Dawn was just beginning when Saruto stood at the edge of the forest, his expression a mixture of caution and certainty. Felisa and Arina approached, their faces betraying the last vestiges of hesitation. "So… we'll put the plan into action?" Arina said in a low voice.
"Yes," Saruto replied firmly. "From this moment on, you will both disappear."
Felissa looked at Kyle for a long moment, then said in a barely audible whisper, "Take care of yourself."
"Don't worry," Kyle replied with a faint smile. "I'll be fine."
Ryan turned to Arina and said confidently, "Don't worry, the plan will work. Saruto has never let me down."
Saruto raised his hand, darkness swirling around his fingers, and said in a commanding tone, "It's time to put the plan into action."
Lucian took a deep breath as he watched the scene and said with his usual lightheartedness, "All right… let's sow chaos in the kingdom."
Saruto chuckled softly. "Then let's go."
A few hours later… a scream echoed through the Forest Palace. Guards ran in every direction, and ministers shouted,
"The princesses have disappeared!"
"They've been kidnapped!"
"I tell you, those two strangers are hiding something. They're undoubtedly the ones who abducted the princesses!"
Panic spread among the people, and voices rose, accusing the Kingdom of Storms and Dragons of kidnapping the princesses. Saruto and Lucian, hiding, whispered to the people, "We saw the princesses being dragged away in the night…"
"Those strange guests are to blame…"
"It seems the Kingdom of Dragons and Storms sent them to kidnap the princesses because we possess the treasures of their founders."
Chaos reigned in the palace, and with it, accusations flew. A full day later, Kyle and Rhyne appeared at the palace gates, each carrying one of the princesses in his arms, their clothes torn and their faces bearing the marks of a brutal battle. "The princes have brought the princesses back!" cried one of the guards.
"They're alive!"
The guards rushed forward, seized the princesses, and pointed their weapons at Kyle and Rhyne. Once the situation had calmed, the princesses explained what had happened: they had been kidnapped by bandits who had attacked Felisa's procession, and that Rhyne and Kyle had rescued them. They then revealed that they were the heirs of the Storm and Dragon families.
The people's perception of the Storm and Dragon kingdoms changed instantly. Suspicion turned to admiration, and accusations to gratitude. The king stood in his council and said in a dry but appreciative voice, "You have accomplished what no one else could. There will be a formal ceremony in your honor."
Kyle glanced at Saruto from afar, and the latter smiled slightly, thinking to himself, "The first step... has been successfully completed."
Three days later, the kingdoms gathered in the grandest hall of the Jungle Palace. The invitation had been sent to all nine kingdoms, summoning their kings and heirs.
A murmur rose as Saruto confidently entered the hall, as if he were guiding history itself. To his right stood Emilia, and to his left, Star. Lucian stood with Selena. Kyle and Rhyne stood before Arena and Felisa, each trying to maintain their composure... while their embarrassment betrayed them.
The Jungle King stood and declared in a voice that filled the hall, "Today... we unite under one banner. Thanks to the courage of two heroes... Kyle and Rhyne, without whom my daughter would not have been recovered, and the ten kingdoms would not have been united."
At that moment, Saruto and Lucian urged Kyle and Rhyne forward to carry out the final part of the plan: to ask for the princesses' hands in marriage. Kyle and Ryan approached the princesses and said simultaneously, "We ask for the princess's hand in marriage."
After a brief silence, the princesses accepted the proposal before the assembled guests. Cheers and applause erupted in the hall at the princesses' acceptance. Backstage, Saruto smiled and said, "It's done."
Then, Arena stepped forward carrying two small boxes. In a soft voice, she said, "As a gift from me personally, I present to you the treasures of your families, which have been kept in my palace for generations."
She opened the boxes slowly, to the anticipation of the guests. In the first was a silver ring with a gemstone in the shape of a winged dragon, pulsating with a faint, almost lifelike light. Arena walked gracefully toward Ryan and placed the ring in his palm.
In the second box was an earring made of a rare gold stone, engraved with the symbol of an intertwined cyclone. The Sand Princess stepped toward Kyle and placed the earpiece in his ear.
Then the music began to play, a captivating melody that stirred the soul. Dancing lights shimmered across the gilded floor, and the air was filled with the scent of flowers, wine, and perfume. Kyle took a step toward Felisa, gently took her hand, and said with a smile, "Will you dance with me?"
She smiled shyly and nodded in agreement, and they began to dance amidst the applause of the other guests.
At the other end of the hall, Arena giggled softly as she placed her hand on Ryan's shoulder while they danced.
As everyone danced, Saruto stood on the upper balcony, watching the scene with satisfaction, with Lucien beside him. Lucien said, smiling, "We did it. The Ten Kingdoms are now united."
"Yes, you're right," replied Saruto.
Then he turned towards the hall, where the melodies were rising, laughter mingled with the sound of clashing glasses, and everyone was dancing in a harmony that kingdoms had not known for centuries.