[b]For a moment, Ella didn't know how to respond to the sight of the amulet. It was so much like her father's, though customized and a bit flashier and jeweled. and the blue jewel in it was the perfect cloudy shade of blue that matched her eyes. Is this what he was doing all day? She could only think of the money and time he'd put into getting this gift made for her.

Reaching up with shaking hands, Ella cradled the beautiful trinket in her hands, tears falling from her eyes before she could stop herself. Why did Marken have to be so damned nice to her? Her resolve was crumbling again, just from this action. It took all of her willpower not to drop to her knees and beg for his forgiveness then and there.

"Marken..." she breathed out shakily, "This is too good for someone like me...."[/b]