(The castle)

"Y'know, I was quite surprised when you called me." Toriel placed a slice of pie in front of him, as well as some tea. "But it's good to see you, old friend. What can I do for you?"

Papyrus took in a breath. "Five million gold. That's how much I'm willing to pay for him." Toriel almost dropped her teapot in surprise, recovering quickly.

"F-Five million!? Papyrus, you do know that I paid one million for him? And that's already more than double the usual price!"

Papyrus nodded mutely, expression completely serious. "I'm willing to pay that much." Toriel continued to gawk at him, sitting back down at the table. "He must've left quite the impression on you. You never even keep any of the courtesans I gift you."

Papyrus blushed a little in embarrassment. "Apologies for that, your highness. I just.. this courtesan is really different."

Toriel hummed thoughtfully, nodding her understanding. "It seems that he has made many long held beliefs about us change. First, I finally break my tradition of handing over each courtesan I receive to my nobles. And now, it seems you want to keep him too, when you've never entertained the notion before."

"But I'm going to have to turn down your offer, Papyrus. I really like him, and I don't think I want to let him go just yet." She smiled, sipping her tea as Papyrus struggled to tamp down on the sudden devastation threatening to overwhelm him.

"I-I see. Then, I best be going. No use taking more of my Queen's time." He murmured, getting up from his seat. Toriel eyed him with a mischievous look. "But don't you want to at least see him before you go?"

Papyrus faltered a little in his step. She would let him see Sans? "Oh, u-uh yes. I'd like that.." He wasn't sure why her tone was putting him off. But he really did want to see Sans.

"Follow me." She got up, gesturing for him to come. Papyrus scrambled to follow. The pair weaved through vast corridors, passing large, extravagant rooms and beautiful paintings of the royal family.

Papyrus noted that at the beginning of their journey, there were people rushing this way and that, but now, there was barely anyone in the hall. It was ominous, after all the hustle and bustle from earlier. The hallways also looked more modern, not like the medieval theme that the rest of the castle had.

The pair stopped in front of a glass wall that revealed a large room with padded floor and various blocks of furniture scattered around the room. In the very far corner, two monsters dressed in the medical scrubs of healers stood next to a large screen displaying random statistics that he couldn't read from this distance.

But what really caught his eye made his soul drop sickeningly. There was Sans, caught between two dog monsters that wore the uniforms of personal guards. He was completely bare of any clothing, blood streaking freely down his whole body. The room was soundproof, but Papyrus could see that he was gasping weakly as the dogs both shoved their lengths into Sans, holding him suspended between them.