{Chapter: 344 The Soldiers' Opposition}
The soft glow of dawn spilled through the curtains like a whisper, bathing the room in warm light. Sif stirred slightly, blinking as her vision adjusted. Her head felt heavy, resting against something warm and firm.
Slowly, the realization dawned—her cheek was nestled on William's bare arm.
Eyes widening, she froze. Her gaze drifted sideways, and sure enough, there he was—sleeping peacefully, his face irritatingly calm, almost... handsome. Her breath hitched as she realized neither of them had any clothing on. The cool morning air brushing her bare skin only heightened her discomfort.
Memories returned in fragments.
Last night, William had stripped her of her armor and clothes—though not out of passion. She'd fainted, overwhelmed by fury and helplessness. Nothing more had happened. But the intimacy of waking like this—naked, vulnerable—set her blood on fire.
On William's other side, Jane was curled up, her lips curved into a small, content smile. Every so often she murmured in her sleep and gave a soft smack of her lips, clearly dreaming something sweet.
Sif's chest tightened with irritation and something else—something sharp and uncomfortable.
She turned her gaze back to William, silently fuming. 'Why does he look so peaceful? So... annoyingly serene?' Her grip on her emotions slipped for a moment. 'What am I thinking? Now is the perfect time. End this farce while I still have my pride.'
Moving with calculated silence, Sif slid a slender dagger from beneath the blanket. A glint of steel flashed in the morning light. Her eyes burned with cruel purpose.
"William," she whispered bitterly, "this ends now."
She plunged the blade downward—but before steel met flesh, a strong hand caught her wrist mid-strike.
Without even fully opening his eyes, William murmured, "Trying to kill me again first thing in the morning? You're as predictable as you are fierce."
"Die!" Sif hissed, struggling, her limbs twisting in frustration. Their bare skin slid against each other as they grappled. Despite the anger blazing in her, her body betrayed her with heated awareness.
The bed creaked beneath the chaos.
Jane sat up abruptly, rubbing her eyes groggily. "Ugh... seriously? Can't a girl get one peaceful morning without you two sparring?"
William shifted swiftly, flipping Sif beneath him with the ease of someone well-versed in combat. Now straddling her back, he pinned her effortlessly. "Go back to sleep, Jane," he said, voice low with teasing menace. "I need to teach this rebellious goddess a lesson."
Jane groaned and flopped back down, covering her face. "You're all naked! Why are we all naked? This is so inappropriate."
"You're not exactly dressed either," William pointed out with a smirk.
Jane flushed, pulling the blanket up over herself. "That's your fault! You're the one who undressed me."
William grinned wickedly. "So you could sleep better. No armor, no tension. Just dreams."
"Ugh, you are impossible," she muttered, but her voice carried a note of affection even in exasperation.
Sif struggled beneath him, snarling. "Get off me, brute!"
William leaned in closer, his breath brushing against her ear. "Still trying to kill your husband before breakfast? That's no way to build a marriage."
"Disgusting," Sif spat, though her voice quivered. "Don't touch me."
He sat up slightly. "Alright, no touching. But a little punishment is necessary. You did try to murder me."
"Punishment?" Jane asked warily, peeking from under the blanket. "Will, don't go overboard."
"I'm always fair," William said innocently, though his tone betrayed mischief. "Just a few spanks for treason."
Sif froze. "You wouldn't dare."
Snap!
His palm met her ass, eliciting a startled jolt from her. Her face went redder than a fire demon's cloak.
"You arrogant—!"
Snap!
"Lesson one," William said cheerfully, "attempted murder gets you morning discipline. Lesson two... well, we'll get there."
Sif's voice trembled with indignation and humiliation. "You—this is beneath me! I am a shieldmaiden of Asgard!"
"And I," William said, eyes gleaming, "am the man who keeps you from doing something stupid."
Jane, now sitting up with the blanket wrapped around her, couldn't help but stare. "It's... it's jiggling."
"Don't look at it!" Sif snapped, hiding her face in the mattress.
Jane covered her face, torn between laughing and crying. "Will, this really is too much. You're tormenting her."
"I'd never torment. I correct. Big difference," William said smoothly. Then, glancing at Jane, his voice softened, "But if you think I've gone too far, I'll stop."
Jane's heart skipped. Even with his teasing cruelty, there was something endearing about how he always cared what she thought. "I know you're not trying to hurt her. But maybe… less smacking, more talking?"
Sif gritted her teeth. "William... just kill me already."
He looked down at her, expression turning almost gentle. "Don't say that. Not even as a joke."
Her voice was low, bitter. "Then what? Keep humiliating me until I break?"
William looked at her seriously. "Or until you realize you don't hate me nearly as much as you pretend to."
There was a silence. Sif's face was hidden in shadows, but her clenched fists slowly loosened.
"Fine," she muttered. "If I can't kill you... then I'll marry you."
Jane blinked. "Wait. That escalated fast. What?"
Sif sat up slowly, glaring at William. "I'll marry him. Then I'll find his weakness. And then I'll kill him with full rights as a bride."
Jane blinked again. "That logic makes no sense."
William laughed and pulled Jane close. "It doesn't have to. As long as the end result is me, surrounded by two strong, beautiful women, I'm content."
Sif crossed her arms and scowled. "This isn't over."
William grinned. "It never is, Sif. That's what makes it exciting."
And Jane, pressed to his side, leaned her head on his shoulder. "Just… try not to destroy each other before breakfast, okay?"
---
In the Grand Palace Hall of Asgard
Sunlight streamed through the towering stained-glass windows of Asgard's golden palace, casting colored light across the marbled floor. Odin All-Father sat with dignity upon the throne, his one eye sharp with wisdom and timeless authority. Beside him, Frigga remained silent, her gaze calm but attentive. Across the chamber stood three figures — William, Sif, and Jane.
Odin's voice echoed through the vaulted hall, deep and commanding. "William. Sif. What matter brings you before the throne today?"
William stepped forward with his usual self-assured grin, eyes gleaming with mischief barely contained. "All-Father, the reason is simple. Sif has agreed to marry me."
A hush swept through the hall like a winter breeze. Even Thor, standing near the base of the dais, blinked in disbelief. His hammer hung loosely by his side.
Jane, standing beside William, tilted her head slightly. "Did he have to say it like that?" she whispered to herself.
"Sif…" Odin's eye narrowed slightly as he looked to the warrior maiden. "Is this true?"
Sif held her chin high, but her expression was strained, as if a storm churned just beneath her calm surface. "Yes, All-Father," she said slowly. "I have agreed to marry him."
Odin nodded solemnly. "If this is your mutual will, I shall not oppose it. Your union may bring stability — and peace. That, in itself, is a gift."
Thor's face twisted in confusion. He stepped forward, unable to hold his tongue. "Sif, this isn't necessary. You don't have to go through with this. No one is asking for this sacrifice."
"I am not sacrificing anything," Sif replied, her voice steely but soft. "This is my decision. I am not a woman to be pitied."
"But—" Thor tried again.
She offered him a faint, almost sorrowful smile. "If you truly care for me, Thor, then give me your blessing."
Jane leaned closer to William and whispered, "This feels wrong. She looks like someone walking into battle."
"Does she?" William replied with a smirk, his voice low and warm. "I think she looks beautiful."
Jane narrowed her eyes. "You really are a heartless flirt."
"I'm romantic," William countered, brushing a finger gently against her hand. "Just not the traditional kind."
Jane rolled her eyes, but the slight blush on her cheeks betrayed her affection. Despite her sharp words, her gaze lingered on William, soft with unspoken devotion. He gave her a wink — the kind that always melted her resolve.
But the atmosphere turned quickly.
A voice shouted from the entryway. "We do not agree!"
Several Asgardian warriors marched into the hall, armor gleaming, eyes fierce with resolve. They moved as one — proud, battle-hardened sons of Asgard.
Odin's voice rang out like thunder. "What is the meaning of this? Do you challenge the will of your king?"
One of the warriors, bold and unflinching, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, forgive our insolence. We speak not from rebellion, but from loyalty — to Asgard, to our people, and to Lady Sif."
Odin's gaze grew cold. "You would question her decision?"
"It is not her we doubt," the warrior said. "It is him. That man—William—is not of us. His past is stained. He's dangerous. He may have earned your pardon, but we cannot let our Valkyrie marry a man like that. We stand united — we do not consent to this marriage."
William's brow arched, but his smile remained. He glanced sideways at Sif and said with mock amusement, "You certainly have a fan club. You didn't tell me Asgard was full of jealous suitors."
Sif scoffed, arms crossed, but didn't deny it. "That's not my concern. I agreed to marry you. If you want to survive the wedding, prove you're worthy."
William chuckled darkly. "Worthy? You sound like your hammer-wielding friend."
"She's serious," Thor muttered, eyeing William warily. "Don't underestimate them."
The warrior spoke again, voice firm. "If you wish to have Lady Sif, prove it in battle. Face us, all of us. Only then will we accept this farce."
William stretched his shoulders and stepped forward, his tone now low and dangerous. "So it's a fight you want? Then it's a fight you'll get."
Sif met his eyes — fierce, cold, but with something deeper buried in their depths. Pain? Conflict? Longing? Whatever it was, it made her heart twist. She hated him — his arrogance, his smile, his touch. But the memory of his hand on her back, his breath against her neck… It unsettled her more than any battlefield ever had.
"If you lose," she said quietly, "I'll kill you myself."
William grinned. "That's my Sif. Always so affectionate."
Jane exhaled in exasperation. "You two are going to kill each other."
William glanced back at her, softer this time. "Not today. Not before I see what kind of wedding dress you'd look good in, Jane."
She smiled despite herself. "You idiot. You'd better not die."
Odin raised his spear, silencing the room. "Then it shall be so. A trial of strength. Let the warrior's hearts decide the truth of this union. May the gods above watch over you all."
The hall buzzed with tension. Outside, the sky began to darken, as if even the heavens anticipated the coming storm.