You dare to threaten the king?

The air crackled with an unspoken tension, each moment pregnant with the weight of their recent confrontation.

Sophia met his gaze squarely, her own eyes reflecting a mix of defiance and remorse. "I had no choice. I couldn't let you leave without me," she replied, her voice steady and no regret.

Ragnar's jaw clenched, his hands balling into fists at his sides as he struggled to contain his emotions. "You could have put me and Ymat in grave danger! Do you realize that?" he exclaimed, his voice rising with each word.

Sophia's voice rose sternly, cutting through the tension-filled air. "It wouldn't have been dangerous if you had heeded my call and not acted against it!" Her words echoed with authority, causing Sophia to startle at the sound of her own voice.

Realizing the gravity of her actions, Sophia quickly covered her mouth, her eyes widening with a mixture of surprise and guilt. She turned to Ragnar, her expression reflecting her remorse.