In the wake of the Holy Knights failed coup d'etat, King Baltra requests an audience with the Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins. For protecting his daughter and his kingdom, Baltra wants to present Meliodas with gift and shares some news that would change his life forever.
"Would you wake up already!" Hawk shouted from the foot of Meliodas' bed. "If you don't leave soon you'll be late!"
Peeking his head out from under the covers Meliodas could see that the sun was still asleep.
"It's still dark out Hawk, go back to bed." Meliodas rolled over with every intention of fall back asleep. He was exhausted. For the last week, Meliodas hadn't been sleeping well. Before, knowing Elizabeth was sleeping safely at his side allowed for him to snooze with ease. However, after the sins defeated Hendrickson, Elizabeth returned to her home in the palace and since then, Meliodas found it harder to fall asleep each night. He didn't even mind that Hawk had insisted he be restrained for Elizabeth's sake. He just missed her.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" squeaked Hawk. "You promised Elizabeth that you'd watch the sunrise with her before your private breakfast with the King."
Meliodas opened his eyes and jumped out of bed and scrambled to get ready. He'd only seen Elizabeth twice since she returned home. Once, two days after the battle at the feast the King held in honour of the Seven Deadly Sins service to Liones. The second was four days later when Elizabeth delivered her father's invitation for today.
From the moment, she walked into the Boar Hat, Meliodas mood became significantly brighter. Although he wouldn't admit it out loud, he missed having Elizabeth around.
"Hey there Elizabeth! What brings you to my fine establishment, miss me already?" Meliodas couldn't help himself. He missed teasing her and watching her face change from pale to pink.
"Good morning Sir Meliodas, I'm actually here on official business. Do you have a minute?" Despite her attempt to hide it, Elizabeth could feel her cheeks heat at the Captain's comment.
"Sure, business is slow today and my only customer just left a few minutes before you arrived. Have a seat anywhere you like."
Elizabeth smiled in acknowledgment and made her way to one of the smaller tables in the back corner. She found it difficult to sit comfortably on the bar stool in her dress. It was a light lavender colour and she loved the way it made her silver hair shine.
Living at the palace again meant Elizabeth had to return to wearing corsets and dresses. Although she normally disliked her formal attire, Elizabeth wanted to dress nicely for her visit with Meliodas. Her dress was elegant but hugged her curves in just the right way.
"I hope you don't mind, I wanted to sit away from the door. I don't want anyone overhearing our conversation."
Nodding, Meliodas joined her at the table. "Not at all. So, what's up, you said you were here on official business?"
"Yes," Elizabeth handed Meliodas the cream colour parchment she was holding in her hand. "It's an invitation to a private breakfast with my father tomorrow morning. I'm not too sure what he wishes to discuss with you, but he says he'll explain everything in person."
While opening the invitation, Meliodas asked, "So no one else will be at this private breakfast?"
"No… just you and my father. He seemed very excited when he handed me the letter. What does it say?"
"It says:
To Meliodas and Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins,
I King Baltra of Liones formally request your presents tomorrow morning for Breakfast in the palace gardens. My gratitude for protecting my daughter and my kingdom is immeasurable. As a token of my appreciation, I wish to present you with a gift I hope you accept.
My sincerest gratitude,
King Baltra of Liones."
Looking up from the letter Meliodas could see the excitement in Elizabeth's eyes.
"That's interesting… My father's not usually this secretive. It must be something grand for him to request a private audience with you."
"Maybe but whatever it is I'll probably reject it."
"What!" Elizabeth shouted a little too loud. "Why?"
"Because I don't need anything. I got all I need right here." Meliodas gestured to his beloved tavern and home. The fact that Elizabeth was here too made him smile more.
"Well, I want to know what it is." Exclaimed Elizabeth. "A new horse maybe? Or a statue in honour of the sins?"
"If you're so curious I'll tell you after my meeting with your father."
"I can't. My sisters have my day planned from sun up to sun down."
"Bummer."
"I'm technically available before daybreak! Would you like to come a little earlier and watch the sunrise?" Elizabeth could feel her cheeks heat, but she didn't regret asking.
"Sure, sounds good to me," Meliodas replied with a grin. Although Meliodas didn't like the idea of waking up before dawn he did liked the idea of spending time with the Third Princess of Liones.
"Alright!" Elizabeth said as she stood to leave. "Meet me at the palace gates. I know the perfect spot!"
Meliodas arrived at the palace gates a few minutes before sunrise. He was tired from a lack of sleep, but when he saw Elizabeth waiting he didn't seem to care as much.
"Good morning Elizabeth! Where is this perfect spot you were telling…" Meliodas froze when the princess met his gaze. She looked incredibly upset and it made his chest hurt. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"I'm sorry Meliodas, but I cannot tell you," Elizabeth whispered unable to look him in the eyes. "My father has forbidden me from telling a soul."
"I see. Well, in that case, did you still want to watch the sunrise? It might cheer you up?"
"I'm sorry, but, I don't think that such a good idea anymore. Plans have changed, and my father is waiting for you in the throne room for breakfast. He has asked me to escort you there upon your arrival." With that, Elizabeth turned and began to lead Meliodas inside the palace.
Meliodas was stunned. He didn't know how to respond to Elizabeth's somber mood. She was so happy yesterday. What could have changed overnight?
"Does this have something to do with the reason why your fathers asked me to breakfast?" Although he knew Elizabeth wouldn't be able to tell him what was bothering her, he couldn't help himself from asking.
A single tear rolled down her cheek. "No, unfortunately, I don't think it has anything to do with you."
When Meliodas entered the throne room, the King was standing by the far window facing the heart of the kingdom. The room was large with stone walls and floors. The only permanent objects in the room were a few candles, the Kingdom's banner draped all along the walls, the Kings large throne, and a smaller sized seat assumed to be for the queen. In the middle of the room was a moderate size table with two chairs full of different fruits and biscuits. It was obvious the table didn't belong in here but was brought in for their meeting.
Bowing low, Meliodas addressed the King "You summoned me King Baltra."
"Ah yes Meliodas, thank you for joining me." Meliodas remained bowed not able to look the King in the face just yet. "Judging by your tone of voice I can tell my daughter was unable to control her emotions in front of you?"
Meliodas could feel his body temperature rise from his wrath. You've got to relax. Meliodas thought to himself. This is not the time for you to get mad. "Yes… But she told me you forbid her to tell a soul."
"I shared something with my daughter prematurely. It's my mistake. I'm not ready to share the full extent of my plans with her just yet, so she assumes the worst. Depending on how our conversation goes today, however, might change her disposition considerably. Or at least, I'm hoping it will."
At this, Meliodas straightened and met the King's gaze. He was still staring out the window. "Come join me over here Meliodas. I have something I wish to discuss with you."
Meliodas joined the King and followed his gaze. Outside he could see the Kingdom was still a mess. Most of the debris was gone and many buildings were in the process of being rebuilt. However, from this view, Meliodas could see the full extent of the damage.
"I decided to meet with you here instead of the gardens because the throne room has the best view of my Kingdom. Seeing this damage has changed me and I wanted you to see what I see. My most trusted Knights whose jobs were to protect this beloved Kingdom betrayed us and caused this devastation. Although we can rebuild, the people's hearts and memories cannot be fixed so easily."
"Yeah sorry about that Baltra… My goal was to save Elizabeth and I wasn't too careful about my surroundings along the way."
King Baltra smiled. "I wouldn't expect anything less of the Dragon's Sin of Wrath."
Meliodas simply shrugged in reply.
"You have my deepest gratitude as a King and as a father. And that is precisely why I asked you here today. But please let us sit and have some breakfast first."
Breakfast was, uncomfortable. Meliodas didn't know what to say and the King ate in silence.
Just as Meliodas was about to finish his plate King Baltra spoke. "So how have you been the past ten years Meliodas? Elizabeth tells me you own a tavern."
"That's right, the Boar Hat. I bought it to collect information about the other sins whereabouts. Before Elizabeth found me, I was already trying to regroup the Seven Deadly Sins on my own."
Meliodas decided to leave the part out where he sold his sacred treasure for the tavern. He didn't think the King would like to find out on the day he planned to give him another gift that he had sold the last.
"It must have been hard for you. Being marked as a horrible criminal for a crime you didn't commit."
Meliodas stayed silent, opting to grab another grape and keeping his head down. He had committed many sins in his past. One more to the list, true or not, didn't change anything.
"I want to try and change that. That's one perk my gift will hopefully provide. But before we get into that there is something I must tell you." King Baltra waited for Meliodas to meet his gaze before he continued.
"In the wake of the knights failed coup d'etat my Kingdom appears weak and vulnerable. The people need hope and security going forward. I have been putting this off for quite some time now, but I cannot any longer. I have decided to name my successor."
"Your successor?"
"Yes. Although I love all my daughters dearly, they are not eligible to inherit my crown. The future King of Liones must marry into the family. Naturally, as a father, I wanted to wait and see if any worthy young man would capture the hearts of one of my beloved daughters. I did not want them to feel pressured into marrying a man for political gains, so I've waited. However, I cannot afford to wait any longer and I have made my decision. My beloved daughter Elizabeth helped saved this Kingdome by seeking you and the other sins out. I am beyond proud of her. For her bravery and wisdom, I have decided that the future King of Liones will marry Elizabeth. She will make a fine queen one day"
Meliodas' blood ran cold. Elizabeth. Queen. MARRIED? Is this what was bothering her? Having to marry a man of her father's choosing? His conversation with Elizabeth replayed in his mind. "No, unfortunately, I don't think it has anything to do with you." Oh…
King Baltra paused and waited to gage Meliodas' reaction by taking a sip from his water goblet before continuing. "I shared this news with Elizabeth prematurely, but I refused to tell her who my choice is."
"I see." Meliodas' head was spinning trying to process this information. Does the King want my input or something? Or is he afraid I would get angry at his choice of husband and hurt him or the Kingdom? It's probably the latter.
"The future King of Liones should be a natural leader, strong-willed, dedicated, benevolent and wise. My choice as proven himself to be all those and more. He is responsible for saving this Kingdom from destruction after all. I just hope he accepts"
Meliodas' heart stopped.
"Lord Meliodas, Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins, my gift to you is my daughter's hand and my kingdom's crown. If you accept I shall bestow you with the title as my successor."
This story is based on an idea I had after watching season 1 of the Netflix original series. I am in the process of editing this story and plan to continue with it soon. I intended this to be a continuation after the first season, so this story is not canon.