In crust We trust!

Matilda leaned in next to Ned to see the picture, her face turned pale the moment her eye landed on it

"It's her." she said fearfully.

"The comb mark is hers? the death sentence girl?"

"Socorro." Matilda replied, Ned's eyes went wide open, "WHAT?! Belmonte? the king's assistant?!"

"Fuck...Ugh! this pain in my chest, Coco must me in denial!"

"What does denial here means?" Ned asked, he may have passionately hated the legend, but he didn't know much about it, he knew about the mating mark because it was a very known fact.

"Denial is like a semi-rejection, it's hiding your mark on purpose because you don't want to declare it to your mate, and possibly have to accept them.

Usually when you get your mark, you have to like declare it, so that your mate can find you two accept each other and seal the bond.

Your Marks will glow when they're together, confirming that someone is indeed your mate.

It's your choice to whether to publicly accept or reject your mate, but most people are forced to accept it since rejection means ultimately, death by a broken heart syndrome." she explained.

"Oh I see, so when you hide your mark, it's like You're not okay with the idea of being mates with someone, but you don't have the courage to actually make that decision publicly, whether that decision is acceptance or rejection.

it's not like it's an easy choice to make so I kinda understand her, so she's doubting herself, and that's why it's like a semi-rejection." Ned said.

"Bingo, right on the money Neds, I think that's what is going on with Socorro." Matilda replied.

"So does that mean you're dying?! Mati we gotta talk to Socorro about this!"

"Well like I said, rejection means ultimately death, but it's a fast death when it's public.

Like if Socorro would walk up to me and say 'I reject you as my mate' I'm dead meat in few months at max, some people die on the spot.

In case of a denial however, since it's more of indecisiveness than actual rejection, it takes longer to die of broken heart syndrome.

This now explains my chest pain and sudden fainting that I've been experiencing from weeks ago...at least my dream came true, I have a mate now."

"Uhmm sorry Matilda but WEEKS AGO?!"

"Yeah?"

"It's been weeks and you haven't noticed you've been mated? *facepalm* Matilda, Honey...they say in each friend group there's a dumb one and since of course I'm the smart one, that means congratulations Mats, you won the dumb friend role in this friendship."

Matilda sighted, "Bitch! instead of mocking me, use that big brain of yours to help!

it was normal that I couldn't notice my mark! what if you woke up tomorrow with a mark on your butt! would you notice it?"

"Haha something like that wouldn't happen to me, I mean me? being someone's Mate? No way!"

"We will see about that...anyways I wanna know something." Matilda said.

"Why I'm here for example? " Ned replied.

"Not really, I'm wondering where's your coat?"

"Shit! I left it with his Majesty, I'll look for it later."

"Ok, then... why are you here Ned?"

"Right! I came to tell you, There's a party tonight, the knights in Garrick's unit are going out!"

Matilda smiled immediately, "Is it someone's birthday?...wait no, I don't think so, I know their birthdays... so what's the occasion?"

"Kimberly is leaving the place, someone has finally decided to stop listening to their judgmental parents, and embrace their Identity." Ned replied proudly.

"Omg yes finally! Kimberly told me about the transition and wanting to become an actress not long ago!" Matilda said cheerfully.

Surprised, "You guys talk often?" Ned asked.

"Yeah, and I'm aware Kimberly has a crush on me."Matilda replied.

"Ah I see, so you're coming with us tonight?"

"Of course! But first, I need to get a gift, how about buying one with me Ned?"

"You want to go shopping girl? we're in a secluded area, it's going to take awhile to get the nearest city, and it would be best if we limit our time outside." Ned replied.

"I forgot that you're new here, so you must not know about this, but we have a Mini-Mall here in the palace.

Since there's lots of workers here, that can't leave due to Their jobs, we have a shopping area within the palace for items that the palace doesn't provide on the regular.

it's a pretty new establishment, and it was his Majesty's idea." Matilda explained.

"Seriously, Muriel is meant for his role, this idea is brilliant." Ned said impressed.

"He's not a king for nothing, so come with me!" Matilda replied.

"Nah, me shopping? I don't need unnecessary social anxiety." Ned said, knowing the actual reason behind his refusal, " I'm paying Ned." Matilda said sighing.

"Let's go bestie! I can't wait to choose a gift for Kimberly, and myself, maybe." Ned said jumping his way to the door.

Matilda rolled her eyes, "Such a material boy...which one of us was born a noble again?" she whispered smiling, she actually loved spoiling him.

...(Time skip)... few minutes later...

"Holy shit Gurl! you were right! there's all sort of things here! I can't even decide what to get!"

Ned moved with sparkling eyes from a spot to another in the Mini-Mall, his social anxiety evaporated surprising Matilda.

"Calm your balls my guy!...btw there's a jewelry store over there at the corner, they give free piercings for first time costumers, just letting you know!" Matilda spoke, Ned gasped loudly.

"I'm definitely getting that lip to ear chain piercing this time!" He said, " I've never seen a doctor like you Neds! do you have any ideas how dangerous that piercing can be to your oral health MotherFucker!!" Matilda replied.

"I still rather look cool!" he replied, "C'mon I'd look good in it!"

"I'm not arguing with you on this cuz it's pointless, I Know you'll do it anyways.

And if You do decide to get that piercing Neds, make sure to not flirt under any circumstances with the store clerk 'Skylar'.

He might look like a hot Ass alpha because he's tall and buff as fuck, and covered in piercings but he's actually an Omega, and my Mind can't even wrap itself around that fact.

Anyways, why you can't flirt with his is because he's married to the other female Alpha knight in Garrick's unit.

Her name is Stella, and she is hella possessive about her husband, if she catches you being flirty, you'll be on her Hit-list, Deadass." Matilda explained.

Ned shivered for a second at the thought of a scary Alpha woman, " okay I'll keep it in mind, Mats." he said.

"Great, now Come with me loser! I think I found the best gift!" Matilda said dragging Ned by his hand.

They entered a Millinery shop where they sell all sorts of hats, "I've never seen Kimberly wear a hat before, so maybe this is the best gift! it's going to be unique." Matilda said walking around, the shop clerk followed her to help her pick the best hat.

Few minutes in and Ned was bored beyond imagination, " I'm going to see another shop, is that okay with you Mats?"

"Okay! just tell the clerks it's on miss Matilda Jeannette and take whatever you need." Matilda replied.

Dramatic as ever, "Oh matilda my darling! how the tables have turned! and I became the gold digger and you my sugar daddy." Ned said.

"Nobody told you to cut ties with your dad Four-eyes, you could've killed him and take his money, now get lost before I change my mind!" Matilda joked.

"Okay okay I'm going bestie! thank you!" Ned said blowing her a kiss.

...Few minutes later...

"What the actual fuck Ned! I thought you hated shopping! and hated going out in general.

Did you lie to me? are you even an introvert?! How did you get all of that?!" That was a reaction Matilda had when she saw all the shopping bags her friend was carrying.

"But daddy Matilda, you know I'm a material gurrl!" Ned replied sassily.

"I'm going to pay hell for this, aren't I?! is there even a gift for Kimberly among those bags??"

"Of course! I got Kimberly a pair of earrings! I'm also planning another gift, but this one can't be bought, I'll have to get it myself later."

"What can't be bought?...Hey Matilda! Hi lovely!" Garrick who also happened to be carrying tons of shopping bags, said as he approached the two best friends.

"Stop calling me lovely." Ned mumbled embarrassed.

"Hey Garrick! we're buying gifts for Kimberly!" Matilda replied happy to see him.

"That's Awesome! I also bought a gift and I'm buying some stuff for myself too, you know how I love spending my money until I'm broke." Garrick said laughing.

"I used to hate spending money, but now I'd get to spend her money instead of mine, so same." Ned said.

"Oh shut up Ned." Matilda replied annoyed, making Garrick laugh again.

"Hahaha! You guys remind me of My unit whenever we go shopping together in the holidays, There's one of us who's always trying to skip paying the bills.

Anyways I called everyone and told them our plans, and everyone is on board with it." Garrick replied.

"Niiiice, so where are we going for this party?" Ned asked.

"I've taken into consideration everybody's taste, and we're going for Stella's uncle pizzeria, they have more diverse options since Kimberly is a vegetarian."

"So we're going out to the city? I kinda thought that we're doing like a picnic or something." Ned spoke then glanced at his friend.

Matilda shrugged her shoulders, "Dunno Neds, and I don't care! as long as I get to have a good time, I don't really care where we going." she said.

"Due to our jobs, we don't leave this place very often unless it's with Muriel, and I wanted to do something different for Kimberly.

Since we're literally not going to see that little bean for a good long time, I want this day to be memorable.

And Kimberly is a pizza and pie type lover, I thought we should go eat pizza.

Besides, we always go to the woods for picnics in our free time, I thought changing the place might be a better option." Garrick explained, " You're really considerate of your friends Garrick." Ned said in visible awe.

Hearing that, Matilda decided to tease The doctor " Unlike you! you gold digger."

"Oh c'mon! stop reminding me that I'm Flat broke Mati, I swear! I'll give you back all of your money once I start making mine!"

"How about you start making up your mind about what nickname you should use for me Neds, is it Mati or Mats?" Matilda replied.

"If you need to borrow anything including money, you can always ask for my help Neddie." Garrick interfered.

"You don't have to be nice to me Garrick just because we knew each other."

"No I want to...I want to be nice to you."

"Why? there's no reason to do that!"

"Exactly, there's no reason, I like helping."

....Time skip...party time!...

At the pizzeria, the waitress was done taking the order from a table of seven people, five knights, a doctor and a royal messenger.

The knights were, Garrick, Kimberly, Stella, Yuuya and Agu.

Alongside with Ned and Matilda, all these people shared A table.

"Ain't no party like a pizza party!" Matilda cheered, " isn't that right guys!" she added.

"You're absolutely right! btw these three haven't introduced themselves fully yet to you Neddie!" Garrick said pointing at the female knight Stella and the two guys sitting next to her, one of them was the Sassy cheerful knight who thought Ned was cute, while the other one was the Annoyed gloomy knight who thought Ned is too loud.