[b]Seeing Marken approach the cell both delighted Ella and saddened her. He was pushing the chocolate cake on her again, and while she loved sweet things and reveled in tasting them, this meant that there was no headway in her release. Instead of pitching a fit like she wanted to, Ella took her seat at the end of her cot and smiled at Marken.

He'd been carrying a sword with him lately, and he always looked tired, frustrated. But he still did his best to take care of her happiness and to lift her spirits. She couldn't whine and complain when he was going so far to make her happy.

"Did you try it?" Ella asked her fiancé, leaning into the bars a bit. All she wanted now was to hug Marken and have him take her from this terrible, sunless place, but she'd be optimistic and enjoy the gift he brought her.[/b]