The Dragon King's Heart

Chapter 129 - Sanctuary

"You summoned me, Your Highness?" Margaret asked as she entered Laina's study room. 

Laina smiled as she put down her pen. As Margaret arrived before the Crown Princess, she realized there was someone standing next to her. It was not Kol. It was Marius. 

"Indeed I have. Marius has come to visit. Would you mind bringing him around Kinshearth? He's currently on a break and would like to do some sightseeing," Laina explained with a wide smile. 

Realizing she had walked into a trap, Margaret turned around to leave. But it was too late. Kol was blocking the door. Laina cleared her throat, surprised that Margaret wanted to flee despite her giving a direct order. 

Her handmaid had always listened to her. Marius had arrived to meet Laina privately. He asked for Laina to allow Margaret to accompany him for the day. Laina knew Marius had feelings for Margaret although she was uncertain about her stance on the situation, she wanted her handmaid to find her own happiness too!

Hence, she agreed to help. 

"I have other duties to attend to, Your Highness. I cannot simply-" before she could try and reason her way out of it, Laina stopped her from speaking any further. 

She reassured Margaret, "Don't worry. Today's duties are light anyways. I can handle it on my own with Kol by my side."

Margaret let out a sigh. She knew there was no way around it. She had to admit defeat. It was better to get it over and done with than prolong her pain. So, she relented. 

"Very well, Your Highness. I will do as you command," Margaret resigned to her fate. 

Laina smiled as she clapped her hands together, "Excellent. Have fun!" 

Margaret put on a smile as she and Marius walked out of the study. As soon as the doors closed behind them, she dropped her smile and furrowed her brows as she studied Marius. She wondered what tricks he had up his sleeve. 

"So, Lady Margaret, where would you recommend us to visit first?" Marius asked with a wide smile. 

She hardly believed that Marius came here just to sightsee. She was certain he must be hiding something. 

"Come on, spit it out. Why are you really here? Did Dante send you here to spy on us or something?" Margaret asked as she folded her arm. 

Marius pretended to look surprised. He hoped his over-the-top expressions would warrant at least a side smile from Margaret but nothing happened. She was still looking at him with her signature annoyed look he had come to love. 

"You caught me, indeed I lied," he sighed. 

"Hah! I knew it!" 

"Indeed I am not sure to sightsee, I am here to bring you out on a date," Marius declared with a grin. 

"I knew it!... Wait what?" Now it was Margaret's turn to be surprised. 

Her look of shock was genuine. 

An evil grin formed on Marius's face, "Oh? It seems like Lady Margaret had already forgotten our little bet where I won. As promised, I am here to deliver on the promise I made then."

He gently kissed the back of Margaret's hand as he declared, "I'm here to take you on a magical date you will never forget."

Margaret could not help herself. Her lips curled upwards. Not wanting Marius to see it, she quickly turned to the side and avoided her gaze. But she was not quick enough in doing so. 

Marius was happy to see that Margaret was warming up to him. Even if it was just a little, it still meant he had made progress. 

Regaining her composure, Margaret cleared her throat and folded her arms, "A magical date? You better deliver on that promise, Marius. I do have very high standards."

Marius grinned, he was up for a challenge. Though Margaret's declaration made him second guess what he had planned for them, he did not show it. He gave her a confident smile.

"A handmaiden with such expectations? Oh dear, I certainly was not expecting that. I can only pray for mercy and a bit of luck at this point," he teased as he pretended to be losing hope. 

Margaret's eyebrow twitched a little, "I might be the Princess's handmaiden, but I have my own preferences and I do have standards, you better measure up!" 

A mischievous grin flashed across his face. Marius placed one hand around her shoulder. He picked her off the ground, carrying her in his arms. 

"Marius! What are you-"

"Hold on tight!" Marius remembered as he walked out of the walkway and into the garden. 

"Put me down! What do you think you're-" before Margaret could even finish her sentence, Marius unfurled his wings and took to the sky, with her in his arms. 

As they soared higher and higher into the sky, Margaret held on tightly to Marius. She leaned in close, resting her head on his chest. She could hear his heart palpitating. Why was his heart beating so quickly? 

When she realized why, Margaret looked up at Marius. She could see him smiling. He had always been so confident with every move he made. Realizing she was looking at him, Marius looked down at her. 

The moment their eyes met, their eyes sparkled. Margaret blushed as she turned to look away. Her heart was palpitating too. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. Marius smiled as they climbed higher through the sky. 

"Where are we going?" Margaret asked out of curiosity, breaking the silence that hung in the air. 

"Have you heard of the legend of the Prism Sanctuary?" 

She pondered for a moment before replying, "Do you mean the legendary flower garden said to contain the rare crystal flowers?" 

Marius nodded, "That's the one, so you've heard of it?"

She smiled, "How could I have not? Legend has it that the Prism Sanctuary was the home of the Flower Goddess Rosalie when she spent time here in the Mortal Realm, or Gaeia; however, you wish to call it.

But no one knows its exact location. Plus, others believe that it does not even exist, saying it's a mere rumor."

"That's what people say. But the truth is, the Prism Sanctuary is indeed a real location. To get there, specific requirements need to be made." Marius explained. 

They flew past multiple mountain ranges until they came upon a hidden valley. Marius placed Margaret down gently on a viewing spot. When she looked down at the hidden valley, she gasped in amazement. 

Far out in the distance, she could see a sea of multi-coloured flowers. Her mouth was agape as she took in the sight before her. 

"How… how did you find this place?"

"It took a bit of research, waiting for the right time, and the right moment to share it with a special person," Marius replied with a smile, "Shall we go down and take a look?"

He held out his hand to Margaret but she did not take it. In a bright flash of light, Margaret shapeshifted into the form of a Luxaven, a light bird. Her feathers were as white as fresh snow, beautiful and graceful. 

"Race you there!" Margaret declared as she took off immediately. 

"Wha- Hey! That's not fair!" Marius exclaimed as he extended his wings and took flight.