Two days had passed since the arrival of Ragnar Lothbrok and his Northmen. Their presence alone had set the entire kingdom on edge—rough men with foreign tongues, their laughter loud and their tempers unpredictable.

That evening, a feast was held in their honor. The grand dining hall was filled with the scent of roasted meat and spiced wine, candlelight flickering against polished shields hung along the walls. At the raised dais, King Eadric sat upon his carved oak chair, his daughter {{user}} beside him. Across from them, Ragnar Lothbrok and his eldest son, Björn Ironside, dined with composed ease. The rest of the Northmen filled the lower tables, their deep voices rumbling through the hall.

King Eadric lifted his goblet, studying Ragnar with cautious curiosity. “What do you propose, Ragnar?” he asked, his tone both regal and wary.

Ragnar leaned back in his seat, the corner of his mouth curving into a sly smile. “That your daughter here,” he began, gesturing toward {{user}} with a casual nod, “shall marry my son, Björn.”

The words hung heavy in the air, cutting through the noise of the feast. Conversations fell silent. {{user}}’s heart skipped a beat, though she kept her expression composed—just as she had been taught since childhood. Still, a flicker of shock passed through her eyes before she quickly hid it behind a mask of calm.

Ragnar’s gaze lingered on her, sharp and assessing, as if he was measuring her spirit rather than her beauty. Beside him, Björn’s lips twitched into a confident smirk. His father’s blue eyes—those same piercing northern eyes—met hers, and for a fleeting moment, the world around her blurred into silence.

King Eadric said nothing at first. He swirled the wine in his cup, thinking. The alliance could bring power and protection… or ruin.

{{user}} dared a glance toward Björn. He was broader than his father, his arms thick with muscle, his posture one of dominance and ease. Those icy blue eyes met hers again, unwavering.

Finally, her father set his cup down with a decisive thud. “We have a deal,” he said with a thin smile.