Elizabeth tried to remain calm and dignified as she sat on her throne, although she was growing more and more excited with each passing minute. It was her 13th birthday. This year was important as it marked her transition from a child into a young adult, ever closer to more responsibilities. And marriage.

The royal halls were filled with people ranging from neighbouring Kings to peasants, each bearing gifts. It was not required but many wanted to congratulate the youngest princess and see her. For many nobles, it was also a way to make their families known to the King, in order to get in his good books.

As a result, she had to look calm and collected which was getting harder and harder with each gift. Some were simple things such as sweets which would be tested by Merlin for poison and others were grand such as foregin fragrances and boxes of gold.

Meliodas stood guard near her, in case any attacker decided to use the opportunity to near the princess. He also glared at each young noble, who was complimenting her beauty.

Finally, the line dwindled down and an old woman hobbled up to the princess. She was dressed in grimy rags and leaned on a wooden cane. Out of her pocket, she pulled a small cloth which she handed to the princess. Curious, Elizabeth unfolded the cloth to reveal a necklace.

It was beautiful. It was quite simple yet elegant. A black stone rested on the silver chain. The stone appeared to change colors quickly, a slight sparkle being caught in the sunlight.

"Thank you," Elizabeth smiled, attempting to put the necklace on. Meliodas saw and went up to her, holding out his hand. Elizabeth placed the necklace into his hand and lifted up her silver tresses, allowing Meliodas to do up the clasp. Once in place, Elizabeth held up the stone and gazed at it's beauty. She then proceeded to thank the old woman again.

The old woman said nothing, only smiled. She bowed and turned, hobbling out the room. Elizabeth couldn't help but continue to admire the necklace.

…

She was running.

Her bare legs were being torn by the thorns, blood trickling down her creamy skin, yet Elizabeth kept going. She didn't know what she was running from, but something told her to keep moving, to not look back. Suddenly, she was in a clearing, filled with mist. She continued to run, until she tripped over something. Rubbing her ankle, she turned to see what it was and screamed.

The object she tripped on was Meliodas. But it wasn't him. He was a corpse, merely a shell made of decaying flesh and writhing maggots. His eyes were open, the horror still visible.

Elizabeth scrambled to her feet, turning to run but she was met with a pair of red eyes in the dark.

…

Meliodas was just getting into his bed when he heard Elizabeth's scream.

"Elizabeth!" he yelled, rushing to her room. Flinging open the door, he saw the young princess in her bed, sweat rolling off her as she sobbed, her complexion paler than usual.

"What's wrong?" he asked, sitting on the bed.

"I… I had a nightmare," Elizabeth gasped between sobs," It was horrible! I was being chased and then I tripped over you, but it wasn't you, I mean it was, but you were rotting away and then the red eyes got me and-"

"Elizabeth!" Meliodas yelled. Elizabeth's eyes widened at his outburst and she began to shrink away from him. Softening his tone, he continued, grabbing her hand.

"I need you to take a deep breath," Meliodas instructed, watching as she obeyed, her shaky breaths becoming more steady.

"Good," Meliodas murmured, taking her hand. He placed it on his chest. For a moment, they sat in silence. Elizabeth felt his heart beating strongly beneath his linen shirt and was, for some strange reason, comforted.

"I'm not dead," Meliodas whispered," My heart is beating, see? I'm still here and I'm okay. You're okay. It was just a nightmare. You'll be fine. I promise."

Elizabeth nodded, reassured by his presence.

…

However, Elizabeth was far from fine.

Following that incident, she would awake each night, a scream filling the empty halls as the nightmares continued to plague her. After the third night, Meliodas decided to move into her room, with permission from the King and Queen. He sat in the wooden chair and would watch as her breaths quickened, the thrashing beginning slowly.

For Elizabeth, it was hell. In every dream, she was being hunted. The setting changed, but the fear was the same. So was Meliodas. Each dream he appeared. Sometimes behind a door. Tapping her shoulder. Dragging her down into the earth. His rotting smile haunting her.

Each night, she would end up cuddling into Meliodas, her ear pressed against his chest. She needed to hear his heart. She needed to see if everything was okay.

Elizabeth was also affected during the day. The nightmares kept her up and she was exhausted as a result. Her eyes sunken with purple bags as she wandered aimlessly around the castle like a ghost. Meliodas was also exhausted.

Merlin was consulted but there was nothing to be found. According to her, Elizabeth wasn't suffering from any illness.

A few days later, Gowther came out of his room. He'd been practicing his smile. Being unsuccessful, he decided to go and reexamine his fellow Sins. He'd been trying to copy Meliodas' cheeky grin, but perhaps Ban's smirk would suit him better. Turning a corner, he was surprised as he collided with Princess Elizabeth. She gave a shriek but quickly calmed herself.

"Please forgive me, Sir Gowther," Elizabeth apologized. Gowther ignored her and grabbed her necklace in his hands, staring at the pendant.

"What's going on?" Meliodas exclaimed, running around the corner," I heard Elizabeth scream. Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine, Sir Meliodas," Elizabeth insisted," I just got frightened when I bumped into Sir Gowther."

"Why are you wearing the Siren's Necklace?" Gowther interrupted. Elizabeth and Meliodas looked at the pink haired man with confusion and surprise.

"What are you talking about?" Meliodas asked.

"The necklace that Princess Elizabeth is wearing," Gowther said, pointing towards her neck," It is the legendary Siren Necklace. I believe I know where there is more information. Please follow me."

Meliodas and Elizabeth followed the Goat Sin to the library where they were led into the older books. Gowther seemed to know exactly what he was looking for and quickly grabbed a book.

"Here it is," Gowther exclaimed, opening up to a page," The Legend of the Siren Necklace. This necklace is rumored to have been created by a siren who was, at one point, the world's most beautiful creature. However, a fair maiden soon stole this title from her, causing the siren to become jealous. The siren made this necklace and then gave it to the girl as a gift. However, the necklace is cursed to give the wearer nightmares, draining them and making them haggard. The necklace has been lost and its location is unknown."

"I need to get it off," Elizabeth panicked, fumbling with the clasp. Meliodas simply grabbed the chain and tugged, causing the metal to break. An unholy screech was released. Clasping her ears, Elizabeth closed her eyes and waited for the horrid sound to disappear. It soon did and she felt a weight being lifted off of her.

"If I may ask, where did you find that necklace?" Gowther asked.

"I received it from an old woman on my birthday," Elizabeth explained before gasping," You don't think-"

"I have reason to believe that the old woman was a siren in disguise," Gowther confirmed.

"Why me?" Elizabeth asked.

"It's because you're stunning," Meliodas answered, causing Elizabeth to blush," You're like the girl in the story."

"I must agree with Meliodas," Gowther nodded," Your proportions are incredible and-"

The rest of Gowther's speech was unheard as Meliodas chucked him out the room at lightning speed.