"Perhaps he is, but it's still infuriating to be kept away from you like you're a common criminal." Leaning in closer, giving her hands a good squeeze, Marken let out a long sigh. "I know you were guilty in the past, but it's different now..." His voice was far lower, so that the guard, if he happened to come back, wouldn't hear that little bit. The last thing he needed was a 'confession' from Ella to deal with.

"Are you sure you'll be alright? It's really not that big a deal for me to sit down here with you all day. I love your company." Still, he stood up, ready to leave if she was certain. There were things he needed to do, a wedding ring forged for her, various details for their wedding figured out. It was one of those affairs that he'd certainly rather happen sooner, rather than later.

"Alright..." He let his hands slip away, sighing. "I'll visit you every day, let you know what's going on in the world. It shouldn't take long for me to get all of this sorted out. There's not many places a maid can hide with the entirety of the guard looking for her, right?" He tried to give his own reassuring smile, before shaking his head and turning around to head out. "Just promise me you won't go too crazy in here? Hmm?"

Whatever her response, Marken would set out, heading outside the jail to do various errands. And to relax with a glass of wine, something stronger than the dessert wines he was used to. Something that could get into his system.
--
For the next few days, he would visit her, keeping Ella updated on the rather disturbing lack of progress, his father being adamant on her not leaving the cell, under any circumstances. Atleast she wasn't being beaten or tortured, that was something that he doubted even his father would stoop to. Something else, that came as a surprise, was the forced lessons in swordplay. "You're far too old to not know how to swing a sword, Marken," his father had said, assigning him one of the Paladins to be his mentor. They were more than skilled enough to serve the purpose, and loyal enough to keep it a secret. He lacked technique and any form of skill, but atleast the prince was trying to learn, if only to protect himself from future engagements.

The wedding was slowly coming together, music being hired and a large amount of chocolate for the cake ordered. They didn't store anything like that in the castle, but it could arrive readily enough. Meanwhile, he wondered what kind of ring would be forged for Ella. He didn't want to simply copy the amulet, but instead be something unique... The necklaces were something to show their union, but the idea had come from her father. This was supposed to be his own choosing... He did have an idea.

This newest visit brought Marken down to the dungeon bearing a small plate, with a piece of chocolate cake on top. The cake was tiny, intended for a taste, to see if Ella would prefer something different, or if this would be the cake intended for such a large gathering. Afterall, the thing was intended for bride and groom, the other guests tastes considered, but not given priority.

He sat down in a stool near the bars, having been there for multiple days now, having never moved from its location. This was his spot to visit Ella in, and it was obvious. "Hello, my dear. I've got a little present for you." He wondered how well she'd take the sweet thing. He'd also been subjected to it, and while he liked it, he was worried it might be too sugary for Ella.

He nodded at her question, handing the plate and fork it came with over through a slot in the bars. It was perhaps four bites, maybe five small ones, if one ate it that way. "It's really sweet. I know you enjoy sugar in your tea, quite a bit of it, but I wasn't quite sure how much you'd like this. If you really like this one, it's the recipe the kitchen will use for our cake." He gave her a smile, pushing his forehead through the bars, hoping she'd do the same.

"Sword practice is grueling. Never realize how out of shape you are until you're practicing strokes of a blade for hours on end! Still, by the end of this, I should be able to hold my own atleast somewhat!" His tone seemed to be slightly happier, albeit exhausted. "What about you? Read any interesting books?" He was clearly trying to keep her company, with a question like that, but he was running out of topics of conversation quickly.

"He says until the assassin is found, there's nothing he can do. Still, they're sorting through all the hired help, according to him, there's not many people left to check though, so the possibilities are thinning out. Now, try your cake." He leaned back to give her space, doubting she'd want to try and enjoy the cake with him as close as he could be.

"Tell me what you think. If you really like it, I could get a bigger slice included in your dinner tonight." He was trying to make her existence livable, something few people found in the dungeons. "Do try it quick though, I need to go. Your lunch'll be here soon, and my father wishes to speak to me about your current existence. I think he's going to move you to a more private dungeon. Holding you in the public dungeons isn't exactly good for the crowns face, and all."

"Not if both of us want it." His eyes glimmered at her enjoyment, deciding that this would be the delicacy they would have at the wedding. "Well, now that we've figured that out, I need to speak to my father. If he's having you moved to a more private location, maybe we'll be able to spend time closer together. You'd be more secure."

He let the words hang as he stood up, dusting himself off and walking off back down the hallway, after listening to her replies and such. He wished he could've stayed and talked longer, but other matters took precedence. If he kept his father happy, perhaps Glenn would be willing to listen to reason, willing to listen to why Ella wasn't so dangerous.

He was heading back down the stairs, a grin on his face. His father had finally been allowed to see reason, thanks in no short part to Regina, who had spoken fondly on Ellas behalf. Instead, she'd be sentenced to house arrest, held under lock and key in his chambers, except for meals and other such occasions. Once the queen had found out about the horrid treatment his fiance had been through, she had refused anything less than treating Ella like a human, not some criminal scum.

The exhaustion he'd felt earlier was gone, not because of rest, but because of elation. He'd feel it later, certainly, but later could come with Ella at his side. He was even whistling, barely paying attention to his surroundings.

Walking down the stairs, he heard a shout, Ellas voice ringing out. 'She's the maid!' That was heard clearly, and Marken broke into a sprint. So she'd come to silence Ella now? Come to take his love away? He'd stop her, he had to... Or he could help Ella, atleast. Yes, that seemed far more likely, he was only a few days into his sword training, what could he do against a trained and skilled assassin? That would fall to Ella, who he hoped was trained to do such things.

Still, he jerked the sword out of its scabbard. It was a shortsword, made from forged steel, twice folded, light and maneuverable. Perfect to start training off with, considering Marken lacked any previous finesse with a blade. He reached the bottom of the stairs, eyes widening when the scene before him was revealed. "ELLA!" He moved quickly, though his breath was running out. When had he gotten so out of shape? He wasn't even fat...

He'd intended to distract the assassin, for Ella to do something, but in a situation like this, there wasn't much he could do. Even if he had been a master swordsman, with a blade against Ella's neck, Marken was useless to intervene. Her words struck as hollow to him, something said out of spite, to hurt him further, considering her assassination had failed.

His face turned to a large frown, letting out a large gasp of breath as he tried to figure out the best way to help Ella. He said nothing, but instead turned the blade to the ground, hoping that would be a sign well enough that he had no desire to do something rash. Standing there, he tried to look unintimidating, something that wasn't hard at all, given his poor sword stance and lordly clothing.

He was locked in, that much was obvious, as they took off. The assassin held the keys, so there was no way for him to escape and help Ella that way... But there were ways for him to help. He'd heard their destination, and honestly felt quite lucky that she'd chosen the stables. In times of war, or should someone outside the family try to usurp the throne and use the dungeons, there were escape passages. They all led to the stables, where royalty could be off with a horse, hopefully before it was realized they were gone.

He'd neglected to tell Ella this fact, for the sheer reason that he saw no point in it. If she escaped and was gone, he'd have lost his love, and if she was caught again... It'd implicate her as being guilty, and she'd probably be killed. Either way led to him losing his love, and Marken couldn't stand that. Walking into her still open cell, he felt around. One brick should be loose... Aha! A large stone was tugged free. The wall beside it was thinner, and he was able to slide his hand inside, pulling the wall open, revealing a long corridor, that aligned with several others, from every other cell. They all led to the same place.

He replaced the stone before stepping inside, pulling the wall shut. It was dark, exceedingly so, but it had been built so that one could walk comfortably inside. The walls were smooth and dry, as long as he followed them, he'd reach his destination. "I'm on my way Ella..."