A few days later, Encre's POV

I enjoyed the rest of the time that I spent with my family. They were very curious about how I've been, especially what Reve has heard about Connerie being alive and a decent threat. Reve now understood everything that happened, including my dad's living return and we learned that Poussiere taught both of my parents English for better communication. Especially if my father is going to be leading the town of multiple cultures or languages.

"Any news about where he might be?"Rufous asked

"Oh, Fallacy already invited us over to see Rufous!"Father said, revealing a letter.

"Yeah, he now lives in the dungeon."I said

They look at me in surprise.

"Anything else I should know?"Dad asks

"I met Jasper's grandma, Lady Athena, and she's nice..."I said

"And the grandfather?"Father asked

"Not so much, but he isn't in the picture."I said

Now my father had a wagon prepared for my return home, knowing that Jasper wants art lessons soon. And I definitely need to get back and explain things with Poussiere's teasing comments about my mark. Reve joined me for the ride home and we spent time chatting to make up for the years that we were apart. Then we hit a bump and one of the wheels breaks, alarming the horses and they stop in their tracks. I check the map as he checks the wheel, seeing that we are a short distance away from the kingdom.

"We aren't that far now, Reve. How bad is the wheel?"I ask

"A chunk of it came out."He says

I sigh, shaking my head. Then I get the familiar feeling that I'm being watched and glance up, seeing a familiar bat hanging in the shadows of a tree branch. I grin, waving.

"You can come out, I know you're there."I say

"Encre! Don't invite the dangers of the dark to come out!"Reve says

"It's fine."I chuckle

"Encre! You're actually coming back! Welcome back!"Jasper cheers, transforming back into a boy hugging me.

He smiles up at me happily. Then he glances over at Reve.

"Oh right. This is Jasper, Reve. Reve, this is Jasper."I say

"The art student?"He asks

"Yep! He is the best mentor!"Jasper says

"I see..."He says

Then I glance up, noticing a blue glow from the trees.

"You can come out too."I say

Fallacy hops down and quickly approaches me quickly, feeling my arms gently. Then he feels down further.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt? I see the broken wheel. Have you been bothered by anyone in your travels? Are you okay?"He asks

"Oui, I'm okay! I'm not hurt and not bothered! It's been smooth until the wheel broke."I say as his hand slips up to my cheek.

Jasper chuckles.

"As you can see, Reve, Encre is treated very well here despite your worries."Jasper says

Fallacy glances over curiously.

"Fallacy, this is my friend Reve. I have a few things of his that he wants to get before moving into my father's village."I say

"THIS is the same king that I heard Asgore sold you to for your death?"Reve asks

"Yeeeah, doing Asgore's dirty work isn't our thing. Especially for someone as dear as Encre is to us."Fallacy says with a grin

Jasper zips away, returning with a new wheel. He quickly fixes the wheel into place and pets the horses. Soon enough, we're on our way with Jasper and Fallacy now. They smile as we got within the gates of the kingdom and soon within the castle gates as well. I stop the horses by my house and quickly get them fed after the trip. Jasper takes Reve away to meet everyone and I chuckle, shaking my head. Reve is surprised while I was completely expecting that.

"So....You're marked? Poussière thought that I did it to you during the Pink Moon but...Are you okay?"Fallacy asks

I facepalm, groaning.

"I told Poussière to shut up about it but he wouldn't wait to let me explain. There is no mark. Nothing permanent at least. It will just wash off."I say, going inside

He gives me a confused look, following behind me.

"Umm, Encre? That isn't how these things work so-"He begins

Then his jaw hangs open in shock as I take a wet cloth to wipe my neck until two black dots are on the cloth instead. I chuckle, seeing it puzzle him.

"It's just paint, Fallacy. Jasper put it there to trick any troublesome vampires like Charmeur into thinking I was unavailable. And it worked during my trip."I say

He sighs with relief and I smirk, drying my neck before stepping over to him.

"Concerned much?"I ask

"Yes, I was a bit concerned given how some treat marks...Didn't want you to deal with that...You deserve someone that treats you right."He says

"I will never be marked anytime soon, Fallacy. You should find some comfort in that."I tell him

"Why?"He asks

"It'd be a shame to have to hide something that holds such good meaning...with the right person...Maybe when the world isn't going to snap or break into war over a gossip article things would be different."I say

I see a spark in his eyes as he leans closer.

"Do you have someone in mind?"He asks

"Only time will tell. Things have to settle down before I actually consider it..."I say

Then a letter appears beside me in a burst of black smoke that quickly fades away. I grab it, opening it to read the first lines, then tuck it away.

"Welp, adding that project to the list."I say

"What is it?"Fallacy asks

"A request from Lord Reaper for artworks."I say

"How'd he get in touch with you?"He asks

"It started a few days before I left to see my parents. He says that he has his ways and you just witnessed how he sends them. Reaper is nice and clearly planning something according to what he writes."I say as a familiar bird lands outside my window.

I haven't seen a bird like it in years, knowing who it delivers messages for. And it has a letter this time too. I let the bird in, feed it, and tuck the note in my pocket. Then a question comes to mind.

"What were you doing so far out of your kingdom?"I ask

"I umm...needed a break from all the stressors and then I heard you yelp when the wheel broke and went to make sure that you're okay."He says

He's so caring..protective..What did I ever do to get him, a king, so quick to come searching for me and my safety? But..he's more than that...A good person...Good soul...Good friend...Good....Whatever I did, I won't undo it. I should just accept it and stop questioning it. Questions lead to doubt and pushing away. I don't want to push him away. And I shouldn't question him as a king when he as a person is good. I should consider him entirely, not just on a part like his title. He sees me for who I am, not just what I'm used for so I should do the same for him....He makes me happy...and he clearly loves me. Which is good, since I also love him a lot.

I smile at him happily.

"Would you like to come to dinner?"He asks

"Sure, I'm just going to unpack my stuff here first."I say

He nods, leaving to find Jasper.

I smile, shutting the door. Then I take the note from the bird out of my pocket. I see that the note is from Cruzar, then frown when I see that this letter is his warning for me. A warning about Asgore planning an attack on Fallacy's kingdom. Asgore wants Fallacy's head or anyone close to him.....I didn't even realize the letter slipped from my hands as my mind started spinning. I start recalling the destruction Asgore left my home after an attack all those years ago...The pain caused to my family...

I won't let Fallacy's family or kingdom face that sort of pain.

I grab buckets of paint and march out to the borders of the kingdom where the walls tower over me. I snap my fingers, having the paint trace along the walls until it reaches the starting point again. Once that's done, the paint changes to blend in with the wall and go unnoticed.

There, the trap is set.

I smile, returning with the empty buckets to unpack my bags at home and prepare for dinner. Yet I find someone waiting outside my house, leaning against the door.

Oh...Great...

TBC