A/N: I'm not entirely sure what this is, it started off as a winter piece but ended up becoming something else I guess. Creative processes and whatnot, take it as you will! Hopefully the waffling descriptions aren't too long!

Till next time,

D.L.D


Loyalty

It was cold that night. Very cold.

The winter frost had rained down in white sparkles, thick and shiny in the inky atmosphere of the night sky. Not a single life form had been spared from the merciless verglas, moss and stone turning out to be futile defenses against this naturally cruel enemy. Trees had been dotted with freshly powdered snow; grass had been frozen into muddy chunks of blended emerald blades and gritty rock-hard dirt; even the stones of caves had formed sharpened icicles, their forms covered in the gelid webbing of the winter season.

But all of this only juxtaposed the dazzling sky above, spiraling clouds of steamed breath floating to join it. Sparkling stars blazed as white-hot dots, their light penetrating the darkness of the moth-eaten sky and illuminating the misty world below. All was clear, the grey and dreary clouds of the winter day and morning long erased by the calming fingers of the night. Even the chill had died down a little, the dark blue sky allowing the draft of the morning to fade into a nipping bite.

A single goddess walked along the empty roads of a village, her pink jacket wrapped closely to her round frame as her boots clicked against the worn cobblestones. Her porcelain skin was flushed from contact with the chilly air, her nose reddened by the bite of Jack Frost. Her silver hair fanned out behind her, bouncing with every step as she hurried along the darkened roads. It was only her wings that blended within the drafty night air, their pure white feathers melding perfectly with the milky snow.

Each footstep echoed upon the empty stretches of road, her blue eyes scanning the surrounding buildings, but ultimately failing at spotting anyone inside. They were too merry with the season to care to look out and spot the lone goddess; they were all too drunk with fullness and actual intoxication to wonder where this lone angel may be wandering to on such a cold and clear night.

But the goddess didn't mind it. She didn't heed it.

It was better to not be seen anyway.

The goddess walked towards the sanctuary of evergreens that sprouted thicker the further away from town she got. They towered tall and prominent, their darkened pine needles covered in a fine dust of white. Their thick boughs and trunks were dark in the winter gloom, the prickly patterning of their bark being a weird sensation for the goddess to brush upon on such an eerie and silent night. Some branches even tried to grab upon her, the flimsy limbs snapping when she had trekked further away.

A thin path meandered through the grove of trees, well trod on and owning several tracks. The milky snow had been ploughed towards the sides, the gleaming flakes now turned into a sludgy and muddy mess. The muddy piles were pushed right towards the thicket, clearing the way for any visitors and leaving plenty of room for wider vehicles or other modes of transportation.

However despite the bitter coldness and eeriness of the setting, the goddess couldn't feel scared. She had used this path many times, had trekked upon it whether rain or shine, to get to the stately home hidden within the overgrown trees and thickets to feel scared.

It didn't take too long to reach the curling iron gates up front. They were quite simple in design, owning the usual features of an iron gate, but had been changed by the winter season. Specks of white power were settled on the top, causing the black paint to stand out more. The gates were a modern addition, a request by the son of the latest owner of the grounds. It was so they didn't have to walk all the way to the boundaries of the grounds to let visitors in. It also kept unwanted people out.

A brick wall surrounded the house and its gardens, dark and formidable by nature. There were stone gargoyles and spikes at intervals, the Victorian Gothic influence not at all hidden to any passersby. Some of the statues had grotesque and quite abstract faces, while others portrayed local folklore. It was apparently a tradition for each new heir to add a statue onto the wall - whatever that was supposed to symbolize.

The goddess furrowed her brows as she pressed a button, wrapping her coat closer to her form. It was getting chillier by the second out here - or maybe it was because of the ever-watching gaze of the statues that lingered on the walls.

"Who is it?" A light and cheery voice crackled through the intercom. If she had any guess, the goddess would say it belonged to one of the maids.

"Lady Elizabeth," The goddess answered, knowing that her mother loathed it when she addressed herself by just her name. Another shiver shoots through her form at the thought, Elizabeth knowing her mother would disapprove of what she was doing right now.

The gates swung open almost immediately after Elizabeth's answer, revealing the grandeur of the large estate. Everyone within the local area of this town and the surrounding estates knew of the Kings and their wealth. They were one of the most influential families around, tied only with Elizabeth's own. They had been in competition ever since a feud had broken out with her mother and the latest owner of the fortune, Mr King.

However despite the feud, Elizabeth would admit that the King's stately home was much larger than the goddess' own abode. It was much grander too, although definitely a lot more austere and grim.

The King's abode had been in the possession of one family for many generations, the previous owners of the land always having passed down belongings to their children. As a result there were little changes to the grounds, with some generations adding their own wings or suites, but mainly keeping the authentic relic in peak condition. Therefore the style of the place had not really changed, apart from within the interior and necessary renovations.

It was different from Elizabeth's own home - much different - but Elizabeth had grown to like the place over her visits. But maybe she just thought that because of whom she had met.

It didn't take long to get inside, the goddess hurrying towards the sweet sanctuary of inside warmth, and as soon as she's stepped through the front door a greeting party of maids assist her. As always they are cheery and bright with the appearance of Elizabeth, chattering away as they take her coat and usher her towards where she is most likely headed. It was almost as if she were a permanent resident.

"Would you like some spiced hot cocoa?" A maid inquires, inches from Elizabeth's flushed face. "It's an excellent remedy for the cold!"

"Yes, we just whipped some up in fact!" Another maid nods enthusiastically, her red hair flashing in the light. "The young masters have just come back, so we have plenty left over!"

Elizabeth pauses at their bright and beaming faces, biting into her lower lip as she weighs her options. Saying 'yes' would mean she could spend longer than necessary here, but saying 'no' would mean upsetting these excited dears.

"Fine, but only a little," Elizabeth smiles softly. She gives them all a secretive wink. "My mother does not know I am here."

No more words said, the maids nodded and headed off in their chattering hustle and bustle to bring Elizabeth her hot cocoa. Only one maid lingered behind, a new one, her pale blonde hair and dark chestnut eyes an unfamiliar sight to Elizabeth. She peered up at the goddess in awe, her fair features cloaked in timidity.

"Um...I'll show you to his study," The maid speaks, her voice soft and whispered.

"Thank you," Elizabeth smiled, following the girl upstairs.

Hopefully Meliodas would not need her here for long.


"Lady Elizabeth is here," The maid gingerly opens a door, fear etched onto her features as the flushed goddess stands beside them.

As per usual, Meliodas was secluded within his own private study, seeking refuge from the bustling atmosphere of the rest of the household. He was seated at his desk, right by the crackling heat of the sparking fire, while he stared at a stack of papers. True to the maids' words, he looked as if he'd just arrived from the blistering cold of the outside world. Red had tweaked his nose and cheeks and he was enjoying what was most likely the spiced hot cocoa.

"I'll leave now..." As quickly as she announced Elizabeth's presence, the maid scurried away like a terrified little mouse. This left Elizabeth alone, the goddess taking a deep breath before gathering her courage and solidly marching towards her fated enemy.

"I'll have you know that you encourage the worst habits, demon!" Elizabeth pouts, huffing as she folds her gloved hands over her chest. Her blue eyes glare sharply at the blonde, not at all warming despite the inviting heat of the fire. "You have me sneaking out during winter of all seasons!"

"I didn't say you had to come," The blonde responded coolly, a sly smirk twitching to form as he raised his glass to his lips.

Elizabeth could only groan with frustration, shaking her head as she promptly removed her gloves and shoved them into her pockets. "I believe your words were come or 'expect to face certain doom'. And I can't have that happening."

"Well then, you shouldn't have told me that secret of yours," Meliodas answers simply, his smirk still on display. Oh, how he loved to taunt her about this. It was Elizabeth's own fault when it came to why he could order her about. She was too trusting, too naive and definitely too friendly towards him - she made the mistake of falling into the trap of his own complex nature. Now she had to deal with the consequences of it.

"And you shouldn't have made me trust you!" Elizabeth snaps, immediately retorting his calmness with frustration. She feels like tossing her gloves at him, but knows better. Her fingers will be cold heading home. "Or fall in love with you!"

"Don't say that," Meliodas mutters, shaking his head. He pulls a face.

"Don't say what?" Elizabeth blinks.

"Love."

"Why not?" Elizabeth tilts her head, truly curious as to why she should not say that. She was not lying when she said that she had fallen in love with him. Sure, it was unexpected, surprising, but not a lie. Never a lie.

Elizabeth had truly fallen for this incorrigible and stubborn demon.

"It's overrated."

Elizabeth rolls her eyes, huffing as she turns away from him. Of course it would be such a stupid reason! 'It's overrated'. Truly Meliodas did not understand the true weight of emotions nor the logic that carries them. He is too buried in his own snub-nosed and hardened ways to see that they are damaging his connection with the rest of the world.

But then again, he could understand it at times. Meliodas had shown that to her - that was why she had first grown inclined to know more about him. For as impossible as Meliodas could be, he could actually be understandable, reasonable, at times. You could...see where he was coming from. But you had to look deep enough first.

"Why do you think it is?" Elizabeth asks softly, raising a brow. She is more willing to listen to him now, or rather know why he disdains love so much. "Why don't you like love?"

"Because loyalty will always defeat it," Meliodas speaks, his tone solemn and gaze ever more so. He looks at Elizabeth with a look she has learned to never question. A gaze that she has learned means he has chosen that as the most in-depth explanation she will get.

And so she will accept it.

"Then- " Elizabeth reddens, her throat feeling tight and heart racing at a million miles. "Will you be loyal to me?"

"Always."

His green eyes then met hers, leaving the love-struck goddess flustered at his confession.