The Dragon King's Heart

"That is correct," she replied.

Everyone erupted in conversation and gossip. They were floored. The Duchess got up from her seat and walked down the steps.

"I happen to know the other two owners of the diamonds as well," she declared.

The store manager turned to the Duchess, "Duchess Ophelia, please share with us who they are."

He must have been hoping the information would prove Laina was a thief and not the rightful owner of the diamond. Perhaps in the ensuing commotion, he might even be able to take the diamond from her.

The Duchess took out her folding fan and unfurled it as she revealed, "Apart from myself, the late Lady Resiel owned one..."

Laina smiled. She knew the Duchess knew who she was. She even drew out the reveal for a little extra suspense. Perhaps it was unintentional, but Laina trusted her gut on this.

"...and the former Crown Princess of Kinshearth, Laina, owned the last one. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Laina."

Ophelia greeted Laina warmly in front of everyone who had gathered. The shock on all of their faces was priceless. Laina smiled as she looked back at the store manager.

"She's Laina?"

"The one whom his Majesty is with?"

"That can't be!"

Everyone was gossiping about various details about Laina. None of them had expected to see Laina in person. The last any of them had heard of her was at her coronation. Rumor has it she simply disappeared into thin air.

No one knew where she went or where she was all this time. Until now.

The store manager could feel a shiver down his spine. Though his heart was palpitating in his chest, he kept his cool as he began to apologize for his mistake. But Laina did not want to hear any of it.

"Save it, Alron. May I go upstairs now?" she asked.

"Yes... yes of course Your Highness," the store manager and assistant stepped aside for Laina to pass.

"It's Miss Laina. I'm not a princess anymore," she replied as she passed them to walk up the stairs.

"We can close the store for you if you like, Miss Laina," the store manager spoke up, attempting to butter up to her.

Laina stopped in her tracks and turned back around. As much as she would have loved to do so, she politely declined.

"I don't want to ruin a shopping day for others. I'm not that kind of person," she replied sharply before continuing up the stairs.

Duchess Ophelia followed her up as well while the store returned to normal.

"I believe this is our first official meeting, Duchess Ophelia," Laina said as she walked alongside the Duchess.

"Official?" Ophelia turned to face Laina.

"You were at the beach when I first came to Dracona, were you not?" Laina asked with a smile.

She had not thought about it much since then, but Laina recognized the Duchess almost immediately in the store. Perhaps it was her iconic look that made her easily identifiable.

"I did not expect you to have recognized me," the Duchess confessed.

Laina chuckled, "Neither did I. Either way, thank you for your help, Duchess Ophelia. Much appreciated."

The Duchess was impressed by the former crown princess. She had heard much about her many endeavors in the past. She had also heard her fair share of rumors about Laina. Seeing that she now stood before her in the flesh, it was time for her to make her own judgment.

"Would you care to join us, Miss Laina?" the Duchess asked.

Laina was not expecting the invitation. She politely accepted the offer. The Duchess casually handed her a fresh glass of champagne and guided her further into the second floor. They passed many other nobles, some of them gave Laina a glance, others a nod but paid her not much attention.

"I think we'll have a better time in a private suite," Ophelia added as they made their way to the back.

They were greeted by a long hallway with lamps on each side. There were closed ornate wooden doors on both sides of the hallway. They stopped at one of the doors, to which Shara held the door open for them as they entered.

Once they were in, Shara excused herself from the room to get someone to attend to them. Laina and Ophelia took a seat at the round table.

"So, what brings you to Dracona, Miss Laina?" Ophelia asked as she took a sip from her glass.

"Just Laina is fine," she replied before explaining she was in Dracona to visit Dante.

"It seems like, with the fiasco of how that situation was handled, you're about to become the talk of the town for the next few days," the duchess commented.

Laina grinned. She had hoped to lay low and keep her presence in the Kingdom of Dragons a secret. After all, she did not know if anyone in Kinshearth might be after her. She did not want them to know where she was either.

"I guess it's difficult to lay low as a formal princess," Laina chuckled in reply.

After a short time, Shara returned with a store manager and two assistants. To Laina's surprise, it was a different store manager. In the hands of the assistants were stacks of wooden trays and boxes.

"It's great to have you in our store, Duchess Ophelia, Miss Laina," the store manager greeted them before introducing herself, "My name is Melrose. I will be taking care of all of your needs and requests today."

Melrose turned to Laina, "On behalf of the Gaeron Family, we would like to apologize for what happened earlier. It was completely uncalled for and Manager Alron will be severely dealt with."

"I'm glad to hear that something will be done. Thank you, Melrose."

With that, the assistants laid down the trays and boxes they had brought in. A series of intricately designed pieces of jewelry were laid out before the Duchess and the former princess. It had been a while since she had seen this many pieces of intricate jewelry before her.

"Is that all you have to offer?" Laina asked without looking up.