Virgil struggled as the men threw him in the back of a red and gold embroidered carriage, slamming the door. He heard shuffling outside and, a few seconds later, it started moving. He tried to make himself as small as possible in the corner, his breaths getting shorter and quicker. A few minutes later, they rolled to a stop and the door opened again. The burly men grabbed him and pushed him toward the entrance.

When he was inside the throne room, he immediately bowed. His mind was reeling as the King told him to stand up again.

"Virgil Black... do you know why you're here?"

"N-no, sir."

He could feel the King's piercing gaze as he studied the floor.

"You're believed to be a spy for our enemies, the King, and Queen of Chanceton. Is this true?"

"No, sir! It is not, sir!"

"Hm... there is some very incriminating evidence that suggests otherwise."

"I am not, have never been, and will never be a spy for Chanceton, sir. I despise that town with a burning passion."

"Oh, really?"

Virgil choked up and nodded. "Y-yes, sir."

The King was silent for a minute, but when he spoke again, Virgil's heart dropped. "Guards, take him to the dungeon."

"Yes, sir!" they both said, walking forward again. But they froze as the door burst open.

"Father!"

"Roman, no-"

The two royal brothers stumbled into the room. Remus reached for his brother's arm to stop him, but the other snatched it away, glaring at his father. As everyone looked toward them, even the king seemed a little nervous.

"What is it now, Roman?"

"This man has said he is innocent, and we do not have solid evidence to say he is a liar. I apologize if it seems rude of me, but I cannot allow you to throw him into the dungeons!"

"Ro, please, let's just-"

"Listen to your younger brother, Roman," the King warned.

"And is it going to be he who rules this kingdom one day?"

"Jeez- no need to bring that up-" The younger croaked.

Virgil stared at the Prince in awe, a soft blush coating his cheeks. 'When Patton hears about this,' he thought, 'He is going to freak.'

After a few more minutes of a death-glare staring contest, the King sighed and looked away. "Will you vouch for his innocence?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"If he does turn out to be this spy..."

"I will take the complete blame."

"Roman, you idiot," Remus whispered. Roman nudged him with his elbow as if to tell him to shut up.

"Well, guards, escort him to the hall, Roman knows his duty from there."

The guards nodded and turned, nudging Virgil into the hall. He was relieved that his life was no longer in danger, but he had no idea what he would do from here.

When they were in the hall with the door shut, one of the guards spoke.

"Sorry, sir. We didn't think he was the spy, either, honestly."

"No worries, Damien," Remus said, "You two were just doing your job."

"Thank you, sir." The other said, almost in sync with the first guard.

"Of course, Remy." Roman nodded. Virgil glanced over at them and met Damien's eyes.

"Why, hello, Baker. Didn't expect to see you here," he said, smirking.

Damien rolled his eyes. "I do this for the kingdom, Virgil."

"And you need a little dough?" he joked.

"God. I see how you and my brother get along, now." Damien quipped, rubbing his temples.

"Good. Because I still don't see how you two are related." Virgil snapped back.

"Hey, Damien," Remy interrupted. "How about we go check out those complaints about noise on the East side of the kingdom?"

"Again?" Damien asked, turning to look at the other. "What is wrong with those people? Is there a constant rave going on?"

"Let's go see!" Remy grabbed his hand and they bowed to the Princes, who excused them. As they walked away, Roman turned to Virgil, his eyebrow raised.

"So, are you the spy?"

Virgil bowed as soon as Roman's gaze hit him, his feet pointing inward. "N-no sir, I am not!"

"Roman, how do you even know you can trust this... filthy peasant??" Remus seethed, looking at his brother like he was insane.

"Remus, shove it. This is why you're not becoming the king. He's one of our citizens, so don't call him a 'filthy peasant.' Also, he's cute."

Virgil was about to say he lived in the outskirts of town before a crimson blush landed smack dab in the middle of his face. Remus shook his head and Roman just smirked.

"Anyways, I already know who the spy is, but Father still refuses to believe it," the eldest prince said, shrugging. "So, until this lad is proven innocent, he'll be staying with us."

"I-I... no, sir. I can't accept this offer. I am merely a street rat." Virgil looked up at Roman, sadness in his eyes. Roman looked at him and frowned.

"Well, it's a good thing this is the rules and not an offer, then, isn't it?" he said, smiling charmingly again.

'That f**king smile,' Virgil thought to himself. 'That f**KING SMILE-'

"So, I'm sure our maids will be able to escort you to your chambers, correct?

"I assume I'm staying in the maids quarters, then?"

"No. The guest I vouched for will be staying in my room," Roman corrected him, bowing. "Anyway, lunch is in about thirty minutes, and I have business to attend to in the meantime. So I will see you then. Goodbye." Roman turned and started to walk off. "Remus. Don't pester the butlers. Come on."

Remus groaned and followed his brother. "You and dad never let me have any funnn," he complained.

Virgil stood silent for a minute, then pinched his arm. "... This isn't a dream... THIS ISN'T A DREAM." He grinned widely, but only until a maid tapped him on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, sir. I will lead you to his quarters."