Asgard - Royal Chambers
"Loki..." Odin's voice was heavy with concern.
"Don't worry, I've calmed Loki down," Queen Frigga said softly, reassuring her husband. "You can rest and recover during this time. Although Loki is not my biological son, I raised him myself. Maybe this incident hit him hard, but I believe he will overcome this psychological barrier."
Hearing Queen Frigga's words, Odin sighed. "I hope so."
Holding her husband's hand, Queen Frigga smiled gently. "Although he has always been jealous of Thor, it's because you have favored Thor too much over the years, neglecting Loki. I know you have always loved Loki deep down, but sometimes a father's love is different from a mother's. It's like how a lack of a mother's love can't be filled by a father's, and vice versa."
"But it's okay. Loki is our son. Although he always likes to be mischievous and play tricks, his nature is not bad. Even knowing he is not our biological child, I still want to believe he will make the right choice!"
Well, in the eyes of every mother, her children are all good at heart, just a bit more "mischievous."
Hearing what Frigga said, the worry in Odin's eyes couldn't be dispelled. He wholeheartedly wanted to train his most valued eldest... no, second son to become a qualified king of Asgard. But Thor had inherited a militant and arrogant character from his youth. These were not the qualities a qualified king should have at all.
If he hadn't listened to his Queen's persuasion and devised a plan to exile Thor to Earth, he wouldn't have known that Thor, at this moment, lacked the ability to inherit his throne. Once he entered the Eternal Sleep, the Odinsleep, and Asgard was led by the warlike and reckless Thor, it would surely head toward the abyss.
His younger son, whom he had long neglected, was smarter but preferred to use clever tricks. If he didn't experience some "heavy" lessons, he would never develop the quality of tenacity. This long-term neglect, or perhaps favoritism, had gradually unbalanced Loki's mentality.
Perhaps, this time, by pretending to fall into the Odinsleep and entering the Eternal Sleep early, exiling Thor, and letting Loki take charge of Asgard for him, it could also serve as an "experience" for Loki. But now, Loki had discovered the truth that he was not their biological son. Odin couldn't imagine what mistakes Loki might make in his frustration. This was what worried him the most!
Besides his eldest daughter, Hela, whom he deeply regretted at this moment... she was once the first in line to the throne of Asgard. Perhaps she was a qualified king, but judging from how he had raised his three children, he was definitely not a qualified father.
"Don't worry so much," Frigga said gently, holding her husband's hand, a soft smile on her face. "Use this time to recuperate so the Eternal Sleep comes as late as possible. Thor's exile to Earth this time will be difficult, even painful. But I believe he will mature and learn to see things from a 'human' perspective, not a 'god's' perspective."
"As for Loki, he is a good boy. All he seeks is your approval and love."
Hearing Frigga's words, Odin gradually closed his eyes. Frigga was the mother of Thor and Loki, so she should understand her two sons best. With her here, he didn't need to worry too much about whether Thor would grow or if Loki would make mistakes. Perhaps he should have left the upbringing of the two children to Frigga long ago.
He should also rest for a while. Otherwise, by the time he entered the Odinsleep, it would be the moment Hela broke her seal and returned. He had to wait until Thor fully matured. Otherwise, it would be a disaster for the Nine Realms!
Watching Odin close his eyes and begin to restore his body with divine power, the gentle smile remained on Frigga's face, but a hint of sadness flickered deep in her eyes.
Yes, Thor being stripped of his divine power and exiled to Earth this time was a plan she had persuaded her husband Odin to carry out.
She hoped the owner of that black and gold diary, that young man named Su Che, and the things he recorded about parallel worlds were real and could complement this universe.
Earth - Peach Blossom Grove Café, Same Time
"I don't think so," Steve said, watching the live news conference broadcast on TV. He shrugged. "Although Tony, like his father, likes to show off, he probably won't just announce that he is the Iron Man from last night. After all, Pepper said when she came that S.H.I.E.L.D. sent someone to contact her, hoping to tell Tony through her not to admit it. They even prepared reasons for him. So I don't think Tony is going to announce in front of the media that he's Iron Man!"
Looking at Steve, who was very confident yet still retained the habit of obeying orders from seventy years ago, Su Che put down his coffee cup and smiled.
"The refrigerator in my room is empty, only a few bottles of soda are left. So, do you want to make a bet? Why don't we bet on something else?"
Hearing what Su Che said, Steve hesitated a bit. "After all, you are only nineteen years old in this world, and you aren't legally allowed to drink alcohol yet."
Facing Su Che's gaze, Steve smiled and raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, don't mention that. Then let's use this as a bet. If I lose, I'll go buy a lot of beer to fill your refrigerator! But if I win, Su, I hope you can accompany me to a place."
Looking at Su Che, Steve smiled seriously. "Although I really want to see her, I can't make up my mind. After all, I can't imagine what I would say when I appear in front of her. I'm not even sure if she's okay, or if she would want to see an idiot who is seventy years late!"
"Deal!"
Looking at Steve, who was full of hope, expectation, and inner conflict, Su Che stretched out his fist and lightly bumped Steve's.
Anyway, I'm going to win this bet. If Tony Stark doesn't announce in front of those media that he is Iron Man... well, then he's not Tony Stark anymore!