[IC] Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

[Lala Kitty]

Ella wasn't sure how exactly to respond to Marken's statement, shifting a bit in her seat. Damn it, this country and their acceptance of open affection. At home, people rather frowned upon public fawning, so the point that she knew of a woman criticized as a whore for flirting with her own husband in public. It wasn't that Ella appreciated such closed-mindedness, but in this situation, it would make her job easier.

"A-as long as the kiss doesn't have to be as... thorough as before," Ella reasoned. Ella wanted badly to have another drink but stopped herself, standing instead and slowly walking to the long sofa where Marken sat. With a deep breath, she sat down beside him, willing herself to not become too embarrassed.

"I suppose the best I can do right now is to allow myself to get used to being near you," Ella reasoned, clasping her hands on her lap once more. Truthfully, she wanted to kiss Marken again and curl up at his side, but she could hardly bring herself to even look at him at the moment, due to her self-restraint & goal to not become too attached to this man.

[GranoxFirewind]

Marken watched her squirm in her seat and gave a light chuckle. This was what he had wanted to evoke from her with his teasing, not anger. Anger wasn't fun to watch or deal with, but a girls embarrassed squirming? That was another thing entirely. Her next words brought a wide smile to his lips, as he looked over to her. "I'm certain it won't need to be." He watched her curiously as she stood up, realizing her intentions right before she acted on them.

Another chuckle issued out from his lips, and he extended an arm over to her shoulder, pulling her close to him. "You won't get used to being near me if you can barely stand to sit next to me..." In all honesty, as true as it was, that wasn't Markens reason for pulling her to him. He wanted to hold her to him again, like he had when they had kissed. It felt good to hold her in his grasp, as he leaned back, allowing her to lean onto his form, his arm secure around her shoulder.

"So, let's stay like for this a little while, because I intend to have my arm wrapped around you in public often, and then we'll go meet my father." He nodded to himself, looking down to Ellas face, waiting for a reaction.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella stiffened against Marken as he held her captive against him, both delighted and worried by his actions. She supposed that she should be happy that he wasn't completely repulsed by her, but it made her job as a fake wife very easy on her. She'd just established that she needed to keep herself emotionally unattached, but everything seemed to be obliterating her intentions. What was worse was that she enjoyed the feel of him against her like this.

Despite her better judgment, Ella rested her head on Marken's shoulder and closed her eyes, forcing herself to relax. She had to admit, being cuddled against him was calming, and she enjoyed it more than she expected to. Being around Marken was such a new thing for her. When the prince announced that he intended to hold Ella against him often, she smiled to herself, rather liking the idea of it. Perhaps, in a more perfect world, the two of them could actually grow to love each other. But things like that only happened in fairy tales.

"I'm afraid that if you keep spoiling me like this, I'll become one of those clingy admirers you hate," Ella laughed, making a small joke as her arm hesitantly reached up to wrap around his torso, lying limply over his chest.

[GranoxFirewind]

He smiled as Ella leaned into him more, bringing a hand up to idly stroke her hair. He had no clue why he was being so affectionate, it was making him closer to a girl who would be out of his life eventually, and that would only make it hurt all the worse when it did happen. The idea already didn't sit well with him, considering she was the first one he'd met, aside from other royalty, who simply didn't care about his lineage. Well, she cared of course, but it didn't dominate her way of seeing him, and it allowed her to actually speak her mind, rather than mindlessly agree with anything he said in the hopes that he would take a liking.

"Atleast I would have given you a reason for it then. Ironic, isn't it? The one girl who doesn't want my hand in marriage is the one who gets it." He chuckled, bringing his other arm to loop around her too. Strangely enough, she seemed to adapt to him holding her very quickly, despite her shaky words about it just minutes earlier. Perhaps she enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms as much as he did. Deciding to test this, he shifted his arms to pull her up to him more, so that she would be leaning on him more than just her head. If she resisted, well he'd have his answer. And if she didn't, then she would be deeper into his embrace, which would only please him.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella let out a soft sigh as Marken pulled her into him more, her face suddenly pressed against his chest as he held her against him. Ella knew she should keep him from being too forward, but she was so comfortable right now just resting against him. Instead of pulling away, the foolish spy buried her face into Marken's chest, allowing him to hold her more closely.

It hurt to hear Marken say that Ella didn't want him, because honestly, she actually did after today. She just couldn't admit it out loud. She had to be loyal to her king and eventually leave. Staying with Marken would most definitely be treason. That was no way to pay back the man that took care of her when she fled her step-sisters and ended up in a foreign kingdom. The king and his adviser took her in like their own child and raised her as their own, while giving her the skills to become a spy and serve the kingdom.

"I am a fool," Ella simply stated after a few moments, still making no move to leave Marken's embrace. She closed her eyes without saying anything more and felt herself beginning to slip into a nap. It was a foolish decision, falling asleep and being at the mercy of her enemy, but she just knew for some reason that Marken would keep her safe. It was a nice feeling, and a new one. She'd always been taught to keep on her toes.

[GranoxFirewind]

He was ecstatic when she tucked herself further into his arms, having the answer to his question. She enjoyed his presence, atleast physically, as much as he did hers. He wrapped his arms around her more securely, moving his head just next to hers. Honestly, with all of the excitement recently, he hadn't sleep much, something that was clearly reflected in her as well, with the way she seemed to be nodding off in his arms. Not that he minded, it felt good to have her in his arms, and if she fell asleep in them, than they would be like this for much longer.

Her words brought a smile to his lips, and he softly whispered into her ear. "Perhaps... But you're going to be my fool, soon enough..." He closed his eyes, shifting her slightly so that he could get into a better position, resting his chin just on her shoulder as he prepared to fall asleep himself. He brushed a lock of her hair out of his face, before idly stroking her back as he held her.

Marken remembered the way she had held a dagger to his throat, highly doubting that this was a wise course of action. He didn't really care, though, he simply enjoyed the feeling of her in his arms too much. He was comfortable holding Ella in his embrace, where he could nuzzle into her, an affectionate act that he was curious why he wanted to do it so badly. He took a deep breath through his nose, taking in her smell, before letting out a sigh of relief. If he didn't play his cards right, he may very well end up in a position where she could manipulate him, not that he expected her to. For now, though, such matters were in the back of his head, instead focusing on the feeling of the girl in his arms as he drifted to sleep.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella awoke to that damned attendant staring down at her, giving the young woman the most pretentious look she'd ever received. She barely contained the impulse to punch the hell out of the woman and sat up, gently waking Marken by shaking his shoulder. As Marken opened his own eyes and sat up, Ella decided this woman was now her worst enemy in the castle, and made note to avoid her at all costs.

"It is time for supper, sire," the woman announced, still staring at Ella with her annoyingly condescending face, "Will your... guest be attending as well?"

"Yes, I will," Ella answered the woman almost immediately. She felt like she had to assert her dominance over the attendant for some reason, to let her know that Ellanor Winters wasn't some wilting lady of the court that would be bossed around.

[GranoxFirewind]

Marken sighed as he was awoken, looking around the room with bleary eyes. "Hmm, what?" He saw the attendant again, a look of annoyance crossing his face, while his arms looped more fully around Ella. "I suppose supper is the best time to tell my father..." He heard her second question, and didn't even get a chance to answer it before Ella did for him. A smile crossed his lips, before he yawned.

"You're dismissed, we'll be to the dining hall shortly." The attendant nodded, and left without a word. It was good to have authority, he supposed, in situations like this. "How long would you say we've been asleep Ella?" His arm pulled her back to him, a smile crossing his lips. "And who told you to pull away from me?" His next words were spoken in a much softer manner, teasing her once more.

Before she could give him an answer, he gently pushed his lips to hers, only for a brief moment. "Expect more of those, we're getting married after all." In all reality, the kiss was for his own benefit, rather than any kind of preparation, not that he would openly admit that.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella was hardly prepared for Marken's gentleness and kiss, tensing up as his lips pressed on hers, subduing the annoyed retort she wanted to respond to the man with for taking such liberties. Of course, the kiss made her lock away her complaint, but she still stayed a little huffy, not liking it very much when she was ordered to do things.

and then there was the fact that she felt nervous again. Marken knew their marriage was temporary, so why was he being so kind to her? It made Ellanor feel like all of this was some kind of trap, some kind of play to make her fall in love with him and then get dumped. And Marken was crazy if he thought she would fall for something like that.

"W-we should go eat," Ella told Marken suddenly, pulling away from the prince and standing. She hoped that she could hide the disappointment in her eyes as she thought about the temporary bliss of their growing relationship and forced herself to smile, facing Marken again.

"Your father will get cross if we make him wait too long."

[GranoxFirewind]

The kiss was brief, but it sent sparks through Marken, though it wasn't nearly like the ones they had shared before they had fallen asleep, as practice. The thought brought a smile to his face, if that was practice, what would a real kiss between them feel like? He felt a sense of warmth, for real reason in particular. When she spoke, he nodded, thought he abrupt way she pulled herself away from him gave him a frown.

He could see her eyes for just a brief moment, as she pulled herself away from him. He recognized that look, he'd seen it in his own face several times. What was she disappointed about? He would find out soon enough, he hoped. Standing up himself, he straightened out his clothing, before stretching out and yawning again. "Yes, I suppose he will be. Couldn't have that." He would approach Ella and gently place an arm around her waist, leading her out the door, to begin walking to the dining hall.

"His name is Glenn, if you didn't know that already. I'm sure you know how to properly address someone of royalty, so I won't give you an lecturing there. Just... Act in love with me, and things should be fine." He gave her a reassuring smile, his voice soft the entire time they walked. This was probably the most important meeting they would have, and they barely had any preparation for it. Acting in love, with the very thing questionable. Still, to anyone they passed, they appeared to be a couple, with Markens arm wrapped securely around her waist.

[Lala Kitty]

Act in love with me.

Ella felt her chest sting as Marken spoke, suddenly feeling like she shouldn't go through with this agreement anymore. She didn't want to be in a fake marriage, she didn't want to become attached to a man who thought he meant nothing to her. She'd spent her life being as honest as she could, and this was just torture.

Ella tried to drag along as Marken walked to the dining hall, her sluggish pace doing very little to slow down the determined prince. Could he tell she was having second thoughts? Did he know what she was so hesitant? She should tell him now that she didn't want to just act like she was attracted to him, and be as straightforward as she was used to being. He would understand, he had to.

"L-look," Ella mumbled as they grew close to the room, "We don't need to pretend-"

"Marken, my boy!" a familiar, loud voice called. The king walked out of the dining hall to greet his son and the woman with him, smiling from ear to ear. Damn it, it was the king. Ella placed a careful smile on her face as the king grew close, knowing it would be bad if it was obvious that she was dreading this meeting. The man who stood in the way of her kingdom's happiness was right in front of her, and she could do nothing about it.

[GranoxFirewind]

As they walked, Marken could feel her dragging behind. She clearly didn't want to do this, and he was curious why. He looked at her and tried to give her a reassuring smile. "It'll be fine, it's only dinner." He remembered how she had relaxed at his words before, hoping that it would happen again. She didn't seem to, this time though. No, this time she seemed to be more nervous than before, and he didn't like that.

"Is something wrong?" He spoke at the same she did, though he heard what she said well enough. Before she could continue speaking, though, his father interrupted them. Damnit, he would have to wait until after dinner. "Hello father. I've brought my soon to be wife to dinner with us, so you can meet her. Her name is Ellanor Winters." He would release her from his grasp, and step to the side, so that his father could approach her and appraise her himself.

"So you're the one who's won my sons heart?" He smiled widely, looking to Ella before clapping a hand on her shoulder. "Glad to have you for dinner." Marken led the way to the table, taking his seat opposite his father, a place already set for Ella. It was clear she was expected here, likely the work of the attendant. Atleast things were already prepared, so they wouldn't start off awkwardly.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella felt like she'd been punch in the gut, wanting nothing more than to run away now. She hadn't been prepared for the Rhal king to be so kind. She'd been taught that he was evil and an obstacle to be taken down, so it never occurred to her that he could be friendly. And he was so happy to see her with Marken. Damn it, she had another reason to feel guilty now.

Eating supper was hell for Ella; she barely even touched her food, although she was able to appear to be calm & happy herself. The more delighted and friendly King Glenn became, the worse Ella felt about what she was doing with Marken. Did he feel guilt over this as well?

By dessert, Ella felt like hiding herself in a corner and never coming out of it. Glenn was actually moved to tears by his son's announcement that he and Ella would get married within the month. It was enough to make her feel lower than a snake. Was this Marken's real revenge, making her feel terrible for eventually dashing all of his father's hopes that his son would have a happy marriage? He didn't seem to be the type who would sink that low, but she was willing to believe anything at this point.

[GranoxFirewind]

The dinner wasn't as great as he was hoping it would be. He had assumed that Ellas nervousness was simply showing through, and it gave him an idea on how to explain it to Glenn. "I must apologize, on Ellas behalf for her silence, she's rather... Shy, when it comes to meeting royalty, and you being the king of Rhal and all..." He gave a joking smile, faked of course. He wasn't enjoying this dinner much, though his nerves were kept much more under control thanks to a glass of stronger wine, now that the evening had come. Of course, one glass wasn't enough to make Marken tipsy, as he had already built up a resistance to the drink, but it was enough to take the edge off a negative mood.

He had idle chatter with his father, though nothing important, just conversation one would expect at dinner. His meal was consumed quickly though, something he did purposely to end the dinner and get Ella away from his father. There was clearly something wrong, and the more time she was around others, the less it could come out. He knew from experience that hiding negative emotions only made them stronger.

Eventually, the time came for dinner to come to a close, Marken finishing off his glass of wine with an audible smack of his lips. "Well, much as I would love to get the details of our wedding sorted out tonight, it appears that I'll need to talk to Ella beforehand. I'll come talk to you later tomorrow about them father." Glenn nodded waving his hand dismissively.

"Yes yes, you've got yourself a bride, and she's more important right now." Marken smiled and stood up, offering a hand to Ella, so that she could pull herself up using it. He decided that with the way her nerves were, a kiss or anything similar wouldn't be helpful, so he instead gently wrapped his arm around her and began to escort them back to his room.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella could feel herself shaking from head to toe by the time she and Marken returned to his apartments. She felt like a mental patient, needing Marken's help just to make it to the sofa and sit down, her hands still clinging to his as she squeezed her eyes shut tight. Then, finally sitting down and alone with Marken, Ella allowed herself to cry. She didn't care if it made her fiancé think less of her at this point; she'd been burying her distress for well over an hour now.

"Marken, I can't marry you," Ella told the man as she tried to wipe tears from her cheeks, "Didn't you see your father's reaction tonight? It'll crush him when we divorce. I can't do something that cruel to a father. He just wants the best for you, and we're taking advantage of that."

[GranoxFirewind]

Marken felt her shaking, knowing something was far more wrong than he'd thought. This wasn't, couldn't, just be nervousness. No, she was flat out dreading something. They reached his room and she collapsed on the couch, right next to him. When she burst into tears, he was completely caught off guard, and so he did the first thing that came to mind, wrapping his arms around her in an attempt to help calm her.

Her words hit him hard. He hadn't even thought of that, of what this would do outside of the two of them. However... It also left a curiosity in Marken. "I understand that it'll hurt him but... Why do you care?" His words carried both concern for the situation, and also a light amount of curiosity. He watched her wipe her tears from her cheeks and shook his head, pulling her face into his chest.

"Let it out. If you try to stop yourself, it will only hurt more..." Markens voice was calm, and soft. He'd dealt with similar issues in the past, though nothing to the point of breaking out crying. Nothing quite that severe. He held her, allowing her to vent her emotions into him, closing his eyes and simply leaning back into his seat, preparing himself for the inevitable wash of emotion.

[Lala Kitty]

Despite her best efforts to stop her tears, Ella allowed Marken to hold her in his arms as she sobbed quietly into his chest. Her little fit only lasted a couple of minutes, but she was totally exhausted by the time her tears dried, and she no longer had the strength to pull herself away. Instead, the young woman laid her head on Marken's chest as her breathing evened out, his warmth comforting her.

Ella wished she could say that she was more comfortable with going along with the plan now, but in all honesty, she'd just accomplished convincing herself that the king would probably only be disappointed for a short while before pushing Marken to marry another woman. Of course, there was also the growing concern that Ella may not want to leave later on. She could probably force herself to do it, but it would be crushing for herself.

Eventually, rest demanded Ella's attention and she curled her feet onto the sofa, her slippers sliding off of her feet as her body stayed curled against Marken and her eyes grew heavy. She wished that she could fully enjoy this, that the rest of the nights of her life were filled with him comforting her. All she could do for now was to enjoy the attention. It would make for a good memory in the future.

[GranoxFirewind]

Marken simply held her in his arms, allowing her to find comfort in his form. He hugged her tightly to his form, finding it rather amusing, despite the circumstances, that they would likely end up asleep in their dress cloths. Oh well, there was a time and place for everything. She didn't answer him, but she didn't really need to either. Marken could very well connect the dots, and decided that she was, in their brief time together, becoming closer to him. She'd likely been fed propaganda by whatever kingdom she worked for that told her explicitly that his family was barbaric. What good was that doing them now, he wondered?

When Ella started falling asleep in the mans arms, he sighed and started making himself comfortable, realizing he was likely going to spend the entire night in this position. Using his feet, Marken forced his shoes off and laid his feet on top of the table, laying himself out the best he could, hoping that he was atleast a comfortable pillow to the girl in his arms. He waited for a few minutes, knowing a servant would show up. They always did after dinner, ready to fill his requests, usually for a drink or something similar.

Soon enough, the door cracked open, a boy who looked no older than fifteen walked inside, asking Marken if he needed anything. "No, however lock the door on your way out. Make it aware to the rest of the houses staff that if someone enters this room before the night is over, they won't be employed by my family any longer." His words were spoken with a completely neutral tone, Marken meaning every word he said. He would not tolerate someone like that attendant from earlier barging in. With that settled, and the door closing, Marken sighed and closed his own eyes, allowing himself to fall asleep with the girl in his arms, after adjusting both her and himself so that she wouldn't be able to move without waking him up. "Good night Ella." He doubted she would hear the words, but said them anyway. They seemed fitting.

[Lala Kitty]

"Ellanor, your incompetence knows no bounds, does it?" the teacher hissed, causing the young girl before her to cringe. Before the whole class, Ella was forced to open the back of her school dress and kneel in front of the chalk board. Angry bruises and welts already covered her back, thanks to the constant framing of her step-sisters.

Anastasia and Drucilla couldn't just make her suffer at home, but here at school. They would often lie and convince the teacher that Ella caused mischief for fun. At a school that believed in martial law, mischief was a grave mistake. In no time at all, Cinderella became the example of what happened to bad little girls.

"Ellanor, you will apologize for stealing Anastasia's quill pen, and then receive your punishment," the teacher ordered.

"B-but I didn't-"

Ella let out a pitiful scream as the woman's whipping stick came down full force on Ella's back, the young girl clinging to the wall before her. The class cringed away, some even gasping in horror, but no one came to Ella's defense.

"Apologize, Ellanor!"

"I-i'm sorry for stealing the pen!" Ellanor whimpered, her eyes blurred with her tears now. After Ella finished her apology, the stick swung down once more to finish her punishment.

..._..._...

At the last possible moment, Ella jerked from her sleep, tears in her eyes again. Why did she have that dream just now? She hadn't even thought of her beatings at the school in years. Apparently, she wasn't over it, though. Leaning up, Ella realized she was still in Marken's drawing room with him, the lights turned down just enough for them to sleep, but everything else in place since supper.

Ella's back burned as she extracted herself from Marken, needing to be able to breathe better. Did he hold her this whole time? Why would he do that, sacrificing a comfortable night in his bed to be her pillow? All Ella knew was that with Marken, things didn't seem to make much sense. With a small grunt, Ella pulled on a throw blanket on the back of the sofa and sighed. She should go find her own bed, but enjoying herself curled up against Marken was too tempting. Who knew if she would get this chance again.

Ella pulled the blanket back over her and the prince before lying over him once more. Once she was sure he was more comfortable than the last time, she settled against him, wrapped up in his warmth and the blanket now. Not surprisingly, his closeness helped her become sleepy again, and in no time, she was drifting back into slumber.

[GranoxFirewind]

A scream, of what sounded like pain, caused Marken to bolt up awake, right as she seemed to do the same. "What's wrong?" In his sleep hazed mind, he was able to figure out that she was likely have a nightmare of some sort, though he knew that nightmares usually didn't do anything like that, unless they visited often. She didn't seem to answer him, but perhaps that was because she was too tired herself, instead pulling away from him. Infact, she didn't seem to notice that he'd woken up at all. Well, she would notice soon enough he decided.

He watched her grab the blanket and realized that she didn't intend to move from her spot, which pleased him to no small extent. However, before she could move herself back onto him, Marken decided he would make himself more comfortable too. "Give me a second..." He'd loop his legs around, putting one of them on each side of her, so that he was laying fully on the sofa too, before nodding to her that she could lay back down again.

Now, she was fully laying ontop of his form, and they were both covered up by the blanket, giving Marken even more warmth, though most of it came from Ella pressing into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her again, tucking his chin just above her head before allowing himself to fall to sleep, unmeasurably comfortable with the girl in his arms. It was official, she was making him fall for her, whether she was intending to. That would make his job harder...