"I was a fool and I am sorry."

Harald mumbled a few apologies under his breath, practicing them as he walked around Tamdrup. He was sure by now that he had earned more than a few looks and stares as he whispered about.

No one dared to bother or approach him though. They had all seen what would happen when some women approached him with suggestive smiles and teasing voices only to be greeted by a growl of anger.

Needless to say, King Harald was angry but he was also upset. They had seen him when he had returned to the feast and the look on his face had been terrible. It was as if his downtrodden expression emphasized, even more, the previous wounds on his face.

"King Harald!" One of the vendors called out gleefully, waving a hand from his stall.

Suppressing a sigh, Harald approached the man, clasping his shoulder. "How are you doing, Frode?"

Frode had been a traveling merchant for years until he fell for a woman in Tamdrup, leading him to settle down in Harald's kingdom. He became a vendor, specializing in different goods from all the places he has traveled to.

Harald had done business with him when purchasing some special metals for his and Halfdan's weapons. It led to them being unlikely friends.

"What has gotten you so upset, my king?" Frode asked, looking curiously at the usually gleeful man.

Knowing that Frode would understand more than most, Harald sighed out. "A girl."

The old vendor only laughed, as if he knew exactly what his king was speaking of. After all, he was known as the one to ask when it concerns matters of the heart.

He wouldn't call himself an expert but considering his long-lasting relationship and devotion to his wife, he was the best person to ask.

"A girl? Does this happen to be about the beautiful Kari Ragnardottir I've been hearing much about?" Frode mused, fixing the small statues on his shelves.

"Precisely the one. What do you think I should do?" Harald consulted, looking around at the little trinkets.

"Apologize." Frode snorted as if it was the most obvious answer.

Harald crossed his arms defensively over his chest. "What makes you think it was my fault?"

"Is it not?" Frode raised an eyebrow.

Harald relented, blowing out an annoyed breath. "Alright, it was mine but-"

Frode tutted, gently patting the younger man's chest. "Word of advice, women do not usually like to hear an excuse next to an apology. If it is your fault, own up to it, admit to your mistake. Apologize and make up for it. Don't excuse it."

"Gods, is it always this difficult?" Harald expressed his frustration, looking about ready to crush the small statuette in his grip.

"You care for her, do you not?" Frode asked, taking the small statuette from him to return it to his stall.

For a moment, Harald pondered upon it. Of course, he felt a certain affection for Kari. Meeting her in Northumbria and seeing her transform into this beautiful and brave Viking woman was quite possibly one of the best things that have ever happened to him.

Spending time with her, getting to know her, kissing her, Harald knew that he cared. Not in the distant and quite obsessive way he did with Ellisif but in a way that he knew Kari. His Kari.

Kari, who was perfect in every aspect. Take away her parentage and he knew he would still care for her immensely. Maybe even feel more for her. Not that he was ready for that discussion.

Instead, Harald gave a stiff nod. "I do."

Frode plucked a thin bracelet made from ivory and metal from his stall, dropping it into the other man's palm. "Then make it work. Here, give her this."

Harald stared down at the bracelet, looking at it dubiously. "Do you think she will forgive me with this?"

"It will certainly help." Frode shrugged, not knowing how to answer. Even after so many years of marriage, it was difficult to know how women would react to gifts.

"Thank you, Frode." Harald thanked the other man, fully prepared to march back to where he thought Kari would be.

Frode reached a hand out for the king, not letting him leave just yet. "No, that's not for free, my king. This is still a business and I have a wife to provide for."

"Of course." Harald rolled his eyes, not knowing if the man was trying to help him or trying to cheat him of some money.

"That will be five silver coins." Frode grinned, happily accepting the coins before pushing the man to move on so he could address his next customer. "Thank you, King Harald. Good luck!"

As Harald walked away with the thin chain digging into his palm and five silver coins missing from his pocket, he could only hope that Kari could forgive him. His plans were of no matter if his life was falling apart.

She was the only thing keeping him together and losing her would be like losing himself.

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Kari breathed in the fresh air, savoring the scent of the sea.

Her footsteps sounded loudly upon the wet ground as she made her way to the docks as she had these past few days.

She couldn't stand the sight of Harald but staying inside was like being a prisoner all over again. Resolved, she chose to venture outside and found a place for her to stay where she would not see him.

At the edge of the docks, joyful voices called out upon seeing her. "Kari!"

A smile made its way upon her face, greeting them with equal fervor. She was still upset, yes. Granted, she cursed the day that she would have to face him again but his actions should not hinder her from enjoying his kingdom.

His people were genuine and welcoming, reminding her of Halfdan. The thought brought a sense of longing to her. Remembering the first friend she had ever made her miss him beyond words. He would know what to say. He would know what to do about Harald.

"Hello there." Kari grinned, waving at those at the docks. "Anything I can do to help?"

One of the women shook her head, pointing her toward the edge of the seat. "Sit. I want you to try some of my new dishes."

Kari patted her stomach, letting out a groan. "More dishes? I tried them all yesterday. You're going to fatten me up."

The woman didn't respond, only shoving a dish full of dried fish at her before going off to help salt more fish.

Letting out a small laugh, she picked up a fish before letting the salted flavor melt in her mouth. She barely suppressed a satisfied sigh, enjoying the taste.

All of a sudden, she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw a little girl staring at her in wonder.

"A-are you," The little girl trailed off, her voice sounding small and shy as she twiddled with her thumbs and shifted from feet to feet.

"Hello there. What is it?" Kari asked, giving her a small smile.

Children in Northumbria didn't approach her. They often watched her from afar before their parents dragged them away by their ears. She was to be stayed away from, she had been the monster that starred in their stories.

Here, the children loved to speak to her. They asked her to tell them stories about her travels and what life was like with Christians. She was perfectly happy to comply, enjoying her time with them.

Just the previous day, they had taught her how to play their many games and what they were taught from when they were small, things like sailing, fishing, and cooking.

The little girl looked up at her hesitantly and Kari fully expected her to ask about Ragnar. Everyone seemed curious about her parentage. It was to her surprise that the little girl uttered another question.

"Y-you have such p-pretty hair. Can I b-braid it? Mama taught me well." The little girl assured her.

Kari chuckled, offering her hand to the little girl before placing it on top of her hair. "Of course, little one. I'm sure you will make it look prettier."

With a delighted squeal, the girl went on her way twining her hair into a beautiful plait before holding it into place with a small piece of leather.

Kari reached out to touch it, amazed by the little girl's talent. She was just about to compliment and thank the girl when she saw that the little one was looking elsewhere.

Turning to where the little girl was looking, she felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach. Even after not seeing him for so long, he could still affect her in ways that she could not understand.

There he was. Harald Finehair. Looking remorseful and upset, his hand clenched into fists as he slowly approached her. His gaze fell upon the little girl braiding Kari's hair and his eyes seemingly softened at seeing her with a child.

It made his mind venture into thoughts he knew that he had no right thinking, not unless Kari forgives him. With that thought in mind, he continued walking towards her as the little girl scampered off.

Everyone tried to look busy with what they are doing but in reality, their hearing was extended to the king and the woman he had brought home. Everyone wanted to hear what they were going to say to each other.

For a moment, the two only looked at each other. There was longing in his eyes while her gaze was stone-cold, no emotion passing through them.

Harald cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "You look beautiful."

Kari crossed her arms over her chest, chuckling bitterly. "That's not going to work a second time, Harald. Try again."

Looking completely and utterly lost, the man seemed to have lost his mind as he extended his hand and handed her a silver chain. "Uh, here."

She looked down at it, almost appalled at the randomness of the action. "Is this-"

"A bracelet. It's beautiful and it reminded me of you." He hurriedly explain as she took it from him. He was about to say more when she walked away to hand the bracelet to the little girl who had been braiding her hair. "What on earth was that for?! That was for you."

She stepped closer to him, placing a hand on his chest before shoving him roughly. "You've complimented me, you've tried to buy my compliance with gifts. Try again, Harald."

Kari moved to walk away, fully prepared to go into seclusion in her room if that was what it took to avoid seeing Harald ever again. His hand reached out to stop her, his fingers clasping around her wrist.

"What do you want from me, Trouble? Tell me and I will do it. I will do anything for your forgiveness. Anything." He asked desperately under his breath, trying to keep the words between them. He would do whatever she asked, anything at all.

"You say that you would do anything when not once have you ever apologized to me. For what you did. It may have been a tactic to you." She held on to his hand before moving it off her wrist gently.

"I-"

"But it was real when I got hurt. My mother loved a viking and died for it. I will not make the same mistake."

Once again, she left him there, staring at her as if she were the air he so craved yet could not touch. It was a wonder how he had not died then and there when his heart was held tightly in her grasp.

If only they knew that their pains originated from the fact that their hearts were no longer beating in their chest but with the person they thought did not feel the same way.

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Hello everyone! Thank you for being patient for this chapter wahh i was planning on updating last week but I couldn't seem to get it right but yay, finally got it!