Virgil fidgeted uneasily with the suit he had been forced into.

The prince had never really been someone who cared too much about clothes. He liked darker colors and long sleeves. Those were about his only two conditions. Back home, this had made the life of the royal seamstress very easy. When it came to him at least, Janus was a lot pickier about what he wore, from color to material, to cut he always had an opinion. Virgil could care less. Really, the only way he could annoy Vannessa (the seamstress) was if he wore his boyfriend's clothes which were always two sizes too big, and most likely smelled of coffee or potion residue.

So it came as a bit of a surprise to him when the servants had brought in the suit that had been chosen for the memorial and in an instant, he had decided he hated everything about it.

The suit was black, of course, but made out of a thick, heavy, and itchy material. It was too tight around the chest and armpits and the sleeves were too short. The style and cut was severely out of date by at least thirty or forty years and had an odd collar... thing... that stood up to his ears, which he had promptly taken pair of scissors too. He had done the same to the frilly cuffs of the pants and the sleeves of the shirt beneath the overcoat. (This had made the man who had sewn the clothes very unhappy and Virgil had enjoyed watching the man throw a temper tantrum while yelling what he assumed were french absentees at him.)

Now, he sat in the pews of a church-like room waiting for the memorial to start. His grandfather was talking to Ira and some of the guards. Tafe had dragged Logan to go talk to one of the random families that would become nobles if all this succeeded. Considering the fact that the conversation had now turned into an argument between Uncle and Nephew about Logan's love life Virgil had assumed that Tafe had tried to set something up between one of the daughters in the family and Logan. Quintin and Franklin had been given a few hours off, a much-needed break considering the two wizards had not made their jobs easy at all.

Virgil stared down at the mask he had been given with sadness as he kicked his legs back and forth as though he were a child again. When two people sat down on either side of him, he jumped slightly and his hand moved to where his sword would be if he had been allowed to have it on him.

"Whoah! Still, got some fight in you, Virgie? I see our lessons paid off well," Remus said with a grin as the youngest prince realized who the two were that had sat next to him. Virgil's eyes widened with happiness and surprise as he turned to look at his brother and then around the room. In the last five minutes, at least ten extra guards were now in the room, three of them sitting two pews behind them and all of them with their eyes glued to the three princes.

Virgil just about squealed with happiness as he pretty much tackled Janus into a hug. Janus laughed as he returned the hug before Virgil turned away and did the same to Remus who took the opportunity to give an unsuspecting Virgil a nuggie.

Virgil hadn't really been expecting Markus to follow through with his end of the deal. He had thought it'd be one of those things that 'parents' promise but never ends up happening and sooner or later it turns into an argument. He had thought it'd be another round of empty promises that were never completed and before long had fallen away into nothingness

'Missed you so much,' Virgil signed.

"You and Logan visit pretty much every day," Janus teased

Virgil shook his head 'Not the same. Can't hang out for real when it's like that,' Janus and Remus both nodded knowingly and with understanding.

Janus leaned back and rested his head on his brothers shoulder, Remus did the same, sandwiching Virgil in between them. "You made a deal with Markus didn't you?" Janus asked after a moment, his eyes closed as he tried to relax. Virgil nodded hesitantly and both the older princes furrowed their brows with dislike. "Virgil," Janus said, Virgil hummed, "Don't make deals that involve me or my boyfriend without my-"

"Our," Remus corrected shortly.

"Our," Janus sighed, "Consultation."

Virgil whimpered slightly and both the older boys tried to pull away but Virgil pulled them back, 'I'm sorry,' He signed 'But... I needed you.'

Virgil looked to his brother with regret and anxiety printed on his face, "I-I'm sorry..." Virgil stuttered out quietly, "I- didn't want to do this alone," Vigil paused for a long moment before sighing and starting to sign again, 'I know it's selfish, but, I'm scared.'

Janus stared for a moment before taking a deep breath, "There's nothing wrong with being scared. And you're not selfish. I wouldn't want to be alone either. Just, for next time. We have to be involved in stuff like this, okay?"

Virgil turned to look at Remus who was still resting his head on Virgil's shoulder and hummed tiredly when the other shrugged slightly. Janus smiled, "Let him rest? He's tired. It's been... difficult lately to get him to sleep. I'm sure you understand?" Virgil nodded, yes he sure did. "Okay, and you get what I'm saying right? No more deals?" Virgil nodded again, "Good, now, tell me, what did you promise?"

'Nothing,' Virgil signed stubbornly.

Janus shot him a look and Virgil felt like sinking into the bench, "Don't lie to me Virgil, you're terrible at it. What did you promise."

Virgil whined and Janus shushed him as Remus began to stir, 'Nothing terrible. I promise. Its not like I told them I'd cut off my fingers for this or whatever.'

"If it's nothing bad, I'm sure you won't mind telling me what you did."

Again Virgil sighed, 'I'm taking classes.'

"Classes?" Janus asked.

'With Tafe and Ira.'

Janus shifted slightly, moving to sit forward while also still facing him. He turned and eyed the people around him slightly, eyes lingering on Ira and Tafe for a moment before looking back at him, "What type of classes?"

'Just sword stuff with Tafe. He and I sparred, and apparently, he's impressed. So, he talked to Markus and it was part of the deal.'

"And with Ira?"

Virgil shifted, 'Well, Logan I were forced to take lessons, but I kept ditching so now I have to take private lessons and do whatever she says and if not then you couldn't come and Markus threatened you.'

Janus paused for a moment, he wasn't sure that technically counted as a deal but he also wasn't sure if Virgil was telling him everything. Instead of saying any of that though he gave a small sigh, "Okay, what are you learning?"

Virgil hesitated, 'Ira's upset it's taking me so long to get the hang of it. She thinks I'm faking.'

"Not surprised, she wouldn't be the first asshole who thought that of you and-"

Virgil suddenly stood up and took a few steps forward. Remus jolted awake and looked around with confusion, and for a brief second one could easily make out the obvious panic that had crossed his face before he quickly hid the expression away. Janus looked up to see why Virgil had moved, his eyes locked with his grandfather and the crown prince frowned as he slid down the bench towards his boyfriend, taking Remus's hand in his and trying to angle himself in front of him the other protectively.

Markus eyed his eldest grandson and his boyfriend with distaste as he approached the three princes. "Virgil."

Virgil practically growled at his grandfather as he shoved the notebook in his face, 'Go away. We're talking. You said you'd leave us alone.'

His grandfather handed the notebook back as soon as he finished reading it and pushed past Virgil, walking slowly towards the other two princes, "I won't be long, trust me. I just wanted to remind you, your brother and his little...toy... to behave"

Remus flinched and hid his face in the fabric of Janus's clothes, the crown prince squeezed Remus's hand tightly, "He is not a toy. He is my boyfriend. And you can deal with it."

"Hush now Janus, you'll make a fool out of all of us if our guests hear you say such things."

"Guests? Do you mean the strangers you invited to my father's memorial? Strangers who helped and supported your stupid rebellion which got thousands of people and killed?"

"Lower your voice, this instant!" Markus demanded as Janus's loud demeanor and words began to attract the attention of others.

Janus did not lower his voice, "The people who will be thrown in prison once our uncle- your son- arrives with an army to-" Janus was cut shot when Markus suddenly struck him. There was silence in the large room before Janus turned to look at their grandfather with a cold glare, "You're a coward." Janus muttered, though even in the large filled room his voice echoed and was heard by nearly all.

Markus was seating with anger as he moved to grab Remus out of his seat, pulling him out of Janus's grasp almost easily, "Guards," Markus called and three of the guards were suddenly standing by his side, "Take Prince Remus downstairs and make an example out of him again, it seems Janus is a slow learner."

"What? No! Don't you dare!" Janus shouted but was grabbed by a pair of other guards and pushed down into his seat, "Don't-!'

Remus was handed off to the guards as Markus turned back to Janus, "You'll do well to keep your mouth shut Janus, or Remus will stay downstairs where he belongs for a lot longer. Is that under-"

"Stop it!" A loud voice shouted, sending the room into silence again. All eyes turned to Virgil and watched him. The young prince had his fists clenched and his eyes squeezed tight. Dark smoke leaked from his hands and when he opened his eyes to see an audience of people staring the color had turned to indigo.

Virgil froze and stared back into the crowd as he realized that it had been him who had yelled. No, it wasn't his first time speaking. But, it was his first time speaking in front of a crowd since... since he was six and had felt the need to announce to his father's council how absolutely ridiculous they all looked in their amour... Virgil suddenly realized he had never spoken in front of a real crowd.

And he couldn't take it back now either.

He looked to his brother and Remus, both of whom looked just as impressed and surprised as he felt.

"You gave me your word my brother and Prince Remus would be able to attend my father's memorial," Virgil said, trying to keep his voice as even and smooth as he could. But he still hadn't spoken nearly enough to give his voice practice and even now it sounded rough and pitchy, "I upheld my end of the deal now it is time for you to uphold yours."

"Virgil-"

"A good leader keeps their word," Virgil interrupted, "That is what my father taught me and what you taught him. And if you go back on your word, then according to your reasoning, that would make you a poor leader. And nobody wants to be governed by a poor leader, as I'm sure all you're guests and sponsors would agree."

"Virgil," Markus said again, in warning.

"My brother, Prince Remus, and I were acting just fine and simply talking before you approached us. And then you came and antagonized them. Which also does not make for a good leader." The purple in his eyes and smoke dripping from his hands began to fade, and those paying especially close attention could find the cloud of it drifting towards Ira. "Remus and Janus will both remain here or our deal is off. And you can deal with the repercussions, though that may be hard with you already making out to be a poor ruler."

Markus stared at Virgil with anger and surprise before his eyes bounced throughout the room. People were waiting for his response, and whatever he did would have a consequence. Markus gnawed on the inside of his cheek as he thought, "Remus and Janus can both remain for the memorial," Markus eventually decided, the guards letting go of Remus as soon as it was said, "However he will spend the next two days and nights downstairs with the rest of the captives, and unless either he or either of the Dark Realm Princes misbehaves again he will remain unharmed... As you all were." Markus said and slowly the talking began up again.

Remus was roughly deposited with Janus again and Markus moved to walk away, but not before grabbing hold of Virgil by his arm and pulling him away slightly, "We'll be talking about this later, understood?" And Virgil nodded, knowing his Grandfather was telling the truth and that this would probably result in some sort of punishment involving extra hours with Ira or Tafe. But he didn't care.

Markus released him and walked away as Virgil took a deep sigh of relief before falling back onto the bench pews.

"Are you alright? You looked absolutely terrified!" Janus commented.

'I did?'

"Like you were gonna vomit a live frog!" Remus threw in.

"But don't worry, only those who know you well would be able to tell," Janus assured. Virgil laughed slightly as he closed his eyes.

'That was horrifying and absolutely awful. I'm never doing that again.'

"So talking in from of crowds isn't your thing?" Janus asked teasingly.

Virgil shook his head with a very displeased look on his face, 'When we get out of here, you and Uncle can be the ones to address the kingdom.'

"Ew, I forgot all about that," Janus muttered. "That'll be hell"

"Don't worry," Remus assured from next to him, "We'll be here to help."

The memorial didn't take to long to start up after Virgil's outburst. The three princes had slipped the masks they had been given on and stood side by side as the priest spoke to the crowd of people. When Markus had stepped up the raised platform and said his own few words Virgil and Remus both had to squeeze Janus's hands tightly in an effort to comfort him and keep him from doing anything he'd regret.

The priest went back to speaking, and this continued for an hour before the memorial finally ended. Logan, who had been forced to stand by his Uncle throughout the event, came over to them and the four boys simply talked for a while until Remus was led out of the room. Markus had a group of guards escort him, and Janus away a few moments after that, and Vigil knew his grandfather was probably giving some lecture or monologue to Janus that was overall just continuing to threaten Remus's safety.

Then Janus was taken back upstairs. Logan and Virgil followed and briefly got to spend time with all except Remus before a young servent boy came to collect them for dinner. After that was finished, Logan went to the library, Franklin following behind him, while Quintin told Virgil that his grandfather was expecting him. Virgil sat through a very odd lecture of Markus telling him how proud he was for speaking so much that day, and in front of a crowd as well but also making sure Virgil understood how he wasn't allowed to defy and embarrass him in such a way again.

After that, Virgil was taken to his room for the night. The prince fell down into his bed with a tired sigh. So many thoughts were flying through his head, he let them pass without trying to hold onto any of them. If he did try, he knew he'd just end up finding himself in a state of panic and he was to tired to sort through that right now anyway. Instead, he allowed himself to slip into a dreamless sleep, something he wouldn't wake up from until late the next morning.

_____________________________

By now, Virgil had settled into a routine. Wake up, go to breakfast, hang out with Logan, go to class with Ira, have his solo class with Ira, have lunch, one hour of free time, train with Tafe and Logan, visit his friends and brother, more free time, study, dinner, free time, sleep.

Sometimes the schedule changed a bit, like if he and Logan decided to visit everyone in the morning instead of the afternoon. Or if something ran long. or If his grandfather forced him to attend some meeting either with him or multiple other people. The most common alteration in schedule, however, was when he had no group class before his solo session with Ira. Which was what had happened today.

Virgil and Quintin came into the classroom in silence and Virgil immediately placed his bag on a desk and took out the book containing last classes homework assignment. He knew the drill by now, there was no need to wait for Ira to march in and scold him for not having been ready for class before going off on how if he wasn't ready for class, he'd never learn magic properly, and if that didn't happen then why the hell was he even here? (And this was the bit where Virgil always had to stop himself from making some snarky comment) So instead of dealing with all that, he simply just got ready before she even had the chance.

The sound fo the door to Ira's connected office opening and closing made Virgil look up from his book which he had been reviewing, "Oh, good, you're here." Ira said as she looked up at him. "I assume you've been practicing yes?"

Virgil nodded, since Ira had taken control of his magic days ao it had been a lot easier for Virgil to access and use black magic and since then the class assignments and homework had mostly focused on that. Virgil had only begrudgingly started to practice the black magic spells when Quintin had realized he wasn't doing so and (being the narc he was) threatened to tell his grandfather if he didn't do so. This would result in a multitude of consequences and Virgil wasn't looking to test his limits with the man.

"Good," Ira nodded, "Lets begin."