The Dragon King's Heart

Later that day, as it got close to evening, Kol came into the study room looking for Laina. As soon as she saw him, she knew exactly what he wanted to say. But when Kol realized that Dante was also in the room, he did not know how else to inform Laina. 

What's more, Margaret was there too. 

"Is it ready?" Laina asked Kol as she looked at him intently.

Realizing what she meant, Kol nodded immediately, "Yes, Your Highness."

Laina smiled as she gave him a nod, "I am busy at the moment," she glanced over to Dante for a moment before turning her attention back to Kol," I'll take a look at it tonight."

Kol bit his lip. It seemed like he had something to say but he did not know what to do. 

"As you wish, Princess Laina," he replied before leaving the room swiftly. 

Through mind telepathy, he whispered to her, "It's urgent, she wants to meet you immediately."

Laina jolted in her seat, surprised by Kol's telepathic message. It had been a while since he had used it to communicate with her. She was not aware the telepathic between them was still active. 

"I'll try and slip away," Laina replied Kol.

Laina got up from her seat.

"Do you need something, Your Highness?" Margaret asked immediately. 

"I just need to go and look for something," Laina fumbled with her reply.

"I can find it for you, Princess Laina, what do you need?"

"It's alright, Margaret. I won't be long," Laina replied with a smile. 

Not waiting for her handmaid to reply, Laina quickly slipped out of the room. Once she was certain Margaret was not following her, she let out a sigh of relief. She quickly made her way down the hallway and just as she was about to make a turn, she felt someone grabbing her arm. 

"Oh my goodness!" Laina yelped, "Oh Kol, it's just you. You scared me!" 

She felt as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest. When Kol realized what he had done, he quickly apologized. 

"Sorry for scaring you, Princess Laina."

"It's alright," Laina replied, "She's awake?"

Kol nodded, "She is calm and stable, which is a little odd. But she wished to see you. She…"

Kol hesitated. He did not know how to explain it.

"She what?" 

"She knows you by name," Kol explained. 

Laina widened her eyes in shock, "She knew me by name?" 

Laina and Kol headed straight for the basement. They were careful to ensure no one was following them. When they got there, Florin greeted them. As soon as the woman saw Kol and Laina, she got up from the bed. But she was clearly in pain, so Laina told her to lay back down. 

"You're still injured, it would be best for you to stay in bed," Laina suggested when she reached her bedside. 

"You saved my life, Your Highness. I am eternally in your debt," the woman said as she placed her hand over her heart. 

Laina had never seen anyone like her before. Her clothes, her hair, even the staff she carried with her. But something about her felt familiar. It took Laina a while to realize but the woman's clothing was similar to what was described in a book she had read about the Altar of the Sun. 

She was dressed in the clothes traditionally worn by those who served at the Altar. But Laina did not enquire about it. She wanted to see what the woman had to say first. 

"Kol, my bodyguard, informed me that you knew me by name? Is that true?" Laina asked. 

The woman nodded, "Yes, that is true. Under normal circumstances, I would have preferred our first meeting to be different but unfortunately, there was an unforeseen development…"

"Unforeseen development?" Laina asked in confusion. 

"Yes. Apologies, how rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself," the woman declared, "My name is Ramona, Ramona Rubirion. I am the Oracle of the Aurora Flame. Guardian of the Altar of the Sun."

"Altar of the Sun? What are the odds?" Laina exclaimed in surprise, "I've been meaning to make a trip there and you came knocking on my door."

Ramona smiled, "Yes, the flame told me of your impending arrival. I had sent my follower to come to look for you, but…"

The oracle looked to the side, her eyebrows furrowed and her expression was grim. Laina realized something terrible must have befallen the oracle. After all, they found her with a wound in her belly. Although Laina knew she had to be cautious with the person she was dealing with, she felt compelled to help. 

She knew the others might call her a fool since this could be yet another trap to get close to her. But Laina will take her chances. Laina sat down by Ramona's bedside and placed her hand over hers. 

"Tell us, what happened?" 

Ramona recounted what had happened at the Altar of the Sun. Dexerion was one of the followers of the Altar of the Sun. Both of them had been training to become the next oracle of the flame for as long as she could remember.

When it became clear Ramona was to be chosen, Dexerion was no longer a friendly rival. He grew jealous. He fought Ramona in a Fire Trial for the position of oracle. 

He lost and disappeared soon after.

"The next time I saw him, was when he launched an attack on the Altar. His plan must have been to kill me and take my place as the next Oracle," Ramona recounted as she gripped her heart. 

Despite the ordeal, Ramona was safe for the time being thanks to Laina. Furthermore, the Aurora Flame was still in her possession. It would take some time before Dexerion would be able to find Ramona. Hence, for now, she was safe. 

"You can stay here for the time being," Laina suggested, "At the very least, until you've recovered. In the meantime, we will keep a lookout for any potential threats."

Ramona was grateful for the Crown Princess's help. Since they were now in an entirely different nation, Dexerion would not dare to make any uncalculated moves. 

"Your Highness, may I ask a question?" Ramona asked. 

Laina had many questions of her own to ask Ramona, but before she could reply, Kol caught her attention. 

"Your Highness, you've been gone for a while. Will his Majesty and Lady Margaret be suspicious of where you've gone?" Kol reminded her. 

Laina got up from her seat, "You're right, I better get back there before they come looking for me."

She turned back to Ramona and reassured her, "I will answer your questions tonight. I hope you can answer a few of my own as well. For now, if you need anything, just let Kol or Florin know. Alright?"

Ramona nodded, "I will, thank you, Your Highness."

Laina went back upstairs and headed back to the study room. She brought along with her a book she picked up, just in case her handmaid questioned where she had gone. Lucky for her, neither Margaret nor Dante seemed to have sense anything was amiss.