King of Mean

46

"I don't care if you're confused." Roman growled out as shoved a shit ton of paper onto the table in anger startling the group of men he was conversing with. "We are down men. Neither Patton, Remy, or Logan has made contact. AND HAS ANYONE FOUND DECEIT YET?!"

"Roman, breathe, sweety." Belle lulled as she tried to get her son to calm down. It wasn't really working. "If you relax, you'll be able to think clearer.

"I don't have time to relax, Mother." Belle frowned as Roman raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. Roman had been organizing groups for searches and defense. As well as any for offense if needed. He's been at the helm of everything not even giving his father room for much input, not the king was complaining much as it showed Roman aptitude. "Forgetting the fact that the love of my life was just kidnapped..." Belle sighed as Roman clenched his fist. "... Remus has attacked us. He's declared himself the king of mean. Not only is it a higher priority because it's a royal... but it's Remus." Roman took a deep shaky breath as he shook his head. "An Auradon Prince went.... villain."

"Your brother is no villain." Roman glared over at his mother as she looked away.

"Regardless of what any of us feel about him, he attacked us. He attacked Virgil and despite him being a VK, he himself is a royal." Belle's eyes widened as Roman growled. "And I don't even want to know how he got Emile with him. If we're not careful about this, Mother. There could be massive retaliation on both fronts in the future. So right now, I need to ascertain the whereabouts of the others. Starting with Deceit. He is our top priori..."

"Why would you care about a stupid snake?" Roman faltered as one of the knights spoke up. There was hushed mumblings of agreement scattered around the table. "He's a damn VK. He probably did something to the prince. Remus couldn't possibly..."

"Cassidy is the ONLY person who might get through to Remus. That snake as you so ineloquently called him is Remus's familiar." The whole table hushed as Roman clenched his fists tightly. "He is half-snake. Making him a unique animal with magic thus falling under the characteristics of what a familiar is. Do not ask me how that is possible. It just is." Roman sighed as he stared down at the table. "That being said Deceit never informed Remus of this... and Remus stated he broke up with Deceit." There was a collective gasp and Roman's eyes narrowed. "Which is why it is imperative we search for him. If he is still alive that is..."

"What about Emile?" Roman smiled sadly seeing Thomas walk into the room. The whole place seemed to get a little brighter from just his presence. Thomas had that effect. His aura was always so calming and caring. You could always just trust him no matter what. "I heard that Emile was with him. What happened?"

"I don't know." Roman leaned back against his chair as Thomas took his seat at the table. The king sat beside him now that everyone was there. "He didn't have his glasses so it's safe to say..."

"That wasn't Emile." Roman nodded as he ran his hands down his face. 

"Taking into consideration what we already know... it is highly likely that... Remus is taking advantage of Emile's darker side." Roman's eyes went wide as his voice trailed off.

"Roman?" The King frowned seeing Roman zone off until Roman jumped up starting every one. "Roman, what is it?"

"Dark sides." Roman walked over to this board and just stared at everything. "Remus said he was finally being himself. And on top of that, I find it odd he only went after royals. The evil queens son is known to have a dark side. His second personality... whereas Virgil..." Roman tensed as he looked back at everyone with clear concern. "Virgil can slip into this mindset."

"What do you mean?" Roman shook his head as he joined the group again. "Son?"

"Until I am proven otherwise, I am treating Emile as a hostage... an unwitting participant. That being said... Both of Remus's victims have sides to them they don't want people to see." Roman frowned as his anxiety began to bubble up. "With Emile... It seems as though Remus has forced that side to come out."

"You're afraid he'd do that to Virgil." Thomas's eyes narrowed as Roman shrugged. 

"I don't know Remus's plan. For all, I know he's just... throwing a tantrum." Roman laughed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "The thing is... there has always been a side to Remus that he never showed. His anger... his fear... even his humor as always been muted as if he was actively repressing himself. For all, we know he could have snapped." Roman looked over at his mother and smiled sadly. "You're right about one thing mother. Remus isn't a villain yet. However..." Roman's eyes darkened as everyone could feel as Roman's power flared out with his anger. They could literally see the beast in the prince as Roman growled. "If he does anything to Virgil. I won't hesitate to through him in the Isle." Roman stormed out of the meeting hoping some fresh air would calm his nerves. "Remus, what the hell got into you?"

Roman collapsed onto the steps of the castle, laying back as he broke down. His hands covered his face as he cried. This was hard. Not only was he terrified over his love but it was his own brother too. He's conflicted. On top of that, no one has heard from the others, and Deceit could have died from 'denial' by now. Roman was breaking. At this point, he just wanted to know Virgil was ok. He wanted to see him smile... to hear him say...

"Wow, Roman. I didn't think you'd be sleeping on the job." Yeah... Roman laughed to himself. To hear Virgil say 'wow, roma'... Wait a minute! Roman jumped up to find Virgil standing there. He was had a cut on his lip and bruises from a clear struggle but otherwise looked ok. Roman didn't even know if it was real or not. "What?"

"Are you... are you really..."

"What did you think I spelled you again or something?" Virgil smirked as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Roman, I love you... but I don't think that's exactly possible since I was gone."

"Virgil?" Roman couldn't stop the tears the started to fall. He jumped up and pulled Virgil in so tight the smaller prince had to tapout before he choked to death. "Are you ok? What happened? Did he hurt you? Did you hurt him? Why are you cut and stuff? Do I have to beat the shit out of him? WHERE WERE YOU?!"

"Oh, jesus!" Virgil laughed as he stumbled back a tad from exhaustion. "Slow down on the questions, Roman. I'm fine." Virgil's eyes went dark as he sighed and hugged Roman as his started to shake. "Ok, maybe I'm not. I don't know Roman. It was dark. He had me... chained to this wall. I was so scared. Emile he... He was arguing with him. Something about Remy getting hurt. I didn't know what to do. I was just so scared." Roman frowned as he held Virgil closer.

"Virgil, how did you escape?" Virgil cried as Roman ended up having to support the breaking prince. "Virgil, I need to know."

"Emile... Remus had ordered him to get me. I couldn't hear what he had planned. I-I didn't w-want to find out. As soon as Emile unlocked the chains I ran for it." Virgil laughed as he shook his head. "I guess I'm stronger than I look, considering Emile couldn't stop me. I don't care. I'm just happy I'm here."

"I'll kill him." Virgil tensed as Roman growled out. "I can't believe he would do this. I swear I'll fucking kill..."

"YOU CAN'T!" Roman froze as Virgil clutched his shirt tightly. "You can't... please... I know he's done bad things. But he's you're brother..." Roman frowned as Virgil shook horribly in his hands. Roman sighed as he wrapped his arm around him and started to lead Virgil inside. 

"Let's not worry about that right now, Virgil." Roman smiled as he brushed Virgil's hair out of his eyes. "Let's get you some rest first."