The Dragon King's Heart

Seeing as the gala was in full swing, Laina wandered about. Although it was done in her honor, it was clear to see most of the nobles did not wish to speak to her. Perhaps after what had happened in the past, they were afraid. 

"Your Highness, how are you enjoying the gala?" Ethan asked from afar. 

He was surrounded by some noblemen and women, all of whom turned to see her when Ethan addressed her. 

"It has been lovely so far. Thank you for hosting, Lord Ethan," Laina replied cordially with a smile. 

A passing waiter, with wine glasses on their silver tray, came up to them. 

"Shall we make a toast, Your Highness?" Lord Rengal proposed as he raised his wine glass high. 

Everyone else agreed and did the same. 

"Sure," the crown princess replied with a smile. 

Laina was not holding one at the time, so she was offered one by the waiter. She picked it up and raised it. 

Lord Rengal turned to all of the nobles who have gathered around them and proclaimed, "Here's to our future Queen! Long may she reign!"

"Long may she reign!" the nobles echoed. 

All eyes were on Laina. While she was used to the attention of her subjects by now, something made her feel uneasy. Perhaps it was the way all of them were looking at her. Lord Rengal, in particular, did not break eye contact with Laina. 

It was as if he was egging her on to drink the glass of wine. Lord Ethan noticed it too, he too sensed something was amiss but did not say a word. Laina looked at the glass of wine in her hand. 

Without a second thought, she smiled at the crowd and took a sip from the glass. Everyone cheered as they drank to the toast as well. Florin and Kol both witnessed it from afar. Even as Laina drank the wine, Lord Rengal continued to look on. 

It was as if he was waiting for something to happen. Florin came over to Laina's side. 

"Your Highness, may I have a word with you? In private?" Florin asked. 

He blocked Lord Rengal's view of Laina as he spoke to her. He looked intently into her eyes. 

"Of course," Laina swiftly replied before following Florin and Kol. 

As soon as they were out of sight of those who were in the ballroom, Florin took the glass from Laina's hand. 

"What… what are you doing, Florin?" she asked in surprise. 

"What's gotten into you, Florin?" Kol asked in confusion. 

Then, it hit him.

"Did you notice something?" 

Florin did not reply at first. He examined the wine glass and its contents in great detail. Upon realization of what its contents were, Florin immediately threw it out. He turned his attention to Laina, placing both hands on her shoulders. 

"Laina, do you feel unwell? Cold sweat?  Spinning? Anything?" he asked in quick succession. 

Laina shook her head, "No. I don't think so. What's wrong, Florin?"

The vampire furrowed his eyebrows as he pondered deep in thought. He was certain the wine had been poisoned. But Laina did not exhibit any symptoms. He could not rule out that it was not a slow-acting poison. 

"I think he suspects the wine was poisoned," Kol explained to Laina before asking for confirmation, "Is that right?"

"Poisoned?" Laina exclaimed in shock. 

She covered her mouth as soon as those words left her lips. She took a step closer to Florin and Kol. 

She asked in a whisper, "Are you sure?"

"I am quite certain. However, you're not exhibiting any signs of poisoning," Florin explained. 

"That's because," Laina reached into the pocket in her dress and took out a small vial, "I took this."

It was a special potion made by Margaret for Laina to bring on her journey across Kinshearth. The handmaid knew there were those who wished to cause Laina harm. Since she was unable to protect her in person, Margaret gave this to Laina to protect herself from harm. 

"She told me to take it once a day. It has the ability to negate most poisons." Laina explained. 

"This was Lady Margaret's work?" Kol asked as he took a closer look at the vial, "She sure thought of everything!"

Florin placed his hand over Laina's. He cast a detection spell. Lady Margaret's potion worked wonders. It had the ability to negate most poisons. It also had the ability to delay its effects, should it be unable to cure it. 

Florin gritted his teeth in anger. He looked up at Laina. 

"Your Highness, you need to confront them about this," he said as he seethed in anger, "This is a deliberate assassination attempt."

He held up the half glass of poisoned wine, "We have the evidence here. They can't escape."

"How could Lord Ethan do something like this?" Kol added. 

Laina bit her lip. She peered into the ballroom, the gala was in full swing. She curled her hand into a fist. If she confronted him about it now, it would cause a scene. Laina looked at the glass of wine and let out a sigh. 

Florin could see the hesitation on her face. 

"If you're worried they won't believe you, Kol and I are here to be your witness," he reassured her, "If anything happens, we will protect you with our lives. 

Laina shook her head, "I'm not worried about that."

She made up her mind. This matter was of grave importance. She will handle it delicately. 

"I will speak to Lord Ethan about this privately after the gala is complete…"

Florin protested, "But-" 

She stopped him from speaking any further as she shook her head, "I appreciate your concern and your anger, Florin. But I made up my mind."

A direct confrontation could spell trouble for everyone involved. Not only would it reflect badly on Laina, but there was also the possibility that Lord Ethan was not behind the attempt. 

If she falsely accused him of something he did not do in front of the nobles, it would leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth. It might even cost her their support. 

"Act normal," Laina ordered as she straightened her back, preparing to re-enter the ballroom, "We cannot let them suspect anything." 

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