Chapter 65: Mourning is not a sin.

Ragnar glanced over at Sophia, a sense of her words piercing him deeply. He wondered if Sophia had somehow noticed the countless tears he had silently let fall beside her deathbed over the past year. Did she understand the depth of his sorrow, the weight of his quiet vigil by her side?

======

Ragnar and Sophia descended gracefully onto the grounds of Pearslea Keep Castle, where Qedren awaited her arrival with palpable excitement.

The emerald dragon bounded around Sophia, emitting joyful shrieks of delight.

As Qedren's sharp snout neared Sophia, Ragnar's hand swiftly intervened, gently guiding Qedren away to prevent any accidental harm to Sophia.

"Easy there, Qedren," Ragnar murmured, his voice calm but tinged with concern as he carefully directed the dragon's exuberance.

Sophia's eyes met Ragnar's arm, which shielded her instinctively. "Easy… easy…,"