Elizabeth was having a very busy day.
After the battle with the Ten Commandments, the castle and the village of Liones were all in heaps of rubble. The fires had been doused, the demons were eradicated, what remained of its people were re-sheltered, and the dead had been buried. The castle itself had the worst of it, as the main battle happened there. Only one wing remained intact, which was enough to house all the castle's residents and its attendants.
And after Derieri had destroyed the Boar Hat by toppling over Hawk Mama, the Seven Deadly Sins had no choice but to stay in the castle for the time being.
As the heroes of Brittania who not only defeated the demon armies, but had also repelled the Ten Commandments themselves, Liones more than welcomed their heroes. And the people felt at ease knowing the Seven Deadly Sins were in the kingdom to protect them. But tension was still rising as the days grew darker with this reawakened evil that was once legend is now raveging the lands of Brittania.
Still, there was ease none the less. The Sins still had a bad habit of drinking every day and anytime, and the knights around them couldn't help but drink along and be merry with them. Although the Serpent Sin of Envy, Diane, and the Grizzly Sin of Sloth, King had retreated to protect the Fairy King's forest, Ban and the rest were enough to make every night become more eventful than the next. With the pressure of the looming Holy War, a fire that started from sheer shenanigans and an accidental cannon fire somehow cheered people up more than it should.
The captain of the Seven Deadly Sins tried to control them, if he wasn't too busy starting it all. But when everything was said and done, it all had to go through the King. Although, given the recent incidents that just happened in a span of a week, the King couldn't manage an earful of complaints for more than a minute, much less unnecessary destruction. So, it all had to go through the princesses, specifically to one silver haired princess.
"Uh Princess Elizabeth, the east wing's ramparts need to be repaired... again" said an apprentice Holy Knight who was running out of breath as he tried to catch up to the silver haired girl as she sped through the halls with a mountain of scrolls and parchments in her arms.
"Your Highness, the custom-made armor for the Sins are also ready, could you please invite them for the fitting so we can make the final adjustments?" Asked the armorer as he tried to hand over a piece of parchment to the princess who couldn't manage to look over her mountain of scrolls. "The armor for the Holy Knights are also ready, but I don't know who to approach, they said Sir He…." he added and Elizabeth couldn't finish hearing what the man was saying as another voice tried to get her attention.
"Y-your Highness, if you don't mind, I also want to ask you on the sleeping arrangements you had requested earlier." A maid inquired shyly from over her shoulder.
Elizabeth was overwhelmed as she was up to her neck in work these past few days, and it wasn't getting any easier. But she tried to accommodate every one of them, as she knows they were only doing their duties.
"Certainly. The repairs I will relay to the workers to be done next thing in the morning, the armor and such, I will ask for the Sins' immediate attention, and for the Knights, I will go over with the King this afternoon" Elizabeth said breathlessly, but with certainty and command in her voice. Elizabeth felt that she may not be much, but she was a responsible third princess of Liones, and even did more than she could. After all, she wasn't really blood related and it was the least she could do for the family that took her in. This was different from her regular royal duties though, they were at war, not just any petty human war, a second Holy War, or so they had called it. She and her family had to lead the armies and protect the people. Elizabeth found that she can more than just keep up during these chaotic circumstances, she was capable and determined to help everyone in need.
Having received the instructions they needed, the other two said their thanks and bowed to the princess before taking their leave.
"Oh uhh...as for the sleeping arrangements, just find his room in the east wing, and take the box I prepared from my old room" Elizabeth turned a bring pink as she instructed the maid who was still following her. Her old room was one of the many casualties in the castle. A portion of the walls had a huge hole in the center, as well as her ceiling, her bed looked like it had cushioned someone's fall, and then took it upon themselves to set it on fire before they took off. It was a good thing she wasn't materialistic, because she literally had nothing left. She took a box and saved what few clothes and things of her that survived. She started sleeping in their old nursery for the past few days.
"Certainly, Princess" The maid bowed and left to attend to her tasks.
Elizabeth sighed as she heaved the documents in her arms and continued to jog through the halls. Besides handling this heap of work, she was also to attend a war council meeting in the next hour in her Father's stead. Normally, anything war and Holy Knight related were the King's job, but he was already up to his neck in even more work as he arranged for the reconstruction of the Boar Hat, as well as appointing a new Chief Holy Knight as former Grand Masters Dreyfus and Hendrickson have declined the offer, insisting on not being qualified anymore for the role. The rest of the responsibilities would fall onto the princesses. But the first princess, Margarette, was so worried and distraught from Gilthunder's disappearance, she was in no shape to help. She even discussed with Elizabeth a few nights ago on her decision to search for him herself. As much as she knows how her Father and Veronica will react, Elizabeth couldn't really blame her. She more than understood her sister's feelings, having thought she had lost someone precious to her just a few weeks ago. But her Gilthunder was still alive and fighting, held against his will in some unknown place. So, she just smiled encouragingly at her big sister and had wished that she and the Sins could do something for them, but they had too much on their hands already.
Veronica was also busy, tending to the needs of their people. Making sure if the food supplies would suffice for the coming months, as fields and farm lands were destroyed in the previous battle with the demons. If enough shelter was provided, as they planned on having them moved to a safer location, rather than stay in their homes where they are most vulnerable. It's a different matter altogether and she's sure Veronica was more than losing her mind.
Besides, she and the Sins were to depart soon. Who knows when or if they were going to come back. Although Elizabeth was sure Meldiodas wasn't going to let her come this time, still, she wanted to help as much as she could.
Deep in thought, Elizabeth being her clumsy self, didn't notice the big crack on the stone floor and her foot got caught in its small crevice. Without having time even for a gasp, she prepared for impact with her face forward and her arms had moved in front of her from instinct, hoping the scrolls would at least align themselves properly mid-air to cushion her fall, rather than it being turned the wrong side up, unfortunately impaling her chest in the process, being the unlucky oaf that she was.
Then she felt a gentle breeze tickle her face as strong, warm arms catch her and the documents in one graceful movement.
"What are you doing in such a hurry?" A familiar joking voice that filled her heart with warmth asked.
Awkwardly positioned in the Dragon Sin of Wrath's one arm, Elizabeth blushed as she wriggled to straighten herself "M-Meliodas! I-I was going to drop these off in the study before going to a war council meeting in father's stead" Elizabeth could hear the high-pithiness in her voice and blushed even more.
"Nishishi. What are these for, and why isn't Hawk with you?" Meliodas asked as he turned to the documents he offered to carry, sneaking up a feel before letting the princess go as she steadied herself. Even though Hawk was originally Meliodas' pig, ever since they met her, it had been an unspoken rule that the porker would help and protect Elizabeth when he's not around.
Elizabeth lightly squealed at the touch, turning a brighter shade of red but ignores his hand on her butt "Oh, he said he was going to tag along with Sir Escanor to do some training," she chuckled. "Something about showing him who really is at the pinnacle of all beings. Besides, I'll be busy the whole day, and I don't want him to get bored."
"That stupid pig" Meliodas muttered. "Why don't we go together? Merlin and I were actually going too. I'll come with you to drop of your things" He grins that magnificent grin that she really can't help but smile back to. "Thank you! But you can go ahead if you'd like, it's really no problem." Elizabeth answered.
"Don't be silly. I was actually looking for you in the first place before I went there anyway" He shrugged. "Let's go before they start without us."
"Alright. If you really don't mind" Elizabeth said and then they started their walk down the hallway to the study. Then Meliodas grabs her hand with his free one, intertwining it with hers, while the other effortlesly wrapped the scrolls in his arm. She smiles at the gesture and kisses him lightly on the cheek.
After the incident with Zaratras, Elizabeth had been more open with her feelings for Meliodas. Having discovered that he had been her knight when she was just a child, he was like an old protector and an old friend. She still doesn't know how and why she can't remember it all, but she would ask Meliodas at the right time. And after he (supposedly) lost his life, she wasn't going to take anything for granted, especially knowing what lies ahead. She was going to show him how he meant to her, and she didn't care anymore if Meliodas reciprocated it or not. And he did. He came to check on her one day at the nursery, saying he wasn't used to sleeping without her anymore, and if she wanted, he could tie himself up so she'd feel comfortable, and he'll do anything just to sleep with her for the night. She laughed and made room for him on her makeshift bed. She was hesitant at first, but she quickly and boldly rested her head on his chest.
"Don't worry, I won't tell Hawk" She whispered as she cuddled closer, burrying her reddening face in his chest.
Meliodas cupped her cheek as she layed there, his thumb carassing and drawing circles on them. They stayed like that for a few heartbeats, listening to each other breathing. Then his hand moved under her chin, angling her to look at him, and before she knew it, their lips were just inches away. Then he kissed her, his hands pressed warmly and urgently on her cheeks, holding her as if she was going to disappear.
He broke off for a moment, and muttered against her lips "I missed you, Elizabeth" the scent and warmth of him sent shivers down her spine, making her cheeks flush crimson red and her heart beat so fast she was afraid he was going to feel it against his chest.
"Me too" She whispered, and her tears started falling down her face, her arms moved to wrap around his neck. All the emptiness and crushed hope she felt when he was gone, disappeared at that moment. She kissed back with equal urgency, the uncertainty, pain, and worry disappeared and it felt like the world was lifted from her shoulders as she sighed against him.
His one hand had moved to hold her neck, caressing it with his thumb, while the other had moved down to her back and stopping at her hips to press her further to him, his hands gripping tightly at her night gown. Her hands had also unconsciously moved to their own accord, moving down and resting on his chest, gripping his shirt tightly to pull him closer to her.
She didn't know what it really meant nor what they were at that moment, but her heart just wanted to leap from the nervousness and happines she felt. She's never kissed anyone before, but her body had moved naturally to their own accord, sure and unwavering. She didn't know where she mustered such boldness, but at that moment, she couldn't imagine any other place where she could belong, except right there in his arms. And she never thought it was possible, how one person could have everything she ever needed, how two arms were enough to call its place home.
The next morning, when word got out that Meliodas had crept out of the nursery room. She was greeted with the shocked and accusatory faces of her family, and the expected not-so shocked reaction of the Sins, when she started her day. She and her Father had a heated talk about it later in the afternoon, and damn near strangled Meliodas every few seconds. It got a little worse when she boldlyasked if she could stay in Meliodas' chambers instead of the old nursery. They didn't mention the fact that before the Boar Hat was destroyed, they were normally sleeping together, and was practically used to living together. But they figured it would be for the best not to mention it, as Bartra was already black and blue from anger. But in the end, her father gave in, red faced and scowling, as she convinced him that she was after all, already 16 years old.
They arrived at the study and Meliodas placed the documents on the big oaken table in the center of the room. "Oh Meliodas, I almost forgot, and since we're here" Elizabeth said as she rummaged through the papers. "The armorer was inquiring on your and the Sins' armor, I think they're already done with it, and just needs some fitting," she tucked her silver hair behind her ear that annoyed her as she looked for the parchment that got burried in the unorganized heap. Damn, she was going to have to ask these people to color coordinate their letters. It was hard to get anything done.
She looked up for his answer, and for a moment, she thought she saw him dazed, with his mouth slightly open, before he quickly answers "Sure, we'll do the fitting first thing in the morning tomorrow. Merlin is still kind of wrapped up in something and it would be less of a hassle for you if we all did it together"
"Thank you" She said, filled with gratitude. It was nice for someone to think of small things like those for her, as she would rather have all the things done at once. And it helped her a lot that she could talk to Meliodas, the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins, directly. Although it bothered her that Meliodas was mostly making decisions out of her convenience and she worried that it would trouble them instead. She had insisted that if they needed anything, all they had to do was ask her and it was the least she could do.
When everything was settled, they left the study and made their way towards the west wing for the war council meeting. As they walked, Elizabeth couldn't help but fidget with her clothes. Elizabeth had salvaged so little from her room, she hadn't realized it would be a problem, not until she was asked to attend a war council meeting. Being a proxy for the king, she wasn't about to show up in her old Boar Hat's uniform, much to her dismay. And she certainly couldn't show up in a maid's uniform, as much as she preferred wearing those. She tried to borrow from Margarette, but her older sister was taller than her, and she mostly had long gowns. She couldn't manage a thing in Margarette's wardrobe as she would trip and fall from the length of them. She was already having trouble with her own two feet. Then she tried to barrow from Veronica, which was even more difficult. Her second sister was slightly shorter than her despite being older, and she didn't wear dresses at all! She mostly had leggings and leather pants, trench coats, overalls, breastplates, armbands, and not even a single summer dress that she could work with.
So she ended up with leather pants a wrap around sleevless top that was way to small for her that showed her cleavage, and a coat that ended just past her waste in attempt to hide all the skin.
Meliodas had noticed her fidgeting and chuckled.
"You know, war council meetings usually involves a lot of male attendees. And wearing something so sexy would probably get them distracted" he says casually, without looking at her, hands in his pockets. Elizabeth nearly stumbles from the statement, her face and neck turning a deep shade of red. "I-I had nothing to wear, I swear!" She stammers, attempting to explain herself further but failing as Meliodas clings on her back, cupping her breasts from behind, smelling her neck in the process. Her face was practically burning as she squeels. "Don't worry! No male gaze will be allowed as long as your with me" Meliodas whispered in her ear jokingly. Elizabeth squeeled and attempted to grab him, but was cut off.
"Ehem…" A femal voice interrupted their shenannigans. "Captain, I would advise not to rattle the princess like that. She is to represent the king." Said The Boar Sin of Gluttony wearing her usual devious smile, but there was a hint of humor there, as she may or may not be attempting not to chuckle.
Elizabeth sighed with relief, attempting to collect her thougts as Meliodas lets go of her and addresses the Boar Sin of Gluttony "Merlin, is everyone complete yet?" Meliodas returns by her side and eyed the door in front of them. She didn't even realized they had already arrived at the council room in her fidgeting.
"Yes, all are accounted for. Everyone is just waiting for you and the princess before we start" Merlin answered. Then she looks at the double wooden doors before they open without anyone's touch, most likely from her magic. Elizabeth's eyes widened in realization that everyone's attention will be on them as they were the late attendees, and she was to sit at the king's chair, at the helm of the long table. Gods, she only hoped they hadn't waited long. Merlin motions for them to go ahead of her.
Everyone was already seated at the long oaken table as she expected, talking and murmuring to one another. Howzer was at the left side from the head of the table, Griomore at his side, looking absolutely annoyed at his pestering. Hendrickson and Dreyfus were at the opposite side, deep in conversation, Guila was at the farthest end of the table, shuffling through a bunch of letters that were being passed by another Holy Knight at her side. There were at least four more other Holy Knights at the farther end of the table, murmuring and whispering to each other. Lastly, there were two empty seats at the right side of the King's chair, obviously for Meliodas and Merlin.
When everyone noticed them enter, all noise from the room had died, and everyone stood up to greet them. It took all Elizabeth's concentration not to trip and fall as she made her way to the king's chair, Meliodas at her right hand side, Merlin sitting beside him.
"Your majesty couldn't attend due to urgent matters, so I will be here in his stead" Elizabeth declared, surprised at the solidness of her voice despite the number of eyes on her. Meliodas cleared his thought loudly, arching an eyebrow at the Holy Knights from the farthest end of the table, and then at Howzer. Elizabeth didn't know why he did that, but they looked uneasy and ripped their gazes from her as she asked everybody to take their seats.
"Then let us begin" Merlin declared. Her sacred treasure, Aldan, appeared from thin air beside her, and a realistic layout of Brittania had materialized in front of them on the long oaken table. Miniature mountains appeared out of nowhere, small villages and realistic looking lakes surrounded the table. Elizabeth wanted to touch the bodies of water that were scattered around the villages, wondering what they would feel like if she touched it. How amazing it was that she recognized some of the villages and landscapes, thanks to her adventures with the Sins. Wouldn't it be amazing to see all of it, Elizabeth thought, especially that small village that was near the ocean. She wondered if Meliodas ever visited that far...
"Please report the state of the troops in Liones." Merlin started, snapping her back from her mind wandering of adventure.
Howzer was the first to speak "We have deployed troops to Ordan, Cains, Vanya, and Post Town Tala. Other villages seem to be under the rule of demons, and our troops haven't reported or returned from their posts"
Then Guila added "Our scouts have also reported that Camelot is impenetrable, a single Commandment has taken over the entire country. All its people have been taken hostage with some kind of spell. Like the ones who sieged the castle and killed a handful of our Knights." Everyone frowned at this, remembering the incident where they had lost so many, the people who the knights vowed to protect were the very ones who had stabbed or offered their souls to the demons.
The knights started murmurring and Guila from way back the table reported that these people in question followed the Commandment and were now in Camelot.
"Zeldris" Meliodas muttered and everyone looked at him. Then Hendrickson shyly asked "I-is there a way to bring back these people under that spell, Sir Meliodas?"
Meliodas crossed his arms as he responded "The Commandments' curses are unbreakable curses that even the bearer themselves are bound to when they activiate it. It's like a double edged sword. The only way to break a Commandment is if the Demon Lord or someone with his equal power were to dispell it." Then Meliodas paused and added in almost a whisper, but was still clear for everyone to hear "A high ranking Goddess would also be able to dispell them, but not as easily." If Elizabeth wasn't paying attention, she could have missed how Meliodas was still looking towards the others, but from the corner of his eye, he looked at her for the shortest moment.
Then Howzer slams a fist on the table and practically shouts in anger "Those damned Godesses, they were the cause of Sir Denzel's death, they aren't going to do shit!"
"If I remember correctly, that naked demon woman killed Sir Denzel because that Goddess flew away and refused to help us. What was her name…..Nerobasta?" Guila added.
"Who knew Goddesses could be so vile" Howzer sneered.
Then Hendrickson joined, insulted and livid "O-oy, don't talk about Goddesses that way!"
And then all the Holy Knights were bickering with one another. Merlin pressed her thumb and index finger to the bridge of her nose, shaking her head. Then Meliodas, Elizabeth noticing again, had his knuckles in a fist and was gripping his shirt sleeve rather tightly as his arms were still crossed. His eyes were blank and expressionless, but Elizabeth thought they were also both worried and in rage as the knights continued talking about the Goddess. How odd, was he angry about this? Elizabeth thought. No, it wasn't anger, it was something else she couldn't place.
Meliodas had been someone hard to read for everyone. But to her, his eyes were most of the time calm and humurous, but always calculating and fierce. After his death, they now seem to hold a strange blankness, not lifeless or disinterest, but a blankness filled with unknown anger, subtle and contained, controlling it so no one else could see the seering rage of his green pools. But she could always tell, would always notice the small gestures of his hands, the small pop of his eyes, how certain words would affect him. Like how this Godess Nerobasta somehow bothered him.
Nerobasta….? She was a woman? A female Goddess? Elizabeth had heard the death of her uncle when things had settled down, and paid her respects along with her family. All she knew was, her Uncle Denzel had called upon a Goddess, sarificing his life as a vessel in their fight against the Ten Commandments. Then Derieri, the demon who had mistaken her for someone else, had killed him while they were in the sky. People said they had been up there for quite some time, probably talking, before Derieri had gruesomely struck her uncle's upper body with one blow. Why did she feel like that Goddess and Derieri knew each other, or did they? Did all Demons and Goddesses knew each other? They should have, she guessed, they did fight 3,000 years ago, so as the legend says. She burrowed her eyebrows together. How confusing this was. Why does the sound of Goddesses make her skin crawl, and why hadn't this Goddess aid them in the fight? Weren't they suppose to be good?
Before Elizabeth could dwell on it any further, she looked up and saw Merlin and Meliodas look at each other with a silent agreement passing between them. Then, Merlin cleared her throat rather loudly. "It is true that Sir Denzel's death is unfortunate, but we musn't rely on anything else but our own strengths. The Goddesses have long dissappeared from this world and we should leave it at that" She said sternly and loudly for everyone to hear.
Everyone looked at the mage, embarassed and settled down. Meliodas sighed heavily and took the opportunity to speak. "Look, I'll teach you all about the Commandments and how they're activated. But right now, Our main goal is to siege Camelot and save the missing people of Liones. We have to also protect the remaining villages and strongholds so the demons can't expand any further" Meliodas said with command and seriousness that people seldom hear, which when they do, people tend to listen and follow. The Holy Knights looked at him in agreement, but their eyes also held an obvious wariness and…..fear.
Elizabeth wasn't ignorant. After the demon Estarossa revealed that Meliodas was the leader of the Ten Commandments 3,000 years ago, they hadn't looked at him the same. Meliodas hadn't shared his exact history and everyone just had to make do with the fact that he was a traitor to the demons. But a demon nonetheless, a ruthless, heartless, and apparantley the most feared demon 3,000 years ago. It was an unspoken thing, their fear and doubt of him, and it didn't help when he mercilessly killed Fraudrin in front of everyone. She clenched her fists under the table. She didn't like it when people looked at him like this, like some dirty monster they shouldn't even associate themselves with.
'When will you betray them this time?' Estarossa's words echoed in her head. It bothered her, not because she started to doubt him, but because she deeply felt like this was a painful part of Meliodas' life. Estarossa was his younger brother and he betrayed him, them, his own kind. The conflict and lonliness he must have felt, and she knew Meliodas was an honerable man and he had done many honerable deeds in the short time of being with him. What led him to betray his own family, his own kind? Her head started to throb a little. She had started to think more and more about this ever since she first heard it in Vaizel, and technically, all she had to do was ask him. But would he tell her? She highly doubted it, and she also didn't want to. She wanted him to trust her and tell her when he wants to. Regardless, whatever he was in the past, she didn't want him to think it mattered to her.
She was interrupted from her thoughts when Howzer once again slammed his fist on the table "Our forces are spread far too thin already, what makes Bernia think we can spare even an ounce of our soldiers? They're an indipendent country for fucks sake" Elizabeth shook her head lightly, hoping no one would notice. The meeting had apparantley moved on from the topic of the Commandments and she had no idea what they were talking about now. She wanted to slap herself from her daze, she needed to wake up. She's been thinking way too deeply on too many things latley, it wasn't healthy anymore. But she couldn' help it, everything that had happened were all too fast and they were all vague questions she deeply felt she needed the answers to.
"This is why no one takes you seriously Howzer, you're too vulgar" Griamore retorts, Howzer continued to spew more vulgar words at the black haired Holy Knight.
"But we received a letter from them. Denying them reinforcements are going to shaken our alliance" Dreyfus answered and Hendrickson agreeing beside him.
Elizabeth frowned. Ok, now she's all caught up. She had heard about this, one of their allied kingdoms had sent request for aid. But they hadn't provided it yet since Howzer and Dryfus were in opposition, until now apparantley. They probably feel way too strongly and subjective about this, Elizabeth thought. Seeing as the two former Grand Masters, Dreyfus and Hendrickson had destroyed the peace treaty between Liones and Malachia when they were still under Fraudrin's control. They probably didn't want anymore alliances to be broken, especially now that the humans needed to stay united.
The Holy Knights kept bickering, agreeing and dissagreeing, Griomore was smacking Howzer at the back of his head, who whaled with curses. Meliodas, despite his serious tone just moments ago, laughs at the bickering knights. Merlin gives him a questioning side eye. "Hey, their just like us when we're having meetings" Meliodas defended, to which Merlin just shakes her head to, exhasperratedly.
Elizabeth looks at the materialized map of Britannia in front of her. She hadn't noticed that there were figures and colors in certain areas. It didn't take her long to realize that this signified the current state of each area. Camelot was highlighted in red, with miniature looking demons swirling on it's castle, along with neighboring villages under its control, and saw a pattern, well at least she thought it was. Then there was Liones, highlighted in green, probably meaning that it was a safe area. Nearby villages under Liones' control were mostly highlighted in green, with miniature soldiers on horses stationed beside their village name. The villages under Liones highlited in red were the ones farthest from the kingdom, their location seemingly close to Corrand and Camelot. Then there was Bernia, the country farthest from Liones. There were only two villages under it's control that were highlighted, and they were orange, no miniature swirling demons on it's location. Elizabeth guessed that this meant that their situtiation isn't as dire, but something else was going on there.
"I think Howzer's right. We shouldn't send troops to Bernia" Elizabeth interrupts them and then points at the map in front of them. "If I'm not mistaken, the demons seem to be attacking quite close to Camelot, and Bernia is way too far from their pattern of attack. If anything, I think we should ask aide from them" She then looks up to see the room had gone quiet, all bickering had ceased and a dozen pair of eyes were looking at her with questioning shock. She turned crimson when she realized what she had done. She hadn't realized she had just blurted her thoughts out loud, and now, she wanted to take it back and sink back in her chair in embarassment.
Elizabeth raised both of her hands in defense "I-I mean that was just a-a suggestion! And that's what I obseved from the map, t-that's all!" She stammared. She wanted to explain herself further but couldn't manage to say more, completley embarassed at her words. What was she thinking? She didn't know anything about fighting, let alone war strategies. She was suppose to just listen here and nod at the very least. How embarassing!
Then Meliodas' voice interrupted her warring thoughts. "Elizabeth is right on the money" She looked at him, still embarassed. He had an odd expression on his face, an expression she hadn't expected from him, or anyone. He had his eyes closed, smirking, but his whole expression read that of pride. "Zel wouldn't risk troops going so far off course, especially when they've already conquered a country. It would be easier to attack one of Liones' villages than send a battalion to Bernia with the risk of them not coming back"
Merlin too, had the same expression on her face, more reserved, but still ever present "Quite. What you've failed too see on our map, that the princess has cleverly deduced by herself" She scolded the bickering knights. "Is that Bernia's villages here are not infested with demons, but rather the people themselves are making a deal with demons to keep their villages safe" The smirk in her voice was emminent, carrying a tone that Brittania's greatest mage was impressed at her.
The Knights finally composing themselves from their misdemeanor and slight shock at the princess. "The villages were under Fraudrin's rule before. He made the villagers take strong souls as prisoners and to be taken to the demon's den so they'll regain magic faster, in exchange for the village's protection" Dreyfus added, with a hint of shame in his voice.
"But Fraudrin was disposed of, so that means it'll be safe to…." Elizabeth didn't know who's voice it was who spoke next, as she looked down at her hands under the table, fidgeting. She was still embarassed, but a little relieved that they hadn't made fun of her, which quite the opposite, they were now revolving around her 'observations'.
They continued their discussion and Elizabeth tried hard to pay attention. But her mind can't help but wander back to Meliodas and Merlin's expressions, it's as if they were expecting it or was used to it, she wasn't sure which. And she thought how stupid of an assumption it was. It was so unusual and it just made her more confused than she already was. She felt the room spin for a moment and felt the room grow a little cold, but she was snapped back to reality when someone mentioned her name before she could linger on the feeling any further.
"…ess Elizabeth's suggestion to request reinforcements is better. I suggest we send a letter immediatley so they can get here in time" Merlin declared.
"How will they send troops when their already in danger?" Griamore asked. Then Howzer contradicted him by saying that their not in real danger with Guila agreeing to his notions, saying that their probably just paranoid. Hendrickson and Dryfus seemed to disagree.
Then Meliodas spoke and everyone stopped to look at him "I don't disagree that their king is just paranoid, but it is true that their not in any real danger" He paused and laid back on his chair, easing the tension in the room "We'll have the Sins dispatched to the vilages to get rid of the demon extorting the villagers, I'm sure it's a high level demon, but only in intelligence. It'll be easy. The we'll have rotational patrols within the week to make them feel better. In exchange, they give us reinforcements of course."
Everyone nodded, seeming to like the idea. Meliodas' words slowly regestering in her rattled head. Sins will be dispatched. Huh? He was going to leave. Elizabeth felt a shiver down her spine, with dread or actual cold, she didn't know. But she knew she didn't want him to leave just yet, not without her. She felt embarassed at her sudden cling to him, but the worry and anxiety she felt of him being far away had her in panic. She knew they could handle it easily and would advise against her coming along. But she didn't know how long they would be gone. But she couldn't leave Liones either, her father needed her, and she promised she would help. No he's not leaving, Elizabeth decided, she just got him back and she planned to make him stay. And she was going to use her power, at the moment, as the acting royal present in the room.
"Forgive me, but all the Sins going is probably too much, if I'm not mistaken?" She began, keeping her voice solid and professional. She didn't want everyone, especially Meliodas, to guess her true intentions of her proposal, that she was just keeping him for herself. "If what you say is true, that these villages have minimal risks, the Sins shouldn't all be dispatched, Liones needs you here at the moment, espeically if we were to stick with our goal to invade Camelot. There are still so much needed preparations" She was satsified and shocked at herself from how confident she sounded. She had only hoped that Meliodas would decide to stay, but it was a vague suggestion as she could manage. Besides, the strategy itself is logical and sensible.
To her surprise, Meliodas formed a devious smirk on his face "What do you mean by that, your majesty?" He asked.
Elizabeth was taken aback by the high regard addressed to her. He rarely does that, and she doesn't know if he did it to tease her. But she musn't falter, she had already started this. "These are crucial times, we had expected the Sins to stay here so we may prepare for the upcoming siege to Camelot, that you planned for" Elizabeth answered, hoping she didn't sound angry. But she couldn't help it, Meliodas rattled her and it was hard to keep composure.
"But your allies requested this" Meliodas retorts, the humor in his eyes continuing to tease her, and it was making her angry. "I'm just saying, if we went there, the job would be done easy so we can have the reinforcements you suggest we request" He cocked, with the exact same sentiments she had used on him.
She clenched her fists in frustration, but no, she had to keep her wits about her "Indeed. But this mission hardly takes any effort, as you discussed earlier, you only need to irradicate the demon extorting the villagers. It would be much easier if Diane and Sir King were present so that some of you can stay here."
"That's exactly why we need to all go, we're not complete"
"But you just said it would be easy"
"No, I didn't"
"Yes, you did!"
At the table, everyone looked at their intense exchange, back and forth, like they were tossing an explosive invisible ball. Elizabeth was aware of their gazes and it made her legs wobble and she wanted to throw up. But she wouldn't allow this to faze her.
"Sir Meliodas" she addressed him formally like she used to do. Meliodas' eyes widened at this, but kept his expression the same. "I trust your capabilities. If you believe you must all go for such an easy task, then we will do everything in our power to prepare for your journey for that as well" She paused and smiled, hoping it would ease her tone. "But it would be the best interest of Liones if some of you remained. Not only drive off the demons if another wave may hit, but I deeply believe that you should all rest and prepare before we siege Camelot." She suggested.
Meliodas sighed, still smiling, as if this whole exchange amused him. Then he looked at her, his green eyes were serious and intimidating, but they held a sea of emotions that she tried to decipher. He looked amused of course, but not in a mocking way, and there was this hint of warmth as if he had remembered a fond memory. Then he shrugged and spoke, breaking off their gaze "very well. Some of the Sins don't really work well together in certain combinations, that's why sometimes I have to be there" He chuckled but looked thoughtful "But your right, there is way too much to be done. I'll have one or two dispatched at the village, that should be enough. Then we'll have rotational patrol, one of us each day for four or five days, so none of us miss anything. Then of course, in exchange, they'll lend us their troops. Will that be alright, your majesty?" He asked with that devious smile again on his face.
Merlin interjected, with an amused face that almost semmed like she had just stopped laughing. "I'll also open a gateway for instant access to the kingdom. Such travel would be tedious"
Elizabeth just noticed how her cheeks burned and she realized she must have been blushing this whole time, but she had to maintain her composure. "Quite. That seems ideal." She answered, trying for a neutral and serious tone, hoping to the gods they did sound authoritative.
The rest of the party looked at each other and Elizabeth didn't want to think what kind of silent discussion they had between them as it would just make her more embarassed. But everyone eventually agreed to the plan, Elizabeth relieved that they hadn't lingered on the subject. They continued to discuss other matters, and Elizabeth kept looking at Meliodas at the corner of her eye and he still had that same devious smirk on his face, even when he spoke to other people about serious business. When Meliodas caught her looking, he winked at her and Elizabeth looked away and blushed a deep red. She wanted to shriek and bury herself as the minutes passed.
She couldn't believe herself, did she just really try and use her powers as a princess for the first time to make Meliodas stay, and well, obey her? What was going on today? Granted, since the day she met Meliodas, days were always weird and unsual. But this one deserves to be put on some kind of pedestal for being the oddest day of her life.
Then, finally finally, the meeting was adjourned. Everybody bowed at the princess and made their way out of the room, Meliodas, Merlin, and Elizabeth being the exception.
At least it worked. Well, not really, but still. Meliodas didn't have to leave for so long, and with Merlin's proposal to open a gateway, he'll be back in an instant.
But she really couldn't hide her embarrassment any longer and she didn't want to face Meliodas just yet, especially with Merlin still here.
"Lady Merlin, Meliodas, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to the study and report back to Father" She said, a little bit too high pitched. Then she remembered, she was going to report to her Father. What was she going to say? That on her first war council meeting, she had abused her power to make the Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins neglect a mission so she could keep him all to herself? Wow.
Meliodas arched an eyebrow but cocked a smile "Sure, I'll see you later then?" Meliodas asked, still with that devious expression on his face.
"O-of course" She answered, and then bowed, giving the normalest smile she could manage. Then she tried hard not to bolt for the exit. When she had made her way in the halls, sure that they were out of sight, she half ran and half stomped away.
Gods, what a day!