The eyes of royalty and heirs turned toward the grand balcony where Saruto stood, as majestic as ever. A profound stillness hung over the hall, as if time itself had frozen. His gentle smile concealed a mystery that no one understood, even the princesses, who still wondered to themselves, "How did he arrive before me? Wasn't he just beside me?"
As they pondered, Lucian, the Ice Heir, appeared with a confident stride beside Saruto on the same balcony. Snow fell lightly around him, reflecting the golden candlelight in the hall, making him appear like an icy star.
Saruto raised his right hand, while Lucian raised his left. They exchanged a sharp but confident glance, then unleashed two bursts of energy:
From Saruto's hand shot a dark purple flame, like the fire of a dark dragon.
From Lucian's hand erupted a wave of frozen snow, so cold it held the breath of all present.
The two bursts met in the center of the hall and collided with tremendous force. Suddenly, a tremendous explosion of light, snow, and darkness erupted, fading into a ring of shimmering sparks that rained down like fireworks upon the assembled crowd.
Saruto's voice rose after the explosion:
"In the name of the will of the Eight Families… we declare the commencement of this ceremony!"
Then, Lucian's voice followed with regal coolness:
"Let this night bear witness to the strength of our alliance… and the birth of a new era among the Eight Kingdoms!"
The hall erupted in applause and astonishment, and before silence could fall, Saruto announced in a calm but firm voice:
"Let us all welcome the most important guests of this evening… the heirs and princesses of the Eight Families!"
Saruto raised his hand, pointing to the crystal ceiling of the palace. Suddenly, a soft beam of light emanated from the surrounding crystal columns, illuminating several spots in the hall.
All eyes immediately turned to the lights:
In a brightly lit corner, Camellia, the Princess of Hell, appeared, her black gown ablaze with fiery red edges. Her half-smile held a captivating blend of mystery and allure.
Next to her, in another spot, stood Star, the Princess of the Stars, shimmering in a blue gown adorned with galaxy-like fragments. Her presence was like a piece of heaven fallen to earth.
At the other end, the spotlight shone on Elaisa, the Princess of Light, in a luminous white gown that radiated warmth, filling the audience with tranquility at first sight.
Finally, Selena, the Princess of the Sea, emerged, wearing a turquoise gown that rippled like waves, her silver hair reflecting the hall's light.
The final spotlight shone on the heirs of the great families:
Ryan, the Heir of Dragons, with his sharp features and eyes that blazed with power.
Kyle, the Heir of Storms, surrounded by a halo of gentle wind that lifted the hem of his cloak as if he were walking through a small cyclone.
Applause erupted, and the audience rose to their feet in respect, while the atmosphere in the hall was a mixture of astonishment and wonder.
No one had expected the party to be so meticulously and lavishly arranged. The lights, the music, and the decor, which combined symbols from each kingdom into a single tableau, made everyone whisper:
"This isn't just a party… this is a show of power by the heir to the House of Lewin."
Sophisticated music played by a carefully selected band. The gleaming floor reflected the interplay of colors from the crystal candelabras, while maids served drinks and sumptuous food on gilded platters.
Some of the heirs exchanged formal remarks:
"I never imagined Saruto could organize a party of this caliber… every detail is thought out," said Cyle, the heir to the Storms, in amazement.
"It makes me feel like I'm the only one here… despite all the other guests," commented Princess Star.
Lucian, meanwhile, observed everyone coolly, smiling to himself whenever he saw a look of surprise on a prince's or princess's face.
The guests were soon invited to the dance floor. The heirs advanced with formal steps:
The Dragon Heir, Rhyn, invited the Princess of Light, Elaisa, who bowed gracefully and accepted.
Lucian asked the Sea Princess for a dance, and while she seemed embarrassed at first, she smiled in acceptance.
Meanwhile, Saruto… simply sat in his chair, observing everyone with a slight smile, as if he were managing a giant chessboard, with everyone in their proper place.