"Hey," Bennett watched Elly curiously and saw her start to slump. He quickly pushed the door aside and grabbed her before she could hit the floor.

Holy crap, what happened to you? Bennett noticed the bruises, cuts and swelling immediately. He bundled the girl into his arms and walked off to find his physician.

Elly felt Bennett's embrace as she cuddled into his arms, a small amout of blood landed on his shirt as she slowly opened her eyes "Da....Dareyelle..." she said weakly.

"That stupid bitch." Bennett cursed as he flew down the hallway. He pulled Elly tighter to him and rushed to his physician.

He walked into the clinic and set Elly on a table. He rushed his physician into action and paced while he worked. As soon as he found out Elly would be fine. He looked at her.

"You're okay. I have to go now." He rushed out of the room and went in search of Dareyelle.

Elly awoke laying down on the examination table. she sat up worried "Bennett?" she said softly "Miss Ryuk! you need to lay down and rest..." the physician said as he touched her shoulder to try and calm her down "bu...but i need to serve the queen and her ladies in waiting!" she said as she tried to get off the examination table "don't frett, i notified the head maid to let her know that you were injured... i reccomend that you should take the day off today" the doctor said as he tried to hold her down.

Elly took a breath as she layed back down and tried to stay calm.

Bennett was making his way back to the physician's clinic when he heard the struggle. He ran to the door and flung it open to see Elly trying to leave, to go back to work. The girl was either very devoted or insane. She was way too injured to work.

"Elly, stop, lay down. I told my mother that Dareyelle had attacked you. You've got the day off." he smiled at her when she seemed to calm.

"I've got more good news, Dareyelle is now married. To a 58-year-old merchant. He's old, notoriously abusive and so far below her station, she'll never lay a hand on you or cross the will of the court again." He grinned at her and waited for her happy reaction.

Elly smiled happily as she sat up and hugged Bennett "thank you so much" she said softly ans she gently let go of him and pulled her knees up to her chest. "well, miss Ryuk once i remove you're IV, you are free to go" the doctor said as he removed the needle from her arm.

Bennett watched as the doctor pulled the IV from Elly arm. He smiled at her and was anxious to get started on his plan.

"Okay, if you aren't feeling up to it, we don't have to, but what do you think about sneaking into the Archive and digging through the records to get some information on your family?"

Bennett hoped that she said yes, but if she was too hurt he would understand, besides Michael was already searching.

"No, you know what? We are going to have a picnic." he turned to the doctor. "Have your steward run to the kitchen and bring us a luncheon, we'll be in the garden."

He turned back to Elly. " Shall I ask escort you to the garden?" he asked formally with a laugh.

Elly giggled a little as she hopped off the bed and stood beside him "ok" she said softly as she gently folded her hands on her lap "just let me get changed" she said softly as she began to walk over towards the door.

Bennett waited for Elly and gave the doctor's steward more instructions about what he wanted.

He was genuinely excited about a sweet innocent picnic. He had gone soft!

But I'm okay with that. She's worth it.

He placed an extravagant order and sent the steward to the kitchens. He got a blanket from the doctor and was waiting patiently for Elly to come back. He really hoped this made her feel better.

Elly steped out of her room and shifted the hair out of her face. she was happy that she didn't have to wear the uniform today, it was way too uncomfortable.

[[this is the clothing she is wearing]]
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/12494101.jpg
she has a matching parasol, white gloves with a red heart on the ends, knee-high white socks and red lolita shoes

Bennett stared at her. he had only ever seen her in her uniform.

"Wow."

He sucked in his breath and smiled at her.

"You look great. I'm... I'm amazed. Um, not that you were ugly or anything, but the uniform isn't that flattering."

He stopped himself and offered her his arm.

"Are you ready for your picnic, my dear?"

Elly giggled and blushed as she gently held his arm, she barely knew much about etiquitte but tried to study the movements at the court gatherings. sure she was nervous, but she felt as long as she was with him, she would be fine.

Bennett led her to one of the largest gardens. The trees were all flowering and little cherry blossom petals floated through the air.

He spread the blanket for her and asked her to sit.

He hoped the steward would bring the food soon, he had missed a meal arranging Dareyelle's downfall and his stomach grumbled loudly.

Elly gently took a seat and folded her knees to the side lady-like she continued to look down and blush slighty. she gently folded her gloved hands onto her lap as a cherry blossom fell onto her head.

He looked at her sitting with courtly grace. Her hands folded in her lap and her eyes downcast. He reached over and pulled the petal out of her hair.

"Hey, you can look at me. Stop looking at the ground. You don't have to anymore."

He lifted her chin and looked at her face. God, he wanted to kiss her, but held back, scared of chasing her off.

The steward chose that moment to arrive with the food. Bennett approved the dishes and the steward laid them out. He hoped that Elly liked everything, he had ordered for her.

Elly's heart felt like a nest of butterflies were in there. her cheeks turned redder as she looked into his eyes. she was happy that he smiled, he looked alot more adorable when he did.

"Okay, so we've got tons of super-rich food and loads to talk about," Bennett pulled away a little. He didn't want to screw this up like he did everything else.

"What would you like?" He gestured to the assembled dishes.

Elly smiled "i...i don't know..." she said softly as she gently bit her finger "wh...what do you reccomend?" she said softly as she gave him a cute look.

Um I don't think she wants to slow down

Bennett bent forward, pulled the finger from her mouth and kissed her gently. He was thrilled to have held back, but know he just wanted to kiss her forever. He gently pulled away.

"Okay, look. You need to get food into you. After what Dareyelle did to you, if you don't eat something, you'll just crash."

Elly was surprized whern he kissed her. she giggled and blushed a little "errr....ok" she said softly as she picked up some sushi and waited for him to figure out what he wanted to eat.

"Ummm, I will have.." Good grief, now all he could think about was her. Just about kissing her and mmmm...

"I have a glass of ice-water,' he declared too loudly.

Elly gave him a peculiar look before giggling lightly "here" she said as she sat a bit closer to him "try a little, it's really good" she said softly as she kissed him in return 'Elly!' she thought 'just look at you now! kissing royalty...man am i so proud of you'

Bennett kissed her back, kissed her deeply. At that moment he knew he would do anything to have her be acceptable in court. Because, for once, Bennett wasn't interested in a quick fling with this girl. He wanted her for himself. He wanted her as his queen.

Stop! If you keep kissing her, you know what will happen.

He pulled back and started to speak to Elly, unfortunately his voice wouldn't come and he took a moment to gather his wits.

"Listen, I want you, but not like this. Not in secret because it would cost you your home and job. I want you to come to court and I want you to be my queen."

Elly was speechless as she smiled. after a bit she began to think "b....but...your mother..." she said quietly "will she...aprove?" she gently folded her hands on her lap again.

"I don't really care. But once she knows who you really are, then I can't imagine that she would disapprove."

He took her hands in his.

"Elly, I don't care if I have to go work in the fields and lose everything. I want you."