Chapter 197 - A Royal Entrance

As soon as Laina and Margaret stepped out of the portal gate, they were in awe of their surroundings. As this was Laina's first official visit to Dracona, she was to enter the castle from the ornate front gate. 

The exterior and interior of the castle were decorated with intricately designed banners, decorations, sculptures, and fixtures. Each and every corner of the castle was covered with feline-themed displays. 

Even the castle staff were decked out on feline-themed uniforms and clothes. Laina's arrival had been highly anticipated by everyone ever since they found out Dante was courting her. 

Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the future Queen of Dracona. 

"Why are they all staring at me?" Laina whispered to Margaret as they walked down the carpeted hallway. 

Margaret chuckled, "They are excited to see you, that's all."

Upon her arrival, Laina was immediately ushered to the Dracona Throne Room. As the doors swung open, a pair of trumpeters blew their musical instruments to announce her arrival. 

"Announcing the arrival of her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Laina De Solara, future Queen of Kinshearth!"

As soon as she entered, all eyes were on her. Ministers and Nobles lined the sides of the Throne Room as Laina walked down the plush red carpet. She did not care for them, her eyes were on the man at the end. 

Dante got up from his throne. He walked down the steps. Unlike other days, Dante was dressed in his finest clothes, his golden crown resting in his jet black hair. Draped over his shoulder was a regal coat, fit for a King. 

His eyes were on her. It had been a while since they had last met. All Dante wanted to do was to wrap his arms around Laina's waist and give her a kiss on the lips. But for the sake of formalities, he held back. 

Laina was dressed in her finest too. A dark red dress that hugged her body in all the right places and a red diamond-encrusted tiara on her braided hair. Margaret walked down the aisle by her side. 

She quickly spotted Marius, who was standing next to the throne. He gave her a smile and wink, to which she reciprocated with a smile of her own. Titan, Laina's Solar Mastiff, came along for this trip. 

He was a rare sight in Dracona so he received many impressed looks from those in attendance. Titan was extremely well behaved too. Despite not being leashed, he did not act out and remained obedient. 

When she reached the end of the room, Laina curtsied as she lowered her gaze, "King Dante of Dracona, thank you for inviting me to partake in this joyous occasion."

She lifted her hand. Dante held it gently on his own, leaning down to give her a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. 

"It is I who should be thanking you, your Highness, for gracing us with your presence. I hope you will enjoy the festivities as much as I do."

Dante called forth Marius to guide Laina to her accommodations in the castle and with that, they left the Throne Room. Laina was a little disappointed that she could not spend more time with Dante, but she did not show any of it on her face. 

Marius seemingly was able to read it from her silence and reassured her that Dante will come looking for her once his royal duties were done. When they got to her accommodations, Laina was taken aback. 

This was not the room she had stayed in previously, for it was a generic guest room for visiting royals. It had all the finery but none of it was set to her liking. At this point, disappointment was written all over her face. 

She sat down at the edge of the bed as Margaret instructed the servants assigned to them, to bring some hot tea and light snacks. After they left, Marius remained with them. 

"Is everything alright, your Highness?" Marius asked, concerned when he saw the look of disappointment on Laina's face. 

Titan climbed up onto the bed and rest his head on Laina's lap. 

She gently stroked the fur on his back as she responded to Marius with a soft smile, "Everything is good. It's nothing."

Margaret could not help but shake her head, "He's already noticed it, there's no point hiding it any longer Laina."

"Hiding? Hiding what?" She asked, feigning innocence. 

"This isn't the room you were expecting, isn't it?" Margaret asked as she crossed her arms. 

Laina wanted to rebut but had no words to do so. Her handmaid's words hit right on the spot. 

"Oh, that's why…" Marius looked around the room, checking to make sure there was no one else but them before he continued to speak, "Don't worry, princess, this isn't where you're going to be staying."

He ended it off with a wink. 

Laina was confused, what did Marius mean by that. She turned to look at Margaret, hoping she would have an answer but she did not know either. After a little probing, Marius explained in a hushed voice. 

"That room is in his Majesty's private quarters. If news got out that you're staying there for this trip, he would have a hard time explaining to the ministers. This room is merely a decoy."

Marius walked over to a corner of the room to reveal a secret spell circle that had been drawn onto the carpet. You could only see the spell circle if you stood on that exact spot. 

"This spell circle will lead you to your real accommodations, where you'll be staying," Marius explained. 

Laina immediately lit up. All of them gave the spell circle a test. In the blink of an eye, they were brought to the room. A smile appeared on Laina's face as soon as she saw the room once more. 

It had remained untouched since her last visit. Upon closer inspection, it seems like Dante had added a few more things to remind her of their recent adventures together. Even Margaret was impressed by the decor of the room. 

He knew her like the back of his hand.