Can I have Your Daughter?

Chapter 2

Meliodas felt more than saw his surroundings change as he was teleported out of the king's throne room, and then his boots were situated in soft grass. He didn't look up though, his eyes hidden beneath his golden locks. The wind was soft and warm, and the sun was shining, but that didn't make him feel any better.

"Well, that didn't go completely as planned," The deep sultry voice announced to his side and he just shrugged, pocketing the box-encased ring, then grinning up at Merlin. That's all he really could do. Just grin it off. At the end of the day, it truly was Elizabeth's choice. And he knew he would understand if she didn't want to be a fugitive with him. It wasn't an easy life. Both of them knew that from when they were both being hunted by the Holy Knights.

"I didn't expect he would say yes. But for her sake, I had to try." he beamed and Merlin shook her head slowly.

"Was making the sins a threat to the country again, part of your great plan as well?" she asked playfully, but the question was a serious one. Something he wasn't quite ready to address yet. They had come so far; could he really put them all back into that position just because of him? Meliodas' grin faded and his attention turned to the Boar Hat which was situated up high on a hill over-looking a town just shy of a hundred miles outside of Lyoness, "No. That was never my intention. I feel bad for not consulting with everyone before challenging Bartra."

Merlin's brow cocked, "You haven't told anyone else?"

Meliodas only shook his head to let Merlin know the conversation was over for now. And for good reason. He was suddenly aware of a soft voice calling to him, as Silver hair came running out from the Tavern. He loved the sound of his name in her voice. The way she called to him always made his heart flutter a little. Though he would never admit it...

"Sir Meliodas! You've returned from your errand!" Elizabeth smiled cheerfully as she reached him and Merlin and he smiled back at her like he had no cares in the world.

"Yup! It wasn't anything too tough," he grinned at her like he always did. It was all he could do to protect her right now. She didn't have to know that he had just made her a fugitive.

"I'm glad your errand wasn't too taxing," Elizabeth's cheeks were pink, and Meliodas wiggled an eyebrow at her, "Well, I could always use some rest, would you care to join me?" He had maneuvered behind her and his hands clasped around her breasts, making her yelp. He was so close to her, and though he was joking around, this was the time he spent feeding his addiction for her. The way her body felt beneath his touch, her lavender scent that eased his mind, the little sounds she made...

"I DONT THINK SO!" Hawk came barreling out of the tavern and head-butted Meliodas so hard he was sent flying a few feet away. "How many times do I need to tell you to keep your pervy hands off the princess!" He squealed and then huffed while addressing Elizabeth, "Really, Elizabeth, you can smack him away."

"And I could roast you over a fire." Meliodas was really close to Hawk's ear, making him jump and run behind Elizabeth for protection, "You-You wouldn't do that to a hero would you?"

Meliodas brushed himself of grass and watched Elizabeth giggle and assure Hawk that he had nothing to fear. He wanted to tell her that... Tell her no matter who came looking for trouble, that she wouldn't have to worry... But he couldn't. And he was the reason she was in trouble again.

He sighed, he had to bite the bullet at some point. Make it official. Either she was going to say yes and he would have made her a traitor to the country, or she would say no and he would have to say goodbye.

-Meanwhile in Lyoness-

Margret ran quickly down the palace halls, completely dashing aside her manners as a princess. She had to get to Gilthunder and fast. She nearly tripped in her modest heels, stopping long enough to kick them off and continue running down the hall.

She almost couldn't believe it herself. Neither her father or Meliodas had noticed her off to the side entrance to the throne room when Meliodas had asked her father for Elizabeth's hand in marriage. She had covered her mouth before she could gasp out her surprise, and stuck around long enough to see her father call his personal guard after the Seven Deadly Sins and her sister.

"Gilthunder!" She ran to the armory where he was spending time getting new armor made. He looked up at her surprised to see her so frazzled and upset. He was also quite surprised to see she was barefoot; that was definitely out of character for her.

"Princess Margret? What's wrong?" He approached and drew her into his arms in a soft and reassuring embrace. She wrapped her arms around him as she caught her breath, then looked up at him.

"My father just sent his personal guard after the Seven Deadly Sins! Please you must help me warn them!" She was urgent, while keeping her voice as low as possible. She wasn't sure who had ears on the wall anymore.

Gilthingder regarded her seriously, "Why would King Bartra send his personal guard after the sins? They've been cleared of the accusations of treason-"

Margret shook her head quickly, "Meliodas asked for Elizabeth's hand! My father said no... and Meliodas ignored him. My father accused the sins for kidnapping Elizabeth with intentions of making her a traitor."

Gilthunder was obviously as surprised as Margret had been to hear that Meliodas had admitted his affections... but it still didn't make sense. "But marrying a sin isn't against the law. I don't understand why he would send the guard like that."

Margret hesitated a moment, her eyes shining with hidden knowledge, "Gil... My father has promised Elizabeth to another man. If she were to go against his order, and marry another man, she would be considered a traitor to the country. It would be enough to start a war between our country and the kingdom that my father promised her to."