The Dragon King's Heart

"Not as well as when I'm with you," Laina said with a beaming smile. 

As cheesy as it may have sounded, she did not mind. She meant what she said, every last word of it. 

"I, on the other hand, have never been better," Dante teased as he pretended to be pleased 

Laina furrowed her eyebrows as she punched him on the arm. The Dragon King pretended to wince in pain as he rubbed his arm where Laina had punched him. 

"Looks like Your Highness has gotten much stronger since we've last met," he added. 

Laina crossed her arms as she turned away from him as she replied, "As the future Queen, I have to get stronger to protect my people and myself. Especially when I do not have a King by my side just yet."

Dante did not let her leave his embrace for too long. He came up from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist as he leaned his head on her shoulder. 

"Perhaps you might have one soon enough," Dante whispered. 

But before Laina could get her hopes up, he continued, "As soon as you ascend to the throne, suitable candidates will present themselves."

Laina turned around and grabbed Dante by the collar as she pushed him to the wall. The Dragon King was taken by surprise. He did not know the crown princess was so determined. 

He could see the fire burning in her eyes. 

"There's only one person in the Universe that will become my King. No one else can," Laina declared in a cold serious tone of voice. 

She looked straight into Dante's eyes as she spoke. There was no mistake in her intentions. He was the only one for her. Upon realizing what she had done, Laina immediately released Dante from her grasp. 

She readjusted her collar as she did, worried she had ruined his coat collar. Dante held onto her hand with a smile. 

"I'm glad to have heard your true heart's desire, Your Highness," he said with a smile.

Laina blushed as she averted her gaze, "I… it… it was just a slip of the tongue! It seems like I've forgotten my manners."

She tried to create some distance between them but Dante would not allow it. He already had his free hand wrapped around her waist. Laina leaned on his chest, blushing beet red. 

She could hear his heart pounding in his chest. 

Just then, a knock on the door alerted both of them. Laina and Dante regained their composure, both a little shy and awkward as if they were two young lovers who were caught in an intimate moment. 

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Your Highness, but we must finish the final preparations before the ceremony begins," Margaret's muffled voice pushed through the closed door. 

Dante leaned in and gently kissed Laina on the forehead, "I look forward to seeing you become Queen, my love." 

With that, he said farewell to her and left the room to allow the maids and Margaret to re-enter. Laina was standing there, still a little dazed with her cheeks flushed. The handmaid could not help but chuckle. 

She had not seen Laina this flustered in a long time. 

Once the finishing touches were done, Margaret placed both hands on Laina's shoulders as they admired her finished look in the mirror. Margaret tucked a loose lock of Laina's hair behind her ear. 

"You look perfect," the handmaid praised her with a smile. 

"Thank you for all your help, Margaret," Laina thanked her with a smile as she placed a hand on Margaret's, "What would I do without you?"

The handmaid almost had tears in her eyes. 

"I am happy to have seen how far you've come, Your Highness. Your reign will be one of peace and joy. The people will love you," Margaret praised. 

Laina smiled in response as she looked towards the side. Her expression turned a little somber, a little worried. Margaret noticed it immediately. 

"What's wrong, Your Highness?" She was worried she might have offended Laina, "Was it something I said?"

The Crown Princess shook her head, "No, Margaret. You didn't say anything wrong."

Laina dismissed the maids from her room, only keeping Margaret by her side. Once they all left, she instructed Margaret to pull a chair and seat with her. Once Margaret did as Laina had asked, the Crown Princess took her hands into her own. 

"You've been by my side since the beginning, Margaret. Serving me as my handmaid feels like such an insignificant role for someone of your talent."

"Your Highness, Laina, I don't need an important position or a more fulfilling role than the one I have," Margaret said as she placed her hand over her heart, "Serving you, accompanying you is all I have ever wanted to do."

Laina smiled. She was extremely grateful to have Margaret by her side. The connection between was not of a princess and her handmaid. They were more like best friends, or sisters. They confide with one another, looking out for one another regardless of the situation. 

"I want you to become my personal advisor, Margaret," Laina declared. 

"Your personal advisor?" She echoed her words.

Margaret was confused. She did not understand what Laina meant.

"I want your talents to be put to better use, Margaret. You've proven your abilities time and time again," Laina explained. 

"But," Margaret protested, "I can still perform these duties as your handmaid."

The Crown Princess shook her head, "I know. But I want to free you from your maid duties. You don't have to take care of my every need. You're my best friend, Margaret, I want you by my side as my adviser when I become Queen."

Seeing how insistent Laina was, Margaret could not find a reason to protest any further. She got down on one knee. 

"I will gladly accept the position," Margaret replied with a smile.

They shared a warm embrace. 

"This calls for a celebration," Laina declared. 

Knowing that Margaret did not like a huge celebration, they agreed to have a private celebration instead.