The Dragon King's Heart

Things started off slow. But as soon as the music filled the air, everyone got onto the dancefloor. Everyone let loose that night. Laina and Dante danced together without a care in the world. It was clear to everyone present that they were match-made in Heaven.

They were inseparable throughout the evening until Margaret pulled Laina away for a chat. She hugged the new Queen enthusiastically, congratulating her on her coronation.

"I'm so proud of you Laina," Margaret praised as she released Laina from her hug.

Laina placed a hand on Margaret's shoulder, "Thank you. You have no idea how much that meant coming from you."

Dante, who was watching Laina and Margaret's interaction from a distance, looked visibly anxious. His palms were moist from the sweat. He had one hand in his pocket, fidgeting with the small jewelry box. Queen Victoria noticed his uneasiness.

She handed him a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, hoping it would help calm his nerves.

"Thanks," he muttered as he downed the glass in one go.

Victoria looked over in the direction Dante was looking at. She saw Laina chatting away with her guests.

"Standing here won't get you anywhere," she mused as she took a sip from her own glass.

Dante knew what she said was true. He just needed to find the right place to pop the question. He glanced over to the open balcony just a few meters away. The moon hung high, accompanied by twinkling stars. It was the perfect backdrop.

"Queen Victoria, could you do me a favor?" Dante asked.

"Of course, what do you need?"

He leaned in and whispered his plan into her ear. Once he was done, Victoria nodded.

"Count on me," she replied as she made her way over to where Laina was.

As Dante watched Queen Victoria walk over to Laina, he could not keep his smile hidden any longer. He took out the small box he had kept in his pocket. It was finally time. But just as he was getting ready, he glanced out of the ballroom.

The smile he had just moments ago was gone as he watched the dark clouds covering the sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance, he could almost smell the rain that was bound to begin. Dante quickly returned the box to his pocket. He glanced over to Laina, who was still busy in conversation.

He did not have much time.

After a brief moment of hesitation, he quickly made his way out of the ballroom. He cursed beneath his breath, chiding himself for not getting things done earlier. The flickering lamp lights lit the darkened hallways. He did not need directions to Laina's room.

Marius noticed Dante hurriedly leaving the ballroom. Sensing something was wrong, he excused himself from Margaret's company to go after him.

"Dante, where are you going?" he asked as soon as he caught up with him.

Thunder rumbled in the sky as several flashes of lightning make their appearances. In all the excitement and buzz in the ballroom, the ensuing thunder and lightning were hardly noticed.  But out here, in the dimly lit hallways, it was painfully clear.

Marius frowned. He too knew what this meant.

"I thought you had more time," he commented.

Dante's eyes were filled with more determination than before as his ears listened to the rumbling thunder.

He clenched his jaw as he muttered, "So did I."

They reached Laina's quarters soon enough but were promptly stopped by the guards. Dante did not have time to deal with them. With a click of his fingers, both of the royal guards fell to the ground, sound asleep. He waved his hand over the door to unlock it and entered.

Marius did not say a word, he simply followed Dante silently. Once in the room, Dante did a quick scan. He quickly found what he was looking for, the blood rose that he had given to Laina sometime ago. It was still in perfect condition, no different from the day he had given it to her.

"What are you-" Marius stopped himself from finishing his sentence.

He saw the look in Dante's eyes. It was best for him to remain silent. Using a sharpened dagger, Dante slit the palm of his hand. He hovered his hand over the blood rose, allowing the fresh blood to drip onto the petals of the flower.

Beneath his breath, he whispered an enchantment. The blood rose began to emit a soft glow of light as it was quickly coated in his blood. When the enchantment was complete, the wound on Dante's hand had healed as well.

The blood rose levitated in the air. Dante and Marius took a few steps back. In the blink of an eye, the blood rose drew many times in size. It gradually loses its thorns and stem. Only the flower remained. Marius could not keep his curiosity at bay.

He took a closer look, surprised to see a living being in the middle of the flower. As the petals of the rose began to wilt, the being was revealed to them. He opened his eyes and got up on his feet. Upon seeing Dante, he bent down on one knee.

"He looks..."

"Like me," Dante finished Marius's sentence for him.

"Give me your orders, Master Dante," the man said with his head hung low.

Dante placed his hand over the man, "Your name is Thorne. From this day forward, you will protect Laina on my behalf. Accompany her in my absence. Give her what I couldn't."

Thorne got back up on his feet. Apart from his striking jet black hair, dark red pupils, and general attire, he looked almost identical to Dante.

"I will do as you have ordered," Thorne replied.

After giving him some further instructions, Thorne retreated into the shadows and could no longer be seen. With that done, Dante returned to the ballroom with Marius following closely behind.

In the ballroom, Queen Victoria did as Dante had asked. After Laina finished up her conversation with her guests, she spoke with Victoria. The Werewolf Queen noticed Dante leaving the ballroom.

At first, she did not think too much of it,  assuming he had some last-minute preparations to take care of.. Hence, she stalled for as long as she could, before taking Laina to the open balcony.