Priscilla tightened her fingers around her lover's as they approached Carleon manor.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"No. Actually, I don't think I've ever been more afraid than I am right now," he sighed. "Barring the fight against Nergal and the fire dragon, that is..." He glared down at his formal wear; everyone at castle Reglay had assured him he looked perfect, but when he looked at himself all he saw was a old frumpy-faced mage playing dress-up.
"Erk, don't worry so much! My parents will love you," Priscilla said.
"But what if my talent and connection to Lord Pent isn't good enough? What if they can't get over my being a commoner? What if I say or do something foolish?!" Erk let go of her hand, glaring at the sweat beginning to drip from it. "I can't do this...maybe you should consider other options, just in case they hate me."
For a moment he thought she was going to cry, but the sad look on her face was quickly replaced with a determined glare.
"Don't say that! Erk, when you confessed your love for me you promised you'd stay by my side forever," she said, "and I'm holding you to that even if I do have to fight for it."
"I'm not worth it."
"Yes you are." She pulled out a handkerchief and dried his hand off. "I love you, Erk, and that's all that matters to me."
There was nothing but sincerity in her words and expression, and Erk remembered the reason he'd fallen for her in the first place. He smiled and clasped her hands in his.
"I love you too," he said. "And you're right. If they don't like me, I'll just work harder to win them over." He kissed her, and she smiled.
"But you won't have to, because I know they will."
Hand in hand, they approached the gates and waited for the guard to let them in.