Author: This is a new multi chapter story I am working on. I hope you all enjoy it. It's basically a romance/spy story. Jan and Elli fall in love over the course of the story as Jan protects Elli. Reviews are welcome and I would love to hear your thoughts on the story. ^^

It looked to be just like every other day as Elli closed up shop for the evening. Elli's eyes wavered as she looked up at the shop and sighed, "I always thought you would be my side when I took over this store..." Elli shook her head sadly and started to walk away, "I miss you, father..."

The jewelry shop which Elli has now taken over after the passing of her father was started when Elli was but a baby. Elli's father treasured the jewelry shop and had always hoped Elli would one day take over and Elli thought he would be with her when that time came; she never even imagined that he might no longer be a part of her life when she'd be the one running the shop.

Elli slowly trudged along a quiet street-side with her face towards the ground as she made her way home. Elli felt alone in the world with no family around, with no one to support her she felt empty inside. "Sigh..." Another sigh escaped her lips when she noticed several shadows surrounding her. Elli looked up and was suprised to see a group of men had her completely surrounded.

Elli could tell by their appearance that they were not here to make friends with her. They all looked menacingly at her. "What do you all want?" Elli asked as she stared intently at the one who seemed to be the leader of the group. "You girly, you are Elli Dawn. You are daughter to Steven Dawn, correct?" Elli gasped at the mention of her father's name, "How do you know my father!?"

The leader laughed at her face as he mocked her, "That's not important. We are after something he has and you will take us to him." The group of thugs started to close in on her, Elli didn't know what was going on. "What are you talking about!? He died two months ago in a freak accident over in Philip!"

The men stopped in their tracks and the leader stood directly in front of her and grinned evily, "You really think that? We have spent many years tracking him and then when we finally pin-point his location he dissappears from under our noses. He faked his death as a cover up to hide from us."

Elli shook her head, she didn't want to believe those words, she couldn't. "You are wrong! Why would he do that and leave me!? I don't know what's going on, but I want no part of it!" Elli scowled at the men that surrounded her but they wouldn't budge.

"Now, Now. There is no point in resisting. We were lucky to have found the location of his daughter, this should work perfectly." He cackled as they tried to grab her.

A car had just happened to pass by at that very moment as the men had Elli surrounded. The driver noticed something wasn't right with the scene and he immediately stopped the car and stepped outside and hurried his way over to the sight.

"What do you guys think you are doing!? Get away from her!" The spiky haired man yelled out as he approached the shady group. The thugs looked towards him and the leader shot daggers at him. "Dammit, we have company. Quickly take the girl!"

The leader ordered and the men all jumped on Elli but recieved a surprise when Elli fought back. "I won't be taken without a fight!" Elli roared as she fought with all her might. Elli looked like she had experience in hand-to-hand combat as she executed precision punches.

"Urgh, this girl knows how to fight." The spiky haired man joined in the fight as Elli was being overwhelmed. "On my signal, we are going to run." The spiky haired man whispered to Elli as they fought off the group. Elli had no idea who this guy was but she felt like she could trust him. He gave off a friendly aura and so Elli nodded her head and they waited for the oppertune time to make their escape.

They continued to fight back until finally there was an opening for them to escape. "Now!" The spiky haired man yelled out and grabbed hold of Elli's hand and made a mad dash back towards the car. He hurriedly opened the back door to the car and shoved Elli inside and then quickly jumped into the drivers seat and started the engine and sped away as fast as he could.

The men could be seen in the distance screaming and yelling as they kicked the ground after their failed attempt to capture Elli.

Sweat dripped down Elli's forehead as she tried to catch her breath. Elli looked at the driver through the rear-view-mirror, Thank you, um..." Elli's voice trailed off. "Jan. The names Jan." Jan said with a smile as he looked at her in the mirror.

"Jan... I see. Thank you so much for helping me back there. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't show up." Elli held her hand against her chest as she was extremely grateful for his help. "I'm glad I showed up when I did. Do you know why they are after you?" Jan asked sounding concerned.

But all Elli could do was shake her head and gazed at the floor. "I have no idea..." Elli's head suddenly jolted up as she remembered something. "Oh, how rude of me. I have your name but I didn't give you mine." Elli paused and looked into the mirror with a slight smile. "My name is Elli Dawn."

Hearing her name Jan's eyes widened a little, "I see, so you are Stevens daughter." Jan said in a low tone as he suddenly looked serious. Elli looked confused as to why Jan would know her father. "Yes, I am. But, how do you know my father?" Jan faced away from the mirror as he searched for an answer. "Oh, I heard about him in a magazine once. His jewelry shop is quite popular in Dres Van." Jan sighed, he hoped she'd believe him.

"Oh... I see. He died in an accident a couple months ago. I run the shop by myself, my father was always proud of how well liked our store was. But now I'm all alone..." Tears formed in the corner of Elli's eyes as she gazed out the window at the scenery that passed by.

"I'm so sorry to hear that..." Jan said sympathetically. "I was surprised to see you fight so well. Where did you learn that fighting style?" Jan questioned Elli and she immediately thought back to her past. "My father... He taught me self-defence when I was growing up. He was skilled in all kinds of fighting techniques and he taught them to me." Jan was half-expecting that it was most likely Elli's father that had taught her but seeing how she pulled off those moves earlier with ease, Jan was impressed.

"He taught you well. Not many can fight and hold off that many thugs for as long as you did." Elli blushed at his compliment, she didn't know how to respond as her eyes nervously darted about. "T-Thanks." Jan grinned at Elli and before long they were pulling up into a driveway.

Elli gasped when she looked outside, her eyes went wide in amazment. Before her towered Dres Van castle, home to the royal family. Elli never in her wildest dreams imagined this was where Jan was driving too or she'd end up at such a location as this. Jan opened the car door and helped Elli out, "J-Jan. Why are we here?" Elli stuttered never taking her eyes off the castle as she nervously whispered to Jan.

Jan chuckled and looked at Elli. "Oh right. I probably should tell you." Jan said and then bowed down elegantly before Elli, which only confused her further. "Welcome to Dres Van castle. My name is Jan, head steward and butler to His Highness, Prince Joshua." Elli couldn't believe her ears, someone who worked for the royal family was the one who saved her.

Elli didn't know just how lucky she was from this turn of events. Elli looked at the castle, the place where she would be calling home for awhile. Elli didn't know what laid in store for her but she knew one thing was certain, that was her life was going to be eventful and full of surprises as she uncovered the hidden truths of her past.