"Love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person. To love somebody isn't just a strong feeling. It is a decision, a judgment and a promise."
                                            -Unknown

Ben's POV

Inside her chambers Rey's wound was being treated by Countess Cordelia at the moment.

I felt antsy but I knew I had to be patient and wait upon the arrival of her better health.

I just couldn't itch off the nerve that I could have prevented this. I could have done better to save her from experiencing such pain.

Once she was awake I knew she'd be troubled upon killing that man...but I wanted to reassure her it wasn't her fault.

She had nothing to do with being a murderer or a killer. That man had probably killed hundreds if not millions under Hux's orders.

She needed to know she wasn't a monster and she'd never be. And if anyone were to say any different I'd make sure to set their thinking straight.

Rey was a fair lady, one who had a heart of gold.

She forgave me even when she barley knew of my past. The words that I had spoken to her of what I did, the horrible acts I committed to killing...

...she chose to trust me...

...even without a witness to support me that I no longer wanted to be what I was.

She was honest and stood for what was right. And in that she could never be a monster. She could never be something like I had been years before I met her.

Compared to her I was the beast...I was the monster. I was something that could not have been contained years back. I truly was a killer...and I hated what I did.

I was beginning to think...maybe...maybe it was me.

She was safer without my presence and with it she has only gotten into situations of frequently inflicted pain.

But I knew better, it would have been selfish of me to leave her just because I felt I was not good enough for her.

I felt the look in her eyes whenever she'd glance at me, the warmth they brought.

When ever she'd smile her cheeks would turn a small shade of red. Her appearance was as if she were a spring lily.

The way she appeared so lovingly was because her love for me. She was in love with me as much as I was head over heels for her.

I could not leave her side. I wanted to protect her.

Even if I did think so lowly of myself she was why I lived.

Rey's POV

My eyes flickered open to the movement near my arm.

But before I looked I jolted my hands in front of my face to make sure they weren't bloody.

To my relief they were just covered in a few bandages.

I looked to the side of my bed.

Cordelia was awake, sitting on a chair and was currently holding my hand with hers.

Her eyes looked exhausted and drained as if she had been crying for awhile.

"Your finally awake. You should stay in bed until you've fully recovered. And...I want you near me for awhile. That is until I know your safer than you've been these past few days."

Sadness developed on her words as soon as they were spoken to me. No anger in her voice.

I could not say a word. She was worried to death for me.

And She was not wrong to keep me safe...but I was afraid that meant not seeing Ben for awhile.

Although at the moment I was more worried for my mother, who sat beside me.

What would my mother think if she were to find out? She would probably restrict my meetings with Ben...she might even come to be disappointed in me.

I shut my mouth, afraid to say what I had done from the town. Terrified to what her reaction would have been.

I deeply hoped the townsfolk would not buzz around with word of me killing a man, I did not wish to be known as a killer in any way.

"Do you protest of my decision Rey?" Her words snapped me out of my worried thoughts as I began to fidget with my hair.

"I do not. But, only that Ben is aloud to visit me. That is all I wish."

She gave me a reluctant and long stare but nodded softly with a skeptical approval.

"As long as he does not try anything funny, he is aloud. I know he'll protect you but I do want to minimize the time you both spend together for now. I'm not trying to hurt you Rey but...do you understand what I'm trying to communicate?"

"I do understand. But...this time it was my fault. I should not have gotten involved."

At that point I looked down at my lap.

"Well whatever it was saved the townsfolk I've heard. But even in doing a good deed...if your death is what pays for it...I cannot lose you Rey...I can't bare the thought. Your everything to me."

I glanced at her face. Every ounce of pain was revealed like an open book.

It pained me so to see her like this.

I put my hand on her shoulder, wrapping her into a warm hug.

Tears dropped from my face as well as hers.

"Mother...I will never leave you, not even in death. And it takes a little bit more than poison to defeat me. If this keeps happening, who knows, I might even be immune to it." I lightheartedly joked as she did not chuckle as I had hoped she would.

"This is not a light matter Rey, no jokes."

She hugged me back.

"I'm alive aren't I? All thanks to you."

I was sitting up now with Cordelia standing up.

"I'll get a maid to prepare you a meal. I'll be back." She wiped her last straying tears away before disappearing out of my chambers.

I looked out of the window to see the first snow fall.

It seems the fall season was coming to an end.

The white cloud-like snow fell in clumps, coming down as if they were feathers.

I uncovered myself from my blankets to get out of bed and immediately felt pain course through my stomach.

I was in my nightgown which was only one layer, making it easy to discover I had been bandaged where the man had pierced me.

I tried not to think about what happened and went to my window with a light blanket around my shoulders.

My face started to feel numb from the cold air.

I took a deep breath and calmed my nerves as best I could.

I closed my eyes for a moment before opening them once more.

Just then I spotted something below my window, a dark clothed figure lurking near.

I suddenly realized who it was.

He did not see me and I intended to keep it that way.

For now we'd have to see each other with great distance between us as well as without words. But I was fine with that.

As long as I had moments to see his face, it would hold my wanting to run into his arms like a love-sick puppy for awhile.

I sighed, leaning onto one of my arms as I looked down at Ben.

When I heard movement coming near my door I, in haste, went back into bed unnoticed by the maid.

The maid smiled at me politely as I did the same, smiling back.

"Madam Cordelia will see you after your meal Miss."

"Of course, thank you." I spoke as she gave me a plate full of morning breakfast.

My stomach growled as I blushed.

"Well I'll leave you to eat." She left my room and as soon as the door was shut I started to eat to my heart's content.