AN: With such nice comments I'm getting, I just had to deliver quicker updates!

Chapter 9

The morning rays shone bright on their faces when Elizabeth began stirring. She'd had the most relaxing sleep in her whole life and she quickly discovered the reason for this. Her head was propped on Meliodas's outstretched arm, while his other arm held her as close as possible, their legs where in a tangle and their faces where inches from each other.

An embarrassed squeak left her as she scrambled out of their embrace in a mesh of blushing and thrashing, waking Meliodas from his deep slumber.

"Oy! What's with the ruckus? Oh! ~Morning, Elizabeth!" He said in a sing-song voice.

"W-WE FELL ASLEEP! Oh no! I'm going to be in so much trouble."

"Hm… man that was a good sleep!" He spoke to himself while he stretched, unbothered by Elizabeth's panic.

"Someone will notice I didn't come home! /GASP/ I won't be there for the morning meeting! They'll go search my house! What if Ludociel finds out?"

Meanwhile Meliodas was sniffing his shirt, "Mmm~… smells just like you. I may never shower again. Or at least not clean this shirt. Ah… but it's got some blood and it's ripped…what to do? What to do?"

"No, no, no… He will flip out! He's capable of locking me up! What if he tells Mael? He'll be furious!"

And with that note, in a flash Meliodas was standing in front of her.

"None of that Elizabeth! Now that we're together, they can't very well lock you up! I do have a plan for us, you know?"

"A plan…? Wait. Together?"

"Yeah! And if the plan works out, you will be spending more than a few nights away from your house!"

"Wh-what?" Elizabeth stammered, utterly confused.

"It's a surprise! Just make sure to meet me here in 3 days. Same time!"

"Three? B-but."

"I need to arrange some things and I need to find out who placed that hit on you." His voice turned serious, "Vampires are loyal to the demons which suggests I have something to do with you being targeted. If someone knows about us, this place will become dangerous soon. I need to protect you"

Just like that he was back to his cheerful self, dragging Elizabeth with him on an emotional rollercoaster of a morning. His hand latched on to Elizabeth's right breast and squeezed it as he spoke, "But enough said! I can't spoil the surprise yet and you need to get home or they'll send a search party."

"EEP! O-okay."

"See you in 3 days time!" He said as he sprouted his wings, "Oh… and, Elizabeth…"

"Hm?"

"If you don't make it here in 3 days, I will go ballistic on the celestial realm so make sure no one is locking you up!"

As Elizabeth flew closer to the celestial gate her cheeks were finally returning to a normal color. She'd had trouble calming herself after the events of this morning. She wondered if he'd really fallen asleep or if he'd done this on purpose.

Elizabeth had strong caring feelings for the demon and she knew he did too after everything that had been said. Nevertheless, she didn't know if they were… something like a… couple? She wouldn't mind calling him her boyfriend and he did say they were together, but what did that even mean? She didn't get a chance to ask him about it because he kept interrupting and she was too stunned to form a full sentenced question.

She was now in front of the celestial gate; she took a deep breath and dared to cross the threshold. As soon as she went through the barrier that separated the goddesses from Earth, Mael was there, hugging her tightly.

"Thank goddesses… you're alright. When you didn't show up for the meeting, someone came looking for you at the training field. I was there earlier to run some laps and as soon as I heard you were no where to be found I thought he'd-" His breath caught in his throat and he seemed unable to speak anymore without breaking into a sob.

"Mael… it's okay. He would never hurt me…"

Suddenly Mael went from relieved to furious, holding her by her shoulders, "How can you say that?! You didn't come home! I can see the blood on your dress. You can't deny it. Something happened."

"I'll explain everything, I promise. But first-"

"No firsts. Explain now."

"I was attacked by a vampire and Meliodas rescued me. He saved me Mael, he didn't hurt me."

"A vampire…? You mean the servants of the underworld. They are allies to the demons Elizabeth. He could've arranged this to gain your trust."

"Stop! Mael he wouldn't do that. I know him, he's my-" boyfriend?

"He could be tricking you Elizabeth. That's why I was against this from the start, you're being manipulated."

"You said you trusted by judgment…"

"Well maybe I shouldn't have!"

"M-Mael… did you tell someone I was missing… or where I was?"

"Elizabeth… you could've been hurt."

Elizabeth didn't get a chance to retaliate as two guards showed up and told her Ludociel had requested a formal audience. She was in real trouble now.

In his office, Ludociel received her with an eerie calm.

"Ah… Lady Elizabeth! Thank you for gracing us with your presence." He said venomously.

"Ludociel…"

"I am interested on what excuse you'll come up with for disappearing throughout the night."

Elizabeth decided to remain quiet since she wasn't sure of the extent of Ludociel's knowledge on her previous whereabouts.

"No? Ah… You know, Lady Elizabeth, my brother Mael respects me greatly and would never lie to me. Unless it was for someone he cared for deeply; maybe even more than me. That person would be you. But alas… your life was in peril and so he came forward with everything he'd been keeping from me. I do not appreciate you asking my little brother to lie to me and I'm appalled by the idea that you made him lie about something as important as this."

More silence from Elizabeth as she looked down in shame at having put Mael in a position where he had to lie to his own personal hero.

"Still no word from you? You're as arrogant as ever. Just like when you'd disrespect me in class with your 'peaceful' ideas. Elizabeth… peace is unattainable with those monsters. Now I know you believe you've befriended one, but you must reconsider. They are wicked creatures that we must eliminate. Now, tell me everything that went on last night as well as all the information that you've gathered regarding their troops and I might let you off with a warning."

Elizabeth realized Meliodas's name had yet to be uttered. Ludociel would not simply leave that out of the equation. He'd be even more adamant on obtaining information if he knew Elizabeth had befriended the prince of the demon clan. Elizabeth smiled mischievously at her way out.

"Ludociel, I'm sorry to say I have no Intel on the demon army for you. My friend isn't even a warrior."

"Elizabeth… thread lightly or I may have to consider a severe punishment for your treacherous actions."

He wasn't buying her lies. Suddenly she saw it all go away, her time with Meliodas cut off by the hand of Ludociel. He would seriously lock her up… and she'd never see him again.

Then she recalled Meliodas's words, 'If you don't make it here in 3 days, I will go ballistic on the celestial realm so make sure no one is locking you up!' He was so strong… it was a quality she admired. She believed herself to be weak minded at times.

In that moment she desperately wished to be strong for him, and fight for him just like he did for her. The way he defended her the other day against the vampire, the way he stood up to his entire army demanding no villages be attacked till further notice, the way he fought with Chandler for her sake and the way he'd kissed her first. Yes... Meliodas was always defending her, saving her. This time it was her turn. She would save their relationship or friendship or whatever it was from Ludociel and the Goddess race. Her thoughts rendered her courageous as she let her holy power flare.

"No. I am higher ranked than you, therefore I will decide whom I see fit to befriend and how the armies will rally. If I say we're headed for peace, then it shall be done. Now, excuse me."

And with that, the meeting was over. Leaving a stunned Ludociel incapable of retorting to the usually easy going Elizabeth who'd transformed right in front of his eyes.