Yay it's finally here! The chapter I really wanted to post the very first day. I can not explain to you guys how hard it was not posting up to this point. School started for me on Monday, and with classes every day, hopefully a snow day will pop up and I can just sit down and write. The next chapter isn't even halfway done, so I have no clue when it'll be posted. I hope, though, all of you wonderful readers will still be there when it's posted! Thank you for the reviews!
enjoy!
inky~
Elizabeth's head snapped over to the door next to the throne. A tall muscular man with long black hair entered. He had a black mark curve over his eye, and slight stubble on his chin. He wore a blood red suit of armor, with large spikes on the shoulders sharp enough to impale someone if he rammed them.
He stood in front of the throne, examining Elizabeth with a sneer and a look of disgust. Stepping down the stairs, he circled her. Even though he was moving, his steps didn't make a sound. Stopping behind her, Elizabeth had to fight the urge to turn around. Goose bumps rose on her scalp, and if she'd been a cat, her hair would be trying to touch the ceiling.
"So." He said in a deep voice. "A princess comes here, demanding an audience." He spat out the words. She was well aware how rude she's been. "What makes you think," an audible step was heard, and his voice was low and close to her ear. "You will live to see one?" Swallowing, a calloused hand started snaking around her throat. A flick of his fingers and her neck would shatter.
The door opened once again and Mel walked out. The mans fingers stopped, and retreated quickly. "Your Majesty! I said I would handle the human! There is no need to trouble yourself with such a trivial thing."
Your Majesty? Had this man called Mel 'Your Majesty'? Elizabeth took him in. Mel wore a suit that screamed money. It was a leather black jacket with a red shirt underneath, and black pants just barely touching freshly polished leather shoes. It was simple, and very casual, but the fabrics were obviously expensive, and the suit specifically tailored to his sizes. Not to mention the golden crown on his head.
The pieces were trying to jam themselves into place when Mel spoke. "That'll be enough Fraudrin. She specifically asked to see the king, not the General of the army." Fraudrin growled lowly in his throat and stomped his way to the door that he came from. He bowed curtly, and gave Elizabeth one final glare. When the door closed, Mel look at back at her. "Surprised?"
Surprised wasn't the word she would use. If she could speak at all. Her mouth clicked shut, then opened again. A sound that would make Elizabeth blush for the rest of her life came out of her mouth. But no words. He laughed at her dumbfounded expression and sat down on the throne. That was the final piece Elizabeth needed to activate her brain again.
"But you braided my hair!" She blurted out to him. What did that have to do with the current situation! Stupid girl! Get yourself together!
Mel laughed again. Blushing, she remembered what she should have done in the first place. Curtsying as low as possible, she quietly cleared her throat and tried again. "Please excuse my rudeness Your Majesty. I have dared come to your home and demand an audience with you. I will except any and all punishment you see fit. But I beg of you, please listen to my request first."
"That's no good Elizabeth!" She resisted to urge to look at his face. "I thought we had a nice friendship going on! There's no need for..." A pause. "This. Please, stop the formalities." A moment passed, and the gentleness in his voice slowly allowed Elizabeth to rise from her curtsy, however, she didn't look at his face. A faint sigh. "Elizabeth, please?" Biting her lip, she slowly rose her eyes to meet his. Once they did, they crinkled on the sides and a grin covered Mel's face. "There we go. That's better. Now that that's taken care of, let's get down to business. I have an idea of why you are here, but I think I'm missing a few details. Care to explain please?"
Elizabeth was dumbfounded. For so many reasons. Her head was swimming. Mel was the demon king, Mel was the ruthless, blood thirsty, killing machine humans have told the tales of for hundreds of years. He denied her proper manners of a princess, said he would like details on the war that he declared, and used the word please. Twice.
She blinked and nodded stiffly. "A week ago a human village on the outskirts of Camelot was destroyed. The souls were sucked out of the bodies, the building set on fire, and the blood of the children was used to write the following, 'Humans are filthy creatures who have offended the King of the demons. Blood will be spilt until every human soul is extinguished and all human creations are destroyed.' Since then, villages have been treated the same way every day. Which is why I'm here. To beg for the King to put a stop to this war." Her eyes locked with Mel's, and he didn't look away from her. His grin was gone, and his eyes were serious.
Clasping his hand together in his lap, Mel started. "I see. It's logical to think that demons did this to the villages. We do eat souls, and many demons hate the idea of humans dominating so much of the planet. However, we have our own world now, and I have no reason to detest you so much. I didn't authorize these murder sprees, nor have I personally declared war on the humans." He stopped and his eyes focused on his shoe. A moment of silence passed. "Alright." He looked at her. "Someone is using my title without my authority. Not to mention killing innocent people. Don't worry Elizabeth." He smiled broadly. "I'll put a stop to this."
A large weight was lifted off her shoulders. Mel walked up to her with a sparkle in his eye, and confidence radiating off of him. "Really? It isn't you?"
Mel shook his head. "It wasn't me." A serious look took over his face once again. "And I'm not happy about this situation." A cold shock went up her spine at the rage in his eyes. But in a blink, it was gone. "Well, shall I escort you back to your room then? We can talk more over dinner." Mel stuck his arm out like in the hallway, but this time, Elizabeth didn't take it.
"Your Majesty! There's no way I could except you doing so!"
Mel rolled his eyes. "Elizabeth, I escorted you here, combed and braided your hair, and hell, I picked out and brought your clothes over. Also, please, call me by my nickname again."
He was ridiculous. He was too nice. Even her father wasn't like this. He was nice yes, but he still expected everyone to stick to formalities. And this was not formal. "How could I call Your Majesty by a nickname?"
"Fine then," he grinned. "My full name is Meliodas." He offers his arm again.
Hesitatingly, she took it. Elizabeth gave him a look that she not happy, and he walked her back to her room with a grin. Once they reached her door, she turned to look at him, "Thank you...Meliodas-sama."
He smiled again, took her hand and kissed it. "Anytime, Elizabeth." And he turned and left. She couldn't help but watch his small frame walk down the hall. His golden hair bounced with every step, his hands in his pockets. His strides with purpose, and a confidence around him she can't believe she missed before. He was the demon king. Were the rumors false? Or was the grinning boy she she met just a mask to make her feel comfortable? Sighing, she went back into her room.
