"My name is Trentlen, and today, I'll be teaching you about the customs and dress of Tesalia."

The Oratorium was a humongous college-like classroom with no desks. The one Ansel stood in had mannequins with vests and pants and the like, and it also had a dance floor with a lady standing there, observing Ansel's every reaction.

"Okay, Trentlen," Ansel said, partially annoyed but partially excited, "what exactly am I to learn about in this class? Laws? Etiquette? Dance moves?"

Trentlen took out a big book and threw it at Ansel. It hit him square in the face, and hit the tile floor with a thud.

"You will first learn about the laws in that book. Then, you will learn how a Tesalian eats, how he dances, and how he treats women."

"I heard in Eos that you are partially racist towards the Megiddo Elves of the North." Ansel said. 

"That is a nasty rumor your kind spread about the continent. I am married to a Megiddo Elf named Niravya, and she is standing over there." Trentlen pointed his finger at the lady standing in the middle of the ballroom floor, who waved at Ansel.

Ansel shook his head. "I'm sorry for believing that assumption." 

"That's quite alright, Lightsworn. All of those laws in that book I just threw at your face add up to two common beliefs in these lands." Trentlen smirked at Ansel. "One: you must not believe everything you hear of the Tesalian Empire. These are pretty much lies spread about by both the Eos Empire and their allies. Two: A true citizen of Tesalia never lets their guard down. You can be friendly all you want to here, most people are, but everyone is always on edge because of the Eos Empire."

Ansel shrugged. "Even I don't trust the Eos Empire, and that's my homeland."

Trentlen nodded. "The first thing to fixing that is being here. Lady Caroline sees how your homeland treated you, and it upset her. That's why she's rushing you to become a citizen of Tesalia. You'll find out soon enough in the Hopeless Heights. For now, here's citizenship test one."

Trentlen vanished into a poof of smoke. "Rule number one!" His deep voice echoed throughout the humongous room.

Ansel got in a stance. "Never believe anything that you hear of the Tesalian Empire!"

"Rule number two!"

Ansel felt a presence above him and stuck his boot up and kicked Trentlen in the lower thigh. Trentlen landed on his feet.

"Good, you passed."

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Ansel sank into his bed like a ship sinks into water. He felt so worn out, from learning etiquette to earning how to do the tango to everything else. 

"Goodness, it's nearly 20 on the sundial. I didn't expect you to be in bed so early."

Sonya's soft voice put Ansel's racing heart at ease. "It's been a long day, Sonya. I learned everything, from etiquette to dancing to tiresome rules."

"Trent told me about everything you learned. I knew my brother would help set you straight."

Ansel sat up. "Wait. That guy was your brother?"

Sonya giggled and nodded. "Yes. He was impressed with you. In fact, he even said that he would be honored if you became his brother in law."

"Sonya? What's the rule on falling in love in this country?"

"Well, the way the Ancient King designed Tesalian hearts, people who fall in love fall in love with the blessing of the Ancient King- It basically makes our eyes radiate brighter, and that's how we can tell we are in love with a person. Once we are in love, the only thing that can bring us apart is death- and the afterlife is where we reunite, for a life lived serving the Ancient King is a blessing and adventure. He rewards us with peace for eternity."

"So what your saying is-"

"I'm saying that you're stuck with me until the end of time, Ansel Valeheart. Now and forever. Now go to bed, we have a big day tomorrow."

Sonya crawled into bed with Ansel and they both nodded off to sleep.

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Somewhere on the continent of Grandalia....

"King David, how long are we going to hold out in these caves? Golijat's men know where we are, and the whole kingdom of Israele is about to fall under dark times!"

"We must trust the Ancient King, men. He is sending someone soon, and after he comes and retrieves the sword we were tasked to protect, then we will get him to help us. Do not fear, men. In our darkest hour, we will not perish, for we know the light."

The sky over the country of Israele darkened immensely, and the once-holy land of the Ancient King  looked like it was going to perish.

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Ansel awakened with a start, the sun shining bright in his room. Sonya had left the bed, and was most likely getting ready for their wedding day.

The sun shone brightly, and the clouds on the mountaintops to the North made the place look like it was an amazing honeymoon spot. The birds chirped outside, the warm breeze made Ansel's heart feel alive.

There was a knock on the door. "Knight Valeheart, we must get you ready for the ceremony. Your party afterwards lasts until dusk."

"Let us go forth then." Ansel enthused.

The leather boots that Ansel wore clicked along the marble floors. Each click made his heart beat more and and more. 

Click. They turned the hallway towards the dressing room.

Click. Ansel's heart almost jumped out of his chest as the door opened.

Click. The magistrate helped him get into his wedding suit, and he walked out the door and saw the most amazing thing: Sonya, his love, awaiting him at the altar.

If anything could pay him back for all the trouble he had endured in his life, it was this.

Sonya made Ansel's heart run away from him with every glance. She had captured his heart, she had made him feel loved, she had made him feel worthy.

Sonya made him feel human. That's more than he could say about anyone else in his crappy life.

"Well, Lightsworn? Shall we get on with this?" Sonya's excitement could be seen in her voice, and her giddy expression.

Ansel nodded, and then drew a breath and walked onto the altar.

The princesses of both Tesalia and Eos stood upon the altar, and coronated the ceremony,

"By law and by our Ancient King we pronounce you Husband and Wife!"

"Valkyrie and Knight, forever be united!"

"By the blood of the Ancient King." Sonya and Ansel both said in unison, and then they kissed, and light encased them both.

"This decree of marriage is now bound by the Ancient King!" The sky opened up near the mountainside and the midday sun shined down the valley on the couple, and the two were sealed as lovers.