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Chapter 7 – Dilemma
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Meliodas thought this was gonna be annoying, so he made it quick. After telling Escanor to pull off his glasses, Meliodas kicked the Tusk Bison on its gut and sent it flying to Escanor "Escanor, you may roast it as the celebration of our reunion!".
"as you wish, Captain", Escanor pulled off his glasses and his muscles bulged "hump!".
Meliodas landed on the ground. When he smelled the nice, good scent which had risen his appetite from the roasted Bison, he grinned lopsided and lifted his thumb "It seems like your ability hasn't changed, my friend".
After Escanor went back to his day form, Escanor sniffled "Captain! I'm so glad that I finally can meet you again!".
Meliodas chuckled and dragged the roasted beef "right back at you. Come on, let's go to my tavern. By the way, what are you doing here?".
"you opened the tavern as well, Captain? Actually, I have my own tavern and—".
"you're so dependable, Elizabeth", Hawk had to admit, he didn't expect she could handle this at first. Considering her high stature as a princess, obviously, she never went shopping before. That was before the pink pig remembered that she, in fact, had earned back all of her past life's memories. There was once when she was born as a merchant's daughter, so of course, she could handle this really well. Hawk puffed in delight "let's show Meliodas how well we're doing! And I want to see if he's doing his errand well or not".
Elizabeth chuckled at the pig's antics. Looking right and left, when she was sure it was only the two of them on the outskirt of the village, Elizabeth stopped and crouched in front of Hawk "Hawk, can we talk for a second?".
Hawk stopped and tilted its head "sure, what is it?".
"it's about us. I and Meliodas have discussed and we agreed, for the best...", Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath "we decided to keep everything related to our problem as a secret, from everyone, even from the Sins".
"wait, you mean... everything related to your curses, his immortality, your perpetual reincarnation, your real identity as Goddess Princess and Demon Prince, everything?", Hawk pointed out and when the so-called Goddess princess nodded her head, Hawk didn't get it "but why? You told me—!?".
"Hawk, you were there when I reunited with Meliodas, remember? That's why we have no choice but to tell you. However, for the others? We have no idea of how they will react", Elizabeth shook her head "if you asked me why, Hawk, it's because this is personal. Merlin aside, the others are strangers. I only need their help to liberate my Kingdom, not to help us break our curses. They don't have an obligation to help us with breaking our curses. Merlin aside, I'm not sure... how the others will react, so let's keep this as secret, only until Meliodas thought it's the best to reveal everything, okay?".
"does it have something to do with Meliodas' race as a Demon?".
Even Hawk could tell, Demon Clan never had the best reputation. Demon Clan had been known as the vilest, kinda the opposite with the Goddess Clan (although, after listening to Elizabeth and Meliodas' constant rambling or stories, Hawk thought Goddess Clan could be worse than Demon Clan sometimes). People always thought of Demon Clan differently and just because the Demon Clan was different, they were treated poorly and it was unfair. For as long as Hawk had spent his time with these two, he couldn't help it but wonder, how could their parents put such the cruel curses upon their children? Meliodas was so mean sometimes, but he was a good man (although, Hawk wouldn't want to admit it out loud in front of him). Elizabeth was the real Goddess, just like her original Clan.
Elizabeth looked doubt "well, I don't know why... but it's also one of the conditions that my mother, the Supreme Deity, offered. She said it's for the best if the lesser people know about these complicated things of our personal problem".
Hawk sighed "...fine, I guess it's for the best, temporarily. However, what would you tell everyone, then? I don't think you will be allowed to just elope with... uh, no offense...".
"someone who claimed to be the criminal?", Elizabeth smiled, patting Hawk's head when the pink pig flustered. She stood and looked down with determination on her eyes "that's why, first of all, we need to gather the Sins and liberate my Kingdom from whatever the Holy Knights tried to do. I can help them to clean their name in the process and after that... we can figure out about what should we do with whoever tried to revive the Demon Clan and break our curses".
"and you two still will not tell the others about your curses even after you liberate your Kingdom if you two think it's unnecessary? What's the problem?".
"Hawk, it's just mine and Meliodas, our personal problem... all along this time, for these 3.000 years, we have been helped by my brother and his daughters, Merlin included. However, it's not like we never lost something. Meliodas can't die, he doesn't age and he has to witness his precious people including me, to die before him and left him alone. I kept dying and left him alone, that's why...", Elizabeth looked like about to cry before she offered reassuring smile "both I and Meliodas simply don't want to involve more people which might have caused more casualties. We don't want to lose more friends like Sins or you just because of our selfishness. Please, understand".
When Hawk cried, Elizabeth petted the pig "oh, my... I'm so sorry, Hawk. I didn't mean to make you cry".
Hawk sniffled "please, don't talk as if you're gonna die tomorrow and leave us...".
"I will not. Don't worry, like I said, if everything's going well, our curses will be gone and I will not die in three days", Elizabeth smiled "thank you, Hawk".
"we're home!", Elizabeth opened the door and blinked her eyes when she found her lover talking with the stranger. She went to the counter and put the fresh ingredients into the fridge "oh, we have a guest? Who is he, Meliodas?".
"let me introduce you to him! He is Lion Sin Of Pride, Escanor", Meliodas grinned broadly and lifted his hand to Escanor before pointing stunned Elizabeth and gawked Hawk "Escanor, she is Elizabeth and that pig is Hawk".
Escanor bowed his head politely "nice to meet you, ma'am".
Hawk burst out in shock "are you kidding me?!".
Escanor was shocked too "the pig is talking!".
Elizabeth blinked her eyes rapidly, feeling unsure "he is... Lion Sin Of Pride, Sir Escanor?".
Meliodas crossed his arms before his chest "trust me, I know what you're thinking, but the man standing before you right now, saying he has self-esteem issues would be an understatement".
Hawk snorted "oi, are you sure this guy isn't an imposter?".
"how rude! I'm one of strongest Holy Knight—".
Looking at how Hawk and Escanor argued, Meliodas contemplated for a moment before he snatched Escanor's glasses "oh, well. Maybe this will prove it".
Suddenly, next second Escanor's body grew bigger, his muscles bulged and he roared "how dare you to claim me, the strongest of my kind as an imposter, you insolent pig?!".
Hawk quickly hid behind stunned Elizabeth and deadpanned Meliodas "hi! I'm so sorry?!".
Meliodas threw the glasses back to Escanor's face (before the Lion Sin could destroy something in his tavern with his day form) and Escanor's body shrunk again.
With a slight flush on his cheeks, Escanor bowed his body and apologized this time "I truly apologize for scaring you, but Lady Elizabeth didn't look scared at all".
"Actually, I was surprised a bit, but yes, I'm not afraid", Elizabeth tilted her head and smiled sweetly "because why should I? You're not scary at all. Meliodas also said that you're a good man, so I believe you're not a bad person".
Escanor felt relieved that she didn't afraid of him, unlike ordinary people would do. He clasped his hand and shook her hand "ma'am, you really look like a goddess. It's a pleasure to make an acquaintance with you".
"and Meliodas~", Elizabeth turned to see Meliodas before she pinching his cheeks "I know you did it deliberately to tease Hawk. Don't be so mean!".
Meliodas smirked before he disappeared. Only to reappeared behind Elizabeth and crawled up to her torso, groping her as usual "don't be so mean like this?".
When Elizabeth moaned, Escanor blushed and noted to himself "on the opposite, the Captain looked like a little devil".
Hawk huffed and groaned, but in the end, he let it be "they're always like that. You'll get used to it, bro".
"yeah, and one more important thing... Captain, so I've heard the rumor has it, that you *cough eloped *cough with... your lover, the third princess of Liones Kingdom, and I still remember the princesses", Escanor stared to Elizabeth skeptically "is she... princess Elizabeth Liones?".
"my, we are busted", Meliodas, still wrapping his arms around her torso, buried his face on her breasts this time before speaking with muffled voice "seems like your disguise is useless, Beth. Want to change it back to 'Ellie'?".
"well, considering those Knights have seen me and there's a chance their superior will recognize us...", Elizabeth missed her 107th reincarnation's real appearance which the perfect copy of her original too, not to mention she also realized Meliodas loved her original appearance although he had claimed about how he loved her no matter which one version of her. Elizabeth blushed slightly at the reminder before she quickly added "perhaps later when we have gathered all Sins? How about I change my hair every time after we confront the Holy Knight? The low-rank Knights don't be counted, so I will keep this red hair until next time we meet Holy Knight".
"if you think it's okay and it will not ruin your hair, I don't mind", Meliodas looked up from his position who still cuddling against her "but by you mean next time—".
Elizabeth smiled teasingly and caressed his cowlick before she drawled seductively "how about I dye my hair into blonde next time?".
Meliodas grinned and buried his face on her breast again "I approve".
Hawk groaned when realizing Escanor's nosebleed "oi, you two, don't forget we are still here and just come into your own world where only the two of you existed!?".
After Meliodas released her, Meliodas explained that he had fully recited about what happened to her Kingdom. This time, Elizabeth fully faced Escanor and asked for his aide.
Escanor agreed willingly "I am still one of The Seven Deadly Sins that has been appointed by the King, your father. There's no way I will refuse the request of his daughter, the princess. However... um, I'm so sorry if you feel offended, but... how and why the Captain and you... and the elope thing... are you, lovers?".
Looking at how Escanor blushed and stuttered at the end of his words, Meliodas boldly wrapped his arm around her waist and squeezed her buttocks "yes, we are".
Elizabeth blushed "um, Meliodas... can we just continue later at the night in bed? You said we're gonna be busy this night due to the villagers who wanted to hold the feast to celebrate here, right?".
Escanor didn't push it "...Captain, Lady Elizabeth, I don't know what happened between you two, but know this. Feel free to tell me whenever you're ready, and I will listen to you because we're friends".
Later at the night, after Escanor agreed to aide them, he joined the Boar Hat as the bartender. Elizabeth did a great job as a waitress, Escanor noted in wonder (considering how the princess should have spent her life as pampered, sheltered princess. However, Escanor didn't know yet, so it couldn't be helped). When the tavern wasn't too crowded again because it barely reached midnight, Elizabeth told them that she wanted to get the fresh air outside. Meliodas asked Hawk and Escanor to take care of the tavern for a while before he joined Elizabeth.
"what's up? Missed your family? I mean... your father and sisters in this lifetime of yours".
"that's too... but I feel rather bad with Sir Escanor. He's a good friend", Elizabeth slipped her bangs behind her ear as she sat on the edge of the cliff, dangling her legs "vaguely, I can remember about your friends, from my childhood memories as a princess 'Elizabeth Liones'. I think they're good people and isn't it alright to tell them?".
Meliodas sat on the edge of the cliff as well, right beside her "...I wonder. After all, Demon Clan never has the best reputation. I'm aware of it, that's why... I have no idea of how they would react. Not to mention, your mother also told you that it's best if we keep the numbers of people who know about us. The lesser people know, the better for us".
"Meliodas, you needn't hide anything from me. I can feel your dilemma", Elizabeth squeezed his hand "what is it?".
Meliodas stared at her before averting his eyes. He chuckled bitterly as if telling out loud about his weakness was a Sin itself "...no, it's nothing".
"Meliodas, look at me", Elizabeth sternly said as she leaned closer "tell me".
"...I have been happy these days, Elizabeth. With you, you remembered, we have the chance to break our curses and we needn't be afraid of you dying, and I'm really happy...", Meliodas squeezed his eyes shut tightly and tightened his grip on her arm, voice shaking "but at the same time, I'm afraid... even though your mother, just like what you said, tried to fix everything and lend her hand to help us, but I don't like it... Because why, why should she... after what happened to us all this time... why? What if she just wanted to take advantage of us and when she reached whatever her purpose... to prevent the Demon Clan's revival, perhaps? What if she breaks her promise and you will—".
"Meliodas", Elizabeth hugged him tightly, feeling his trembled body and she felt like crying. It hurt and she wanted nothing but to apologize to him for the suffering he had been going through, the suffering she had caused him to feel. She only could offer everything she had with what she had right now to soothe him as she intertwined her fingers in his "...I'm with you. You said it before, I'm yours and you're mine for all your life. From now on, no matter what happened, whoever turns their back against you, whoever our enemy, I will never leave your side. I'm with you. I'm not leaving you no matter what, because why should I? You're always with me for these 3.000 years. I'll always be around you".
Sucked in a deep breath, Meliodas felt relieved as he inhaled her scent and choked back his tears that had threatened to fall. His heartbeat was slower and he sighed in the content before he looked straight with his reassuring smile. Wrapped his arms around her waist, he smiled fondly before leaned up "I love you".
Elizabeth smiled brightly, so lovely as she leaned down "I love you too".
Escanor and Hawk who watched them from the window had watched them from the first place, now felt relieved. Escanor didn't know why and what happened between them, but he thought for a moment, the Captain looked like he was about to cry and Elizabeth successfully comforted him. When Elizabeth and Meliodas kissed torridly in need and entangled within each other's arms, Escanor quickly turned his eyes with a blushed face. Hawk trotted back, telling it was alright to just leave them be. Suddenly, the Lion Sin of Pride felt the surge of magic power flying to—
Elizabeth and Meliodas felt it too. Meliodas grumbled about how annoying people who dared to disturb their lovey-dovey moments. They stood and Elizabeth saw the sparkling star on the sky came to their direction.
Escanor barged to outside and opened the door widely "Captain! Wa—".
"Magic Cancel".
With a snap of fingers, the magic disappeared, leaving the spear to fall on the ground. Meliodas and Elizabeth looked behind them, to the one who had stopped the spear.
Escanor stunned in wonder "...Merlin".
Merlin lowered her hand and "Escanor".
"are we invisible in your eyes?", Meliodas grinned broadly and lifted his hand "long time no see you, Merlin!".
"oh my, I can't believe that little child has grown up into such a beauty", Elizabeth smiled broadly and hugged her "I missed you!".
Merlin surprised "...Sis-sis? But how...'.
"let's talk inside", Meliodas pointed to the tavern "and just like you said, Elizabeth... perhaps, we have to try".
As the wisest of them all, Merlin advised them to tell Escanor "I think we can believe him, so we can tell Escanor".
When Merlin recited what happened to Meliodas and Elizabeth ever since 3.000 years ago, their struggle to break the curse, Elizabeth moved to sit beside Meliodas and whispered, "say, Meliodas, Escanor asked about Merlin and you think...".
Meliodas whispered back "well, I have no idea about Merlin, but you're right, Escanor is in love with Merlin".
As they expected, Escanor cried and he grabbed her arms "I promise I will help you breaking the curses on the Captain and princess Elizabeth!?".
Now, it was Merlin's turn who baffled "but how Big Sis-Sis...".
This time, Elizabeth and Meliodas recited the story ever since Elizabeth remembered and they reunited.
Elizabeth closed the story "that's what happened".
Merlin caressed her jaw "...copying what my father would say, there's no way that old woman would do it without ulterior motive".
Meliodas nodded "and that's what I've been thinking".
Not even Elizabeth tried to deny it, because she wasn't sure of it and she was sure her brother would say it. When Meliodas and Elizabeth asked her if she would join them, Merlin apologized because she worked in Camelot right now and she couldn't leave right away. However, she promised that she would help them when she was needed.
"well, with Sis-Sis remembered, I believe you two can take care of yourself but you two are dangerously reckless sometimes... so, I need someone to watch over you two", Merlin grabbed Escanor's arm "can I rely on you to watch over and protect them, Escanor?".
Escanor smacked his chest with his fist "of course! You can rely on me!".
Merlin smiled and kissed his cheek "thank you".
Elizabeth and Hawk gasped.
Meliodas whistled "oh, that's new. Wonder how your father will react".
Elizabeth facepalmed "oh, no. My older brother wouldn't like this, at all".
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OMAKE
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Somewhere in Britannia land...
Lucifer just finished helping Ban and Isolde to cook, where Isolde cooked stew and Ban cooked roasted meat, so Lucifer helped to cut the meat and vegetables. Slashing the vegetables into the stew, Lucifer frowned "...this is bad".
Ban sipped the stew "is that so? I think the stew is good. Your girl is a great cook".
"not the stew", Lucifer lifted the spoon "I have a really, really bad feeling about your sister. This is just the exact same thing, the feeling I have when one of your sisters, Lilith was getting married".
Tristan nonchalantly sipped the stew "you showed that scary looks too when I was about to ask for your daughter's hand, father-in-law".
Iseult gasped "could it be older sister—?!".
Ban raised his eyebrow "your older sister has married, right?".
Tristan clarified "it's Lilith, the oldest one. We're speaking about the middle child. She is a scientist and too busy with her research, that's why she hasn't had getting married to anyone".
Iseult chuckled as she wrapped her arms around Tristan's torso "fun fact, at first I thought he and my sister were in love, but in the end, my sister turned out to be our matchmaker and we married".
Tristan didn't budge "does it mean your sister is gonna get married to someone?".
Lucifer cracked his knuckles and drawled venomously "oh if it's true... whoever wanted to ask for my dearest daughter's hand, he has to step over my dead body".
Ban felt his curiosity stronger than before "I can't wait to meet your family~".
On the Celestial Realm...
Seraphina was confused "grandmother, why did you cover my eyes and why did Mercy cover my ears when we watched over father and mother?".
Mercy blushed, there was no way he could tell the little princess that they tried to protect her innocence by preventing Seraphina to see her parents kissed "wait a moment, princess".
"that's right, there's something you shouldn't see, that's why we cover your eyes and ears", Supreme Deity tried her best to not let her irritation spilled out to her words "next time, I have to make sure that Mercy has to stay with her to accompany her every time she wants to see her parents".
When Mercy and Supreme Deity lowered their hands, Seraphina said out of blue "father doesn't believe grandmother".
"of course, he is. Even your mother doesn't believe me, I guess. It's a normal reaction".
"Yeah, no wonder, contemplating what happened", Seraphina nodded her head before flying upwards. She floated near Supreme Deity's face and kissed her grandmother's cheek "but I want to believe you".
Supreme Deity shrank her body before she hugged Seraphina, carrying her in her arms and looking down to her with a fond smile "thank you, my dear".
Seraphina giggled before she tilted her head, dangling her legs "ah, but I wonder... how evil grandfather will react?".
"I bet the bastard will be in a rush and he will try his best to kill your father to steal all his emotions so he can take over your father's body", Supreme Deity hummed "but that's why I sent the little gift for your father. I bet your parents will not predict it, not even your evil grandfather, although I'm surprised you still called him grandfather".
"because he is", Seraphina puffed her cheeks "although I hate him for what he's done to my parents".
"how about me?", Supreme Deity walked to the garden, still carrying Seraphina. She always did this when she wanted privacy to talk with her grand-daughter "do you still mad with me? Or hate me?".
"Indeed. Like I said, I was so mad and I hate what you did to my parents... but you do regret it and tried to fix everything, so I want to believe you and give you a chance, although people may call me naive... also...", Seraphina hesitated for a moment before blurted out with slight blush on her face "...even after what you did to my parents, I still love grandmother".
Supreme Deity hugged her "...I love you too, my dear".
Now, Supreme Deity felt a dilemma. When the time was coming, surely Seraphina would want to go and stay with her parents. She didn't want her to leave yet. At least, until it was safe for her to stay with her parents on the Earth, she would take care of her and no harm would fall upon her grand-daughter. If the Demon King knew about Seraphina's existence, there was no way he would let her alive.
Running her finger in her hair, Supreme Deity rocked Seraphina who fell asleep on her arms "...I swear no harm will fall upon you as long as I'm alive, my Seraphina".
On the Purgatory...
Demon King leaned his chin on his knuckles and wondered out loud "...actually, what are you planning, Supreme Deity?".
"father", Zeldris called from his place, on the outskirt of the Purgatory where they tried to break out of their exile along with his comrades "is there something wrong? We haven't able to break through yet, unfortunately".
"nothing's new, son", Demon King lazily said, rolling his eyes to his hostages "only that stupid son of mine reunited with his woman, again".
Yes, the Demon King did not only keep Meliodas' emotions as a hostage but also the other one.
"actually, for how long you've planned to keep us here?", Faust tried to break free out of the chains in her hands and the birdcage that had been keeping her hostage "are you really afraid if my knowledge can create the strongest weapon that strong enough to kill you and Supreme Deity?".
Demon King snarled "only if you tell me, what you have done and what is your plan to kill us, Faust?".
"oh, I did nothing. Only tried to keep my daughters safe, aided by my lover", Faust scoffed "after all, it's too late... the strongest weapon that could kill you and Supreme Deity, has been existed. Ironically, it's not me who bring that weapon to exist, but your son and his lover... without they even knew it... only my daughter, Merlin, who knew about it".