[b]Ella was quickly growing nervous herself, knowing the conversation would turn to the bad news eventually. For now, she simply rested her forehead on Marken's and closed her eyes. She wanted to enjoy their denial for a couple minutes longer. Holding her cake in her lap, Ella leaned up and gently kissed Marken's cheek. She could only imagine why he was having to undergo sword training, but decided not to stick her nose in it. Maybe she'd challenge him to a playful match when they were alone.

"Your father hasn't said anything good all week, has he?" Ella sighed, leaning up. There was no hiding what they were both trying to pretend wasn't happening. A week was steadily approaching, and still, nothing.

"Marken, I'm starting to get a little worried," Ella told him softly, "If I'm here for more than a week, the servants will talk, and people will realize what's happening. Even if we jump through hoops, there won't [i]be[/i] a wedding."[/b]