Can I have Your Daughter?

Chapter 20

Meliodas sat on the railing of the balcony to his shared room with Elizabeth. It was late day, nearly supper time, and he would have to get Ban's drunken ass up to cook them some dinner soon.

He gazed out at the lake, and before long, like they had many times in the last few days, his eyes fell on the fake gravestone for Princess Elizabeth of Lioness. It was a little over the top – even he had to admit that, but, it was almost ironic too. She was alive, sure, but the woman in his care now wasn't quite the same.

He could see her in his minds' eye; waking up, days after their plummet into the icy river. She had looked on all of them completely lost and terrified. No recollection of any of them, their adventures together, even her own name.

His memories passed as he refocused on the gravestone and his features sank into a sad frown. That damn stone... was too ironic. It was a personal reminder of how close he had come to losing her again. Blue lips and cold skin... it was like he was there again, and he shook his head quickly pushing those memories as far away as possible. He wouldn't allow her to slip away from him. Not again...

A soft thud caught his attention, and he watched as Elizabeth came into view after exiting the entrance to the tavern. She looked out thoughtfully over the scenery laying before her. But, she looked so... sad. Meliodas jumped from the balcony and strode up next to her, "Not too busy tonight huh?" He asked, his usual grin in place as he greeted her.

"No, I guess it has been pretty slow today..."

Elizabeth's head was hung as she fiddled with one of her fingers. She looked so dejected, and he just wanted to pull her close... instead he found himself behind her, his hands reaching around her with a firm grasp on her breasts. She gasped, and struggled in his arms. He couldn't help but think this was the closest he would ever be allowed to get to her, when a droplet falling on his arm caught his attention. Peeking around her, he saw her cheeks streaked with tears.

"What's wrong Elizabeth?"

"I just... can't thank you and the others enough. But, I have to do something. I'm just so lost. I don't even know where to start!" She sobbed, completely flustered with herself and Meliodas' heart sank. He hated seeing her like this.

"What is it you need to do? We'll help you." He offered, with a light-hearted tone. She turned her head with wide eyes.

"But you've done so much for me already! I couldn't possibly-"

Meliodas simply smiled at her, "Don't sweat it. The Seven Deadly Sins are at your service! So what's so important?"

A soft blush broke out over her cheeks as she turned her head away from him and looked down at her hands. Meliodas released her to stand next to her once more, with arms propped behind his head. The sun was setting, casting beautiful rays of gold across the landscape around them. It would have been really romantic if Elizabeth hadn't lost all of her memories of him, he thought to himself.

"I have to find the person who gave me this."

Her words brought his eyes and attention back to her, then down to the place on her hand she was motioning to. For a second, Meliodas thought for sure his heart had stopped.

On her ring finger sat a little pearl that shone in the sun, placed neatly in a silver setting.

He felt his face burn and quickly turned away before she saw the red that had appeared over his face. "Why do you want to find them so bad?" he asked, feigning disinterested.

She was quiet a moment, and when he turned back to look at her, Elizabeth's face was warm as she smiled down at the little ring, "When I look at it, I know that the person who gave me this... really loved me. I have to find them. Surely they'll be able to help me remember who I was before this," she brushed the bandage on her forehead, her face falling a little.

He grinned at her, "Then I'll help you, but..." He stopped himself mid-sentence, his next words caught in his throat. He wanted to confess, tell her the truth. He wanted to tell her everything. But that would mean making her relive nearly dying for the second time. Instead, he would help her remember in her own time. He would do whatever it took, and go to the ends of the earth.

Elizabeth looked at him expectantly waiting for him to finish his sentence, but he shook his head, "Nothing, come on, let's go get dinner." He turned, grabbing her hand as he did, and walked with her back up to the Boar Hat. All the while, a sad yet satisfied grin playing on his lips.

But... You already found me... he thought to himself, finishing the sentence he couldn't tell her before. One day... he would tell her. He would do it right this time around, on one knee and everything. But, for now, he reveled in the feeling of her hand holding tightly to his. Because, even without her memory, she was still his, and he was hers.

To be continued in the sequel series to Can I Have Your Daughter: "Can I Keep You"