The Dragon King's Heart

That night, after making sure Dante was sound asleep, Laina sneaked back down to the basement. When she arrived, Ramona greeted her with a smile. After a few hours of rest, the oracle was feeling a lot better.

"I'm glad to see you're feeling better. What was it that you wanted to ask?" Laina asked as she took a seat.

"Actually, it is out of my curiosity. The equipment you have set up here, what is it for?"

Laina explained to Ramona what she was attempting to do. Upon hearing, the oracle offered her assistance. Laina brought her the book she had been following and explained the troubles she had encountered while trying to replicate the method.

After reading the instructions in the book, Ramona explained, "This is in fact an outdated method. There is a much simpler method of producing an elixir that would provide stronger effects.."

Lucky for them, all Ramona needed was a pen and paper to write down the ingredients needed.

"But I am curious. I don't mean to pry, Your Highness, but this elixir is not for the faint of heart. Who are you making it for?" she asked.

Laina was hesitant to reveal this information.

"If you don't mind, may I ask you a question of my own before I answer yours?" the crown princess asked.

"Of course, Your Highness."

"How did you know who I was?"

Ramona paused for a moment before she formulated her reply, "The Aurora Flame has the power to look into the future. It also communicates the will of the Flame and the Sun. The easiest way for me to explain it is that it informed me to look for you."

"To look for me?" Laina echoed the Oracle's words, "Why's that?"

Ramona took in a deep breath.

"The flame recognized your desire to seek the truth and uncover what has been hidden from you. It knows of your impending arrival to the Altar in search of these answers."

"Ah, I see…" while the oracle had answered Laina's question, it also brought up more questions in her mind.

"To answer your question…" before Laina could give her reply, Kol stopped her.

He was worried about giving the information to the oracle. What if all of this was a setup? When Ramona saw the reluctance, she understood.

"To be honest, I think I know who it is for. It's for the Dragon King, isn't it?" the oracle asked with a smile.

Laina was taken by surprise, how did she know? Ramona could see the confused expressions on their faces. As the Oracle of the Aurora Flame, and her strong affinity with fire and the sun, she had the ability to sense curses. She could sense there was someone in the mansion who was cursed.

Inferring based on the fact that the crown princess was attempting to lift the curse, she assumed it was Dante.

"I never knew the Oracle had such abilities," Laina said in surprise.

Ramona smiled, "It is one of the many I possess. But I am certain you have so many more."

Laina had a look of confusion, "Me?"

"Yes," Ramona replied.

When she realized the crown princess did not believe her, she asked to look at her hand. Laina obliged, placing her hand in Ramona's. The oracle closed her eyes as she waved her hand over Laina's.

A warm glow of the light emitted from Ramona's palm. Under it, a single flame formed before their eyes. It burnt bright red. The lines on Laina's palm glowed brightly too.

Ramona opened her eyes, her irises were glowing as she looked straight at Laina. Her lips were moving but no words came from it. After some time, the light and flame dissipated and Ramona returned to normal.

"I see," the oracle said as she continued, "Your powers have not been fully awakened, for your body is not strong enough to withstand it."

"Does that mean I'm weak?" Laina asked in disappointment.

Laina recalled the time she summoned the spiral of flame to save Colette. Those flames were unlike anything she had ever seen before. Yet it felt so familiar. The flames used up so much of her energy that it caused her to faint.

Ramona shook her head, "No you're not. How can I explain this…"

She paused in thought for a while before continuing, "Your powers are attached to your soul. Your body, at present, is not strong enough to sustain the use of your powers for long. Overexertion will also cause damage to your body."

"I see…" Laina took a while to process what the oracle was saying, "Does that mean this is… not my original body?"

Ramona was a little surprised. She had not expected Laina to come to that conclusion.

"Some people believe in reincarnation and multiple lives. Perhaps your powers were inherited from your previous life."

"Would you be able to know if I had a previous life?" Laina asked eagerly.

Ramona shook her head, "Unfortunately, no. But there is a ritual you can go through at the Altar of the Sun that might help."

Laina nodded, she understood what Ramona meant. But she still had more questions swimming in her mind. Towards the end of their conversation together, Ramona offered to help Laina with creating the elixir.

"Whose blood will you be using for it?" she asked Laina.

"My own," the crown princess replied.

Ramona hesitated for a moment as she bit her lip.

"Is something wrong?" Laina asked when she saw the oracle's expression.

Ramona explained that draining Laina's blood for the elixir could potentially weaken her body. Especially if the elixir was used indefinitely. There was no telling how much elixir they would need to produce.

"I understand. I know the risks," Laina replied with a smile.

She knew there was no other way. After everything Dante had done for her, this was the least she could do in return.

Ramona tried to reason with Laina, but Kol stepped in to stop her. He shook his head.

"You won't be able to change her mind on this. It is set in stone," Kol explained.

Ramona looked back at the princess and asked sternly, "Even if it could be fatal?"

Laina knew the consequences if she did not do so. Hence, she did not hesitate. Not even for a second.

"Even if it is fatal. I will do everything I can," Laina replied as she tightened her fists.