"Ugh," Elena said to the grand council. "I can't believe that it's Avaloran tradition that I have to get married to become the queen."

"Well you are of age and ready to ascend the throne - you must have a consort by your side," Esteban said. "No royal has not done so."

Crown Princess Elena was in the grand hall, where princes from many kingdoms had come to vie for her hand. Such an arranged, political marriage was fairly commonplace, and picking a prince from another kingdom would cement a mutually beneficial alliance. She knew the importance of tradition… she had bucked many traditions before, but it seemed like Esteban wasn't going to let her get out of this one.

Nearby, Lt. Nunez and Mateo stood, watching the grand council. Gabe was there to keep order amongst all the guests, and Mateo was taking a break from his studies. Gabe looked anxious, and perhaps defeated. Mateo may not be the most socially adept person, but even he knew that Gabe had feelings for the princess. It was love at first sight for him. But he knew his duty, and was a dedicated enough royal guard to put feelings aside for the good of the kingdom. Mateo didn't envy his position. He knew it was a lot for the young guard.

"I greatly admire you, Gabe," Mateo said.

Gabe smiled slightly. "Thank you, Mateo. Your confidence in me means a lot."

Nothing much else had to be spoken between them. Given the situations that Elena found herself in, Mateo and Gabe had found themselves working together quite a bit, and had become quite possibly each other's best male friends. There is something about a guy's best guy friend that is as special as it is unspoken. Perhaps Mateo was here for Gabe's moral support as much as he was here for anything else.

"Whoever she chooses he better treat her well or so help me…" Gabe gritted his teeth and balled his fists.

"I could turn him into a toad?" Mateo offered. Gabe smiled again and clapped Mateo on the back.

"Perfect."

Meanwhile, the grand council was approaching and Gabe stood at attention.

"So I have to pick some young man in this room, right?" Elena was saying.

"Yes, I'm afraid that's the way of things," Esteban said.

"Gabe!" Elena called. Gabe shot to attention.

"Yes princess?" he said.

"You're marrying me."

The rest of the grand council, Gabe, and Mateo looked shocked.

"I have to pick a single man in this room. Gabe is a single man in this room." Elena said.

"No that can't be right," Esteban said as Higgins handed him a book on Avaloran law. Francisco, Luisa, and Naomi grinned.

"I'd certainly rather have it be someone I know and already love."

"You love me?" Gabe said. Elena put her head in her hand.

"And we all already know how he feels about me," she continued without skipping a beat. Gabe blushed and looked down at the floor.

"He would be a fine consort! He does already know the ways of royalty. And a strong, military man is a good choice," Francisco said.

"Aha! I'm sorry princess," Esteban said, poking a finger at a passage in the book. "But your consort must himself have a royal title."

Naomi gasped, Mateo frowned.

"Esteban is right, princess," Gabe said. "I may love you but I am not-"

Elena held up her hand to cut him off. "Fine. He's a Duke now. I can do that."

"Ah! But since you're not yet queen that would require a majority vote from the grand council!"

"I second it!" Naomi cried. "...on the condition that I get to be the maid of honor."

"Well, all in favor?" Luisa said.

"Wait, no, this cant' be right," Esteban said, but Naomi, Luisa, and Francisco were already raising their hands.

Mateo grinned. "Ayyy go Gabe!" he said, punching his friend in the shoulder.

"You're going to be my best man, right?"