Marisa had learned two things about her new employer.
Asgore was every bit the benevolent ruler his presence projected. As they entered the city, he was greeted and welcomed by literally every passerby. The joy in the eyes of his citizens reflected in his own, spreading good cheer wherever he went. That made her respect for him rise.
He was also terrible at names. New Home? Really?
His wife, Toriel, was a lovely woman. She was of the same species with a more curvaceous body than her burly husband. She wore matching dress robes, hers a light blue with the Delta Runes inscribed around her bust. Diminutive horns poked out of her head, little nubs compared to the rack Asgore had.
It was then that Marisa realized that Asriel was a combination of his parents' names.
She didn't know whether to find that endearing or nauseating. Either or, her respect for Asgore slowly declined.
According to the guardsmen, the young Prince was out playing with his sister in their front yard. She said her goodbyes to the Queen as the King led her through what he called a shortcut.
Asgore didn't need to turn around to know how smug Marisa was when they arrived at the chapel.
After several another long passageway and a few flights of stairs, the human magician gasped at the remarkably cozy home for a Royal Family. It was surprisingly modest and tidy, for where two young children lived. The walls were a soft green, adorned with pictures and portraits of yellow flowers. The air was heavy with the scent of baked goods. It was butterscotch, judging by the syrupy sweetness, with a dash of cinnamon. She closed her eyes and took a deep whiff, savoring the aroma.
Marisa was shaken out of her trance when she heard Asgore's deep chuckle.
"My Tori's cooking is something extraordinary, isn't it?" He said as he opened the door for her. "Come now, I'm sure she'll be back soon. Delegations end quickly when the Queen takes charge."
Golden gazed upon two children. One was human with a peach complexion and medium-length brown hair, blushing adorably as she ran across the grass. She wore a green and yellow striped shirt with navy blue slacks. While her smile was wide and eyes were crinkled, there was something about it that felt off putting. It reminded her a bit of the younger Komeiji sister without her inherent good nature.
The second one dashed away from the little girl, this one presumably Asriel. He was the same as his father and mother; an anthromorphic goat boy wearing a similar striped shirt with the colors inverted. A tuft of white wagged atop the seat of his pants as he continued to run away. The girl leapt at him, pushing them down together into a pile of fallen leaves.
Marisa smiled at the giggling mess as they splashed each other with crumbled bits of dead leaves. "So that's them, huh?"
Asgore's smile grew even warmer as he held his arms out, "Children, could you please come over here for a moment?"
They paused in their fun, looking to their father before leaping out. Hurriedly brushing off any clinging foliage, they rushed out and grabbed at Asgore's legs. The King leaned down and rubbed at the top of their heads, nuzzling them both in an enveloping hug. He then put them down before gesturing the guest besides him.
"Miss Marisa, I'd like for you to meet my two children, Asriel," the boy huddled behind his father when the blonde witch looked at him, "and Chara."
The girl tilted her head, meeting her with inquisitive eyes. They made her uneasy, with that vacant smile. It was far too hollow to be genuine. Chara gave her a charming grin and the witch returned it as best as she could, her innards nauseous as she held the expression.
"Asriel," Asgore stroked the back of his son's head. "Starting tomorrow, you're going to begin learning magic from Miss Marisa. I expect for you to follow her instructions at all times, do you understand?"
"Yes, Dad," the boy said. He flushed as his father scratched at that spot behind his right ear, reluctantly leaning into the touch.
"Good," Asgore stood up and stepped back. "I'm afraid we'll have to continue this another time, Miss Marisa. The duties of a monarch are ever demanding."
"See you later then," she tilted her hat at the King.
Asgore turned to his children once more. "Please show Miss Marisa to the Guest Room and be good for her, alright?"
The King's body began to glow brightly, light enveloping his entire form. Marisa stared at the spectacle, watching Asgore vanish in a flurry of flames. She'd seen this before, during the Underground Geyser incident.
"Huh. That's an interesting variant of astral projection," she muttered to herself. "Nice touch with the fire."
