also do a good job in making her smell clean even after long periods of time.

Closing her eyes, she drifted off.

…

(Frigga Interlude I)

"Hela."

Hela, wet hair still clinging onto her neck and her body feeling much better, looked up from her book and saw Queen Frigga standing silently in the doorway, eyes warm and kind. "May I come in?"

Surprised, Hela quickly set aside her book and stood up. "Of course, Your Majesty." She moved to curtsy but Frigga held up a hand.

"That is unnecessary," Frigga gestured her back down, and Hela reluctantly sat. "You shouldn't curtsy in your own quarters."

With that said, Hela watched as the Queen made her way to the other chair across from her own, before slowly turning her attention back to her books when it was clear Frigga was content to just sit there and stare out the window.

Meanwhile, Frigga silently observed the princess' scrunched up face at the corner of her eye, her eyes locked on her book in deep concentration. The sight was lovely, but she's here for a more serious reason.

With her new integration in the court and meetings, Frigga had been privy to the rumors about the goings-on of the palace. To her surprise, the most famous rumors are always somehow about the twelve-year-old princess.

According to the most recent rumor she's heard about her, the princess always seems like she's preparing for the worst by drowning herself into her books and training. Not to mention, Hela had recently asked for Frigga to also teach her the art of seidr, and she was only happy to do so, though that was before she knew Hela had been taking so many subjects already. The process was slow going, however, if the powerful bursts of seidr she can already produce suggested anything, it's that Hela would undoubtedly master it soon.

Odin was unconcerned, but Frigga was worried. She had looked into the tomes Hela had been borrowing from the library for 'light reading' and found that most were about battle tactics, aggressive seidr techniques, and war. A normal child should not be worrying about those things, yet here they were.

Of course, she was happy that Hela is taking her studies and duties seriously, but that does not mean she must drown in them. She was young still and must not trouble herself with the Realm Eternal's problems. But what puzzled Frigga was that she had tried to get Hela to play and socialize with other children her age, but no one seemed to hold her interest. It also does not help that the parents obviously instructed all of those children to sweet-talk and praise the young princess in everything she does in order to get in her good graces. (A fact Frigga knows that Hela realizes all too well.)

Still, Hela needed to talk to people her age. Her social life only really consisted of the servants, guards, her instructors, the occasional ministers she manages to corner to talk about politics, and perhaps Heimdall now. She had not even showed any interest in boys, something Frigga found curious. Was this not the right age for children to develop interest in the opposite sex? (Or even the same sex. Anything she wants, Frigga will not refuse her if it would bring her happiness.)

Another thing she noticed was that Hela only ever acted distant towards her. It's understandable considering she suddenly entered their lives without much of a warning, but she senses something... more hidden behind that carefully crafted mask of politeness and geniality. It also did not help that Frigga accidentally called her 'daughter' the other day, which just made Hela further distance herself from her.

Internally shaking her head, Frigga leant forward. "That book must be very interesting for you to focus so hard like that." She smiled when Hela's head shot up, as if she had forgotten she was there.

The girl glanced down at the book and shrugged, "You can say that. It's certainly educational." They both carefully didn't mention how it was a book about the previous wars Asgard experienced, which just proves Frigga's thoughts really. She put aside the book, and proceeded to turn her whole attention to Frigga. "How can I help you, Your Majesty?"

Frigga tilted her head, "You can begin by not calling me that. It sounds terribly stuffy and formal between family now, don't you think?"

Hela only blinked back, her expression remaining perfectly polite. "Understood, what would you like me to call you?"

Frigga leaned back and sighed softly, "It depends, Hela, on if you would accept my apology."

The princess frowned in confusion, and Frigga swiftly elaborated. "I called you 'my daughter'. I apologize if it made you uncomfortable, it was truly not my intention."

Hela's expression immediately cleared in understanding, before hesitating. "Why did you call me that?"

"Honestly? It just slipped out." Frigga smiled wryly, "It would not happen again, not until the time comes when you can let me in."

"...Let you in?"

"Indeed." Hela looked caught off guard, and Frigga smiled gently. "I know this situation was too sudden. Trust me, I talked to your Father very thoroughly for neglecting to tell you anything before we met." Odin had been sufficiently cowed after she was done with him. "But I just want to know what you think about this whole situation."

Hela shrugged, "What is there to think about? The ceremony is done and you have settled in. I understand the marriage is necessary, if that's what you meant. Vanaheim and Asgard are too valuable an alliance to lose, especially with tensions running high, so your marriage will serve as a show of good faith to both realms. Not to mention, the King needed a new Queen by his side to rule a realm as large as this after the late Queen A-Angrboda died."

Hela stumbled a bit on the last words, and Frigga understood.

"Hela, look at me please." It took a moment, but Hela soon met her gaze. "I am not trying to replace Queen Angrboda, nor do I desire to. Your mother is a most beloved Queen, well-known even in Vanaheim and throughout the Nine for her incredible beauty, competence, and those hauntingly fierce green eyes that the rumors say are the last thing you'll ever see once Angrboda's through with you. She is an amazing woman and a unique Queen, and I cannot and will not even come close to that." She held a hand out and carefully cupped her cheek, staring straight into those similarly fierce green eyes. "You have her eyes and hair. In fact, you are practically a perfect copy of her, if it weren't for your age.

"Which is why I find it hard to believe Odin will ever forget her and you. I don't think he could even if he tried."

Hela immediately stiffened and scrambled back, her eyes blown wide and her hands gripping hard at the table's edge. "That's... How did you...?"

"How did I know? I guessed, to be honest." She frowned worriedly, "I did not realize at first that you were thinking those things. That you hated me because you think Odin and I are trying to replace Queen Angrboda. You have an impressive mask, I have to admit, but you have to remember that illusions and misdirection are my specialty."

Frigga patiently waited as Hela appeared to visibly process that, until slowly, the hand clutching the edge of the table in a death grip loosened slightly. She looked oddly determined, and Frigga wonders what's running through her mind right now.

"I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt." Hela said carefully, "I want to trust you, but understand that it's only ever been my Father and I. Logically, I know this is all necessary and I know my Father cannot be expected to hold on to the past forever, but this all just happened so fast."

"And that is not your fault at all." Frigga assured her firmly, "It is only natural to feel this way about a stranger that suddenly entered you and your Father's lives. Perhaps we should have all sat down and talked about it sooner, or told you the news more gently, or even picked a better time for it, but none of those things happened and that's why I'm here now. So we can talk and settle this matter without leaving it hanging over our heads like a particularly foreboding disease. That disease will eat at our relationship unless we do something about it now." She sighed, "I would have preferred for Odin to be here, but he is simply too busy with his duties and could not spend as much time with you as I could."

And this was true. Odin had been working nonstop in order to preserve peace in the Nine. However, there were still rumors of revolts in Jotunheim, skirmishes in Vanaheim despite their marriage, and there was also the case of the rising hostility between Alfheim's Light Elves and the Dwarves in Nidavellir. On top of that, Odin was also ambitious enough to plan on starting a campaign that aims to get all beings and kingdoms of the Nine to swear fealty to Asgard and its ruler. An ambitious dream, one of which she cannot stop her husband from accomplishing no matter how much she reasoned with him.

Hela considered her words for a moment, before nodding, "In that case, I accept your apology."

Frigga immediately relaxed, "I am greatly relieved."

"Although..." The Queen tensed again, and Hela averted her gaze. "I do not really mind if you do so again."

The Queen stared for a moment, before smiling in happiness. "I understand... daughter."

She ducked her head, and Frigga smiled fondly before moving on. "Actually, there is another reason why I'm here."

Hela looked up, feeling a little uneasy from this change of topic. "Oh?"

Frigga smiled sadly at her, "Now, I understand you like to study, have been since I met you, but that also means you are neglecting your own social life."

Hela now felt the beginnings of wariness, "I am perfectly content with my current activities. You don't need to worry about me."

Frigga shook her head, "You may say that now, but that is because you do not know any better. You are still young, and already, it is as if you already carry a huge weight on your shoulders. You have not yet truly experienced having people around your age to bond with, and you never tried to play with others nor make any friends; and as such, you are missing out."

Frigga observed as Hela looked like she was suddenly struck with awareness. "I have, haven't I?" She said distantly.

"Oh Hela," Frigga watched her sadly. Was it always the fate of child prodigies to not have the urge to experience the childhood they deserve? She had heard that Vor and Mimir the Wise were the same at her age. What would have happened if Hela continued on like this? Odin certainly isn't going to notice.

After all, there are plenty of chances to be an adult, especially since they live for over five thousand years, but there is not much time to be a child.

Hela soon snapped out of it, turning to her with a grateful smile. "I understand, I will go talk to my fellow trainees tomorrow."

Frigga does not really know what Hela understood or realized, but she is glad she is able to help. With that, the Queen stood with a bright smile. "Excellent, I am sure you can find someone to befriend soon. Good luck, daughter." 

And with that, Frigga turned and left the room. Hela watched her go, before sighing.

She can't believe she forgot to make friends and connections. That's important too, if she wants to survive in this realm as a potential ruler. All this studying is definitely overloading her brain.

Well, at least it didn't prevent her from ruining Frigga's opinion about adopted children. If she somehow managed to screw this up for Loki by refusing to let Frigga call her 'daughter', then the Queen might never start treating Loki as a son, and then where would they be?

Besides, she doesn't really mind it. She would just have to grow used to it.

Mind made up, Hela resolved to find someone to talk to in the morning.

...