Tempest

AU / / When Crown Prince Meliodas went missing, his little brother Zeldris the executioner was adamant to find and return him to the throne. But when reports state that Meliodas was most probably dead, his hunt intensified. He turned from looking for his brother-to finding the lead and at the same exacting revenge on the probable murderess Lady Elizabeth. Problem? He got the wrong person./ / Geldris

Author's Note: This is an AU. The characters do not have any magical powers, all of them are human.
Warning: There is a part that is considered by some (including me) as dubious consent. It wouldn't be explicit and it is glossed over but I want to give people a head's up incase they don't want to read anything like that. This work is inspired by Jennifer Blake's Royal Seduction, a book I've read more than 10 years ago, at the start of my love of reading. This work would later change into M for later chapters.

The party, which took a good two weeks to prepare, showed its success. Dressed ladies in formal wear fanned themselves while they batted their eye lashes left and right to their suitors, in their hands were a varied assortment of the finest champagne and wine. The candles sweetly lit the room setting a convenial and romantic atmosphere.

While some lords and gentlemen entertained themselves with boisterous laughter, Gelda sat at the sides, observing silently. Pride welled in her chest, this was her work and as what her guests had said, a definite standard to observe. The party preparation was also a good excuse for her frequent outgoings and enormous food order which camaflouged the multiple provisions she made for her friend in urgent need. She gave a relieved sigh, they only had tonight after a torturous five days and her friend would be safely out of Edinburgh. Ren, her cousin, acted as the host and welcomed the guests and mingled with them, leaving her free to enjoy her solitude.

"Are you worrying again, cousin Gelda?" Orlandi sat down beside her offering her a glass of champagne. His hair gleamed, the same color as the champaigne he held in his hand. Gelda took the glass but froze, thinking she had been found out when Orlandi motioned his head towards the festivity and continued, "Don't be. Your father would be proud had he been able to return sooner."

"Quite." Her spine straigtened in her chair, relief flooding through her but careful enough not to show anything was amiss. Or that their princess was worrying about something other than the hosting of their annual festival ball. The background music stopped along with the chatter when a distant name was called out, followed by a figure striding down the stairs followed by four more people.

Gelda stood up from her chair, the same time Orlandi scowled his displeasure. "What are they doing here? They are filth."

On the contrary, Gelda thought but did not say out loud, we are a smaller, comparatively insignificant nation, just a tiny speck in the world map to consider calling a Prince of the Demon Realm and his entourage as filth.

The prince wore his red uniform, not as meticulous as it should have been but after a day's worth of travel on horseback, nobody remains immaculate. His entourage were all taller than he was, wearing an assortment of armor with the fearsome insignia of their kingdom painted boldly on its chest yet his presence demanded that he be the center of attention. Prince Zeldris' side was adorned with a long sword, he was famed for his swordsmanship after all, and was even rumored to be better than his terrifying older brother, the crown prince Meliodas who had been missing for a few weeks now.

Gelda smiled at Orlandi while she stirred him towards the buffet table, her legs shaking underneath her skirts and for once she was thankful for the arm supporting her, their backs towards the newcomers. In this position, the prince and his entourage would be hard pressed to find them. If indeed, the prince was looking for her. If the prince had any idea what she was doing, Gelda was sure she wouldn't be shown any mercy. Her hands were cold as she settled them at her side.

"Little better than gatecrashers." Orlandi hissed under his breath while he filled a plate with food. "I wonder what made the little shrimp think he is welcome here. Moreso, his brother just disappeared, I thought he would be hard pressed to look for his brother not party the days away. Or maybe, he is indeed in party mood. Being second in line for the throne. Speaking of, wasn't your friend the mistress with the Crown Prince?"

Gelda bristled at the term. "Elizabeth is not a mistress."

He was talking about Lady Elizabeth, a girlhood friend she made at one of her visits to the druids. Their friendship was strengthened through letter writing. For a few months, Elizabeth had been quiet, then out of the blue she wrote asking for some help just a few days ago, Gelda was more than willing to provide whatever her friend needed. Elizabeth swore her to secrecy about her where abouts.

Nobody knew she was hiding Elizabeth in a remote shack at the edge of the forest, though for tonight, she would be able to send her friend off with the requested herbs. She only needed to see tonight's end, then she can finally go see Elizabeth out especially with the arrival of Meliodas' brother, who was safe to assume hot at her trail.

"Gelda, Orlandi." Ren called out. Her heart stopped as she turned. Dread filling her. She looked at the was shorter than she was but no less menacing. His eyes were green and hard, they may have looked nice were they not looking so sharply at her. She felt them assessing her for sins she committed against his people. She calmed herself, he did not know Elizabeth was under her keeping. She was only exaggerating and scaring herself, 'No way he could know'. The excitement of the past days was catching up to her thus turning her paranoid. She smiled at him. The corners of his mouth smirked, it did not reassure her of anything. He was not called Zeldris the executor for nothing. "This is Prince Zeldris who requested an introduction."

"We welcome you to our humble home, Your Highness." Gelda bowed. Zeldris stepped towards her, removed his gloves and pocketed them then held out hand towards her.

"I'd feel more welcomed if the Princess of this kingdom humored me with a dance." His eyes were mocking, and even if she did not want to, Gelda did not think to slight the prince by refusing to take his hand. And when she placed her hand on his , he held it tight and led her towards the dance floor. Almost dragged her to it.

Thud

Thud

Her heart was beating erratically against her chest.

"Gelda," He spat the name. His voice was low enough that only she heard the insult as he said it like venom, "You are a seductress as you are a witch, Elizabeth. Who are you tonight? Elizabeth, Gelda, Murderess or Seductress? Or a combination of?"

Gelda stiffened in his arms, though for the love of all things, his grip tightened on her making her maintain the rhythm of their dance. She looked around and saw how his entourage encircled them, dancing with their respective partners in the perimeter of the prince while at the same time blocking all escape for her. She even looked one straight in the eye and saw the anger in them. She looked down at Zeldris. "You are insane. Let me go."

"Answer my question first." He smiled at her. The smile was not at all friendly, and it did little to calm her. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing he scared her. It was he who had to look up, the menace he wielded vanquished any form of comedy nor his height lessened his intimidating command of self. "What do I call you tonight?"

"Gelda. Who I've always been" She coldly informed him. "And, as any sane man would know except you, I have never been an Elizabeth my whole life. Also, I am neither a seductress much less a murderer. I leave that profession to people like you."

"Ah. Then who is Elizabeth?"

Gelda smoothly told him who Elizabeth was. "A friend I had since I was younger. Though, I wonder why you ask considering it's been some time since I've heard anything from her our last correspondece. She is with your brother, the crown prince. You'd probably know more about her than I do now."

He humored her by listening.

"And that little boy panting at your heels? Your boy toy or your husband?" Zeldris tilted his head towards Orlandi, who was eating happily in his seat, plate in hand. It was almost like black comedy, for him to call Orlandi a little boy considering they both look the same age. Not yet past twenty.

"A younger cousin, your highness. We don't believe in incest here."

"If you are neither an Elizabeth, or a murderer and seductress, pray tell. What are you?" The softness in his voice as he asked her, did not fool her even for a moment. This was a man on a mission. A hunter circling his prey. Every word she uttered would be used against her. She let his insults pass, retribution would not be wise when she did not even want to stand out.

"Simply Gelda, My Lord." Gelda lowered her mouth to his ear and gently whispered. "Unlike anybody you've ever met or will ever meet again."

She smiled. His face contorted into rage.

"Do your lies always flow silkily as this? Did you use it to prey on my brother?" Zeldris' grip on Gelda's waist tightened, while he pulled her closer to his body. Gelda stifled a gasp, she no longer cared for propriety and struggled against had enough of his double innuendos and insults. When he wouldn't let go, she stepped on his foot with her pointed heel. Hard. Zeldris hardly blinked and did not release his hold on her.

He held her for the duration of the music in silence, no doubt studying her. She did not give him the satisfaction of knowing she was infuriated, insulted and a little intimidated. When the song ended, Gelda curtsied and pleaded a headache with an insultingly given thanks, she stormed out of the ballroom.

Zeldris felt his anger spike. Lies flowed easily down her lips like honey. She lied and lied and lied. It took a lot from him not to throttle her neck, when he wanted to remove his hand from her waist and forcefully make the truth come out of her mouth.

Fraudrin, Monspeet and Grayroad followed him out the shabby palace after saying their graces to the no longer wondered why his brother fell to somebody like that creature he danced with. She personified innocence and wit, had he not known what was underneath the facade he would have fallen prey to it too. He still remembered how her breath felt as his ear. He gave his thanks to their host, not bothering to sample the cuisine. After all, he found what he was looking for.

Zeldris felt a certain satisfaction. He finally found the treacherous filth who brought his brother to his knees. It was now only a matter of finding the perfect chance to kidnap the lying seductress.

Gelda walked through the forest, only illuminated by the moonlight, her situation did not allow for her to bring any light. It was no problem, she knew this lands like the back of her hand. She carried a small package with her, its contents were hard to procure that's why Elizabeth had to prolong her stay for another day. Gelda waited until the palace was asleep with only a few people were still awake before she snuck out. The less people to know about Elizabeth here the steps were fueled with urgency considering what she escaped from just a few hours ago. Prince Zeldis, hot on Elizabeth's tail. She shivered.

She knocked twice swifty on the door before knocking again once. Their secret code.

The door opened, a smiling Elizabeth behind it.

"Hello, Gelda." Elizabeth greeted her with a warm embrace. Standing side by side, both of them could be mistaken for siblings.

"Ellie, you are running out of time." Gelda hugged her back then relayed who she met a few hours ago. Elizabeth paled. While she listened, she readied her things for her swift escape later. She felt her situation was getting dire. She had to leave Edinburgh this morning, just before the sun started to rise.

"Don't worry about Zel, Gelda." Elizabeth touched her arm. "He might be intimidating but Meliodas always said Zel is honest to a fault and would not do anything to you once he realizes you aren't me."

"I worry about you." What happened with Meliodas? Was her unspoken question, however she would not pester Elizabeth to answer her questions. Both the girls felt as well the lesser Gelda knew about the situation the better. Before they reached the door, Elizabeth held out a small jewelry.

"Gelda, I wouldn't be able to thank you properly especially what you did for us. But here." Elizabeth handed her a necklace. "Meliodas gave this to me on our second anniversary. I want you to have it."

"I wouldn't be able to-"

"I wouldn't take no as an answer." Elizabeth said sweetly, she tiptoed and clasped the necklace around Gelda's neck. "It's small enough not to be noticed."

"Let's meet again under better circumstances." Gelda said as way of thanks.

Elizabeth only smiled.

Gelda held Elizabeth's hand as they trekked towards where Elizabeth was supposed to be picked up by a friend. They were prolonged when they heard distant sounds of hunting dogs, they stayed hidden behind roots of trees until the sounds dwindled away. It wouldn't do so well, if some random hunters passed them by. Gelda pushed the thought of the Prince out of her mind. Both she and Elizabeth were relieved when they finally saw a small wiry man with a funny looking mustache wave them over. They already passed the clearing. With the quietest goodbyes, Gelda watched as the cart hiding Elizabeth throttle away until after a curve in the dirt road it was gone. She breathed out her relief. Elizabeth was safe. Now, the only thing to do was go back to her room and sleep.

She walked back to her home, now her steps a little lighter. Elizabeth is safe. 'Would not do anything to you once he realizes you aren't me.' Since Gelda would take great painstaking efforts never to see the prince again and even less to convince him that she was not at all Elizabeth, she cared little if what Elizabeth said was indeed true. She heldher cloak tighter around her body to ward of the crisp morning chill. Was the wind always this cold in the morning? Gelda heard the sounds of hunting dogs again. Anyway, she would stay well out of the way of those hunters. She need not fear them.

A few minutes later, the sounds of the dogs grew closer, and she heard faint sounds of hooves crunching against the forest twigs. She remembered a pair of hard glittering green eyes. She clenched her teeth and cursed him.

First the hunting dogs were at distantly at their side and now after a good minutes later she recalled that the dogs slowly moved to sound just behind her. And now? The sounds now came from the place she had been.

They were hunting her.

Picking up her skirts, she started to make a run for it. Gelda knew this part of the forest, she was a good quarter of an hour away from the safety of her home. The area was populated so less, that she wouldn't be able to hide even in the shack she hid Elizabeth in.

The bastard had hunting dogs. As if she was some kind of animal he had to chase down and slaughter.

Gelda ran towards a stream of water and waddled though it. She hoped the water would help lose her scent and buy her enough time. She was shivering after her quick dip in the stream, her hair plastered to her head. Earlier, she already lost her hair ribbon. Gelda removed her cloak as it became heavy with the water and would no doubt become dead weight in her plight. She tossed it carelessly at the side, it was still dark enough not to notice and her olive colored cape would camaflouge enough in the black abyss.

She started to run again. Careful not to make any other sounds than what she was already making. They were close enough that she could hear them speaking. She was correct, it was Zeldris.

From what she could hear, they ditched the dogs when they did not want to cross the river. She reached the part of the woods which had thick rows of trees that made it impossible for a horse to travel to. Her pursuers had to stop, while one- Fraudin was tasked to tie the horses and follow them afterwards. The prince did not lose his stride in following her towards the woods. Gelda wanted to scream, Elizabeth was wrong. Zeldris was not something not to worry about.

"Stop." Zeldris ordered. Gelda stopped along with them, her heart was racing against her chest and the cold was getting too much. "Monspeet, what do you hear?"

"Earlier? Our quarry running around, stepping on twigs and rocks. Now? I hear silence." A voice answered, Gelda closed her eyes and composed herself, the minute they would move she would as well.

"She's close enough to hear and follow my instructions. We got her." Zeldris said in satisfaction. The prince started speaking in a foreign language Gelda had never known before. The others answered in the same language. Then after a heartbeat, they started their move. They were closing in on her.

Gelda ran. The only hope she had of escaping them would be hiding in some old tree root they wouldn't find. She hoped that the dogs would stay across the stream. By some twisted luck, she saw a sliver of space beneath an old tree she could squeeze herself into. It was either that or be captured by the prince and his entourage.

The space was big enough to accommodate her height. Her skirts were tucked under her legs. She waited with baited breath until the men passed. Gelda covered her mouth with her hands. She was shaking from the cold and from her fear. It was not long before a pair of boots stood in front of her.

"Found you." A hand grasped her arm then she was pulled out of her hiding spot.

"You've made a mistake." Gelda said as she looked at Zeldris. He only looked at her before he put two fingers in his mouth and whistled for his entourage like they were his personal hunting dogs. Which in a way they were. They took only a minute to show up, all the while Zeldris held onto her arm, making her unable to budge even a little. Gelda hissed, "If you'd listen, you'll realize you made a mistake."

"Save it for later." Zeldris replied. The walk towards where they kept their horses was fast. Gelda refused the indignity of being dragged anywhere, so she followed him to his horse. Did not protest when she was placed above it with Zeldris following a second later. Then they were off, opposite to the Edinburgh palace.

The ride was made in silence. Gelda was miserable. It was cold. The only warmth she had was at her wet back pressed against Zeldris' front. He held the reigns of the horse in his hand, careful not to touch any part of her.

They reached a chateau, a property of a certain Lord who enjoyed a jovial relationship with Gelda's father, due to their love of hunting they often hunted together and were at each other's homes when time permit them so. The Lord and his family were currently out of the country. She remembered fond memories in this place. She was led to the library. An area she was well acquainted with due to her love of books.

Zedris was not at all gentle when he pushed her in the room and released her arm. He turned and locked the room, pocketing the keys before walking towards the fireplace and sitting down on the chair. All the while, he was looking at her.

"Now, I warn you Elizabeth. I am not in the best of moods. Be kind to yourself and tell me truthfully. Where is my brother?" He studied her.

"Gelda, Prince Zeldris. My name is Gelda." She was already frustrated, when she and Elizabeth only had little resemblance. Not enough to consider them the same person. "Again, your majesty, I don't have any information about your brother especially I have never met him. Ever."

He remained silent.

"If you just ask around, they would tell you that I am Gelda. Daughter to King Izraf, cousins of Orlandi, Ren,"

"Didn't I warn you?" He whispered softly as he cut her off, "I have little patience for your lies. I've listened enough last night."

His lips suddenly touched hers and consumed her protests that she was not lying. They toppled over the rug infront of the fireplace. Zeldris took her out of his frustration and anger. The rug burned through Gelda's back in their frenzy. Her gown was ripped and Zeldris inhaled. His face consumed again by his anger when he saw the shimmering jewelry. Her lies resonated inside her head, playing itself like a sick melody.

"You tell me you aren't Elizabeth," He grabbed the thin chain around her neck and snapped it with his finger, careful not to strangle her with it. Angry that she wore another man's gift. "Yet you wear my brother's things around your neck?! Is that not proof enough?"

When he reached the proof of her innocence, the stiffness of her body and the way her eyes looked at him, relishing the moment he realized he made a huge irriversible error, he paused and looked straight into her eyes. He lowered them then instead of continueing roughly he gently kissed her eyes, her cheeks and then her lips, trying to wash away the hurtful words and deed he inflicted upon her person. When they were done, their bodies slick with sweat and Gelda pink with passion, he sat swallowing the guilt he knew he deserved to feel.

"I made a mistake." Zeldris acknowleged. He removed a fleece blanket from one of the chairs and covered Gelda with it. He studied her again but this time, without the unjust judgement he recklessly bestowed upon her even before their first meeting. She had a very beautiful, delicate face, it was the first thing he noticed when he saw her as he went down the stairs yesterday. Yesterday, however, he was bent on doling out his revenge. Now, he wanted to run his finger over the slope of her chin but he stopped himself thinking comfort from him would be the last thing she wanted. But it was nice to leisurely look at her. "What can I do to recompense you?"

"Prince," She finally looked at him and said softly without anger or heat, "I am not a whore torecompense."

He reddened, feeling the shame spread across his face. His anger got the best of him and now he damaged an innocent. Had he met her in other circumstances, he would have given her gentler wooing. "I could make you a princess of my kingdom. Let me marry you."

"I'm already a princess" Though a small kingdom, a kingdom still. She huffed at him and turned, presenting him her back. "No, your highness. Marriage to you won't make me happy at all. Or take back what you've punished me with."

Zeldris clenched his teeth. He wanted to wrap his arms arround her shoulders and apologize properly, but he knows how the least he could do was leave her alone. "The first one was a mixture of that and my anger. I also did not like you wearing somebody else's things. The second was my apology to you."

He suddenly found his nose being pressed into his face by a lean finger. "I don't care for your type of apology."

"Call me Zeldris. Dispense with the formalities, Gelda." He gently touched her hand and lowered it away from his face but firmly held it on his own, Zeldris did not protest when she roughly grabbed back her hand away from his, even though he was still enjoying holding her.

"Still giving out orders? Very well. But return me to my home, Zeldris. Now."

"I would. But there is still the matter of my brother." Zeldris grabbed the discarded jewelry on the floor, holding it between them. "You've met with Elizabeth. Where is she?"

"After what you did? Would I ever let my friend suffer the same?" Gelda stood up on shaky legs. Wrapping the blanket around her like a makeshift robe. She sat down on one of the chairs., looking haughtily down at him while sat on the floor. "Are you done? Or would you let your entourage punish me as well?"

Zedris sat in front of her, gently holding her hand and kissing its wrist. "You don't need to fear any maltreatment anymore. I apologize and would like to make ammends. But releasing you right now is out of the question."

Gelda was left alone in the library when Zeldris left and locked the door. The events of the day caught up with her and though she did not mean to, she fell asleep beside the fire place.