The city pulsed with vibrant energy as the celebration embraced every corner, filling it with life.
Colorful banners and intricate decorations adorned the streets, casting a spell of enchantment.
The air reverberated with the rhythmic beats of traditional drums and the melodious tunes of Aquarian instruments, interwoven with joyous laughter and excited cheers.
Throngs of people flooded the city, clad in Aquarian attire adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.
Men and women showcased their skills in traditional dances, their graceful movements narrating ancient legends and heroic tales.
The sway of hips and the resounding stomps of feet resonated through the city, evoking a deep sense of pride and admiration in the hearts of onlookers.
As the trio moved through the bustling crowd, their presence didn't go unnoticed.
Excited whispers spread, and soon cheers and well-wishes filled the air, creating a wave of positivity and support that accompanied them on their walk.
Though nobody ventured too close, everyone showed respect to their hero and princess. Aquarians, Zenianians, and Nethanians all joined in the celebration, cheering for the group as they strolled along the bustling street.
Their journey led them toward the palace, and the streets came alive with an outpouring of joy and gratitude.
News of Archer's heroic exploits had spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom, and the people eagerly yearned for a glimpse of their beloved savior.
Rumors circulated, claiming that a white dragon stood guard over the Aquarian Kingdom, burning all the invading armies.
Cheers erupted, echoing through the air as the trio passed by. Faces glowed with admiration and pride, and the crowd surged with enthusiasm.
Men, women, and children waved colorful banners and flags, their voices blending into a chorus of cheers and well-wishes.
"White Dragon! Thank you for saving us!" Voices called out, gratitude dripping from every word.
Archer was taken aback by the warmth and friendliness of the people, witnessing three kingdoms united in celebration pleased him deeply.
"The White Dragon! Our protector!" Resounded the voices, rising above the excited murmurs. The chant rippled through the crowd, spreading like wildfire until it echoed in every nook and cranny of the city square.
Young and old faces alike radiated joy and appreciation.
"Archer, you saved us from darkness! We owe you our lives!" Exclaimed a man from the front row.
The people pressed forward, yearning to draw nearer, their voices eager to reach their hero.
Expressions of awe and happiness danced upon their faces, a testament to the immense power and bravery embodied by their white-scaled hero.
"Thank you for protecting our homes, our families! You were a beacon of hope in our darkest hours!" Cried out a woman, her voice trembling with emotion.
After walking for a while, they finally reached the entrance of the palace walls, where a line of guards stood at attention.
As the trio passed through, the guards saluted them with respect. The Aquarian Imperial Palace stood proudly, its beauty captivating all who laid an eye on it.
Crafted with meticulous precision, the intricately carved wooden beams and ornate motifs commanded reverence and awe.
Every detail, from the graceful archways to the majestic domes, emanated an air of regal magnificence.
The three approached the palace, their eyes drawn to the exterior walls adorned with traditional Aquarian tapa designs.
These stunning patterns, meticulously handcrafted by skilled local artisans, showcased the richness of the southern kingdom's heritage.
Vibrant colors and intricate motifs wove together, creating a visual spectacle that celebrated the artistic mastery of the Aquarian people.
Archer and Ella, in awe of their surroundings, marveled at the splendor of the palace. Coming from a fairly big city, they had never seen anything quite like it.
They felt like country bumpkins amidst the beauty that surrounded them.
The blooming flowers in the palace gardens and the meticulous detailing of the walls in various hues left them speechless.
Teuila's playful pinch caught them by surprise, causing the two of them to yelp.
Rubbing their sides, they redirected their attention to the entrance, where a group of people had gathered, catching their curiosity.
She dragged them over, and a tall man with dark blue hair and the same blue eyes as Teuila stepped forward, reaching out to grab her.
"My dear Teuila, how have you been?" he asked.
Teuila smiled as her father embraced her, returning the hug as they spoke.
"I'm fine, Papa. We came back for the celebrations. Oh, and I traveled to the Land of Plenty, it was amazing."
Her father's eyes widened upon hearing his daughter's words. He was about to inquire further when he noticed the presence of the white-haired young man.
As his gaze fell upon the boy, the man meticulously observed his four exquisite white horns, captivating violet eyes, and elf-like ears.
The sight of the boy's scruffy white hair sparked inward laughter within him.
After releasing his embrace on Teuila, he took a step forward to approach Archer. He positioned himself in front of Archer and offered his hand, extending it for a handshake.
Archer met the man's gaze and firmly clasped his hand as the man spoke, a massive smile adorning his face.
"Hero of Aquaria, I am thrilled to finally meet you. Thank you for saving my kingdom and bringing joy to my daughter. I have never seen her smile like she is now."
Maintaining his grip on Archer's hand, eliciting giggles from Ella, the man continued.
"I am King Lashure Aquaria. Do you see that woman with striking dark blue hair? That is my wife, Queen Mele Aquaria."
The woman's green eyes gleamed as she greeted Archer with a smile. "Thank you for coming to our aid in our time of need."
Archer returned the smile and nodded in acknowledgment.
King Lashure proceeded to introduce the princes and princesses.
"The towering boy beside her is the first prince, Maleko. Standing next to him is the second prince, Malosi, and the third prince goes by the name of Triton, but I believe you two have already met."
Finally releasing his hand, King Lashure guided Archer toward the rest of the family. With warmth in his voice, he introduced Teuila's sisters.
They came to a halt before a young woman in her twenties, her lustrous dark blue hair cascading around her.
"Allow me to present the first princess, Tausala. And here we have the second princess, Sosefina, and the third princess, Tala."
Tausala bore a striking resemblance to Mele, while her siblings resembled their father in female form.
Their eyes shimmered like precious emeralds and deep sapphires, while their hair displayed an array of captivating blue hues.
They all look young, and even Lashure himself defied the passing of time, causing a perplexed expression to cross Archer's face.
Sensing his confusion, Tausala giggled as she spoke up. "Why do you gaze upon us as if we were peculiar creatures? I think you're curious about our youthfulness."
Archer didn't conceal the truth and simply nodded in agreement.
Queen Mele intervened before her daughter could speak. "The Aquarians hail from an ancient lineage of merpeople known as Aquarians. Although we appear human, at our core, we are mermaids. We possess Aquarian magic, granting us the ability to breathe and navigate through water with remarkable swiftness."
Nodding appreciatively, Archer responded, "Fascinating. Thank you for enlightening me."
As he engaged in conversation with the King and Queen, he overheard the siblings speaking to Teuila and introducing themselves to Ella.
Tausala was the first to inquire, addressing Teuila, "Little sister, is he the man Papa has chosen to be your husband?"
Teuila couldn't hide her cheeks turning red, and Sosefina quickly noticed.
Unable to contain her excitement, she interjected, "Oh, sister, you're so lucky! You get to marry a dragon!"
Then Tala shared her perspective, "Do you both get along? It's crucial for a successful marriage that the couple gets along well."
At that moment, the collective gaze of all three sisters landed on Ella, who stood there observing everything unfold.
Stepping forward with grace, Tausala, the first princess, introduced herself, saying, "I am Tausala. May I inquire about your name and your relationship with my baby sister?"
Ella, looking at the blue-haired woman, before responded with a warm smile, "Hello, I'm Ella. I would say Teuila and I are sister wives or soon-to-be."
Tausala's eyebrow arched in surprise upon hearing Ella speak. She glanced at Teuila, who was engaged in conversation with Sosefina and Triton, a big smile adorning her face.
"So she has already chosen to marry him without Father having to intervene?" Tausala asked, her curiosity evident.
Ella looked up at the woman, her smile unwavering, and replied, "Yes, they have a growing connection to each other. From what I have seen, they are remarkably similar in many ways."
Observing the young blonde woman, Tausala's gaze softened. "That's wonderful. She deserves to discover happiness, for she was a lonely girl growing up."
Ella beamed, her words carrying warmth. "Arch was also lonely, with only me by his side. I'm delighted he found someone else."
In agreement with Ella's sentiment, Tausala nodded. Just then, Lashure's voice resonated, summoning everyone. "Dinner shall be served. Let us proceed to the grand hall!"
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