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Chapter 40 – Royal Decree
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Camelot Castle
Nel Hativa looked around with high interest "wow, you have quite the laboratory here".
"don't touch my belongings here", Merlin snapped her fingers and a desk appeared in front of her "we will use the rules, just like the old time".
"yeah, I know, I know, no disturbance and no interference for each other's researches except we have agreed to cooperate on research", sitting on the edge of the desk, Nel Hativa snapped her fingers and her own belongings appeared on the desk. Looking up to her little sister, Nel Hativa asked "Merlin, do you know what happened to him?".
Merlin blinked "who?".
Nel Hativa scowled, leaning her back on the desk "come on, you know exactly who am I speaking of. To be more precise, I'm asking if you know the reason of why he become such heartless man without his memory".
It clicked on her as Merlin confirmed "oh, he's been like this ever since I've met him again 16 years ago when the Seven Deadly Sins was created. Why dn't you just ask Gwen? She knew it, perhaps".
"bah, that little girl is very good at keeping secrets, just like her father".
"she's always like that. Good luck", Merlin chuckled in mirth before she raised her eyebrow "well, I'm not surprised at all that you asked me about him. I really mean it when I said I have no idea of what have happened to him, Neiva. True, he's so unstable but as long as he doesn't endanger people's life, it's alright. I'm worried about you".
Nel Hativa narrowed her eyes "huh?".
Merlin knew she needn't to elaborate whom she referred "you said you've given up of him, yet I don't think you haven't fully thrown away your feeling. Just like the old time, it feels like you would have done everything for him".
"well, he's so hard to replace with. Falling for him is just like falling from grace but if you asked me, I'd do it again", Nel Hativa smiled, leaning her chin above her intertwined hands "you do realize that sometimes, the ones that people considered as bad boys, is the one who bring heaven to you".
Merlin narrowed her eyes "even if it's forbidden?".
"even if it's a Sin", Nel Hativa smiled sadly "after all when we knew everything, I realized... it's too late already to take back everything".
Merlin diverted the conversation as she started to arrange her flask "well, I'm not surprised that you worried about Gowther. For me, Magician Gowther is my Master but for you, he is your father. It's no wonder that you think of the doll Gowther as kind-of your brother and Glariza as your mother instead of our biological mother".
"I do think of Glariza as my own mother. I even thought that Glariza would make a great mother that much better compared to our biological mother. After all, our biological mother so coldly just gave me away to Gowther who adopted me after that but let me clarify one thing, Merlin. You said quite interesting thing that I haven't fully thrown away my feeling?", Nel Hativa lowered her head further and chuckled darkly "ridiculous, what else should I throw away when my heart has shattered into the pieces to the point nothing I could throw away of my heart and feelings?".
Merlin looked down in shame "...forgive me, I shouldn't have to—".
"fret not, Mer. I sometimes do the same things to you with teasing about your past with Tristan", Nel Hativa shrugged it off and waved her hand "I really mean it when I said I'm glad to see both you and Tristan have moved on your own path with the one you loved. Are you worried about me now, since I am the only one who still single between the three of us?".
"well, it's not... quite wrong. Sorry, I shouldn't have to interfere and criticize about your life or your love life. I'm just worried about you", Merlin lifted her hand in embarrassment "...you fully aware of what we'd have to face, right? If the Demon Clan is revived and worse, the Ten Commandments find out that you're alive—".
"—they will undoubtedly put into questions, how am I still alive, where have I been and which side I am on. It's very likely that they will target my head the way they felt with Meliodas if they knew I betrayed them. No wonder, I was appointed by Demon King as the leader of the Ten Commandments, after all, but I disappeared after my fight with Mael", Nel Hativa slipped her bangs behind her earlobe "I wonder, how they would react if they found out that the ones who saved my life when I was dying after my fight against Mael were both Gowthers who brought me to Lilith's place and the one who secretly gave back the Commandment 'Love' to Demon King was no one other than Lilith, in order to trade the Commandment 'Love' with my freedom and our lives".
"they only wanted to save you, their child. It was also what made me thinking that Lilith was different and at least, she's better than Demon King and Supreme Deity", Merlin sighed heavily "well, it was... she proved that we're entirely wrong when she cursed Tristan and Isolde".
"yeah, should have known it that she only wanted to save her own life. That's why I didn't doubt at all when I sent her to Purgatory. Maybe she should be grateful instead that she could stay in Purgatory with Demon King, one of her lovers", Nel Hativa grumbled, scratching her nape "seriously, I wonder how many men who have became her lovers and with how many men she has slept with?".
Merlin twitched her eyebrow "well, at least we should be grateful that she doesn't produce a child for each of men she's slept with, only three of us are her children with different fathers".
"you and Isolde are still lucky. My biological father is the worst. Does he ever think of me or consider me as his own daughter, even? Ha! I doubt about it", Nel Hativa huffed "don't blame me that I only consider Gowther and Glariza as my parent figure, and doll Gowther as my brother".
Merlin remembered "enough about our parents. How about the preparation?".
Nel Hativa lifted her thumb "it's done. We can start whenever we want it. Should we count this as the Royal decree from her?".
Knowing her adopted daughter, Merlin contemplated "probably. Speaking of which, why don't you try to use your Invasion to see Gowther's heart when you meet again? Your magic power is stronger than him, so it should be easy for you to sneak into his heart and leave without trace and he wouldn't know".
"nice idea, but the real problem is, I still don't want to meet with your Seven Deadly Sins companions because remember what I hate the most? Racism", Nel Hativa narrowed her eyes as she put her hands on her hip. She playfully drawled before lifting her middle finger in the end of her sentences "oh, just because we are from the Demon Clan, it means we're undoubtedly evil and just because we are from the Goddess Clan, we are the almighty and holiest. Ha! Bring those trashes who still think that way to my face and I'm gonna kick their sorry asses!".
"let me guess, Ban or King?", earning the questioning looks from her sister, Merlin explained "Diane and Princesses would likely not mind at all as long as you are not their enemy and they have the heart of gold, they're too kind to hate people just because they know someone particular from Demon race and judge people just because of their race. Well, Diane and princess Elizabeth, at least... although princess Veronica may still wary but she will understand eventually. Griamore is her Knight, as long as she's okay, he will not mind too. Speaking of racism, I only can think of King and Ban considering of what happened on their past".
"but it's not the reason to hate people unreasonably just because we are the descendant of Demons! I swear, if I find whoever dare to bring harm to Meliodas and his children just because they knowing that Meliodas is the Demon and his children are the descendants of Demon, then I'm gonna rip them apart".
"now, now, chill it out", Merlin squeezed her sister's shoulders "let's just do Gwen's so-called Royal Decree to us for helping Tina to resurrect her, okay?".
Nel Hativa sighed heavily and scratched the back of her head "...fine".
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Escanor had to admit, he didn't too hate the lives on the Castle of Camelot. He was welcomed pretty fast and well thanks to Merlin's reputation. His Day version wouldn't mind at all, the praises and all, but his Night version was still shy sometimes and even his Day version also could feel shy when one of people in the Castle asked him about his relationship with Merlin like Arthur did in their training. The young King and his Knights were quite attached and fond on him and Merlin, after all.
Speaking of which, Escanor didn't see Merlin or Nel Hativa around "speaking of which, where are Merlin and Neiva?".
"they said they went for urgent business, didn't tell us to where they would go", Arthur turned to his Knights "say, do you see Guinevere? Maybe she knows".
"the princess is busy on the laboratory. From what I heard of the princess, they discussed something about wanted to try something somewhere", one of Knights answered "maybe for experiment?".
The other Knight shuddered "whatever kind of experiment they wanted to do, I bet it's best to stay put out of their business".
That Knight's words quickly earned furious nods from the others Knights. Both Escanor and Arthur only could laugh dryly, not about to deny their remarks because what they said was the fact, it was not entirely wrong. Suddenly, there was a strong earthquake and Escanor told them all to get down on the ground as he protected Arthur. After the earthquake was stopped, they stood back.
"phew, it's really surprised me", Arthur cleaned the dust off of his clothes before turning to Escanor with broad grin "thank you, Sir Escanor!".
"no problem at all", Escanor looked up, lifting his finger "but any of you realized it? I felt quite strong magic power from there, about ten miles to the west of Camelot Kingdom, right before the earthquake started until after the earthquake ended".
"there...", Arthur caressed his chin thoughtfully and narrowed his eyes before he tapped his fist on his palm "ah! From the book that I and Guinevere once read together, the location that you've mentioned is exactly where The Magic Lake Of Salisbury located, Sir Escanor. What kind of magic power—".
"my King!", Arthur's word was cut off by Bedivere who came in a rush, quite panicked "the princess collapsed unconscious on the garden!".
In the halfway to Guinevere's chamber, Bedivere told Escanor and Arthur about what happened "from what I heard of her maids, they saw the princess walked out of the laboratory to the nearby garden but suddenly, she collapsed to the ground. When they wanted to check on her, they heard the princess told them to get down instead. Right after that, the earthquake happened. Even after the earthquake ended, the princess didn't wake up at all so they got worried and once they checked on her, she had lost her consciousness already".
"something like this happened to her several times when she was a child. Usually, Merlin could take care of her", Escanor said, turning to Bedivere "where is Merlin and Neiva? Maybe they can—".
"—Lady Merlin and Lady Neiva came to gather the princess and brought her to her chamber not too long after the maids called for the helps", Bedivere cut him off and nodded to the room "here".
"Guinevere is quite sensitive. Could it be... she felt the magic power that Sir Escanor mentioned and it somehow affected her body? Hopefully not", Arthur narrowed his eyes before he barged in "Merlin! Neiva! how is... eh?".
Arthur was about to ask if Guinevere was okay or not, but he lost his words because he saw Merlin was helping Nel Hativa to check her as Guinevere only wore blanket to cover her naked body. At least Escanor quickly averted their eyes and Bedivere quickly bowed his head while apologizing with both eyes closed tightly, unlike him who ogled to her instead.
Blushing furiously, Guinevere grabbed her pillow and threw her pillow to the front door where three of them stood "be it my fiancé, a King or my godfather, knock the door first! Get out and wait outside, don't come in until I give permission! It's an order!".
Bedivere saluted and bowed his body several times in shame, still closing his eyes "yes! Forgive us, princess Guinevere!".
Escanor caught the pillow, giving it to Merlin with slightly flushed cheeks before he closed the door after he dragged Arthur "...just call us when you need something".
"yes, yes", Merlin chuckled before turning to Guinevere "now, now, Sir Bedivere and Escanor have apologized to you and Arthur is too shocked to say something".
Nel Hativa smiled naughtily "but he's gonna be your husband. He's gonna see your naked body in the end, right? No need to feel shy~".
"that's not the problem, Aunt!", Guinevere hugged her blanket to cover her body and buried her red face on her pillow "uncle Escanor is different case, he's just like my uncle, so it's no problem but I'm embarrassed that not only Sir Bedivere and uncle Escanor, but Arthur also saw me barely naked like this!", looking up, Guinevere flinched before she pressed her hand to her chest "...do you think they saw my torso?".
"don't think so. I quickly covered it before they saw it once the door was opened", Nel Hativa lifted her finger and reassured before pulling the blanket, revealing jet-black marks, the darkness swirling on Guinevere's torso "we couldn't let them see this or else, they would not live it down", pulling up her sleeves, she told Merlin to watch guard in front of the door, pushing her gently back to bed "just in case, if one of those men came in without our permission. Lie down, princess, I'm gonna stabilize your power but this is gonna hurt. Prepare yourself".
Guinevere hissed as she flopped her body to the bed "do it".
Escanor, Arthur and Bedivere who waited outside could hear her scream from inside "KYAAA!".
Arthur was worried but Guinevere said to get out, so he knocked (banging, actually) the door "Merlin, can I come in? What happened?".
Merlin got out and closed the door behind her before they could peek "no, you can't".
Another cry in pain "ARGH!".
Arthur grabbed Merlin's biceps "Merlin, let me in".
"Arthur, trust my sister", Merlin squeezed his shoulders "magic circuit on her body is quite entangled, that's why she's in pain. My sister can fix it better than me. This is her expertise".
After several minutes of cries in pain and agony, in the end they heard her moan, followed by cry in distress "ah~ Aunt, you're evil! It hurts! Should you pull that stunt to me in the end?".
Nel Hativa apologized which sounded not too remorseful at all "oh, come on. You can't call yourself as a woman at all if you can't even handle this, young girl~ as a woman, once you married, you have to bear with different kind of pains. For example—".
"sister, just let her sleep and don't teach anything more of that to her. Don't taint the innocence of my adopted daughter before her marriage", Merlin knocked the door and after earning loud 'yes' from within, Merlin rubbed her forehead and twitched her eyebrow before she looking to the men near her "good grief, although I told her to not do it to her... still want to know what happened? Though for your sanity, I give an advice you all to not".
Bedivere, Arthur and Escanor quickly said in unison as they waved their hands, with note deep down in their heart to never make Nel Hativa as their enemy "nope, nope, nope".
The Boar Hat
Veronica shook her little sister's body "Ellie! Get yourself together!".
"ah, sorry! I'm okay!", Elizabeth squealed before stuttering "just... a bit dizzy, that's all!".
Cain gasped when he saw Elizabeth and teared up a little "this must be dream... Liz!".
All of them surprised to see Cain's reaction. Firstly, believe it or not, they couldn't distrust this kid's identity that Meliodas claimed as his son. Gentle looks on the round-shaped Emerald orbs. A head of the fluffy dandelion-like long straight blonde hair that tied into braids from the back of his nape with two strands of infamous cowlicks sticking out from his head. Without doubt, yes, Lancelot was really son of Meliodas but now, they wondered who was the mother, which means their Captain's wife.
Elizabeth blinked "...um, Liz is...?".
"his old friend, one of the Knights on Danafor Kingdom", Lancelot quickly cut off before he smiled sadly "...and my late mother...".
All of them froze as they turned to Meliodas but Meliodas only lifted his hand and cheerfully turned to Lancelot and Morgan "we can talk about it later... only if I want to, though. For now, can you two explain what do you mean with Royal Decree, Lady Morgan and Lancelot?".
"you can just call me Morgan, father-in-law", Morgan bowed with fond smile before straightening her body "we have been given two days and a night away from Camelot Castle by princess and our King. We come here to convey Royal Decree from the princess for Sir Tristan and Isolde".
Lancelot clicked his tongue "and don't make that face as if you've prepared your head on the gallows, Triss. It's not like you're gonna die or something because of her".
Remembering of his bad memories when Guinevere was playing pranks on him, Tristan grabbed his head with pale face "she's the type of someone who can manipulate people and very good at ushering people even without people notice it sometimes. On top of everything, she really likes playing around with me and enjoying each reaction I've given. How could I not feel wary of her?".
"at least what you get is not as bad as me. You never know how it feel to get revenge from her. I did", Lancelot shook his head and cried before he patting Tristan's shoulder "can you believe it? When she was only ten years old, just because I was playing pranks with exchanging her guinea pig within the flask with the cockroach that she really hated, she sent me to the nest of Wyverns. For heaven's sake, I thought I was gonna die. Thanks to Morgan and the young King who persuaded her, she teleported me back before I was eaten by one of Wyverns".
"oh, so she sent you to the Wyvern's nest", Tristan smirked wickedly "actually, I am the one who taught her to just give revenge on you when you play pranks on her and I also am the one who have given advice about the places, to where she could sent you to punish you".
Lancelot clutched Tristan's neck "you jerk, did you seriously have a plan to kill me?".
"Lancelot, let him go. Your opponent is not fully recovered yet", Isolde chided him, waving her hands "wait until he's fully recovered, then you can beat him black and blue".
Morgan deadpanned "I see, other than my half-brother, you're her partner-in-crime too".
Gowther tilted his head "on the positive way, it means the princess is quite attached and liking you two, right?".
Tristan and Lancelot said in unison "no, she just likes to play around with us, that's all".
Morgan covered her mouth "pfft, you two really get along well when it comes to this, huh?".
Looking at Tristan's reaction, King couldn't help but wondering "...does this princess hate you? What is your relationship with her, anyway?".
"perhaps", Tristan rolled his eyes "I was only sort-of her baby-sitter".
Lancelot waved his hand "now, now, it's no good to talk that way about the princess. You know she is quite fond of you and Isolde just like her siblings, right?".
"before Sir Lancelot become the princess' personal guard, Sir Tristan here was her personal guard and her martial arts mentor. Only Sir Lancelot who can be considered as equal Knight with Sir Tristan on Camelot Kingdom", Morgan covered her mouth with her sleeve "our young King, well... you can say that he only spoiled his fiancé too much, to the point he's too worried when he saw Sir Tristan trained princess quite harsh, he thought, because Sir Tristan even dared to kick her in their training thus his position was changed by Sir Lancelot".
"you give too much credit on me", Lancelot laughed awkwardly "but isn't it too rude to talk that way about your half-brother, dear?".
King exclaimed "you are the King's half-sister!".
Ban whistled "wow, your son surely has quite the woman on his sleeves, Cap'n~".
Morgan waved it off "it's only a coincidence that my half-brother is a King".
"like she said, it's merely his luck", Meliodas rolled his eyes to Tristan "but you seriously kicked a woman in training?".
Tristan tilted his head "I never seriously kicked her".
Isolde smacked him "not change the fact you indeed kicked her".
"what could I do? She would be furious to me if I didn't train her seriously", Tristan patted his head, pointing to Morgan "and all of you spoil her too much, except Lady Morgan".
Morgan scoffed "of course, she is my rival".
Lancelot pulled her into his embrace, snaking one hand around her waist while the other groping her butt "in what terms, honey? I think you have no grudge against her, yet you still think of her as your rival?".
Hawk huffed "oi! You undoubtedly that pervert's son, I'm sure of it now!".
Ban lifted his thumb "yep, he's really your son, Cap'n. Now we're sure of it".
"I don't mind at all with the groping", Morgan laughed sheepishly before she gently pushed Lancelot away "but not in front of so many people like this!".
With far-too-innocence aura on his face, Lancelot grinned broadly "then you won't mind at all when it's only us, right?".
Morgan blushed furiously at that and Tristan deadpanned "now he finally reveals his real colors".
Isolde chided him "duh, don't be rude like that. Like you never did the same things with him? I think it's entirely normal for someone wants to touch the people they loved".
Tristan hummed "I only do it to the woman I've fixated my eyes on and before you said something, no, it's not Merlin because she belongs to Escanor and for me, she's more like my older sister or my mother instead of a lover. Well, it's not entirely my fault if the woman that I've fixated my eyes on is oblivious and she doesn't aware of my feelings because she is still too pure and innocence".
Isolde blinked her eyes innocently "huh?".
Morgan stared to them in disbelief "do you seriously just give an innuendo in front of her face?".
"and yet, she still doesn't realize it", Lancelot sighed before patting Tristan's shoulder "be patient, my bro. You still have a long way to go~".
"brat, don't be so cocky and get carried away by yourself just because you've settled down with Lady Morgan already. Should I gouge your eyes out of its place?", Tristan grabbed Lancelot's face hardly with thin smile and a vein popped on his face. Sighing heavily, Tristan sat on the chair and leaned his back on the table, gruffly asking "just go back to our main business. Let's see what scheme she's tried to pull at. As long as we know her, she never does something meaningless".
Morgan agreed "well, can't say that you're wrong at that".
"this is Royal Decree from the princess", Lancelot pulled out two scrolls, giving one to Morgan "one for Isolde and one for you, Triss. Would you like us to read it out loud or you would want to read it by yourself?".
Tristan deadpanned "just tell us out loud what is her so-called Royal Decree".
Morgan opened the scroll of Royal Decree for Isolde "Isolde Marianna, I appoint you as Great Healer of Camelot Kingdom".
Diane exclaimed and clapped her hands "it's great!".
King shushed her "it means she has to go back to Camelot Kingdom right away, right?".
And leaving Tristan here? Not a chance. Isolde frowned and she said "I refuse—".
"—which I know you will refuse", Morgan narrowed her eyes "yeah, I have predicted this too".
They jaw-dropped before Isolde tilted her head "...pardon?".
"position as Great Healer will be fulfilled by you because you are the only one and the most talented candidate who befitting for this position in my eyes. I don't want to appoint another person as Great Healer in our Kingdom thus we will wait for you to come back to Camelot Kingdom when you're up to along with someone you want to follow with and don't come back until you can come back with him", with understanding on her eyes, Morgan smiled knowingly "it's been always like this, like she could see through people's heart and nothing we can do to fight against her but to obey her wish. How cunning she can be, I wonder?".
"you want to praise her or insult her, choose one of it", Lancelot grinned and pulling out two wooden boxes from his bag "princess knew your decision so she prepared this for you".
Morgan handed a wooden box to Isolde "she said 'I can see that your journey will be harsh. I only can pray for your safety and use this, to defend yourself and protect your beloved in your journey'. See it yourself".
Isolde gasped when she found a Sacred Treasure, a bow "this is... it's really alright if I accept this?".
"Artemis Bow. It's an exclusive hand-made Sacred Treasure. She said it's her birthday gift for you", Morgan smiled "she would be glad if it's useful for you".
Isolde hugged the bow before she smiled to Morgan "tell the princess that I'll go back to the Camelot Kingdom because I want to serve them when the time comes for them to rule the Kingdom together as King and Queen".
"granted", Morgan turned to Lancelot "your turn".
Lancelot smirked as he opened his scroll "surely I needn't to tell out loud how foolish you are—".
Tristan slumped in his place "already insult me in the first sentence, for real?".
"—of your stupid actions that could endanger your life and make the people around you worried—".
"how could she know it, I wonder?", King cupped the side of his mouth, whispering to his comrades "do you think we have been watched?".
Meliodas rolled his eyes "perhaps".
Ban raised his eyebrow warily "but if this princess isn't our enemy, fret not".
"—thus I give an order for you to, once again, raise your Sword. I know your reason to not wield your Sword, your resolve due to the burden on your shoulders that heavy as the world's burden but please remember what I said to you before you accepted my offer. Time heals eventually so don't be afraid to raise your Sword. I bet the woman you loved also hopes the same thing with me. We don't want to see you get hurt or even worse, die. We don't want to see you fight. We only want you to live. This time, in order to save Liones Kingdom and to prevent the tragedy of your homeland, do whatever you need to do. Raise your Sword so you can live and go back to the people who wait for you", Lancelot took the deep breaths in before handing other wooden box to Tristan, opening the wooden box and revealing the Sword with blunt and squared edge to symbolize Mercy "this is your Sacred Treasure, the Curtain".
"remember this sword? It's the same with Isolde's Artemis Bow, an exclusive hand-made, the Curtain or also known as the Sword Of Mercy. Surely you remember this sword, the Sword that princess once gifted to you but you refused to take", Morgan narrowed her eyes "now, not only her, even our King also wouldn't want to hear 'no' from you after you were dying. Take your Sword and please don't refuse the kindness of the princess and the King, Sir Tristan. Or else, it will be considered as an insult for them".
Tristan narrowed his eyes. Should he or not? Would he take the Sword or not?
Liones Castle
After quite panicked Holy Knight reported to Helbram about 'The Armor Giant' was sighted in Ordan Forest, East Of Vaizel, Helbram ordered the Knight to call and send the Dawn Roar. In the halfway, Helbram, Jericho and Guila met with Hendrickson, Dreyfus, Gilthunder and Howzer. In the opposite with Dreyfus who thought it was quite overdoing to send Dawn Roar, Hendrickson wasn't mind at all and thinking that Helbram must had had his own reason to send the Dawn Roar.
When Helbram seemed like surprised of something else and looked around, Gilthunder asked "what's wrong, Sir Helbram?".
Helbram caressed his jaw "well, I felt like I've heard the familiar lullaby from somewhere".
"the sky is so vast, the wind feels like melody~", Gelda carried heavily-bandaged blonde-haired boy who wrapped his arms around her shoulders, before the boy started crying and quite startled Gelda patting his head "El? What's wrong? Where does it hurt?".
Helbram frowned and called her "you, the maid there! Do you think your work time is the right time to do baby-sitting? This is the Castle, your workplace and not kindergarten!".
"forgive me, the Cardinal Sir Helbram. However, it's not like I have any choice", Gelda bowed her head and narrowed her eyes with strained voice to Helbram as if she was strangled after the kid on her arms crying harder due to Helbram's shout "bu my nephew just lost his family due to the great fire on his village. I have to raise him alone. I can't leave him alone in home with this condition".
When Dreyfus asked warily which village, Gelda mentioned the village that burned by great fire near the Vaizel several days ago. Thanks to accurate informations from Guinevere, Merlin and Nel Hativa, she could make up their identities here as their spies.
"perhaps my acquaintance can help you, he's quite experienced with kids who have trauma. Because I unfortunately don't bring utensils, you have to remember the address", Gilthunder caressed his chin "just go to East of Dalmary, on the outskirt far from the city into the woods, you can find the doctor there".
"now, now, it isn't good at all to yell like that in front of the scared child, Sir Helbram",
They were shocked to see Margaret coming here, out of the prison, with Vivian in tow.
"princess Margaret!", Howzer felt the pang of guilty, he was there after all, on the Vaizel but nothing he could do to save his friends, Griamore and Veronica. Scratching his nape, Howzer awkwardly laughed, trying to melt the tensed air but failed "ah, long time no see you... glad to see you again...".
Ignoring Howzer's remarks, even ignoring their presences as if the others were only a mere empty air, Margaret approached Gelda and ruffled the crying kid's head "ssh, don't cry. What's your name and how old are you, kid?".
The kid's tears subsided and his loud cries changed into hiccups "...El-Elias, 6 years old".
Margaret smiled fondly but her eyes were tainted by sorrow and sadness "...I see. May I carry him?".
Gelda exchanged glances with Elias before she hesitantly handed him to Margaret. Looking down to him, Margaret inspected the bandages that wrapped tightly around both his hands, his shinbones, his neck down to his collarbone and disappeared down to his torso under his V-neck shirt, last on his head which half of his face from his left eye down to his left cheek also was covered by bandages. Actually, the bandages were one of Merlin's magic items to suppress his magic power like the one that Gelda wore so people would mistake his presence as human, not as Fairy.
After Gelda explained the same story with the one that she had explained to Dreyfus and the others, Margaret walked away to the garden and caressed his head as she speaking "ten years ago, there was a little girl on the same age with you right now, 6 years old. She was an adopted daughter of my father's acquaintances. She was so cute and I adored her just like a little sister to me".
Elias wrapped his arms around Margaret's shoulders and hummed "...what happened to her?".
Margaret stopped and smiled down sadly before pointing to the old Castle where Seven Deadly Sins were framed "she lost on that place, we never found her body. One thing I knew for sure that day, I lost her... and I lost two sisters again lately...".
Elias patted Margaret's cheek and with the innocence of a child, he stopped crying and encouraged her as he lifted his hands "princess, don't cry. Your sisters would be sad".
"...thank you", Margaret smiled and leaned her forehead to his as she blinked away her tears. She looked up and called Gelda "you, his Aunt, what's your name?".
Gelda bowed her body and crossed an arm in front of her chest "Gelda, princess".
"Lady Gelda, I don't mind at all if you bring this child to your workplace on your shift, as long as you let me to play with him and you can stay with us to watch over us", Margaret turned around and she walked away again, this time to the Castle's Library "come with me".
Elias blinked his eyes "where'd we go?".
"to library", Margaret smiled and offered "can you read? If you can't, maybe I can read the book for you".
Elias lifted his hands and exclaimed in excitement "teach me!".
Gelda chided "Elias, don't be rude to the princess".
"it's alright. Think of this selfish request from me as Royal Decree from me", Margaret smiled before looking to Hendrickson and Dreyfus with empty eyes "surely no problem for me to play with a kid as long as I stay put in this Castle, right?".
Gelda stated she didn't mind at all to serve the princess. Not too long after Margaret left with Gelda and Elias, some maids who had hid on the corner, whispered as they peeking from the corners. When Howzer friendly asked them about the problems, the maids reported that Margaret did not respond on whatever they said or did, she only asked Vivian to let her out of the dungeon before she wandered aimlessly, as if she hopelessly looking for something before she reacted once she saw the little kid on Gelda's arms.
One of maids worried about Margaret, caressed her chest "not to mention what happened to princess Elizabeth and princess Veronica... maybe princess Margaret reacted because that kid is on the same age with lady Merlin's daughter—".
Her comrade lifted her finger to her lips and squeezed her shoulder "ssh!".
In the halfway to the library, when they passed the hallway where the shadow blocked the sun, Gelda smirked with both her eyes gleaming in red "you're great at pretending to be a child, Elias".
"you're surprisingly great at pretending to be a damsel in distress", Elias looked up, his honey-like eyes were gleaming gold "and your dolls are quite handy. To think they could say and act due to your wish after you bit and sucked a little of their bloods... but they will not die, right?".
Gelda licked her lips and lifted her forefinger to wipe her lips with devil smirk "oh, fret not~ I only drank a little of their blood~ they would not die just because I drank little of their bloods".
"okay, then. Gilthunder's messages was clear enough. We just need to report it to princess...", Elias leaned his head on Margaret's shoulder, looking straight to where he still could felt Gilthunder and the others watched them from far distance "...once we got the messages from princess Margaret as well".