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

DESTINY

Chapter 52

I let the pleasant hum of the crowd, and the Sins voices, wash over me for a few more minutes. Everyone seems to be getting along well and it warms my heart to think of these people in front of my as my friends. Even as Ban and King argue over something I didn't catch. Jericho is poking the tall white haired man in the side while Merlin and Diane just watch with a shake of their heads.

Diane catches my eyes and waves me over with a wide smile. Just as I'm about to step back in to join her in their conversation, a voice calls out to me.

"Elizabeth?"

"Yes?" I respond politely as I turn around.

Hendrickson smiles warmly at me, holding out his hand. "May I have this dance?"

"Of course." My hand reaches out to his, his much larger one easily engulfing my own.

He leads me to the middle of the dancefloor. The whole scene familiar as I recall the numerous other instances we have danced together in the past. The most recent being just a few short weeks ago. The night before I left to find the Sins. It imitates a routine that was familiar not too long ago but now… perhaps these past few weeks have changed me more then I realized.

"You look beautiful tonight." His voice draws me out of my thoughts.

"Thank you." I respond out of habit more than anything. "You look nice tonight as well, Sir Hendrickson."

He smiles softly, that same smile he gave me the last time we danced. We move through the steps smoothly. He spins me, before pulling me back in. Much closer than he's ever held me before.

Heat floods my cheeks as I look up at him curiously.

"I've always admired you, Elizabeth. Your soul is far kinder than most and I'm not ashamed to say that you've drawn me in with it." He spins me out once again, and brings me back in just as close. "I've developed feelings for you, Elizabeth. Past admiration and into something deeper."

"That's…" I nibble my lip, trying to find words that wouldn't give him the wrong impression while simultaneously remaining polite. "That's very kind of you to say. I'm not sure what I've done to deserve such words."

"Elizabeth. You are more than deserving. You are the most amazing woman that I've ever met and I hope…" He pauses. The expression on his face is a mixture of determination and, nervousness perhaps? "I hope that you will give me the chance to show you. To let these feelings develop into something more."

My breathing halts. My heart hammers against my chest.

He couldn't possibly be about to say what I think he's about to say.

No. I panic internally. Please no. Don't ask me. Don't say it!

"As you're probably aware, I've asked your father, the king, for your hand, Elizabeth." Hendrickson wears a gentle, vulnerable smile. One I can't bear to look at. "Would you please consider me as a suitable candidate?"

My throat closes at the amount of emotion I see swimming in those normally ice blue eyes. I've never seen them this shade before.

"Hendrick," I somehow manage to keep my voice even. "I-"

"May I cut in?" Someone interrupts me.

We both turn and find Meliodas grinning.

He's very dashing in his attire. A black suit with a soft blue tie that matches the exact shade of my dress. His blonde hair is as unruly as ever and I'm glad for that. He'd be almost unrecognizable without it.

Hendrickson frowns, struggling to find a way to stay polite, despite his obviously souring mood at the interruption. "I am reluctant to give up such a wonderful dance partner."

"Well, I heard that a princess has gotta dance with all eligible suitors, right?" The blonde replies smoothly, his smile never wavering as he silently challenges the Grandmaster.

He scoffs. "You are hardly-"

"Of course, Sir Meliodas." My lips move of their own accord.

I'm too eager to be near him again. Too anxious to get away from Hendrickson and the situation he just put me in.

The disappointment flashes across Hendrickson's face. I have to forcibly stop myself from reaching out to him. To try and comfort the hurt I must be causing him. If only Father hadn't forbade me to talk about the marriage with him. Perhaps his feelings may have been spared tonight.

He must notice my unease as he clears his expression. A forced smile now stares back at me. "Until later then, Princess." He bows lowly before walking away.

I nibble my lip as I watch him disappear in the crowd.

A hand settles in mine, offering me instant comfort. "Sir Meliodas." I smile softly as I turn to face him.

"What's the matter?" He tilts his head curiously. "You really didn't think that was the last time we'd see each other, did you?" He grins widely at me. "I'm not so easy to get rid of, Elizabeth."

I laugh, blinking back tears. I shake my head in hopes to dispel my worry and keep it from him. The music begins to play in the background. "If I remember correctly you got rid of me."

Meliodas' smile dips as we begin to flow through the movements. "I'm sorry about that. I… I didn't want to wake you."

"It was… odd waking in the sky. I was a bit scared." I confess about a fourth of my feelings on waking up this morning. Scared was only one of the emotions I had had this morning. Along with worry, a little bit of irritation, and a lot of confusion.

"Ah, I was hoping you wouldn't wake up until you were back in your bed." He admits with a unreadable expression. Just what is he thinking?

"Why?"

He doesn't look me in the eye, instead his gaze travels the room.

"Sir Meliodas…" there's a peculiar stirring in the pit of my stomach. I don't like it. "Did you… do you… regret it?"

His eyes snap back to mine. "Of course not." The blonde states firmly.

"Then why are you acting so strange? Why would you send me back to my room without any notice?" Frustration quickly replaces anything else I had been feeling when I saw him. We had come so far. Why was he denying me answers now? "After everything you just toss me aside like some-some-"

"Don't." Meliodas pleads desperately as he squeezes my hand. "It's not like that at all, Elizabeth. I just... I don't want to make this any harder for you. Any more complicated than it probably already is."

"That isn't for you to decide." I struggle to keep my voice even. "Despite what everyone seems to think, I am a grown woman and perfectly capable of making my own decisions!"

"Elizabeth, I never-"

"Save it." I cut him off harshly. His eyes widen in surprise clearly not expecting such an expressive reaction from me. "I just… I need to be alone for a while."

I blink, struggling to keep everything in. I had been so hopeful to see him. And now? Now… He's treating me just like everyone else. Doing things that they think are for my benefit.

The dance ends.

My body pulls away from his, ignoring how his fingers linger, trying to prolong our touch. Besides that, he doesn't stop me. I leave. No one attempts to speak to me as I go. Or maybe they do and I'm just not paying attention. Too caught up in my own mind.

I arrive in the garden not long after. My legs give and I collapse on the ground near a tree in the same spot that I met the last two sins, Merlin and Escanor. A shaky breath leaves me as I struggle to keep all my emotions locked down.

Quiet murmurs of the party drift to my ears as I lean back against the tree. Regret already washes over me. I had made a scene. At Margaret's wedding no less. I only hope that no one noticed. That I didn't ruin anything by my selfish need for answers from the man I love. Everything had seemed so urgent. So need to know. As if a part of me thought that our dance would be the last time I'd ever see him.

"Elizabeth?"

Diane. It has to be. Who else would care enough to chase after me other then her?

"Go away." I command quietly. My body shakes in the cool air of the night. The cold is nice. Numbing. How I wish that it could do the same to my feelings as it did to my body.

"Ellie," she pleads, voice just as soft as my own. "What's wrong?"

I scoff, irritation bubbling to the surface once again. What a joke. As if she didn't know. The Sins always know what's going on. "He sent you, didn't he?"

"Huh? Who sent me?"

"Meliodas." I spit the name.

"No." Her plum dress appears in my vision. "King and I saw you run out. We thought someone should check on you, that's all." She hunches down in front of me, dress fluffing up around her. I squeeze my eyes shut, knowing the worry I'll find if I meet her gaze.

"I'm such an idiot." I mumble as tears start to fall again.

Diane shuffles over to my side, drawing me into a one armed hug. I melt into her side, still refusing to look at her. She lets me cry into her shoulder.

"What happened?" She prompts quietly after a few moments.

I hiccup as I try to find the words. "We fought."

She holds me tighter, not even bothering to ask who I was fighting with. Given who I accused of her following orders from, I suppose it's obvious. "About this morning?" She cautiously broaches the subject.

I nod. "Why would he send me away like that? Did he... does he not…"

The brunette strokes my hair in a surprisingly maternal nature. "Ellie… I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding."

She's right. My gut tells me she is. And yet my heart still hurts. Still feels like there is something off with all of it. The dreams, Hendrickson and even Meliodas' behavior this morning. I can't help but think it's all connected and that… that Meliodas is hiding something from me. That this morning was all about him not having to face me with a truth he doesn't think I can handle. Or am I overthinking it all?

"You should talk to him again. Tell him how you feel."

"He should know how I feel!" I insist, pushing away with a glare. At her crestfallen features, I soften and explain. "I told him last night, Diane. I said it."

Her eyes widened. "You said it?"

I nod, my anger dissipating with her astonishment. "I did. I told him I loved him last night and then… we…" I flushed hotly. Embarrassment replacing the anger.

"O-oh?" She flushed slightly as she realized what I was referring to. "Oh!"

Silence.

"Um…" Diane cautiously starts, "what did he… say?"

"I didn't let him respond." I didn't think I'd regret that decision so much when it was happening. In the moment, I hadn't needed his reassurance. But I sure as hell wanted it now. "I told him that and then asked if we could…" I trailed off and Diane nodded her head in understanding, thankfully not making me say it outloud. "His only words were Whatever you want. I'm yours. Always will be. And then…." I flush again. "N-not much talking after that…"

"That's…" the brunette blinked, as if completely caught off guard. "Whoa… That BASTARD!" She suddenly bellows, springing up from my side. "No wonder you're so distraught!"

"D-Diane?" I stare at her, slightly scared by her mood swing. Not that I could talk. The past hour has been nothing but ups and downs.

"When I get my hands on him, oohhh, he's gonna get it." She growls as she begins to pace back and forth, fists clenching and unclenching at her side. She stops and whirls on me. "And King!? Does King know? He took you back this morning." She leans in, eyes narrowed and demanding an answer.

"Uh, I… I don't know?" My hands wring together.

Chances are… he probably did. King is a sharp man. I doubt that the reason Meliodas had me returned to the castle before waking would elude him. Even if the fairy did seem to be half asleep this morning. There was far too much understanding in King's eyes when we talked. When he told me not to worry.

"Ugh!" She groans as she leans back and tosses her hands in the air. "Men! Do they even have any sense in them? I mean really, the Captain I guess I could kind of get-"

I open my mouth to protest.

"-not saying that he had any right to do what he did." She assures me quickly. "But I guess I can kinda see where he's coming from. But King!" Diane crosses her arms, foot tapping angrily against the ground. "Oh, that fairy is in trouble when I see him. How could he keep this from me? After everything we discussed the other day?"

"It's not Sir King's fault, Diane." I stand up, placing a hand on her shoulder to slow her tirade. "He was being a good friend to me. Not his place to tell, right?"

She instantly deflates, a guilty flush to her cheeks. "Right," she mumbles.

"Now," a slow smile works its way onto my lips, "about what you and Sir King discussed the other day?"

"Um," Diane tugged at a lock of her hair. "Not much besides the whole memory thing…"

"And?" When she didn't say anything more, I prod further, "what did he say? What did you say?"

Diane sits down on the nearby bench with a huff. "We argued right away. As soon as he brought me to the clearing, I chewed his ass for keeping everything a secret for so long. For letting me believe that the first time we'd ever met was back in Camelot."

"Sir King… actually argued back?" I blink at her in disbelief. To think King could have an argument with Diane was weird. Though I suppose it wasn't much different then me and Meliodas.

My stomach churns at the reminder.

"Yeah." Diane snorts as she rolls her eyes. It seems more affectionate then upset. "He said that he'd debated with himself everyday about it but in the end… he decided against it." The brunette takes her lip between her teeth. "He thought that I genuinely liked the Captain. And he… he didn't want to take that happiness away from me. Thought it would be selfish."

I smile softly. That bit of information I can believe.

My feet carry me to the bench. I smooth my skirt behind me and sit down next to Diane. "He really does love you, Diane."

"I know." Her reply is quiet. "He… he told me he does."

My eyes widen at her declaration. I hadn't thought that they would get to that so soon.

Not that I'm one to talk.

At the very least they'd known each other for fifteen years. More like hundreds now that Diane had her memory back. Me? Well… I hadn't known Meliodas for more than a few weeks and was in love. King had always had his memory of Diane. Of course he'd say he loved her when he finally could.

"King made me a promise, ya know?" Diane speaks up again when I don't respond. "Back when we met the first time." Her amethyst eyes lift up to the sky. "We were playing this silly game of tag and he told me, if you catch me I'll grant you one request. My clothes caught on a tree and while he was sputtering about me needing to get dressed, I caught him." She giggles fondly at the memory.

I can't help but join in. "That does sound like him. So, what did you ask him for?"

"I asked him to..." she pulls a piece of hair in front of her face, "for him to always love me."

"That's so sweet."

"He said he would. That he'd always love me and be by my side. I told him it was enough for him to love me."

"So... he kept his promise then." I smile softly.

"Yeah," Diane sighs wistfully, "he did."

"I'm happy for you two, Diane. You both deserve a bit of happiness."

A quiet settles over us as we both lose ourselves to our thoughts. I'm sure Diane's thinking of King and I, well I'm thinking of Meliodas. Diane had mentioned the other day how King and Meliodas were in similar situations…

Does that mean that I'm missing memories as well?

The brunette hops off the bench. "Bout time to get back to the party I suppose!" She grins widely.

"You just wanna dance with Sir King, don't you?" I tease as I stand up, smoothing out the wrinkles in my dress.

The shrunken giantess doesn't confirm or deny my words. Just simply hums. She makes it all the way down the path before noticing I'm not following.

"Aren't you coming?" She tilts her head curiously, chocolate brown locks falling over her shoulder.

"I'll be there in a minute." I assure her with a smile. "I just need to get my bearings before talking to him again."

"Make sure to give him what for, Ellie!" Diane punches a fist in the air. "I'll see you in there!" She disappears down the path heading back to the entrance of the dancehall.

A heavy sigh slips past my lips. How in all of Britannia was I going to convey what I'm feeling to Meliodas? Perhaps I'll just let the mood take me. Probably not the best course of action given what just happened, but it did serve me well last night.

I begin to head back to the party.

There's a crunching, as if someone's walking behind me. I spin around. "Hello?" My voice echoes in the deathly silence of the gardens. I hear the sound again. "Is anyone there?"

A quiet, "I'm sorry," answers.

And then everything goes black.


A/N: Sorry for a bit of a wait guys! I wanted to get a good chunk of the next chapter worked through before posting this and leaving you with a cliff hanger XD I also got slightly side tracked with a few other stories (go figure) including writing what was suppose to be a small Kiane scene and turned out to be 1300 some odd words. At least that was for Destiny though! It was so I could figure out what Diane would tell Elizabeth in this chapter about her and King's little day together. I mean... I'll probably never post it but.. it helped me write the chapter at least so... that's something... right?

*ignores the crickets to her question*

Anyway! Thank you to everyone who reviews, favs, reads and follows! I am so happy to see that this story (and my others) continue to get views even when they haven't had a chapter in a month! Thank you so much everyone. See ya next chapter!

Luv~