"Being kept in the dark, shined with false light, and still alive... is often more painstaking than that of something that is dead, being shined with real light."

-Created Myself

Recap:
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Ben's POV

Snow started to fall lightly as Cordelia headed in.

Before she walked out of the garden I called to her, stopping her as she turned around awaiting my next words.

"Why have you told me all of this? What do you have to gain?"

"Nothing. I simply know that you'll be with her more than I will and someday even marry her...so knowing that I wanted you to know. I wanted you to accept her for who she truly is. And have you?"

"Of course. I would want nothing more than to be by her side, no matter what background she has come from."

She only nodded with a sad smile before heading back to her path to the castle.

I wanted to sit out here for awhile longer.

The cold bit at my face and hands but I did not budge, not until I couldn't feel my nerves any longer.

I looked up at the sky, closed my eyes, and drew a deep breath.

I do hope Rey takes all this in alright and doesn't feel like doing anything foolish after all is said.

I opened my eyes to look at the sky, seeing my breath in a small foggy cloud from exhaling.

"I do hope you find yourself alright Rey, I know your strong...I trust in you." I whispered my words allowed.

Just then I heard a heart-throbbing sob.

My heart dropped knowing who it might've been.

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Continuation:

3rd Person POV

The dark haired man sat up immediately after hearing a small sound of sobbing.

His heart pounded like that of a horses hooves as it galloped...uneasy...high strung...worried.

He desperately hoped it wasn't Rey...but something inside of him knew it was.

He had to bite the bullet and go to her.

Comfort her if he could. Anything to make her heartbreaking weeping stop.

He could not stand the sound, knowing he was a part of that cause...at least he thought so.

After a few moments the snow appeared thicker, dropping down heavy and fast.

He finally came to his wits and mustered up courage to go to her.

With each step was a delicate crunch of snow.

That snow crunching sound soon ended as Ben appeared before Rey.

"My dear Rey...I'm so sorry...I-"

Ben's dark eyes softened at the sight of Rey looking up at him.

She looked up at the man she loved with such sorrowful eyes.

She was such a mess.

She couldn't say not one word...nothing would come out...her tear-stained face was all that she could provide.

She tried to hide her face after noticing Ben's presence near her.

She was sitting on the ice cold snow, barefoot with her legs pulled to her chest.

Ben settled steadily beside her, taking his hand to her face.

"There's no need to hide my dear."

He parted a thick strand of hair from her face to see her saddened doe eyes.

She only shook her head instantly.

Hiding from him once more.

She knew who she was now...and now she could see why she was such an outcast...

She was the granddaughter of a wicked man she knew little of...a daughter of a family she no longer had.

Her parents dead.

She never cared about her past until now...it all flooded in like a wave.

Too big for her to bear...too much all at once.

She wished she could just disappear then.

Why? She wondered. Why did she come here when she should have stayed in her room, resting.

It was a foolish idea to have.

She was too anxious to wait to talk with Ben again. She wanted to at least give a proper goodbye for the day.

Instead, she had discovered her history. Something she desired wasn't real. Just a dream.

"This is all a terrible dream. I'll wake up, I'll be fine-"

Her voice flooded with unrest.

The man beside her gently took her into his grasp, cutting her off from her uneasement.

"I love you no matter your history. Still knowing who you are, I'd lay my life down for you regardless."

Rey couldn't believe her ears.

She may have loved him and accepted his past but she couldn't come to meet ends with her own.

She just couldn't see, she couldn't understand.

She was afraid all too well.

He may have loved her but what if her grandfather were to come for her and find her.

Then both her mother, Cordelia and Ben would be in grave danger because of her, won't they?

She feared her relationship with Ben was more complicated than she realized.

Even her petty wish of wanted to discover lands and travel places instead of getting caged down with marriage seemed to be nothing compared to now.

That attack on the townsfolk not only almost killed her but Ben as well.

She couldn't risk it...could she?

"It's more complicated than that Ben..." Rey managed to speak after gasping and sniffling for air.

She finally turned her head toward him, moving a lock of hair out of her face to see him properly.

"What if he comes for me again and you and Cordelia end up in danger? What will happen then? I can't risk such a gamble...I can't stand being like this. I don't even know who this man is who wants me so badly."

Ben did not know what to tell her.

He couldn't say that everything would be fine because it wasn't and Rey already knew that.

He couldn't tell her that he had everything under control because he couldn't control anything as much as the next person.

All he could think of doing was comforting her.

So he laid his forehead on hers as he spoke.

"I may not be able to control the outcome of things...and everything won't go as pain-less as we would wish it...but I promise we both shall face this together. By your side I'll be til the day I die."

Rey was now quiet...she felt a bit at ease but her heart was still pounding.

Her ears reddened greater than what the cold temperature made them.

She allowed Ben's hand to connect with hers as they intertwined fingers.

They both sat in silence for awhile.

"I'll take your word for it Ben. I trust we can make it out alive...and once we do...could you promise me something."

Ben looked her way with small smile.

"Of course, anything." He half hoped he wasn't regretting his words.

"Promise that once this is all over we move far away from this place."

"I promise...but what about your mother?"

"She'll understand..."

Rey's happy face turned sour once more.

Her mother...had kept the secret of who she was for so long...how could she even face her again without having to feel upset?

"Speaking of her...why did she never care to tell me of my past? I know she might have been protecting me and even meant well but didn't I deserve to know sooner?"

Ben, without a doubt, knew she was irritated at her mother's actions.

And Rey knew that she had the knowledge of her past now...but she wished she would've known in a less dire situation as this.

Ben turned to her, looking into her eyes.

"You'll have to speak with her about that one. But I also want to apologize for spilling the tea as well."

"She already knew...what's the point anymore. She probably knows more than what she lets on..."

So many emotions boiled in Rey.

Over many, rage prospered, fighting for the top.

The young man noticed that she had balled her fist too harshly.

His hand was placed on hers.

"I can't ask for you not to be upset...it's only reasonable that you are. But please don't do anything reckless Rey."

He could see the wild stare appearing in her eyes. The anger and rage boiling within her, daring to escape her.

But with the touch of his hand to hers, her anger and rage froze.

" I'm afraid you're right Ben. I'll try not to pop a gasket." She let out a shaky sigh before standing up.

Ben aided her after she stumbled, attempting to get up too fast.

The cold air had numbed her legs as she felt pins and needles exactly.

Both Ben and Rey decided it was better for Ben to carry her back to her chambers.

Both secretly embarrassed of the situation.

But neither wished to leave each other's side.