Time flew by, and today was the day of the masquerade ball. Elaine had decided to stay for a while and Elizabeth was embarrassed to say she was more than ecstatic that the blonde was staying. And King had been right; Elaine grew attached and adored her right off the bat. Luckily and thankfully, Elaine hadn't said a word about what she had walked in on when she and the blonde woman first met.

Diane still had her suspicions though. Of course, and much to her dismay, Meliodas had decided to plaster more hickeys on her neck and collar bone and it's been a mission to try and hide them from the Sins - especially Diane, hence why she was still suspicious of Elizabeth and Meliodas.

She and the blonde man would sneak in a kiss every chance they could, and it's a miracle they haven't been caught yet. If you exclude the time Ban had caught them in the garden when they shared their first kiss, then they haven't been caught kissing one another. It's another miracle Ban hadn't told anyone, either. The only person Elizabeth thinks he would tell is Elaine, but it's not like it really matters. She had walked in on them about to have sex in the bar and Elizabeth dies a bit inside when she recalls the event. It's almost diminishing how bad the silverette had wanted the blonde.

But who was she to deny what her mind, body and soul wanted - still wants?

Currently, she sits on the chair of her vanity, rolling her earring through her delicate fingers. A sigh escapes her parted lips; will she be prepared to face her father? It's been too long - far longer than she'd care to admit - since she's seen her father. In all honesty, she can't even remember the last time Elizabeth has seen him.

He'll probably just reprimand her for not taking a job under his wing. It's pathetic, isn't it? A daughter rebelling against her papa with a group of people he said he would vitiate and put an end to because she'd rather not work for and or with the government?

But she can't really be blamed. The people working in the government are terrible and ruthless people. It's dehumanizing the amount of innocents she's seen been sentenced to death or the cruel amount of years they've been given to rot in prison. It's disgusting. And to think one of the Archangels likes her for God knows what. Does he think she'd return the favor despite the unfair punishments he gives out like fucking candy and chocolate?

Fucking ridiculous.

He'd be an idiot to think that she would even consider pursuing anything greater than a professional relationship between the two. If you could even call what's between them professional.

Elizabeth hears her door open, causing her to let go of her earring and turning around. She met with the sight of Diane and Elaine smiling widely at the silverette. She can't help but smile back at her friends.

"Hey," she greets the two, "what's going on?"

Diane and Elaine walk further into the room. "Ellie remember how you said the ball is today?" The brunette asks. Elizabeth nods her head. "Well, Elaine and I decided to help you get ready!"

The silverette watches the two women as they remove something from their backs, and Elizabeth quirks an eyebrow up. Diane's eyes meet Elizabeth's for a moment before the brunette smiles widely. Elaine and Diane set down (what Elizabeth assumes is a dress) on her bed, and they uncover the plastic encasing the fabric. Elizabeth gasps softly once the dress is revealed. She stands up and slowly wakes over to the dress. It's the same dress she had seen when she went shopping with Diane about a near month ago.

She continues to stare at the navy blue fabrics in front of her, "When did you have time to get this?"

The brunette giggles. "I wanted to get you something since you're helping us and all with the bar. Plus, I remember you staring at it when we went shopping some time ago, so I got it for you for the ball."

"And I think you deserve it!" Elaine adds. Elizabeth smiles so brightly as she turns to the two women and embraces them tightly.

"Thank you," Elizabeth whispers. "You really shouldn't have."

Elaine was the first to break the embrace. She waves her hand as she smiles at the silverette. "Nonsense! Now, c'mon. We've got to get you ready!"

An hour or two pass, Elaine and Diane smiling and joking with Elizabeth as they help her get ready. After the silver haired woman took a shower, her friends helped her get into the cocktail dress they'd gotten for her. When Elizabeth saw herself in the mirror, she smiled. She looks good. And she didn't even have her makeup or hair done yet.

Elaine sits on the edge of Elizabeth's bed while Diane does Elizabeth's make up. They sit in silence while Diane applies her makeup, and it's comfortable. At least, until Elizabeth breaks the silence.

"You guys really didn't have to get this dress..."

Diane pats her on the head. Elizabeth cracks a smile. "Of course, we had to! You couldn't take your eyes off it when we went shopping together." Elizabeth decides not to argue, but they really didn't have to buy her this dress. She could've just gotten any dress and she would've been fine with it.

"How much did this even cost?" Elizabeth asks, her tone curious.

Diane chuckles, "Hoho, you do not wanna know. But it's okay! It'll be so worth it when Boss sees you!" Elizabeth breaks out into a maddening blush at the mention of the blonde. But of course Diane would say something like that. Meliodas has really snuck his way into her heart, huh?

"Wh- So you only bought this to provoke a reaction from Meliodas?" Elizabeth says, and Diane scolds her for moving. "Diane- I don't care how I look."

Diane hums as she finishes Elizabeth's makeup. "Mm hm, I know," she mumbles as Elaine passes her a curling iron. "But this is your father's ball that you're going to; you'd want to at least look presentable as the president's daughter." Damn, she has a point.

"She's right, Elizabeth," Elaine cuts in, a small and warm grin on her lips. "You do still kinda have an image to uphold."

"But-"

"Uh uh! Nope!" Diane cuts her off with a wide smile. "Plus, I know for a fact you're gonna leave Boss breathless." Elizabeth doesn't respond; she just watches as Diane curls her long silver hair. After a few curls, Diane speaks again, her tone soft.

"You know," she sighs, "Boss really does care about you." She simply tells the silverette.

"As in... The same way he cares about all of you?"

The brunette doesn't look at her through her reflection, since she's doing her hair. But nonetheless, judging by the expression she has on her face that Elizabeth can see in the mirror of the vanity, she seems like she's racking her brain for the right words to say. And hell, who could blame her? The question Elizabeth asked isn't exactly easy to answer, no matter how long she's known Meliodas.

"No," Diane finally answers, her movements careful as she moves to the other half of Elizabeth's hair. "This is... different. He looks at you like you're the only girl in the world, Ellie. He thinks we don't see the way he looks at you."

The silverette presses her lips into a thin line. "That's... No..."

"Elizabeth," Elaine speaks up, "I may not have been here long enough to decipher Meliodas's feelings for you, but I can tell. You're precious to him, even more so than all of us."

Elizabeth lets out a shuttering breath. How would it be so easy to tell? She's only been here for a little over a month or so; so how could they say this so surely? Maybe she's just shit at reading people. "But, I-I can't. I've only been here for like a month - aren't these feelings too soon?"

"Maybe," Elaine chirps, "but you can't fool your heart or the way you feel. You don't have anything to worry about, Elizabeth, I promise you."

Elaine's words are comforting, but yet a sinking feeling resides within Elizabeth. She can't help it... She wants to be happy with Meliodas, but at the same time, she's scared of getting hurt again. Scared of letting her blind faith guide her into a trap - a trap that'll leave her distraught and helpless. Scared that she'll get a repeat of the past. Scared that all the shit she went through after her last ex would resurface. She's scared she might get too clingy and Meliodas wouldn't want her anymore.

She's just scared.

None of them say anything, much to Elizabeth's appreciation. Diane continues to curl her hair in silence, leaving Elizabeth to her thoughts. Meliodas's words and kisses and touches always felt so... full of love and reassuring, but what if it's all a facade? What if he's putting up an act because she's the president's daughter? After all, that's all the men she's encountered wanted. Whether they wanted money or fame, or even her body, they never wanted Elizabeth for Elizabeth. It's all the more reason she puts up a defensive wall when it comes to most people.

If only she could just stop hurting. If only the world would stop throwing curve balls at her. What did she even do to deserve this?

"Ellie, we're done," Diane softly whispers, taking Elizabeth out of her trance. Elizabeth's cerulean eyes snap to her reflection, and she's bewildered. Her hair is curled nicely, her bangs pinned so they don't obscure her vision. Her makeup is light; but you can still tell she has some on. She stands, and turns to the side, admiring the way her dress hugs her curves. The dress itself rests just below her knees in the front, and above her ankles in the back.

She turns back to Diane and Elaine, and she smiles so brightly. "Thank you both, so much," she says, tears welling up in her eyes. Diane fans her hands on Elizabeth's face, a worried expression on her face.

"Nonono, don't cry!" The brunette worries. "You'll ruin your makeup and your eyes will get puffy!"

"I'm sorry." Elizabeth apologizes. "You guys are too kind," she then sniffles before smiling at them again.

"We could say the same thing about you, Elizabeth," Elaine responds before hopping off the bed. Both Diane and Elaine grab the silver haired woman's hands and begin to walk her out of the room. "Now let's go! I'm sure Meliodas will want to see you."

The silverette doesn't even have time to respond as they push her out of the room and soon into the bar. She hears the bickering of male voices - likely between Meliodas, Ban, and King - but they stop when they hear the women enter. Elizabeth's eyes lock with King's golden for a moment, his lips immediately snap into a thin line. She glances over to Ban, who's eyes are wide as saucers as he looks at the silverette. It's almost cute; their reactions to Elizabeth looking like this in a dress for her father's party.

And finally, her orbs lock with Meliodas's bright and cool emeralds. His jaw had gone slack, his pupils dilating the more he stares at her. Elizabeth thinks she might be imagining things, but she swears she sees a faint flush dust his cheeks. But that's when she takes a moment to get a good look at him. He too, had gotten ready for the party (he was her date after all). His hair was combed and slicked back, which Elizabeth found adorable considering how his hair is always a wild and untamable mess. He wears a clean tux, and he oddly matches her with a deep navy suit jacket and dress pants.

After a moment, she tears her gaze from the blonde. She looks at the other two men and realizes they're also wearing suits, but they don't look as handsome as Meliodas does in his.

She hears footsteps retreat behind her, and she suspects Diane and Elaine to have left her side. And soon, Ban and King follow suit, leaving Elizabeth and Meliodas in the bar, staring at one another.

He decides to move after what felt like forever, and he smiles at her as he grabs her waist with his hands. His hands feel warm against her, even if there is a dress in the way of their skin touching. "You, my princess, look divine," he smirks. Blood rushes to her face, her cheeks going aflame.

"Y-You look good, too," she says timidly. He grins at her before he leans up and presses a warm kiss to her cheek. It certainly did not help her blush.

"Well, c'mon princess. We've got a party to get to," he takes her hand, guiding her to one of the exists of the bar.

{-}

Meliodas drove for nearly an hour, and the sun in the sky had already been setting. Yellow and orange hues dust the line of the horizon, as do pinkish clouds fill the sky. It's such a pretty sight.

The blonde exits the car, and not long after, he opens the car door for her to get out of the vehicle. Their eyes lock and she smiles at him before she steps out of his car. He closes the car door behind her and he grabs her hand.

"Oh, here, by the way," he says unexpectedly. She had gotten used to the comfortable silence in the air. He hands her a small mask that matches the color and style of her dress. Elizabeth smiles and puts the mask on, and it surprisingly doesn't interfere with her vision. She'd always put these damn things on incorrectly.

Meliodas has his own mask, which too, matches their outfits. They walk until they're met with the front of a large building. Multiple people are walking into the building, and Elizabeth can only assume they're here for the party. The blonde tightens his grip on her hand by a fraction as they walk up the steps of the building. The voices of the people here fill her ears, and she can't help but feel like something might go wrong here. Maybe it's just her paranoia though.

"Oh, Gods, it's the president's daughter!" A man says as the pair walk up to the main door of the huge building. Elizabeth smiles at the... bouncer, and she nods at him. "I suppose this is your date for the ball, Elizabeth?" The man asks. She nods. He lets them pass and Elizabeth and Meliodas walk into a large hall. Many paintings decorate the walls, most of them being paintings and pictures of Elizabeth and her family. Very few of them contain her mother, who sadly passes away when Elizabeth was quite young.

They reach a large room - probably the largest room in this building. There are countless individuals already dancing and drinking and it brings a small grin to Elizabeth's lips. It's nice to know people are enjoying themselves here, at least.

"Ellie!" A voice says, and suddenly she's captured into a hug. Purple hair fills her vision and she hugs back.

"Hey, Vero," Elizabeth chuckles. Pulling away, Veronica smiles so widely, it makes Elizabeth's heart ache.

"How've you been, lil' sis?" The violet haired woman asks as she places her hands on the silverette's shoulders. "Margaret misses you more than anything."

Elizabeth softly exhales through her nose as a grin tugs at her lips. "I've been fine, Veronica. Where's Margaret, by the way?"

"Probably smooching off with Gilthunder somewhere," she snorts. Elizabeth laughs softly, Veronica removing her hold on Elizabeth. Her sister looks over to Meliodas, who had been silent for some time. "Oh, what's up, blondie?"

"Not much, just treating your dear sister like the princess she deserves to be treated as," Meliodas responds, smoothly and without hesitation as he snakes an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Elizabeth watches as Veronica breaks out into a grin and squeals softly. Again, something Veronica never does.

"Ahh! You've got such a good catch, El," her older sister teases. Elizabeth blushes as she waves her hand at her sister.

"Okay, I get it!"

Veronica laughs gingerly as she waves at her sister and walks away, probably to find her own boyfriend. Elizabeth feels Meliodas tighten his hold on her waist, effectively pulling her with him. The clacking sound of her heels are barely audible with all the sound of passing voices in the room. Her eyes scan the room for a moment before they land on a man. He has a stern look on his face, and immediately, Elizabeth freezes.

Father...

A reassuring squeeze is given to her hip. With a quick glance to the blonde still holding her, she smiles.

"Ah, my youngest daughter," her father's voice booms out in the large room. Elizabeth looks up to see her father standing the top of the main staircase. Everyone goes silent as they turn to the pair, they're eyes surely to be curious. "It's nice to see you here, daughter."

"Yes. I wouldn't miss this for the world." Her voice is clear and loud enough for most of the people to hear. It wasn't entirely a lie; she's only here because she and Meliodas are bound to find incriminating evidence against the judges - Mael, more specifically. How her father fell victim to his drug is beyond her. But all she can do until she's actually able to help her father is hope and pray for the best.

Oddly enough, her father smiles. It's so rare to see him like this now. Her lips twitch into a small grin before the music changes, the song slow.

Everyone begins to gather in pairs, Elizabeth and Meliodas standing a bit awkwardly though his hand stays on her hip. Soon enough, the warmth of his hand leaves her and he steps in front of her. He extends a hand out to her, a smug grin on his soft looking lips. "May I have this dance, my princess?"

A gracious smile grazes her lips as she takes his hand. "But of course, my sweet prince," she responds with a faint blush dusting her pale cheeks. He pulls her close to his body, their joined hands intertwining while his other hand rests on her hip. Her free hand rests on his shoulder as they sway to the music. Meliodas grins up at her, an adoring look present on his features. She smiles warmly, and she suppresses a giggle when he twirls her. Her back is then pressed to his front, his arms wrapped around her while their fingers interlock.

"We have to find some evidence, Princess," he whispers low and warm in her ear, provoking a flush to rush to her face. She hums deep in her throat, him spinning her once more.

"Once the dance is over. We don't need people suspicious of us."

And so, they continue to dance until the song changes to something with a faster beat and tempo. Everyone disperses amongst each other, giving Meliodas and Elizabeth the chance to sneak away. His hand is still interlocked with hers, not that she minds in the slightest. They stray further away from the noisy room until they reach an empty hallway. Elizabeth almost laughs. Either the personal guards her father hired got tired of standing guard in case people intended of leaving and entering a restricted area like this, or there wasn't any to begin with. Either way, it's quite formidable.

Elizabeth glances around, observing each and every door as the two walk down the hall.

"Let me know which room is the judge's and you stand guard, okay?" Meliodas says in a hushed voice. Elizabeth nods, the sounds of her heels continue to click and clack on the floor they walk on.

Soon, a smile makes its way onto her lips as she stops in front of a door that she knows for a fact is Mael's office. Meliodas grips the handle of the door and flashes her quick and easy grin. She smiles back but she can't help but feel a bit uneasy about this. He opens the door without any trouble (of course, it was left unlocked. How smart).

"If anyone comes and bothers you, I want you to tap on the door three times. Okay, Elizabeth?" He says, his tone and expression serious. Elizabeth leans forward, supporting herself by gripping the edge of the pristine door frame and plants a soft kiss to his cheek.

"Yes..." the silverette whispers, no doubt having a red blush decorate her skin. Leaning back and watching him through her long lashes, Meliodas grins - almost a bit too mischievously. The door closes and Elizabeth leans her back against the wall next to the door. Gods above, she's really doing this, huh? Stealing who knows what from the government. It's for the greater good, though. They practically killed Meliodas's mother, and Elizabeth has a sinking feeling her father is next.

She hears footsteps inch closer to her, causing her head to shoot up. Of course, it's the one person who she really didn't want nor need to run into tonight.

"Elizabeth Liones? Is that you?" The voice rings out in her ears and oh Gods, how she wishes she could just drop dead right now. The man smiles at her, and she awkwardly smiles back.

"The one and only in the flesh, er, Mael," she greets.

He continues to smile, and the urge to punch him in the face has never been greater. "What are you doing in the middle of the hall? And by my office?" The man asks. Elizabeth suppresses the need to sigh.

"Oh, nothing," she waves her hand. "Just exploring again. It's been a while since I last visited. I just wanted to see if anything's changed and I just so happen to have taken a break by your office." The silverette hopes she sounds convincing enough because there's no way in hell she's going to give up her intention and Meliodas's current position.

Mael raises a brow, but otherwise, he seems to have bought her excuse. "Hm, well alright then. How about we get to catching up then, Elizabeth?" He says, and it sends a terrible chill down her spine. She smiles as best she can despite her comfort shattering at just this man's words.

"But of course; what did you have in mind?" Elizabeth asks, moving backwards a bit so her hand touches the door.

"Ah. Whatever you think you'd be most comfortable with, dear," he replies. Elizabeth once again resists the urge to sigh, tell him off, or even run away, but as he speaks, she takes the opportunity to tap the door three times like Meliodas had told her. She just hopes he had enough time to grab something.

The silver haired woman clicks her tongue, softly kicking herself off the door. She walks behind the man, making him turn with her movements. Yes, good. It'll give Meliodas some time to get out of the room without the judge knowing. "How's the brother? Ludociel, right? Heh, it really has been a while," she laughs, though it isn't as genuine as it normally is or sounds.

"Yes, he's doing alright. He still acts like a child at times. He may be older than me, but he doesn't act like it," a chuckle leaves him. Then, he grabs her hand, and Elizabeth already knows what's coming. He presses his chapped lips to the back of her hand, Elizabeth's discomfort growing by the second. If someone was the definition of "turn off", it would be this excuse of a man right here.

"Please," Elizabeth hushes, "let me go."

She's certain he heard her. Her own voice booms in her ears. Though, he doesn't make an effort to remove his grip on her hand. So again, she repeats it, but this time, his icy blue orbs gape into her own. A violent shiver erupts in her entire being, and Elizabeth wishes nothing more than to slap Mael.

"I think she said to let go," another voice says, and Elizabeth lets out a sigh of relief. Mael turns, effectively releasing her hand and she steps back. Meliodas has his brows furrowed when Elizabeth looks at him.

"And just who the hell are you?" Mael nearly shouts. So loud...

"That," Meliodas begins, walking past the silver haired male in favor of wrapping an arm around Elizabeth's waist, "is none of your concern." Mael visibly scowls at the blonde, and the silverette just knows Meliodas has a triumphant smirk on his lips.

"I will ask again; who are you?" He growls now. He just doesn't know when to quit.

"Well, if you so desperately wanna know," Meliodas shrugs, turning to face Elizabeth. Before she could even ask anything, he presses his lips to hers, unhurried and sweet. She freezes for a split second, but she quickly melts into the kiss, giving Mael quite the show. When they part, Elizabeth has a love-struck grin on her face. Meliodas wraps his arms around her, "I'm her boyfriend. So, if you'd kindly do me a favor, don't touch her again."

Mael scoffs. An arrogant sound. "There is no possible way she'd give herself up to... you. She could so much better."

Elizabeth frowns, her brow creasing. She snaps her head towards him, her eyes burning holes into him. "Mael, whoever and however I have my affairs with is none of your business. Why do you care so much about who I date?"

"Don't you remember three years ago, Elizabeth?"

At this point, her blood boils. Her grip on Meliodas's shoulders tighten, her nails digging into the material of his suit jacket. He gives a slight squeeze to her hip as quick reassurance. "Yes, of course I do. But you know who was there to make me feel better about myself? My sisters, this man right here, and my friends that I love so much. Okay, I felt like absolute shit because of what he did and you weren't there to even bat an eyelash at me," Elizabeth snaps. "If anyone has any right to criticize my relationships, it is certainly not you."

Mael does not respond much to her appreciation. She huffs as she removes Meliodas's grip on her but grabs his hand. She's leaving, and she will not spare Mael another glance for as long as she may live.

Her legs move her on impulse - almost like she's on autopilot. Meliodas squeezes her hand, and she slows down.

"I'm sorry," she whispers in the quiet hall. Meliodas chuckles.

"What're you sorry for?" He asks.

"For snapping like that," Elizabeth simply answers. The blonde lightly pulls on her arm, causing her to fall back into his arms. He kisses her cheek without warning and her face suddenly feels like it's on fire.

"You don't need to apologize for telling someone you don't belong to them," the blonde whispers, hot and low in her ear. Oh, how he can get her heart to beat faster.

"But... You practically do the same when shit like that happens," she retorts. Elizabeth sounds like she's out of breath, but really, she just doesn't know what to do when Meliodas gets her like this. All hot and bothered and full of need. He hums as he helps her to her feet, grabbing her hand as they continue to walk.

"I don't say you're my girlfriend. I tell them that I'm your boyfriend. So really, on a technicality, I'm not saying you belong to me."

Elizabeth doesn't respond, but her skin continues to feel like tiny molten bits of magma, no doubt the color of a rich apple. They reach the large room once more, and if possible, there's even more people than before. And suddenly Meliodas's hold on her hand is released as arms wrap around her from behind.

"Elizabeth!" A soft voice exclaims, and Elizabeth freezes. She turns around and embraces the woman.

"Margaret," she whispers.

"Oh, I'm so glad you were able to make it!" Her older sister exclaims. When they release the embrace, Elizabeth can't help but smile widely. It's been too long. Margaret looks over to Meliodas, and her smirk is blatantly evident. "Is this your boyfriend, Elizabeth?"

"Yes," she answers without hesitation. A warm flush dusts her cheeks as she realizes how quickly she answered that question. Margaret only smirks wider. Oh Lords above. Elizabeth diverts her attention to the blonde in question, and he too, is smirking.

"He seems exactly the way Veronica described him," she chuckles.

"Oh?" Meliodas questions. "How so?"

Margaret laughs. "Ahh, she described you as short with the messiest head of blonde hair. And handsome, so I can see why my little sister is dating you," she continues to tease. Elizabeth blushes even harder if possible and takes a hold of Meliodas's hand.

"Okay, bye Mar!" Elizabeth bids her farewell.

"But we haven't had a chance to talk!"

"I'll call you when I get back home! I promise!"

Before Elizabeth even knows it, they're outside in the cold nighttime air. She hears a faint chuckle from the man next to her. The silverette turns her head to him as she shivers a bit, her ocean gaze searching for his molten greens.

"You have an odd family." Meliodas comments with a smile. They return to the car and the blonde helps her get into the car. She leans back into the seat with a sigh, glad this whole thing is over. Soon, Meliodas enters the car, the driver's seat now occupied.

"Did you manage to get anything?" The question comes out still and near inaudible, but she supposes he heard since he begins to shuffle. Then, she feels the cold feel of papers - maybe a file - on her lap. And surely enough when she looks down, it's a file. She doesn't dare open it, knowing she'll probably see something she wouldn't want to see. It's already incriminating enough knowing the fact that her father's been drugged against his will.

"Here by the way," he murmurs softly. She looks over to him and sees him holding out his jacket to her. Elizabeth smiles and takes the clothing, putting it on to keep warm.

It smells like him; like a forest with the richest soil, and the cleanest air. He smells like something from a dream - a dream that she doesn't want to end.