アプリをダウンロード
4.27% The Dragon King's Heart / Chapter 14: Missing

章 14: Missing

The moment Margaret realized Laina was nowhere to be seen, she felt her heart sink. Her gut feeling told her it had something to do with Marius. He must have lured her away from the ballroom on Dante's orders.

But by the time she turned back to look for Marius, he had already disappeared without a trace. She searched high and low for any sign of them. She searched for any signs of Laina. But there was none.

At first, Margaret hoped that the crown princess was just having a merry evening with some of the other royals at the Ball. But when the princess did not return at any point in the night, she grew increasingly worried.

"Dang it Dante, you can't just whisk her away like this," she muttered to herself as she bit her nail.

She slammed her fists down on the table. Margaret stood up from the round table and walked over to the balcony of the mansion. Her hands were clammy with sweat as she tried to find a way to trace them.

The first thing she did this morning was to get the hotel general manager to meet her.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Margaret said as she straightened her dress.

The door opened and in walked a middle-aged man dressed neatly in a suit with white gloves on both of his hands.

"Lady Margaret, it is a pleasure to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Albert, I am the general manager here at the Golden Gate hotel. I was informed that you require some assistance?" the general manager of the hotel introduced himself.

"It's my pleasure to meet you as well. I will cut to the chase, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Please speak your mind, milady. I will help where I can."

Margaret nodded. She proceeded to give her request, "Has King Dante checked out of the hotel?"

The general manager was a little taken aback by Margaret's question. But he had a job to do. He could not give out the details of the other guests just like that. It was a breach of privacy. He cleared his throat and formulated a suitable reply.

"My sincere apologies, milady, but I cannot-"

Margaret sighed as she raised her hand, stopping the general manager from continuing to speak.

"Look, Albert, I know it's a lot to ask. And there are rules that have been put in place that stop you from giving me the information. But I just need this favor, alright?" she replied.

"I'm sorry, Lady Margaret, but my hands are tied. I can't…"

Margaret did not bother to listen to Albert's explanation. This was her one and only lead. Without this crucial piece of information, how was she going to find Laina? Seeing Margaret's expression, Albert knew something was amiss.

He had his assumptions on why Margaret was asking for this information. He also noticed the absence of the Crown Princess of Kinshearth. This reminded him of a certain rumor he had heard through the grapevines of gossip.

It had been circulating amongst the hotel staff since late last night.

"Milady, if I may,"

"Speak your mind, Albert."

He cleared his throat, "While I cannot give you the information you seek. There was a certain rumor that has been passed around the hotel staff. It was regarding King Dante. I myself don't delve much into the gossip but-"

"Just spit it out," Margaret said in an annoyed tone. She would prefer him to go straight to the point if he had something to say.

"Right. One of the maids said they saw King Dante and his right-hand man Marius, leave the hotel late last night. Apparently, the King was holding an unconscious woman in his arms."

Margaret glared at him with widened eyes. Albert felt a shudder down his spine. He gulped as he took a few steps back from her. She had this death glare in her eyes. Margaret gripped her fists tightly. She cursed beneath her breath.

"Did this maid see what color dress the woman was wearing?" she asked.

"Apparently it was too dark to see. It was as if the color of the dress camouflaged with the dimly lit surroundings."

Hearing Albert's words, it took everything in Margaret to remain calm. She thanked the general manager for his help. After sending him out, she walked out into the balcony and banged her fists against the railings. The metal railings reverberated from the force of her hands.

"Damn it, Dante," she cursed, "What have you done?"

Margaret spent the next half of the day pacing around the room. She was biting her nails and tapping her foot on the ground as she tried to formulate a plan in her mind. If she guessed correctly, Dante brought Laina back to the Dracona Kingdom.

If she went through the portal to go there directly, it would raise too many questions. People will gossip and soon enough, everyone would know what had happened to the Crown Princess of Kinshearth.

If word gets back to Kinshearth, it would be a lot worse for everyone involved. Margaret leaned on the railing of the balcony, tapping her finger on her forearm as she tried to formulate a suitable plan.

There was something she could try. But she could only keep everything under wraps for so long. Eventually, things would unravel. If Albert was intuitive enough, he would have noticed that the Crown Princess was nowhere to be seen.

"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" she sighed as she massaged her temples with her right hand.

Margaret muttered to herself as she walked back into the room. She rubbed her palms together and chanted a spell. A magic spell circle began to form on the carpeted ground before her. As finished reciting the spell, Margaret took out a dagger she had kept on her belt and sliced her palm.

She did not wince at the pain from the cut. A few drops of blood dripped onto and absorbed by the spell circle. Moments later, the cut on her hand healed on its own. Blinding light enveloped the room as Margaret faced her open palms towards the spell circle.

Moments later, the light dissipated.

A doppelganger of Laina stood right before her, eyes closed.


クリエイターの想い
ValestriaMoon ValestriaMoon

Margaret might just be a handmaid but she has quite a few tricks up her sleeves, don't you think?

New Book Alert!

Please check out my latest book <The King's Cursed Bride>!

next chapter

章 15: Weaving A Tale

The doppelganger knelt down on her knees, "What are my orders, my mistress."

Margaret wished she did not have to use her blood magic again for this. But there was no other choice. For the time being, this would have to do.

"Puppet, you are to become Crown Princess Laina of Kinshearth. You are ill, resting in bed, and refuse to see anyone apart from your handmaiden Margaret. Understood?" Margaret instructed.

"As you wish, my mistress," the doppelgänger replied.

Margaret snapped her fingers and the doppelgänger stood up immediately. She wore Laina's sleeping garments, laid in bed, and closed her eyes. In the distance, Margaret could hear the sound of footsteps approaching.

She cleared her throat and straightened her clothes. Moments later, there was a knock on the door. Margaret walked up casually and opened the door slightly.

"Who is it?" She whispered out into the hallway.

"Lady Margaret, it is I, Esther," The maid replied.

"What is it?"

"We have received an invitation from a certain Duke who would like to meet with Crown Princess Laina," Esther explained.

Margaret sighed and shook her head, "I'm afraid the princess is under the weather today. The princess sends her apologies. She will not be able to meet with the Duke,"

"Understood, milady. Would you like me to bring some soup for the princess, Lady Margaret?"

"That would be delightful, thank you, Esther. That is all."

The maid bowed politely, turned, and left. Margaret carefully closed the door behind her. She pressed her face against the door, listening to the fading sound of footsteps. When she was certain she could no longer hear anything else, she heaved a sigh of relief.

Looking around the room, Margaret searched for the suitcase she had brought with her to Everfree. She recalled where she had placed it and quickly walked over to the oak wood wardrobe at the end of the room.

She crouched down and removed the wooden suitcase she had placed there. Margaret brought the case to the dressing table. She opened it up to reveal a few personal belongings and a dark purple drawstring pouch.

It was a spatial storage pouch that allowed her to store an infinite amount of items within it. Using a search spell, Margaret quickly found what she was looking for.

A crystal ball.

She picked it up with both hands and placed it on its stand. Margaret closed her eyes and took in a deep breath of air. She whispered incantations as a spell circle formed beneath the crystal ball.

Soon, a spiral of purple smoke appeared within the sphere. When Margaret opened her eyes, they were glowing purple.

"Reveal to me the location of what I wish to find," she whispered to the crystal ball.

Blurry images begin to appear within the crystal ball. Margaret recognized the location immediately. She cursed beneath her breath.

"I should have known," she gritted her teeth in anger.

She had expected him to make his move. But not this soon! Just then, there was a knock on the door. Margaret was jolted back to reality. She fumbled as she quickly placed the crystal ball back in her pouch and into the case.

There was another knock on the door.

"Coming!" She called out as she quickly closed the suitcase and put it back in the wardrobe.

Dusting her dress, Margaret went over to open the door. The moment she did, she was surprised to see that it was not just Esther, but there was a man with her. The expression on Esther's face was as clear as day.

This man must be the Duke. Margaret was not willing to open the door any further than the gap she already had. But the Duke was clearly trying to barge in. She was not about to let him have his way.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Margaret spoke sternly.

The intonation of her voice did not seem to bother the Duke at all. Esther was flustered, uncertain of what to do either. She bit her lip as she tried to explain the situation. She was using her small body frame to block the Duke's path as well.

"Lady Margaret, I… I did as you asked and told the Duke that the Princess has taken ill. He insisted on coming to see her himself," she explained.

Margaret understood the situation immediately. One look at the Duke and she knew who he was. Not wanting to let him have his way, Margaret swiftly stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her.

She physically obstructed the Duke's access into the room.

"Duke Harris of House Lackerwood." Margaret called out his name in full.

Finally, the Duke acknowledged her presence. He straightened his suit and cleared his throat.

"You must be Miss Margaret," he scoffed, "The maid has informed me that the crown princess has taken ill. I would like to offer her my company-"

Margaret did not wait for him to finish talking.

"Your company? Duke Lackerwood, your company?" Margaret repeated his words back to him.

The Duke was surprised by the handmaiden's attitude. This was not the way a servant should speak to a nobleman of his status.

"I beg your pardon, Miss Margaret? You better watch your tone!" He warned.

Esther was shocked by how quickly things were escalating. She slowly backed away from the Duke and handmaiden to give them more space. She did not want to be caught in the middle of their discussion that seemed to be turning into an altercation.

Margaret was livid. The Duke had not only tried to snub her by addressing her with her formal title, but he was making a scene! He was clearly crossing the line. She glared at him with a cold dark stare.

Duke Harris felt a shiver creep down his spine. But he was not afraid of a woman. He can stand his own ground.

"Watch my tone? Duke Lackerwood, I think you should be the one watching your tone. You should mind your manners too." Margaret rebutted calmly.

She did not give him a chance to defend himself either.

"You not only refused to address me by my title, but you've also barged into the Crown Princess's private property without permission; demanding to see her. I think you've embarrassed yourself enough, Lackerwood," she continued with her arms crossed.

Esther was in awe.

Duke Harris was also speechless by Margaret's accusations.

"Miss-"

"It's Lady Margaret and you better use it right or I will knock your lights out, Lackerwood," she said coldly as she tapped her fingers on her arm.

Duke Harris gulped.

He was quite certain it was not an empty threat. He wanted to formulate a reply, a comeback, but he had nothing.

His mind was blank.

Seeing as he had nothing to say, Margaret knew she had the upper hand. She took advantage of the opportunity to end their altercation.

"As I'm sure Miss Esther here has already informed you, the princess has taken ill. She needs to rest and will not be seeing anyone today. So if you'll be so kind…"

He did not even wait for her to finish her sentence. Duke Harris reached his hand towards the doorknob. Luckily, Margaret had a quick reaction time. She slapped his hand away from the doorknob immediately.

His actions had crossed the line.


クリエイターの想い
ValestriaMoon ValestriaMoon

My goodness, this Duke is so disrespectful it makes my blood boil!

New Book Alert!

Please check out my latest book <The King's Cursed Bride>!

Load failed, please RETRY

ギフト

ギフト -- 贈り物 が届きました

    バッチアンロック

    目次

    表示オプション

    バックグラウンド

    フォント

    大きさ

    章のコメント

    レビューを書く 読み取りステータス: C14
    投稿に失敗します。もう一度やり直してください
    • テキストの品質
    • アップデートの安定性
    • ストーリー展開
    • キャラクターデザイン
    • 世界の背景

    合計スコア 0.0

    レビューが正常に投稿されました! レビューをもっと読む
    パワーストーンで投票する
    Rank 200+ パワーランキング
    Stone 0 推薦チケット
    不適切なコンテンツを報告する
    error ヒント

    不正使用を報告

    段落のコメント

    ログイン

    tip 段落コメント

    段落コメント機能がWebに登場!任意の段落の上にマウスを移動し、アイコンをクリックしてコメントを追加します。

    また、[設定]でいつでもオフ/オンにすることができます。

    手に入れました