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Chapter 18 – Elegance Under The Moonlight
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When the rest of them arrived there, they saw Meliodas was about to kill Fraudrin. Guinevere, Tristan and Isolde were there as well, protecting injured Hendrickson, Dreyfus (clearly had been back to his real old self) who hugged (still shrunken) Griamore. When Fraudrin asked Meliodas to kill him and Meliodas smirked lopsided in the way that sending chill to their nape, Guinevere was the one who made move first.
Guinevere lunged to hug Meliodas from behind, wrapping her hands around his shoulders tightly with her shaking body "don't, father! Stop!".
"let me go, Gwen...", Meliodas growled (totally ignored the fact of how she flinched from her tensed body and her body shaking in fear), his bangs masking his expression "had I killed him, he wouldn't have possessed Hendrickson and Dreyfus. Had I killed him, Ten Commandments wouldn't have to be revived and had I not be killed by them, none of my children would have to suffer like that... and on top everything, he killed your mother in front of our eyes, how could you ask me to not kill him!?".
Guinevere didn't budge "I know! But what's the different of you with him if you killed him? This is not what mother would want you to do, so please... just stop this!".
"sorry sister, but I agree with father on this, so I'm not gonna tell to not kill him", Tristan sinisterly asked "now, shall I kill him?".
Before Tristan or Meliodas could send the death-blow to Fraudrin though, there was a burst of light that coming from Excalibur Sword. Above everyone else, Arthur decided to take the responsibility of Fraudrin's death before Meliodas or any of his children could kill him.
Putting his Excalibur Sword back to its sheath, Arthur smiled wryly to Meliodas "so... you've finally returned, Sir Meliodas. I half-heartedly believed it when your daughter told me".
"well, not too surprising. It's really a hard thing to believe, after all", Tristan noted dryly "though I'm surprised that my twin told you".
Guinevere went straight to check on her father who just resurrected "father, are you injured after the fight with that demon? Your body is alright?".
Meliodas puffed his chest, patting her head "yup, I'm alright. All seven hearts have been totally back in shape. Don't worry too much".
"now... since we have gotten rid of all our enemy, I'm gonna spit it out all, father", Tristan crossed his arms before his chest "it's been about a month after you died. Took you quite long time to come back here. What is it? Do you get lost on your way back home here from Purgatory?".
Meliodas flinched "wait, you're mad, aren't you?".
"no, I'm not mad", Tristan said with charming smile despite a vein popped on his head "because to be more precise, I'm furious. I've been waiting for a month to beaten you black and blue and scold you".
Meliodas deadpanned "I just came back to life and the first thing you want to do to your father is to beaten me black and blue then scolding me? Seriously?".
Guinevere wrapped her arms around his torso and shook her head feverishly "brother, don't do it!".
"you better step back, sister. I'm not going to hold back anything this time", Tristan growled as he rubbed his temples "seriously, father... for as long as I've been your son, this is the dumbest way for you to die. Okay, except when you've tried to kill yourself... but to get yourself be killed by the Ten Commandments because you fought all of them alone? Are you insane? If it's not because of your curse, you would have gone for good!".
Meliodas put his hands on his hips "you're too worrywart. You know it already I'd come back—".
"yes, but even if knowing that you would come back, hence yes, you would always come back eventually, do you seriously think it doesn't feel hurt at all when you died!? We only ask you one thing : live, if not for yourself, for us. Does it too much to ask for you?", Tristan huffed and put his hand on his hip. He let out long, heavy sigh as he covered his face with his palm before looking down to him "look, it's not I'm blaming you or asking for your apologize, for temporarily died, I wouldn't dream of it, ever... because what I'm thinking about... it's Lily... you know what happened to her when you died, right? Especially after she regains back her senses... you know what will happen after this".
"...I know...", Meliodas lowered his head and sighed "forgive me. I'll try to do my best and not die next time".
This time, Guinevere and Tristan said in unison "yes, you have to!".
After some reassurements to his little sister who still holding him that yes, he wouldn't beaten his father black and blue, Tristan added pointedly "and what I said before to not apologize to us, father? It's not like you have anything to apologize with with us".
"he's right. You don't have to apologize to us for anything, father. We are your children and you are our father, after all. Isn't it enough to be the reason to always forget and forgive every mistakes we've made to each other?", Guinevere tilted her head and smiled before hugging him "just please... don't do anything reckless again, okay? now, I believe you have a lot to talk about with sister".
When his eyes landed on Lily, Meliodas sighed in relief, knowing that she was well but his hearts felt like torn into shreds when he saw her crying after Arthur helped her to her feet.
"...father...", Lily dropped to her knees as she hugging him tightly, crying hysterically, desperately, just like a lost child who finally met with her father "there are so many things that I want to tell you once we meet again... I love you... Please don't die again... I can't lose you... but why none of these words I can say out loud?".
Lily cried herself to sleep while hugging Meliodas and after she fell asleep, Arthur carried her body bridal style. After she regained her consciousness, she persisted to help and attend the funeral. Arthur told her that she was still weak but she didn't budge, asking him where her father was. Arthur had no idea about it, unfortunately. However, since Elizabeth was nowhere to be seen, perhaps Meliodas was with her. Lily only nodded at that, knowing her father would be okay on the good hands. After Arthur told her that Guinevere was with Lancelot and her brother, Tristan was with his wife and children, she thought she would go on her own way as well. Both Arthur and Lily wore the white cape before they went to the funeral.
When they arrived on the funeral, they saw a member of Denzel's group, Deldrey if they remembered, threw stones to Dreyfus and Hendrickson. Howzer stood in front of both former Great Holy Knights to defend them, telling her that this was not their fault or their wish to be possessed by Demon.
"please stop this", Lily walked to stop this mess, telling them "I think we shouldn't have to fight in the middle of the funeral, instead give the honor for the dead".
Dreyfus and Hendrickson exchanged glances before both bowing their head in front of her, asking for her forgiveness although they didn't deserve for it.
"Sir Dreyfus, Sir Hendrickson, please raise your head. Neither I nor my father would have blamed or even thought of blaming you two. No need to apologize to me. Instead, I am the one who should have apologized", Lily narrowed her eyes. Although the rain disguised her tears, her trembling voice gave it away before she bowed herself "back when I was heartless, I crossed the boundary and said terrible things, even tried to kill Sir Dreyfus who was still possessed by Fraudrin. For all my terrible manners, I deeply apologize".
Deldrey spat in rage "you don't have to apologize to him, princess, instead I'd be grateful if you killed them along with the Demon who possessed them!".
Arthur was about to say something, clearly annoyed but Lily lifted her hand "I understand your anger, but even if you blame them and hate them, it won't bring any good, nor it will bring the dead back to live. Hold back your hatred and anger".
Thinking on her superior and her comrade, Deldrey shouted "what do you know, princess? You know nothing—!".
"I know nothing, you said? In what terms? Before you dare to consider that I'm lucky for still having my father back, think twice. Do you think how many times I've endured my father's death? and at the same times, I'm dead inside as well. Sometimes, I and my father reach the point where we think that dead is better due to the curses on my family, but nothing we can do to but to try to live on with it, because we still have each other, so...", Lily walked forward and slapped Deldrey "better you think twice before you said that nonsense about I know nothing. I believe it's my line, little girl. You know nothing, so stop acting and make that face as if you're the most suffering people in this world!".
"Lily", Arthur wrapped his arm around her shoulder, hugging her from behind as he covered her eyes "calm down".
As long as Arthur calmed her down in his arms, King Baltra asked them to calm down. As expected of the wise King he was, he gave speech before asking to continue the funeral, also asking Arthur and Lily to join the funeral.
"right... like I said before when my father died a month ago, we still have a lot to do, right?", Lily shook Deldrey's hand "I apologize that my words are harsh, but just like King Baltra said, let's do it together".
Deldrey cried and hugged her before they continued the funeral. After the funeral had ended and they were about to leave, Ban called her "Lily dear, wait".
When Lily turned to him with her questioning looks, Ban was barely able to see her in the eyes "...I'm so sorry. We're so sorry. Without knowing how you and your father—".
"you have nothing to apologize about to me or my father, Sir Ban. Like I said, neither I nor my father would have blamed or even thought of blaming you all", Lily cut him off with sweet, understanding smile on her face. Turning her back against, she forced a reassuring smile "now, if you excuse me. I prefer to be alone right now, so please don't follow me".
No one could say no to her words but one person. When she felt Arthur following her, she sighed "...I said don't follow me, Arthur. I want to be alone right now".
"I wonder if you have the eyes behind your head", Arthur half-joking said and tucked his hands on the back of his head "and sorry, but no, I don't think I can let you alone right now".
Not looking back, she sounded doubt "and why is that?".
Arthur nonchalantly said with innocence face "simply because I feel up to".
Walking forward, this time she didn't stop him "...do what you want, then. I just want to check on my father before go to sleep".
Later at the night, when the others were busy on the funeral under the rain, Meliodas was having little feast alone in the destroyed Boar Hat. He hadn't planned to spend tonight with anyone, though when Elizabeth came here because she wanted to be here, Meliodas couldn't say 'no' to it. Since it was the dinner-time already, Elizabeth joined him to eat and drink. As usual, his food tasted terrible.
Elizabeth smiled "but still, it's good in its own way".
Meliodas grinned lopsided, chewing his own food "you can find something good in this crap? Which one the truth is, then?".
"it's the kind of flavor you can only find prepared by the hands of someone who goes out of their way to show compassion and empathy... to a random girl who was at her wits end and who was tired of being alone... unable to rely or depend on anyone", Elizabeth smiled lovely "the flavor that can only come from an extremely generous, gentle person".
"...you don't want to ask anything? About my children's words...", Meliodas lowered his head further, his bangs masking his expression after he referred to Tristan's words about him trying to kill himself "at least, they have explained about the curses on us, right?".
Except for Elizabeth's curse, of course.
"despite the curses on you and on them, what I know and I've learned from how they reacted towards you, you are the one and only father for them", Elizabeth remembered of how angry Tristan and how sad Guinevere and Lily. Quickly swatting away her jealousy to Meliodas' wives, Elizabeth tried to encourage him "you must be a great father for them".
"...no, I'm not", Meliodas still remembered it, when he figured out about Lily's curse. Elizabeth died in the same year with when Guinevere was born. She remembered everything and this time, they tried to fight back the curses together. To prevent anything to harm her, Merlin casted Perfect Cube with them inside. Nothing happened to bring harm on her, but it happened so fast, just like that. Elizabeth died on his arms, her heart stopped beating and her breath stopped, simply that. Meliodas was totally out of his mind when he was doing it. When he'd resurrected back to live, Tristan sat by his side and carried Lily who broke down on his embrace after that. He had never seen Tristan was that mad after that, but it was reasonable. Tristan told him about what happened to Lily as long as he died, how she had witnessed her parent's death and how she had not reacted at all to them all, just like the heartless doll. The guilt of what he had done and the effect on his children barely ate him alive, but he tried to trudge forward. He promised to live and never tried to kill himself again. Covering his eyes with his palm, he chuckled dryly "instead, I'm the worst...".
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes "...Meliodas, you know your children don't blame you at all, right?".
"I know, but... goddamnit... what's happening to me?", running his fingers on his hair, he sighed in frustration. He knew this was the side-effect of his resurrection, the curse, but still "although I saw my daughters cried hysterically and Tristan was mad to me, I didn't feel anything... that face Arthur had after he killed Fraudrin and that face Ban made at me... I didn't recognize them... unspoken words you should have with your friends just by looking them in the eye... I couldn't read them at all...".
"...well, maybe I can't tell for sure about Sir Ban, but...", Elizabeth could see it, she thought back of how close Lily and Arthur had been ever since Meliodas died so Elizabeth knew that Arthur had done it for who "...I thought King Arthur did it for you and your children. He's been a good friend with you and your children, so I believe he wouldn't want you or one of your children to stain your hands with blood or burden yourself with the weight of murder someone, that's why he chose to kill Fraudrin for you and your children".
"...I understand, surprisingly... I felt relieved... I even felt glad that Fraudrin's dead now... it's just... I still felt bad to not able to kill Fraudrin with my own hands and pissed off with Arthur, but how could I begrudge Arthur when he did it for me and my children?".
Elizabeth gasped and her eyes widened when she saw he started crying "Meliodas...".
"I'm scared shitless right now... I'm horrified at the thought of turning back into him... into that guy I used to be", despite his tears and the bitter smile on his face, Meliodas said with the hint of despair and sadness "but the thing is... if I don't turn back into that guy... I can't... I won't be able to save you and my children...".
"...save me? For his children, I understand, but me?", Elizabeth blinked and didn't say anything this time. She gently wrapped her arms around his head, pulling his head closer to lean on her chest "...it's okay, Meliodas. No matter what happens, no matter who turns on you, no matter who your enemy is, I'll always be here. I'll never leave your side".
Elizabeth kissed him on the forehead before Meliodas wrapped his arms around her shoulders. They kissed in the midst of longing, desperately needed each other. Ban, Lily and Arthur who had watched them from the first place, decided to not interrupt them this time. When Lily left first, Arthur and Ban followed her.
Ban thought maybe he could just pretend to his friend tomorrow "are you sure, you're not gonna meet with your father?".
"no need, I don't want to interrupt them", Lily said, walking away with faster facade "he's gonna be okay. Like I said, I just wanted to check on him before go to sleep".
When he was sure they were out of earshot, Arthur asked "you don't want to interrupt them, or you just can't bring yourself to face him yet?".
Lily stopped in her tracks "...and what make you thinking about it?".
"because I think you're gonna cry again if you meet him after you saw how he's still feeling guilty of your curse. Also, I believe you want to cry yourself to sleep after this", Arthur grabbed her wrist and turning her. She didn't fight back this time and just like he predicted, she was crying already. Arthur sighed before pulling her into his embrace "this is why I said I can't let you alone".
She cried when she remembered what happened that day, first time they discovered her curse and first time her heart exploded, followed with being heartless and emotionless. Although her twin brother was mad to their father, she couldn't bring herself to be mad to him. She understood his choice to kill himself that time after her mother, his wife passed away in front of his eyes in his arms and she just couldn't bring herself to begrudge him. How could she, when just like Elizabeth said, he was the one and only father she had.
She vaguely registered Ban patting her head before Arthur carried her bridal style. That night, Arthur brought her to his room and they slept together.
On the night after King Baltra announced about Howzer's appointment as next Great Holy Knight this day, they held the little feast to cheer up and boast their morale. Diane and King had joined the team and Gowther had earned back his heart. Seven Deadly Sins just came back after their little mission on the nearby village to get rid of Demons, aided by Lily, Guinevere and Arthur. King Baltra had told them about their next mission, they would take back the people of Liones and Camelot that had been kept as hostages in Camelot Kingdom.
Lily wasn't the type of someone who fond of the party or being around noisy crowd "I don't think this is the right time to have a feast".
Meliodas came to her side, patting her head "chill out, little girl. We all need this".
"Sir Meliodas is right", Arthur smiled cheekily "well, for tonight... just relax and let's enjoy the party, okay?".
"but I don't—", Lily was startled when Arthur wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She hissed, embarrassing "Arthur".
Arthur reached out his hand "would you dance with me, Lady?".
Lily sighed and shrugged with lopsided smile "...fine then".
Ban smirked, whispering to his comrades as he felt comfortable with Elaine on his lap "hey, don't you think they will make a fine Queen and King?".
At that, King whispered back "perhaps... but I wonder how the Captain will react over this?".
Diane nodded her head "the Captain has been overprotective already after knowing about Guinevere and Lancelot's relationship".
Just like they said, they saw the Captain had sent glare several times to Lancelot (one of Arthur's The Knights Of Round Table) who was dancing with Guinevere. (blame Tristan, he was the main culprit of someone who told Meliodas about it). Luckily, Meliodas was distracted after Elizabeth offered him a drink. Elizabeth was rather clumsy, so instead of having dance with him, she preferred to enjoy the feast with Meliodas this way, having drink and food with him was enough already. In the middle of the feast, King Baltra announced about Seven Deadly Sins' next mission and all Holy Knights went to cheer them up.
Surprisingly, after Meliodas encouragingly told Arthur that they were gonna help him to take back his Kingdom, Arthur asked something incredulous to Meliodas "Sir Meliodas, with all honor and respect I have for you, as a King of my Kingdom and as a man... I'm asking for your blessing".
Meliodas froze "...blessing in what terms?".
This time, ignoring the jeering from Tristan, Isolde, Guinevere and Lancelot that he could feel behind him, Arthur went on "I want to marry with your first daughter, Lady Morgaine Le Fay".
This time, Meliodas choked and sputtered, in result Arthur's face was soaking wet while Lily dropped the glass and plate on her hands.
Lifting her skirt, Lily stomped on unlady-like manners "IDIOT! You should have told me first before you ask me from my father!".
When Lily ran away to outside, ignoring the call of her name from Elizabeth who wiped Meliodas' mouth, Arthur asked to Meliodas, Tristan and Guinevere in wonder if he did something wrong. Isolde, Tristan, Guinevere and Meliodas waved their hands, telling him that she was just shy and told him to pursue him.
Kicking Arthur mercilessly, Meliodas sternly told him "catch her, you moron! And remember, if you dare to hurt her or make her crying, you have to face my Wrath and I'm sure you will not want it".
Arthur gulped, he quickly stood up and left, looking for Lily. There, under the moonlight, he saw her crying but not because of sadness. She apologized to him, telling him that she was just shy and she was crying because of too happy. Arthur hugged her, telling her that he still would want her to be his wife despite the curses or everything that happened to her family and Britannia because of the Demon Clan. Lily hugged him back and cried silently, telling him that she loved him too and she accepted his proposal.