A/N: I just wanted to take a moment to apologize for this taking long than usual. But there is a really good reason! I've been working on a new fic with the amazing DOMinMatrix called In Love and War. It's a collaboration between the both of us, and I hope you give it a shot. Dom has been absolutely incredible to work with, and I know it's going to be an absolutely fabulous story. We just published the first chapter, so please make sure you check it out!

Meanwhile, I hope you like this new chapter! This is actually the first thing I had for this story, and the rest of this fic was built around it. It took me many tries to get this done after living in my brain for so long. Thank you for reading!

.o0o.

The Two Kings

Elizabeth's eyes grew wide as she took in the sight of her father standing in the study. "It's not possible," she whispered. She looked back over at Prince Lucius. "How can this be?"

The Marakian only shook his head, too astonished to answer. They heard the door shut, and Elizabeth peered out again. The king was alone, and walked around the table to sit in his chair. "The battle went as well as expected," he said to the empty room.

There was a shimmer in the air, and then another King Baltra stepped into the room. Elizabeth's hand flew to her mouth to stop herself from crying out. "You took too long," the new king said. "I hate all this waiting."

"I did nothing but wait when we first began," the other answered with scorn. "Our plan is almost completed, and then we'll both be able to do what we want."

"Fine," said the second. "But I'm going now to stretch my legs a bit. I'll bring back an update soon." The other nodded and the king swept out of the room.

Elizabeth sat back, pressing the back of her head against the wall, trying to process what she just saw. This was impossible! Their looks, their voices, even their walks—it was more than just a clever fake. Her stomach flipped, wondering when the charade had started; and how long her father, her dear, kind father, had been imprisoned just a few feet away from them all.

She crept back towards the broken wall and reached inside, grasping the king's hand. "Father," she whispered. "I'm going to get you out of here."

The king coughed, and she flinched at how harsh it sounded. "You must go, Elizabeth," he urged her. "Get somewhere safe. These—these creatures—"

"I'm not leaving you here," she insisted. She turned and looked at the prince. "Will you help me?"

Lucius stole a quick glance at the door before nodding. "Who are they?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "We'll figure that out later. For now, we need to get him out of here." She listened for a moment and then peered out the door, finding the room empty. They worked quickly and quietly together to pull a few more boards away. Finally, there was an opening large enough for her to slip inside. She fell to her knees beside him and caught the king up in a hug, burying her face against his shoulder. "Father, I'm so, so sorry," she wept.

"My dear Ellie," he whispered, stroking her hair.

They held each other, the only sounds being the king's labored breathing and Elizabeth's soft sobs. After a few moments, she pulled back and looked at him closely. He felt very thin in her arms, and his body and hair were streaked with dirt. She took him gently by the arm and helped him stand, leading him unsteadily through the opening they had made and into the small room. Prince Lucius took his other arm and helped him gain his footing.

The princess moved to the door to check that the study was still empty, and then turned and said over her shoulder, "It looks like they are both gone. I'm going to check if the hallway is clear. Stay here."

Lucius grabbed her arm. "What if you get caught?"

"Then wait until it's safe and take him with you." She looked at him with intent, pleading eyes. "Promise me you won't leave my father." Her voice wavered slightly and she bit her lip.

The prince swallowed and nodded. "I'll protect him, but maybe I should go first."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I know the castle better than you do. I can get myself away easily, draw the guards away if I must. Just keep him safe."

Quietly she slid out the door. With a quick sweep with her eyes, she crept through the quiet room. She was nearly there when a voice caused her to start. "Ellie dear, is that you?"

She whirled and faced one of the false kings. Her mouth and eyes opened in surprise. The likeness was uncanny; she would have never guessed the truth had she not discovered her father hidden away. The king lifted his chin like he was wont to do and said, "What were you doing in here?"

Elizabeth clenched her fists and said, "You are not my father."

The accusation hung heavy in the air before he smiled his familiar smile. "Don't be ridiculous, Ellie. Of course I—"

"You are not!" she cried. "I demand to know who you are!"

"Come sit down, Ellie. You are delirious."

He took a step towards her, his arm outstretched, beckoning her over. Elizabeth stepped backwards. "Don't come near me." He took another step forward, and she moved back again. "You won't get away with this!"

The king tilted his head a bit. "Are you going to stop me, princess?"

It was the same cruel tone he had used with her before. "I will!" she insisted. "I'll do whatever I have to! The Holy Knights—"

"The Holy Knights answer to me now," he grinned. "I am the new Grand Master."

Elizabeth lifted her chin. "The Seven Deadly Sins will stop you."

"The Seven Deadly Sins? And where are they now?" Elizabeth sucked in a breath. She tried to think of an answer, but had none. She had lost Diane. King had left her. And Meliodas… Elizabeth shook her head as her heart seized up, willing herself not to cry.

There was a charged silence in the room, and then the king lunged at her. He reached out and nearly grabbed her, but Elizabeth jumped back, turning and flinging open the door. She took off down the hallway, the king bellowing behind her, "Guards! Get my daughter and bring her here!"

There were footsteps running towards the hallway, so Elizabeth ducked into an alcove and around the staircase, running up the steps as fast as she could. Shouts came from below, but up she climbed, racing as fast as she could. Her heart pounded and her lungs burned as she turned and headed down another hallway, crashing headfirst into someone.

She let out a shout and stumbled backwards, pushing hard against the arms that reached out to grip her. "No!" she screamed.

"Princess?" Elizabeth stopped struggling and looked up, sagging in relief. "Princess, I found you!"

"Sir Howzer!" she cried.

He steadied her with one hand. "Why are you running?"

"We have to go now!" Elizabeth looked around frantically. "The king is coming—he sent soldiers after me—but it's not the king at all—"

"Princess," the Holy Knight said firmly. "You're not making any sense."

"There you are!" King Baltra's voice shouted from behind her. Elizabeth gasped and backed into Howzer, who laid a protective hand on her arm. She looked up at him and was surprised to see him scowl as the king approached. He did not give a bow.

"Hand her over now," the king commanded. Elizabeth sucked in a breath as Howzer's hand went to the hilt of his lance. "I'll return her to her room, Sir," the knight responded cautiously.

The king narrowed his eyes. "You were there when my other daughter tried to name that traitor Grand Master." His hand went to his own sword. "I will dispatch with you as easily as I did the other one."

"Go!" Howzer shouted, giving the princess a shove. She took off down the hallway, sparing only a brief glance over her shoulder. Both men had drawn their weapons; but to her shock, the king's had an unnatural glow surrounding it. She rounded a corner as the sound of metal on metal clashed.

There was another staircase ahead. Up or down? she thought briefly. Suddenly, there was a great blast from the way she had just come, and the floors and walls shook. Elizabeth gripped the wall to steady herself, praying that Howzer was all right. She was about to turn around to find out when another crash rocked the castle.

More shouting came from below, so Elizabeth decided to climb. This set of steps was much rougher, as she was beginning to reach the very top of the east wing of the castle. Eventually she came out onto a parapet. The sun was setting, and she held a hand up to shield her eyes from the light burning orange, low in the horizon. To her left was the corner tower, with more stairs leading inside; to the right, a walkway leading towards the keep. Carefully she stepped towards the wall and peered over. There was a terrible drop on the other side. She could see the tops of the buildings far below, and Elizabeth had to shut her eyes for a moment to clear her swimming head.

The wind whipped along the walk, and her hair flew out behind her. She pressed herself against the stone, unsure of what to do next. Her fear was threatening to take over her mind, and she slowly breathed in and out to steady herself. Elizabeth thought briefly about the day Hendrickson had been defeated. You need to be strong, like that day, she thought. She had gone with him willingly, wanting to do anything to save Meliodas.

Meliodas… She had not been nearly as afraid then as she was now—even knowing that Hendrickson wanted her dead—because she knew deep down that he would come for her. And he had, then. Hot tears stung in her eyes and she angrily swiped them away.

A voice shouted her name. Elizabeth jumped up and looked around for a way to get out of sight, and fast. She knew there would be more soldiers in the keep, so she ran for the tower. Up more stairs she went, her legs and lungs burning, until she reached the turret. No more than a small round room at the top of the tower, it was surrounded by a low stone wall that came up only chest-high, perfect for archers to hide behind. There was no other way out except for the steps she had just used.

Now she was really trapped. Someone was coming up the steps, and Elizabeth pressed herself back into the quickly deepening shadows. Hoping it was Howzer coming to find her, her stomach sank like a stone when the king appeared at the top of the stairs. His eyes swept the turret before landing on her.

"Elizabeth," he said, his voice unrecognizable. There was a coldness there she would have never imagined possible. "You must learn not to run away when your father is speaking to you."

"You are not my father," she said, her voice wavering slightly. "I saw him; I know what you did to him." Her voice raised in pitch as she cried, "How long have you kept him boarded up like that? How long have you been ruling in his place?"

The king smiled. "Long enough to start Liones on the path to chaos," he answered.

"But why? What has Liones done to you? My father has never willingly hurt anyone!"

"Don't you understand yet, princess?" he laughed. "We don't need a reason. Your father brought us here, and in return, we bring chaos."

Elizabeth shook her head, her breath catching in her throat. What could that possibly mean? "You won't get away with this—" she began before the imposter cut her off.

"You've told me that already. And yet, here you are, alone."

Elizabeth swallowed around the lump in her throat as he advanced on her. She decided to try to slip by him, but he saw her play and proved too quick. He caught her by the upper arm, pulling her towards the wall of the turret. "We hadn't planned on hurting you," he said, his grin still planted on his face. "But the untimely death of the princess, at the hands of the Holy Knights who swore to protect her, will bring a new level of turmoil to the kingdom."

She cried out then as they reached the edge and he pressed her against the top of the wall. "It's nothing personal, princess," he said pleasantly. "We all must do what we are put here to do." Then he pushed her, and she fell over the edge.

Elizabeth screamed as she plummeted through the air, her arms reaching to grab anything to stop her descent. The wind swallowed her, and Elizabeth closed her eyes, crying out as she waited to feel her body slam into the ground.

Suddenly, her body changed course, as she slammed into something that in turn collided with something else. Her skull seemed to rattle in her head, and then the wind was rushing again, but this time, there was something to grab on to. Her hands found cloth, and she gripped it with all her strength, pulling it towards her as she clung for her life.

All at once, she stopped. She didn't breathe for a moment, wondering if she was dead. Her hands still gripped whatever had slammed into her, and she discovered she had pressed her face against something solid and warm. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and realized she was on the ground. She could hear someone talking, but her ears were ringing and her heart still thudding in her chest.

She looked up to see what it was that had saved her, and as her vision cleared she saw an anxious face peering back at her. "Elizabeth? Are you all right?"

"Meliodas," she gasped. Elizabeth's body began to shake, and she clung to him desperately. She let out a sob as she searched his face, still wondering if this was real. His arms gripped her tightly as her trembling increased. "Is it really you?" she whispered.

"I'm sorry," he said, pulling her up against him. He pressed the side of his face against hers. "I didn't know. But you're safe now."

The shock of being pushed and then saved suddenly overwhelmed her. "Meliodas," she whispered again, before fainting in his arms.