Disclaimer: I do not own The Seven Deadly Sins. I'm merely borrowing the characters and having some fun with them.

DESTINY

Chapter 51

I feel like I'm floating on a cloud. I sigh contently and try to roll over, but I feel stuck. As if I've been barricaded by a wall of blankets, not allowing me movement one way or the other. Opening my eyes, I'm greeted with the sight of green and black.

"... what?"

"Ah," a male voice comments, "you're up."

My head is heavy but I manage to lift it enough to find the speaker. King. I furrow my brows. "Sir King? What's going on?" I'm finally able to move so I sit up.

And lay right back down, gripping the pillow beneath me tightly.

We were floating high in the air. The capital way below us. I am definitely wide awake now. My breath catches as I search my body for clothing I know wasn't there when I went to bed. Thankfully, I appear to be in a tavern uniform. A relieved sigh leaves me.

"Sorry!" King quickly apologizes, mistaking my sudden uneasiness for waking up in such an unexpected place. That was only half of it sadly. The fear of being naked in the sky was a far more pressing issue than flying. "I should have explained before I let you move again."

"Let me?" My brows furrow and I slowly sit up again, careful to stay as far away from the edges of Chastiefol as I could. Chastiefol. Of course. That's why I couldn't move before. The pillow had kept me from rolling off. "Oh," I say simply in realization.

King rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. "Uh, yeah. Anyways… I'm just giving you a lift back to your room."

I make a face at him, completely confused. The full extent of last night's events flood me. I flush deeply and shift my body away from him. "O-okay." Internally, I'm torn between panicking and wondering just how in the hell I got to this point.

"Captain thought it would be best if you weren't found at the Boar Hat this morning," he goes on to explain. I peek at him over my shoulder and find his eyes elsewhere.

Maybe he's as uncomfortable as I am with this whole thing? This is two days in a row now that he's had to deal with… whatever this is. Oh goddesses, a terrifying thought strikes me.

"H-how did I get here?"

At my panicked tone, King looks back at me with concern. "Well, Captain woke me up and said I needed to get you back to the castle. He placed you on Chastiefol and pushed me out the door." He scrunched up his features. "Pretty rude wake up call."

His statement does nothing to relax my nerves. I glance down, taking another look at what I'm wearing. The Boar Hat uniform, not my evening gown. "Where's my dress?," slips past my lips before I can think any better of the statement.

"Uh…" King's eyes dart around, a blush crawling up his cheeks. "I, uh, don't… know?"

I groan, face setting on fire. He so knows. I refuse to look at him and instead wallow in my own embarrassment. How could I say something like that? Why would I even ask? That just makes me look so, so, so guilty!

"Oh goddesses," I whisper as I realize the Sins weren't the only ones at the tavern last night. "No, no, no, no!" The urge to run grips me as firmly as I grip Chastiefol.

"Hey," King places a hand on my shoulder. I turn to him, his lips set into a tight line. "It's fine, don't worry."

"It's fine?!" Hysteria is starting to set in. What would my family do if they found out about what I had done last night? "How can you say that?!" My breathing becomes short and harsh as my vision narrows.

"Deep breaths, Ellie," the auburn haired man squeezes my shoulders and I'm reminded of when he told me the same thing just a few short nights ago. "It's going to be okay. After you showed up, pretty much everyone passed out a short while later. For all they know you went back to the castle. That is, if they even remember seeing you in the first place."

My eyes desperately search his and my breathing slowly returns to normal, as does my vision.

"And you were at the castle." He tells me insistently. "Get used to it now."

I flush, embarrassed and confused by everything that has happened this morning. Nothing seems right. Why wouldn't Meliodas have talked to me first? Was he worried what my reaction would be? Inwardly, I flinch. Because my actions this morning have been anything but pleasant.

"I'm sorry." I apologize under my breath. "I… don't… I don't know what came over me..."

King releases his hold on my shoulders, a heavy sigh leaving him. "It's fine. I understand."

"I wish you didn't."

His eyes go wide and he begins to sputter. "S-sorry! I, uh, I didn't mean to, uh, overstep or anything like that." He waves his hand in front of him.

A laugh falls from my lips and he freezes. I shake my head. "You don't need to apologize. You've been nothing but helpful, Sir King. I'm the one who's sorry. You've had to do so much for… us these past few days."

"It was nothing, really!" King urges with an embarrassed smile. "I don't mind helping out the Captain. It's… he's done a lot for me… for all of us."

I wonder if he realizes how much that applies to me as much as for the Sins.

Where would my life be if I hadn't found Meliodas?

I push the thought aside as we arrive at a window on the outside of the castle. King's already twirling his wrist to open it. Chastiefol floats in and I set my feet firmly on my bedroom floor. The pillow disappears back outside. My feet carry me to the edge, the fairy waiting patiently.

"Thank you." I attempt to convey my appreciation for his actions with such a simple phrase. "You have no idea how much your help means."

"Don't worry about it." He stifles a yawn as he lounges back on his pillow. "That's what friends are for, right?" A timid smile tugs at his lips. As if he isn't sure whether that's what we are.

His question instantly lifts my spirits. I felt a connection with all of the Sins that I'd found on my journey around the kingdom. Each of them now had a special place in my heart and could never be replaced.

"Yes!" I beam brightly.

A full grin settles on his features. "Well, guess I'll see ya later today then, Ellie."

"Goodbye, Sir King. Thank you again."

He drops from the sky with a wave.


The day passes in yet another blur as a handmaiden comes to help groom me for the wedding that would be happening later in the evening. Veronica is there as well as Margaret. They offer a welcome distraction from my thoughts.

Although, as we sit in the bathhouse soaking, I still seem to find myself drifting off into last night's events. At least right now in the calming waters I don't have to think about how much trouble I could be in. Instead I recall every touch, every sound.

A sigh escapes me.

"What's up with you today?" Veronica cuts through my memories. My eyes shift to hers, a small frown on her lips. "You've been wistfully sighing all day."

"I-I'm sorry." I immediately apologize, glancing away. Have I really been so obvious? I hope my face isn't as warm as it feels.

"Shouldn't I be the one who's wistfully sighing today?" Margaret teases lightly.

"O-of course!"

"No," Veronica disagrees with me. A slow, evil grin takes over her features. "That'll be after the wedding night."

"Veronica!" Margaret covers her blushing face.

My middle sister cackles at her own joke and I find myself laughing as well. That is until I realize just what exactly Veronica had insinuated.

And how much I fit exactly with what she said.

My mouth snaps shut. My eyes widen.

I shift my whole body away from my sisters. Trying to hide the guilt that is probably written all over my face. My stomach churns as I take slow breaths in an effort to regain my composure.

"You're going to have to tell us all about it!" Veronica demands in a playful tone.

"No!" Margaret insists right back. "It's something special. You'll understand when you find someone you love."

Veronica scowls, huffing as she crosses her arms stubbornly. "Who's to say I haven't? As far as you know, I may have already done it." There's a barely noticeable pink to her cheeks.

"Veronica." Margaret gasps in surprise. "You… you haven't… have you?"

I'm extremely curious now. If Veronica has, would it really be so bad that I have as well?

Yes, immediately follows the thought. Veronica isn't going to be queen. Her purity isn't something that will be demanded before marriage. At least not like mine will be. And if anyone tried telling Veronica she had to do something… Well, she may very well just be single her whole life.

Though I am fairly sure that Griamore will always be by her side.

My mouth drops as I fit the piece into the puzzle.

"It's none of your business." Veronica mocks our elder sister's previous statement, forcing my attention back to them. "It's something special," she openly rolls her eyes, "you'll understand when you find someone you love. Ya know what?" She frowns deeply, hands on her hips. "Just cause a love isn't like yours and Gil's, doesn't make it any less real."

And with that she pulls herself out of the bath.

Margaret stares at me owlishly and I stare right back.

Her honeyed eyes drop down to the water. "...I didn't mean to upset her."

"I know. I'll… I'll go talk to her." I assure her with a small smile. One she can't see as she keeps her eyes firmly locked with her reflection. "She didn't mean anything bad. Try not to worry about it. Today is your wedding day after all."

I squeeze her shoulder as I pass by her. Climbing out of the water, I quickly grab a towel and scurry after Veronica. She hasn't made it far, thankfully.

"Veronica! Wait!"

"What?" She stops but doesn't turn to face me.

Truthfully I wasn't sure that she would listen to me at all. Now that I have her attention, I'm not sure what to do with it. "Are you… okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Veronica responds smoothly. But I can see the tension in her shoulders. The way she holds her head too high.

"Margaret didn't mean any harm." I attempt to explain.

She sighs heavily, shoulders slumping. "I know, Ellie. Don't worry about it. Sometimes I just wish she'd see our differences as something other than an inconvenience."

I frown. "She doesn't think like that."

"Not about you, you're just like her."

I furrow my brows at her statement. Not once had I ever thought of myself like Margaret. Or Veronica for that matter. The three of us always seemed to be about as different as we could be.

"Me on the other hand." Veronica spins on her heel and gives me a sad smile. "It's like I'm the one who doesn't fit in."

Empathy washes over me. Realizing that my normally confident middle sister is just as self conscious as I am is an odd feeling. I had my sisters up on a pedestal, believing they were both perfect in their own way. To hear that Veronica isn't as sure as she seems loosens a bit of the burden on my own shoulders. Perhaps we aren't so different after all.

"I'm envious of you, Veronica." My voice comes out softer then I mean it to.

"Huh?" Her brows pull together in confusion. "Why?"

"Even when you're admitting to something you're insecure about, you do it with such strength." I lift my head giving her a smile. "You're always so brave."

To my surprise, she laughs.

"Please, Ellie." She shakes her head, any tension she had melting away. "You've always been the brave one. It's one of your best traits." She walks up to me and places a hand over my heart. "Along with that kindness and compassionate thing you do so well."

My cheeks heat and I glance away. "I-I'm not brave."

"You left the castle on your own to hunt down the most notorious criminals in the land just on the off chance they may be able to help Father." Veronica scoffs. "Just because none of us approved doesn't mean it wasn't brave. You put yourself at risk for someone else."

I peek up at her.

"Reckless, yes." My violet haired sister beams at me as she squeezes my shoulders. "But very brave."

Unable to take the sincerity of her words paired with that smile, I change the topic. "You should make up with Margaret before the ceremony."

She sighs, removing her hands from me. "Yeah. Suppose I'll just do that now." Veronica makes her way that way. When I make to follow she throws, "you'd better stay behind," over her shoulder.

There's an odd look in her eyes, so I don't argue. If they end up discussing what I think they will be. I don't want to be apart of that anyway. Chances are I'd only give away too much of my own experiences.


Before I know it, the wedding ceremony has come and passed.

It was beautiful of course. As was Margaret.

Anyone in the room could see the love between Gilthunder and her. Even now at the gathering after, the two were still very much only looking at each other. I had no doubt that they would only stay just long enough to be polite. Given my run in with Meliodas last night, I couldn't blame them for wanting to leave as soon as they could.

As Father promised, Hendrickson escorted me. It wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it was going to be. He had been quiet throughout it all. It felt… odd, almost. But I brushed it off as him being overly polite for the occasion.

No one cared what I was doing this day. I doubt even my showing up with my arm wrapped around Meliodas, leader of the Seven Deadly Sins, would have been enough to draw attention. The blonde was currently who I was looking for. My thoughts had been on him most of the day and I was anxious to see him.

Lavender hair caught my eye instead. Then white.

"Jericho?"

My jaw drops slightly and I quickly put it back in place. Excitement takes a hold of me at the sight of a familiar face from my journey. I force my feet to stay steady as I sought out the only other person beside my sister to have such a unique shade. And her tall white haired companion.

"Sir Ban!" I greet with a large smile and a curtsey. "And Jericho! It's such a pleasure to see you again." A quick glance around shows me King and Diane are with them as well.

Both men are wearing black suits. Ban with crimson accents and King with green. Diane is wearing the lovely plum dress I'd made sure to have delivered to her. As I thought, it was breathtaking on her. I only wish I could have seen King's reaction when he first saw her.

Poor Jericho appears as if she's seen a ghost.

"E-Elizabeth?" She squeaks, hands wringing in her soft pink dress. "You're a princess!?"

"Told you~," Ban sings tauntingly. He turns that crooked grin on me. "Looking good, Ellie."

I return his smile, only a light flush to my cheeks at his compliment. "Thank you, Sir Ban. You look very nice as well. And you too, Sir King." I address the flat footed fairy. He nods with a small smile and I turn to Diane. "Diane! You look beautiful! I knew that dress would look good on you."

"Thanks so much for sending it!" The shrunken giantess giggles, pulling a loose curl in front of her face. The plum colored dress falls off her shoulders with short sleeves and sways all the way to the floor. A matching choker is the only jewelry she wears. "It was perfect timing too! I was just about to ask King to make me one."

King sends her a perplexed look. "You were?"

"That blue really looks good on you, Ellie!" Diane ignores him, giving me a compliment instead.

I'm wearing a floor length ball gown. The very same shade as the dress Meliodas had given me to wear to the festival in Dalmary. The same shade of aqua as my eyes. It was definitely a conscious choice this time to wear something that reminded me of him. I hoped he would understand the reason as well.

"Elizabeth?!" The lavender haired woman regains her composure. Surprise is etched clearly on her features. "Oh goddesses, it is you!" She barely stops herself from hugging me as a wide smile breaks across her face. "I had no idea that you were a princess! Why didn't you ever tell me? Oh shit." Her eyes widen and red crashes harshly across her cheeks. "I was not very lady like at all. Please, please don't tell my father! If he finds out that I was in front of royalty and acting like a man he'll disown me!"

Ban snorts, appearing behind the woman. "Since when have you ever been ladylike, Jerima."

"Ban you ass!" She spins around, trying to backhand him. He merely leans back out of her reach. "It's Jericho you good for nothing ba-" she stops herself, face turning sheepish as she give me a small smile. "Ah, sorry, your grace. My actions are most unbecoming of a lady."

"Jericho, don't apologize," I laugh lightly. Her and Ban are yet another one of those mysteries I have yet to solve. "I wasn't telling anyone of my lineage except the Sins while traveling with them. It was rather refreshing to have people treat me as Elizabeth rather than Third Princess of Lyonesse. So I actually want to thank you. For being genuine with me and… please don't change?" I smile sheepishly.

"I think I can manage that just fine." Jericho beams with bright eyes.

"I don't think you know what you're asking, Ellie." Ban says even as he dodges another one of Jericho's punches.

"Eesh," Diane rolls her eyes, "why don't the two of you just go dance already?"

Jericho blushes brightly. "I-I don't wanna dance with him!"

"Sure." King comments dryly. "But I've told you before though, Jericho. Don't get your hopes up."

"I have NO hopes." She denies vehemently.

King scoffs. "Obviously not if you're pining after this one." He pokes a thumb at Ban.

The Sin of Greed wrapped the auburn haired man in a headlock. "What's that, King? I coulda sworn you said something'".

"Ban!" Diane punched the man's arm. "Let him go!"

"Settle down you three." I suddenly notice Merlin at my side. How long had she been standing there? "We are guests here. No need to cause a scene so early in the night." Her eyes spark with certainty, knowing that it's inevitable.

I giggle. In my time with the Sins I don't think I've ever seen them not cause a scene. But at least the most important event is already behind us. While the rest of the people will want to party, they'll have nothing on the Sins. They all began to chat amongst themselves and I take a step back to admire them. My friends.

I idly wonder if we'll all end up back at the Boar Hat before long, so they can all let loose. So that I can let loose one more time with them. Emotion begins to build in my throat, tears stinging at my eyes. I quickly blink them back. There's no use worrying about the future.

At least, not tonight.


A/N: HI GUYS! I'm so so sorry that this chapter took to long! It's really because I was still semi in the process of writing it and then realized that it was almost 2k words over what I normally write, so I cut the chapter off here and have most of the next one written already! That means a faster update for next time! Like so fast that I'm thinking either next Friday or the week after that instead of the normal month (whistles innocently as she realizes this chapter has been almost two months) wait that you guys normally have. I'm not sure if you guys have read any of my other stories, but I did mention in one of them that my "new years resolution" was to finish up this story and Genie by the end of this year! So you guys can both look forward that and dread it ;) haha

Thank you, as always, to everyone who reads, reviews, favs and follows! Your support means the world to me! See ya next chapter!

Luv~