A True Prince: Sanders Sides AU

Chapter 14: A True King

"Roman." Logan banged on the door. "Roman, we are going to be late!"

"Relax, Logan. I'm almost ready."

"You should have been ready an hour ago!"

Finally emerging from his chambers, Roman smirked at Logan, wearing a beautiful white suit with a complimentary red sash and golden buttons and shoulder adornments. Atop his head was a regal yet simple looking gold crown.

"So, how do I look?" Roman asked, striking a pose.

"You look like you're going to make us even later than I anticipated. Patton and Virgil are already here!"

Roman started sprinting down the hallway. "Well, why didn't you say so?"

As Logan complained about having to always be the adult in these situations, Roman reached the stairs and slid down the banister to where Patton and Virgil were waiting.

Patton and Roman exchanged a hug as Virgil gave a small head nod in acknowledgement. Soon enough, Logan joined the group, out of breath from trying to keep pace with Roman.

"So how's the village, Patton?" Roman asked.

"It's going well! We just rebuilt the bakery the other day, and oh! Another one of my kiddos just got adopted!"

"That's wonderful!"

"That's the fifth one this week." said Virgil. "Everything's really turning around."

"Pardon me," Logan said. "But if we want to attempt to arrive on time, we should leave now. The carriage ride takes at least 20 minutes and we're already late."

"Relax, buddy." Virgil patted Logan's shoulder and cracked his knuckles. "I've got this."

Despite Logan's protests, and encouraged by Roman and Patton's cheers, Virgil summoned his powers. Throwing a large ball of purple energy at the ground, the four of them were transported from the castle into the center of the village.

To say the villagers were shocked would be an understatement. Everyone stopped what they were doing, their attention drawn to the group who had just appeared in a large purple explosion.

Ending the awkward silence, Logan cleared his throat and said, "Announcing his Royal Highness Roman Sanders, accompanied by the Village Adviser Patton Foster and Mage-in-Training Virgil Foster."

"And the amazing Royal Adviser Master Logan!" Patton added cheerfully.

Once the villagers had gotten over their shock, everyone started applauding. Some even started chanting for Roman to make a speech.

"Ok, ok," he said, standing before the large crowd. "I've never had to give a speech before, but I shall attempt one nonetheless. As we all gather here for the first annual Village Festival, I am honored that all of you have banded together to make this vision a reality. I am only one person. Without you working to not only help organize this festival, but to rebuild the village, I don't know where we would be. That being said, let us dance, eat, and be merry!"

The villagers cheered, and musicians started playing as everyone made their way onto the dance floor. Joan, Talyn, and the other former orphans were dancing in circles with their new families. Patton tried to get Logan to dance with him. Logan initially refused, but Patton's smile could not be denied. Reluctantly, Logan offered Patton his hand, and was immediately dragged off into the chaos while Roman and Virgil stood by laughing.

"You've certainly made some improvements." Virgil looked out into the crowd. "I've never seen everyone so happy."

Roman smirked. "I couldn't have done it without you."

"Me?"

"Of course, you. If I hadn't met you all those years ago, if you never showed me a way out of the castle, if you hadn't made me curious about what else was out there...everything that's happened has happened because of you."

"But I've hurt people." Virgil's expression went dark. "I've done so many bad things..."

"...and you've made up for them." Roman smiled at Virgil. "It doesn't matter what happened in the past. You wanted to improve, and you did. You've always had good intentions, Virgil. I could tell from the moment I met you; you are not a bad guy."

Virgil punched Roman in the arm. "Alright, don't get too sappy on me now."

"Say..." Roman got a mischievous look on his face. "You have magic right?"

"Well, duh."

"Could you, maybe..." He whispered something in Virgil's ear, causing the latter to snort.

"Oh, yeah. Definitely."

Concentrating, Virgil let that purple, chaotic energy flow through him. Sending a blast of magic towards Logan and Patton, Virgil's magic struck Logan's shoes, causing him to go from barely tolerating spinning around with Patton to leading a full on tango with him.

Patton started blushing. "Well, golly, Logan, I didn't know you were that much of a dance enthusiast."

"I'm-I'm not! It's not me, it's my-it's my shoes! I can feel the magic-"

"In your sole?"

Logan's anguished scream caused Roman and Virgil to burst into laughter as Logan was forced to spin Patton around and dip him gracefully to the music.

"You realize he's probably going to kill us after the effect wears off, right?" Virgil asked after he caught his breath.

"Yeah, probably."

The End