As soon as the words left his mouth, Penelope's eyes widened in surprise. The moment felt surreal as he swept her into his arms. Even though it was what they had been working towards, it was still an exciting step forward. After all they had gone through—all the setbacks, the people in their way, and plans gone wrong—they were finally going to move forward with their relationship and the knight couldn't have been more thrilled. She let out a gleeful laugh of disbelief and threw her arms around him in return. She would have replied to the news but didn't get the chance to as Crow suddenly pressed his lips against hers. 

Though she was slightly caught off guard, she was quick to return the kiss, pressing into him as her eyes fluttered close. Her heart raced as she kissed him—her once forbidden love turned formal suitor. Eventually she pulled back from the kiss, panting as she caught her breath from the exhilaration. Her face was flushed as she met his gaze with a breathless smile. Having gone so long with having to keep a distance and steal a kiss or two when they could, she found their renewed closeness electrifying and it especially felt thrilling to know that it wouldn't be completely over once they returned into the public eye. 

"Thank gods." she said with a happy chuckle. Penelope leaned in to press another kiss to his cheek before moving to rest her head against his. "I love you, Collin... I can't believe I finally get to say that you're my suitor." There was a time when she never thought they'd be where they were now, so it made the progress all the more exciting. 

She stayed pressed against him for a moment longer before finally taking a small step back. A mischievous glint entered gaze as she looked up at him. "Of course, now we've got to figure out how we're going to break the news to everyone." she added with an amused smirk. "I'm sure some are going to notice the change rather quickly."