Roman's (pov)

I panted as I skidded to a stop in front of the castle gates the guards and Angeline already waiting for me. "Where on earth have you been? I was worried sick!" She exclaimed pulling me into a tight hug still wearing her nightgown yet wrapped in an oversized scarf. "I'm sorry Ange I just really needed to do something." She huffed pulling away from me. "Tell that to the Queen." As soon as the words left her lips a guard ran over. "Prince Roman your presence is required in the throne room." I sigh nodding as Angeline and I made our way back to the castle.

Angeline released my hand walking back to our room as I pushed open the large golden doors to the throne room. I walked down the red carpet leading up to the throne getting down on one knee. "Your highness." I say sternly. She raises her hand lifting the red dress she adorned as she did. Her black hair pulled into a half ponytail, her brown practically black eyes staring down at me. "Rise boy." I did as told trying my best to not shrink away from her glare. "Where were you last night? I was impeccably worried." Yea right. Should I tell her truth? Going into the Forbidden Forest is against the law but I'm royalty will she even be able to do something? I sigh, I can't tell her the truth I may never see Logan again if she does do something. "I went for a ride on Maximus, we ran into some trouble and he ran back leaving me to walk back." She raised a brow looking down on me curiously. "That all?" I nod praying that I wouldn't get any more questions. "Very well you may go." Yes!

I was making my way downtown of the corridors. When I felt something smush itself into my back. "Hey Dad." I say turning in Patton's arms. He steps back looking up to me. His blonde hair and apron bouncing as he went. "Now don't you 'hey dad' me mister." He says waving an accusing finger at me. "I was worried sick! Come! I made a fresh batch of cookies and you are going to eat them then catch up on some sleep!" He said sternly putting on his Dad voice. "Is that supposed to be a punishment?" I ask smirking. "Just come with me."

I laugh mouth full of cookies as Patton tells copious amounts of dad jokes. That is until I yawn. He smiles at me "Lets get you to bed kiddo."

I awake hours later at around 5pm to see Angeline reading next to me on the bed. "Hey sweet." I say voice still groggy. "Hey sleepy head." She says pecking my cheek. I hum and lean on her shoulder but something felt off. I don't love Angeline. I've been questioning it for awhile but after meeting Logan I'm sure. I don't love her. Seeing her more as a best friend who I'm going to marry seems more accurate. But Logan, not only how he talked but he looked so strong, so safe, as soon as he thought there was danger he protected me. It's strange perhaps I'll find out more tonight.

As the sun set upon the horizon Angeline seemed to be in a deep slumber. I smiled getting up grabbing my clothes hastily throwing them on. I walked over to the balcony only to see the mattress had been removed. "Damn it." I muttered under my breathe. Nevertheless I looked to the side to see the vines decorating the castle in a snakelike fashion. I took a deep breathe reaching over checking my weight on it. "Good to go."

Stables are closed. Maximus is locked up and now I'm walking towards the hillside. I walk down the path of the ever winding forest taking in the gorgeous sights and beautiful flowers. Speaking of I kneel down cupping one in my hands. It was a radiant yellow a pure glow to it. "Magnificent." I breathed out.

"Why thank you."

I turn landing on my bottom to see a snake? A person? I couldn't tell. Half his face was covered in scales a single yellow eye staring into my soul whilst the other is a natural brown. His attire was that of a noblemen. A black suit with a small cape, a bowler hat and outrageous yellow gloves. "H-hi." I say cursing myself for my stutter. "Goodbye. What are you not doing with these totally not mine flowers?" It took me a minute to put together what he was talking about when it hit me that he was lying. "I came to see a friend and got distracted by these, these~" "They're called Avaragala." I nod turning back to them "There gorgeous." I feel a hand on my shoulder to see him sitting next to me. "I think I prefer my sight." He was staring at me. I felt my face heat up. As we just stared into each other's eyes. "Ah well thank you." I say trying to not sound like an awkward piece of goop. When he suddenly started leaning in. I wasn't sure what to do as his eye glowed a vibrant yellow as if pulling me into hi-

"DECEIT!"

I jumped turning to see Logan galloping over. "Oh Lovarrana. What an absolute pleasure to see you." And he's back to lying now? Why wasn't he doing it with me? "Drop the act Deceit. I'm just here to help my friend." The snake man apparently called Deceit raised an amused brow. "And since when was the great Lovarrana interested in humans?" He asked smirking. Logan only scoffed holding out his hand towards me. I gladly took it as he pushed me against his backside. "We'll be leaving now."

As Logan and I walked away from the Avaragala and Deceit I noticed him walking a lot slower than before. Though just as I opened my mouth to ask he cut the silence. "Why did you want to see my again?" He asked. I hummed in thought noticing how his marks seemed so much brighter the darker the forest got. "Well it's not everyday you see a centaur plus you seem really interesting. You see I've always been curious about the forest an." I cut myself off as I saw him start wincing as he stepped on his front left hoof. "We can stop if you want." I say. He immediately nods practically collapsing next to the nearest tree as I sat next to him. "What's the matter with your leg?" I ask. He looks at me a flat expression on his face. "Just something that happened a long time ago." I nod not wanting to push it any further. "As I was saying I wanted to see you again." He looked at me curiously. "Why me?" That's a tricky question. "You just seem so strong. Not just in muscle but just bravery." I say sitting down in front of him. "Me brave? I thought more of a prince like yourself. You must have everything." I sigh smiling bitterly "Unfortunately not. You see I lost my Father years ago so now my awful grandmothers on the throne. She certainly isn't the nicest." He raises a brow looking at me. "You lost your Father? Well did you go looking for him." I laugh slightly but quickly stop when I realise he isn't joking. "I don't think I'll be able to find him." He hums seemingly in thought.

"I'll help you find him."