Within only hours of Toriel's death, a large crowd had gathered by the palace, anxious to hear the urgent announcement was said needed to be delivered. Now, Terrowin took a deep breath, running by the announcement he knew he had to make one more time. He pushed open the doors to the balcony, walking out and looking down at the people below. There were already confused murmurs from the gathered crowd when they saw who would be addressing them. It was several minutes before there was silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen…" Terrowin began. "...It is, with great regret...that I must announce that...Lady Toriel Dreemurr passed away earlier tonight." The crowd once broke out in shocked gasps. Terrowin raised his hand for silence.

"I understand how a lot of you must feel. I want to ensure each and every one of you that the royal guard is doing everything we can to find out more about her passing. Information will be delivered, as it is received. For now, please go about your days normally. Arrangements are already being made for her funeral." One voice called up from the crowd.

"So, is Prince Asriel now in charge of the kingdom?" Terrowin looked down slightly, staying silent for several moments, deciding not to answer as he turned around and walked into the palace.

In his room, Asriel sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the crown he clutched in his hands. He set it down on the nightstand and slowly walked into the hall. He sighed as he found himself wandering into Toriel's room. He lifted a picture up from the dresser. It was the last family photo they had taken before the war. Asriel closed his eyes as he tried to clear his mind. His thumb ran over his mother's face. He looked up as Terrowin slowly entered the doorframe.

"The people have been notified." Asriel nodded numbly as he set the picture down. He had agreed with Terrowin that the people shouldn't know that Toriel had been murdered by Chara, it might create a panic. Terrowin had offered to make the announcement, seeing how distraught Asriel had been. It had taken time for the gravity of what had happened to fully set in, and Asriel wasn't sure what to feel.

"What about Chara? Have you found her?"

Terrowin shook his head. "I'm sorry...there's been no sign of her. We believe she's fled the capital."

Asriel raised his voice. "Then look harder! She's somewhere in the Underground, and I will not rest until I find out where that is!"

Terrowin looked at Asriel sadly and nodded. "We're doing everything we can...I'm...I'm so sorry this had to happen…"

Asriel scoffed. "It's my fault for being so idiotic. I should have trusted your instincts."

Terrowin frowned. "Don't blame yourself. You couldn't have known she would do this." Asriel walked past him, back down the hallway. Terrowin followed him towards the throne room. He spoke again.

"If I may ask, do you have any idea where she might hide? You know her better than any of us, so it could help."

Asriel spoke grimly. "She's been given a full tour of the Underground, she could be...oh, of course!"

Terrowin stopped as Asriel did. "Your highness?"

Asriel smacked himself in the head. "Alright, a few months ago Chara told me she had a plan to free all of the monsters. She intended to poison herself, I would absorb her soul, and we'd go through the barrier. From there we could kill six humans and break the barrier. I actually refused to go along with it, I thought it was mad to even try. Now that she's got a monster soul though, she's likely going to be trying to find a way to the barrier. Make sure it's well guarded. She can't be allowed to get through! Also, send for Doctor Gaster. I have some questions for him."

Terrowin snapped slightly at attention. "Yes your majesty." He quickly began walking off to do as ordered, but he couldn't help but cast a glance over his shoulder sadly at Asriel as he left.

MEANWHILE…

The snow crunched beneath Chara's feet as she raced along the paths leading out of Waterfall. She had escaped easily from the capital before the Royal Guard had blocked the exits. She had refused to stop running as she sprinted through both Hotland, and the marshes of Waterfall. Right now, she knew there was only one safe place for her. She slowed to a walk as she reached the Snowdin village. Once there, she received several sympathetic glances from the villagers. Word about the queen's death must have gotten out. She knocked on the door of one house in particular. Papyrus opened the door, looking saddened.

"Oh, hello Chara *sniffle*. The Great Papyrus presents his greatest condolences of what happened to the late Toriel Dreemurr. Is there any way we may be of assistance?"

Chara sighed, nodding. "Yeah, actually. Is it...fine if I stay here for a little while? I...need time alone."

Papyrus seemed to cheer up as he stepped aside, ushering her inside. Sans was once more laid back lazily on the couch. He looked up at Chara as she entered.

"oh, hey kid. I'm… real sorry 'bout what happened to toriel. i know a lot of people will miss her."

Chara croaked hoarsely. "Thanks Sans…"

Papyrus spoke somewhat triumphantly. "Worry not! Papyrus will make some of his feel-good spaghetti! Then, you shall feel sad no longer."

Chara smiled. "Thanks, but I'm fine. Listen, if anybody asks, just tell them I'm not here alright? I...don't want to talk to anybody."

Sans nodded, waving. "sure thing kiddo." Chara sighed, wandering up to a spare bedroom and flopping down. She held her hand in front of her. She wasn't lying entirely, she did feel tired. She felt saddened… but, vindicated. She jumped as she felt slight heat. She opened her hand to see a small fireball.

"Whoa…" She breathed, amazed. She quickly closed her hand and the flame vanished. She smiled and sat up, curious of what else she could do.

BACK AT THE PALACE…

Gaster walked into the throne room where Asriel was busy pacing back and forth. He clasped his hands behind his back.

"You wished to see me?"

Asriel nodded. "Yes. What I am about to tell you, is currently confidential. Under no circumstance must this reach the public. Understand?"

Gaster nodded. "Of course."

Asriel stopped and stared him in the eye. "Toriel didn't just die. She was murdered, by Chara." Gaster stiffened, clearly shocked by the news. "Chara took Toriel's soul with her, absorbing it. You've done a lot of research into soul power, I need you to tell me what Chara's capable of with a combined soul. It might be useful if things turn...ugly."

Gaster cleared his throat. "Yes... of course. For starters, having a combined soul would make Chara incredibly powerful, more so than she already was. I would highly advise against facing her in direct combat. Furthermore, with a monster soul such as Toriel's, she would of course possess the ability to use magic, inherited directly from Lady Toriel's soul. This includes the ability to use similar magic with fire, as well as perhaps other latent magic abilities. Lady Toriel was… never fond of honing her more destructive magic."

Asriel nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you Doctor Gaster, this is helpful. You may leave."

Gaster nodded, giving the slightest of bows before turning to leave. Terrowin stopped Gaster as he left the throne room.

"Gaster, can I speak to you a moment?" Gaster took note of Terrowin's hushed voice, and his eyes darting to the throne room. Gaster frowned, and then nodded. Terrowin led Gaster to a more secluded part of the castle before speaking.

"I'm worried about Asriel. Emotionally. You know ever since…'it' happened...he hasn't spoken much. He almost looks like a different person."

Gaster sighed. "Well, he is grieving...and you must remember how young he is. He's lost both his parents, and being thrown into the throne of a King? He's only 15."

Terrowin shook his head angirly. "It's not fair to him. Nobody should have to go through so much when they're so young."

Gaster nodded. "I agree. For now, keep an eye on him. Try to make sure he stays in the palace. I will check up on him later, alright?"

Terrowin nodded. "Mm...alright."

Gaster began walking away, speaking over his shoulder. "We all grieve differently Captain. Give him time to deal with this in his own way."

Terrowin folded his arms, shaking his head as he glanced back to the throne room, before leaving to check up on the soldiers guarding the barrier.