[IC] Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

[Lala Kitty]

Ella felt blind rage in her entire being as Marken accused her of trying to kill his mother. Yes, she was a spy, but that didn't make her some heartless being that would pick off a woman simply for the sake of her being from a warring country. Before she could get a grip on her frustration, Ella stalked over to Marken and swung as hard as she could. Her palm stung something fierce as her slap sent the man reeling and her cheeks became wet with her tears once more.

"I done nothing to be ashamed of!" Ella yelled angrily, her voice coming out hoarse with the effort of her retort, "Really, how stupid can you be? If I resisted killing you, someone who greatly compromised my mission, why would I stoop so low to... to murder someone who has almost nothing to do with the war? I may not have the most glorious employment in the world, but I am no monster who picks off women and children."

Now, onto a more pressing issue than the prince's hurtful assumptions. Maybe Ella would know what could cure her. Turning on her heel, Ella wiped her face dry and forced herself to calm down. She didn't forgive Marken for treating her like a murderer, but she did understand why he did it.

"Take me to your mother," Ella ordered as she straightened her appearance, "I may know what she's been poisoned with and how to cure it. If King George wishes to leave me in this kingdom, I will assume that I am allowed to do whatever will make my life more comfortable. And I am not comfortable with being accused of everything that goes wrong in Rhal."

[GranoxFirewind]

Her hang stung, badly, but he pushed it away for now, looking straight up at her, his eyes blazing. He made no move to physically assault her, simply staring up at her with his piercing eyes. "Up until now, you've been following the orders of your king. Why should I have assumed you would do anything else? War strategy is more than 'kill the generals, win battles.' Think about it. If you killed my father, the people would be angry at your kingdom, and it would only further justify their presence in the war, picturing your kingdom as barbaric. Kill the kings wife, and you break the king. He won't be an effective leader, and since deaths in the family are generally bad on all sides, it would be kept a secret, more or less. You think they care that she doesn't directly impact the war?"

He was angry at her, though now it was for striking him., It was rather clear that she wasn't the one who poisoned his mother. He'd honestly doubted she had from the beginning, his rage had just... Lacked focus. He stood up, looking down to Ella and let out a small sigh. "I'm sorry, I just... I was told my mother had a week to live, and you're the only person in this castle, or this area, who would have been able to poison her, that I know of. You don't think I wouldn't suspect you?" Markens voice was much lower, as he looked back down to the ground.

"How would you explain knowing about poisons and the like to Glenn? As much as I want your hand, I'm not going to do something that will just turn around to screw us both." His question was valid. How would a noblewoman know about poisons and cures, unless she employed them? He imagined Ella had some kind of answer, however, and he waited for his, his hands shaking at his side. It was obvious, to anyone looking at him, that he was far more distraught about this then he let on.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella flinched away from Marken initially, despite her resolve to stand up to him. However, his retaliation never came, and Ella was rather shocked when he instead justified his accusations towards her, and even apologized. Marken was a strange man indeed, and it made Ella all the more nervous. She was used to the unapologetic sort who expected a woman to "know her place" in society.

Though Ella was tempted to talk to Marken about his chivalry, she decided to put that on hold and tried to think of how she could help the queen without giving herself or Marken away. Biting her lower lip, Ella quietly made her way around the prince and sat at her desk to make a short list on a piece of paper. After she finished the list she stood again, bringing it over to Marken and gently slid the note into his hand.

"I need you to memorize this list of symptoms and then visit your mother," Ella told Marken quietly, "Take note of everything different about her, even if it's something like eye discoloration. Once I have the symptoms, I should be able to figure out what poison was given to her... I know this is a lot to ask, but you'll need to trust me and do exactly as I say in order to save your mother; I don't know if we'll even be able to work quickly enough to save her."

For whatever reason, Ella reached out on impulse and dragged Marken's head closer, hugging it gently against her chest to comfort him. It was a little awkward, due to their height difference, but Ella was sure that Marken would understand her intentions. No child should have to lose their mother like this, and if she could help it, Marken wouldn't.

[GranoxFirewind]

He nodded at her words, though they fell limply on him. His rage had burned out, entirely, leaving him with a sense of pure sorrow. Marken couldn't comprehend that he was on the verge of losing his mother so easily. Instead of fully listening, he just sat down, staring at the ground blankly. What she said made sense, as he held the piece of paper, clutched into his left hand tightly. However, he couldn't even bring himself to look at it. It just made sure that he knew, full well, that his mother was ill, and that he may be losing her so quickly into his life. It felt like studying that paper would ensure it somehow, make it more tangible than it really was.

When she reached out to pull his head to her chest, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly to him. "I don't want to... I don't want to believe it Ella..." He shook, very suddenly and very powerfully, as a recognizable sob. He didn't want to let go of Ella, didn't want to accept what was happening. When it came down to it, Marken was far less emotionally secure than he showed. He snapped out in anger, acted out coldly, and now he was sobbing instead of trying to be productive with such a grave matter looming so near. He was pathetic. And that thought only brought another sob out, as he clutched Ellas form to him.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella fell back a little as Marken hugged her tight, her arms reaching up to wrap around his head as he kept her close. She was shocked that he would show such a vulnerable side of himself to her, and so quickly. Earlier, she was fairly certain that he wasn't going to be doing any more sharing with her. But as much as she'd like to be happy about Marken being closer to her, they still had the situation at hand. Ella knew what it was like to lose both parents, and wouldn't wish that experience on her very worst enemy.

"Idiot," Ella mumbled under her breath. Leaning down, Ella cupped Marken's cheeks and pressed her lips to his softly, sliding down to sit in his lap and hug him closer. Ella kissed the prince until he calmed and then parted, gently wiping his tears from the corners of his eyes. It was odd to see that men cried as well, especially one that Ella had forbidden herself from loving.

Would it be okay to love him now, and could she allow herself to become emotionally attached to Marken now that she knew he wasn't made of stone? It wasn't like she was going anywhere now. King George's decision was always absolute.

"We can't save your mother unless we act," Ella told Marken gently, "I'll do whatever you need me to if you need comforting, but try to remain optimistic and do as I say. Can you do that, Marken? Your mama needs you to be strong right now."

[GranoxFirewind]

Markens eyes widened as Ella pushed her lips to his, though he didn't make an effort to push her away. Her presence was comforting, and it took his mind off the pressing issue, instead drawing him into the more physical part of their relationship, no matter how fake it was. He pushed that thought away too, he knew he was falling for her, and he couldn't resist it. Not any more. He'd just opened himself up to her, he was as vulnerable as he could be right now, he couldn't just ask like nothing had happened now. His eyes closed, as he allowed himself to fall deeper into it.

As she slid into his lap, Marken wrapped his hands around her more tightly, pulling her body close to his. He could still feel the tears from before, as they tried to drip from his eyes, but they were fading away quickly. Instead, Marken focused on the feel of her lips against his, and subconsciously opened his lips, just a bit, enough to allow the tip of his tongue to run against her upper lip.

Marken felt her pull away, though refused to allow her form out of his grasp. If she left him so quickly, he doubted he would stay calm for long. Her words made sense, now that he wasn't so senseless with sorrow. He could think coherently, in a manner, though it wasn't at the level he would have desired. No, his emotions had torn far too much torment on him to simply be pushed away.

"I... Just don't go right now..." He was about to respond, but decided to wait, instead asking her the simple request. It was all he wanted right now, right at that moment. He didn't want her to leave his arms.

[Lala Kitty]

"I'm not going anywhere," Ella sighed a bit impatiently. She forced Marken to release her for a moment and stood, gently pulling him to his feet and wiping his eyes clean with her thumbs. Marken looked so sad and vulnerable; she couldn't leave him alone right now even if she wanted to. and to her dismay, she admitted that she didn't want to.

"Come lay down," Ella suggested, pulling Marken over to her bed, "A nap will do you some good, so just relax for a bit and try to clear your mind. Your mama isn't dead yet, so there's no point in grieving her yet, okay?"

Grabbing a book that looked mildly interesting from a nearby book shelf, Ella climbed into her bed again. She piled a bunch of pillows behind her, bunched up her tossed-aside throw-blanket, and then patted her lap for Marken, signaling that she would allow him to use her lap as a pillow.

The sooner Marken calmed, the sooner he'd be back to his witty, almost-icy self, talking her in circles and driving her nuts with his taunting. Was she a masochist for admitting to herself that she couldn't wait for that? Shaking her head, Ella briefly tried to convince herself that she was just kidding, though she knew better than that.

[GranoxFirewind]

Marken nodded slowly, allowing Ella out of his lap, standing up when she tugged on his hands. Her suggestion sounded much better than sitting around, grieving over something that hadn't happened. However... He hadn't missed the splotches of color in her own skin, and knew that something was still wrong with her. That thought occupied his mind, even as he pulled himself onto the bed, laying his head in her lap.

He looked straight up at her, a strange feeling coming over him. "I feel like you're repaying me the favor when you used my chest as your pillow..." He gave her a light smile, before reaching his arms around and wrapping them behind his head, giving him a slight incline as he stares up at her. He felt relaxed, but he knew that taking a nap, in her presence, would truly calm him, and then he could go about trying to help his mother.

He smiled up at her again, before closing his eyes, allowing himself to fall asleep. He felt unnaturally exhausted, wrung out, from sobbing, the emotion simply draining him of his energy. So he let himself sleep, comforted by Ella. A strange thing, he realized, when he'd come in here yelling at her, and now she'd kissed him before allowing him to fall asleep in her lap.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella smiled warmly down at Marken until he fell asleep, finally letting herself back into her previous mood. What was she going to do after Marken tired of her being around? The war between their kingdoms would only last so long, and after everything was settled, Marken would either be dead or ready to marry a woman he actually fancied. Odd, but it made her chest hurt to think of her prince with another woman.

"So stupid," Ella grumbled at herself. It was slowly becoming her mantra, she realized, for she just seemed to be getting herself into more and more trouble with Marken. It just seemed to be impossible to fight against her feelings for him. But as their arrangement was temporary, she couldn't bring herself to get comfortable with their relationship.

"I wish you wouldn't abandon me as well," Ella mumbled sadly as she pushed Marken's hair out of his face. After she was sure that he was actually asleep, she leaned down and gently kissed his forehead. She then decided that she should stop with her pity party for a while, and grabbed her book before she rested back into the pillows. A few minutes later, she'd fallen asleep with the book cast aside, Marken's hand in her own, and her head rested in her pillows.

[GranoxFirewind]

He smiled back up at her, closing his eyes and drifting off, feeling very comforted in her lap, just as she had felt in his own embrace. His sleep was dreamless, but he felt a sense of contentment and warmth. It was a very peaceful sleep, one that calmed him down to his core, his mind relaxing. It helped that he was in an extremely comfortable position, one that Ella had been in last night, and one that he had found equally comfortable on that end as well. The only difference was the lower height, laying more on the bed, with his head just elevated enough, instead of his entire body resting against hers.

He woke up, as he eventually had to, opening his eyes blearily to look around the room. It must've been a few hours, though there was still sun coming from the sky. Probably getting into the evening then. The first thing he noticed, however, was his hand in her own. She must've grabbed it after he fell asleep. Then he realized she was still asleep as well. So much for reading, he thought with a smirk.

He maneuvered his hand around, just enough so that he could interlock their fingers together. It was like they were in a relationship now, holding hands likes a couple truly in love. If only it was possible, but Marken had more duties than just his own personal desires, no matter how much he wished it would change. But... When she was asleep... He could pretend, just like he used to do when he was a little boy, playing at being a knight, with heroic victories and epic tales of dragons defeated. And he always got the maiden. He allowed himself a sad smile, before shifting to push his body more against her, though he held his weight off her, instead shifting around to face her. His hand never left her own. He placed a single kiss on her lips, before shifting back down, allowing himself to weigh more heavily on her as he waited for her to wake up.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella slowly woke as Marken moved around above her, finally conscious as his lips pressed on her and he allowed his body to rest on hers. Slowly, she opened her eyes to look at him, her cheeks pink and warm as she gazed him with a sleepy, but warm smile.

Thankfully, Marken looked happier than he did earlier, though he was relatively pinning her into her pillows now, leaving no room to wiggle away. What was he playing at, doing something like this? His incessant flirting was wearing away at her patience.

"H-hello," Ella mumbled, "Did you have a nice nap?" Unconsciously, the young woman squeezed Marken's hand, giving him a small smile. Damn it, she needed to stop allowing herself to be swept up by her impulses. As a decent woman, she should tell Marken to move away and maintain distance. But he was so warm and comfortable.

[GranoxFirewind]

He smiled back, nodding at her question. "I did, I think you made it better though." Marken decided that he was tired of trying to force his feelings away. Twice now, he'd tried to perpetrate her as someone he didn't want, someone negative in his eyes, and yet both times, something had happened, and they had ended up in each others arms. He had tried to not like her, he had tried to hard indeed, but that wasn't working, clearly. So he decided to stop torturing himself. It had only been two days, and yet it hurt him to try and think of her as someone who would mean him harm at this point, or his family.

His hand responded to hers, squeezing her own, his smile growing wider. He knew that she couldn't leave the bed, not with him on top of her, as he brought his form up higher to look at her. "I saw your eyes flit open when I kissed you... Tell me, did you like it?" It would be clear what he was doing now, flirting with the girl. If he couldn't force himself to think negatively of her, then he would indulge himself. He knew, by all of the small gestures she did, by his own little tests, that she felt some attraction to him, that she felt something. And that was enough to make him feel safe in pursuing her.

[Lala Kitty]

"W-well, I... umm... y-yes...."

Ella wanted to fervently deny that she was happy when Marken kissed her, but in all honesty, her patience was just as worn down as the prince's was. After all, the only thing that kept her from being serious with him was gone.

King George had more or less abandoned her, making it very clear that her services were no longer needed. She couldn't be loyal to a king who she couldn't serve anymore. Who knew that Marken would turn out to be more devoted than King George?

Slowly unclasping her hand from Marken's, Ella reached up and wrapped her arms around him before she pulled him closer and squeezed him in her arms tightly. Her face buried into his neck as she pulled him onto her completely, enjoying his closeness the best way she could. There was no way she could admit her honesty just yet, but actions were better than words.

[GranoxFirewind]

He smiled when she told him her truthful answer, and it finally answered the question raging within him. She felt something for him then, just as he felt with her. And finally, she had decided that she'd had enough of the playing around, the teasing. Or atleast, that's what he hoped. It would be a cruel trick indeed, for her to decide that she still didn't want him, to try and pull away from him. But that didn't happen. She didn't try to pull away from him, instead quite the opposite, unraveling their hands and wrapping her arms around him, pulling his form closer to hers.

Marken did the same with her, snaking his arms underneath her form, taking a deep breath through his nose, as her form was pushed just into it. The man brought one arm around, cupping her chin with it, bringing her face just up to his. "In that case... I think I'd like another." He smiled widely, pushing his lips to hers again before she was given a chance to react, bringing his right hand up to hold the back of her head, glad that they were finally shedding the damn shackles that they had been carrying.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella nearly fainted as Marken kissed her again, breathing in and almost forgetting to breathe out. It took much of her mental strength to retrain herself to breathe properly while they rubbed their lips together, her fingers lightly digging into the back of his shirt to keep anchor on him.

Would Marken rub his tongue on her lips like last time, Ella wondered, and what possessed him to do that? While she liked the feeling of his tongue gently rubbing on her lips, she really had no knowledge as to why he would want to do more beyond pressing lips together; no one really bothered to clarify much about intimacy to the young woman up until now.

All Ella knew was that having Marken back to his teasing self was so wonderful. His kisses and warm hands on her chin and in her hair encouraged her to continue the gentle battle, her body lightly pressing against his as they both sought comfort and intimacy from each other.

[GranoxFirewind]

Her reaction was priceless, the prince enjoying the way Ella's senses seemed to be overloaded by the sensation. It looked to be all she could do to remain conscious and enjoy the kiss herself, which Marken intended to do. That is, make her enjoy it and enjoy it himself. He wasn't a selfish person, who would only want himself to take pleasure from an act that was meant for the both of them.

Marken opened his lips up, more than he had last time, dragging her own open with his, before allowing his tongue to snake out. It traced over her lips, trying to entice her own out. At this point, the man was running off instinct and assumption. He'd read books that involved this particular matter, so he decided to try it out himself, now that he had a willing subject in his own arms. He found himself growing greedy, wanting more, though he wouldn't push her to give him anything she didn't want to. Hopefully, she was of the same mind as him on the matter, it would certainly improve it for him.

Eventually though, the need for air exceeded what they felt from the kiss, Ella slowly pulling back from him. Her hands were shaking lightly, but the look on her face gave her away entirely, that she had enjoyed the experience as much as him. He was breathing more heavily now, staring straight into her eyes with a smile on his face. At this point, it likely wasn't even teasing that he was doing, instead going into something more. She didn't seem to be as embarrassed now, instead looking almost eager for his embrace, for another kiss. He wondered briefly if she would become spoiled if he gave her too much, and decided that it would be worth it.

[Lala Kitty]

When Marken deepened the kiss, confirming Ella's suspicions, her eyes opened in shock and she grew rigid for a moment. Was this normal behavior, did couple really use their tongues in a kiss? No, she mustn't think like that, Ella chastised herself; Marken seemed to be sure of what he was doing so far. Closing her eyes again, Ella hesitantly opened her mouth, feeling the prince's tongue in her mouth moments later. Kissing like this was even more enjoyable, and Ella found herself even more eager for Marken's affection, hesitantly mirroring his actions, learning by his example.

But eventually, it grew hard to breathe with the more-involved kissing, and Ella gently pushed Marken's lips from hers, her grip on the front of his shirt shaky. She felt dizzy and content at the same time, but also wanted to kiss Marken again; would it always be like this between them? All she could do was hope that the prince wouldn't tire of her attention.

Staying quiet as they both waited for their breathing to calm, Ella stared up at Marken, completely befuddled. She was in so much trouble. In a mere two days, she'd allowed herself to fall in love with the enemy, then allowed him to sway her with his affections. It terrified her, because as soon as Marken was finished with her, she was going to be cast aside, again. And then who would care for her, where would she belong?

Suddenly, Ella dragged herself to sit up and away from Marken, her eyes already welling up with tears. What had she turned into around the prince? She was so impulsive, and weak, and she actually cried in front of him; oh God, did she cry.

She didn't understand why; Ella hadn't cried in front of anyone since her master took her in. He told her that he would leave her alone until she grew up and stopped sobbing, and he did. For two days, Ella laid curled up in her bed, hunger finally drying up her eyes pushing her to feel something other than pity for herself. Since that day, Ella never even showed sadness to others. She had the reputation of being an ice maiden in King George's court, a calm, cold woman with contrasting warm eyes and smile. She preferred to be that way, to be an enigma that no man could hope to tame.

"Y-you aren't being fair at all," Ella griped as she wiped her eyes and hugged her knees against her chest, "W-what am I going to do w-when you leave me too? You keep raising my hopes, and t-that isn't fair!" The skirt of her dress fluffed out rather inelegantly as she hid her face into it, but she ignored it and continued to cry. Her tears soaked into the fine material as she stayed completely still, both depressed and horrified that she would admit her fears to someone. Damn it, Marken had won after all. She was in the palm of his hand, and even she couldn't deny it.

[GranoxFirewind]

Marken found himself even more pleased than he thought he would be when she returned his affections, allowing himself to be pulled closer to her as they deepened the kiss. As their lips pulled apart with a small pop, sealed together, he felt very content and happy with Ella and what they'd done. Even as they caught their breath, Marken was already preparing himself to move in and assault her lips again.

Her sudden movement made him wonder what he did wrong, noticing the tears in her eyes almost immediately. Had he offended her somehow? He was left completely baffled, wondering what had gotten into her, to make her break into tears after their kissing. Maybe she thought he was repulsive, maybe he actually had been forcing himself upon her. His mind continued down these thoughts for the next few seconds, until she started speaking, Markens eyes going wide with the realization. He hadn't told her that their relationship had changed, now that her king had abandoned her. As far as she knew, after the war was over, Marken was going to throw her to the streets once more, but this time, she wouldn't have a king to return to... She'd have nothing.

He didn't know what to think for a minute, blank shock on his face as she cried her eyes out in front of him. She'd changed so drastically in only two days, and now here she was, crying because she thought he was going to abandon her too. He thought very carefully about how to say what he wanted to. "Ella, do you honestly think I'm going to abandon you, after your king already has? The terms of our agreement have changed. Before, you were to return to him, once your mission was over. Now, however, do you think I'm going to simply let you leave once this war is over?" He considered speaking more, but instead decided to allow the words to sink in, reaching over to grab her. Now he was the one consoling her. It was strange, how their roles changed so often, one to the other. But still, he took comfort in the fact that he could do such a thing.

[Lala Kitty]

Ella tensed up from head to toe as Marken dragged her against him again and held her, shocked by his response. She'd expected the prince to become defensive or to disregard her worries, but he'd taken her seriously and was comforting her. Reaching out, Ella clung to Marken as she continued to cry, though her tears were more directed towards happiness now.

After a few minutes, Ella's tears finally dried and she leaned back, giving Marken a small smile, just to let him know that she was feeling better. She was still shocked that he was so worried for her, but she didn't want him to think that his efforts didn't do anything.

"Sorry," Ella mumbled lightly, "I'm supposed to be comforting you right now, not throwing a tantrum. I guess King George's letter affected me more than I originally thought. I'd always assumed he was as loyal to me as I was to him; he always told me that he thought of me as a daughter. It was entirely naive of me, but it was what drove me on all these years. And he just... threw me away."

Ella leaned in closer to Marken once more and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her cheeks red as she looked up at Marken again. How was she to know that Marken wouldn't toss her aside as her own king had? He was surprisingly sweet at odd times.

"T-thank you..." Ella said quietly, her smile a bit more confident.

[GranoxFirewind]

He smiled back down to her, allowing her to pull into his form closer, glad to offer her comfort. Afterall, she had helped him, it only felt fair to repay it. It didn't hurt that he loved the feeling of her curled up against him, of her pressed into his side, using him to anchor her emotions back to the world. Idly, Marken brought a hand up to run through her hair repeatedly, purposely pulling it out of the bun she had it tied into. He thought she looked much prettier with it free, than in a bun. Much less official, more like a woman.

"It's fine Ella. You've been through alot, it's only natural for you to feel paranoid. Just... Don't be, alright? I'm going to keep you around, I quite like having someone to keep me warm at night." It was strange, to him. In the time they'd been together, the only time they slept was in each others arms. And he always felt more rested, more relaxed, afterward. He slept deeper, and just overall got more from the act. He smiled even wider at her then, pulling her head close to his chest, still running his fingers through her hair.

"Think it would be too much to ask for you to keep your hair down more often? I think you look better with it Ella." He let out a soft chuckle, laying back to make himself more comfortable. The issue of his mother had slipped from his mind entirely, more focused on the girl in his own arms now. "I feel like you'll end up going crazy if I don't hold you daily, by this point. Not that I'm complaining." He reached his arms down and pulled her up to be closer up on his own form, so that he could look at her more closely. "Just remember, I'm here, and I'll always try to be." He gave her a warm smile as he spoke the last words, waiting for a reaction.