"Hela... has finally found her own path. Although it is long and lonely, it is a great undertaking that only she can complete. On the day she returns successfully, her name will be immortalized alongside the foundations of the Nine Realms."
Queen Frigga's reaction was more emotional.
Upon learning that her second daughter was to travel to Helheim alone for hundreds of years, the Queen's eyes instantly reddened.
Marvica gently embraced her Mother, using warm, golden-red flames to soothe her sorrowful emotions.
With Marvica's patient companionship and guidance, it took Queen Frigga several days to slowly accept this fact.
She began preparing some things that might be useful for Hela. Although Helheim might not have a use for them, she still hand-stitched several thick cloaks, treated with temperature-regulating runes.
She also prepared some crystals inscribed with Asgardian poems and stories, hoping to bring a glimmer of comfort to her daughter during the long solitude.
These items were eventually sent to Helheim periodically through a special teleportation array.
After Hela left, Asgard truly entered a long and stable period of peace.
The flames of war faded, glory settled, and the Nine Realms operated smoothly under the order of Asgard.
The government affairs handled by the Golden Palace daily shifted from intense military deployments and diplomatic maneuvering to meticulous livelihood construction and cultural exchange.
Asgard seemed to have shed its iron-blooded sharpness from the days of conquest, revealing its true substance as the "Heavenly Palace."
Buildings became more magnificent, art flourished, magic research advanced by leaps and bounds, and even the pastries sold in the market had dozens of new varieties.
Marvica's life also entered a new rhythm.
Every morning, she would handle government affairs with Odin in the council chamber for two to three hours.
Odin began consciously transferring more core power to his eldest daughter: the revision of the Nine Realms Code, the allocation of resources for various galaxies, and initial contact with other civilizations in the Universe...
With her astonishing learning ability and steady judgment, Marvica quickly mastered all of this.
Many of the policies she proposed maintained Asgard's authority while also considering the practical interests of all realms, winning widespread acclaim.
Outside of government affairs, Marvica devoted all her remaining time to accompanying her Mother and caring for the growth of her two younger brothers.
The two little ones had stuck to Marvica since they started toddling.
Thor and Loki were like seedlings absorbing the sunlight and rain of Asgard, growing visibly day by day.
At one and a half years old, Thor could already wobble around the palace.
He inherited Odin's golden hair and Queen Frigga's blue eyes; his little face was chubby, and he was frighteningly energetic.
His favorite game was chasing light butterflies in the garden or trying to climb the weapon racks that were too tall for him in the training ground.
He could already clearly call out "Sister," "Mother," "Father," and... "Loki, don't run!"
He remained curious about the flames at Marvica's fingertips, but now he was no longer satisfied with just watching; he always wanted to reach out with his little hands to "grab" them, and every time, he would be made to giggle by a small, warm, non-burning flame from Marvica.
Loki's growth was quieter.
He walked a bit later than Thor, and spoke more cautiously, always observing before trying.
His hair color was black like Hela's, and his eyes were a unique, ice-blue with a hint of grey-green.
He didn't like strenuous exercise much, preferring to sit beside Queen Frigga or Marvica, listening to their stories or fiddling with some intricate mechanical toys.
He had many questions, and they were often tricky. When Thor was charging around, Loki would usually stand in a safe place, watching with an almost mature look, occasionally shaking his head.
He also liked to hide behind Marvica, secretly playing tricks on Thor with the little magic he had just learned, and would reveal a cunning smile after succeeding.
Marvica's teaching of her two younger brothers adhered to the principle of "gentle yet strict."
She was their favorite playmate.
She would take Thor "exploring" in the garden, teaching him to identify various magical plants, and would accompany Loki in playing an ancient Asgardian strategy game, patiently answering every question he had about the rules.
On clear nights, she would take the two little ones to lie on the highest terrace of the Golden Palace, pointing at the starry sky and telling the legends behind every star.
But she was also the strict teacher they feared the most.
When Thor broke a precious antique vase due to mischief, Marvica wouldn't just gently admonish him like Queen Frigga; instead, she would make him clean up the shards himself and punish him by having him recite a related ancient proverb.
When Loki tried to play a trick on a maid with a little magic spell, Marvica would immediately expose him, then tell him seriously: "Power is not for amusement or showing off superiority, Loki. Especially when your power might affect others, you must be even more cautious and respectful."
She set a regular routine for them, arranging basic physical training and knowledge learning.
Thor was active, so she guided his exercise through games; Loki liked quiet, so she stimulated his thinking with puzzles and strategic challenges.
She taught them the history of Asgard, the common knowledge of the Nine Realms, the etiquette of warriors, and... the responsibilities they should have as members of the royal family.
She would sit with them under the Apple tree and tell them stories of the Nine Realms.
She told them about the Moonlight Forest of Vanaheim, the dwarven forging techniques of Nidavellir, and the past when she fought side-by-side with Hela.
Whenever Hela was mentioned, Thor would always open his big eyes and ask: "When will sister Hela come back? I want to spar with her!"
Loki would listen quietly, a glimmer of longing flashing in his eyes.
Days flowed slowly in this fulfilling and warm rhythm.
By the time Thor was three, he could already wield a specially made small wooden hammer and "fight" convincingly on the training ground.
The straightforwardness, bravery, and desire to "become a warrior as strong as Father and Sister" in his character became increasingly distinct.
When Loki was three, he could already read simple Asgardian characters and showed extraordinary interest and Talents in magic.
Marvica began to teach him some basic flame control; Loki learned very quickly, even drawing inferences and creating some interesting little tricks.
As they grew older, the two little ones gradually developed their own thoughts.
Loki gradually realized the differences between himself and Thor; he didn't have the innate divine power that Thor had, nor the golden hair and blue eyes common among Asgardians, and occasionally when he lost control, a trace of faint frost energy would flash from his fingertips.
This made him feel confused, but he couldn't find the reason, so Loki began to become less willing to communicate too much with others.
It was also in this year that Marvica, who had seen all this, had a serious, long talk with Odin and Queen Frigga.
"Thor and Loki have begun to form their own perceptions," Marvica said, her gaze gentle yet firm.
"Regarding Loki's background... I believe it is time to tell them, especially Loki himself. He has the right to know his origins."
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