[b]Ellanor felt a little uneasy as Marken explained that she would be staying in the palace. She supposed that made sense, but how closely did he want to sleep? They wouldn’t have to share a bed, would they? After all, royals tended to have their own beds. Yes, he still had to follow rules of decency, after all.

“Where will I be sleeping?” Ellanor asked a bit more straightforward, “I can’t imagine very far from you.”

“You will be in the joined room next to his grace,” an elderly woman suddenly announced, making Ellanor jump in shock, almost reaching for her dagger. How long had the old woman been there? Who the hell was she anyway?

“Prince Marken, when will you be informing your father of your decision?” the woman asked Marken rather dismissively, “I believe it is quite obvious that you will not be able to elope. This woman has to go through proper training and a background check in order to be accepted as your bride.”

A cold sweat overtook Ellanor for a moment as the woman announced that Ellanor would be submitted to a background check. They shouldn’t find any evidence of her being a spy, but one never knew for sure how good an information gatherer would be.[/b]