The Dragon King's Heart

Chapter 182 - Hand In Hand

It was just her first day back in Kinshearth and it was already as eventful as it could ever be. A large part of her wished she had just stayed in Starfrost Mansion and never came back. It was not just the mountain load of work she came back to, but the commotion caused by the Nobles of the High Court. 

She might have handled the situation well in her eyes, but in the eyes of her subjects, she was an absent ruler who went gallivanting with her lover. As the words on the page began to blur, Laina let out a sigh as she rubbed her temples. 

Dante, who decided to accompany her for the rest of the day, sat casually on the sofa. When he noticed how stressed Laina was, he came over to see what she was doing. He massaged her shoulders while leaning over to see the paperwork she was dealing with. 

"Are these papers bothering you, my princess?" he asked lightheartedly in an attempt to lighten the mood. 

Laina smiled as she placed her hand on Dante's. The moment they touched she immediately pulled her hand away. But the next moment, she grabbed hold of his hand and placed it on her cheek. 

"Your hand," she said as she warmed them up with her on, "They're so cold." 

Dante chuckled, "But my hands are always cold. Is that not the reason you like them so much?" 

"Indeed, but it feels colder than usual today," she grew a little more concerned with each passing moment. 

Laina looked up at Dante, she reached out and placed the back of her hand on his forehead. Maybe he was feeling unwell, she wondered. But his body temperature seemed alright. Laina stood up, holding Dante's hands in her own. 

No matter how long she held them for, they remained icy cold. 

"Dante, are you feeling alright?" she asked worriedly. 

He quickly brushed it off, not wanting Laina to worry. He caressed the side of her cheek, to which she laid her head upon his hand. 

"I'll feel better if you warm me up," he replied cheekily. 

Laina immediately wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him in close. She tightened her hug, refusing to let go. Even though their clothing, he could feel the warmth of her body warming him up. 

"You feel like an ice blanket on a hot summer day," Laina said, her voice muffled as she was buried in his chest. 

Dante smiled as he too wrapped his arms around her. He let out a silent sigh, thankful that Laina did not question him any further. 

When the sun began to set upon the horizon, Laina stopped her work and called it a day. It was time for dinner and for her to unwind. It had been a long day for her and she could not wait to call it a day. 

Seeing as Dante was a guest in the palace, the ministers of the court had requested for a formal dinner in the Dining Hall. Though Laina wanted to refuse, she knew it would still be best for them to go. 

After all, with Dante officially courting her and their relationship growing close day by day, it would be best for her to introduce him officially to her subjects. After a quick change to regal attire, Laina and Dante entered the Dining Hall together. 

That might have been their first mistake.

Entering the Dining Hall, hand in hand, caused quite the commotion. The chatter at the table was endless and both of them could hear all of it. 

Annoyed by them, Laina commanded as she sat down at the head table, "If idle gossip is the only reason you're attending this dinner, please take your leave this instant."

For too long she had allowed them to do as they please. It was time she demanded the respect she deserves. Even if they do not see her as their preferred ruler, she was still their Crown Princess. 

Just as Laina turned to her left, expecting to see Dante seated next to her, only to find the table completely empty. No table setting had been set up for him either. She was all alone. When she looked over to the long dining tables where the ministers and nobles of the Royal Court were seated, she noticed Dante being ushered to sit elsewhere. 

Dante merely followed along, not wanting to disrupt the dinner session. But Laina was not having any of it. She turned to Margaret immediately. 

"Margaret, have them set the table for Dante. I want him seated next to me, at the head table," she declared. 

Before Margaret could even open her mouth to reply, Royal Chancellor Lucinda got up from her seat and walked to the front, and curtsied to Laina. 

"Your Highness. As per Kinshearth tradition all foreign guests, regardless of status, cannot be seated at the head table. It is strictly reserved for the monarch and the royal family," she explained carefully with her head held low. 

"Oh? Is that so?" Laina asked. 

"Yes, your Highness," Lucinda replied. 

Laina let out a sigh. The look of disappointment upon her face was clear to everyone. But it also seemed for once, the Crown Princess was about to abide by the rules of tradition. That was until she spoke. 

"That is simply not a tradition I would like to uphold," She declared, "Lady Margaret, please carry out my request. I would like my future King to be seated next to me at the head table."

He raised his eyebrows in surprise at Laina's words. As she made her bold declaration, she was looking straight at him. She had the widest smile on her face. Dante had always assumed he would be the first out of the both of them to make such a bold statement in front of everyone. 

But it seems like he was too late. 

The Royal Chancellor looked up in shock. Before she could even say anything else, Margaret simply did as Laina requested. She too did not care much for what others thought of Laina. 

After all, was there truly anyone who dared to challenge the Crown Princess?