"Cap'n? You still in there?"
Meliodas jerked awake, instantly reaching for his sword and made to jump to his feet when something pulled against his hand. Elizabeth was still sound asleep with her fingers intertwined with his atop the blanket. He had stayed up most of the night caring for her; changing the cold cloth out, administering medicine as needed, drinks, wrapping her hands in medicine and gauze, and even the occasional bathroom break. It wasn't like he minded helping her, in fact he enjoyed being able to be there for her, but his heart sat a little heavier than usual. Elizabeth still couldn't remember who he was. The few times she was awake she always asked who he was and where they were, nothing Meliodas telling her jogging her memory. He knew it was for the best, for her to forget about the times they shared together and move on, yet he couldn't help but feel a stinging across his chest every time they talked as if strangers.
"Captain, we have come to pick you both up now. Oh, Captain Leftovers, there you are. Have you eaten today?" It was Gowther. Meliodas glanced towards the back door. They must have gone through the back entrance.
Carefully unlocking his fingers from Elizabeth's, he gently placed his lips against her knuckles before setting her hand down on the bed, making sure she didn't stir before heading towards the back door. He could see the other Sins checking the perimeter of the area through the window as he sheathed his blade. The sun was finally beginning to rise and he briefly wondered how long he'd been asleep.
"Yo!" Meliodas called out cheerily as he stepped out into the frigid morning air, hand on his hip as he waved.
"About damned time, couldn't sleep a wink knowing you were locked in there all night with the princess." Ban gave him cheeky grin as he slapped him on the back, the force nearly stumbling the shorter man. "I hope you haven't defiled our poor, innocent—"
"Get your mind out of the gutter." Meliodas returned the grin as he punched him in the stomach, sending his friend tumbling across the ground. "Perimeter cleared?"
"Yes," King responded as he dodge a nip from Hawk, the horse seemingly interested in his red hair. "There appeared to be evidence of someone lurking around out front but the front entrance wasn't breeched. We got here a bit before sunrise to check." So he was being followed. Clearing all that brush out was definitely an indicator of recent human activity but he had to take that risk.
"The city is safe and the culprits have been apprehended and are awaiting your interrogations once we return." Gowther added in as he pulled some treats from his travel pouch to feed to the horses, Hawk and Waldo eating them gratefully.
"Good. Lady Elizabeth's fever finally broke during the night, she's just sleeping now. Did Baltra send any orders down?" Meliodas asked as he crossed his arms. He could sense Ban looking at him strangely from his sprawled out position on the ground and he mentally prepared himself for the questioning that would surely come.
"He sent a carriage to bring Elizabeth back. We've got Howzer and Gilthunder guarding it along with Escanor and Diane. It's the most secured carriage in all of Britannia." The Sin of Greed remarked as he jumped to his feet with ease. "Kinda figured you weren't making it back last night and he told us to have everything ready for the morning. His biggest concern is the princess."
"Get Waldo and Hawk up to the carriage while I get Lady Elizabeth up. Ban, can you bring my armor and unlock the front entrance?"
"Roger, Cap'n,"
"Come on, Hawk, Waldo, I have some more nice treats for you in the carriage." Gowther promised as he led the two horses away from the safehouse, King staying on the other side of Waldo to avoid having his hair eaten. Meliodas waited until they were gone before closing his eyes, waiting for Ban to ask the question. After all these years of friendship and all it took was one slightly narrowed glance to read his mind.
"Somethin' happened." Ban simply stated as he stopped on his way into the safehouse, keeping his gaze on the door. "You stopped callin' her Lady Elizabeth months ago."
"She doesn't remember who I am." He replied quietly, cracking his eyes open to stare at the tree line. It hurt just to say it.
"At all?" Ban asked in mild surprise as he finally turned to look at Meliodas. "How did that happen?"
"Don't know. Probably for the best in the end. She can move on with her life and forget about the man who blew up Danafor and became permanently branded as the Dragon's Sin of Wrath."
"Oi, I want my credit for that too since we got matching brands. I guess I did go a little overboard with the explosives," Ban snickered, finally earning a weak smile from Meliodas. "Have you tried reminding her of the fight between you and Havenworth? Or the time on before her thirteenth birthday you snuck her out of the castle and into the city only to come back to an angry Baltra but she talked him out of punishing you? Nothing worked?"
"Nothing." The Sin of Greed let out a low whistle.
"Shit, sorry to hear that man, but there is hope." Meliodas looked up at him with a notched eyebrow. "This gives you a chance to start wooing her all over again, win her heart again and again until she remembers. Do stuff you've done for the past couple of years and it might jog her memories or somethin'."
"What would I do without a friend like you, Ban?" Meliodas chuckled as he held up a fist, Ban tapping their knuckles together.
"Probably not be a criminal who blew up a psychopaths house and then a whole city." Ban laughed as he made his way into the house, Meliodas right behind him.
"I could've been a famous street fighter if it wasn't for that." As soon as he rounded the corner he noticed Ban had stopped moving, staring off to his left with his eyebrows raised. Concerned it had something to do with Elizabeth, Meliodas pushed past him to find the princess sitting up in bed, blue eyes instantly falling to him.
"Lady Elizabeth...how are you feeling?" Meliodas asked slowly as he moved closer, noticing she flinched back the slightest bit. Ban stopped him by the shoulder, his fingers digging his skin as he sent a light warning.
"Where…am I? Who are you two?" Elizabeth glanced between the two with confusion on her face as she twisted her hands nervously in her lap. "Why are my hands bandaged? What is going on?"
"Lady Elizabeth, I am the Captain of the Holy Knights and this is Ban, one of the knights serving under my command. Liones was under attack and you made your way here to the safehouse yesterday. We are not here to harm you but to escort you back to the city where your father is waiting. Your hands were injured when I found you with Hawk." Meliodas explained calmly, though on the inside he was in full panic mode. Had she overheard their conversation from outside? Was that why she was in such a panic? Did she think they were both criminals there to harm her? Shit, he got too comfortable talking with Ban about taboo crimes.
"Lady Elizabeth, you may not remember but we met at the swordfight between our Captain and Lord Havenworth when you were around twelve." Ban input, hoping she would remember at least one of them. She diverted her gaze to him and stared hard, trying to recall his face and name.
"Sir…Ban? What are you doing here?" Recognition flashed across her eyes and she stopped twisting her hands against her lap. "How did you know I was here?"
Meliodas felt his heart drop into his stomach and he had to turn away, choosing to grab his armor to occupy himself. She really didn't remember him and it tightened his chest almost painfully as he slid his armor up his legs. "Ban, change of orders. Escort Lady Elizabeth to the carriage outside, I will clean up here and meet you back in Liones."
"Roger." Ban replied after a moment of hesitation, knowing all too well why he changed his orders so suddenly. "Take your time. Lady Elizabeth, I will escort you to the carriage now. Can you stand?"
"I believe so, thank you, Sir Ban." Elizabeth spoke softly as she took his offered hand and pulled herself up from the bed, glancing briefly over to the blonde man who was no longer there. "Oh, did he leave already?"
Ban sent a grimace towards the empty table, not noticing Meliodas leave so quickly. It was bothering him bad for him to quickly leave. "I am afraid he had other obligations to attend to but he will return to the city once he is done."
She nodded slowly before allowing the knight to guide her up the winding stairs. Elizabeth wondered why the captain was in such a hurry to leave, weren't they both here to bring her back to Liones? Sunlight reached her eyes and she raised a hand to block the harsh light as they stepped through the doorway. The morning air was chilly as Ban escorted her by the arm through the dense woodlands with care, guiding her around fallen logs and protruding stumps. She had the strangest urge to ask the knight where the blonde man had gone yet just as she opened her mouth to do, so they hit the edge of the woods and the main road was in sight. The Liones family carriage sat waiting with four black steeds harnessed up to it and a scattering of people milling around.
"We are heading out, Captain's orders!" Ban barked out as he led Elizabeth to the carriage while people snapped a salute before hurrying to prepare for departure.
"Ban, where is the captain?" A brunette haired knight bounced over to him, her twin pigtails swinging as she looked up at him before glancing over. "Ah, Lady Elizabeth, forgive my rudeness. I am Diane, a knight working for the Captain. I do not believe we have met before."
Elizabeth smiled at the brunette, giving her a small curtsey in greeting. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Diane. Sir Ban, I will leave you to handle the men. Thank you for your hard work today."
"Was nothing at all, My Lady. Diane will escort you inside of the carriage until we arrive at the castle. Rest assured, she is one of the strongest knights here. And probably the scariest when angered but you did not hear that from me." Ban gave a short bow to the princess. Elizabeth gave a nod before walking towards the carriage, Diane making to follow when the Sin grabbed her by the arm and pulled her aside. "Don't bring up the Cap'n right now to Lady Elizabeth, Diane."
"Eh? Why not?" Diane tilted her head in confusion. "I thought they were fond of one another, did something happen?"
"I'll tell ya later but for now not a word about it. Cap'n will come back later. Go, stay with the princess but don't bring it up." The knight nodded at the serious look he was giving her and swiftly turned away. Ban ran a hand roughly through his hair. He couldn't even begin to imagine what Meliodas was feeling right now as the woman he's loved for years couldn't even remember anything about him.
Gowther began tying both of the horses to the back of the carriage when Hawk suddenly lashed out and broke free, knights diving out of the way as the steed kicked in every direction. King tried to grab the reins in an attempt to control the horse but his reach fell short and a hoof connected hard with his armored chest, sending him crashing into the dirt with a grunt of pain. Ban cursed under his breath as he ran for Hawk, ordering the other knights to get the carriage moving back to the castle. He was sure he heard Elizabeth call out for the berserker horse but it became drowned out over the panicked neighs. Waldo seemed to pick up on the terror of his friend and began tugging against the carriage, all four hooves digging into the ground.
"Gowther, untie Waldo before he damages the carriage!" King called out as he struggled to sit up with a hand against his damaged chest plate.
"Go be with your friend now, Waldo." Gowther dropped down from his spot on the back left corner of the carriage and made quick work of the knot before tossing it aside. He gave the horse a small wave before returning to his spot as if nothing had happened. Escanor stood opposite of him and gave a small humph before facing forward once more as he focused back on the task at hand. Waldo shook his head and quickly turned around, trotting over to Hawk with ears up. Ban sighed as the two horses ran back into the woods without a second thought. He had a hunch they were going to stay with Meliodas, the trio nearly inseparable at times, but he figured at least Hawk would go back with Elizabeth.
"Can ya move?" Ban strolled casually over to King who remained on his back in the dirt, face contorting in pain. The redhead shot him a glare before attempting to roll onto his side.
"Perfectly." King grumbled as he managed to push himself up into a sitting position. His armor had a nice hoof print directly in the center of it and he was sure if he hadn't been wearing it, then he wouldn't be moving at all right now. Definitely knocked the wind from his lungs. Ban offered his hand and he grabbed it, suddenly finding himself on his feet. "Why would the horses go back to the Captain? Wouldn't they prefer to go back to the city?"
"Nah, they're kinda attached to him and they can probably sense something we don't. They'll be fine as long as they have each other and the Cap'n." King pursed his lips but accepted the answer.
"I guess we better get started on walking back—hey, where are you going?!" King balked as Ban sprinted ahead of him, catching up to the carriage in a matter of seconds. He gave him a cheeky grin as he held onto the back bar of the transportation and dangled off with one arm like a monkey.
"Last one there buys a round of ale!" Ban called gleefully and King let out a string of curses as he began jogging after them with painful breaths.
"I always buy the damn round."
~B~
Meliodas hesitated in knocking on King Baltra's door, his fist stopping just inches from the heavy wooden door. He had finally returned to Liones after five days of hiding out in the safehouse, unable to bring himself to return just yet. His uncontrollable emotions about the recent events had been taken out on the surroundings trees and although he felt a little better after slicing and hacking them to pieces, it couldn't relieve the heaviness in his heart. Elizabeth could remember meeting Ban at the fighting festival yet he was somehow wiped from her memory completely and it frustrated him to no ends as to why it was happening. He had originally chalked it up as the fever causing delusions as they sometimes did, but if that was the case then what happened to the memories of all the times they spent together over the years? A part of him hoped King Baltra would know yet as he tried to knock on the door once more, a thought stopped him. How could he face the king after disregarding his post for nearly a week with no word to anyone? Sure, the other Sins knew where he was and maybe a handful of the knights from that day but he had blatantly disregarded his orders to personally bring Elizabeth back to the kingdom safe and sound.
Meliodas let out a heavy sigh and let his fist fall against the door in rapid succession, waiting for permission to enter. It took a minute of anxiously waiting before the door cracked open and a familiar face appeared. "Oh, Captain, you have returned. King Baltra has been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
"Yo, how have things been while I was away?" Meliodas asked casually as he strolled into the large office with his hands interlocked behind his head.
"Everything is as normal as it will get for the time being. If you will excuse me I have other duties to attend to now. Good luck." Slader snapped a salute before slipping through the closing doors, the latch catching quietly. Meliodas dropped his hands immediately, noting the sudden change in the knight. Baltra had to be furious—
"Captain, welcome back. How was your mission?" King Baltra asked loudly from his desk, his fingers pressed together as he leaned forward against his desk with unreadable eyes.
"Baltra, I can explain—" Meliodas started as he walked towards the king with rigid movements. As soon as he reached the desk he dropped to one knee, keeping his head down as he waited for his punishment.
"I do not want to hear excuses, Meliodas, that is not why I am…upset." The king slowly stood and walked around his desk, wizened face softening as he saw his most trusted knight kneeling on the ground with his head down in disgrace. "Ban has informed me of the conversation you two had regarding Elizabeth's memory issues. I am not mad, Meliodas. I see you as one of my own and you know this. I understand why it took you some time to return to the castle and if you are needing forgiveness for that then consider your absence waived from the books."
Meliodas shot his head up in shock, staring at the king with a gaping mouth as words tried to form. Baltra crouched down before him and placed a heavy hand against his shoulder. "You…aren't mad?"
"Dear boy, no though I cannot say I fully understand your feelings in this particular situation. Yet if it were me I would be completely devastated if Caroline were to completely forget all of our memories together. Now come, hold your head high for you are the captain of the Holy Knights, Meliodas." Baltra released his hand and stood, casually making his way back to chair with his hands clasped behind his back as Meliodas slowly stood, not entirely sure what was happening here. It almost seemed like a dream that he was going without punishment but there had to be a catch somewhere, anywhere in this conversation.
"So you know—" He started hesitantly only for Baltra to give a knowing smile.
"That you have been harboring feelings for my youngest daughter? Yes. Though I was wary of it in the beginning I know now you would do right by her and protect her with the very last breath of your life, Meliodas. But something tells me you have more lurking beneath the surface than what your face is currently showing."
"I'm no good for her, Baltra. I have blood on my hands and a record that can't be wiped clean." Meliodas took a seat in one of the two wooden chairs facing the desk, watching Baltra with mixed feelings. "I can't atone for the sins I have done, hence why I bear the ouroboros of the Dragon's Sin of Wrath on my upper arm. The same with Ban and the others, we all carry sins for our crimes that we can't remove."
"Have you committed more of those sins since then?" The knight shook his head. "Then why are you still holding onto a fear that is no more than a past mistake? Yes, you will carry that sin with you for the rest of your life and yes, you carry the mark permanently etched into your skin reminding you of such sins, but you do not have to hold onto the fear of the past catching up to you and ruining what you have now. You have become the fastest person in the history of Liones to reach the status of a Holy Knight and the youngest knight to command his very own team of specialized knights. What would stop you from pursuing what you want?"
"Do you…" Meliodas started, tossing the words around in his mind, trying to find the best way to phrase what he wanted to say. "What if Elizabeth's memories never return? She could have a fresh start and go marry a prince, live the perfect life. I can't guarantee a stable life with who I am now, Baltra. Elizabeth would be better off marrying someone who has the means to support her. What I do for a living…I could very well be killed on a mission and she would be left alone." As much as it pained him to say, it was the best option for her to live a stable life.
"Regardless of what she thinks or feels for the moment, Meliodas, could you live with yourself if you watched the woman you loved be married off to a prince of another kingdom and live a restrictive life doing nothing more than creating heirs?"
"Of course not!" Meliodas jumped to his feet, smacking his hands against Baltra's desk much to the king's amusement. "I would give Elizabeth the entirety of the world if I could, it's just…"
"You are afraid her feelings would never be reciprocated if her memories are never to return." Baltra hit the bullseye as Meliodas slumped back into his chair, wiping a hand tiredly down his face. The man certainly knew what to say when his own thoughts and words were troubled.
"I—"
A knock on the door interrupted the two and Meliodas quickly sat back up while wiping the raw emotions from his face in a heartbeat. Baltra called for the person to enter. "Father, forgive the intrusion…oh, I did not realize you were with company. Shall I come back later?"
Meliodas slowly turned around to see Elizabeth standing hesitantly in the doorway, her slender fingers grasping the edge of the door as she looked at her father. Slowly, as if time had crawled to the bare minimum speed, she looked over at Meliodas and locked eyes. He felt the familiar jolt of his heart against his ribs as they stared at one another, unable to break away. She looked beautiful in a light blue three-quartered sleeved dress with white frills lacing across her dipping neckline, strands of silver locks falling over her shoulder. Meliodas thought she was beautiful no matter how she looked, even bed-ridden with a raging fever and drenched in a cold sweat yet standing there with a bit of a bashful smile gracing her lips made him flush a bit himself. Elizabeth blushed heavily before quickly breaking the stare after a minute, placing a hand against her cheek as she looked away.
"Elizabeth, dear, what did you need?" Baltra glanced between the two, his lips resisting to twitch into a smile. He knew two people in love when he saw them, that was how he was when he first met Caroline. Oh how happy she would be to see this now.
"Your Majesty, I shall be taking over the extended missions for the time being. I hand over those not under my direct command to Howzer and Gilthunder until I reinstate them under my care." Meliodas quicky interjected before Elizabeth could answer, his armor clanking as he stood up. "I will do my best to keep in contact during my missions but I cannot guarantee it. If an emergency arises, please send a messenger and we will return as fast as possible."
"Captain, can we please talk about this before you leave for months at a time?" Baltra stood from his chair with purpose as Meliodas looked at him with slightly knitted brows, eyes sending a silent plea. He was going to run away to ensure Elizabeth's feelings were saved. "Surely there is another way—"
"Apologies, Your Majesty, but this is the best option for now. Please try to understand that my intentions are not meant to be harmful in any way but this is what would be best for now. By no means am I giving up, I will never abandon those feelings so easily," Meliodas dropped his voice so Elizabeth couldn't hear him. "I want to give her a chance to heal and in case those memories do come back, then I will be here with open arms. Goodbye."
King Baltra sighed heavily as Meliodas shot him a brief smile before turning and heading towards the door with his head held high. He pitied the boy, having to love someone more than life itself only to have them unaware of it themselves. He hoped one day Elizabeth would regain her memories of them together and help him heal the splitting wound on his heart. "Good luck, Captain. May the stars ever be your guidance."
Meliodas kept his eyes on the door as he walked, resisting the urge to look at Elizabeth any longer than he had to. She was still fidgeting by the door as he neared, debating whether or not to enter the room or turn around and leave. This would be the last time he spoke to her for at least months, if not longer, as he walked away for the sake of them both. He stopped a few feet in front of the door and she looked at him with bright eyes, her sakura tinted lips falling open the slightest bit. Meliodas swallowed hard as he reached for the handle of the door while falling into a bow before her.
"Lady Elizabeth, may I get the door for you?"
"O-oh yes, forgive me. I did not mean to be so rude and block the doorway." Elizabeth stuttered out as she shifted into the room with her hands clenched tightly against her chest. Her heart felt like it was going to bust straight through her dress the longer she looked at him. "I-if I may…"
"Of course, My Lady." Meliodas had just started walking from the room when she stopped him, the knight turning around to look at her.
"You were with Sir Ban at the safehouse, correct?" He nodded in confirmation. "I-I wish to apologize for my rudeness, I was unaware you were the captain of the Holy Knights. I also wish to thank you for helping to bring me home safely. You have my gratitude, Captain." Elizabeth curtsied before him, her cerulean eyes gazing up at him from beneath her bangs.
"There is no need to apologize, My Lady. You were correct to be apprehensive about two strange men standing before you. It is my duty as a Holy Knight to ensure your safety at all times, Lady Elizabeth." Meliodas smiled at her before bowing once more. "Forgive me for the rush though, I have other duties that need attended to."
"Safe travels." Elizabeth spoke softly as he disappeared from sight when the door swung shut and clicked quietly.
Baltra watched his daughter stare at the door with an almost longing gaze, her hand hesitantly reaching out for the handle before she tucked it back against her chest. His heart ached as he knew she felt something within her heart yet couldn't explain what the feeling was or why they were directed at a person she barely knew. A heavy sigh escaped his lips. It was gut-wrenching to watch the two interact, one knowing everything and the other knowing nothing. Meliodas suddenly taking on the infiltration missions was certainly a surprise to the old king, the knight never having interest in it until now. Although after getting him to confess everything Baltra knew why he did it. He needed the time to heal as well, not just for Elizabeth's sake but for his own. Caroline would surely know what to do in a situation like this, the king thought, as Elizabeth made her way to his desk still slightly flustered.
"Father, forgive me for the intrusion," Elizabeth curtseyed once more. "If you do not mind, I have some questions I would like answered."
"Go ahead my dear, I have all of the time in the world to answer them." Baltra smiled as she sat down, instantly fiddling with her dress. It was the easiest sign of her being a bit distressed. Her emotions always shone through no matter how hard she tried to conceal them.
"My memories are still a bit fuzzy, so will you tell me…why do I not remember who that man is although I feel as if I know him?"
Meliodas strolled down the corridors of the castle with his fingers interlaced behind his head, whistling casually as he wandered towards his destination. Everyone was busy preparing for Elizabeth's sixteenth birthday celebration that would last an entire week, as was custom for the coming of age parties, and considering she was King Baltra's youngest daughter he decided to go all out. Many kingdoms were being invited along with handfuls of young suitors, and the king himself had assigned Meliodas to escort her everywhere for the duration of the celebrations. Not that he minded, in fact he was secretly ecstatic about being able to be around her on a constant basis but it also gave him the chance to see if she recalled any memories of them from the prior years. She had just recently begun to call him Captain once more at the suggestion of Diane and the other Sins, being told they often used it as a term of endearment. Being away for months at a time really gave him the time to figure out what he needed, who he wanted to fight for, and Elizabeth was that beacon of light drawing him in back in every time. He would tell her tonight. Tell her the feelings he's held onto for years now, tell her his real name, the one he held onto tightly in case his past came to light. It was a terrifying feeling that seemed to grow the more he thought of how he would do it. Ban had figured out why he was so antsy and just told him to outright say it after telling all of the other Sins of course, while Diane suggested taking her into the scenic garden where they met after years apart to reenact the feeling of meeting for the first time. Merlin suggested one of her experimental love potions which Meliodas quickly shut down. The woman was a genius at being an herbalist and potion creator, though sometimes her experiments were…questionable to say the least.
Turning the corner he headed for Elizabeth's door, dropping his hands as he went to mess with his Holy Knight formal apparel. It was a white two piece military suit with golden epaulettes adorning his shoulders that signified his ranking amongst the knights. He thought they were a bit tacky but they worked well when other kingdoms' generals came crawling up to him asking for advice on leading their ranks like he did. A matching aiguillette trailed over the left side of his chest and attached to the bottom of the epaulette. Various medals adorned his jacket as they rested above his heart to remind himself of his most honorable deeds. A golden belt cinched around his waist and he made sure to pull the jacket smooth against it before wiping any more wrinkles from his apparel. His Holy Knight sword rested easily against his hip, the blade sheathed to prevent any unwanted accidents, and although it wasn't his Lostvayne, it would suffice for the week. Shined black shoes finished it all off and he nodded his head in a final approval. His hair, of course, was something that couldn't be tamed no matter how hard he tried so he just smoothed it down a bit before calling it good. Elizabeth would probably make fun of him for slicking his hair back.
As he approached her door he could hear woman chattering away, throwing out compliments and fawning over how Elizabeth looked. He was pretty sure he even heard Diane in there, the knight having grown close to the princess since the attack two years ago. Meliodas slowed to a stop and quickly swiped the growing moisture on his palms before pulling on his matching gloves. With a deep breath in and out he raised his hand and knocked. The room fell silent as he waited for someone to answer.
"Who is it?" Thankfully, it was Diane who answered and the captained slipped a mischievous grin onto his face.
"K-King, Diane. I was wondering if tonight for the opening ceremony, y-you would accompany me?" He bit the inside of his cheek to contain his laugh. He was about to start the biggest shitshow in town and Ban was missing out on it. The two had concealed feelings for one another but they were too shy to do anything about it. So, as Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins, it was his job to push the two together so they would stop being all nervous and awkward.
"Of course!" The door flew open and Diane looked around excitedly for the redheaded knight. "Where—oh Captain, was King just here?"
"He got too nervous and took off down the hallway, surely you can catch up to him if you run." Meliodas suggested as he stepped aside with a hand motion. "I can handle things here, go enjoy yourself for the evening."
"Thank you, Captain!" Diane called out as she hurried down the corridor with her flowing yellow evening gown clutched in her hand. King would be thanking him later.
"Ladies, you may all be excused now." Elizabeth spoke lightly from behind the slightly opened door. Meliodas waited until the servants had made it down the hallway before turning his attention to the princess behind the door with a pounding heart.
"Lady Elizabeth, I am here to escort you for the duration of the evening. May I accompany you to the ballroom?"
The door slowly opened and the knight found himself at a loss for words as Elizabeth stepped into his view. To say she was stunning was a complete understatement and he nearly had the urge to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Long shimmering puffy sleeves attached by a finger cuff trailed up her slender arms before dipping down over her chest and wrapping around the base of her neck. A warm lilac dyed silk fit across her chest in a halter style that hugged like a glove before slowly swooping down and flaring out at her waist in a princess style skirt. A thin layer of organza rested on top of the fabric starting at her waist with golden shimmers that remind him of the twinkling night sky. Silver locks normally resting down her back were curled up into an intricate curled bun with two loose curled strands of hair framing her face. The bare minimum amount of color had been added to her lips and Meliodas felt his mouth go dry as she looked at him with sparkling blue eyes.
"I would be honored." Elizabeth replied shyly as she stood beside him, cheeks tinted the slightest bit red. "You look very handsome in your uniform, Captain."
"I thank you for your kind words princess, though I must say your radiance this evening far outshines my impressive collection of medals." Meliodas lightly took her outstretched hand and placed a feathery kiss against the top of it.
"You seem so proud of them," Elizabeth broke the cordialness first with a giggle.
"Of course! I worked so hard just to place them on a jacket I wear only a handful of times a year. There was quite a bit of dust on them though, enough to get a scolding from the maids." He grinned up at her as she hooked her arm around his and allowed him to lead the way.
"I shall take your word on it. I get the feeling Sir King was not standing outside of the door with you, am I right?"
"I don't know what you're talking about Elizabeth, surely I would never be so coldhearted to one of my own." Meliodas feigned hurt as he slipped an innocent smile onto his lips.
"I do believe that innocent smile is deceiving, My Lord." Elizabeth quickly reverted back to proper mannerisms as a handful of maids passed by, bowing their respects to them both before scurrying off. "I have known you long enough now to see through your formal etiquette."
"And how long exactly would that be?" Did she remember something?
"Since I found you hiding in my secret garden spot a few months ago after fighting those two men," The princess smiled at him. "I asked some of the Holy Knights who they were and they revealed you caught them sneaking around in the rooms. Captain, are you feeling unwell? You seem a bit pale."
Meliodas shook his head, quickly bouncing back to his cheerful self as he redirected the conversation to the guestlist for the evening. It had been two years since she had lost all of her memories of the time they spent together and he was hoping something, anything had come back to her in the time he was gone. Maybe he was being too hopeful that they would return. He could pretend he didn't know anything but whenever he looked at those cerulean eyes it faltered and died in his throat. He needed to tell her and soon.
The loud chatter of the ballroom drew closer and they both easily fell back into their cordial mannerisms. It was nice being able to talk together on a casual level, something that Meliodas realized he often missed, yet their duties were to their kingdom and thus the proper formalities ruined their fun for the time being. Some of the Holy Knights reinstated under his command snapped to attention as they passed, Howzer shooting the captain a brief smile before ordering the knights to follow suit. They climbed a few stairs at a corridor intersection and slowed to a stop just behind the curtain that concealed the main balcony above the throne and waited as King Baltra made his opening announcement.
"How does it feel to be the center of attention for your adoring fans, Lady Elizabeth?" Meliodas asked quietly, placing his other hand atop hers. "Surely many suitors will woo you with their overwhelmingly…charming scents and sugary words this evening."
"Unfortunately, they will be disappointed when I turn their offers down." Elizabeth replied softly as she tilted her head slightly to look at him with rubescent cheeks. "For there is one who has already taken my heart."
Meliodas was thrown askew by her words and his brain ground to a halt for a minute as he looked at her in complete shock. She…already loved someone? But who? Obviously, it wasn't Lord Havenworth since she avoided him like the plague so did that mean it was another suitor who had gotten to her when he was away? He couldn't wrap his brain around who it could be as he gaped at her like a fish out of water. Elizabeth quickly turned away with her hand covering her mouth as a smile twitched at her lips.
"W-who if I may ask…?" The knight managed to spit out eloquently and she couldn't help but giggle.
"Would you like to make a game out of it, Captain?" The princess teased as she tried to compose herself before the curtains opened.
"I—"
Trumpets blasted and the knight snapped to attention as the heavy velvet portiere slowly shifted aside to reveal the heavily filled ballroom, the orchestra beginning a soft tune. Meliodas slowly walked Elizabeth out to the balcony to stand beside King Baltra and her sisters. The crowd fell silent as they awaited her birthday speech, excited murmurs zipping through them. Carefully slipping her arm from the knight Elizabeth smiled at him before taking her father's arm and sweeping towards the railing of the balcony. Meliodas stood back and watched with his hands resting behind his back, a warm smile slipping onto his face. They had always been close ever since Caroline grew attached to the infant and formally adopted her into the family after a traveler had passed away shortly after giving birth to Elizabeth, the Queen just so happened to be making her rounds around the city when she stumbled upon them. The Queen died when the princess was still young so her memories of her mother were fairly non-existent.
"Did the Captain actually get dressed up for this evening, Griamore?" A mirthful voice whispered to the right of Meliodas.
"I believe he did, Gilthunder, shocking to say the least. Usually he just wears his armor, I do not think I have ever seen him wear this before." Griamore whispered back and the Sin cocked a brow in response.
"I do believe both of you have one hundred laps around the castle grounds to complete before this evening is over." Meliodas responded coolly as he kept his gaze on Elizabeth. He hadn't noticed before how the mid of her back was cut out to reveal the outline of her delicate spine curving into the fabric. Gods she was beautiful.
"Relax, Captain, just a little friendly fun," Gilthunder lightly clapped him on the back. "Although..."
"Speak."
"Is it just me or have you been getting a little close to Lady Elizabeth lately? Of course, my eyes could be playing a trick on me. Thoughts, Griamore?" The pink haired knight grinned over at his comrade with a playful glint in his eyes.
"I do believe you may be right, Gilthunder, lest my eyes are beginning to fail me as well." The hulking knight crossed his arms over his chest as he looked down at the impassive Meliodas. "Captain? Care to share your thoughts?"
"I suggest the both of you mind your own business." Meliodas merely stated as he tried once again to listen in on Elizabeth's speech. "This is nothing more than me performing my duties as Captain of the Holy Knights."
"Captain, we both know you are lying," Gilthunder remarked with a pointed look. "Ban told us all of the juicy details. He is pretty good at snooping into your love life."
"Did he now? I suppose he also mentioned how you two have been neglecting your training of the apprentice knights? Care to tell me your thoughts on that?" Meliodas fired back smoothly and relished in their stiffened postures and stuttering mouths.
"Oh, I was uh…performing my knightly duties of guarding Princess Margaret." Gilthunder rubbed at the back of his head and quickly looked away.
"I apologize from my absence, Princess Veronica has been requesting my assistance frequently in shopping lately." Griamore bowed to his captain, ashamed for neglecting his duties.
"As long as it does not happen again, those recruits are counting on you to show them the proper way of becoming a Holy Knight."
"Yessir!"
"Captain, is everything alright over here?" A soft voice reached his ears and he looked up as Elizabeth gently reached out and placed a hand against his arm, her delicate brows pinching in concern. How he yearned to smooth out those delicate lines.
"I was just scolding these two. Forgive me, Lady Elizabeth. Would you like to go lead the first dance of the evening?"
"I am not quite in the mood to dance yet, may we go somewhere and talk for a bit?"
"Of course. Will you give me a moment to speak with your father first?" The princess nodded and shifted over to her sisters who were talking with their respective knights. Meliodas made his way to the King as he watched his kingdoms guests begin to waltz around happily, the room filled with the hauntingly beautiful sounds of a violin.
"Captain, what are your concerns you wish to address for the evening?" Baltra asked knowingly as he kept his eyes on the people below.
"I have informed the Sins to keep an eye on Lord Havenworth and his associates for the duration of the celebrations." Meliodas spoke quietly as he stood beside the king, scanning the crowd for his team. He spotted Escanor guarding the main hall doors, Diane and King dancing at the back of the room, Merlin sitting at a table on the outer edge of the dance floor with a flock of young men around her, Gowther was nowhere to be seen and Ban was gone as well.
"You are as concerned as I am then. King Everardus has given me his word that his son will be under his watchful eye the duration of their stay. He has been warned that if Cornelius steps even a toe out of line he will be banished from Liones."
"I respect King Everardus for giving his word though I do not trust Cornelius will be under a watchful eye every waking moment." Meliodas deadpanned as the king arched a brow at him. "He will not stop until he has your daughter's hand and I get the feeling he has been behind some attacks over the years though I lack enough proof to have him tried. I will not leave Lady Elizabeth's side for even a second tonight, Baltra, that you have my word on."
"I entrust my daughter to you, Meliodas, for I know you two have been intertwined by fate. Please, go enjoy your evening together while I handle things here." King Baltra turned to leave but not before he placed a hand on the captain's shoulder. "See to it that any removals from the celebrations be handled discretely."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Elizabeth felt something touch her elbow and she broke away from the conversation with her sisters to look. Her heart thumped against her chest as Meliodas held out a hand for her with a gentle smile on her face. "Shall we go?"
"Of course, Captain. I will see you later, Veronica, Margaret, please enjoy your evening." Elizabeth waved farewell to the two as Meliodas escorted her through the curtain. Ban was waiting against the wall with his foot braced up, his expression oddly serious as he glanced up and locked eyes with the captain before a grin slipped onto his features the knight stood and bowed to Elizabeth.
"Lady Elizabeth, you looking absolutely stunning this evening. I hope the Captain is doing his best to entertain you?" The growing heat on her face gave him his answer and he grinned a little wider.
"O-of course, Sir Ban, I always enjoy the company of the Captain. Thank you for the compliment, I hope you will enjoy the festivities tonight." The princess rested her palm over her wrist as she spoke, feeling the heated gaze coming from the knight escorting her.
"I am not one for dancing, My Lady, though booze and food are my guilty pleasures." Ban grinned widely and Meliodas resisted the urge to smack him upside the head. "I will leave you two alone now, I merely wished to admire your breathtaking gown from up close."
"Enjoy your evening, Sir Ban, and do not hesitate to ask the staff if you require more sustenance." Elizabeth gave a light curtsey and began leading Meliodas away. The knights shared a look and with a nod from the captain, Ban was gone in the blink of an eye. The Sins knew to keep an eye on Havenworth for the week and it seems he just arrived at the party judging by Ban's face.
"So, will you tell me where we are headed for the evening?" Meliodas asked as he let Elizabeth guide him down the corridors, curious as to why she suddenly seemed determined to get away from the dance floor.
"I shall not for this is part of the game, Captain." Elizabeth hummed. "That takes away the fun of it all."
"Very well, I am at your mercy for the evening, Elizabeth, feel free to do whatever you wish with me." He snickered as her face turned bright red, the princess whipping her head away from him.
The remainder of the walk was silent apart from the occasional greeting from a staff member or passing by, Meliodas keeping tracking of every person they passed just in case. Surely Lord Havenworth wouldn't be reckless enough to pull a stunt on Elizabeth's sixteenth birthday but his track record wasn't something so easily ignored and the Sin was sure he would pull something. It was possible he had managed to dig up the buried information on him and would spill everything to the princess, even though he was going to tell her everything this evening, to make him look like a bad guy in her eyes. Elizabeth was a very kindhearted person and often a very forgiving one, something Meliodas had known since first meeting the princess when they were young yet there was still a part of him that worried she wouldn't accept his past and reject him from her life.
"Free at last," Elizabeth pushed the door to the gardens open and let out a sigh as a slightly cooled breeze hit her face. With a quick grin at the knight beside her she lifted the bottom of her voluptuous dress and flung her heels high into the air. "I will never get used to those suffocating things."
"Just like last time, huh? You and shoes, Elizabeth." Meliodas chuckled as she slipped away from him and danced around barefoot on the cobblestones. The sun was beginning to set and its rays illuminated the princess like the starry night skies, the knight wondering if he had died and gone to heaven at the sight. "I wonder how many times you have gone without them while attending such events."
"That, Captain, is a secret that I will take with me to the grave," She laughed as she twirled around happily.
"Surely you could indulge me with just a number? I may even give you a letter to my name for it."
Elizabeth slowed to a stop and stared at him with a debating expression, hands playing with the shimmering layer of her dress. He planted his hands on his hips, staring back with a slightly anticipating expression in an attempt to lure her in and reveal more about herself. With a little pout of her lips she finally answered.
"Fourty-two. Fourty-three if you count this evening."
"You have tossed your heels that many times? Impressive numbers, Elizabeth. True to my word I shall give you a letter of my name." The knight strolled down the stone steps with his hands clasped behind his back, slowly walking towards the princess with a grin tugging at his lips. "Of course, telling you outright would be boring, no? So how about you take a guess at what the second letter of my name is."
"I am beginning to suspect you do not want to give me your name," Elizabeth turned and slowly walked away tilting her head back to look at him. "I wish to call you by your name and not your nicknames or titles, My Lord. Is there something you wish to tell me? A secret perhaps?"
Meliodas stopped in his tracks and stared at her with curious eyes. Did she know? Had someone told her about his past already? Baltra wouldn't have done it since he had been sworn not to speak that name around others and the Sins already knew better, so how…? "Are you implying you know something I do not, Elizabeth?"
"Hmm, one thing I do know is you were the one who came to my rescue two years ago after Liones was attacked and nursed me back to health overnight." Elizabeth came to a stop and angled her body to look at him, her face soft though her eyes revealed a bit of unease within them.
"You…have you remembered everything? What else do you remember?" He moved towards her when she put up a hand to stop him and he felt his heart drop into his stomach as excitement turned to stomach churning fear. Everything was going south quickly and he needed to know why. "Elizabeth, is everything alright? This…isn't like you all of a sudden."
"I feel perfectly fine, thank you for your concern Captain. I just…have some questions I would like answered." Her postured seemed to loosen up just a bit but she was still acting out of character.
"Any question you have, I will answer you in complete honesty, Elizabeth, you have my word." Meliodas appeased her with his palms up in a nearly pleading gesture. "It's better if we sit down for this, it may take a while."
"Of course."
The two settled onto the bench with a bit of distance between them, the knight silently panicking that this would all go downhill from here and his small speck of worry would explode into reality. He waited as patiently as he could for her to gather her thoughts and speak first. Elizabeth finally took a deep breath in and straightened her back before looking at the knight sitting beside her. Meliodas seemed calm on the outside yet his eyes showed the barest hint of distress and worry within them, something the princess hadn't expected to see. Was he that worried about what she was going to ask? Did he really have secrets to hide from her? They had been getting closer and closer over the past handful of months and she even had certain, indescribable feelings that emerged whenever he came around, yet she still didn't know his true identity or anything about his past. She wanted, needed to know who the knight before her truly was.
"After you left for those extended missions, I asked my father about you. He was very vague in giving me answers but it was enough to fill in some of the blanks of my memory. I suppose my first question is, what happened the day of the attack two years ago according to you? And why were you gone for two years?"
"My team and I had just returned from one of our missions in the Southeast when we found the city being attacked. I got to the castle as fast as I could to find your father and ensure his safety. Once he was secured and taken care of, he asked me to come find you since Escanor reported seeing you flee through the castle gates." Elizabeth's eyes brightened at the mention of the name.
"That was the man at the gate? Escanor, correct?" Meliodas nodded. "I will need to thank him later for assisting me in my escape. Please, continue."
"By the time I had reached the safehouse you were outside near Hawk with a high fever and burns on your palms. I cleared the area and got you and the horses secured before tending to your wounds. Rest assured nothing inappropriate took place as I was caring for you. I administered medicine, changed out your cold cloth and watched over you during the night until morning when my team came to find us. They escorted you back to the city while I stayed behind for a bit."
"Was that when you did not return for nearly a week? Did something happen to you?" Elizabeth scootched a little closer with concern filling her eyes. If he wasn't absolutely terrified of what little relationship they had between them crumbling to bits her concern would be touching.
"Yes, I needed to stay behind to clear my head for a bit. Nothing bad happened I just…" How was he supposed to explain he chopped down half of the forest in anger and grief over her losing her memories? Damnit, he wasn't good at this whole emotions thing. "The whole situation had me a bit upset and until I could control myself, I stayed out in the woods. I'm sorry if I worried you."
"I am just relieved nothing worse happened to you out there. Father stated there has been higher crime rates in the area and I was not sure if you had gotten attacked…" She trailed off and quickly diverted her gaze to her lap, twisting her hands together.
"I promise it won't happen again, Elizabeth. As for why I left…just as you needed time to heal from your memory loss, I needed to heal as well and thought it was best for us to be separated. What other questions do you have for me?"
"I understand why you left, it was…difficult to deal with trauma induced memory loss and I cannot imagine what you were feeling all those years. Another question I have for you is why is your team called the Sins? It seems like an odd name for a group of Holy Knights." The princess noticed he tensed up the slightest bit and opened her mouth to retract the question when he spoke.
"We are called the Seven Deadly Sins because we have committed heinous crimes in the past that have branded us as criminals to the world. All of us bear an ouroboros on our body to remind us of those sins we caused." He said quietly as he kept his gaze to the ground.
"What…kind of crimes?"
"I'm afraid I made a pact with my team to not speak of their crimes without their consent, so it's best if you ask them what theirs is if they're willing to say so."
"I will keep that in mind." Elizabeth chewed on her lip as she prepared the two biggest questions on her mind and she could tell he was waiting for them as well. "Will you…tell me what your sin is along with your name? If it is too difficult for you to say, I will understand." He suddenly stood up and she panicked, wondering if she went too far in the questioning when he shifted to crouch in front of her, gently grasping her hands while looking up at her with a mix of unreadable emotions.
"I want you to promise me something, Elizabeth. Promise that you will listen to my entire story before making your final judgement on me, okay? This is not something to be taken quickly or lightly and must be kept between us." Elizabeth slowly nodded and intertwined her fingers with his to provide some comfort. Either for herself of him, she didn't know.
"I promise you."
"Thank you. My real name is—"
"Meliodas, the man who destroyed Danafor in a single day without remorse or care and became the Dragon's Sin of Wrath."
Meliodas quickly stood in front of Elizabeth with his blade unsheathed towards the new voice, eyes hard. That damned rat must have been waiting for them to show up in the garden and let their guards down. "You've gone and done it, haven't you? You stuck your nose where it didn't belong, Corni. I warned you—"
"My dear boy," Cornelius shifted from around a hedge with his hands in his pockets, seeming all too casual as he walked towards the knight. "Curiosity is a powerful thing especially when it comes unveiling a criminal falsifying a life of peace in another kingdom. Tell me, Meliodas, do you plan to blow up Liones too since Danafor was just a mere steppingstone? Does your wrath know no limit? Have you told dear Lady Elizabeth what you really are?"
"What happened in Danafor spiraled out of control not by choice. I bear the mark of my sin for that day but my intentions were not to—"
"You murdered a man in his home by burning him alive. What were your intentions with that, hmm? Get away scot-free with murder and then move onto the next town? Surely there was a reason to take the life of Lord Quinton in his own home."
"Danafor…did not fall due to conflict?" Elizabeth breathed out as she glanced between the two men, confused. Meliodas remained motionless as he shielded her though glancing at his clenched fist she noticed it shaking the slightest bit.
"My Lady, there were no conflicts in the area at the time. It is a lie created by the Captain of the Holy Knights to cover his tracks deep in the mud so he could attempt to live a normal life in a new town." Cornelius stopped a few feet from them both, a smirk pulling at his lips every time he looked at Meliodas. "Ah, have you not told her that yet? My apologies, surely you would have—"
"Lord Havenworth, please, cease these accusations at once!"
Both men turned to her in surprise as she raised her voice. Elizabeth moved to stand beside Meliodas with a hand grasping his shoulders lightly, blue eyes glaring at the prince. "What do you hope to accomplish by saying such things? Even if they were to be true, it is not your place to say them like that! I have had enough of your insulting behavior and belittling words within these castle walls. If you would excuse us, we have other obligations to attend to. I would say you are free to leave at your leisure but you will soon be escorted out of the castle with a permanent ban of entry."
"Elizabeth…" Meliodas felt his heart swell with pride as she stood behind him with unwavering strength. Cornelius apparently was in shock as he stared at her with his mouth gaping open, his plan to ruin the knights image now crumbling apart.
"I am afraid the only place your knight will be going is back to Danafor to pay for his crimes. There was a witness who overheard the plan to blow up the house," The prince spat out in a last ditch effort to stop them from leaving just long enough for his father and King Baltra to arrive outside. "I do believe you know him, Meliodas, he goes by Dorfus. Will you be kind enough to come out now?"
A man hobbled out from behind the hedges as well and Meliodas nearly dropped his sword in surprise, his eyes going wide. He hadn't seen that man in ten years yet there he stood with a cane supporting his badly deformed leg and a familiar scowl on his aged face. So that was Cornelius' plan all along, to find someone who witnessed the destruction in Danafor all those years ago and sentence the knight for his crimes. This wasn't good, he needed to get Elizabeth out of here before there were any more surprises. Where the hell were the others? How did Havenworth get past the other six knights?
"Good to see ya again, brat, I never got to thank you for shattering my leg and ruining my life." Dorfus snarled as he hobbled to a stop next to Cornelius, leaning heavily on his cane.
"If I recall you were the one strangling a child and threatening to snap his neck for an alleged theft you never proved. Why would you suddenly show up after all of these years? What does Cornelius have on you?" Meliodas slowly began inching towards the doors, keeping his hand on Elizabeth's arm to keep her close. She was constantly glancing between the two and himself but he didn't have time to worry about what she was currently thinking of. Ban was supposed to keep a close eye on Havenworth so where was he?
"Now, now, let us not get hasty here in throwing around accusations." Cornelius stepped closer and Meliodas snapped his blade out, the tip resting mere inches from his throat. "Always so hasty with your blade, Captain. Surely we can talk about this like respectable men."
"There is nothing respectable about you anymore Lord Havenworth, so I suggest you do as you are ordered and leave Liones immediately lest you force my hand upon you as Captain of the Holy Knights and protector of Princess Elizabeth Liones. You were warned by King Baltra for your reckless manners within the castle grounds and I will add another one in for you. Leave immediately or fall where you stand."
"Captain, are there any guards nearby?" Elizabeth asked quietly in his ear as her fingers tightened around his arm. She could feel how heavy the atmosphere had become and the urge to run tightened her chest to a near suffocating point.
"Ban should be yet I don't know where he is. This isn't like him to not show up so stay close to me. If I tell you to run go as fast as you can back to the ballroom and find Gilthunder, say 'The roses look wonderful this evening.', then stay with your father." Meliodas never let his eyes stray from Cornelius as they slowly moved back, emerald eyes searching watching for any movement in his peripheral. No doubt they were secretly surrounded by men waiting for the signal to attack.
"What about you? I do not want to leave you here with them." The knight glanced back with a reassuring smile.
"I'll be alright, I've fought Havenworth before when you were around twelve and it was your encouragement that pushed me to my win, Elizabeth. If you can do that now then there's no chance of me losing this fight."
"I have the utmost faith in you…Meliodas." Elizabeth smiled softly as she spoke his name for the first time, somehow finding it a perfect match for the knight.
"Captain Meliodas, what is happening here? Lower your weapon immediately."
King Baltra and King Everardus swept down the garden entrance stairs with knights flanking behind them. Meliodas glanced at them before withdrawing his weapon and sheathing it, shifting closer to Elizabeth as he watched Cornelius' grin widen. The fact that King Everardus was with Baltra meant the prince had most likely said something to his father judging by the disgusted look on his face. He shot the prince a withering look and felt the tiniest bit of joy when he flinched back, shoving Dorfus in front of him as a shield. Typical.
"Captain Meliodas of the Liones Holy Knights, you are hereby being formally charged with the massacre and destruction of Danafor ten years prior along with the Holy Knight Ban. A witness has come forth and verified the both of you as the ones who destroyed the city and then fled." A knight stepped forward and read from a scroll clasped between his hands in a booming voice. Meliodas' eyes immediately went to the large black symbol adorning his armor and clenched his jaw when he saw it was a knight of Danafor reading him his charges. He knew this was no longer a coincidence yet there was nothing he could do for the moment. Sooner or later the knight figured they would come after them, for the murder at least, though something didn't sit right with him. They had only blown up the house, not the entirety of the town. Despite living in the shithole for the early years of his life, he had zero desire to make other people suffer because of his misfortunes. He hoped Ban would know more once he found him.
"Father! This is not Meliodas' fault, he was defending me from Lord Havenworth's blatant slander against the kingdom of Liones and himself. He was protecting me," Elizabeth beseeched as she grasped her father's arm, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "I requested the prince leave the premises immediately but he did not abide by my words and continued to slander Meliodas with false accusations."
"Elizabeth, please go wait in your chambers until this matter is settled. I will come for you then." Baltra said gruffly as he rested his hand against her shoulder. "No harm will come to the Captain. I promise, so please go."
"Lady Elizabeth, I will escort you back to your chambers," Guila spoke gently as she guided the reluctant princess away but Elizabeth yanked her arm back.
"No, unhand me! I will not let you take him away! Father, please, this is all a misunderstanding!" Elizabeth pushed past the knights and her father, rushing barefoot to Meliodas' side with determination. He looked up at her with a silent plea as she grasped his arm tightly, his hand instantly grasping hers. "I want to hear the words directly from him about what happened. He promised to speak to me honestly about everything and I will not take the word of a man who has slandered the name of Liones or Meliodas."
"Elizabeth, return to your chambers. I will handle this matter personally." King Baltra spoke softly as he approached the two, blocking them from the view of the crowd. "I understand you are upset but you need to listen to me very carefully right now. You both are being heavily watched and anything you do or say could make it harder to earn his freedom. Meliodas, I thank you for protecting my daughter for the evening though I must relieve you of your duties as captain of the Holy Knights until the investigation has completed."
"I understand. Your Majesty, forgive me for bringing dishonor to the kingdom and your name." Meliodas slowly removed his sheathed blade and handed it over with two hands, bowing his head down in disgrace.
"I will get to the bottom of this, do not worry. For now, you must stay within the dungeons with Ban. I will not dishonor your service by cuffing you and dragging you away so please, follow me Meliodas." Baltra clapped the young man on the shoulder before turning to leave. "Elizabeth,"
"I…yes, father." The princess finally gave in, knowing better than to stand there and argue with her father. Her heart sank into her stomach as she glanced at the knight beside her. He looked so…broken, like everything he had in life was suddenly snatched away from him in a matter of seconds.
"I'm sorry Elizabeth, this isn't how I wanted things to turn out." Meliodas spoke beneath his breath as they both fell in line behind the king, feeling the eyes of many on them. The smugness from Prince Havenworth pierced into the back of his head as he was led away to be charged for his crimes.
"Do not apologize, Meliodas. You are the only one who ever treated me like a normal person and not a princess all of the time. I have been my happiest when I am with you, I should be thanking you for the wonderful memories." The knight gave a small huff of a laugh, his smile nowhere near close to his shimmering eyes like usual.
"I just wish we had more time together so I could tell you everything. I don't think I'll be allowed to stay in the kingdom if Danafor wants to prosecute me back in their village. Oh, before I forget, you found out my name so who is the man who has taken your heart, Lady Elizabeth?" Meliodas found himself anxiously waiting for her reaction with his eyes forward and heart racing. She stared down at him with a tender expression and her body moved on its own before she knew what she was doing.
Elizabeth placed a hand lightly on his shoulder and bent down, pressing her lips lightly against his cheek for a few seconds before standing upright with tinted cheeks and bright eyes brimming with unshed tears. Meliodas stared at her with stunned eyes as his fingers grazed against the spot. "You are the one who has taken my heart Meliodas, if you will have it."
"Elizabeth—"
Guila swiftly grabbed the princess away before he could process what was happening and by the time he snapped out of it Holy Knights were surrounding him on both sides, their gazes apologetic as they separated the two. He saw Elizabeth glancing back at him as she tried to break free from Guila's grip once more, desperation flooding her face as she struggled to no avail.
"I will be awaiting your answer, Meliodas!" The princess shouted out just before the Holy Knight shuffled her back into the castle with a few other knights following her.
"Captain, what is going on? Why are you being escorted away from here?" Gilthunder shoved past the other knights and halted the march of shame with heavy breaths. "Where is Lady Elizabeth?"
"He is no longer the captain, Gilthunder, he is being charged for the destruction of Danafor ten years ago." One of the knights informed the pink haired squadron leader hesitantly. "I do not believe it myself even though he has yet to deny the accusations."
"Gil, I'm handing command over to you for the time being until this mess gets sorted out. Keep an eye on Elizabeth for me, will ya?" Meliodas locked eyes with the knight as the walk continued, a silent message being sent between the two. "Tell her I'm sorry for dragging her into this mess and that…I'll be back one day to give her the answer she's waiting for."
"Captain Meliodas!" Gilthunder called out once more but he was soon gone and the knight ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Just what on earth was happening here? Whatever was truly happening, he would get down to the bottom of it just as Meliodas signaled him to do. The captain had warned him months ago of a situation like this where he could be forcefully thrown from his ranking and the Holy Knights could falter in structure, the perfect time for an attack on Liones. The big question was who was behind all of this?
Howzer stealthily slid up next to him amongst the throng of knights of Liones and Danafor, with a handful from Celnair Keep as well, and grabbed his friend by the shoulder. "Who is that man with the cane next to Lord Havenworth?"
"I do not know," The knight turned his gaze upon them and his eyes caught a nearly discrete transaction, a bag passing between them as the commotion died down. "But I do believe he is a part of this. Grab him for interrogations away from Havenworth and prying eyes. He may be the key to saving the captain faster."
"You think this is going to turn into a war?" The blonde asked suddenly and Gil gave a tight nod with a grimace.
"I believe it was their plan all along to remove Meliodas from his ranking to crumble the structure of the Holy Knights long enough for an attack, but what would they be after?"
"Dunno, just keep your eyes peeled for anything odd and keep a list of any new person who enters the castle, deliveries and knights. I will report anything of importance."
"Got it."
"We'll get him out before they haul him off, don't worry." Howzer slapped his friend on the back plate of his armor before reemerging into the throngs of people. Gilthunder sighed heavily as he watched Lord Havenworth speak with his father and King Baltra, his suspicions raising. He really hoped he was right.
This took quite a bit longer than usual due to me struggling with how to structure it a bit better. Also I got the Valve Index VR and Half Life Alyx so that took hours of my life away lol. Hope you enjoyed!