Timothy pov

My voice drops lower, more intense.

"I choose you, Penelope. Not because of duty or bonds or politics. But because you're my best friend, my greatest challenge, and my deepest love. You make me better, you make me want to be better."

Tears stream down Penelope's face now. Happy tears that catch the fading sunlight.

"I promise to protect you, cherish you, and stand beside you as we build our future together," I finish. "For the rest of our lives, I'm yours. Completely and absolutely ...