In the Kingdom of Vale, there were four elements, required by law, for a knighting ceremony to be officially recognized. First, the subject must have successfully completed a minimum of three years at one of the kingdom's officially recognized battle schools and must be able to present proper documentation verifying their credentials at the ceremony. Second, a minimum of five witnesses not related by blood need be present at the time of the proclamation. Third, and as a demonstration of the unity and comradery between the kingdom's many territories, a delegate from a different fief, sanctioned and recognized by the kingdom, must bear witness in addition to the other five witnesses. Fourth, the only individuals with the authority to bestow knighthood and the title of sir upon any candidate are the Baron of the fief from which the candidate hails, the King, or the High Cardinal of the Order of Varos.

Though only eight members are required for a knighting ceremony to be official, for there to be so few is highly unusual. Such ceremonies are customarily held in celebration, meaning far more than five witnesses will be present, and there will almost certainly be more than one visiting delegate. At Sir Theseus' knighthood for example, no fewer than seven different Barons acted as delegates, and there were over one hundred noblemen and women from across the kingdom who bore witness to his ceremony. (F/N)'s ceremony however, met only the bear minimum requirements for him to be sanctioned as a knight of the kingdom. Five of the castle's staff acted as witness, Anastasia served as the official delegate, and it was his father, who bestowed upon him his title.

(F/N) knelt in front of his father and felt the blade touch his shoulders and head. He rose, and his father stood before him, about to present him with his sword and his shield that bore his crest. For a moment, it looked as if the Baron wanted to say something, but after a second, he roughly shoved the blade and shield into (F/N)'s arms before exiting the room rather unceremoniously, followed by the castle staff. (F/N) watched his father go with a furrowed brow, but his frown quickly turned to a smile as Anastasia moved to stand before him.

"How does it feel, Sir (F/N)?" She asked, placing heavy emphasis on his new title.

(F/N) looked down at the shield in one hand, the sword in the other. He measured their weight, raising his arms half an inch with a shrug before dropping them again.

"Heavy." He replied seriously.

She gave him an understanding smile, and then tugged gently on his arm.

"Come," she said, "I have a surprise for you."

Anastasia seemed to know her way around the castle pretty well. As she led (F/N) by the hand, even he became confused, losing track of which winding corridors they had walked through, and which turns they had taken. But still, Ana walked without hesitation, her destination and the path there secured in her memory. After several minutes, they came to a stop outside what (F/N) soon recognized as the study. It was a large room, the walls lined with bookshelves, and an ornate grand piano rested in the center. Despite its intended function, it had long since been abandoned by the Baron, whose office was housed in one of the castle's towers.

(F/N) went to open the door, but Anastasia quickly moved to stand in front of him.

"Wait. You have to close your eyes first." She said,

"Why?"

"Because, it's a surprise silly."

(F/N) rolled his eyes but did as she said. Anastasia turned her back on him and opened the door, checking to make sure he wasn't peeking. (F/N) jumped slightly when he felt Ana's hands cover his face, and she gently ushered him into the room.

"Just a little further." She said. "And no peeking. Okay, just give me a moment."

"Ana, what is this?" (F/N) laughed.

"Just a second. Okay, now turn around and open your eyes."

He did so, and before him stood several dozen of the senior staff. They clapped and cheered and welcomed him home with pats on the shoulder and hands ruffling his hair. The elderly cook hugged him like a mother and kissed him on the cheek and grabbed him by the arm, leading him to a table in the corner.

"You always used to sneak into the kitchens and steal these out from under my nose." She said fondly.

(F/N) smiled as he saw the large plate stacked high with cherry tarts. The soft, crispy breading that fell apart in the mouth topped with caramelized cherries. In addition to the sweets, there was a large roasted ham, mashed potatoes, and an assortment of steamed vegetables.

"We're all so proud of you." The cook said with a smile, pressing a glass of wine into his hand. "To Sir (F/N)."

His name echoed around the room as everyone raised their glass in his name.

"Thank you, Miss Bennett." (F/N) said, hugging the elderly cook.

"No need to call me Miss Bennett anymore. You're all grown up now."

"Thank you, Claire." (F/N) laughed. "And thanks to all of you for the warm welcome home." He said, raising his glass to the senior staff.

The rest of the evening was spent receiving congratulations and in idle chatter as (F/N) recounted the past three years spent at battle school. At some point during the night, someone had suggested (F/N) sit at the grand piano, which up until this point had acted as little more than an additional table. (F/N) smiled embarrassedly and tried to wave off the applause, but eventually found himself handing off his drink and taking a seat at the familiar instrument.

He tested several of the keys, making sure the piano was tuned. The room was silent, and he could feel all eyes on him. Glancing up from the keys, he saw Anastasia smiling from the corner of the room, her small hands wrapped around the stem of her wine glass. Offering her a small smile, he closed his eyes and began to play. As soon as his fingers touched the cool ivory the world faded away until it was just him and the music.

It was a song without lyrics. A story without words. A story that only two people in the world knew. And as he played, he played for her. Behind his closed eyes he could see her beauteous grace and stunning smile. And when the song ended and he opened his eyes, it was her face he sought amongst the crowd. He was just about to stand and make his way over to her when one of the staff members called out a request. Never one to disappoint, (F/N) struck up a toon to a familiar folk song, and soon the room was filled with the singing of every person in the room.

Several songs later and (F/N) finally had to deny any more requests, instead allowing one of the footmen to take over. Anastasia was in conversation with Ms. Bennett, so (F/N) found his way to Brian Hughes, the head butler who had looked after him in his youth following his mother's passing.

"Still haven't retired, I see." (F/N) said, taking another glass of wine.

"Not when then is still work to be done, my lord." Hughes said.

"Yes, well, I do hope your duties are less laborious now that there are no more of us, er, how did you phrase it, riotous hooligans to be plaguing your every waking moments."

"Oh, I'm sure that won't be the case for very long." Hughes said beneath a baritone chuckle. "You know it was Lady Anastasia that arranged this whole occasion."

"Was it?" (F/N) asked quietly.

"Indeed." Hughes nodded. "She didn't think it right that you were to come home to no celebration, so she came to Miss Bennett and myself to give you the welcome back you deserved."

"I'll have to make sure I thank her." (F/N) smiled as he took a sip from his goblet.

Setting his glass down, (F/N) approached Anastasia and Miss Bennett.

"Speak of the devil, there he is." The short cook said, her cheeks flushed. "Oh, he always was a very handsome young lad." She said, pinching his cheeks. "Your children will be adorable."

"Alright Miss Bennett," (F/N) said embarrassedly, "I think you've had a little too much to drink."

"Oh nonsense." The woman pouted. "I could drink every man in this room under the table, just ask Hughes. Oh, I could tell you stories about that man that would turn the devil himself red. There was one night, back when we were both young, that we found ourselves alone in the servants' quarters. Ooh, quite a looker he was, and hung like a h..."

"Okay!" (F/N) said loudly as Anastasia tried to stifle her laughter behind her hand. "Anyways, I was hoping I could steal Ana for a private chat."

"Oh, ooh. I see." Miss Bennett hiccupped. "Well, who am I to stand in the way of young love? Though don't let your fathers find out, at least not before the wedding."

"Miss Bennet!" (F/N) hissed, his cheeks red.

"Alright, alright. I'll just keep myself company with another glass of wine."

And with that, the stout cook waddled off to refill her glass. (F/N) released a sigh of relief as Ana doubled over with fits of silent laughter.

"Care to join me for a walk?" (F/N) asked.

Still giggling silently, Ana nodded and set her glass down. The two snuck out of the crowded room and stepped out of the castle and into the cool air of the night.

"Mr. Hughes informed me that you were to thank for the party tonight." (F/N) said as they walked arm and arm through the castle gardens.

"Perhaps." Ana said with a coy smile.

"Thank you." (F/N) whispered, turning his face to hers. "It meant a lot."

Slowly, their faces grew closer until the gap between their lips was closed. They held each other in a loving embrace, and when they separated the sky filled with the sound of thunderous applause. The sun was shining high overhead upon the large courtyard where family and friends alike stood as they witnessed the union between the two young lovers.