The Dragon King's Heart

The doppelganger knelt down on her knees, "What are my orders, my mistress."

Margaret wished she did not have to use her blood magic again for this. But there was no other choice. For the time being, this would have to do.

"Puppet, you are to become Crown Princess Laina of Kinshearth. You are ill, resting in bed, and refuse to see anyone apart from your handmaiden Margaret. Understood?" Margaret instructed.

"As you wish, my mistress," the doppelgänger replied.

Margaret snapped her fingers and the doppelgänger stood up immediately. She wore Laina's sleeping garments, laid in bed, and closed her eyes. In the distance, Margaret could hear the sound of footsteps approaching.

She cleared her throat and straightened her clothes. Moments later, there was a knock on the door. Margaret walked up casually and opened the door slightly.

"Who is it?" She whispered out into the hallway.

"Lady Margaret, it is I, Esther," The maid replied.

"What is it?"

"We have received an invitation from a certain Duke who would like to meet with Crown Princess Laina," Esther explained.

Margaret sighed and shook her head, "I'm afraid the princess is under the weather today. The princess sends her apologies. She will not be able to meet with the Duke,"

"Understood, milady. Would you like me to bring some soup for the princess, Lady Margaret?"

"That would be delightful, thank you, Esther. That is all."

The maid bowed politely, turned, and left. Margaret carefully closed the door behind her. She pressed her face against the door, listening to the fading sound of footsteps. When she was certain she could no longer hear anything else, she heaved a sigh of relief.

Looking around the room, Margaret searched for the suitcase she had brought with her to Everfree. She recalled where she had placed it and quickly walked over to the oak wood wardrobe at the end of the room.

She crouched down and removed the wooden suitcase she had placed there. Margaret brought the case to the dressing table. She opened it up to reveal a few personal belongings and a dark purple drawstring pouch.

It was a spatial storage pouch that allowed her to store an infinite amount of items within it. Using a search spell, Margaret quickly found what she was looking for.

A crystal ball.

She picked it up with both hands and placed it on its stand. Margaret closed her eyes and took in a deep breath of air. She whispered incantations as a spell circle formed beneath the crystal ball.

Soon, a spiral of purple smoke appeared within the sphere. When Margaret opened her eyes, they were glowing purple.

"Reveal to me the location of what I wish to find," she whispered to the crystal ball.

Blurry images begin to appear within the crystal ball. Margaret recognized the location immediately. She cursed beneath her breath.

"I should have known," she gritted her teeth in anger.

She had expected him to make his move. But not this soon! Just then, there was a knock on the door. Margaret was jolted back to reality. She fumbled as she quickly placed the crystal ball back in her pouch and into the case.

There was another knock on the door.

"Coming!" She called out as she quickly closed the suitcase and put it back in the wardrobe.

Dusting her dress, Margaret went over to open the door. The moment she did, she was surprised to see that it was not just Esther, but there was a man with her. The expression on Esther's face was as clear as day.

This man must be the Duke. Margaret was not willing to open the door any further than the gap she already had. But the Duke was clearly trying to barge in. She was not about to let him have his way.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Margaret spoke sternly.

The intonation of her voice did not seem to bother the Duke at all. Esther was flustered, uncertain of what to do either. She bit her lip as she tried to explain the situation. She was using her small body frame to block the Duke's path as well.

"Lady Margaret, I… I did as you asked and told the Duke that the Princess has taken ill. He insisted on coming to see her himself," she explained.

Margaret understood the situation immediately. One look at the Duke and she knew who he was. Not wanting to let him have his way, Margaret swiftly stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her.

She physically obstructed the Duke's access into the room.

"Duke Harris of House Lackerwood." Margaret called out his name in full.

Finally, the Duke acknowledged her presence. He straightened his suit and cleared his throat.

"You must be Miss Margaret," he scoffed, "The maid has informed me that the crown princess has taken ill. I would like to offer her my company-"

Margaret did not wait for him to finish talking.

"Your company? Duke Lackerwood, your company?" Margaret repeated his words back to him.

The Duke was surprised by the handmaiden's attitude. This was not the way a servant should speak to a nobleman of his status.

"I beg your pardon, Miss Margaret? You better watch your tone!" He warned.

Esther was shocked by how quickly things were escalating. She slowly backed away from the Duke and handmaiden to give them more space. She did not want to be caught in the middle of their discussion that seemed to be turning into an altercation.

Margaret was livid. The Duke had not only tried to snub her by addressing her with her formal title, but he was making a scene! He was clearly crossing the line. She glared at him with a cold dark stare.

Duke Harris felt a shiver creep down his spine. But he was not afraid of a woman. He can stand his own ground.

"Watch my tone? Duke Lackerwood, I think you should be the one watching your tone. You should mind your manners too." Margaret rebutted calmly.

She did not give him a chance to defend himself either.

"You not only refused to address me by my title, but you've also barged into the Crown Princess's private property without permission; demanding to see her. I think you've embarrassed yourself enough, Lackerwood," she continued with her arms crossed.

Esther was in awe.

Duke Harris was also speechless by Margaret's accusations.

"Miss-"

"It's Lady Margaret and you better use it right or I will knock your lights out, Lackerwood," she said coldly as she tapped her fingers on her arm.

Duke Harris gulped.

He was quite certain it was not an empty threat. He wanted to formulate a reply, a comeback, but he had nothing.

His mind was blank.

Seeing as he had nothing to say, Margaret knew she had the upper hand. She took advantage of the opportunity to end their altercation.

"As I'm sure Miss Esther here has already informed you, the princess has taken ill. She needs to rest and will not be seeing anyone today. So if you'll be so kind…"

He did not even wait for her to finish her sentence. Duke Harris reached his hand towards the doorknob. Luckily, Margaret had a quick reaction time. She slapped his hand away from the doorknob immediately.

His actions had crossed the line.