The air was chilly enough to make Roman shiver. That had to be the reason. The feeling that ran down his spine couldn't at all be related to the fear that curled in his gut, because he wasn't afraid. They had gone over this plan a few dozen times, Logan's disappearance had to have gone noticed, and they wouldn't replace him as quickly or readily because it was most likely that the queen didn't see him as needing to be replaced. Not to mention that Logan was fairly active in the community to get resources he needed. Someone would notice if the queen just attempted to find a duplicate, so Logan was their best bet. None of them were sure what kind of story she would have come up with, but seeing him alive and well could only be shown as proof to that point. Hopefully.

Remus and Logan both put a hand on Roman's back, reassuring him. He was tying himself up into knots over this, but he felt like it was his responsibility. If he didn't protect his friends, didn't do the right thing, he might lose them, and he couldn't have that on his conscious. It felt like this was his responsibility alone, to protect his kingdom, and his friend. Taking in a slow deep breath, Roman tried to remind himself that they had a plan.

They would claim that Roman and Remus, who would both have glamour spells on them to hide their identities, had helped Logan when he got lost in the forest. They would find an opportunity to talk to the queen, maybe insist they should be compensated for finding and helping the royal advisor. They had also planned for a back up in the event that she wanted to pretend that Logan wasn't the royal advisor, but if things went to plan they wouldn't need to worry about that. If things went to plan, Roman and Remus would reveal themselves and discuss this like adults.

Roman was not expecting things to go to plan.

"I mean, if things go off the plot then I get to be violent!" Remus had rejoiced when they discussed this. Janus had offered to come with, but it had been decided that he and Patton would stay back in the event that they needed to plan an actual assault. Virgil said he would be around, but then disappeared and Roman hadn't seen him since, not even the comforting sound of caws that used to signal that he was on the right path.

"Are you ready for this?" Logan asked as they entered the town, making their way towards the castle.

"I don't think I could ever do anything that would make me ready for the confrontation that we are about to face." Roman was about to confront his mother about her treason, about his replacement, and he didn't know how he was going to handle that. Even if they had a plan, it didn't involve a plan for the conversation, just on how to get there. Nothing that Roman came up with ever felt like enough.

"Fair," Logan responded, and somehow knowing that Logan understood how badly this could go, that Roman would never actually be prepared, made the prince relax a bit. They would get through all of this together. He had people he could rely on, and people who would help him if he fell. Ever since he had left the castle in search of the dragon, Roman had also been finding the scraps of who he was meant to become, rebuilding himself until he liked what he saw. This was just another piece that would be a little difficult to rebuild. However, he wasn't alone.

The night before they left, Janus had pulled him aside, taking a walk through the caves, telling Roman how proud he was of his growth, and how he knew that he was going to make an amazing King. It had meant so much to have someone show their confidence in him. Janus had even said that he viewed Roman as a son, and though Roman didn't need to return the sentiment, he did. Roman hadn't felt like he had a father figure in a very long time. There was no one in the castle that had been willing to take on such a job, so many afraid of 'parenting' a prince. Having someone who wasn't just willing to take on that role, but who had done it well, made Roman feel like he had a home, like if everything fell apart, he had somewhere to go.

Now that Roman was standing outside of the town, ready to make a move that would really change his life, he was thankful to have a father once again, thankful to have a home to fall back on.

"Alright, I'm ready." He said, after taking in a few deep breaths and squaring his shoulders. Patton had cast his glamour spell on two potion bottles. Once the potions were drunk, they had 24 hours in their new skins before they would have to reveal themselves. Logan began to lead the three of them, keeping a hood over his head to make sure that none of the towns people noticed him. Things might get complicated if he was recognized before they made it to the castle, and any troubles they could mitigate, the better.

Stealth hadn't been Roman's idea. Roman wanted to go in guns blazing. Even now the thought of storming the castle and demanding an answer was tempting, maybe he and Remus weren't too different after all. However, in his infinite wisdom, Logan had had a different plan. It was a wonderful plan, a brilliant one even, and that's why he kept Logan around, because Logan was the smart one of the group, and Logan was sensible when all Roman wanted was vengeance. Instead, Logan came up with a plan that could bring a peaceful conclusion to the issue. Could being the operative word. Roman just had to trust in his friend.

And he did trust Logan.

When they finally got to the castle gate, the guards demanded to know who they were, and Logan didn't hesitate to lower his hood to answer their question. He was a man of many words, but sometimes Roman noticed that Logan let his actions speak for him. Mostly that only happened when he was being an absolute brat but was still attempting civility. It seemed to work this time though. The guards immediately recognized Logan and straightened up upon seeing him. Their eyes were filled with curiosity and concern. "Sir Logan, no one has seen you in weeks, are you alright?" The two of them looked at each other, sharing some kind of thought between themselves before returning their eyes to Logan. Roman hoped that whatever they were communicating silently wouldn't be bad for them.

"I got lost in the forest while searching for something. Eventually I was taken by some bandits, however, these two gentlemen helped me escape, and I would like to make sure they are compensated fairly for their assistance."

"Of course, we must get to the queen first, please, wait for a moment, you have been gone for so long, she is going to want to make sure that everything is alright."

"That is most understandable, will you lead us to a waiting area?"

"Yes, of course, of course." One of the guards went running off to get the queen, and the other led them to a guard house where they could all wait together. The three of them looked at each other, just to check in with one another before following right behind. Roman was certain that Logan could see how nervous he was, because Logan always knew, and because Logan gave him a small nod to help calm his nerves. Remus on the other hand seemed to be excited by the ruse.

"Sir Logan, it really is good to see you. Prince Roman simply hasn't been himself in your absence, hopefully with you back in the palace he will be able to feel like himself again." The guard seemed genuinely hopeful and it stirred something inside of Roman.

He bit his lip, knowing that he couldn't say anything, that it wasn't his place to complain about how the reason the prince wasn't acting like himself was because that wasn't him. It was frustrating, but Remus was there to distract him, giving him a strong pat on the back that almost made him stumble. The three of them sat down, unable to talk to each other with the guard standing near them. It felt less like a welcoming and more like a prison type situation.

The silence stretched on for minutes, sliding from one awkward second into the next until finally the door was opened and the other guard returned. "The queen will see you, but only after you have been checked." He said, beckoning for them to join him. Considering the circumstances that was unsurprising, and Roman fell into line behind the guard as they all made their way to the castle.

Roman was surprised that it didn't feel like home. A part of him had excepted that when he returned to the castle he would feel some sort of relief and home like familiarity, but none came. This was just a place. He had spent so much of his life here and yet the cave with Janus had felt more like a home than this ever had. He would have to change that. Once things were settled with his mom, Roman intended on filling this place with memories that made him smile. He would make the palace a home.

"Sir Logan, she seemed very surprised by your return, she seemed to have thought you were dead."

"As you can see, I am not,"

"That is true, but we do have to take some precautions as there are witches in that forest. Could you please come this way so that our scientists can divine if you have but put under a spell of any kind?" It was at that moment that Roman remembered the hoard mark on all of their wrists. The sign was surly going to show, and Roman did his best to present as calm.

Their plan was going to hell a whole lot faster that Roman had expected it to.

"Right this way," the guard led them into a room, and Roman gently punched Remus to get his attention.

The two looked at each other, both having the same thought on their mind.

"What are we going to do?"