The Prince and the Witch Prisoner | Prinxiety

31

TW: abuse, basically just the king being a horrible father

Patton and Logan followed the two princes as they were escorted into the throne room. The four of them kneeled in front of the king and queen.

"Roman! Remus!" their mother cried, getting up and running towards them. She knelt down and pulled them into a hug, tears falling down her cheeks.

"Hiya mom," Remus greeted.

"Hi mom, I really missed you," Roman said, he couldn't help but lean into her hug.

"I was so worried about you two," she told them.

The king cleared his throat and the three remembered where they were. The queen frowned in annoyance for a moment but it was quickly replaced by a neutral face. She stood up and helped her sons stand.

"Father," Remus said, waving slightly at him.

"Your Majesty," Roman greeted properly, bowing slightly. He was still afraid of punishment, but now he knew that it wasn't normal and for that he was angry at his father.

"Welcome home Prince Roman," the king said with an emotionless voice, "it's good to see you're okay. We can discuss what happened to you on a later date, for today you may relax. Tomorrow, I expect you to be back on schedule with your duties."

"O-of course, father." Roman was expecting at least a few days of rest, he was just kidnapped for goodness sake!

"Hold on," Remus spoke up. "He was just kidnapped! You have no idea what he went through! He needs time to-"

"Hold your tongue, Prince Remus!" their father snapped, making both princes flinch. "You behaved irresponsibly and ran away! You're lucky your mother refuses to allow me to send you away again, otherwise I would for good!"

"F-father," Roman squeaked out, "he saved me, he's a hero!"

"Don't forget your place, Roman." His father turned his attention away from the princes as Roman shrunk back. "Sir Patton, you're lucky I'm not going to strip away your rank for allowing both of my sons to go missing."

"Thank you, your Majesty," Patton said, keeping a neutral tone and face as he bowed. "I'm very grateful."

"And who is this?" the king pointed to Logan.

"I am detective Logan Croft," Logan answered as he bowed. "I helped find Prince Roman."

"Why didn't you-"

"Thank you, Mr. Croft," the queen interrupted the king, getting very annoyed with his attitude. "I'll make sure you are rewarded properly for saving my son. We can discuss everything else on a later date, you four are dismissed."

They left the room and as soon as the door was closed, they all sighed in relief. Roman's hands were shaking and he looked over to see Logan straightening his tie, Patton rubbing his face, and Remus folding his arms and growling slightly to himself.

"Sorry about that, Logan," Patton said. "He's always had a temper."

"It's quite alright, I'm glad the Queen stepped in at the end," Logan responded.

"Man is dad a pain," Remus growled.

Roman reached over and grabbed his shoulder. "It's okay, Rem."

"Dude, you were kidnapped and he has no idea what happened to you, what if you were tortured? I mean, you were held in a cell and you know who almost died countless times. Also, you were shot by an arrow! You need time to rest."

"I did rest while on the ship. I'll be fine, Remus, dad was always like this."

"Be sure to rest up today," Patton told him. "Take a bath and make sure to get something to eat."

"Will do, Pat, take care." Roman said as he turned to go to his room.

~~~

Several weeks have passed and there have been many ups and downs. Luckily, no one was punished by the king for what had happened.

Patton was given an award for rescuing Roman. Logan was given a huge reward for finding him and became the first royal detective, giving him access to many things.

Word of what Remus did got out to the whole kingdom and many people called him a hero, and even though he says it was insulting to be called that, Roman and Patton knew he enjoyed it.

The downs that came from coming home was their father, the king.

"Roman stop," Remus hissed, grabbing his arm. "Are you crazy? Don't you remember what happened last time! Do you want to be sent away!"

"Remus I can't allow this to happen any longer," Roman growled. "That witch is just a kid! I won't allow him to be executed."

Both princes had heard about a young boy being brought to his father for the charges of witchcraft, and like every other trial before that dealt with witches, it was quick and ended with the witch being sent to be executed.

Roman had until tomorrow to stop his father. Witches were always executed the day after their trials if they're found guilty. He was going to save that young boy one way or another.

He pulled his arm out of his brother's grasp and continued to walk to the throne room.

Remus wanted to follow but he was too afraid to see what would happen. He prayed whatever it was, it wasn't going to be too bad. Tonight Janus was going to come back and Remus plans to leave with him this time.

He stayed outside the room just in case.

"Father," Roman said.

"What is the meaning of this?" his father growled. "I am busy, I have several letters and documents to go through."

"I cannot allow you to send that young boy to be executed."

His father frowned, already his temper was rising. "That boy is a witch! And a powerful one at that! His eyes were rainbow!"

"He's seven!" Roman shouted. "What has he done that deserves execution?!"

"All witches are evil! Have you forgotten that?! They're monsters! Demons!"

Roman's blood was boiling. How could he have ever thought like that? How could he have been that horrible?

"How so?! How does that make any sense?!" he asked. "So they're a little different, so they can do things us humans can't! How does that make them so evil?! Did that little boy ever hurt anyone?"

"We are killing him before he has the chance!"

"Oh stars that's horrible! How many people do you have to kill before you're satisfied!"

"Witches are not people!"

"Yes they are!"

"Prince Roman! Enough of this nonsense!" the king stood up from his throne. "Leave now! I won't discuss this any further! You will be sent away to relearn what you have forgotten!"

Remus stiffened. No, this couldn't be happening. There's no way Roman is being sent away to some stupid reform school.

"No, I will not be going anywhere!" Roman growled. "You won't send me away!"

"I am the king! You can't stop me!"

Roman drew his sword and everyone froze. "Yes I can. Father, I challenge you for the crown!"

The throne room was quiet as if the whole world was holding its breath. The king regarded Roman with cold eyes for a moment.

"Very well," he finally answered. "However, when I win, you will be stripped of your royal status and the only way I will allow you to return home is when you hunt and execute 100 witches."

"And when I win, you will be imprisoned for killing thousands of innocents, for killing your own people," Roman told him.

"We will duel at sunset."