Five years after Sudaba's return, Rella and Fasal were married. They had a lengthy courtship because most of their early relationship was based on letters exchanged while Fasal was away fighting in the Hrum army. Rella knew she had to stay behind in Farsala to keep the peace and uphold the law of the land.
She glanced nervously at her older brother, Jiaan. She was dressed in a gown that was in the traditional colors of the House of the Leopard—black and gold.
Fasal would kiss her twice. After the first kiss, she would be taken into a back room and changed into a dress that was in the traditional colors of the House of the Lion—burnt orange and gold. Fasal would then kiss her again.
The changing from the black and gold gown into the burnt orange and gold gown was symbolic of her moving from the House of the Leopard to the House of the Lion.
Nine months after they were married, Rella and Fasal had a daughter named Alexandrite. Two months later, the two were selected to go to Nanthia to work out a trade agreement.
