The Dragon King's Heart

The moment Dante stepped foot in the Celestial Realm, his goal was clear. He needed to get the antidote for Laina as soon as possible. But just as he was about to take a step forward, a sharp piercing pain spread through his heart. 

He stopped in his tracks as he almost tripped on his own foot. Marius, who was right by him, immediately caught hold of him. 

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Marius asked as he helped him up on his feet. 

"I'm… I'm alright," Dante muttered. 

But his head was still spinning. His hands were ice cold. Marius realized something was amiss. Seeing as there was no one around them, he quickly brought Dante to a nearby garden pavilion to rest. 

"We don't have time, I need to," the moment he got up on his feet, Dante had to sit back down. 

The pain was spreading across his body as he broke out into cold sweat. He clutched his heart as he gritted his teeth. Marius was at a loss. He had never seen Dante in so much pain. Yet his King still refused any help. 

Not to mention, his body was unusually cold. Almost ice cold. But it was impossible for him to ask. Dante would outright deny it. So, Marius kept his mouth shut. Whatever it was, it can wait. Right now, they needed to get the cure for Laina as soon as they could. 

Every moment they spent in the Celestial Realm meant more time passed in Gaeia. Time was of the essence. Once Dante felt a little better, they pressed forward. 

Finally, they got to the Imperial Moon Palace. As soon as the servants saw Dante, they immediately hurried to spread the news of his return. Dante did not care for any of them, he was here with a mission. 

"Your Majesty, the Empress has been eagerly awaiting for your return," a servant came up to Dante to inform him. 

"I wish to see her at once. She is in her quarters, yes?" Dante asked. 

His voice was void of any emotion. 

"Yes… she is. But she's currently receiving visitors-" before the servant could even finish what he was about to say, Dante and Marius had already left him in the dust as they sped up. 

By the time they got there, the Empress was already informed of her son's arrival. Empress Cecilia had been waiting for this moment for quite some time. Dante had not returned to the Celestial Realm in a long time.

But with a bit of assistance, she found a way to bring him home. 

The guards tried to stop Dante from entering the Primrose Hall, where the Empress was entertaining some guests. Everyone was surprised by Dante's sudden intrusion but they kept their mouths silent. 

"Ah, looks like my son has returned. I do apologize on his behalf, he must be so excited to see me that he could not wait a moment later," the Empress said to her guests. 

"Your Majesty must miss him dearly. Perhaps we should take our leave. We can discuss these matters at a later time," one of the guests said politely. 

Despite Empress Cecilia attempting to keep the guests, they could see the cold look on Dante's face. While they would have loved to stay and see how things would unfold they were wise enough to leave. 

Along with the guests, the Empress also dismissed most of the servants and maids who were in the Hall. By the time they left, only Empress Cecilia, Dante, and Marius remained. 

Before the Empress could say anything, Dante walked up to her. He slammed the moonfrost dagger down on the table before her. It was still covered in blood. 

"Give me the antidote. Now," Dante demanded in a cold monotone voice. 

He was not here to play games. He was not about to take no for an answer either. Empress Cecilia could see the fire in his eyes. But she did not fear him at all. The Empress sat back down on her chair and took a sip from her porcelain tea cup. 

The ball was in her court, she had nothing to worry about. 

"I don't know what you're talking about. I have never seen this dagger before," she finally spoke without meeting Dante's gaze. 

Dante clenched his jaw as he tightened his fist. 

He pointed at the dagger, "This is your dagger. This was your creation. Yet you're telling me you've never seen it before? Shall I call for witnesses to make my case?"

Empress Cecilia chuckled, "Call for witnesses? Dante, are you threatening me?"

Dante did everything in his power to remain calm. If the matter escalated any further, it only meant more time would be wasted. Every moment was precious. 

"I know you used this to summon me back here for a reason. So say what you want to say and give me the antidote. I don't have all day," Dante seethed. 

A smirk appeared on the Empress's face. She took the dagger into her own hand and wiped it down with a tea towel before examining it up close. 

"If I knew this was all it took to have my son return to me, perhaps I would have done it sooner," she teased him before continuing, "But I digress. I called you back here for something important. Your Celestial Tribulation is coming up soon. 

Perhaps you might want to get your affairs in Gaeia in order before that happens." 

"When?" Dante asked. 

He had all but forgotten about it. A Celestial Tribulation was a trial that celestials had to go through in order to ascend their otherworldly abilities. Everyone's tribulation varied in severity. The Cosmic Seers had the ability to predict when a celestial's tribulation would occur. 

The more powerful the celestial, the more severe the tribulation. While Dante was consumed in his thoughts, Empress Cecilia materialized a small bottle before him. It was the antidote. She placed it down on the table before him with a smile. 

"Here's the antidote you need," she said, "You might want to hurry back to her before it's too late."

Dante grabbed it and checked the antidote. He could not be too sure as to what other tricks the Empress might have up her sleeves. 

"This isn't the antidote," he declared as he placed it back on the table. 

"Oh is that so?" the Empress pretended to gasp in shock. She materialized another bottle and handed it to Dante, "My sincerest apologies, age must be catching up to me. This should be the right one."

Dante checked the bottle. This time it was the right one. Not wasting any time, Dante got up and turned to leave. Before he left, he warned the Empress not to meddle with his affairs ever again. 

The Empress did not reply. 

She smirked as she watched Dante hurried off with Marius by his side.

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