The Heart’s Betrayal

Time frame: war time

For a brief moment, Ragnar and Lady Sophia stood suspended in time, locked in a gaze that seemed to communicate more than mere words ever could.

In that moment, the world around them faded away, the sounds of the pharmacy melting into nothingness. Lady Sophia could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her breaths coming in short gasps.

Lady Sophia still maintained eye contact with Ragnar, her tiny red lips gaping open. This was the first time a man had complimented her with a face as innocent as Ragnar's as if what he had just said was an undeniable fact, not a flowery compliment in the hope of winning her over.

"My lord, please excuse me, I need to use the restroom for a moment." Sophia said, breaking the silence as she mistakenly handed the basket in her hand full of medicinal ingredients to Ragnar.

Ragnar took it and looked at Sophia with a puzzled look. He nodded solemnly as Lady Sophia rushed off, her footsteps echoing through the empty alleyway.

As he turned back to examine the ingredients she had left behind. He carefully sifted through the pile, he couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. With these ingredients, what could Sophia create in the future?

Sophia rushed into the bathroom, closed the door, and locked it behind her. She let out a hysterical scream and gripped her head in frustration. How could she have gotten herself trapped in her own strategy?

Sophia had put herself in a difficult situation, pretending to make a friend with influential figures from the Gamaaloth kingdom. But things weren't going as planned, and Sophia was struggling to keep up with the feelings that kept arising.

She didn't know that Ragnar would be this adorable. She thought she would never get carried away with any feelings other than focusing on accomplishing the mission of bringing about a better future for her clan.

Feeling lost and disconnected from herself, Sophia realized the magnitude of her responsibility. She couldn't give up, because doing so would mean giving up on her clan and her sisters as well.

Sophia took a deep breath and started to think about how she could salvage her mission and save her sisters. She needed to find a way to control Ragnar, not the other way around.

Sophia couldn't understand why her heart was racing and why she felt so vulnerable around Ragnar.

He was supposed to be the one who was clueless and unprepared in this game. But instead, Sophia felt herself losing her sanity and control over the situation.

Sophia knew she had to think of a new plan to save her sisters and her clan. She couldn't let Ragnar's charm and innocent kindness deceive her.

Sophia took a few deep breaths, gathered her thoughts and began to strategize her next move. She couldn't afford to fail, and she had to stick to the mission.

As Sophia gathered her thoughts and designed her plan in the bathroom, Ragnar approached the store clerk who looked intimidated by his imposing body size.

Sophia had left her shopping list in the basket, so Ragnar took the initiative and asked the store clerk to check the list of unfulfilled items.

Despite his enormous stature, Ragnar tried to maintain his friendly demeanor and charm which was not very good.

He spent much of his time commanding on the battlefield and rarely communicated with civilians.

The store clerk was hesitant at first, but Ragnar managed to convince him to check the list of items that were still needed.

As the store clerk checked the list, Ragnar kept a close eye on the store's layout.

The shopkeeper's voice shook as he asked the question, "Are you both from the war-ravaged border of Clearport?"

Ragnar remained silent, his eyes fixed forward with no intention of confirming or denying the inquiry. Instead, he simply stood there, stoic and unmoving, conveying a sense of strength and resilience. Despite his lack of words, the shopkeeper nodded in understanding.

The shopkeeper's voice trembled as he spoke, "We... we are so grateful for the protection you have provided. All of the goods you have taken today will be given to you free of charge, as a token of our thanks, my lord."

Ragnar surveyed the abundance of goods before him before turning to the shopkeeper with a shake of his head. "You need these supplies more than we do during these uncertain times of war. Basic necessities are scarce during times of conflict, and crime rates skyrocket. If you wish to help, offer your assistance to those in the surrounding community who are in need. We will still pay for our purchases at full price." He dug into his pocket and produced a coin purse, laying several Cescil coins on the counter.

He knew all too well the desperation and hardship that came with periods of war, and he couldn't bear to take resources from those who needed them more than his party.

Accepting the shopkeeper's offer for free goods would almost feel like taking advantage of the situation, and that was not the kind of person Ragnar was.

The shopkeeper's eyes widened in awe as he spoke, "Are you from the Kingdom of Gamaaloth, my lord? It's said that King Reinald has requested your aid in defending Clearport, Cescil's last border. We would surely be lost without your protection."

He paused before continuing, "The tales and legends speak of your people, half-human and half-beast, with the strength of the gods and the size of giants. Are they true?" Ragnar's eyes flickered for a moment, considering how best to respond to the deeply ingrained and often inaccurate stories that surrounded his people.

Ragnar simply nodded in agreement, "Yes, that's who we are," he replied with a hint of weariness in his voice. He was tired of explaining his people's strengths and abilities every time someone brought it up.

He knew that the myths and legends surrounding his people were often exaggerated and distorted over time, but he saw the value in allowing them to propagate.

The more terrifying and intimidating Gamaaloth seemed to others, the better it served as a form of war propaganda.

He preferred to let the rumors stand and continue to intimidate their enemies with their reputation, rather than explaining or trying to dispel any misconceptions that others may have held.

The sincerity in the shopkeeper's voice was palpable as he spoke, "I mean no disrespect, my lord. But your behavior doesn't reflect what the legends say about your people. You are kind and generous, and your words just now showed that you truly care about us, the civilian population. May the Old God always watch over you." He bowed deeply, a mark of utmost respect for Ragnar and his party.

As Ragnar looked around him, he was surprised to see all of the customers gathering around him. They all bowed and showed him great respect, paying homage to his incredible military service.

He knew that his actions had helped to bring stability and security to the area, but he never expected to be thanked in such a way.

Ragnar was caught off guard by the sudden burst of admiration and appreciation, but he quickly regained his composure and gave a brief nod to the people, acknowledging their display of respect in a humble and dignified manner.

At the end of the hallway, Sophia smiled warmly as she watched him, admiring the kindness and sincerity that emanated from him.

There was a certain purity in his actions that couldn't be feigned or put on for show. It was innate and genuine, and it drew people to him like moths to a flame.

Sophia couldn't help

  but feel drawn to Ragnar herself, smitten by his innocent and heartfelt personality.

He was completely unaware of his own goodness and never seemed to boast about it. He was simply doing what he felt was right, regardless of the context or circumstances.

Watching him from a distance, Sophia felt her heart swell with admiration and affection. There was something truly special about Ragnar, and she couldn't help but fall for his endearing and unfaltering character.

As they finished loading the cart with their purchases and prepared to leave the apothecary, Ragnar couldn't shake off the sense of bewilderment he felt.

He couldn't quite grasp why the people of Clearport seemed to be so appreciative of his help, especially when he felt that all he was doing was logical transaction between Gamaaloth and Cescil, nothing more.

His mindset had always been tactical and focused on strategic thinking, and he struggled to relate to his role as a protector of the people. Nevertheless, the genuine gratitude and thankfulness he received from the locals made him see the impact of his team's efforts beyond just the battlefield.

It was a humbling realization for Ragnar as this was his first time interacting with civilians in wartime. He had always been at the forefront of every war as a warlord and shopping was certainly not his job.

Unbeknownst to Ragnar, the shop owner was grateful for his kind words and concern for the well-being of civilians during times of war, and appreciated the fact that he insisted on paying full price for their purchases. Sophia could tell that Ragnar was still confused, but she decided not to explain the owner's gratitude to him. Despite this, she couldn't help but smile inwardly as she watched Ragnar become increasingly puzzled.

"My lord, where did you get the Cescil currency? I saw your money bag just now, filled to the brim with money, it looks like you're a rich man." Sophia teased with sly, made-up eyes.

Ragnar raised one eyebrow. "If I were richer than your husband, would you leave your husband and be with me?"

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