A/N: You hathed asked for more. You hathed received.

If someone asked for my opinion on love, I don't think I would be able to give them a decent answer. On terms of 'love', my points of view can range as far as the sky meets the earth, to a meaningless speck of dust floating in the wind. Sometimes I relish in the relationships I have made. Other times I wish I had never met certain people, knowing I'd get attached… knowing it would never end well.

Elizabeth is another matter.

I would throw myself down on the sword for her, without a second thought or complaint, if it meant she'd be safe. Elizabeth was the one thing I held above all others. All seven of my old, sorry hearts beat up a storm when she's close. My blood pounds faster than a Goddess's wing beat when I hear her in pain. I have enough energy from my hearts alone to roar like the beast on my shoulder. And I'd rip them all out for her with my bare hands if she wanted it.

Naturally I would want a reason for why she'd ask for my hearts- literally speaking, that is. Either way, I wouldn't worry about dying and staying dead. I'd just come back with the same damn cheeky smile I've bared for over three millennium. Then I'd ask what I had missed without quandary. The issue on not being allowed to die is something else entirely, though.

However… sometimes, especially when I'm alone, I wish that I had never met Elizabeth. What would be different if I hadn't? What would be the same? I wonder what would have happened if I had never spared a second glance to her all those years ago. I certainly would not be here, sitting in the musty attic of a rickety old tavern. I, most definitely, wouldn't be having a staring contest with this lecherous Mage.

I wouldn't have to go through heartaches like a hungry goat goes through grass.

I wouldn't have to deal with this.

"Did the princess still emit the same smell when you last saw her?"

"I think so… I'll give her a checkup as soon as possible,"

Merlin rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck, sighing softly as she buried her face into the white fur of her coat's collar. The little candle that sat among the mountain of books flickered from a draft until it blew out entirely. Even as the night's darkness covered us, we continued to sit in silence. The typically shrewd woman had yet to speak besides the one question she had just asked.

I uncrossed my arms and placed my hands on my knees, not even bothered by the fact that my feet barely touched the ground. Giving a sigh to follow Merlin's, I slowly slid off my chair to stand up. Its squeak was deafening compared to our solemn silence. Like a loyal dog hearing its master come home, the mage lifted her head up and looked at me dead in the eye.

"I want to hear about everything that happens to her, Captain," she says seriously, swiftly unfolding herself from her chair. Merlin fixed her coat and readjusted her shorts before speaking again. "Be it to where she is and with whom, to what color her piss is,"

"Well, I have to give a lady some privacy!". My joke was light, but I knew the reasonings behind Merlin's request. In order to fix whatever's wrong with Elizabeth, we have to know what's wrong.

Merlin easily caught onto my comedic relief and joined in by slapping her hand down on my head to ruffle my hair up. Her frown vanished like the wind and she flashed me her best boisterous smirk. Despite her flaunty behavior, Merlin was a true companion that looked out for my well being. Me, meaning not only myself, but the other Sins and everyone associated with us as well. This included Elizabeth. And now that I think about it, Merlin knows the importance of my relationship with the princess better than anyone else. It was sadly ironic that she of all people would understand. Even though Merlin was more 'lusty' than the Sin of Lust, she could care for people in her own strange way... These feelings of fatherly affection for her should be long gone, but-

I let out a halfhearted growl of disapproval at her actions, and swat her hand away.

"I'll give my report first thing in the morning," was my final response.

Most of my crew was still mingling about, yet Merlin stayed in the attic -claiming to be tired from helping 'wee sorry souls'- and continued to stay awake for most of the night. Do what, only goddesses knew.

While walking back down to the bar, I took a minute to check my surroundings. I focused my scenes on Elizabeth's presence in my room, and was pleased to find her heartbeat slow and steady. She was resting, just as I had told her too. Elizabeth might not be as headstrong as her previous incarnate, but she could still be as stubborn. When she listened to me, I worried less. Her being good and out of harm's way was something I would desperately need. If I wanted to figure out why she smelled like a soon-to-be mother, I would need Elizabeth's -and everyone else's- complete cooperation.

The others were downstairs, drinking ale and chatting softly. There were no other suspicious figures around the bar besides animals or townspeople. Even so, I couldn't help but feel like something was coming. Something I don't have a name for. The darker side of me was starting to rear its ugly head, so that's probably where most of my anxiety was stemming from. No matter, I just needed to ignore it and keep it sealed away. Yet, even as I fought this force of mine into submission, it kept prodding me. Poking, snarling, cackling, and whispering words of a tongue I have long tried to forget- my subconscious' motive for why, I didn't know.

Maybe because you don't want to know.

Shut up, me.

King was already past out on Chastiefol, and snored softly just like any child would. His auburn hair stuck up in several directions similar to Ban's hairstyle, and part of his face was pressed into his green pillow in a pool of his own drool. He had failed to retire to his room or change into pajamas. But he was so far in Dreamland that I didn't have the heart to wake him. Ban, however, seemed to see the sleeping king's vulnerable state as a opening for attack.

"I'm gonna wake 'em up~-"

"Don't you dare!" was the fast defense on King's behalf. Diana was quick to protect her small friend, and she did this by slapping the immortal with the back of her hand. She swayed as she landed the hit, alcohol having greatly affecting her motor skills. Even though she was human-sized, and drunk, Ban still went flying across the room and smashed into a table.

I was more worried about the table than Ban, which cracked in half and collapsed under my friend's weight.

"Common, you guys, I thought we went over this... No smashing my bar into smithereens!"

"CAPTAIN! Thank the goddesses you're here!" Diana wailed the second she saw me, running to me with tears in her eyes. "Everyone keeps on trying to bother King! Make them stop!" I sigh as she embraced me in a bone-crushing hug. She smelled strongly of booze, along with several traces of sexually-frustrated men. I suppose she was the center of attention once Hawk and I carried a certain injured princess upstairs. Speaking of Hawk, where did that miserable swine run off to?

"I was not involved in trying to awaken King," Gowther declares bluntly, not bothering to look up from his intense study of a beetle that was making its way across a window seal. The brunette draped across me sobbed drunken alligator tears.

It was very, very tempting to grab a mug for myself and join my crew, but I had things I needed to do before I retire for the day. With Diana not bothering to notice me move across the room, I approach Ban with a casual smile to show that I come in peace. But even if I came up to him, while he's in this state, with horns and a tail, he'd barely bat an eye at me. The immortal, gargling on his own saliva, was splayed out across the two slabs of wood that I once called a table.

"You alive in there, bud?" I said, tapping his forehead with the back of my pointer finger. He twitched, squinching his face up in pain and intoxicated thoughts, before peeking open an eye at me. His wide pupils could barely focus.

"...Elaine?"

"Sorry, man, I don't have boobs,"

"~eh,"

If I wanted to figure out anything, before approaching Elizabeth, Ban seemed to be my best first step. He was already up by the time I got back this morning, so if anything weird happened besides Ban getting up on time, he would know. However, he was currently so drunk that he could barely stand. I sighed my frustrations out and wrapped an arm around his neck, turning my head towards the three other Sins. King was still sleeping, undisturbed, and Diana had decided to join him on Chastiefol. Gowther was still at the window doing his own thing. With my attention now on the pinkette, "Gowther, did anything strange happen while I was away this morning?"

He wrinkles his nose briefly. That's the most facial movement he's done within the last two weeks.

"I was awoken this morning by Ban; he was making too much noise in the kitchen. Ban was awoken by Sir Pig, who was demanding breakfast from him. I do not know of anything else out of the 'norm', Captain, that should be of worry,"

Damnit.

"Alright, thanks buddy!"

"I am pleased that my observation skills are of use to you, Captain,"

Sure.

"Cool,"

With Ban in tow, I grab King and his pillow and make my way upstairs. Diana was still sleeping. I didn't think her shrinking pill was going to last much longer.

"Oh! And Gowth-"

"Should I take Diana outside so she has enough room to grow back to her original size?"

"You got it!"

I wiggle my hips and push down my pants, and let them fall to the floor in a heep. I throw my vest off along with them. While dressed in only my white dress shirt and boxers, I prepare myself for sleep. And other things. Kicking my pants and vest to the corner, I finally look at the figure laying out on my bed.

Elizabeth was on top of the covers, with her hands held together over her abdomen. She wore her pink nightie, an innocent thing with white ribbons adorning the collar, sleeves, and ends. Her chest rose and fell with each quiet breath she took. She looked like a fairytale princess trapped in an eternal sleeping spell. Like this, she seemed locked up in her own little world. Hiding away from the real world's horrors. Her sleeping self was peaceful, calming, yet Elizabeth still managed to send a powerful chill up my spine like the tide on a full moon. This was a common factor in every incarnation she took. It never failed to amaze me. Really, I could stand here all day just gawking at her. With her being so still, so vulnerable, I could admire her beauty without planning out my next slippery comeback.

I, for just a little while, forget about everything else.

...But now I need to figure out what's up with her.

Slapping my cheeks back and forth to wake myself up, I slip into my 'serious' mode. Before, I send an inward growl at my 'darkness'- it's still trying to annoy the living hell outta me. I then make my way over to the bed. Elizabeth's left foot was propped up on my pillow, wrapped up in Hawk's skilled tailoring-ship. Truthfully, I was surprised Hawk hadn't come to tie me up yet. I suppose the pig was keeping his distance after he accidentally ran into Elizabeth's ankle.

The little sane and logical side of me, currently fighting the scales with my darker force, mumbled something. I am using excuses not to examine Elizabeth... I don't want to find something that I can't fix.

I can't- I won't- let her leave me so soon after finally getting her back.

The darker side of me practically shrieks in response.

I know that I was avoiding this like a child. I also know that I was being immature. But if I want to find out what's going on with her, and why she smells like she's pregnant- Well, I need to face this sooner than later. My control was quickly unraveling, and I knew the consequences I would face if I let myself slip. Knowing something was off with her, and knowing that I don't know what to do, was the breaking point in my tention. Time to man the heck up. I had to figure this out now. Yet, where do I start? Begrudgingly, I take a long inhale of the room.

The scent of motherhood was in the air. It was thick and heavy, like early morning fog after a rainstorm. And like the dew, it was everywhere and unavoidable. It clogged my nose with sweet, milky pheromones that left a sticky aftertaste of flowery pulp in the back of my throat. My vision flickers as a sudden wave of exhaustion comes over me. For the tiniest second, I feel my control loose to that darker force of mine.

Yet, the room suddenly stopped feeling to small. It was starting to feel too big. Rather violently, I get the feeling of being helpless and lost. Dread- I felt dread. And I started to feel sick from it.

I don't know why this smell is there. And I'm getting annoyed by it.

At sensing my presence, Elizabeth's hands disjoint and she stretches them over her head. A soft whine leaves her lips, and I can't help but chuckle sadly. Even sleeping, she was beautiful beyond words. With her in mind, I manage to take back my resolve. I sit down on the bed and lean back on the headboard, reaching out to touch her. As softly as I can, I tap the tip of my left ring finger at the center of her forehead. Slowly, I drag my finger down the bridge of her nose, then curve off to touch the plumpness of her lips. Pressing, I dip into the warm cavern of her mouth. Elizabeth moans softly while turning her head towards me.

She seemed more sensitive. I wasn't sure if that was good news or bad.

Motherhood. It's such a delicate time, afterall.

Suddenly, she opened her eyes and gives out a strangled scream. Like a chain reaction, I jerk my hand back and gasp myself at her sudden fright. Instincts flaring, I search the room for any signs of danger. Finding none, I calm my raised hairs and return my attention to her. I raise a concerned eyebrow at the princess in my bed.

"AH- oh, ah, S-sir Meliodas?" she nervously questioned, her eyes wide and teary. I bring my hand to her hair and pet, wiping away a wayward tear with my thumb. She responds appropriately without pushing me away.

"Did you have a bad dream?"

She closed her eyes before answering,"... yes,"

"It's alright, Elizabeth. I'm here,"

She looks back up at me through the silver strands of her hair and attempted to scootch closer. I always had a spot for her in my arms, so I didn't think anything of it as she sought me for comfort. Yet with my thoughts on several other things, I failed to remember her injury. Her surprised gasp of pain brought me back, however. Within the next two-three minutes, we palely bicker, quite pitifully, around each other as I work to get her comfortable again. With me mindlessly scolding her about taking better care of herself, I practically had to wrestle with the girl to get her under the sheets. Other than that, I promised to have Merlin look at the break in the morning to see if she could set it. Finally, after what seemed like a whole generation went by, we both let out a defeated huff when we were settled. Elizabeth slowly readjusts- using her knee- her injury on the extra pillow at the foot of the bed.

"But you need a pillow too-".

I groan, but smile none the less. Maybe I should take back my opinion that Elizabeth wasn't just as difficult now than in her previous life. We're quiet for a few seconds before I speak up.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to find a new one!" And just like that, I plop my head down on her breasts, planting my face right between her soft, womanly mounds. Her reaction never gets old. Yet Elizabeth has had enough teasing for the day, so I heave myself off of her and settle down next to her on her pillow. We sigh again.

Then I remember what the matter is at hand. Like day turns into night, my mood darkens. Oh goodie. I turn my face away so my bed partner can't see. Taking a breath, I call for her while turning back.

"Hey, Elizabeth?"

"Yes, Sir Meliodas?"

"... Has anything weird happened to you today? Besides breaking your ankle, that is,"

Elizabeth's crystal blue eyes search my face for answers to her internal questions, and I feel her trying to figure me out like I'm the biggest enigma to ever grace the planet. I know this look- she's given it to me at least once in all of her lives. I was used to this look. So, I leave her in the dark. Somethings are better left unknown... Now, don't look at me like I'm the bad guy! Elizabeth was my light- if she saw what laid beneath my innocent face, I don't think she'd see me as the same Meliodas. I knew she wouldn't run away- that was for certain. But...- even then. I'd rather her think of me as some angel from heaven than a demonic spawn born from the death of innocents... Which that is not entirely an exaggeration.

"I don't understand…?"

"Oh, I dunno- like, see any crazy magic men floating around lately?"

She sputters a poorly concealed laugh. Well, at least I can make her laugh, right?

"Crazy magic men?"

"I take that's a no?"

"Haha, yes, Sir Meliodas, that is a no," Elizabeth looked genuine when answering, and held no nervousness that might signal me to think she's hiding something. Well, she doesn't know of anything to be alarming, worth mentioning, or concerning. So I'll have to give her a physical… Oh, nothing bad, I promise!... I hope.

"Hmm… any tingling in your boobies?"

"Wha-"

"Any discomfort when I squeeze here? Or how about over here-"

"Sir Meliodas!"

Elizabeth was sleeping soundly again. Her mouth was parted slightly, and every so often she would mumble something incomprehensible into the darkness. Her breasts, while always perky and a great source for distraction, seemed to draw my attention in more than normally. After giving them both a good squeeze -yes, ladies and gentlemen, I was not just using Elizabeth as a plaything- I didn't find much material for decent answers. One thing I knew was that she seemed brighter than normal. Her behavior this morning didn't catch me off guard besides the foreign smell. Let's also not forget that I failed to notice that her bust was more busty. Yet even with those two little details, nothing really screamed, 'I'm pregnant!'. Even when I gave specially attention to her nipples- perky, but none of that sappy motherly fluid came out. So, that's good, right? Either way, women don't start producing milk the moment they do get with child. As I laid out beside her with my head propped up on my palm, I debated over the evidence I had: Elizabeth is oblivious to whatever's happening to her body. She was more energetic than normal. Her boobs seemed fuller. She cared the smell of an expecting mother. However, she was still 100% virgin. Untouched. Innocent. Never been with a man, before (at least not in this lifetime). She wasn't producing milk (smelled like it, but wasn't making it)... Didn't have any 'infant auras' floating about her for some baby about to pop out.

I plan my next set of actions.

I pull my legs under me to sit up, careful of the creek the old bed makes. When all is quiet yet again, I descend down to her waist. Her chest rose and fell with every slow breath, and she slumbered peacefully, unbeknownst to my snooping. With only the gingery-est of actions, I slowly slid my hands under the cover. My fingertips grace over the curve of her upper thigh, practically shaking with how slow I was going. I felt the cool satin of her nightie under my callused touch, and for the first time in three millennium, I felt like a real pervert. Shrugging it off, I cautiously pulled on the material, sliding it up her leg, then copying it with the other side.

Elizabeth hummed and attempted to move, but I gently held her down- she is injured, after all.

Secondly, I pull back the covers a bit more so I could see. Daring to tap into my more supernatural skills, I allow my more nocturnal-self to make itself know. And just like that, I could see a bit more clearly. With my hearts pounding and more concentration applied to keep off my ill-willed subconscious, I slid Elizabeth's nightie up a few more inches past her pelvis.

Really, the only good I see in doing this is to catch a little eye-candy. After all, it's not everyday one gets to partially undress a princess! Going back into business, I gingerly hook my right pointer finger over the elastic of her panties. I pull just a corner of her undergarments down, just before pulling myself down as well.

With full seriousness and concern, I place the tip of my nose at her lower waist, and slowly but surely trail my way down to the the hollowed dips of her hips. Right over where her ovaries were, I breathed in like my life depended on it.

Elizabeth had a natural fragrance that I could whiff out from miles away. It hasn't changed since the day we met, so that made it hard for my younger self to just try forgetting about her. I knew her scent like the back of my hand, and I knew that when something was off, even in the slightest, I'd know by my nose before my eyes.

Elizabeth smelled like lavender; freshly bloomed during a hot spring's night under a full moon. I can also smell crisp, calm water at a mossy pond, shaded by weeping willows of varying types. Elizabeth's smell was like the gist of innocence and kindness; a smell, a feel, much less an act, that once made my stomach churn in disgust. And, oh ho ho, don't forget the underlying tones of sweet honey made from the sharpest of roses! I could smell white fluffy clouds that shade sleepy little villages filled with laughing children lying about without a care in the world. Their mothers calling from tiny little mud huts wafting aromas of supper. Their fathers chopping wood, huffing and panting as they cop, cop, cop- Infants giggling, whining, crying, screaming bloody murder at the top of their brittle little lungs while their brothers and sisters are being bashed over the head w-

What in sweet hell was that.

No, no, we're not going there.

Elizabeth was Elizabeth. Simple as that.

Back to inspection. No more distractions. Now.

The morning came with a slow tiredness that reflected how I felt. I was draped over the princess's waist, unmoving and uncaring. Well, I did care, but I felt so worn out that I didn't want to do much else than lay here with Elizabeth. She rested well, much to my envious subconscious.

My 'darker side', or my 'subconscious', was starting to become a second personality. And I will not tolerate that. Every passing hour seemed to be an extra 'key' to unlocking my dark self's cage- a cage I worked so hard on making. It grew angrier, almost, pacing in the back of my brain like a anxious animal, growling and clawing at its walls. I was not only tired from lack of sleep, but trying to keep 'little olde me' at bay was mentally exhausting. Still, it wasn't much of a problem because I had the upper hand.

Elizabeth stirred under me, rolling her shoulders and stretching her arms over my back before going slack again with a loud exhale. I coo at her sleeping form before clumsily making my way off of her.

The pregnancy hormones seemed to be coming off of her in waves. In scheduled periods, like the tide. Last night when I first 'sniffed her over' she smelled only faintly of it, as if she spend a good bit of time around an expecting mother… while hugging her the whole time. But around three hours later, doing nothing but tossing and turning, she just randomly emits this intense shower of smells like its her favorite perfume! But she kept sleeping, peacefully humming as if she was dreaming of unicorns and rainbows. For all I knew, she probably was.

I had nothing to say to that, and only lied there gawking and gaging as the odor completely coated everything in my room. I wanted it gone.

Could the others smell this? Because I'm under the impression that I've unknowingly entered a poisonous gas war. Death by pregnancy pheromones. Yay.

Much to my relief, the wave dispersed steadily within a good ten minutes of it being produced. Now, I could only smell small traces on her.

"TIME TO GET UP YOU LAZY BUMS!" Hawk's voice squeals from downstairs, and I moan in defeat and fall back down. This time, half-spooning a still-snoozing Elizabeth.

The pig only waited for a second, before he speed-trotted up here like nobody's business. My door was thrown open in a panicked haste, and no sooner could I say 'good morning,' Hawk leaped up onto the bed with a look intended to kill.

"You PERVERT! I KNEW I couldn't leave you alone with Elizabeth! What did... you do-" Hawk's yelling started to slow to a questioning stop, and he stood at the foot of Elizabeth's and mine's bed in a dip from his weight. He looked at me with questioning black eyes- like he's not quite sure how to ask what he's trying to ask for. His snout clenched and unclenched as he scented the air, and continued to look confused.

"Wa-"

"I don't know what's going on either, Hawk," I said honestly. He quirks an ear at this, and looks toward the sleeping girl beside me. Sniffing again, he starts to back up and off the bed. "Don't tell anyone bout... this," I motion to the room- more so, the smell.

I follow suit, and gently order him to wake the others up- immediately- and meet me outside. I'll tell the others I wish to pursue the Druid case. After all, as knights, it's our job to protect our country, right? But I have my own reasonings besides curiosity for going. Hopefully, if this 'plague' hasn't spread to the Druids here in Britannia, they can look at Elizabeth's condition. Hawk was surprisingly quiet, yet was still obviously confused. Huffing, the pig slowly leaves the room. It's going to be a long day.

Running a hand through my hair, I get dressed.

"...we're also gonna to be headed toward the nearest Druid dwelling. I just wanna check things out- make sure none of the Commandments are behind this. So, all in all, make sure you kiss your loved ones goodbye and pack up!". I stood on the yawning of the porch with my hands on my hips. The six Sins were gathered out in front of me in a little crowed.

"Ugh! We just got here yesterday, Cap'n~" Ban whined, sitting half-awake on top of a boulder. He frowned sleepily at me and yawned before any serious staring could take place between us. Oh well, I guess I'll have to fight him later.

"It is a reasonable motive," Gowther says quietly, standing stiff while messily dressed. The pinkette was never a very speedy person outside of battle, per say, so I guessed Merlin threw his clothes on for him. Speaking of Merlin, she was sitting quietly against the railing, yet she smiled calmly like a black panther in wait. Our eyes met briefly, and smallest twinkle in her eye let me know she wanted to talk ASAP.

"Why can't we just stay here and get more information? Maybe more survivors will come around," Diana, now her normal height, says with a pout, yet hope laces her last words. She was squatted down behind the others on the balls of her feet, draped across her knees as if she's imitating a vulture. A large, colorful vulture, that is. She tapped her fingers across the bare skin of her knees, while hunched down as far as she can to get closer to us. Her looming figure blocked the early morning sun and its warmth, letting in a chilly wind from the south of us. I parted my mouth to taste the air. Maybe I'm just old and losing my sense of smell? No, because I can smell Ban's hangover from here, the leather on Diana's backpack, Gowther's eyeglass cleaning agent, King's familiar sleepy-child redolence, and residue of old books on Merlin.

"Well, the Captain has a point. If the Commandments are indeed behind the deaths of Druids, it's quite obvious they're planning for some form of attack… Or power gain? But, the idea is still rather ludicrous... Do you think this might be a trap?" King speaks up, balancing on his toes on Chastiefol's spear form. Ban rolls his eyes and kicks back his head dramatically. "If that's the case, then let's just take our time getting down there~ No need for all the hussle-and-bussle~"

"Good for nothing…" The giantess glowers at the immortal with dark eyes. If I hadn't known any better, or had reason to be concerned for Ban's well being, I'd've stepped into their quarrel. So I chuckle as Ban yells out when a hand, much bigger than he, comes down upon him like a punishment from the heavens.

"Gah~! Warn a guy before you smite him down, ya' crazy bitch!"

"What did you just call me, shit-for-brains?"

"You heard me~ Ya'. Crazy. Bit-" It seems as though Ban is, yet again, bitten back after bitting the adder. Chastiefol was sunken into his torso like a stick speared into a fish, causing Ban to choke up blood as he couldn't finish his sentence.

Sigh. My crew- my pride and joy, right? I swear, they're like children-

But not my children. There's only-

"ONE!" Elizabeth cried out when magic residue curled around her ankle, making an audible 'snap' followed by a squelching sound. With unintended tears of pain creeping from the corners of her eyes, only then did Merlin stop working her magic when Elizabeth could take no more.

I was true to my word. Merlin came straight to me when I was done with this morning's announcements. After sending the others on busy work, the mage and I begrudgingly gallivanted upstairs to the slumbering princess. I knew all too well that Merlin liked to be tricky, and this was no exception. However, I had to remind myself, again, that good would come from this kind of pain. Yet the second after we woke her up, said our 'good mornings', helped her use the chamberpot (Merlin shooed me out for this), cleaned her up, then after allowing me back into my room like I was some returnee from exile, Merlin set up her 'equipment'. Without any warning, she said, "Alright, princess, when I count to three, I'm going to mend your break together. So, repeat after me, my dear~ One-"

"Ah, alright! O-" Poor Elizabeth could barely say 'one' before she practically yowled it out. Merlin had started when the white-haired girl was off guard.

"What was that for, Lady Merlin?" the younger girl shakily asks, rubbing her sore ankle. Her eyes were red at the whites, yet she couldn't stop a yawn to leave her before rubbing them too. She lowers her hands as the other woman response. Cheekily.

"If we did set your break at 'three', you would have instinctively tensed up, my dear! When one is relaxed and off guard, the spell works better," I sigh at her antics, but felt a small spark of fondness for the mage swell in my chest. It was an old and familiar feeling, but I shook it off as best I could. Merlin's age was around, what, a millennium? She wasn't a child anymore.

Knowing Merlin, I expected something to be extravagant and overdone. She certainly was a showgirl, and if her clothes weren't a telltale sign of this, her use of magic was. To be honest, I thought she'd say something like 'oh, well, i didn't know if this would work for sure- but it did so all is good even after i used you like a lab rat~! Love, love, all is good-' crap and all. But she used an old spell that even I was familiar with. I've used it myself before I gave up magic wielding.

This was Merlin's way of saying 'I know you're walking on eggshells, so I'll work on avoiding your wrath, Mr. Boss.'... Not like she hasn't said those exact words to me at some point or another. But that's in the past. This is the present. Shaking my head and pushing back my dark subconscious again, I turn to Elizabeth.

"How do you feel?"

"Better! Thank you so much, Lady Merlin!"

"I aim to please, dearie! Anything else I need to work my magic on?"

"Nah, I think she's good for now, Merlin. Elizabeth, why don't you get ready to go to town with me? I need to pick up a few items before we take off again," It was true that I needed to go to town, seeing that yesterday's expedition was paused. And grocery shopping was not getting in my way of looking out for her. With blue eyed now aimed on me, Elizabeth clasped her hands together and smiled in agreement. As she made her way to her chest of clothing, Merlin saying something to her out of my attention, then followed me out of the bedroom.

"I might not have your nose, Meliodas, but I could certainly feel something on her…" the ravenette says, presenting her palm out in the air as if she was beginning a speech. With quick and flaunty hand motions, she continues, "I can't tell if she's truly with child. However~ she does give off the feel of a mother. I did some research as best I could, but I might just have to make a trip to Camelot for more book access,"

I cross my arms and lean against the wall, my gaze lowering to the floor. The Boar Hat had old magnolia wood, and it was chipping, and I could bet it couldn't creek any louder every time someone sneezed. Returning my eyes to Merlin's, "Did you find anything of use?"

"...Perhaps," she hesitated while opening her mouth, her amber eyes glazing over as she regarded me, before randily returning to normal. "I read on some accounts of women of Druid or Goddess decent having children- they, even after dying and being reincarnated, still seem to have powerful connections to their offspring… But, I guess you don't know anything about that now, do you?"

My blood went cold.

A/N: I know exactly what I'm doing. And I regret nothing.

Mostly.