Chapter 6

Frisk squeezed Chara's hand tightly and he leaned over, ear to her mouth. "We need to talk. All three of us and privately."

He nodded almost imperceptibly before sitting back up and relaxing, gently holding her hand while they listened to young monsters recite their poetry. She'd only just made it in time for the Young Poet's Club reading, Chara and Asriel both deeply relieved when they saw her. The appearance of a second human, and one on the arm of Lord Chara no less, had created a stir. And while everything had quieted for the poetry readings, all stole looks at the woman seated between the crown prince and his royal brother. Between recitations, when he knew the most eyes were on them, Chara would lift her hand to his mouth, kissing her knuckles.

During the short reception afterwards, Chara and Asriel both made introductions for Frisk while she talked to each of the children, complimenting them on their use of verse and creativity. As soon as it would be polite to do so, the three left. But instead of going to the river and a boat back to New Home, Asriel led them deep into Waterfall and a little parklet hidden among the glowing falls.

For a moment, Frisk was distracted from her purpose, staring at the glowing, blue beauty of the cavern. She sat on the bench watching the water flow and the glittering lights as they rose up from pools to dance in the air. Chara and Asriel sat on either side of her, waiting and enjoying her sudden wonder.

She spoiled it quickly enough. "Your mother knows who I am. She had a newspaper from the surface with a cover story about my kidnapping and big photo of me on the front with King Asriel's children."

"Okay," Asriel breathed. "So she knows who you are and she hasn't told dad why?"

Frisk lifted her hand, the engagement ring flashing on her finger. "She wants Chara to have a wife. Her offer is that we get married and have a child. Once she's gotten to hold her grandbaby, she will take the three souls in containment, fuse with them, and used the combined power to send the three of us and the baby out of the prison via the hole in the Ruins."

Chara groaned. "At what point did she think Asgore was going to let a third human soul escape him? Or better yet, what kind of life did she think she was sending us to on the surface? Does she really not understand that if I see daylight, I'm a dead man?"

Frisk sighed. "I think she's hoping that we'll grow on each other enough that I'd use my name and station to shield you."

Chara rolled his eyes. "That's some serious wishful thinking."

Frisk's mouth twitched. "Do you really believe that I wouldn't?"

Asriel found his feet.

Chara crossed his arms over his chest. "Why should you?"

Frisk's eyes narrowed. "Uh, because we'd be married? And have a child?"

Asriel took a few steps back.

"A forced marriage and pregnancy. Why wouldn't you take the chance to be free of both?"

The air resounded with a loud crack and Chara groaned, rubbing his cheek.

"How dare you?! What in God's name gave you the idea that I'd be willing to abandon my children or their father? A father, I might add, who's gone out of his way to vouchsafe my life? Oh sure, I'm going to make you uncomfortable for the slights I have to take for my safety, but that is not an indication, in the slightest, that I would let you die. Even more so if you were my husband and father to my children!"

Frisk grabbed ahold of his sweater with both hands, pulling him down so that they were nose to nose. "Let's get this straight, Christopher Nightfall," she hissed, "when we get married, I'm not stuck with you. You are stuck with me."

Asriel sighed. Reaching over, he carefully disentangled Frisk's fingers from Chara's sweater to hold her hands. "Please be forgiving, Frisk. My brother has lived with this awful shadow hovering over him for a decade. He expects nothing but the worst for himself. Even when happiness is staring him in the face, he's quick to mistrust it, rather than embrace it."

He let go of Frisk's right hand to grab his brother's, placing their hands together between his. "For the first time in a long time, we have a real hope. If the authorities on the surface figure out that Frisk is here, there maybe an avenue of rescue that did not exist before."

Chara shook his head. "I won't leave you behind."

Frisk nodded agreement with Chara. "Nor I."

Asriel nodded. "Then let us consider what we need to do to open the barrier." He shuddered, sighed, and looked to Frisk. "If you are truly willing to use your name to shield Chara, I can set my people free."

A beeping sounded from Asriel's pocket. He and Chara both froze.

Frisk looked between them. "What is it?"

"Our early warning on the proximity sensor. It's how we can get there before the guard." Asriel nodded to Chara. "Take Frisk and go to the High Tea. Make apologies for my lateness. Wish me luck."

"Good luck," both said as Asriel disappeared.

"Asriel can handle it." Chara stood, hands out to Frisk. "Come on. If everything goes well, Asriel will rejoin us in an hour."

Frisk took his hands and he gently pulled her to her feet.

"Listen. I'm sorry. There are a lot of things I never hoped for myself, and suddenly having so many possibilities just appear on the horizon has me distrustful at best." He sighed, eyes on the ground. "It is okay for you to abandon me. I prefer it. If there is a chance at rescue, I want you to take it without hesitation, or any thought for me."

"But your parents-"

"The little boy Carol and Evan Nightfall lost ten years ago is long gone. They'd be horrified at the man their son has become."

Frisk offered him a patient smile. "The problem is that you see that man from the inside. You know your own thoughts and fears, your own worries and anxieties, all the things you've done and failed to do. And all of that seems so overwhelming in comparison to the good you've done."

Frisk squeezed his hands. "So give me a moment to tell you what I see from the outside: I see a man who has sacrificed his personal safety and peace of mind for the sake of others. I see a man who has worked hard to hone his body, mind, and skills for the express purpose of serving those who depend on him for their lives. I have seen a man who is happy to give his time and attention to those unrighteously imprisoned for their great grandparents crimes. I see a man who acts as a protection for the same."

Frisk leaned into him a little, watching his cheeks flush. "I have seen a man who has acted with great love, fidelity, and chastity, even when presented with the opportunity to act unwholesomely. And it would be a great honor to call such a man my husband."

She took a breath, looking down for a moment before looking him in the eyes. "Whatever happens from here on out, know this: You are exactly the kind of man your parents would hope you grew up to be, and I refuse to abandon you for my own sake." She let go of his hands to slide her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly as her head rested on his chest.

Chara's arms wrapped around her shoulders. "Is there any chance I can convince you to at least stop teasing me? It's really… I mean… You sleep next to me."

"Not stopping."

His groan came out a sigh. "We need to to get to the High Tea."

Frisk nodded and pulled away. Chara offered her his arm and they left the parklet for the river and a boat to New Home.

"Thank you."

"For?" Frisk looked up at him as the boat rushed over the water.

"A lot, but l'll go with giving Asriel hope."

"He said, 'I can set my people free.'" Frisk frowned before a creeping horror crawled into her eyes. "He intends to-" She clapped her hands over her mouth, unwilling to speak in front of the Riverperson at the front of the boat.

Chara sighed and nodded. "It is exactly as you think."

Frisk shook her head, hands covering her face. "Oh God. We can't just let him..."

Chara put an arm around her. "We won't."

The boat came to rest at the dock on New Home's river front and Frisk followed Chara to the New Home Art Museum. The museum was off the main thoroughfare. A three story building that took up an entire city block, it was covered in green copper sheeting and reflective glass on the upper two floors which overhung the red brick first floor on cantilevers. A team of snake monsters were washing the windows on one side and all waved when they spotted Chara.

Chara held the door for Frisk, ushering her into a grand lobby that took up all three stories. A massive sculpture of swirling, multicolored glass hung over head, filling the otherwise plain space with a warm, colored light over a simple reception desk.

A blue rabbit monster, in a prim, navy suit, waved excitedly when she saw them. "Over here, Lord Chara! I was told you had an extra today so…" She trailed off, blinking at Frisk.

"Hello, Azure. This is my fiance, the Lady Frisk."

"Oh. My. Gosh! I heard that there was a new human at the palace, but… EEEE!" She waved her fists in front of her chest, squealing excitedly with her eyes squeezed shut. "This is so amazing! Congratulations!" She grabbed Frisk's hand and pulled her along. "You've never been to the museum! The High Tea doesn't start for a few minutes. I'll show you around! Oh wow! What luck! You're only the second human to ever fall into the Underground after Lord Chara. I'm so happy that you make a good match for each other! I'm sure the Queen is very excited!"

Frisk looked back at Chara, holding up two fingers. 'Second?' she mouthed.

'They don't know,' Chara mouthed back. Frisk's jaw dropped.

Azure drew Frisk along. "The museum is arranged by time so you start with the earliest works in the collection and walk your way forward through history as you go gallery to gallery, ending with two changing exhibit spaces." She looked back at Frisk and Chara, squealing again. "Oh! I'm going to have to talk to the Director about an exhibit of human art for the wedding!" She checked her watch. "Oh no! The time!"

Azure made a quick turn on her heel, and went down a hallway to a large banquet room, still holding onto Frisk's hand the entire time; Chara giving them both a smug smile. Frisk suppressed an urge to flip him off, maintaining the demure persona. They entered a banquet hall of crystal chandeliers, heavily patterned, red carpet, and circular tables dressed in white and gold. Rather than a singular design, plates, platters, silverware, and teacups were completely mismatched at every table, creating a shabby chic look among vases of large bloom roses and peonies. A long buffet table filled with finger foods, mini desserts, and multiple teapots filled with myriad teas was set up along one wall and dressed in the same white and gold.

The blue rabbit blinked for a moment before gasping. "Oh my gosh! I was so excited I didn't notice! Where is His Highness?"

Chara gave her an unconcerned smile. "Asriel has been unexpectedly detained. He'll join us before long." Chara offered Frisk his arm. "Frisk."

Frisk carefully slid her arm in his, letting Chara take her away from the excitable rabbit monster.

Leaning over, Chara whispered in her ear. "You can relax a little here. Keep up the shy, but happy fiance persona, but don't feel that you have to defer to me at every conversation."

Frisk turned her face up toward his, her lips almost touching his. "The monsters don't know about the harvested souls?"

"They think that Asgore was deposed and all his people locked in here. With the exception of my team, most monsters think that there are no monsters on the surface and that you are the second human to fall. Azure's reaction is going to be everyone's very soon."

"Then why the master/pet act?"

"To keep Asgore from putting a trident through your chest and to keep the guard from doing similar. We'll keep the act up around Asgore and the guard, but Toriel's given us more safety there. In public, we'll be expected to act smitten." He closed the distance between their lips with a quick peck.

Frisk blushed, cheeks turning a bright pink as a she heard a few gasps and giggles from the crowd of monsters in the banquet hall.

"Cute. I'll get us a pot of tea. Would you like a plate of nibbles?"

"I'll get you for that later," she breathed.

Chara winked at her. "I'm sure you will. Is there anything on the buffet you won't eat?"

"Broccoli and cauliflower."

"More for me." He pulled out a chair for her to sit and Frisk carefully sat, arranging her skirts so that they laid properly. She looked up to see several monsters at the table, watching her with wide eyes.

She gave them a smile. "Hello."

"You're a human!" a fish monster exclaimed, fins reaching up to slap either side of it's blue-green face.

Frisk looked down at herself. "That appears to be the case."

"Well of course she is! Lord Chara can't marry a monster! I can't believe you! So rude." A pink duck monster huffed at her fishy companion and moved a seat over. She took Frisk's hands in her wings. "You poor dear! Please excuse my friend. It's just that you are only the second human to have ever fallen after Lord Chara and to be so swiftly engaged to him? It must be dizzying."

Frisk gave her a patient smile. "It has been a whirlwind, but Lord Chara has done much to see to my comfort."

"But still, it must be so hard! To have fallen into a prison and then just as suddenly engaged to someone you don't know!"

"Thank you for your very kind concern. As swift as the arrangement has been, I do find Lord Chara and I well matched, and he appears to be well pleased with me." She smiled up at Chara as he set a iron pot of tea with a red handle and a plate of finger foods in front of her.

"I hope you are all treating my fiance with the great respect she deserves."

The duck let go of Frisk to puff herself up. "Well I hope, Lord Chara, that you are taking this poor girl's situation seriously! To have only just arrived and to be told she's to wed?"

Chara sat down, an amused smile on his face. "It is not uncommon among humans to have their marriages arranged. It's something that happens here."

The duck huffed. "But the intended couple at least know each other and have had time to grow on each other before the wedding."

Chara sighed. "Unfortunately, as the only two humans in the prison, we have nothing to do but grow on each other." He smiled at Frisk. "Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please." She held her cup out as Asriel came in with a smile. Shooing the duck out of his seat, he rested in the chair next to Frisk, grasping her hand gently. She squeezed his hand back, feeling the tremble in his fingers. When all eyes where on Chara as he poured tea for the rest of the table, she leaned in to place her mouth near his long ear.

"What happened?"

He turned his snout so that his nose booped her cheek. "I'll explain later. Just enjoy the High Tea."

Frisk nodded.

Asriel booped her cheek again, before turning to the table with a wide smile. "Has my brother properly introduced this lovely lady yet?" He gave Chara a chiding wag of the finger. "Just because she needs no introduction doesn't mean she shouldn't have one!" He took Frisk's hand, lifting it so that the engagement ring glittered on her finger. "This is Lady Frisk. My brother's fiance and the newest addition to the Dreemurr family."

Several oohs and handshakes followed only to be cut short when the museum Director took to a podium to give a short speech. While everyone nibbled, one of the museum's curators, a green cat monster, gave a presentation on an upcoming textiles exhibit, featuring the work of school children. After the presentation, the three took their leave to the disappointed sighs of several monsters. Asriel led them to the secret spot in the garden Chara had shared with Frisk the day before.

Once they were sure of privacy, Asriel's smile fell and he began to shake. "The retainer my parents sent out to kidnap humans was the one who set of the proximity alarm."

"Oh f-" Chara bit off the curse. "We need a plan."

Asriel nodded. "I have one. Both of you make sure your family tattoos are covered. Dad is already convinced that Frisk's soul is of little power, so we'll keep up the act. We'll go home as normal, like we know nothing." He put his hand on Frisk's shoulder. "If we see the flame monster that kidnapped you, I want you to give us your best, terrified girl impression. Chara, go with being angry that your pet is out of sorts. I'll run the a 'knight in shining armor' act on Frisk's behalf."

Frisk and Chara nodded, before both checking their tattoos were covered. The three exited the little grove, Frisk following the boys' lead on shaking off the news and acting as if they knew nothing as they made their way back to the palace. The gated plaza, in front of the palace, patrolled by the guard without fail, was empty.

"That's not good," Asriel said.

"But I don't see any piles of dust either," Chara added.

Crossing the plaza, the three froze at the door, the Asgore's angry voice carrying into the plaza. Asriel shook himself and his expression changed, becoming arrogant. Chara straightened up, expression annoyed. Frisk stepped behind Chara eyes downcast, posture submissive and nervous. Asriel opened the double doors.

The grand foyer beyond the doors was an open, circular gallery with a tile floor arranged in concentric circles out to the walls, which opened into the hallways of the palace. In the middle of the room stood a massive, marble statue of Asgore, reaching up to the high ceiling. Asgore stood in front of it, yellow eyes glowing with a deep anger. In front of him stood a green, fire monster, his flames licking the air above his head and singeing the edges of his clothing. The guard was arranged around the monster, weapons ready, even as they knew they were no match for the monster they surrounded. Captain Brine stood behind the fire monster, looking unconcerned but for the twitch in his eye.

"Thirty-two! I've thrown thirty-two humans into this God-forsaken prison and you're saying you only have three souls?! There's no way that's possible! Why haven't you blown open the prison? Where are you hiding the other souls?!"

Asgore lifted his chin to glower down his snout at the monster. "Thirty-two? Our count is twelve. Seven of whom died and their souls having moved on before retrieval."

"Impossible! I sent thirty-two-" The fire monster shook its head. "No! None of this matters. The last one I dropped was an Everdawn! Her soul has enough power that you don't need more than hers to open the prison and take the throne!"

His head turned, catching sight of Frisk as she cowered behind Chara. "You!" The fire monster rushed through the circle of guards, leaping green flames turning one guardsman to dust. He grabbed Frisk by the front of her dress. "This! This is an Everdawn!"

His fire burned through the fabric to rip it away. Frisk let out a cry, quickly covering her chest as the monster grabbed her arm, revealing a bare shoulder and no tattoo.

"What?!"

Chara backhanded the monster, knocking him away from Frisk. "You will not touch my pet!"

Frisk hit the floor and crawled to the near wall, whimpering.

Asriel stepped in front of her. "An Everdawn? Please. Her soul has no power."

"No! This has to be a trick! She is an Everdawn!" The monster looked to Chara. "You! You were the little boy I first threw down here. You are a Nightfall! Either of their souls are powerful enough to blow open the Barrier!"

Captain Brine grabbed ahold of the fire monster, pulling him back.

Toriel's voice echoed through the room. "My son's true name is Chara Spencer. And that girl is no Everdawn. Her name is Frisk Goodall." Toriel came into the room with a newspaper from the surface in her hand. "You made quite a stir on the surface when you attempted to take an Everdawn, but it appears that all you did was grab another woman who looks similar."

Toriel threw the paper on the floor. "Your orders where to take people who would not be missed. Instead, you come here after having failed to provide us with the human souls we need to escape, likely to avoid capture after having disrupted an otherwise normal day for the Everdawn family. If King Asriel has not figured out our game, he has now. Our plan to leave this place is shot, isn't it? How many of Asriel's guardsmen circle the mountain?"

Asgore snorted, angry. "Captain Brine, take him away."

The Captain dragged the fire monster along, the guard following.

"No!" the fire monster fought against Brine's claws. "Those weren't your orders! THOSE WEREN'T YOUR ORDERS!"

The guard muscled him down the hall and his cries grew distant.

Asgore closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and sighed. His eyes opened coming to rest on Frisk as Asriel and Chara helped her to her feet. He walked over to her, gently laying a hand on her head, flinching a little as she trembled under it. "Have no fear, Angel. No harm will come to you. Neither will you die in this prison."

Toriel stepped up to Frisk, holding her hand over the torn clothing. The goat queen's eyes glowed softly for a moment and the burned clothing mended.

"Tha- Thank you, M- Madam," Frisk managed.

Asriel, gave Frisk a soft smile. "It's been quite the day. We'll take dinner in our rooms tonight."

"A good idea. I'm not in the mood for dinner anyway." Asgore gave Chara a raised eyebrow and an amused smile. "She's 'frisky,' eh?" The goat king snorted. He turned and offered his arm to Toriel, the two walking into the far hallway.

Chara bent his neck, his mouth close to Frisk's hair. "Are you all right?"

Frisk nodded. "I'm good. It looks like Toriel is making good on her end. But what did Asgore mean when he said I wouldn't die here?"

Asriel frowned. "I don't know. And it worries me. The fire monster said those weren't his orders and that worries me too." He swiped the newspaper from the floor. "There's no way this one is from yesterday." He chuckled darkly. "Quite the ruse."

Chara offered Frisk his arm. "Come on. Let's get some dinner together and call it an evening. There's a good radio play on tonight."

Frisk took it only to flinch at a crash from the direction the guard had gone. "Oh no."

The three rushed in the direction of the prison under the palace. The entrance into the prison was scorched, the solid wood door shattered. Gray dust was scattered everywhere.

Captain Brine sat against one wall, breathing heavily, one scaly hand clasped over a wound, one eye burned out. He pointed down the hall. "That way," he croaked.

They turned, running in the direction he pointed, led by scorched walls. Service staff cowered in doorways and alcoves as they passed, some weeping openly. They got to the end of the hall and found a hole burned through the secure door into the gray, empty box of a room in which the three human souls were hidden. The fire monster's flames danced around him as he punched at the walls, looking for the souls.

"Where are they?! Where are they?!" He caught sight of Chara, Frisk, and Asriel coming in the door and he stilled. "I don't need them, do I? I don't know what the two of you did to fool Asgore the Ravager and Toriel the Reaper into believing you weren't of high wizarding's blood, but it won't matter once I have your souls."

Chara and Asriel immediately stepped in front of Frisk as a volley of flame leapt at them. Frisk dashed back into the hallway as Chara and Asriel both dodged a continuous round of fireballs. Looking around, Frisk spotted a vase filled with roses. She smiled when she lifted it, happy to hear the water sloshing inside. Grabbing the roses from the vase, she stuffed the stems down the front of her dress, grimacing against the cut of the thorns.

Rushing back into the room, she threw the vase into the air. The fire monster saw the vase flying toward him and threw a fireball at it. It shattered in the air, raining water down over him. The monster howled, trying to shield himself with his arms. Asriel spotted the flowers, and grabbed them, throwing the roses at the fire monster's feet. With a grunt and a quickly cast spell, the stems grew to thorny vines, holding the monster in place as Chara moved to strike him down.

The monster screamed, pulling on the power of the human soul bound to his, and blasted the vines away, his flames leaping high. Frisk lifted her arms, calling the water from the floor and lifting it as a wave to crash over the fire monster. The fire monster dove to the side and Asriel used the opportunity to strike, sending a knife into the monster's shoulder. The monster shoved Asriel away only to find the water swirling up around him again, boxing him into a corner.

Hissing, the monster put up his arms to protect his face and dove through the water, coming up from a roll on the other side. Chara slashed at him, his sword singing as is sailed through the air, catching the monster across the chest and knocking him back into the water. The monster screamed, flailing against the onslaught. Asriel called the vines up again as Frisk pulled the water down, and Chara's sword went through the monster's chest.

The monster cried out once, before his body began to crumble, his soul hovering in front of him, a purple human soul resting inside. Asriel grabbed it out of the air, pulling the two souls apart. The monster soul shattered, while the human one came to rest in his hand. Asriel sighed in relief and fell back against the near wall, taking a moment to catch his breath.

Frisk fell to her knees, hugging herself. "So… so cold." She shivered violently.

Chara gasped. "Oh no." He knelt next to her, wrapping his coat around her. "It's okay. It's over."

Asriel's shoulders dropped. "She's gained LOVE."

Chara held Frisk close and kissed the top of her head.

Still shaking, she looked up at him, eyes filled with tears. "You know the shower and soak in the big tub together thing?"

Chara nodded. "Yeah."

"Can we… can we do that now? Will it make the cold go away?"

Chara's shoulders sank. "We can, but I don't know if it will help." He looked up at Asriel. "We need to get Frisk back to the room. The rose thorns cut her up. She'll need healing."

Asriel nodded. "I'll heal her. But first, I need to make it look like this guy betrayed us and left through the barrier." He walked over to the part of the wall where the souls were hidden, careful to punch through the wall in several places to make it look like it was found haphazardly. Forcing the hidden area revealed three vessels, but only two souls. "Oh no."

Chara looked over and paled. "One of the souls is missing."