Ella grew rigid for a moment, unprepared for Marken's compliments and the way he put on the amulet, completely unashamed of her gift. There he went again, winding her with his kind words and affection. How did people learn such methods of flattery? Toren men weren't nearly as smooth as Marken; maybe one day Ella would sit down and discuss how different Rhal was from her old home.
"W-well, with all of this settled, I suppose we should move on to helping your mother," Ella sighed quietly, "From what I can tell, the royal gardens should have any ingredients I would need for an antidote. All we need to do is find out her ailment. I will assume that the poison was concocted in Toren since none of your father's physicians know what is wrong with her."
Reaching out, Ella gently held Marken's hand, holding the palm against her lips and kissing it. This was going to be hard on Marken, but she was confident that if they worked quickly, his mother could be recovering by the evening.
"If we work quickly, I should be able to slip in the antidote with her evening meal," Ella continued optimistically, giving Marken a smile, "Let's get to it, okay? I want your mama to give us her full blessing before we marry."
Lala Kitty
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Lethal Cutie
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"O-oh."
Ella couldn't reply with anything, just affirm that she understood Marken's words. She'd hoped that her feelings weren't anything more than affection or longing, but Marken's explanation did make since; but it didn't change that they barely knew each other. Ella would work hard to change that.
How did a man who claimed to be as inexperienced as she was know so much about intimacy? It frustrated her to no end that she was fumbling all over the place, and that he could just go with the motions. God, she hoped she wouldn't be this clumsy for too long.
"I don't know if I should be following my instincts blindly," Ella admitted, "I almost betrayed King George for you, and I allow you too many liberties, like seeing my hair down. While I know Rhal customs are looser than Toren's, I get the feeling that you intentionally cross lines of decency."
Looking at her fiancé a bit accusingly, Ella finally pulled free and climbed out of the bed. Turned away for modesty, Ella reached into the bodice of her dress and produced an old, deep emerald amulet dangling from black cord, going back to Marken and holding it out in front of his face.
"T-this was my Papa's," Ella announced, "I'm only supposed to give this to my future husband, and since you said our union won't be temporary anymore... j-just take care of it, okay? I won't forgive you if you lose it."
Ella couldn't reply with anything, just affirm that she understood Marken's words. She'd hoped that her feelings weren't anything more than affection or longing, but Marken's explanation did make since; but it didn't change that they barely knew each other. Ella would work hard to change that.
How did a man who claimed to be as inexperienced as she was know so much about intimacy? It frustrated her to no end that she was fumbling all over the place, and that he could just go with the motions. God, she hoped she wouldn't be this clumsy for too long.
"I don't know if I should be following my instincts blindly," Ella admitted, "I almost betrayed King George for you, and I allow you too many liberties, like seeing my hair down. While I know Rhal customs are looser than Toren's, I get the feeling that you intentionally cross lines of decency."
Looking at her fiancé a bit accusingly, Ella finally pulled free and climbed out of the bed. Turned away for modesty, Ella reached into the bodice of her dress and produced an old, deep emerald amulet dangling from black cord, going back to Marken and holding it out in front of his face.
"T-this was my Papa's," Ella announced, "I'm only supposed to give this to my future husband, and since you said our union won't be temporary anymore... j-just take care of it, okay? I won't forgive you if you lose it."
Ella closed her eyes as Marken held her close to his chest, greatly relaxed as she heard and felt Marken's heartbeat against her cheek. She was unable to stop her cheeks turning pink as he asked her to keep her hair down. Did he want her to walk around as some kind of trollop? Maybe fashions weren't as strict here as they were in Toren, but still, it just didn't seem right.
"If you do not mind, I'd like to keep my hair up in public," Ella mumbled weakly, "Even if only half of my hair is up... I was taught that having one's hair down is shameful. Only a lady's husband should see her in such an intimate way. I shouldn't even be allowing you to see me like this right now. But you don't seem very keep on following polite etiquette."
Looking Marken straight in the eyes, Ella forced herself to be a bit more serious, trying to steel herself to relax and talk more calmly. She was doing it again, allowing her emotions to drive her responses and actions. She was really going to have to work on not doing that anymore.
"You really scare me, you know that?" Ella murmured seriously, "I'm usually very logical with people, and I can fully control my actions. But around you, it's like I lose my self-control, and my common sense is nowhere to be found. You are the only person this has happened with."
"If you do not mind, I'd like to keep my hair up in public," Ella mumbled weakly, "Even if only half of my hair is up... I was taught that having one's hair down is shameful. Only a lady's husband should see her in such an intimate way. I shouldn't even be allowing you to see me like this right now. But you don't seem very keep on following polite etiquette."
Looking Marken straight in the eyes, Ella forced herself to be a bit more serious, trying to steel herself to relax and talk more calmly. She was doing it again, allowing her emotions to drive her responses and actions. She was really going to have to work on not doing that anymore.
"You really scare me, you know that?" Ella murmured seriously, "I'm usually very logical with people, and I can fully control my actions. But around you, it's like I lose my self-control, and my common sense is nowhere to be found. You are the only person this has happened with."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
Unaware of Andreios untangling her hair, Ava's eyes widened in horror, finally comprehending we situation. Oh no, her father was going to be so angry at her for not obeying his rules. Ava squeezed her eyes shut & clung to the front of Andrieos's armor. But just as she was about to tell Andreios to cut her hair, she suddenly lurched forward a little, her face lightly smacking into his breastplate.
"O-oww!" Ava grumbled. She lightly rubbed her forehead as she felt Andreios reaching over her & still pulling her hair free. How did a man with such strong hands do work that was so delicate? Ava stayed close to Andreios as his hands gently pulled the rest of her free, his body blocking hers from the cold wind.
What was she supposed to say in a situation like this? Andreios was showing her a gentleness that she'd been certain that he couldn't possess. Certainly this man had a rare personality; none of the other bodyguards her father had in the past were so playful or thoughtful.
"O-oww!" Ava grumbled. She lightly rubbed her forehead as she felt Andreios reaching over her & still pulling her hair free. How did a man with such strong hands do work that was so delicate? Ava stayed close to Andreios as his hands gently pulled the rest of her free, his body blocking hers from the cold wind.
What was she supposed to say in a situation like this? Andreios was showing her a gentleness that she'd been certain that he couldn't possess. Certainly this man had a rare personality; none of the other bodyguards her father had in the past were so playful or thoughtful.
"Cendres & I have been getting along rather well," Sylvia admitted as her cheeks turned pink. she couldn't admit why exactly they were bonding, but Aranhil looked pleased just to hear that his sister & wife were getting along.
"Sadly, your mother doesn't seem willing to warm up to me just yet," Sylvia sighed, "I think that it's still hard for her to accept me as family. But don't worry, I wont't give up."
Leaning in, Sylvia wrapped her arms around Aranhil's neck, rubbing her cheek into his chest. she was glad to be spending this time with Aranhil, but she was still so nervous about approaching the subject of them sharing a bed again.
"Sadly, your mother doesn't seem willing to warm up to me just yet," Sylvia sighed, "I think that it's still hard for her to accept me as family. But don't worry, I wont't give up."
Leaning in, Sylvia wrapped her arms around Aranhil's neck, rubbing her cheek into his chest. she was glad to be spending this time with Aranhil, but she was still so nervous about approaching the subject of them sharing a bed again.
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