Several weeks had passed since the death of the vampire king, and Ren had never enjoyed a job so much in her life. Being queen gave her the licence to delegate and she found she actually had more free time than she had experienced while working as Israf's grand vizier. Being able to come to a wedding and just relax rather than sneakily negotiate trade deals was a treat she had not experienced for years, though she did check to make sure she only had as much alcohol as she could tolerate to avoid any slip ups.

The ceremony had been lovely, the demon king himself leading the couple through their vows. Zeldris and Gelda had married in the demon realm surrounded by their new subjects. The prince and princess were incredibly popular, the story of their love having captured the public's imagination in a way that the usual arranged matches failed to. And then of course it was well known that both of them had deliberately chosen to stay in the demon realm when they could have picked Edinburgh and this made their subjects incredibly proud. The new princess was a particular favourite, her style having been instantly adopted by the high-ranking demons who were today all wearing clothes for once instead of just swirls of darkness. Ren chuckled to herself. If this fashion stuck, it would certainly make the six clan meetings a lot less embarrassing.

Ren looked around. The reception was being held outside, a bit of choice magic guaranteeing the weather and the circular tables were all laid out in a flowery meadow. It was peaceful and most of the guests looked to be having a good time. Ren smiled as Meliodas made his way over towards her, grinning broadly.

"I knew I was doing the right thing," he gloated. "This is all very pleasing."

"Not everyone is enjoying themselves," Ren observed, her eyes straying over to a tall demon hunched over a table, his unruly silver locks falling over his face.

"Well," Meliodas said sighing. "Yes, that is my fault. I shouldn't have fed his expectations too early. But, can't please everybody.

"Anyway, I came to tell you that it's time to catch the bouquet," Meliodas announced. Ren rolled her eyes. "Come on, it's just a bit of fun." Meliodas grinned. "You can leave the claws here, no one will mind."

"You really have no idea when to take no for an answer do you?" Ren muttered, but she gave in. She removed the long spikes from her arms and set off to join the group of women gathering in front of the bride. Zeldris and Gelda were standing on a raised platform where the bridal party was situated and Gelda caught Ren's eye as she approached. She smiled at her warmly, before turning around to fulfil the tradition.

The crowd counted her down, and Gelda tossed the bundle of purple calla lilies over her head, the throw landing expertly in amongst the congregation. There was a bit of movement like waves before a squeak of surprise issued from the victor, signalling the end of the game. As the women moved back to their seats, disappointed, Meliodas was delighted to see Elizabeth standing alone, clutching the bouquet in her hands and her eyes alight with enjoyment. He glanced up at his brother, asking a silent question and he felt excitement run through him as Zeldris gave him a grin and a nod. Meliodas took a deep breath then quickly moved over to the goddess he loved before he could change his mind.

"Elizabeth. This feels like the right time," Meliodas pronounced, his eyes fixed on hers as he went down on one knee. Pulling a box from his pocket, he opened it to reveal a sparkling sapphire set on a platinum band.

"I've had this for a while, the blue matches your eyes. I love you, I have for years, since I first saw you and I will do anything for you. Will you marry me? Please?"

Meliodas held his breath, forcing himself to look into her eyes and his chest squeezed with fear as he waited for her answer, suddenly wishing profusely that he had chosen somewhere less public for the purpose.

"Of course!" Elizabeth finally gushed before she dissolved into tears and Meliodas felt the relief flood through him as she sank to the floor and wrapped her arms round his neck. As he pulled her head into his chest, nuzzling her soft hair with his chin and gripping her shoulders the air was filled with the deafening sound of enthusiastic applause.

Zeldris looked over to the table where the goddess clan were seated, noting the conflicted expressions on their sour faces. Meliodas was not going to have an easy time of it, he considered, penance enough for the harm he had so nearly caused. And now Gelda was irrefutably his and everyone loved her so much he could afford to be charitable. Jumping down from the platform, Zeldris walked over to Meliodas as he broke apart from Elizabeth and gave them both a warm hug of congratulations.

Gelda smiled too, her eyes falling on Estarossa who still looked like he had been sucking a lemon. She felt a pang of guilt as she looked at him, having not realised her decision to abdicate Edinburgh's throne would have affected him. Descending the platform by the stairs so as to maintain her composure in the high heels she wore, Gelda made her way carefully towards her new brother-in-law, weaving through the tables to reach him.

"I have some news for you Estarossa," Gelda said softly, as she took a chair next to the hulking demon. "The clans finished the liberation of Ireland yesterday, driving out the leprechauns who have done so much damage. Anyway, there is no one there with sufficient power to rule in a way which will make sure they don't come back, so the delegation determined that they should appoint a lieutenant. Your name came up and I can tell you that the position is yours if you want it."

Estarossa looked up at Gelda, his eyes showing excitement which was damped slightly as his natural caution asserted itself.

"Is this a trap?" he asked warily, his eyes searching Gelda's with earnest.

"That's why I was chosen to tell you. Everyone thought you'd instantly call foul if either of your brothers did the honours. It's all true, I promise. You start tomorrow," Gelda finished as Estarossa's face lit up in a smile.

Satisfied, Gelda made her way back to her husband, her heart soaring with joy as he smiled over at her. They would have some time to themselves for now, but before too long Zeldris would take the demon king's crown. When that happened Gelda knew with certainty as she looked at him that between them they would keep the realm happy.


Thanks for sticking with this story. I hope you liked it. Trollope's original is an amazing read.