Where before everybody takes their leave, in a friendly chill conversation Geno will hear stuff he hadn't hear yet and later denial and resistance will end the night rather coldly. But more trouble awaits…

No one's POV:
-

Monsters headed out of the restaurant talking excited. The fun hadn't end yet, it would continue tomorrow and certainly most monsters were waiting for it. Some of them however were staying inside to talk with Danarei and her crew and give flowers. The goat siblings, Atalanta and Geno were waiting outside for… Alter.

As it seemed he was excited talk with the bards too, he didn't specify for what. But he asked for his companionships to wait for him and everyone agreed. Pyros and Atalanta were chatting vividly while, a few steps away from them, Geno and Tefra stood next to each other staring at the night sky. They were silent for a minute or so.

"So? How much did you enjoy the music night?" Tefra finally spoke, asking Geno. The small skeleton turned to look at her.

"From a scale of 1 to 10, I would say that it's way out of borders. It was amazing!"

"Eh. Such luxuries are rare here. But when we have them, we enjoy them as much as we can. Though the humans almost ruined it…"

"Though we showed them who's the boss!" Geno said excited. But then he looked away awkward from his outburst. "Well, you showed who's the boss. I might did the biggest part of the battle but in the end you made them loose." Tefra looked at him with raised eyebrows. But then she rolled her eyes.

"You gave an incredible battle Eugenia. Didn't expect you had it in you in such degree. Such talent in dancing it's rare find it in young age."

"Thanks. You are incredible too." Geno said flattered. "So. Who taught you dancing?" He asked then. Tefra looked up to the sky again, thoughtful and lost.

"Pyros. Mainly. At first, I didn't have much will to learn. But eventually I did. I don't regret it." She said.

"How did you manage become so intimidating to the humans? Is there some trick behind it? Is it just to play aggressive? That's all really?" The small skeleton asked, he really wanted to know.

"There's not really any trick or technique behind it." Tefra started, making Geno raise brow.

"Nada?"

"Yeah. These 2 are just scared of me, like many humans. Even if I'm not supposedly allowed to harm them, j ø k ə s ø n t h ə m." She said with cold spite looking away.

"Well, you didn't even touch them! That's the best. You made them fall by themselves! That was really cool!" Geno said, between meaning what he said and at the same time trying to hide he had shivered from Tefra's last words. The small female huffed, for a moment she smiled before staring up to the sky again.

"Because they know what I can do. After all, it's rather about what the other thinks about you. These humans might did see in the battle you are a really skillful dancer, able to possibly beat them fair and square. But they didn't think you can be intimidating and aggressive. And it's not just your outside appearance Eugenia, I don't mean to be offensive. Do you know what they also saw? You were worried and desperate when they managed to corner you. Even I saw that. Perhaps the trick here is to never show anything from what you feel at the moment when it's a hard time… because then the opponent will understand they easily have the upper hand and that you're out of choices. Most of all, don't let the panic freeze you or make you move spontaneously." Geno looked down silent for a moment.

"… If you're talking from experience, then I guess you've been in enough dance battles before. Have you ever been in a difficult position? Like, when the opponent managed to have the upper hand for a moment against you."

"Quite a few. And in some of them, indeed the opponent seemed ready to win, not let me move. And I showed I was getting a little desperate. However my mind works fast. When the other thought they could make me fail, I let them approach. And they don't think most of times to move carefully. You remember how the humans thought they had me trapped? I let them think so and in the end they bumped to each other. If you can't help it and you show you're panicked don't focus on the problem. Watch how your opponent approaches and always keep pretending you're doomed while you exploit their carelessness."

"And if they're not careless?" Geno asked. Tefra looked down still smiling.

"Even if you seem defenceless, attack is the best defence. But you need to be dynamic, not desperate…" She said. The 2 stayed silent again for many seconds. Until Geno was the one to start a new conversation.

"You dance so beautifully, yet why didn't you accept to dance again?" He asked.

"… I don't dance often. I only did this to defend you. I couldn't let you have a bad time. Guido was extremely worried through the whole battle almost." Tefra said cramming her hands in her jacket's pockets. Geno looked at her surprised.

"He… was?"

"*sigh* Yeah." She said slowly. Then she smiled. "You have a good parent."

"What about your parents?" Geno asked and then bit his tongue, for he saw Tefra's eyes going empty. Despite he knew some things, his need to know more made him do the question. But he had make her feel uncomfortable. "STUPID!"

"… They were both gone when me and Pyros were very little…" Tefra started talking and Geno looked at her surprised. "… Pyros said mom died giving birth to me. But he doesn't have any actual memories with her. The dad, well… he just one day mysteriously dissappeared. All these back in Azores. Me and Pyros were called the unknown orphans. No monster knew where we came from. Pyros was 8, I was 4. Against all difficulties, he managed to built for us a little comfy life. He worked for both of us, made sure I am protected and well fed. He was the first teach me how to fight and he made a lot of sacrifices just to make sure I'm more comfortable, even if it meant he wouldn't be. After years, eventually he managed to get us both in the Royal Monster Guard and things got better. I don't know many who were like a brother and parent at the same time like Pyros. I will never forget how many things he has done for me and I'm forever grateful…"

Something was off as long as she was talking. She was looking down with cold, lost, thoughtful eyes, her voice had no emotion almost. Geno was staring at Tefra trying to hide his sadness for he already knew what he had seen yesterday night. At the same time admiring what Tefra was saying about her brother. He smiled calmly.

"Wow. You're lucky to have such brother. I-" He abruptly stopped and looked away. "I wish I had siblings too…" He completed, hummed gently and his smile disappeared. But again he smiled wide and looked at Tefra with another thought that covered the temporary sadness he felt. "Say, the biggest part of your life Pyros was taking care of you and he was the closest to you. Do you have any friends though?" He asked.

"Well, a few. From them, I hang out mostly with Atalanta, especially when we come here for patrol." Tefra replied shrugging her shoulders. And there, Geno's expression for a moment turned a little more cunning.

"And… any man you have your eyes on?" He asked trying his best to sound innocent.

Tefra looked at him surprised and for a moment Geno thought he had managed catch her off guard. But then, slowly her surprised expression turned to one of confusion. She looked at him for many seconds silent with raised eyebrow. But when she spoke, the answer Geno took would make him be the one getting caught off guard.

"I thought Guido told you I'm married."

(readers' minds after reading the line above:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEEM2Qc9sUg

An hour later…

They were back in their room, prepared to sleep. However none of the skeletons had layed down. Geno was sitting to the edge of his bed and staring at Alter intentionally intensively. The taller was walking slowly back and forth reading from his little red book of New Testament which he was never leaving.

He seemed really focused and dedicated, not paying attention to Geno. Finally the smaller couldn't wait any longer for Alter to notice and cleared his throat. But the other kept reading with that calm, serene smile of his, plastered on his face. Geno took a quiet deep breath to not snap and looked again at Alter.

"You didn't tell me she's married." He said. Alter stopped walking and never loosing his smile raised head and finally looked at Geno.

"I tried to tell you. But guess I didn't manage to." He said closing the book with his one hand and closed his eyesockets. Now he seemed really cheerful. "You were so dedicated on me and her you didn't let me. But even if I wasn't telling you, you could have seen the ring on her finger."

"She was wearing a ring?!" Geno yelped, feeling more and more like a fool he wasn't observing things.

"Yup. I saw it from the first day, then I asked her who she's married to. I got impressed hearing her. That's why we have eyes and mouths son. To observe and ask when we wanna be sure." Alter said really calmly, but for Geno it was like he was bluntly telling him,"You're stupid".

Which wasn't really far away from truth. Geno was truthfully, at the moment, feeling stupid right now. He was mentally facepalming and wishing to find a hole, crawl in it and bury himself.

"Oh MOTHER OF GOD!"

"Did she tell you who she's married to?" Alter asked then as if nothing had happened and he hadn't cause Geno to mentally scold himself.

Yes. Tefra had told Geno. And for the little skeleton many things got clear then. The reason behind her high power and authority among all other monster guards, the reason humans feared her so much and monsters were looking up to her, was because she was married to one of the highest authorities of Portugal, Bernard Aristo.

"With that friend of yours, Bernard. Almost 4 years. And… they live together in Azores." Geno said as he was filling a glass with water to drink. "I saw no ring then when she was telling me, she didn't show me!"

"That's right!" Alter said and clapped his hands while his book was under his armpit. "Isn't that sweet? And together they raise 3 adorable baby boys!" Geno literally managed to choke on his water (HOW?!HE'SSIREN!!! 😂) and the taller proceeded to approach and pat his back 2 times. When Geno calmed down he looked at Alter shocked.

"THREE?!" He yelled, only for the taller to close his mouth with his hand.

"Yep." Alter replied after a while smiling and took his hand from Geno's mouth.

"When?!" The smaller shout-whispered.

"What do you mean when? They're married almost 4 years, it was bound to happen." Alter said shrugging his shoulders and fighting to not laugh with Geno's reactions.

"But-!"

"That's how it is little one." The taller said petting the smaller and turned his back to go for his bed.

"And you're ok with that?" Geno asked confused. Alter stopped.

"Why wouldn't I be happy for Vincent be engaged with a woman like Tefra?" He asked really calmly.

"But…" Geno looked down trying to process what he heard. Something suddenly hitted him and stared at Alter intensively. "But she doesn't seem to like him!" He said.

"And where didja get that conclusion from?" Alter asked again quietly, but something, just a tiny bit sounded more serious in his voice. Geno remembered how Tefra was talking about Bernard. She might was praising his virtues, how well he was treating her and the other monsters, how he was taking care of his family…

But it was as if she didn't mean anything. She was looking down with a thoughtful expression, her posture was closer, her voice, oh! Even if you were blind you could understand by the tone something was clearly off. And despite she was smiling, that was cold and melancholic. But the last straw was on Geno's question next.

He had seen how off she was as long as she was talking. And he couldn't stand it anymore but ask then, "Do you love him?" There, Tefra had stayed silent and insisted on staying like that. And the moment everything was getting awkward and intensive, Alter decided to finally appear again.

Immediately the small female goat smiled as if nothing had happened and waved her hand for Alter to see her and the other companions easier. Then they walked for the monster guard dormitories chatting vividly. But the previous conversation with Tefra hadn't leave Geno.

And it was how he narrated everything to Alter. The taller hadn't speak, nor show any reaction all this time, but he wasn't smiling. When finally Geno finished talking, they stared to each other silent for a minute or so. Until the smaller started again.

"Why don't you see it?! It's a chance!" He said slowly getting excited. The tall skeleton looked at him confused with crossed arms.

"A chance? For what?" He asked.

"Can't you see that from the time we stepped foot inside the Capital everytime we all hang out and she's with you she's all cheerful and bubbly? But when she was telling me about Bernard she wasn't! You! And her! You're meant together!" Geno tried to give his point.

"…"

"If your friend is as kind as everyone says, if he sees that Tefra doesn't like him he can respect that!"

"…" Alter walked towards his bag but he kept listening. Rather indifferent. But that didn't seem to discourage Geno.

"And besides, what's the point of you denying you like her?! You follow God's will, but you're not locked in a monastery, you've lived among people and monsters the biggest part of your life! Damn, you are into…" There Geno lowered his voice. "… a pirate crew…" And then he started getting excited again.

"…" Alter had kept a cold silence as long as Geno was talking and searching his bag. He was now most likely as it seemed ignoring Geno.

"Think about it! You're on the run, despite of who you are now, you have a friend like Bernard who helps us from distance! Wow, now that can definitely spice things up~"

"Read this for me please." Alter finally spoke. Geno stopped his rambling and looked at what Alter was holding in front of him. An open book.

"Were you even listening?"

"Sadly yes. Read this for me please." The taller insisted, smiling. Geno took the book and looked inside trying to understand what Alter wanted him to read. "There son. Start from there." He pointed and Geno nodded. "Oh, I want you to read out loud so I can hear too, ok?"

"What the…" More and more confused Geno started reading from where Alter showed him. "I… am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me…" He raised head confused. But Alter nodded him to keep reading. "… You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain… Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. In it you shall not do any work." Geno looked again up to Alter even more confused.

"You read very well son. Keep going." The taller encouraged him.

"… Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you. You shall not kill… You shall not commit-…" Slowly Geno started suspecting what Alter was trying to point out. He looked at him. But he, always smiling -now Geno could see the sarcasm behind his smile- nodded him to keep going. "… You shall not steal… You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor… You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or anything that is your neighbor's… And… You shall not covet… anything that is your neighbor's… You shall not desire your neighbor's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or anything that is your neighbor's." He handed the book back to Alter and looked away.

"Thank you for your time." The tall skeleton said and his smile slowly dropped. He sighed and looked down to Geno, his eyesockets turned to daggers. "Let me understand it that it was upon your enthusiasm to say all these before."

"I got happy to see you-." Geno was about to excuse himself.

"Commandment number 6. Do you know how were they punishing someone commiting adultery? Y'know, if they were caught with anyone except their spouse? More often death. It's common and legal even today as public execution method in many lands." Alter said calmly and sharply. Geno gulped. "Commandment number 9. Did you perhaps read something exactly relatable with the situation, hm?" This time the sarcasm stung the smaller skeleton hard. He looked down. But hearing Alter sighing deeply he looked again at him. He was covering his face with his hand.

"Are you mad no-?" Geno went to ask.

"Fun was fun as long as it lasted. Let's be serious. Did you even hear yourself a few minutes ago? So what if you see what I feel for her Geno? Seriously, what kind of monster do you think I am do this to Vincent, my own friend? If I wanted to ruin his position and reputation, just give in my desire, I would be more obvious in public! And I wouldn't just ruin his life, but hers too! But… no, why am I even scolding you, it's my fault in the first place I nailed eyes on her." He suddenly softened. Geno looked at him surprised and then sadder. Alter seemed really troubled and agitated. He tried to help the situation.

"Well, but you did nothing obvious! You showed nothing from your thoughts, you hide them very well Al! Because exactly as you said, you'd rather not ruin your friend in any way. Your love for your friends is bigger than what you deep inside desire sooo… you're doing nothing wrong! If that's what's bothering you, you didn't commit the sin, if in the first place you didn't do it! Right?"

"You don't get it son." Alter said shaking head left and right. "Coveting is not making you sin when you act to take something you desire and it's not yours. It's not like the commandment that says you shall not steal. The sin is just because you thought about desiring something or someone, even if it's for a fleeing moment. But that thought can be enough to ruin your neighbor you want their things. You've already sinned in your heart and soul by just thinking that you desire something from someone else, not because you've got it. The sin has already be done by me."

Geno looked down sadder, progressing what Alter said. He raised head again after a while.

"Is it my fault that in the first place I encouraged the situation even if we were mostly joking around?" He asked pointing at himself. Alter sighed.

"None of your words started the problem. I started it and I'll have to finish it myself. It's not really your fault Geno. Don't worry." Alter said, sat next to the smaller and pat his nape gently, finally smiling lightly.

"But what are you gonna do now?" Geno asked then. Alter looked away humming.

"… Even if she doesn't feel anything for Vincent, she does very well she doesn't want to make any scandals. But I don't think she even has anything for me right now. However the faster we leave from here, the faster my mind can find it's peace again. It's better… I just forget me and her ever met under these circumstances we are."

"… Except that we will be leaving not tomorrow as ya said but in 2 days."

"Forgive me about that. I felt we would be suspicious if we insisted to leave…"

Pyros had insisted a lot. He said that the 2 skeletons should join too Fuku and Skate's marriage tomorrow night. Alter at first tried to decline, saying that they were actually planning to leave tomorrow evening. But when Tefra and Atalanta started nudging him too to come, there things got more difficult.

Geno for a moment hadn't understood why Alter didn't want to be in the marriage. But he quickly remembered their conversation in the morning about leaving right after talking with the witch and he got anxious. After a lot of pressure eventually Alter gave in. He was smiling but Geno definitely knew he didn't like that twist of plans.

That was what he had think he saw back inside the restaurant in Alter's expression. Troubles in their plans to escape. But as if it wouldn't be enough, not long after that conversation the 2 skeletons had, distrust would threaten more their friendship.

3700 words. phew, that chapter was quite difficult. i needed to be really careful with the info and sometimes i would see the dialogues were all over the place. so i rewrited, added, took out details. but i completed it after all.

thoughts about what's gonna happen next? i will wait to hear ya out. goodbye sweet bembehs of wattpad, sinners and not.