### **Queen Lana and Duchess Sani Celebrate**

  In the grand hall of the palace, Queen Lana and Duchess Sani sat together, sipping wine from golden goblets. The air was filled with the soft hum of celebration, the distant cheers of the city still echoing through the halls.

  "Can you believe it, mother?" Queen Lana said, her voice tinged with awe. "My son has captured Princess Sixhonia Hyen. The very woman who has eluded our armies for years!"

  Duchess Sani leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "It’s nothing short of miraculous. How did he do it? Surely, it wasn’t just brute force."

  Queen Lana gestured to one of the Red Lions standing guard nearby. "You there," she called. "You were with Prince Leo during the capture. Tell us, how did he manage it?"

  The Red Lion stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, Duchess," he began, "Prince Leo used his wits as much as his strength. He commanded the lions and the bear to ambush the Hyen camp, creating chaos. While the princess’s warriors were distracted, he escaped and rallied us. It was… masterful."

  Duchess Sani raised an eyebrow. "And the princess? How did he subdue her?"

  The Red Lion hesitated, then said, "He treated her with dignity, Your Grace. Even when she tried to fight him, he refused to humiliate her. It was… unexpected."

  Queen Lana exchanged a glance with Duchess Sani, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "My son has always been full of surprises," she said. "But this… this is something else entirely."

  ---

  ### **Maid Julie and Xeona’s Conversation**

  Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the palace, Maid Julie found her sister, Xeona, sitting on a stone bench, her face buried in her hands. The sound of soft sobbing filled the air. *Sniff, sniff.* Julie approached gently, placing a hand on Xeona’s shoulder.

  "Xeona," Julie said softly. "What’s wrong?"

  Xeona looked up, her eyes red and puffy. "It’s Prince Leo," she whispered. "Seeing him with that princess… it hurt me. I couldn’t bear it."

  Julie sighed, sitting down beside her. "Xeona, you’ve let your emotions cloud your judgment. Prince Leo was kidnapped, held captive, and yet you haven’t even asked how he’s doing. Instead, you’re crying over something that was never yours to begin with."

  Xeona wiped her tears, her voice trembling. "But Julie, I’ve always cared for him. I thought… I thought maybe one day…"

  Julie shook her head. "You’re dreaming, sister. Prince Leo is the future king. He’s not ours to dream about. Don’t ruin the wonderful relationship we have with him by letting jealousy take over. He needs our support, not our tears."

  Xeona nodded slowly, her sobs subsiding. "You’re right," she said quietly. "I’ve been selfish. I’ll go check on him later."

  Julie smiled, squeezing her sister’s hand. "That’s the spirit. Now, dry your tears. The palace is celebrating, and we have work to do."

  ---

  ### **Prince Leo and Princess Sixhonia**

  In Prince Leo’s spacious room, the midday sun streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow over the ornate furnishings. Sun lay fast asleep on his large bed, his breathing steady. Across the room, Princess Sixhonia sat in a plush chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her blue hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her white eyes darted nervously around the room.

  She glanced at the sleeping prince, her mind racing. *What will he do with me?* she thought. *Why hasn’t he humiliated me like his mother wanted?* Her heart pounded as she waited for him to wake.

  Finally, Leo stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He sat up slowly, running a hand through his disheveled hair. His gaze fell on Sixhonia, and for a moment, he was stunned by her beauty up close. Her delicate features, her piercing eyes, the way the light seemed to dance around her—it was almost too much to take in.

  The Red Lions stationed in the room exchanged glances, equally captivated. Leo noticed and quickly regained his composure. "Leave us," he commanded, his voice firm. The Red Lions and maids bowed and exited the room, leaving Leo and Sixhonia alone.

  The princess tensed, her hands gripping the arms of the chair. "What do you want from me, Prince Sun?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with unease.

  Leo stood, walking over to her. He knelt before her, his eyes locking with hers. "Princess Sixhonia Hyen," he began, his voice soft but resolute, "I ask for your hand in marriage."

  Sixhonia’s eyes widened in shock. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You… you can’t be serious."

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  Leo smiled faintly. "I am. I’ve seen your strength, your courage, your beauty. Together, we could unite our families and end this war. No more bloodshed. No more hatred."

  The princess stared at him, her mind reeling. "You’re asking me to marry you," she said slowly, as if trying to process the words. "After everything that’s happened?"

  Leo nodded. "Yes. I know it’s unexpected, but I believe it’s the right path. For both of us."

  Sixhonia leaned back in her chair, her expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "You’re either the boldest man I’ve ever met," she said, "or the most foolish."

  Leo chuckled softly. "Perhaps a bit of both."

  For the first time since her capture, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Sixhonia’s lips. "I’ll need time to think about it," she said.

  Leo nodded. "Take all the time you need."

  ---

  The room fell silent, the weight of Sun Leo’s proposal hanging in the air. Outside, the celebrations continued, but inside, a new chapter was beginning—one that could change the fate of their kingdoms forever.

  ---

  ### **The Princess Agrees**

  Princess Sixhonia sat silently for a moment, her white eyes fixed on Prince Leo. The weight of his proposal hung in the air, and though her pride still burned, she could see the logic in his words. Finally, she nodded. "I agree," she said softly. "But I need a guarantee."

  Leo tilted his head, curious. "What kind of guarantee?"

  The princess turned to the Red Lions standing guard. "Bring me my personal items," she commanded. One of the lions nodded and left the room, returning shortly with a small, ornate chest. Sixhonia opened it and carefully removed a precious ice-blue tiara, its delicate silver filigree adorned with shimmering sapphires. She held it out to Leo.

  "In my culture," she explained, her voice steady but tinged with a faint blush, "a princess gives her family’s tiara to her husband as a symbol of trust. He uses it to fetch her as ransom from her family, should the need arise."

  Leo took the tiara, his fingers brushing against hers for a brief moment. He studied it, the weight of its significance not lost on him. "It’s beautiful," he said. "I’ll honor this tradition."

  The princess nodded, her cheeks still faintly pink. "May I see the palace?" she asked, her voice quiet but with a hint of excitement. "I’ve heard much about its grandeur."

  Leo smiled. "Of course." He turned to the Red Lions. "Call for Xeona. She’ll show you around."

  ---

  ### **Xeona’s Weird Behavior**

  Xeona arrived shortly, her expression stiff and her demeanor awkward. She avoided eye contact with the princess, her hands fidgeting nervously. "Your Highness," she said, bowing slightly. "I’ll show you the palace."

  As they walked through the grand halls and lush gardens, Xeona remained silent, her discomfort palpable. The princess noticed but said nothing, instead marveling at the palace’s beauty. The towering marble columns, the intricate mosaics, the vibrant flowers in the courtyard—it was unlike anything she had ever seen.

  Meanwhile, whispers spread through the palace like wildfire. Servants and nobles alike gossiped about the princess’s presence, wondering why she wasn’t being mistreated. "Why is she being treated like a guest?" one servant muttered. "She’s our enemy!"

  ---

  ### **Queen Lana’s Outrage**

  Queen Lana, upon catching sight of the princess strolling through the palace as if she owned it, stormed to Leo’s room. She burst in, her face flushed with anger. "Leo!" she exclaimed. "What is the meaning of this? Why is that woman being treated like royalty?"

  Leo stood calmly, his hands clasped behind his back. "Mother," he said, "Princess Sixhonia is my fiancée. She will be your future daughter-in-law."

  The queen’s eyes widened in shock. "What?!" she gasped, her voice rising. "Have you lost your mind? She’s our enemy!"

  Before Leo could respond, the queen swayed on her feet, her face pale. Her maids rushed forward, catching her before she could collapse. "Your Majesty!" one of them cried. "Let’s get you out of here."

  As the maids helped the queen out of the room, Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, that could have gone better," he muttered.

  ---

  ### **Crown Prince Sun Leo’s Edict**

  Over the next few days, Leo enjoyed the luxury of the palace, realizing how much he had missed it during his captivity. He issued an edict declaring the Thieves in Hands his personal enemies, vowing to eradicate them from Waltonia. "Any member of the Thieves in Hands found within our borders," he declared, "shall be arrested or killed on sight."

  The members of the Thieves in Hands, however, laughed at the proclamation. "Prince Sun thinks he can defeat us?" one of them sneered. "Let him try."

  ---

  ### **Lalisa’s Conversation**

  Somewhere in the city of Leona, Lalisa sat with her adoptive father in a dimly lit room. "The Hyen family is hunting us," he said, his voice grim. "They believe we set up Princess Sixhonia to collide with Prince Leo."

  Lalisa frowned. "But we didn’t. This is a misunderstanding."

  Her father sighed. "Misunderstanding or not, we’re in danger. We need to lay low."

  ---

  ### **The Princess’s Return**

  When Princess Sixhonia returned to Leo’s room, her quiet demeanor was softened by a hint of excitement. "The palace is beautiful," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I’ve never seen anything like it."

  Leo smiled. "I’m glad you enjoyed it."

  The princess hesitated, then asked, "What is the nature of your relationship with the maid? She seemed… jealous."

  Leo waved a hand dismissively. "It’s nothing. Xeona has been with me since childhood. She’s protective, that’s all."

  Sixhonia nodded, though her expression suggested she wasn’t entirely convinced. She then turned serious. "I have a request. As your fiancée, I ask that you release me and dignify my three warriors. They are all that remain of my loyal companions."

  She bowed her head and knelt before Leo, a gesture of submission that surprised him. "I ask for your protection," she said. "I have business to attend to in my land."

  Leo was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I agree to your terms. You’ll return home with 300 Red Lions as your escort, and your warriors will be treated with dignity."

  The princess looked up, her eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you."

  ---

  ### **Lord Thomas’s Rebuke**

  As news of Leo’s engagement spread, Lord Thomas, a trusted advisor, confronted him. "Have you lost your mind?" Thomas demanded. "You’re blinded by her beauty! This alliance could backfire spectacularly."

  Leo met his gaze calmly. "I know what I’m doing, Thomas. This is the path to peace."

  Thomas shook his head, muttering under his breath as he walked away.

  ---

  ### **The Princess Departs**

  Princess Sixhonia left the palace with her escort of 300 Red Lions, her head held high. Leo watched her go, the ice-blue tiara in his hands a symbol of their newfound alliance.

  ---