"Carol, that necklace around your neck—is that the Tablet of Life?" Josh stared at his daughter and asked.
"Huh? Tablet of Life? No way! This is just a normal emerald pendant, Dad. You're overthinking it!" Carol quickly tried to explain.
"Overthinking? I only asked if it was the Tablet of Life—I didn't say anything else, my dear daughter." Josh rolled his eyes.
Great. My clever daughter just exposed herself with one question… He couldn't help but feel frustrated. His sweet little girl had been "bitten by the wolf" without him even knowing it.
Nice move, Thor. Couldn't wait for your destined lover to be born, so you went after my daughter instead, huh?
She's not even sixteen yet! Let's see if I don't beat you half to death!
Strangely, Josh didn't suspect Loki first. His number one suspect was Thor.
First, Thor had a "history"—Jane Foster. Even though that relationship hadn't happened yet in this timeline, it was still something to think about.
Second, Loki was more indifferent when it came to love. The only time he really liked someone, it was… another version of himself from a different universe.
And third, Josh didn't believe Odin would hand something as precious as the Tablet of Life—a treasure stored in his vault—to Loki, who was adopted.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Carol panicked, quickly ended the call, and disappeared from the screen.
Josh didn't press further. Instead, he began to think hard—how could he take care of Thor without Odin flipping out… or his daughter getting mad at him?
"What are you thinking about?" Margaret asked as Josh returned to the bedroom. She had just finished crafting an arcane crystal and immediately noticed something was on his mind.
"Carol is in a relationship. Did you know?" Josh asked very seriously.
"Oh? So you finally noticed? That took you long enough," Margaret said calmly, much to Josh's surprise.
"You knew already?" Josh instantly caught the real problem.
"Of course. I raised her, didn't I? You think I wouldn't know?" Margaret rolled her eyes.
"Then why didn't you tell me?" Josh asked, sounding a little annoyed.
"Why would I? It's her private matter. Just something between us girls. Or are you going to act like some old-school emperor and try to arrange a marriage for her?" Margaret teased.
"What?! Of course not!" Josh snapped. "Come on, with the power and influence I have now, why would I need some marriage alliance?"
"Exactly." Margaret shrugged.
"But she's not even sixteen yet!" Josh was getting worked up.
"Oh, please, Josh. She's almost sixteen—and she's a queen. Just dating someone at that age is nothing. Back in the day, girls like Catherine the Great or Empress Sisi were already married by then. Even Queen Elizabeth of the Commonwealth made a promise to Philip when she was just thirteen." Margaret casually listed a few examples. "And the guy's a prince. I think he's just barely worthy of being our son-in-law."
"They… they're not the same as Carol…" Josh tried to argue, but he couldn't think of a good comeback.
Since when did Thor get so slick? Even the future mother-in-law is on his side?
"What, you don't like him? I thought you really valued him. You went to great lengths to bring him under control," Margaret said with a sideways glance.
"Wait, hold on… what are you talking about? When did I ever bring him under control?" Josh looked completely lost.
"When we were on vacation in space. You gave him gifts, took him on missions—wasn't that because you appreciated his talent?" Margaret said, puzzled.
"Sh*t… Are you saying the one dating Carol is Loki, that sneaky brat?" Josh's eyes widened in shock.
"Who else did you think it was? Thor, that big brute? Please. Carol would never fall for someone like him…" Margaret realized Josh had misunderstood and frowned as she explained.
"Damn it. I'd honestly prefer it if she liked Thor! At least he's the real heir to Asgard's throne! But Loki? He's just a cunning orphan Odin picked up—how is he worthy of Carol?" The realization that his daughter had fallen for Loki sent Josh's blood pressure through the roof.
"Josh! Since when did you become so shallow? With the power and status we have now, do things like 'family background' even matter anymore?" Margaret looked confused by Josh's strong reaction.
"You don't understand… that guy Loki…" Josh didn't even know how to explain. It wasn't just about where Loki came from.
"Sure, sure. I don't understand anything," Margaret rolled her eyes. "But I do know one thing—if you try to mess with Carol's love life, she might end up hating you forever… and her forever isn't some short, human lifespan either."
Josh went completely silent.
He knew the truth—he hadn't been a very present or attentive father. He rarely got involved in his kids' emotions or personal lives.
That's why, compared to him, all three kids were always closer to Margaret.
But he also knew all three of them were very stubborn deep down.
If he really interfered with Carol and Loki, things could end up just like Odin and Hela—father and daughter turning against each other.
Just picturing Carol turning into someone like Hela—a dark, gothic warlord—made Josh shiver.
No way. He couldn't accept that.
But asking him to accept Loki as his son-in-law? That sly little troublemaker who always gave his father headaches? That was hard to swallow too.
There has to be a better solution… Josh thought deeply.
Margaret, watching him get lost in thought, just shook her head helplessly.
Now he suddenly cares about his daughter? Where was this energy before?
Still, she didn't stay idle. While Josh was distracted, she secretly sent Carol a message.
Meanwhile, in the Schönbrunn Palace bedroom, Carol was still nervous about the video call with her dad.
Then Margaret's message arrived.
As soon as she read it, a look of worry spread across Carol's face.
Without hesitation, she pulled out the communication device Loki had given her.
Moments later, a magical projection of Loki appeared before her.
"What's so urgent, my queen?" Loki asked with a smirk.
"Loki… I'm sorry. My father… he knows about us now," Carol said apologetically.
As soon as she said it, Loki's expression turned greener than the suit he always wore.
So… the day had come. Sooner than expected.
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