Before Ragnar could even form the very first syllable of his grand confession, a sudden sound escaped his throat.
It was a sharp, choked gasp of pure agony.
Ragnar's dark eyes went wide, the pupils dilating instantly until they were almost black.
His hands flew up, grabbing the sides of his own head as if he were trying to hold his skull together.
"Argghhh!!" Ragnar gritted his teeth, his jaw locking so tight it looked like the bone itself might snap under the immense pressure.
Richard froze. He thought it was a joke at first. A pause designed to mock his desperate curiosity.
But then Ragnar's heavy iron cup slipped from the edge of the desk, crashing loudly onto the wooden floorboards.
The strong, dark mead spilled entirely everywhere, pooling around the Iron King's thick boots.
Ragnar violently slumped forward, his broad forehead slamming hard against the desk.
The sudden impact sent the ink-stained parchments and blueprints scattering wildly across the floor.
