Virgil was sketching and walking with Rose when he heard a third set of footsteps.

"Hello Rose."

Of course. Of course it was perfect Prince Roman. Virgil focused even more of his energy on his drawing as the royals talked. So what if perfect Prince Roman didn't like girls? He and Rose seemed to be getting along just fine. Why on Earth would a prince want to marry a short, anxious, useless, poor little rat like Virgil when they already had someone like Rose? Feeling a hand on his arm, Virgil whirled around and shook them off.

"Sorry for startling you, Virgil."

Oh. It was Rose. Virgil bent down to get his sketch book and pencil, avoiding looking at the two royals so they wouldn't have to see his pale face flushed with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, Princess. I was aware you wanted me to stop walking." Virgil mumbled. "Did you need to tell me something?"

"Yes, actually. Roman wants to talk to you again."

Virgil's eyes widened and he shook his head slightly. "Princess, forgive me but that's something I can't do. What happened yesterday nearly triggered a panic attack, I'm sure you heard it in my voice."

"That's why Roman wants to talk to you out here." Rose gestured to the garden. "So you don't get so nervous."

"That won't help." Virgil thought bitterly but sighed and begrudgingly agreed to talk to Roman.

"Thank you, Virgil. I need to go. I think the stables are empty." Rose grinned as she ran off.

"Princess be careful of your-" Rose was gone. "Dress." Virgil finished defeatedly.

"Virgil?" Virgil refused to look at the prince and instead looked at his smudged drawing. "Virgil, I want to apologise for yesterday. I didn't know you got panic attacks."

Virgil took a deep breath. "You really shouldn't be apologising to me, your Highness. I'm sorry for being so sharp with you yesterday."

Roman laughed softly. "It's alright, you don't need to apologise. If I had been in your position, I would've said the same things too." Roman gestured for them to start walking and Virgil fell into step beside him. "Why do you call Rose Princess and not just her name?"

"It's just how things are done. I used to call her Rose when we were younger but then we grew up and our stations grew more pronounced." Virgil sighed and started sketching again.

"What's your sketch of?" Roman asked curiously. Virgil looked up and grey eyes locked with green ones until Virgil felt his face colour and he looked away.

"It's, um, of the roses in your garden." He mumbled, coughing slightly and hiding the drawing from Roman.

"Can I see?" Roman asked. "Only if you feel comfortable showing me your drawing."

Virgil bit his lip slightly. "If it's alright, your Highness, I'd rather keep my drawings to myself." He mumbled, carefully closing his sketch book.

"Oh, yeah, that's fine." Roman smiled slightly. "Yesterday, I said that Rose was seeing someone already and you said 'If you are talkin about that tailor boy'. Why? What's your aversion against him?"

Virgil sighed and turned to Roman, stopping him. "There is something I need to make very clear, your Highness. Different classes are not meant to mix. We are not meant to be talking like this and the princess certainly isn't allowed to sneak out and see a tailor's apprentice. It doesn't work like that. Now, you have been very kind, trying to talk to me and understand who I am really but I suggest that you give it up. It is a futile task. Besides," Virgil laughed slightly, "you wouldn't want to know who I am really. Who I am without a station." Virgil smiled bitterly and then walked past Roman, going back towards the castle.

Roman sighed and smacked himself in the head with the palm of his hand. Of course Virgil didn't want to talk to him after what had happened yesterday. Roman was an idiot. But there was something.... something about Virgil. Something that went deeper than just a station. There was another reason he didn't want to talk to Roman. Maybe it was just resentment. Maybe Virgil just despised Roman for some reason. Either way, Roman wouldn't give up. Whether he had to marry Rose or not, Roman would still try talking to Virgil and gaining his trust. Whether it was only his trust and not any feelings, Roman would still be happy with that achievement.