[b]Ella felt her heart flutter at Marken's words, finally lifting her gaze to his. She couldn't look him in the eyes before, she was too ashamed to look at him straight on; but he still held her and told her that he loved her, almost like nothing had happened between them. She'd never received such... unconditional love from anyone before, it was almost terrifying to accept Marken's affection as real.

"Is this normal?" Ella asked bluntly, her fingers squeezing down on the fine cloth of his gentleman's coat, "Is it normal for couples to forgive each other & be okay after?"

Ella realised her question was probably stupid and pulled from her fiancé, walking to the vanity mirror on the back of the parlour door. Her hand traced the mark and she tilted her neck back a little, looking at the cut there, welled with a small bit of blood.

"I wonder if this will scar too?" she thought aloud. Quiet wonder seized her before she went to the drinking cabinet and poured water into glasses. She just wanted to drink until she blacked out, but that probably wouldn't be the best decision. There was no doubt in her mind that the king had a whole list of questions for her tomorrow.[/b]