The Dragon King's Heart

She covered her mouth with her hand. She was so busy with all the paperwork, preparations, and future plans, she had completely forgotten about this! Laina made a mad dash back to her room. 

She rummaged through the wardrobe to find something suitable to wear. Dante leaned against the room door, watching Laina panic as chaos ensued. Dresses and clothes flew off their hangers as she tossed them behind her. Nothing seemed to fit. 

"Where's Margaret? Oh, I need her to help me with this!" Laina cried. 

She peered out of the cupboard and asked, "Could you get her for me please?"

Dante shook his head as Laina began to pout, "Why not?"

It was unlike Laina to be so frazzled most of the time. But it had been a long day, one of many in the recent weeks so he was unfazed. 

"She's not here. She went out with Marius hours ago and she's already told you she would be heading down to dinner directly."

Laina let out a cry of panic before diving back into the cupboard to search for another option. But everything did not fit right. Most of them were either too simple or extravagant for the dinner. What was she going to do? Dante, having had enough fun watching her panic, casually walked over to Laina. 

He gently tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. Laina turned over. Her expression was one of worry and distraught. Dante pats her gently on the head. 

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"Why are you smiling? So smug..." Laina pouted as she crossed her arms. 

"I think I might be able to help," Dante stepped aside and pointed towards the bed. 

Laina walked over and noticed a set of clothing that was laid out. It was the perfect outfit for the evening! At that moment, Laina realized she had worried for nothing. She had already picked out an outfit and placed it there herself in the morning. 

"It's perfect because you're the one who picked it out," Dante replied triumphantly. 

Laina's expression took many forms in those few short moments. Her look of worry turned to joy when she saw the outfit. When she realized Dante knew it all along and he watched her panic, Laina's expression turned into one of anger. 

Upon seeing the change, Dante felt a shiver down his spine. He gulped as he took a few steps back. Laina stepped forwards towards him with her curled fists. 

Dante held up his hands, "My dear... I'm I'm sorry! I just thought..."

"You just thought what?" Laina asked as she glared at him. 

He knew he messed up big time. He should have told her from the start. 

"It's just a harmless prank! Honest!" he pleaded. 

She was mad at him, but she did not have time to argue about it either. Looking out the window, Laina knew they did not have much time to get to the dinner. Picking up the dress, Laina changed into it immediately.   

She put on her heels and headed to the dressing table to fix her hair and accessories. She fiddled with the clasp of her necklace. Attempting to do so in a rush was a terrible option. 

Her hands were beginning to sweat and she could not get hold of the clasp. Dante walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around hers and took the necklace from her. 

He easily undid the clasp and placed the necklace around her neck. Laina looked at their reflections in the mirror. At that moment, her anger dissipated. 

"You look more beautiful than ever, my love," Dante whispered to her, "Especially with that smile."

Laina got up from her seat. Dante took the opportunity to wrap her in his arms. She tried to fight him but was unsuccessful. Perhaps she willingly gave up, enjoying his embrace. 

"I'm sorry for pranking you," Dante apologized. 

"I'm sorry too. I should not have reacted that way. It's my fault-"

Dante cut her off. 

"It's not your fault. You've been busy all day and it's only normal for you to forget things once in a while. 

I should have recognized that you were stressed and told you where it was."

"No no...I admit. It was a good prank. I just didn't recognize it, that's all," Laina added. 

Dante cupped Laina's face and kissed her on the lips. She deepened their kiss, savoring the moment they shared. 

"I think we should get going," Dante said as they parted lips. 

"Yes, you're right. We've kept them waiting long enough."

Since it was a special event, Laina rented out a restaurant to cater to them. Everyone was dressed in their best outfits. All the children were there too. 

"Margaret, have you seen Laina?" Neil asked as he came up upon her. 

"No, I'm afraid not," Margaret looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. 

"Don't worry, Dante is with her. She'll be fine," Marius added. 

Neil and Margaret struck up a conversation. He had been meaning to ask her a question for quite some time. But as they were extremely busy, he had not gotten the chance to do so.   

"Is it true?" Neil asked as he bit his lip, "That Laina's a princess?"

The other children around Neil heard him ask the question. They came running to his side, eager to hear Margaret's answer. She was surprised that they had caught on so quickly since more people twice their age or older don't. She turned to Marius, hoping for some advice. 

"I don't think there's any harm in telling them," he remarked. 

"That's true," and so she told them the short version of the truth. 

"She really is a princess!" one of the other children exclaimed with surprise and amazement.

"Was. Was a princess," Margaret corrected as she continued to explain, "She was supposed to be queen-"

"Queen?!" Neil gasped. 

He could not believe what he was hearing. The kindhearted woman he met who helped him and his friends turned out to be royalty. What were the odds? But the realization only raised more questions. What was Laina doing here in Luzernia? 

They knew she had come from elsewhere since she did not look or sound like anyone from Luzernia or the surrounding region. Margaret explained as best she could. 

"She was supposed to be Queen, but they found that her cousin was a better candidate. The other nobles never liked her so she decided to leave after that."

"Oh... I see... Is she upset about it?" Neil asked.

"Well," Margaret paused for a moment to ponder over the question, "Not entirely."

Laina had always lived up to her role as Crown Princess. She did not do it out of passion, it was her destiny and her duty as the successor of the throne. In fact, Margaret realized Laina seemed much more relaxed during her time here in Luzernia. 

"She worries for the people of Kinshearth.. But as long as her cousin does a good job and all is well, I don't think she minds," Margaret looked over with a smile, "Speaking of the devil, look who's here."