[Words: 3132]

.

.

.

.

Chapter 2:

Childhood Innocence

.

.

.

It happened from nowhere. One minute, Mother was here, and the next, we were receiving news she, Aunty Renee and Aunty Anna were dead. They had gone out of the city to attend some sort of formal tea party. I was supposed to attend, too, but I was unable to at the last minute because I was busy vomiting.

It was supposed to be just another tea party—they went out to these sorts of things all the time. I should have known…but…

It hurt.

It really hurt…

Something that I had only admitted to a few people from Before was that I struggled to connect with others. It was something that plagued me when I was Bethany. I struggled to forge friendships but those that I had were deeply cherished.

But as Elizabeth, no such things had plagued me. I adored freely, and I hadn't realised until the Sins were away on missions at weeks at a time. But I had rationalised it at the time that as an echo of missing Meliodas.

As Bethany, while an eight-year-old, a woman, a close family friend—like another grandmother to me—passed away. A woman I had known all my life, and when she died… well, I didn't really feel anything. I felt no empathy towards her—I felt no loss or sadness.

I cried just because others cried.

And yet, the moment Father had told us. I was a sobbing mess, a deep hole torn open inside my heart.

I sighed heavily and stared down at the casket that was being transported into the tomb. I hiccupped on stifled sobs as I buried my face into Melly's shoulder, smoothly by his warmth and presence and gently rub of his hand on my back.

(All the Sins had come to the funeral, each having had interactions with mother and knew her quite well because I had made a habit of including them whenever I could as a child desperate to get her way. I had wanted to make the most of my time with them.)

Melly pressed a kiss to my temple.

.

.

.

Veronica's temper was shorter than normal. No doubt Mother's death was the reason; it had only been two weeks. Thinking of mother was still aching but the gaping hole was slowly closing, leaving behind an uncomfortable weight.

I wanted to talk to Melly, because, despite everything that was wrong with me, he was like a light at the end of a tunnel.

(Ironic, wasn't it? I don't know my feelings towards him; maybe one day I would come to love him as Eli does, but another part of me wonders if I could even love someone in that way. It had been with me as Bethany. I had never felt anything romantic—crushes, yes, but crushes were different. They were admiration and fleeting.)

But Melly and the Sins were away on a job, so I couldn't go see him and bask in his warmth.

I shook that off and continued heading for the library with Alice. Veronica and Margaret were going to meet us there for some quiet reading time. It had become a thing that Margaret would read to us both. The book types varied because, surprisingly enough, Veronica enjoyed fairy tales.

Honestly, when she said it, it surprised me. I wasn't expecting someone who would go on to become a strong-willed woman to enjoy fairy tales still—but she's six, so that might be part of it.

Unfortunately, I wasn't the biggest fan of them. I liked the slightly more mature fairy tales—the equivalent of an adult adventure book but that's probably because I was mentally twenty. Twenty? Honestly, I wasn't sure these days because I also did have the brain of a four-year-old.

Veronica didn't like them as much, preferring the kids' versions. She thought my choices were stupid.

Which unfortunately led to an argument today. Her constant snapping was grating my nerves and so I returned the biting words.

Well, at least until—

"What does your opinion even matter? It's not like you're our actual sister!"

My jaw actually dropped.

Margaret gasped. "Veronica!"

Oh.

Oh, it was on.

That bitch.

There was no Alice present to stop me. She's left after dropping me off, trusting Margret to watch us.

I forced my eyes to well up with tears and I dropped my book, fleeing the library, heading straight for Father How dare she! I ignored Margaret's voice for me to come back before she quickly went on to tell Veronica off.

I hid a snicker. You wanna play it like that, Veronica? Fine, let's play.

.

.

.

"I'm very disappointed in you Veronica," Dad lectured. Veronica's eyes filled with tears, despite how much she visibly tried to fight it. She was a strong-willed six-year-old. I am such a petty shit. "Elizabeth is your sister, whether through blood or not, and to think otherwise is cruel. I'm not sure how you came into that knowledge in the first place, but it wasn't for you to share in spite."

I clutched Father's hand tightly, eyes still irritated and throat sore from my crying.

"Beth is still young, both of you are, and saying something like that was uncalled for. In fact, your entire behaviour since your Mother's passing has been unsavoury. I know losing her hurts but taking it out on others is wrong. Now, you will apologise to your sister."

Veronica didn't make a sound for several moments before her shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry."

She didn't sound too sorry.

I huddled into Father's side more.

"Veronica," Dad warned.

"It okay," I huffed. "She m'ent words, no point making her say sorry for something she m'ent," I glanced at Father. "Go now? Wanna have Alice help read."

Dad stroked my head. "Of course, my dear."

"T'ank you." I hurried out of the room but lingered in the doorway long enough to hear Father start a firmer lecture about what was right and wrong to say.

I grinned.

Veronica and I didn't talk for a while after that. I wasn't too bothered; she'd been a bitch. Maybe it was petty of me because she was only six, but I honestly couldn't bring myself to care too much.

.

.

.

I hummed a song from Before, the name escaping me and at that realisation, I paused. I… that song was my brother's favourite song but… I couldn't remember the name!

Crap!

My eyes widened in horror; I was forgetting things!

I abandoned my doodles and began scrambling for the rest of my parchment. I then grabbed my black pencil and began, in as best writing as I could, jotting down notes. Plot points and everything I could remember, no matter the order—I'd do that later. I just needed to get it done.

It was horrible to realise I was forgetting.

.

.

.

(Age 5)

I hummed softly, swinging Margaret's arm back and forth as we walked. She had turned eleven not too long ago—I forgot sometimes that there was a seven-year age gap between us.

There was the clattering of wooden swords that caught my attention. I perked up, curious about who it was that was training. I tugged Margaret toward the sound. She laughed softly at my eagerness.

If I was right, this might be Gilthunder and Melly. The scene in which Melly tells Gil those magic words—I was excited to get to witness my first official 'scene', and possibly be a part of it.

"—never going to make it," Gilthunder bemoaned, catching his breath.

Margaret and I stopped short of going any closer, just watching the scene play out in front of us.

"I know I'll never become as strong as father and you, Meliodas."

"Look you…" Melly lifted the wooden sword from his shoulder, looking partly confused at Gil's sudden change in attitude. "First, you've got to lose that negative attitude."

"Your eyes can see through evil. You mouth utters the truth," Margaret recited, moving toward Gilthunder. I nearly cooed in awe, I'd always loved how well Margaret and Gilthunder got along, they seemed made for each other. Gil would make a good king when Margaret took the throne. "Your heart is filled with justice, and your sword shall crush evil."

I moved over to Melly, grinning up at him. He chuckled softly, discarding the sword to pick me up. I turned to look at the future couple.

"To stand by what you believe is right till the end, isn't that the most important thing for a knight?"

"M-Margaret!" Gil pushed himself to his feet in surprise.

"It has nothing to do with Meliodas or your father. You're you." She smiled. "Someday, you're going to be the kindest, most powerful knight of all, Gil. That's what I believe."

Gil smiled, cheeks tinting red from her words.

"Somebody's gonna be hen-pecked…" Melly commented. I absently reached up and pinched his cheek as the future couple flushed.

"Rude!" I chimed. Melly grinned and nuzzled his nose against my cheek. "Good for each other!"

Melly blinked, raising a brow at me. His eyes flickered with amusement and curiosity. Whoops.

"And how do you know that Beth?"

"Just do!" I grinned again and tapped my nose twice. Meliodas gave a hearty laugh.

.

.

.

…

I stirred.

…

I blinked awake, partly in confusion. It was still dark out, and I was tired still, but… why had I awoken? I couldn't remember having a bad dream.

Never mind.

…Elizabeth?...

…This is harder than I thought…

.

.

.

"Howzey!" I squealed and tackled him—or attempted too anyhow.

"Bethy!" The dark blond ruffled my hair.

I scrambled onto his back and pointed forward. "Onward, trusty steed!"

He laughed, taking off in a run.

.

.

.

(Age 6)

"Ellie, wait!" Veronica rushed after me, but I was too busy chasing after the tabby cat I had seen. Cute! Wanna pet the kitty!

I didn't pay any attention to the bridge ahead until I was already on it and Veronica snagged my arm. I yelped, her grip and the tug on my shoulder painful, and the bridge swayed, creaking underneath us. My heart rose to my throat with a sudden realisation.

"How many times have we told you about running off?" She glared down at me sternly, but my focus was on the bridge below us. "Ellie, are you even listening to me?"

"The bridge," I whimpered.

Veronica paused just as the wood below us began to bend under our weight.

"Don't move."

But the bridge had already decided its fate and the planks gave out. We fell through and into the river. I cried in surprise, but Veronica's shout of pain pulled me back. I swam partly against the river towards her and the riverbank.

I helped—not that much really, I'm a six-year-old—pulled her out of the water and her leg was bleeding. She moaned, teary-eyed and clutched at it. I bit my lip.

"I'm sorry!" I burst into tears. It was all my fault. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry!"

I ripped at my dress to wrap it around her leg but decided against it since there were wooden splinters in it.

"It's okay," Veronica finally answered, forcing a smile.

"No, it's not!" I bit back. "It's my fault!"

How the hell did Elizabeth use her powers? She didn't even consciously heal anyone—so how do I, knowing I have this power, heal her?! Powers are stupid!

I sniffled and began pulling the bigger splinters out of the wound.

I pulled another piece and set a hand beside the wound, trying to see if I could spot any more. Why couldn't I just—!

The thought tangent vanished before it could even begin the moment my palms lit up in a golden-white glow. I gaped down at it—what? How?

I felt a gentle tug in my chest as I focused on the wound and I willed it to heal.

Veronica gasped, eyes wide in shock.

"Elizabeth! Veronica!"

Our names being shouted snapped Veronica out of her shock, and she started shouting back.

.

.

.

"What on earth happened?" Father questioned as soon as we'd been brought back up by Diane. The Sins had only just arrived back when it came to others' attention we had not been since in a short while.

"It was my fault!" I whimpered, clutching Melly's shirt tighter. "I was chasing a kitty and got distracted! Veronica was trying to stop me when the bridge gave out!"

Father sighed heavily. "You must be more careful, Elizabeth. One of you could have been hurt."

Veronica jumped in. "Actually, I was hurt." Eyes flickered to her, but she continued. "But Ellie healed me."

"Healed you?" Melly questioned, his grip on me tightened as he turned to look at me. "Beth, is this true?"

I brought my face away from his neck and nodded, rubbing my tears away. "Yeah, dunno how, I was pulling the splinters from her leg then poof! White light."

Diane stifled her giggle.

Melly's grip just shifted nervously. My heart ached knowing where his thoughts turned.

.

.

.

I debated whether to go to Henderickson about my powers. I wanted to, especially since I was sure he wasn't under Fraudrin's control yet.

Eventually, I came to the conclusion, that yes, I was going to talk to him.

"Healing wounds is simple Druid magic," Henderickson explained. "Small wounds are something most can easily learn. Healing far greater wounds takes time and practice, but there are limits. It is mostly about finding those limits."

"I healed Veroncia, how hard would that be?"

Henderickson hummed. "Well, I didn't see the wound, but my guess is that it wasn't too bad, correct?"

I nodded. "Like if you fall over and get grazed, but bigger."

"For a first time, small wounds are typically used to see if there's potential. Perhaps if you spend some time around the infirmary to heal some wounds then you'll be able to expand your abilities. My apologies for nothing having more knowledge. Healing is not a strong suit of mine. I was never talented enough to be considered for such training."

"It's fine!" I beamed up at him. "You're still helping in any way you can!"

Henderickson smiled softly.

.

.

.

When King produced the plushie, I squealed happily—my moo cow! My little highland cow plushie! Margaret and Veronica had gotten it for my last birthday. But last night I hadn't been able to find him.

"Thank you, thank you!" I squealed, squishing the cow plush close to my chest.

I hugged the fairy as best as I could, and King returned it with a teary smile. "You're most welcome!"

"Suck up," Ban coughed into his fist.

"Shut up I'm being nice!" King whirled around to glare at the man once I had pulled away to crawl back into Merlin's lap. "You're the one that—"

Escanor thumped them both on the head.

"Come now, bickering in front of a Princess, how unbecoming," the man's smile promised vengeance.

I blinked and laughed, clutching my moo cow close. Merlin gently dragged her fingers through my hair as she tsked. "Honestly, Escanor's right."

King and Ban glared at her.

Thus began even more bickering. At least until Escanor threw both of them outside, narrowly missing Melly as he returned. He blinked, tilting to the side as Ban and King went flying past him.

"What's that about?" he asked.

I just laughed even giddier.

.

.

.

(Age 7)

"Can I learn archery?" I asked Father one evening.

Father blinked, turning his gaze away from his paperwork to look at me curiously. "What has made you want to learn, my dear?"

Honesty? I've always wanted to learn, so I shrugged. "I saw some knights learning and thought it looked cool. Can I, Father?" I gave him puppy eyes.

He sighed. "Allow me to spend the night thinking about it."

I grinned. "Thank you, Father!" I hugged him.

"Now scram." He waved me off. "It's nearly bedtime for you."

I giggled and loped out the door and into Alice's waiting hands.

.

.

.

"It's important to remember the bracer," Weinheidt commented as he tightened mine. "It's painful if the bowstring slaps your arm, and we don't want that now, do we?"

"Nope!" I nodded. I'm so excited!

I was surprised when I learned it was Weinheidt that was going to be my teacher, but the Dawn Roar hadn't become a thing yet, and Weinheidt was a young, albeit a well-known archer. He wasn't yet cleared for active duty, so he had taken up teaching until then.

He was a near-perfect shot, and I hope to get as good as him one day because I don't want to be some useless girl who needs saving the entire time. I want to support the Sins, even if that meant supporting from far back with a bow because I didn't have the same physical strength.

.

.

.

I rushed down the hallway, listening as the Holy Knights hunted. My pulse was racing, and I pushed myself forward even as my body protested.

I had to find Melly.

I knew what had happened.

I had heard the faint shouting when I had been in my room and with Alice's back turned, I had run for it before she could stop me. I had lost her eventually.

I needed to find Melly.

It was then I felt it. My head snaps up and away and to the distance. My feet carry me down the next right turn.

I had felt it—something so foreign and yet so familiar, like a bright star against the edges of my consciousness. Something inside me stirs, responds, to the magic. As quickly as it appeared, Meliodas tries to clamp down on the flares, no doubt trying to disappear in the sea of other magic.

But not from me. It was like a breath of fresh air. It was as if I was a cat basking in the sun. Such warmth would never be forgotten.

He might be able to hide from others, but not me. I refused.

As if some higher being had heard my plea, the next corner I turned, I could hear voices—hushed voices, and I knew who they belonged to immediately. I rushed around the corner, eyes teary.

"Melly! M'lyn."

The two turned at almost neck-breaking speed. Meliodas' eyes widened. "Beth—"

—The wall beside me exploded. Stone goes flying into the air. I'm thrown to the ground.

—Fiery pain. Air forced from my lungs.

—My head collides with the ground and I know no more.

(ELIZABETH!" Meliodas roars.)