I can't breathe.
Standing in front of me is… Dorcha.
Dressed like a prince.
I've never seen him like this before—
he's… breathtaking.
His outfit matches mine perfectly.
And his eyes—
Wait.
Is that possible?
"Dorcha?"
"Yes…"
"Weren't your eyes… black?"
"As far back as I can remember…"
"They're gray," I whisper.
"Today, they're gray."
He smiles at me, as if my words mean nothing at all.
And yet—
"It must be the lighting," he says lightly, pulling me into an embrace.
"These strange light effects. You're going to be the most beautiful one today."
Then he takes my hand.
Together, we head toward the Throne Hall.
It feels like I'm flying, with him by my side.
Just a few steps—and we meet Grogher on the stairs.
He looks amazing.
The gnomes made him a custom outfit—a true knight's attire.
I'm so happy for him.
____
My little mastterrr and the prrrincess…
they look beautiful.
The most beautiful couple in the whole worrrld.
Seeing him beside herrr…
he almost looks like a trrrue Nuvolan, doesn't he?
And I don't look half bad myself, dressed like this.
A trrrue Knight's outfit.
I've never had one before.
Before this adventure began, I never would have imagined that peoples so differrrent from my own could treat me with such kindness.
The tailorrrs of the Storm Realm always told me it was impossible to make proper armor for me—
arms too long, legs too short.
But the Gnomes…
They did it.
The kids walk ahead of me.
I follow them… and my chest tightens.
I wipe away a tear before it can fall.
Trrraitor.
It feels incrrredible…
but maybe—just maybe—
I'm starting to love this strange life of ours.
____
We enter the Throne Hall in our usual formation:
Aileen at the center, Grogher and I at her sides.
The murmur of voices fades into silence.
The Sovereigns are there.
Princess Majory.
A whole bunch of children.
And several of the kingdom's most prominent figures.
We stop and wait.
Majory approaches us and offers a deep, formal bow.
Aileen returns it with grace.
Grogher and I incline our heads.
Applause erupts—
cheers, whistles, shouts of admiration.
We wait for it to die down.
Then Majory turns to the crowd.
Silence falls again.
"Allow me to present my saviors," she announces.
"Princess Aileen of Cloudland, Sir Dorcha—Prince of the Storm Realm—and Sir Grogher."
Another wave of applause.
"Thank you, Princess Aileen," Majory says after a moment.
She's clearly grateful.
But Aileen brushes it off.
"I did nothing you wouldn't have done yourselves, Princess."
Majory takes Aileen's hands in hers.
"Come. I want to introduce you to all my friends."
She leads us through the hall, pointing out the other young gnomes—
the ones who were trapped down there with her.
They look well.
No sign of what they went through.
There's a young gnome named Maya, wrapped tightly around a boy called Yosho.
A certain Gready who does nothing but eat sweets.
Someone called Bumbling—if I heard that right—who manages to bump into everyone at every step.
Two little twins race around the room like maniacs.
Two rather unpleasant gnomes whispering and gossiping about everyone.
A fellow named Fealsy, making flowers and colorful butterflies appear out of thin air.
Greanny, entertaining the crowd with what I assume are comedy sketches… though I don't find them funny in the slightest.
And then there's a giant gnome—huge, broad, even taller than Asher—following a rather pretty gnome around like a devoted puppy.
I realize I've been staring.
Aileen notices and elbows me.
I turn away instantly.
But—
She's not even looking at me.
She's completely focused on Majory.
Very good at pretending.
A true princess, no doubt about it.
"You know him well," Majory says, stopping in front of Asher, her eyes shining.
"Today, we will be married. At the end of the ceremony, we will entrust you with the Secret of our Kingdom."
She turns to us.
"Princess Aileen. Prince Dorcha. Future Sovereigns of Cloudland—would you honor us by witnessing our union?"
Future Sovereigns of Cloudland…?
I look at Aileen.
Will she really be my wife?
Is that how others see us?
Aileen…
She looks back at me.
We both flush instantly—
embarrassed, but happy.
"Cerrrtainly," Grogher answers for us, rolling his r's with pride.
"They will be most pleased to do so."
____
And so… here I am at last.
Like in my dreams.
Standing at the center, between the magnificent ivory columns that frame the entrance of this hall, waiting to reach the love of my life.
It feels as though my heart might burst from joy.
I really did it.
I ended the prophecy.
I saved Asher.
The orchestra begins to play, and I move forward—
slowly…
step by step…
toward him.
He looks at me as if I were a miracle.
How beautiful my love is.
____
I was so afraid she didn't feel for me what I've always felt for her.
Wrapped in that moon-white gown, my Meg is radiant.
Her flushed cheeks, her glowing smile…
and my heart forgets how to breathe.
I can't wait for her to reach my side.
Every second spent away from her feels like life slipping through my fingers.
____
They're so beautiful.
What a moment.
How I wish I were in Majory's place.
She's reached him now…
they look at each other…
they smile…
their hands intertwine…
And they turn red as cherries.
The music fades until only they remain—
eyes locked, heart to heart.
King Ciallmhar and Queen Bànrion look almost more emotional than their daughter.
I wonder… when it's my turn to marry…
Mom…
Dad…
today I can't stop thinking about you.
My eyes sting with tears.
I look at Dorcha.
He smiles at me and slips an arm around my shoulders.
"It's all right," he whispers. "We'll make it."
Dorcha… wonderful Dorcha…
there are no secrets left between us.
They exchange rings.
A roar of applause fills the hall.
We clap too.
They kiss.
It's beautiful.
I wish them all the happiness in the world.
The Sovereigns step down from the dais, take the newlyweds by the hand, and—according to tradition—lead them to the thrones.
Princess Majory and the newly crowned Prince Asher are now the future rulers.
We all kneel and bow our heads before them.
There could be no greater blessing.
"Your future Sovereigns," the King proclaims.
Another wave of applause answers him.
Then the King steps forward again, standing at the center of the dais, and turns his gaze toward us.
"And now," he says, "we move on to another ceremony.
I invite Princess Aileen of Cloudland, our honored guest, to step forward."
A sudden shiver runs through me.
This is it.
I exchange a quick glance with Dorcha and Grogher, then step toward the Sovereigns and the Princes.
Majory and Asher rise from their thrones and descend with solemn grace, stopping in front of me.
Majory opens her hands.
Between them appears a golden box shaped like a four-leaf clover, encrusted with precious gems.
She gestures for me to open it.
I lift the lid.
A blinding light spills out, and a sweet melody fills the air:
Do not fear to reach your hand,
though the path may seem unclear.
To give with a sincere heart
is never done in vain.
The light fades.
In its place, an orange stone appears.
It floats in the air and—drawn by an unseen force—joins the Elves' stone already set into the golden bracelet around my wrist.
Dorcha and Grogher step in beside me.
Queen Bànrion approaches us.
"Thank you for delaying your mission for our sake," she says warmly.
"Thank you—truly—for everything. I know persuading the Sovereigns of the Sea Folk will not be easy, but I wish you success in obtaining the third Secret of our Great Kingdom as soon as possible."
We nod together.
"We'll do our very best," I say.
"Yes. But for now," she adds gently, "celebrate with us. Tomorrow, we'll show you the way."
We agree.
The orchestra strikes up once more—
wild, joyful music.
For today, we forget our mission.
Tomorrow, the journey begins again.
For now—
let's dance.