Chapter 173: … and dark.

"What did you do all day?" Ragnar asked.

"Missing you," Sophia whispered teasingly, followed by a deep long sigh from Ragnar.

Sophia chuckled. She always acted innocent, though she wasn't as innocent as she seemed.

Ragnar looked at Sophia with a mix of exhaustion and attraction. "You always know how to make me feel helpless," he said, half-smiling.

Sophia laughed softly, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "That's my talent," she replied, moving closer to Ragnar.

Ragnar sighed again, this time with a note of resignation, wrapping his arms around Sophia tightly.

"Sometimes I feel like you are both my punishment and my blessing."

Sophia looked at him with eyes full of love and a bit of playfulness. "Isn't that what makes everything more interesting?" she said, her voice gentle but full of conviction.