The Dragon King's Heart

Laina was huddled on the sofa with a book in her hands. The fireplace crackled and splintered in the background. Dante had a gramophone set up in the room as well, playing classical music which helped to soothe the soul. 

He was huddled next to her, reading a leather-bound book. This has become part of their new routine after spending much time with one another in the Starfrost Mansion. On some days, they would explore the surrounding area. 

On snowing days like this one, they stayed indoors and tried out a list of different activities. For the both of them, it was as if time had stopped in its tracks. It allowed them to fully indulge in one another's company. 

"How's the book you're reading?" Laina asked as she leaned her head on Dante's shoulder, her eyes still on the pages of her book. 

Dante turned a page as he replied, "Pretty good. But I think you would be able to write a much better one."

"Me?" 

She had never thought about it before. Dante nodded. He had full confidence in Laina's literary abilities. The stories she could write would captivate the readers with the turn of each page. They would be at the edge of their seats, ready to find out what happens next. 

"Yes you," he said as he pinched her on the nose playfully with a smile, "You could write it under a pen name. No one would know."

Laina bit her lip. She liked the idea Dante was giving her. As the gears in her mind began to turn, a smile formed on her face. She had an idea for a story. 

"I'll think about it," she replied to him with a smile before getting sucked into the book she was reading once more. 

Dante put down his book on his lap and reached for a cup of hot cocoa. He handed one to Laina, who received it with thanks, before picking one up for himself. The aromatic fragrance of liquid chocolate flooded his senses. 

As per Laina's request, her mug was topped with small marshmallows that floated up top. He looked over to Laina who was enjoying her drink. He could not help but smile. The last two weeks they had spent together were some of the best. 

How he wished it would never end. 

Dante looked out of the glass window for a moment. Beyond the glass window was complete darkness. The sunsets early in this season. Sunlight only lasts for a few short hours before the land is covered in darkness. 

Even he could barely tell how long they had been here. Not that it mattered. 

All good things come to an end. A wise man once said that. 

Knowing their time together could be cut short at any moment, Dante decided to do something unique for their dinner that night. He had the kitchen staff prepare a special surprise in their room. 

It was difficult for him to keep it a secret from Laina, but he was ultimately successful. 

"No peeking," he warned her as he placed the blindfold on her eyes. 

He carefully led her to the table. Her sense of smell already gave it all away. Laina could smell the aromatic fragrance and hear the bubbling pot long before Dante guided her to the table. Still, she was excited. 

Once she was seated, Dante carefully removed her blindfold. 

"Alright, you can open your eyes now," Dante said triumphantly as he carefully lifted the lid of the pot. 

As soon as Laina opened her eyes, she was first greeted by a plume of steam. As it dissipated, the spread of food on the table was revealed! She gasped in shock, covering her mouth as she looked up at Dante. 

"I assume that means you like it," he grinned. 

She nodded in response, "How… how did you get this?"

Dante chuckled as replied with a cheeky smile, "A magician never reveals his secrets."

It was a combination of hotpot and grill. A small bubbling pot of broth was placed on a special portable stove on their table, next to a heated grill pan. A wide variety of meats, vegetables, and seafood were available for them to dip into the soup or grill. 

Laina was pleasantly surprised to see seafood options available. While she recalled that there was a frozen lake near the mansion, they were most certainly not near the ocean. She was also quick to notice that everything on the table was her favorite. 

Prawns, her favorite crustacean, marinated sirloin steak cuts, and thinly sliced pork collar. Furthermore, there was a small selection of sauces for her to choose and dip her cooked meats into. 

"Someone seems to have thought this through," Laina said as she looked over to Dante. 

"Indeed," Dante replied casually as he picked up some of the meats and placed them onto the grill. 

Just as she was about to pick up a prawn, Laina realized another key detail. The prawns had already been deshelled! She had always found it troublesome to consume prawns because of the need to peel off the shell. 

But now, she does not have to worry about it anymore. 

"Dante, what are your favorite foods?" Laina asked as she dipped a thin slice of pork collar into the bubbling soup base. 

He paused in thought for a while before replying, "I don't really have a favorite food." 

This was true. He had never really cared much for the flavors of food in general. To him, food was simply eaten for survival. But Dante knew to Laina, this was not the case. To her, food was a love language. 

It was also the fabric of life. 

"What!" Laina exclaimed in surprise. 

She shook her head, "That's not possible, everyone has a favorite food! Maybe you've not tried something you really enjoy."

As she took a bite of the cooked meat, she pondered over the various possibilities. 

"Food is usually attached to memories, emotion! That's what makes it taste extra special. Isn't there a food, maybe one that you once shared with someone you cherish that you can remember that you enjoyed?" 

Dante pondered for a moment. Looking down at his bowl, he noticed Laina had placed a few pieces of cooked meat for him to eat. He could not help but smile, reminiscing the times they had spent together. 

It reminded him of a distant memory, one that he did not plan on forgetting anytime soon.