The Dragon King's Heart

The Festival of the Felines was in full swing in Dracona. The entire Capital city was decorated from head to toe, travelers from all across Dracona and beyond arrived to partake in the festivities. People of all ages, dressed in cat-themed wear flocked to the street markets to enjoy the delicacies and activities.

But the royals and nobles who were attending had their own private celebration within the castle walls. The castle gardens were transformed into festival grounds, filled with vendors from all across Gaeia. The opening ceremony was punctuated with a float parade in the evening.

Laina looked around with amazement from her stand. Dante had reserved some of the best seats along the parade route. Unfortunately, they were unable to watch it together, as Dante had Royal matters to attend to.

"Oh he would have loved this," Laina sighed.

She bit her lip in disappointment. She had hoped to watch the parade with Dante by her side. As she turned to the side to see the empty seat next to her, the seat she has reserved for him, she could not help but let out an audible sigh. But, Laina was determined to enjoy herself, after all, she was going to be in Dracona for a while.

"I'm sure we will have plenty of time together," Laina muttered to herself. 

She turned to her right to see Margaret, standing by her side. The look of joy on her face as the parade floats went by was unmistakable. Laina reached out.

"Margaret,"

"Yes, your Highness?"

"Come," Laina said as she tapped the seat next to her, "Sit with me."

Margaret did as she asked, but as soon as she sat down, her expression changed into one of worry. 

She leaned over to Laina and whispered, "Your Highness, perhaps this is not such a great idea. What if…"

"Let them say what they want. I'm not bothered," Laina replied as she continued to watch the parade. 

As the cheers of the crowd grew louder, it indicated the main event of the parade as finally made its grand entrance. Earlier in the day, when Dante and Laina had a short moment to talk, he reminded her to pay special attention to a special float.

"How will I know which one it is?" She asked, worried that she might miss it.

Dante smiled as he gently caressed her cheek, "You'll know. Shadow will be on the float. I doubt you will be able to miss it. It would also be the one that everyone is cheering for."

In the present, an announcement informed all of the attendees of the incoming mega float, "And now, the moment we've all been waiting for! Let's give a warm welcome to the Royal Feline of this year's Festival of Felines, Shadow!" 

Laina lit up as she turned her attention to the incoming float. It was lined with rows of fresh flowers and at the center was a pavilion with a pedestal in it. On the sides of the float, performers dressed in cat ears and tails were dancing to the music. 

Crowds cheered as the float went by, they waved at the performers who interacted with the crowd. In the pavilion, Shadow sat up like a proud king looking down upon his subjects.

He was fitted with a small golden crown on his head with a small red regal cape secured around his neck with a shiny collar. Laina also waved at the performers of the float, enthusiastically looking for Dante. 

But she could not find him. She noticed there were two performers standing next to the pavilion, dressed in a full catsuit from head to toe.

"It can't be…" Laina muttered to herself as she looked at the two catsuit performers, squinting her eyes to get a clearer look. 

Both catsuit-wearing performers were waving to the crowds enthusiastically. Margaret looked at the two of them for a long time. Something about them felt familiar. When she glanced over to Laina for a second, Margaret quickly looked back up to the performers. 

"Your Highness…" she called out to Laina. 

But the Crown Princess did not reply, she was too engrossed in trying to figure out if they could be someone she knew. Titan, who laid at Laina's feet, got up and wagged his tail. He began to bark loud and bright towards the float. 

Laina was about to calm Titan down, when she realised that perhaps he sensed something. Did Titan know the person who was on the float? Or was he simply barking at Shadow?

"Laina, I think…" Margaret finally got her attention as she slowly pointed to one of the performers. 

"What is it?" Laina asked her anxiously. 

"That… that person in the catsuit. They have the same necklace as you."

Laina gasped in shock. At this moment, the two performers by the pedestal had their attention on Laina and Margaret. They were no longer waving to anyone else. They were both waving at the Crown Princess and her handmaid. 

Margaret looked all around them, wondering if they might have been waving at someone else. But she soon realized that they were waving at her and Laina. 

Laina subconsciously touches the necklace she had around her neck. It was the one Dante had given. There was no other necklace like it in the Universe. 

"Dante?" She whispered. 

Margaret overheard Laina. She gasped in shock. Marius had informed her that he would be with Dante on the float. As the King's right hand man, he surely had to be the other performer who was waving back at them. 

As soon as Laina came to terms with it, Laina smiled. She let out a hearty laugh, not expecting Dante to pull off something so off the rails. Just then, her pendant began to glow. 

"Laina? Are you able to see me?" His voice projected from the necklace. 

On his end, he could hear her laughter. It put a smile on his face. He had planned this in secret for some time, hoping it would bring a smile to his beloved. 

"No, I… I can't see you," She finally mustered the strength to speak in between the laughter. 

"How can I possibly see you when you're wearing that catsuit?" Laina continued as she continued to burst out in laughter.