{Chapter: 341 Let My Sister Go}
Lady Sif stood firm, her eyes burning with fury and something far more conflicted as she glared at William. "All-Father," she said through clenched teeth, "even if you choose to forgive this man… I never will. And I would rather die than be bound to him in marriage."
She turned, her long dark hair whipping through the air as she shot William a look filled with hatred—and something deeper, perhaps once buried admiration or regret. Without another word, Sif turned and flew away on her winged steed, her departure swift and final.
William tilted his head, smiling faintly. "That's really a heartbreaking tale… for her."
Odin let out a slow sigh. "Even as king, I must respect personal will. Sif has spoken clearly. If she chooses not to marry you, I cannot—and will not—force her."
William's tone remained unbothered. "It's not a loss. Time changes hearts, and I'm not exactly short on charm. I have faith that she'll come around."
Odin raised a brow. "Then it seems you intend to remain in Asgard a while longer?"
"I might linger," William replied with a shrug. "Surely I'm not unwelcome?"
"Unwelcome?" Odin's voice remained neutral. "As long as you don't bring ruin, no one in Asgard will lay a hand on you. You walk under my protection… for now."
"Then we're in agreement." William's eyes gleamed as he slipped an arm around Jane, pulling her closer. "Well then, if there's no more drama, I'll be taking some time to enjoy the view."
With a smile and a playful wink to Odin, William vanished with Jane in a flash of light, teleporting from the court.
The golden hall was quiet for a long moment. Then Thor stepped forward, his voice low and tense. "Father… this is dangerous. You're letting a known threat walk freely in our realm."
Odin didn't flinch. "And what would you suggest? That we challenge him and bring ruin to our gates again? You saw what he did last time."
"We are warriors of Asgard! How can we defend the realms if we cower before one man?"
"To eliminate an enemy," Odin replied calmly, "is one way. But to change an enemy… that is the wiser path."
Loki, standing at the edge of the court with his arms folded, chuckled darkly. "How noble. And what about me, dear father? Your prodigal enemy? How shall I be redeemed?"
Odin's gaze hardened. "You, Loki, committed treason and caused the deaths of many. Were it not for your mother's pleas, I would have cast you to the void. Instead, you will remain in the dungeons—for the rest of your days."
Loki smirked bitterly. "How poetic. The invader is forgiven, the adopted son condemned. Power truly is the only justice in this realm." He turned with a sweeping bow. "Do carry on, Father of Mercy."
"Guards," Odin said coldly, "take him away."
---
Meanwhile, in the heart of the city, William and Jane strolled hand in hand through the majestic streets of Asgard. The towers of golden architecture shimmered under the ethereal light, and the air carried the soft scent of otherworldly blossoms.
"This place… it's incredible," Jane whispered, her eyes wide with wonder. "I think I'm the first human to walk these streets."
William smirked. "Correction: I was the first. You're second."
"You're barely human anymore," Jane teased, elbowing him gently. "You're more like a walking apocalypse in a pretty face."
"I'll take that as a compliment." He pulled her closer, brushing her cheek with his fingers. "Besides, I didn't just come here to stroll. I came to claim a bride."
Jane blushed, her voice quiet. "And not me, apparently…"
He stopped walking, turning to her with a mischievous smile and a serious gaze beneath. "Don't be jealous. You're not just a bride—you're the bride. I don't propose to you, Jane. I marry you."
Her heart fluttered. "That was… unexpectedly romantic, for a lunatic."
He leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. "Only lunatic for you."
Jane smiled, her expression soft. "So, what really happened between you and Sif?"
"Nothing much," William said with exaggerated innocence. "I may have… accidentally walked in while she was bathing."
"You what?" Jane stared at him in disbelief.
"I said accidentally," he emphasized with a grin.
"You're such a jerk," she said, half-laughing, half-exasperated. "If I were Sif, I would've skewered you with her sword."
"She tried," William said. "Twice. And missed both times."
"Still alive, then?" Jane said playfully.
He nodded. "Regretfully for her. Luckily for you."
Jane rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the affection in her smile. "You're impossible."
They continued walking, and Jane eventually noticed how empty the streets were. "Have you realized that everyone avoids us like we're contagious?"
"That's not fear," William said, "that's PTSD. I left quite an impression during our last… disagreement."
"Traumatizing an entire realm. Quite the legacy."
"I prefer the term unforgettable."
Jane laughed lightly, then her tone shifted. "But seriously… the Aether inside me. What if it's dangerous? What if it brings the dark elves here?"
William's expression darkened slightly, though he still held her hand gently. "It will. They'll come. They'll want it. And they'll bring destruction with them."
She swallowed hard. "And Asgard will suffer."
He turned to her, cupping her cheek. "Then let them come. I'll burn them all for you."
Her eyes shimmered, and for a moment, the war, the tension, the universe—it all disappeared.
She leaned into him. "I love you."
He smiled. "I know."
Jane said with exasperation, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear as they walked side by side, "Honestly, I don't care if it's dark elves or cosmic storms. You brought me here, so you're responsible for keeping me safe."
William gave her a soft, sideways smile and slid his fingers between hers, holding her hand warmly. "Of course. Your safety comes before everything else. I swear it on the stars."
Jane looked up at him, her expression softening. She knew his words weren't empty; he had always placed her above himself, even when it cost him. "Good. Because I'd rather not become a cosmic casualty just because I'm dating the universe's most charming troublemaker."
He chuckled. "Charming? I'll take that as a compliment."
Jane opened her mouth to respond but paused, her gaze narrowing as she looked toward the far end of the stone-paved street. "Uh-oh… Someone's waiting for you."
At the edge of the plaza stood Sif, clad in full armor, the light catching the edge of her polished blade as her long dark hair stirred in the wind. Her expression was cold, her posture tense.
"Looks like someone's here to make a scene," Jane said, raising a brow. "That's not a friendly look."
William squinted ahead and grinned. "Well, if it isn't the Goddess of War, Lady Sif herself. Did she come all the way down here just to see little ol' me? I'm flattered."
Sif's voice rang out sharp and clear across the plaza. "William."
He raised a hand in casual greeting. "Lady Sif! Been a while. You're looking—intense."
"I came here to make a clean break with you," Sif said, her voice full of restrained fury. "The All-Father may have shown mercy, but I am not so forgiving. The dishonor you've brought to Asgard cannot be overlooked. Only one of us leaves this street standing."
She slowly unsheathed her sword, the metal singing as it left its scabbard. Her eyes burned with fury—and something else deeper, more turbulent.
Jane stepped to the side and crossed her arms, glancing between the two. "Well, this escalated fast. What's the plan, Romeo?"
William sighed theatrically and held out his arms. "Sif, really now? I admit, I might've peeked while you were bathing. And sure, maybe I fell asleep in your bed… next to you. But can't we move past that?"
"Shut your mouth!" Sif shouted, her face reddening with both fury and embarrassment. With a battle cry, she rushed toward him, sword raised high.
William's smile didn't falter. With two fingers, he effortlessly caught her blade mid-swing, stopping it inches from his chest.
"Sif," he said gently, "I don't want to hurt you. But you know this fight is pointless. You can't win."
Gritting her teeth, Sif yanked at her sword, trying to free it. "Don't underestimate me!"
He stepped back lightly, letting go of the blade. "Far be it from me to insult a warrior of your caliber."
With a fierce yell, Sif launched a flurry of strikes, each one faster than the last. But William danced around them, light as a feather, his body always just out of reach.
"You're mocking me!" Sif snapped, frustration mounting as her blade carved the air but never found flesh. "Stop dodging and fight me like a real man!"
William's smirk curled wickedly. "You sure about that? If I fight back, you might get hurt—or worse… fall for me."
"Never!" she spat, slashing forward.
With a flash of movement, William caught her sword mid-strike and snapped it in two.
The sharp crack of breaking Asgardian steel echoed through the plaza.
Sif stumbled forward, off balance from the sudden break. Before she could recover, William stepped in and caught her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Not very dignified, I admit," he said playfully, holding her close. "But I'm nothing if not gallant."
"Let me go! Don't touch me!" Sif thrashed against him, her fists pounding his chest, but William didn't budge. Her eyes were wild with fury… and beneath it, confusion. Her breathing hitched—not from rage alone.
"You came to kill me," William murmured near her ear, his voice low. "But look at you… You're shaking. Still torn, aren't you?"
Sif froze for a fraction of a second, her heart thudding against his chest. "I hate you…"
"But a part of you once liked me. Maybe still does." William's voice was calm but piercing, peeling back the layers she tried to bury. "You hate me because you cared."
From the sidelines, Jane crossed her arms and tilted her head. "This again? Honestly, William, is there any woman in the Nine Realms you haven't emotionally compromised?"
William didn't look away from Sif, though he chuckled softly. "Jane, you wound me. There are very few women who hold my heart now."
Jane's expression harden, a small smile forming. She had always known how many walls he kept around himself—walls she had slowly helped bring down. "Good answer. Because if you break mine, I'll be worse than Sif."
"Duly noted," he said, gently releasing Sif.
The Asgardian warrior staggered back, humiliated and breathless, her pride aching worse than her body.
"You think this is over?" she hissed, glaring at him. "One day, I will cut you down."
"Maybe," William said, eyes twinkling. "But I hope when that day comes, you won't be trying to hide how much you once wanted to kiss me."
Sif's eyes flashed, her lip twitching with a mix of rage and shame. She turned sharply—
A booming voice echoed across the square.
"Let go of my sister!"
Everyone turned. A tall, broad-shouldered Asgardian warrior approached, his steps heavy with righteous fury.
William sighed. "Oh great. Now it's a family affair."
Jane leaned close to William and whispered, "Just once, can we go somewhere without starting a war?"
He gave her a loving smile and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Where's the fun in that?"