Dearest Rose,
How are you? I'm sorry that such a sudden letter must bring such horrid news but I feel it crucial to inform you that a boy at the castle has taken ill. Please do not panic as it is not one of your brothers nor is the illness too severe but I feel that it would be prudent to inform Virgil of this. You see, his younger brother Issac came down with a fever a few days ago and it has only gotten worse. There is a very high chance that he'll pull through but he's been asking for Virgil ever since he had to stop working. I feel that it would be evil to deny a possibly dying child his wishes. I do not feel that there is any need to tell Virgil that his younger brother may be close to death, I don't want to worry the poor boy, but he must know that his brother is ill and in need of his company.
My best wishes,
Logan

Rose bit her lip as she tried to recall Virgil's younger brother Issac. Thin, pale and sickly-looking with black hair and dark eyes. He had been incredibly small for a boy his age and he looked as if he hadn't eaten in days. Rose shook her head, trying to pull herself together. Worrying for Issac would in no way help the poor boy. But getting Virgil to go back to him might. Clutching at a small part of her skirt, Rose stood up and started looking for Virgil.

Rose found him and Roman talking. She hid around a corner and listened, not wanting to ruin their moment.

"Virgil? What happened?"

"I felt something. There was this... pain. In my chest. Something that wasn't mine."

"Are you alright?"

Rose could hear the worry in Roman's voice and smiled in spite of herself. Roman really cared about Virgil.

"Yes. I'll be fine." Rose heard a clatter and looked around the corner, worried about Virgil. Seeing that the thing that had made the noise was Virgil's book and pencil, she let out a sigh of relief.

"Uh, Princess!" Virgil said, alarmed. "What were you-"

"Virgil, something's come up." Rose cut Virgil off, trying to tell him everything she could with just a look.

"What's happened?" Roman asked, worried for Virgil. Rose took a breath and looked down at the letter in her hand.

"Roman, would you leave us alone for a second?" She asked, not looking up from the crumpled paper in her hand.

"Oh, very well." Roman touched Virgil's shoulder in an attempt to comfort him before leaving the two alone.

"What's happened, Princess?"

"It's Issac." Rose found herself almost whispering. Virgil's eyes grew wide and clouded with worry.

"What's happened to him?"

"He's fallen ill and," Rose took a breath, looking at the letter in her hand again. "Father doesn't know if he'll survive. He says the chances of him getting better are high but he can't be sure. Issac wants you back in Lycen."

"Then I'll go. I'll go right now." Virgil stood up. "I need to pack my stuff."

"Virgil, wait." Rose caught Virgil's arm but at the sight of his face, the words died in her throat. "I'm sorry." She said. Virgil nodded before shaking her off gently and walking towards the castle.

***
Virgil finished shoving his things into a small brown bag and hitched it onto his back, looking around the small room he had at the castle. His eyes fell upon the pure white rose that Roman had given him. In spite of everything that had happened, Virgil felt a small smile tug at his lips and a light pink dust his cheeks. Virgil shook his head and left the room, the rose still lying in its place on the bed.

"Princess, is there a boat to Lycen sailing any time soon?"

Rose looked up from a letter she was writing and nodded. "I've acquired a carriage for you, Virgil. You should be at the docks by sundown and in Lycen no later than ten."

"Thank you, Princess." Virgil said, allowing a relieved smile cross his face. A knock on the open door startled both Virgil and Rose as they turned to look at Roman, leaning against the doorframe, a worried spark in his eyes.

"What's happened?"

Virgil looked at his hands, knitting his fingers together. "Someone at the castle's taken ill." He said simply. "I am going to help them."

"Is there anything I can do?"

Virgil looked up at Roman, nearly laughing in disbelief. Rose spoke before Virgil could open his mouth.

"Thank you Roman but no. This is something Virgil needs to do on his own."

Roman eyed Virgil who nodded and he sighed in defeat. "Fine. If there's anything at all I could do..." He left the sentence hanging in the air.

"I don't want to drag you into this, your Highness. It's not your problem." Virgil said, pushing past Roman and leaving the room.