Valerie, along with Alan, sat in the carriage and played with Arlo. The king agreed to let them go visit Valerie's family as long as they took Arlo with them since they were the ones taking care of him.
"So, where are we going exactly mommy?" Alan asked.
"We are going to see my husband, Oscar, and his parents," Valerie replied
"You're not married to daddy? Does Oscar know about daddy?" Alan tilted his head to the side.
"Oscar does know about the king sweetie, but the King and I are only friends. If anyone were to be your father it would be Oscar." Valerie patted Alan's head.
"I don't like Oscar, he is not my dad, only daddy is." Alan pouted.
"Now don't be like that, you haven't met Oscar, you might like him and I love him. Please be nice." Alan huffed at Valerie's words. He crossed his arms and turned his head to the side not daring to look at Valerie.
They spent the rest of the ride being quiet. Valerie tried apologizing for taking him with her, but he ignored her apology and continued to play with Arlo.
They arrived at the house, and Alan almost threw a fit because he didn't want to get out.
"Valerie!" came the scream of a muscular man who could have once been a dressmaker.
"Oscar? My, you've gotten so big over the months!" The man came to hug Valerie, he went in for a kiss but Alan tugged on Valerie's sleeve to help him tie his shoes
"And who might this be?" Oscar tried to pat him on the head but the kid moved away, Oscar brushed it off because the child didn't know him and he might not trust him yet.
"This is Alan, I got him as a welcome gift from Malphus," Valerie said picking up Alan and twirling with him. He giggled, and then when she put him back down he put back on a firm face.
"Oh, all the maids get a slave to help them? That's nice." Oscar commented
"I'm no slave mister," Alan growled at the man.
"Alan!" Valerie shook Alan softly to get him to stop.
"No Valerie, he's fine. I shouldn't have called him a slave. I'm sorry little guy."
But Alan didn't say anything back.
"Well, my dad and I have been waiting for your return because although mom tries, it's hard to enjoy when we know how well you can cook," Oscar said, picking up Valerie and Alan's bags.
"Well, Alan and I haven't had lunch yet, whose up for some avocados stuffed with ground beef, peppers, and shredded cheese with sour cream?" Alan's eyes lit up.
"Really mommy?! I love it when you cook that!" Alan started clapping.
"I think me and you are going to get along great little guy." Then Alan stopped and put back on his firm face.
"Let's go, that ground beef won't cook itself." Valerie led Alan through the house.
"So little one, how's this versus the castle?" Oscar asked Alan.
"It makes me miss Stanley." Alan pouted.
"Who's Stanley Val?" Oscar asked Valerie.
"He's the butler. The butler doesn't like Alan all that much because he's often found in trouble." Valerie answered.
"Oh, so we have a little rascal in our mists." Oscar looked like he was excited to start chasing Alan around.
"I don't like that word, mommy I want to go home. I want to see daddy." Oscar's wide smile stopped.
"Valerie. What is he talking about." Oscar's voice sounded raspy as if he didn't have any life in him.
"Oh that, he calls Malphus father because he's nice to him and feeds him himself, so they created a father-son bond. Same with me, we've tried to get him to stop but he won't." Valerie answered calmly.
"Oh, I need to go lye down. Call me for lunch." Oscar walked to their bedroom.
"Some men, am I right Alan?" Valerie asked.
"Very right mommy," Alan answered in agreement.