Chapter 161: Dawn of Gods (10)

Ophelia felt a sudden stiffness take hold of her entire being, her muscles tensing as if preparing for battle. But that tension melted away as soon as Nikolai's laughter filled the air. She was acutely aware of the heat rising in her cheeks, a flush that only deepened as Nikolai's laughter echoed around them, clearly directed at her reaction. "You..." she began, her voice trailing off as she instinctively turned her face away from him, trying to hide her embarrassment. "You asked why I force my smiles." Nikolai, still smiling, tilted his head slightly, determined to catch a glimpse of her fiery red face. "Yes, I did," he confirmed, his tone gentle yet amused. "And I already know the reason." Ophelia hesitated for a moment, then allowed a small smile to break through. "Do you realize that I don't force my smiles with you?" she asked, her voice soft but steady. "I do," Nikolai replied, his voice a soothing lull, as if he had known this all along. Her smile widened as she turned back