"I don't think Sans will stop looking out for Frisk, even once everyone's on the surface. A promise like that doesn't have an expiration date. It might be part of why I think the lazybones doesn't like making them." -Francine I. Kane, 201X-

Chapter 2: Keep Calm, and Stay Humerus

It was about a week and a half since the barrier was destroyed and the kingdom of monsters was abuzz. A rumor had spread that the king and queen were adopting the human that had freed them and their joy almost couldn't be contained. Not even the fact that everyone had to go back to the Underground to hear a royal address could dampen their spirits.

The kingdom's citizens crowded the parade ground simply called The Plaza, the largest open area in New Home. Even so, it couldn't fit all the citizens, and people were packed on rooftops and (carefully, if foolishly) hanging out of open windows in the buildings facing the podium where the king always gave his speeches from. Those that could hover or fly did so, leaving more room on the ground for others.

Crystocams would broadcast the announcement on live crystovision to those who couldn't make it (or couldn't find a gap to stuff themselves into). The same images would also be projected on large screens placed around the plaza so everyone could see what was happening on stage. As the sound checks were completed, the best reporter in the Underground went to work.

"Goooood morning, beauties and gentlebeauties! This is your shining star Mettaton, reporting to you live from The Plaza! In just a few moments King Asgore will make his announcement, possibly putting to rest all of the simply juicy rumors flying around. Until he does, however, let's see what the nobility's reaction is to all the hullabaloo!" Mettaton wheeled behind the line of royal guards present to maintain order and onto the stage, going up to the three skeletons standing there with infinite patience.

To Pristina, Mettaton said, "So, Milady, I see Duke Asterisk is absent again. I would think he'd be here, today of all days! Come to think of it I don't think any of us have ever seen him in the flesh, so-to-speak."

Pristina smiled politely as she answered the robot. "His Honor found himself beset with inescapable duties. He would be here, otherwise." In the privacy of her mind, she knew that her cousin had somehow made himself scarce in a way only he could. She didn't know what that way was, but it was fiendishly effective. The old prankster had never been this good at hide-and-seek before the Core Incident…

Everyone knew "Duke Asterisk" was the judge, jury and executioner but hardly anyone outside the noble families knew his full name or would recognize his face. Sans said he preferred it that way and went to great lengths to keep it so, although nobody in their family could really figure out why. But knowing him, he was probably watching everything on his phone while lounging on his couch at home.

Mettaton moved on to the earl, asking him, "Lord Sharpe, I don't suppose you would care to give us a little tease as to what His Majesty is going to announce, hmmm~?"

Dante laughed and said, "The only tease on this stage is you, Metta. Going back to your boxy body after showing off that gorgeous new one… For shame!"

Mettaton pretended to swoon. "Ohhhh my~ Are you going to lock me up and throw away the key, My Lord?"

Dante shook his head. "Luckily for you, being a tease isn't a crime." He winked, making the crowd laugh. They'd all seen this sort of flirting between the two, before, sparking their own set of rumors (although none of them were true).

Finally, it was the baron's turn. "And you, Lord Ampersand? Care to share what our dear, darling king has in store for us?"

Nasal ridge in the air, he said, "My honor as a member of the nobility forbids me from divulging that information." Privately, he thought this farce was unruly and unnecessary, but the king insisted upon it so he had to be here. Unlike a certain lazy-ass duke that could somehow disappear whenever he wanted and couldn't be found until well after the fact. Even Papyrus had disappeared! Honestly, the Gaster Brothers could be harder to find than a dropped pen, after the thing rolled god-only-knew-where…

Mettaton was undeterred by the nobles' lack of news. "There you have it, folks. No loose lips to be found, here! These gorgeous skellies are keeping their teeth shut. But never fear, because in just a moment it will! Be! SHOWTIME!" As the crowd roared a very nervous human fought the butterflies fluttering within her stomach in a guest room, deep in the palace.

Frisk stood in front of a mirror, barely recognizing herself. She had been given a new dress for the occasion, complete with the Delta Rune. She had also gotten a haircut, finally cutting out the unevenness of the rather desperate job she'd done herself just before coming to the Underground. Although it was shorter than how girls on the surface normally kept their hair, Frisk liked her new bob. But, as nice as it was, her eyes kept focusing on the simple tiara now crowning her head. It was just a few twists of smooth, shaped gold, just a few jewels to pick out yet another Delta Rune, yet it felt heavier than such a lightweight object had any right to be. It was also multiplying the butterflies in her middle.

*Is it normal for princesses to be this nervous? It never seemed that way in the stories… She started toying with the locket she still wore around her neck, remembering.

She had tried to return it to Asgore soon after reaching the surface, as she had planned, but he only shook his head. As she held it in her palm to offer it to him, he used his hands to gently close her fingers around it. He had said, "This was intended for our son… It was meant to protect him, because he had given his old one to his best friend. But I do not think he would mind if it protected someone else now that he's…"

Asgore had to clear his throat before continuing. "He was a good boy, that way, always putting others before himself. So please, keep it. I am certain it would make him happy to know it is finally being put to use."

He had smiled so very sadly… Frisk hadn't had the heart to argue, so now the precious keepsake was hers.

Bringing herself back to the present Frisk opened the locket, revealing the place where a small portrait could be inserted. Engraved within the lid was the word, "Family," in delicate calligraphy. Frisk had every intention of drawing her own picture, one with all of her friends and her monster parents all together. She would have done so, already, if she'd had the time, but between helping her mother teach the monsters on the surface about what plants were edible and what to avoid, helping out around the surface camp and practicing the speech she would give at today's announcement (short though it was), there'd been no way to-

Knock, knock

Frisk was jarred out of her thoughts, jumping partway out of her skin. She had to swallow and make sure her heart was no longer in her throat before she said, "C-come in!"

A familiar voice spoke from the other side of the door. "that's not how the joke works, kiddo! wanna try again?"

Frisk stifled a laugh, even as she walked closer to the door. "Yes, Sans, I would like to try again, please."

Knock, knock

"Who's there?"

"ken u. b."

"Ken U. B. who?"

"ken you believe how loud everyone's being? you can hear them all the way in here! they're really looking forward to this speech."

Frisk chuckled at the joke and opened the door, although Sans' casual reminder of the speech to come had brought the butterflies back. She found him leaning against the door jamb and let him in.

Sans followed the princess into her borrowed room. Even as he looked her over for signs of stress he couldn't help but say, "gotta admit, you certainly look the part, already." Frisk's smile was slightly strained as she thanked him for the compliment. He had a sympathetic expression on his face as he asked, "nervous, kiddo?"

Frisk smiled gamely as she said, "Of course I'm not nervous."

Sans raised a brow ridge at her. "really? lying to me, of all people?"

Frisk's shoulders and expression fell. "I'm sorry, it's just… I was hoping that, if I could lie to you well enough, I could convince myself that I'm not terrified and don't feel sick to my stomach. Because I am, and I do." She started toying with her locket again as she said, "I've never spoken in front of this many people, before… I'm afraid I'll mess something up and make a fool of myself in front of the entire kingdom!" Not to mention how it would make her new father look like a fool for believing in her, in the first place…

Sans only nodded. "yep, i know that feeling. it's why i avoid the limelight as much as possible. public speaking isn't always rainbows and lemon drops… but orange you lucky to have a friend like me to cheer you up?"

Frisk covered her mouth and chuckled. She was trying not to giggle, because she hated how she sounded like a little girl when she did, but Sans always made it so hard…

He just kept going, rubbing at his mandible as though in deep thought. "color me surprised, though. you never struck me as the yellow-bellied type. navy mind the fact that you ran from undyne. that's just umber-standable prudence. but the way i'm sienna it, you're more likely to… tickle people pink."

Frisk couldn't stand it. Between the current pun barrage, and the reminder of the look on his face after her retaliation to his telescope prank, it was too much. The bubble of tension inside her body felt like it popped and she lost control of her own laughter, giggling until she was lightheaded. Sans wasn't helping.

"careful there, kiddo! don't laugh yourself blue in the face, now."

Frisk's knees started to buckle and she stumbled into Sans, grabbing his shoulder with one hand to support herself as her other hand clutched at her belly. Sans extended a hand to cup her elbow, further supporting her.

He was pleased with the results of his efforts. It was about time he had gotten her to crack up like this! Frisk was usually too restrained when she laughed. It warmed his soul to know his little friend could still laugh like this, despite everything she had been through.

As the human's giggles ebbed he said, "feeling any better? you looked like you needed that." Frisk only nodded in response, still trying to stop laughing, but she was smiling. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes had tears in them, because she'd been laughing so hard… Sans' satisfaction doubled.

"welp! i guess that means my work here is done," he said. He paused, then added, "unless there was something else you needed to get off your chest?"

Frisk could finally breathe without giggling. She nodded at Sans' question, because she one of her own for him. They hadn't had very many chances to talk in private since coming to the surface, and especially since the meeting. She wiped at her eyes with the hand she had pressed to her belly, then realized she was still leaning against her friend. She stepped back, and as she did the butterflies fluttered up to her chest for some reason. They didn't nauseate her, but they did make her feel… warm.

She ignored the new butterflies in favor of asking her question. "You're a duke? I mean no disrespect, Your Grace, but you never even hinted at it while I was travelling through the Underground."

Sans' expression was strained. "you don't need to 'your grace' me, kiddo. i've always hated that protocol and precedence nonsense. i don't like bringin' it up unless i really have to. although pulling rank on roman can be fun, sometimes." He grinned as he said, "he's got a bit of fire monster in his family tree. y'know, like grillby? they aren't related, thank goodness, but it means roman's a real hot head. when he gets really mad flames cover his bones, and everything! it's great for roasting marshmallows."

"Sans!" Although she was trying to scold him for taking advantage of the baron's temper like that, she couldn't help but giggle at the mental image he had just provided. She could just see him holding a forkful of the aforementioned confections over the baron's flaming head… which would only make Lord Ampersand even angrier!

He was undeterred. "if he didn't make it so fun to tease him, i wouldn't do it. it's the same reason i pun around papyrus. the faces he makes are just hilarious! always have been." His grin faded a little, as he mentioned his brother. "speakin' of paps, you haven't seen him today, have you?"

Frisk shook her head, her expression concerned. "No, I haven't… Why? Is something wrong?"

"i don't think so…" said Sans, somewhat uncertainly. "i just haven't seen him since we watched the sunrise, this morning. it seems like, whenever he's not on sentry duty, he's always with undyne. and he comes back to the tent hurt…"

Frisk gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in horror. Sans quickly added, "but not very badly, so don't worry! it's just… it's like he's having a rough time with somethin', but he won't tell me what it is. he just says 'it's a surprise' with that big ol' grin of his…"

Sans sighed. Frisk was touched by his display of brotherly concern, although now she was worried about Papyrus, as well… Hesitantly, she said, "Maybe… it's extra warrior training? Real training, not the cooking lessons. Although I don't really see why Undyne would be increasing the intensity, now…"

"maybe…" Sans shook himself, putting his grin back in place. "welp, no use worrying! he's a tough guy. i'm sure he can handle things 'til he reveals his big surprise."

To Frisk's ears it sounded like he was trying to convince himself of that, more than anything else, but she didn't call him out on it. She was hoping for the same, after all. She only nodded and smiled, hoping her worry wasn't as apparent as his was.

There was yet another knock upon the door. Toriel's voice was muffled as she said, "Frisk, my child, it is time!"

"I'm coming, Mother!"

Sans chuckled, saying, "aaaand that's my cue to skedaddle." He winked as he added, "don't sweat it, kiddo. you're gonna be a fine princess. i'm rootin' for ya."

The familiar words made the warm butterflies dance in Frisk's chest again, even as she thanked him. She gave him a little wave, then turned to leave the room. When she had her hand on the doorknob she turned back, but Sans was already gone.

Frisk opened the door to find Toriel smiling. Her mother's eyes lit with pride, seeing her daughter dressed as a princess for the first time. The two of them left the castle and went backstage. As Frisk waited for her cue, she listened to Asgore's amplified voice.

"As you all know, the barrier was broken by a remarkable individual. What you may not know is why she came here in the first place. But to know that, you must know of our past with the humans during the old war.

"Those of you born down here have only ever known humans to be the destructive, violent beings we faced across the battlefield. To my shame, I have never contradicted this. What I have failed to tell you is that innocent humans also suffered, back then. Caught in fighting they never wanted any part of, they died just as easily as we did. Their blood stained hands on both sides.

"The human that came to us, the one bearing the seventh SOUL we needed to free ourselves, is one of those innocent ones. She escaped her old life, filled with pain, to begin anew, elsewhere. Her plan did not originally include falling into our realm, but Fate often has a strange way of working its magic upon us all.

"Although she would have been happy living down here with us, she learned of our growing despair and wished to help. Even when she learned she would be required to sacrifice her life, she walked ever forward with warmth and mercy in her SOUL. She was determined to find a way to help us, without having to die. And, though she feared what awaited her on upon her return to the surface, she set those fears aside because she felt helping us was more important. I cannot tell you how much strength it takes to put others first in this manner, when all you wish to do is hide yourself away.

"We do not know how the barrier was broken without the human needing to sacrifice her life, but it was. And there is no denying that the human's actions were the catalyst for this miracle of Fate. It was my hope that this miracle worker would continue to live amongst us, and she has. In fact, you all know that my wife-"

He stopped himself short, feeling Toriel's glare from backstage. He coughed into his fist. "Begging your pardon, I meant to say my former wife…"

Someone in the crowd shouted "No you didn't, Fluffybuns!" loudly enough to be heard by everyone, generating laughter. The story had trickled its way through the generations, ensuring that Asgore would never live it down. In the privacy of his thoughts the king blamed Gerson (formerly the Hammer of Justice, and an old friend) for telling the story to all the youngsters coming by his shop in Waterfall. Toriel, however, blushed miserably because she hadn't realized anyone remembered that blunder. People started chanting, "Fluff-y-buns! Fluff-y-buns!", and practically the entire Underground echoed with it.

Frisk was trying very hard not to laugh. Her mother's embarrassed glaring wasn't helping. Not even the three nobles on the stage were immune to the humor of the moment, hiding their amusement with varying degrees of success. In a certain house in Snowdin Sans laid on his couch, struggling to hold his ribs together because he was laughing so hard. His crystophone lay on the carpet while it continued to play.

Asgore chuckled, for a moment, happy to see his people in such high spirits. He then cleared his throat more forcefully, and very sternly said, "Now, now, settle down, everyone. Settle down!" It took a little time, and a little regal glaring, but the crowd eventually settled itself back down. Asgore nodded, and said, "Thank you.

"Now, as I was saying, my former wife has adopted the human that freed us. However, because of the… somewhat unusual state of our marriage, this does not automatically make her the newest member of the royal family. Not yet.

"I announce to all those gathered here, and to those who are watching this broadcast, that I have adopted the human in my own right." The crowd started roaring again. Asgore had to raise his voice for it to be heard, but he was smiling as he did. "She will not simply be 'like' my daughter, but my daughter in truth! Citizens of the Kingdom of Monsters, I present to you Her Highness, Princess Frisk Dreemurr!"

Frisk squared her shoulders and stepped onto the stage, head held high as the clapping and cheering got even louder, as though it were possible. She reached the designated spot before turning to them and curtseying to them all.

The crowd's enthusiasm was a palpable thing. She could feel it pounding against her body as she straightened herself and walked to the podium Asgore had vacated. She stepped onto the box hidden there to help the somewhat diminutive princess be seen, and Asgore adjusted the vocal amplification apparatus (Frisk remembered it being called a "microphone" during the rehearsal) to her height. She smiled at her new parent and said, "Thank you, Papa," which was picked up by the microphone.

Almost everyone cooed at the sweet smile and the sweeter words. Those that hadn't already been won over by the human almost certainly were now.

Frisk, for her part, hadn't meant to call him that. She had intended to use the more dignified "Father", but just like the first time she had called Toriel "Mother", it just slipped out. She hadn't been allowed to call her human father anything but "sir" after a very young point in her life…

The princess cleared her throat, shoving those memories back where they belonged and refocusing on the present. She smiled out to the crowd and said, "Thank you, everyone, for that warm welcome. I will try to keep this brief, because I know we all have a great deal of work ahead of us.

"When I was first travelling through the Underground, it felt as though I was walking through a dream. I never would have imagined I would get to meet so many wonderful people, or be accepted by them on such short acquaintance. I was, and I still am, truly touched by your kindness. I doubt I will never be able to repay it in full, but I am determined to do just that.

"As your princess, I promise to do my best for this kingdom. By my words and actions, I will help to make this the best kingdom the surface has ever seen! I will learn all I can from my mother and father, and I will one day be your ambassador to the humans. I will share with them all of the love, hope and compassion you have shared with me.

"Together, we will all build a bright, new future in the light of the sun!"

The cheers of the monsters would have been heard for miles around, where they not underground.