"Beautiful isn't it? How you can see a sky full of stars in the daytime." Malphus asked, knowing someone was there listening.
"Did you invite my family over when it's time for the Grand King and Queen's visit?" Valerie asked bluntly, still being amazed by the stars in the blue sky, surprised Malphus wasn't actually tanning.
"Why yes, darling, I did. Mother and father's visits are always... so so. With your family here things will be sure to spice up. Especially considering how last night went." There was a smirk on Malphus' face and amusement in his voice.
"You know, that's quite the deceiving smirk you have there, you could have completely unclothed me but you didn't," Valerie crossed her arm and gave him a smirk of her own. Here she goes, acting like a teenager again.
"And who says I won't completely unclothe you now?" Valerie hiccuped and lowered her arms with a blush on her face.
"In broad daylight? In an open-to-all area? I don't think so," Valerie gathered her wits again and placed one arm on her hip.
"Would you like to test that?" Malphus stepped forward closing the space between them, grabbing Valerie's waist and drawing her closer, placing a tender kiss on her lips.
"Ugh, Malphus," Valerie stepped back and rolled her eyes, she didn't have time for this. She promised her family that she'd spend time with them but she still hadn't found Alan.
"Hey, have you seen Alan? He wasn't in our room this morning," Malphus grinned and Valerie furrowed her eyebrows.
"I told him you were sick and had to stay far away from the castle until you got better so he's been living with Kathy," Malphus stated to have Valerie nod.
"Is he eating normally?" Valerie asked and he nodded.
"Of course, it's not like you were kidnapped. He does come to my study persistently to ask if you're better yet," Valerie hummed, that meant she should catch Alan around his study soon, so she should hurry there so she could hurry back to her family and enjoy time with them.
''I need to find him, bye." Valerie waved at Malphus and he chuckled and went back to stargazing.
Valerie walked to the doors of the observatory and opened them to find Edwin at the doors.
"Hello Edwin, now, if you'd excuse me I'd like to get by," Valerie started off only for a tight grip to fix itself on her arm.
"Ow!" She whispered but Edwin ignored her.
"Don't act like nothing's wrong, darling," He said dragging her in front of him, "I know about that little kiss with the King. I also heard a rumor that you two had a fabulous night before we arrived," His brown eyes glistened as Valerie's face grew in horror.
"It'd be a shame if your dear, sweet, loyal husband found out about this. Oh, how it would tear him, his parents, and Dorthy up inside to find out their beloved Valerie was nothing more than a two-timing whore," He squeezed her arm and she quietly winced in pain, careful not to draw attention from Malphus.
"If you want me to keep your little secret, meet me here an hour before midnight," Edwin threw her arm down, gave her a slick smile, and walked off.
She rubbed her arm where he had gripped it and continued on, trying to distract herself from crying. Luckily, just in the nick of time, she bumped into a small curtain someone.
"Mommy!" Alan gasped as Alro hopped to greeting Valerie.
"Hello, Alan," Valerie said, forgetting about any pain she had left in her arm.
"You're better now? Yay, Papa said you'd be home soon!" Alan snuggled Valerie in a tight hug and she returned his gesture.
"Now, I have some people I want you to meet. There is Margret, Robert, Dorthy, and Edwin. They're mommy's friends," Valerie led Alan to the guest rooms where everyone greeted him with open arms.
"Oh my! Oscar, why, this can't be the same demon child you were talking about! Alan is a ray of sunshine!" Marget pampered Alan with kisses and hugs and cheek squeezes. Robert let out a hardy laugh.
"Of course not, right my son?" Robert slapped Oscar on the back and he chuckled nervously.
After Alan was acquainted with everyone, Valerie gave them a grand tour showing them things like where the garden and library were and of course the observatory.
They all called their favorite places at the end of it and most everyone liked the garden, except Edwin.
"I think the observatory is best, it has such a romantic atmosphere, it's great for sharing secret kisses," Valerie gulped as Edwin looked towards her, but it was as if no one else noticed.
"Oh, Edwin! You charmer, we can't just go kissing in random places in the castle." Dorthy laughed as she lightly hit the man on his shoulder.
"I don't know, ask Valerie," He smiled eerily at Valerie and Dorthy smiled sweetly at her while the rest of the group just laughed.
"Right, well, the garden is it?" Valerie asked and she heard a mix of 'yes', 'yep', 'sounds about right', 'sure', and 'why not'.
"Great! Alan, Alice, and Arlo love playing there," Valerie exclaimed and there were three shocked faces while there were two happy ones.
"You have two other children?" Dorthy asked, her face, Edwin's and Oscars were the ones surprised and Marget and Robert looked delighted.