The Dragon King's Heart

"Your Highness, why are you so hard on yourself?" Margaret sighed as she shook her head. 

Laina had buried herself in her royal duties for some time now, even working through the night. Though she was extremely tired, she still felt fulfilled. 

"I have something planned for Colette and I want to make sure she has my full attention. No work distractions," Laina said as she flipped through the document she was reading. 

Margaret placed her hand on the document, effectively getting Laina's full attention. 

"Are you sure it's only for Colette," she asked with one eyebrow arched. 

Laina chuckled nervously, her expression gave it all away.

"Of course it's only Colette, who else do I have in my life?" Laina darted her eyes away for a moment, averting her gaze before continuing, "I mean, apart from you and Kol of course."

Kol, who was standing guard silently, joined in on the conversation, "I agree with Lady Margaret, I think there's someone else."

Margaret grinned, she had Kol's support on this matter. Laina would not be able to keep it hidden for long. She cursed beneath her breath. But she was not about to give up so easily either. 

"I don't know what you're talking about," Laina said as she leaned back in her chair. 

Margaret rolled her eyes as she folded her arms, "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

"Do you want me to shout it from the rooftops before you would admit it, Crown Princess Laina?" The handmaid threatened with a mischievous grin. 

Laina played along, "Don't you dare!" 

Margaret took in a deep breath of air. Just as she was about to speak, Laina shot up from her chair and covered her mouth with both of her hands. 

"Fine, fine! I was planning to meet Dante too, happy now?" Laina relented. 

"Hah! I knew it!" Margaret exclaimed with glee. 

Seeing how happy Margaret was when she told her the news baffled Laina a little. Margaret had always seemed to prefer Laina to be with someone else instead. So why was she so happy for her right now?

"Margaret?" 

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Are you alright with me being with Dante?" Laina asked as she bit her lip. 

Margaret looked at her. After the encounter with King Kragen, Margaret was beginning to see the situation in a different light. Though she was still worried for Laina, she did not want her to end up with someone she did not love either. 

Recalling the memories of the past, Margaret did not quite know how to reply.

"Your Highness, my opinion about who you're seeing should not matter," Margaret replied.

Laina grabbed hold of Margaret's hand, looking deep into her eyes. The handmaid was caught off guard. 

"Laina…"

"Margaret, you've been by my side for so long. I don't see you as my handmaid anymore. I see you as my friend, my best friend, my confidante. I value your opinion and I know you would do anything to keep me safe,"  Laina said as she looked intently at her. 

Moved by Laina's words, Margaret could not find the right words to say. She placed her hand on top of Laina's. How she wished she could tell her everything right here, right now. 

But she could not. 

"I do have my reservations on Dante, but I can see how happy he makes you," Margaret confessed, "As long as you're alive and well, that's all I care about."

In the spur of the moment, Margaret leaned forward and embraced Laina in her arms. She had tears welling up in her eyes but she refused to let them roll down her cheeks. 

Laina was caught off guard by Margaret's sudden hug. But she reciprocated. Despite the difference in their rank, she had always seen Margaret as her equal.

"I just want to see you happy. Happy and well," Margaret repeated those words as she tightened her hug. 

"I am, Margaret, I am," Laina reassured her, not knowing what else she could say, "To have you, Kol, and Dante by my side, has made me so happy," 

Hearing her say that, just made Margaret even more emotional. But when she realized how out-of-character her actions had been, she quickly released Laina from her hug and apologized. 

Laina shook her head as she placed her hand on Margaret's shoulder. 

"There's nothing to apologize for, Margaret." 

By the time Laina was done with her work, it was time for her afternoon court session. Though it went on for longer than she had predicted, they were able to iron out a whole list of work that needed to be done. 

At the end of the court session, Laina announced that she would be taking a break for the next few days. 

"A break, your Highness?" General Tobias asked, surprised as it was the first time he had heard of it. 

The other ministers were also deep in discussion regarding Laina's announcement. 

"Yes, I would like to spend some time away from my Royal Duties," Laina explained. 

"Did something happen, is your Highness not feeling well?" Chancellor Lucinda asked as she turned to instruct a guard, "Summon the Royal Healer at once, the Crown Princess is feeling unwell."

Laina creased her eyebrow as she let out a sigh. All she wanted to do was go on a short break so that she could spend some time with Colette and Dante. But her ministers did not seem to understand that. 

As she massaged her temple, she explained, "I am well, thank you for your concern for my wellbeing, my subjects. I merely wish to relax and spend some time with Colette. As you all know, King Dante is courting me and I wish to set aside time for us to get to know one another better as well."

She kept a careful watch on the reactions to her news. She could see some of them whispering amongst themselves. Laina knew her announcement could very well be misinterpreted since she had never addressed the rumors. 

"I have taken care of all matters up to date, so I will leave Kinshearth in your capable hands while I am on my break. That will be all for today," Laina announced before she got up from her seat and took her leave. 

Everyone got down on their knees, only to get back up on their feet after Laina had left. The ministers were deep in their conversation, wondering what would happen next. 

"This is completely unheard of! A monarch taking time off to rest?" 

"Who does she think she is? This is preposterous!"

Grand General Tobias sighed as he shook his head. He looked over to Royal Chancellor Lucinda who also had a similar expression on her face. They had witnessed how the Crown Princess managed the Kinshearth. 

While her methods were unconventional, they mostly benefited the people. Her disregard for tradition and reforms have caused a rift within the court and amongst the people. 

Tobias and Lucinda knew as soon as word got out that the Crown Princess was taking a break, discontent amongst the people would rise again. 

"My faith in the Crown Princess is wavering, General Tobias," Chancellor Lucinda sighed as she shook her head, "Who has ever heard of a ruling monarch taking a break? It's unheard of! And that child she brought back from the forest. 

We don't even know who that is and she's taking care of her as if she's her own flesh and blood. That certainly does not help the rumors!" 

Tobias bit his lip. Time and time again, the Crown Princess's actions raised questions in the hearts of her ministers. Even he, who had seen the good she had done could not help but question her actions. 

"For the sake of the Kingdom, for the unity of our people, we must do what is best," he declared, "Even if it means a revolutionary change is in order."