Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from The Seven Deadly Sins/ Nanatsu No Taizai. They all belong to the wonderful Nakaba Suzuki.

This story, however, belongs to me.

~25~

-Where You Go, My Heart Follows-

Elizabeth gazes wearily at her ceiling as she stifles a yawn. Last night wasn't the best. She didn't have a very good night of slumber, which is surprising because her bed always lulls her to sleep. She turns to her side and gazes forlornly at the empty space beside her. She almost hates to admit it, but she's become more than used to having Meliodas around her in some way as she sleeps. It's soothing, like a velvety layer of comfort to have his power wafting around her. The absence of his fiery warmth left her cold and rigid the entire night. Her thoughts heedlessly drifted to their findings the day before and she was left to tremble in distraught all alone.

As shafts of sunlight flow through her window, Elizabeth decides to rise from bed no longer wishing to be in the empty layers of comforters. She takes a trip to her washroom, then wanders to her dresser to search for clothing for the day. Her fingers rummage around for something as her thoughts run freely without her notice. "I wonder what's taking him. I would have expected him back by now…" Her lips purse at her words. She says it as if it's a requirement. He made no promises to return. But… "We still are working to capture whoever did this. He promised we'd catch them."

Her eyes stare blankly at the dress she holds in her hands as she remembers how serious he was in that moment as he tried to calm her. And she believes in him and his words entirely. Mindlessly she begins to slip the dress up her body as she smiles lightly. "Believing in a demon entirely. Who would have seen this day coming?" But she can't help it honestly. It's almost an impossible feat to not trust the one you love.

Her cheeks heat furiously at the thought. "Meliodas…" His name is a loving whisper as her eyes drift closed. "I do love him. So much…" her heart thuds erratically in her chest at such a powerful admittance. But the revelation is a wholehearted truth that she doesn't wish to change. She's seen many years and met many people, none of which has ever stirred her thoughts and heated her soul the way he has. She couldn't dream of a life without him in it now and that's what scares her. Loving a demon is probably foolish on more than one level, especially with the fantasies of a happy future she's been starting to wish for lately.

Her head hangs low as she sighs. "I really am crazy. But I can't take it back. I won't stop loving him." Her hazy mind revolving around melancholy thoughts of Meliodas and her affection towards him begin to clear up when she catches sight of the dress she clutches to her chest. Then her eyes widen as her lips part in shock. It's something she hadn't ever actually worn before. A deep blue sleeveless dress that comes to mid-thigh. The material is tough, but has a smooth appearance. It has silver stitching and swirling designs elegantly blended into the material. It's very flowing towards the end, but clings from her hips on up due to its impractical need to be clasped all the way up along the back.

Why did she grab this thing? She remembers making it with Veronica's input, but never has she worn it because of its rather impractical design. Just as she decides to take it off and look for something else she hears knocking on her front door. Her head snaps up as she blanches. Panic is a painful sensation as it begins to run hectically through her blood. Quickly her eyes swivel to her drawer for something else to throw on, but the door sounds with another knock. This time more impatient.

"Elizabeth! Hello! You in there?" her friend, Veronica calls loudly.

And just like that her alarm begins to ease. It's just her friend. With her fear having fled her, Elizabeth clutches the dress to her chest and heads to her front door. Veronica will be able to fasten her dress for her. Surely she won't mind. Swinging her front door open with a kind smile, Elizabeth gives her greeting. "Good morning! Come in!"

Elizabeth watches Veronica swipe her purple bangs from her face as she smiles back at her longtime friend. That smile transforms into a look of suspicion as she glances around then confusion as she turns to stare at Elizabeth with a raised eyebrow. "Is something going on here? Why are you wearing that? And where's the demon?"

The accusing tone causes Elizabeth's bright mood to dim significantly. "He went back to the demon realm yesterday. I just happened to choose this dress this morning randomly and I happened to remember when you helped me make it…"

Veronica doesn't look convinced as she maneuvers around Elizabeth and begins to clasp the dress up swiftly. "For a second I thought you were wearing this for him. You know when I suggested this dress it was because I thought it would be an interesting outfit for your partner to get you in and out of," The slight teasing creeps above her almost chastising tone which manages to make Elizabeth flush.

"W-what? No! T-that's not…" She can't even bring herself to continue as her voice drifts off into a shamefully flustered whisper.

Veronica finishes up and moves around to face Elizabeth as her arms cross. "Well it doesn't matter really. We just received word from a "trusted" member of their race this morning. The Commandment of Charity, Estarossa, stated that they discovered one of the sure causes for the creatures we've been fighting. Princess Gelda of Edinburgh. Isn't this great?"

Elizabeth stands more than frozen as her thoughts wear her mind down in their frantic frenzy. "Why didn't Meliodas come to tell me himself?" Is the first thing that leaves her lips.

At this her friend frowns disapprovingly. "I don't know. They probably have a lot to handle right now, what with a criminal in their custody," She says carelessly.

Elizabeth nods in understanding she hardly feels.

"I'm also here to tell you that our leader wants to speak with you personally. So you should head to see her now."

Forcing all of her whirling thoughts to a grinding halt, Elizabeth gains a cool look of agreement. "Okay. Thank you for informing me of this, Veronica. And helping me out…"

Veronica surprises her with a brief hug before she pulls back and gives her a playful wink. "What are friends for?"

As her friend gives her a last look on her way out, Elizabeth lets a soft word flow past her lips weakly. "…Right."

~.~.~

She ascendes the long pales steps that lead up to the colossal building at a steady pace. Each step is lined with wisps of clouds that spill over from the sides of the stairway where they condense in abundance like fluffy swirls of cotton. The sun shines brightly at angle from behind the building, its rays warm as they caress the goddess' exposed skin. Everything seems to glimmer in a shimmering radiance just from the star's touch. Elizabeth can't help a tiny smile that works across her face, even with the grim circumstances that seems to have arisen, quite literally, overnight.

As she reaches the top of the stairs, the massive gilded doors that lead to the expansive throne room guarded by a row of rigid warrior goddesses, Elizabeth stops shortly at the sound of clangs and shouts of conflict. Briefly she turns and sees off in the distance the training grounds where goddesses hone their skills either separately or together. She used to use the place herself a long time ago, before turning to Britannia where she spread horizons more for deeper challenges.

Turning forward once again, the nearest guards to the entrance give her a curt nod as the open the immaculate doors and Elizabeth finds herself entering the sizable room. Her blue eyes first flit to the grand tapestries that rest on the wall behind the throne. They always seemed to draw her attention every time she comes here. For some reason the intricate stories they tell of former goddesses reins, even from just a glance, speak to her. Then her eyes drift to the intricate throne itself formed of curling metal fashioned from the durable steel known commonly in their realm, layered over with goddess amber. It's a unique design, in Elizabeth's opinion, and she always finds herself entranced by it.

The room is rather empty now, as goddesses aren't being let in to submit their complaints or suggestions-Elizabeth can only imagine how busy and hectic it was here just the two days Meliodas was around-but their ruler is still present, albeit not at the throne. Elizabeth begins to make her way off to the side where an extensive pastel wooden table extends. Rows of chairs line each side with one sitting on each end. There sits the leader of their realm at the head of the table, her keen cinnamon brown eyes watch Elizabeth patiently.

This throne room also acts as a meeting room for the leader and her counselors. Elizabeth being the successor to the throne is more than well versed in this knowledge. Elizabeth glides elegantly to the chair nearest to the lavender haired goddess. "Queen Margaret, you wished to speak with me?" Elizabeth inquires smoothly.

Her majesty gazes at Elizabeth with perceptive eyes before she speaks in a kind yet informative tone. "Yes. You should already know that Princess Gelda was taken into custody for her connection with the crimes against the demon race and the goddess race."

Elizabeth nods although hearing it once more brings about a slight sense of uncertainty. She'd met the vampire and to her it didn't seem like she'd be involved with this. She'd been upset over something yes, but could this have been it?

Queen Margaret's formal voice captures her full attention once more. "But what has not been spread throughout this realm and is being kept very quiet is that there is a traitor amongst us, Elizabeth."

This doesn't surprise her as much due to the book she and Meliodas found the day before.

Margaret's eyes gain a very serious edge as they bore into Elizabeth's blue eyes and the tone she takes with her makes Elizabeth feel as if every word she's about to hear shouldn't be repeated unless absolutely necessary. "You're search is not over yet. Elizabeth, you are to scout the goddesses and see if you can discover who is hiding something. The one who is partners with Princess Gelda." Queen Margaret gains an almost pained look as she frowns. "I can't believe someone from our clan would do such horrible things…"

At this, Elizabeth feels her stomach tighten unbearably. That's very true. Someone from their realm consciously chose to do such horrible things to innocents. Not a demon, but a goddess. But then her own anguished appearance turns to one of confusion as she regards her leader. "You know what has been done to create those creatures?"

Margaret's brown eyes regain their solemn gleam as she straightens from the almost withered way her shoulders sagged from sorrow. "Yes. I was given a confidential, detailed report from the General himself. It spoke of the information you and he discovered yesterday in our forbidden texts. It also went on to explain how only several people have been clued in to this specific information as well. Himself, the King, and Zeldris. Elizabeth this must be kept to as little people as possible, do you understand?"

"Yes, of course, you majesty," is her immediate response.

Queen Margaret's shoulders seem to relax at her agreement. "Good."

Elizabeth feels almost foolish as she truly begins to grasp the full scale gravity of this situation. Here she is wondering why Meliodas didn't return to tell her himself about all of this when he is probably buried to the neck in the backlash of all the official paperwork necessary when dealing with such high volume cases. She herself should be more than involved with this situation, too!

Her hands lay flat on the smooth surface of the table as she gazes at Margaret with a hardened resolve. "I'll get started on observing the goddesses immediately. If that's all…?" She's prepared to stand when Queen Margaret's voice halts her in her tracks.

"Actually there is." And the lowering of her leader's lavender eyebrows gives Elizabeth the feeling that her earlier thoughts on the room being full to bursting with complaints in the past two days is about to be brought down on her. "I would actually like to speak with you about the General, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth stiffens in her seat. 'Oh great. Once again, I'm the one who must take the blame for his actions.' Although there's hardly as much anger as there used to be for such cases. She feels more upset over anything that he isn't here with her as she faces down Margaret's stern expression. "What about him, may I ask?" As if she doesn't know. The way those brown eyes give Elizabeth a slight once over is definitely a clue.

"I'll admit when I sent you on your task, I expected you two to be at each other's throats and I was a bit wary of the outcome…" She trails off with a tense smile.

Elizabeth finds herself smiling in return as she recalls how she'd burst out of this very room in a raging fit. "You must have thought I would end up assaulting him on more than one occasion, which I'll admit did happen," Elizabeth tells her with an apologetic smile. "That's really no way for a leader to behave."

Margaret's expression turns from one of scolding to understanding. "While I must agree to both of your statements, I hardly expected you to be able to behave accordingly with a demon for so long. Even for you. They are rather wild and unpredictable creatures."

Now Elizabeth laughs lightly as she smiles warmly at her just leader. "That's putting it lightly."

"True. But you did not let me finish my thoughts on before," Margaret informs with a knowing smile.

Elizabeth blushes as she looks down. "Oh, yes. I apologize."

"That's quite alright. You see, while I did expect you both to be at odds, I also did not doubt that you would be able to get through to the next coming King."

The absolute certainty in Margaret's tone has Elizabeth's eyes widening as disbelief runs along her skin like frigid water causing her to gasp. "What? You thought I would… convert him?" Now she's more than confused and definitely uncertainty as her thin brows crease. That's against the agreement of their race. Deliberately causing harm to the other. Now that she thinks on it more deeply it's a wonder the demons haven't declared war on them yet, what with a member of the goddesses being behind this. The thought makes her grow pale.

The kind warmth of Margaret's hand grasping hers snaps her out of her spiraling thoughts. "Calm down, Elizabeth. You shouldn't get so worked up without knowing all the facts just yet." She tells Elizabeth.

Elizabeth manages a weak smile. "Sorry."

"Now what I meant was, you have no clue as to how influential you are. It's really another reason why I believe you should take over. You have a way of pulling people in and showing them a bigger and brighter side to things, enlightening them, if you will," She adds with a small secretive smile that Elizabeth finds worrying for some reason. "You're powerful, strong, and can gain the will of many. I have no doubts you'll be a magnificent leader."

A bursting sense of joy fills her at her leader's words, permeating her cheeks with a generous flush of pride. Even so, she still looks down as something begins to chip away at the feeling. "Even with what I've done?"

The hand over hers squeezes once more and she looks up to see Margaret gazing at her with compassionate pools of warm chocolate which makes all of her feelings of doubt flow away. "I haven't been pure for a good few years now, Elizabeth. Now matter what those goddesses make you believe, that doesn't matter in the slightest how you rule this kingdom."

"Even if I gave myself to a demon?" 'Even if I love him?' She wonders silently.

"That was rather unexpected news to hear, but it still doesn't change my mind. Like I said before, you manage to gain the will of others effortlessly. Even those unexpected. Like General Meliodas. With you both together and taking leadership soon, I have no doubt the demon and goddess realms will both prosper in successful futures."

Elizabeth's hand grasped kindly in her leader's twitches in shock. "T-together? What? We're-we're not—"

Queen Margaret gives her that secretive smile once more as that knowing gleam reappears in those eyes of hers and Elizabeth doesn't like it one bit. It's probably come from her centuries of running the goddess realm, that knowledgable look of hers and keen smile. Maybe Elizabeth herself will gain that same expression in the future. She's almost afraid of the thought. "Oh, I apologize for assuming. I just heard about his rather passionate and possessive speech for no one to demean you and I remembered my studies on their culture, or rather, their protectiveness over their mates. I was clearly wrong, however. Just disregard the whole thing, Elizabeth. You may get started on your search, now. I appreciate your time with me so early this morning."

Margaret rises without giving her a chance to argue, the expression on her face not wavering as she strides gracefully to her throne just as the entrance opens to allow the first person in for the daily proceedings. This leaves Elizabeth with no choice but to take her leave through the same immaculate doors she left in. The last words she had with her majesty refuse to leave her mind though as she begins her task. 'Just disregard it, she tells me. Of course, I won't be able to and she knows that. This was her plan all along. To have me drive myself crazy wondering if her words are true.' She sighs wearily as she gazes around the vast expanse of the goddesses' realm far more daunting than the room full of books she had to face just the day prior. 'This is going to be a long day.'

~.~.~

All day she'd wandered through the throngs of her brethren listening in on conversations. She'd heard snippets of tedious gossip on the few males on Britannia that managed to capture their attentions, or more serious thoughts on their fear and grief of the loss of some of the members of their race. All day she managed to work her way somehow, someway, into various groups. Whether it be by asking to join in for lunch, or to enter in friendly spars. As the day stretched on, she found not many were at ease around her still, even if they did allow her to accompany them. And to her displeasure, through her meticulous study, her first day of observation has come up empty of any suspects.

As she sits on the large cream cushioned duvet in her open living room, it becomes apparent to her what else has happened all day. Her thoughts had wandered like lost souls to Meliodas over and over as the day wore on into evening. She can't get the possibility out of her mind. Is it true? Does he really consider her his mate? His lifelong partner he'll never let go? She leans her head into her hands almost tiredly as she lets her mind wander back to just the previous day's morning when she'd compared him to a majestic dragon. He'd told her then, he'd never let her go.

Sighing exasperatedly as she sits up straight, already feeling the beginnings of a flush adorning her cheeks, Elizabeth lowers her hands from her face. "Why am I worried about this anyway? I'll just… I'll just ask him about it when I see him again." Although she highly doubts she'd have the courage. With that forcefully pushed away for the moment, something else that's been nagging her resurfaces. Gelda… The vampire she hardly knows, but has a strong sense of empathy for. She's honestly worried about her. The look of absolute panic and heartbreak at the idea of hurting Zeldris that was upon Gelda's face is still fresh in Elizabeth's mind, even after all this time. She finds it hard to believe she could pull off such a malicious stunt.

"But they have evidence…" Elizabeth says warily with a desolate frown. Hadn't she gone through all the trouble to prove the vampires' innocent and now this had to happen? What could she possibly do to help that woman before…? Elizabeth's eyes widen as she realizes what will most likely happen to her. "Oh, no… They'll kill her. I know they will. But how can I save her? There's just no way…" She feels her expression crumble as she imagines the fate of that vampire. She could tell Meliodas of her suspicions, but he wouldn't believe her. Not without proof.

"What am I going to do?"

~.~.~

The evening had bled into day which in turn drained into night once more. Meliodas couldn't feel more agitated as he does now staring at the stack of official documents that comes with setting up high caliber prosecutions. Of course, the current demon lord has to give the final signatures upon these, but being the next in line and practically having the influence to make the final decisions without the King's say sometimes puts him in these dull, never ending moments. He runs a hand through his hair roughly in irritation, silently cursing when it causes him to lose focus and cause a blot of ink to stain his desk.

The demonic lord honestly feels more than smug whenever he gets the chance to put Meliodas in these tedious moments. Not that it was his first plan of action by now means. When the leader discovered that they'd obtained the criminal behind the crimes, he immediately wanted to have Gelda's head cut off to be mounted as a sign of victory and her heart gouged out and given to him as a prize. A very gruesome image that didn't bother Meliodas in the slightest as he too began to picture such a vicious act being done. That is until he remembered who it was it would be done to. That's when he decided to try and persuade the raven haired bastard of a King against the idea, who still, by the way, was beyond incensed with Meliodas' actions with Elizabeth before.

It would be better, he told the towering demon, if they took the time to gather an audience when Gelda's time comes. Plus, it must not be forgotten that there is a second culprit still out there. With grudging acceptance his leader agreed, at the condition that Meliodas step up and handle things with the proficiency and diligence a King should be able to warrant.

That was just his half assed way of saying, "You offered the suggestion. You do all the work."

Meliodas exhales deeply as the parchments before him become more and more displeasing to his drifting mind. He hadn't seen Zeldris since the night before, after he'd told him everything he and Elizabeth had discovered. He can assume that his brother is most likely out somewhere wreaking havoc, trying to work out his stewing rage. He is worried about the younger. Zeldris' mate is practically lost to him. She betrayed him. And that's something that'll stay with Zeldris no matter how hard he tries to outrun it.

Standing from his desk ladened with endless work and the flickering flames of a worn candle, Meliodas turns to the window in his small study as his thoughts begin to shift once more. This room is just as empty and lifeless as his own room. Only containing a few aged books on battle strategies in the dusty bookshelf, a wide desk with many empty drawers, and a big yet comfortable chair that sits behind it. The only thing that might give something away about his interests are the few antique like swords mounted on the walls. Hand crafted just like the ones in his room. As he stares impassively out the circular window at the twinkling sky, he knows that not many would ever think that he himself made them thousands of years ago when he was younger and had his head full of ridiculous thoughts.

Kind of like now.

The moon's silvery hue reminds him of nothing but Elizabeth. How he's the darkness that surrounds her, but she somehow manages to still she shine brilliantly in his life. She captures his attention entirely having quickly worked to become the one person he wants to hold on to not matter what. Her existence in his life seems to be exactly what he was waiting for, for so very long. He just hadn't realized it. Even now, when they're realms apart, he can still feel her pull.

He wants to run his hands through her hair, silken and flowing between his fingers with the ease of a river. He wants to stare into her big cerulean eyes that run deeper than the skies above and glimmer more beautifully than stardust. He craves for her lips to mold perfectly against his. The feel of them petal soft and delicate as he caresses them tenderly, so that her sweet taste is never lost, only cherished.

He covets his goddess, his Elizabeth, in his arms as her luscious curves warm against him in his hold whilst he loves her deeply and thoroughly. She is his to have, his to worship, and he wants her. He just wants her, to see her, right now. Even if it's just for a moment as this vulnerable side of him clamors for a glimpse of her divine figure now before it's forced back once more and he has to return to this dark and twisted realm so befitting of him.

He lets his power swell out rapidly as the world shifts and changes into that of the middle ground Britannia. His darkness manifests in the form of opaque wings upon his back and he takes to the sky. His eyes are focused on the skyline and the growing sense of urgency as he gets closer. The moment he feels the air begin to sing with magic, he lets his power connect with it as it pulls him in. Then he opens his eyes to the familiar set of golden gates and fluffy clouds in abundance.

The world glows under moonlit rays as he enters the slumbering town. Not many are about and they only seem to "awaken" when they notice his presence. Although, he notes dryly while swiftly making his way in the direction of Elizabeth's home, they shouldn't be so shocked. He was just here not long ago and after that Estarossa arrived with his confidential letter to the goddess queen. He pushes their questioning figures from his mind the moment Elizabeth's unassuming house comes into view however.

His breathing becomes slightly shallow as his palms tingle with nerves. She's in there. Just beyond that door. All he needs to do is knock and he'll be granted entrance… Then she'll be in his grasp once more as it always should be.