#and the patchwork prince appears before dying dragons

[marbled-jester]

smushing my dragons faces together like dolls

[asoftervirge]

A Royal Bond: Roman’s Betrothed

RATING: PG, will increase as the story goes on PAIRINGS: R. Sanders/V. Sanders (main); L. Sanders/P. Sanders (side); T. Sanders/OMC (mentioned)

FIC WARNINGS/KINKS: None in this chapter! FIC SUMMARY: Prince Roman of Alexandros chooses his betrothed: a feral Omega who goes by the name of Virgil.

TAGLIST: @hellomusicalnerdhere (if anybody else wishes to be tagged, please let me know!)

CLICK HERE IF YOU READ IT ON AO3 INSTEAD!

"What is this?!"

Roman stared at the cream-colored parchment in his hands with shocked brown eyes.

"What do you think it is, Roman?"

The Sanders Family insignia stared back at him - almost mockingly. It was an official statement that was to be heard by the Kingdom of Alexandros from their official herald.

It read, and I quote:

Per tradition, as he is eighteen years of age, His Royal Majesty King Thomas of Alexandros is pleased to announce that his son His Royal Highness Prince Roman of Alexandros will be arranged to mate, be that with a Beta or Omega.

Royal Advisors Logan Faraday & Patton Spencer will choose one of your sons and/or daughters for HRH to choose from. An official announcement of engagement will be stated afterwards.

There was no avoiding this.

He turned eighteen a few weeks ago.

He was forced to find a mate.

Shoving the statement into the hands of the herald like it had been caught on fire, Roman marched up to his Father and knelt in front of him with pleading eyes.

This couldn't be happening.

He still had three years! Three years to try and find a mate of his own before choosing a mate and produce an heir! It wasn't anyone wasn't going to want Roman as a mate anyways, but that was besides the point!

"Father, please tell me this is a mistake."

His Father, King Thomas, looked down at him though not unkindly. "I'm afraid not, Roman. You know how our family is. Your of age now."

"I have until age twenty-one!"

"I'm well aware of that." King Thomas soothed, running a hand through Roman's bangs. "But it's better that we start this process now instead of later."

Roman groaned dramatically and glared at his Father. "My life is over! Is that why you're making me do this now? So you can just marry me off and I can do the only thing any royal cares about -- produce babies and forgo freedom!"

Even if he wasn't looking, Logan, one of his advisers, was rolling his eyes.

Thomas glared. "Roman, that's enough." That quickly quieted the prince. "I know this isn't what you wan't, but you'll never know until you try. You might find your mate immediately."

"Like you and Papa?"

Everyone in the room grew silent and watched Thomas as he sadly smiled down at Roman. Nodding his head, he said in a gentle whisper, "Exactly like me and Papa."

He tried hard not to let tears fall down his face as he stood up and ordered, "Announce the news immediately. Patton, Logan, I would suggest that you start making rounds throughout the Kingdom. As for you Roman, please try and behave about all this, okay?"

With that, everyone nodded and bowed as King Thomas left the throne room. The herald followed after him quickly. Logan and Patton stayed behind a little longer to see Roman's reaction.

Sure enough, he reacted just how Logan predicted: throwing a temper tantrum like that of a two-year old child.

"¡Esto es ridículo!" he screamed out in Spanish. "¿Por qué debería estar tirando mi vida a los dieciocho años?"

"Roman, you heard what your father said." Logan huffed in annoyance. "You are of age, you should start acting like a future ruler."

"And you should start minding your own business." Roman growled, releasing strong pheromones. Logan never understood why he loved being a Prince.

Patton looks at them pleadingly. "Play nice, kids, please." He didn't want them to start arguing. It wouldn't be the first time they did so.

"You aren't going to be a Prince forever, I hope you know that." Logan tells him firmly. "Sooner or later you will find a mate and produce an heir."

"And I would it be later than sooner."

"Roman-"

"No. I don't think you understand, Logan." Roman glares viciously at him, releasing even more pheromones. "Becoming King means I lose all the freedom I have. No adventures, no skipping council meetings, no competing in tournaments, no hunting dragon-witches. Everything will be taken from me. All because I'm eighteen and are forced to marry!"

Logan pinched the bridge of his nose. A headache always formed every time Roman spoke. "You sound as though you're dying."

"I might as well be on my death bed!"

Patton, his other adviser, stepped forward. "Marriage won't be that bad, kiddo. It only means you're growing up, it was bound to happen eventually." He placed a comforting hand on Roman's shoulder. He released his own pheromones.

"Besides, you'll still be the same Roman we know and love. You'll just have a higher position in the Kingdom that's all! Just give it a chance, Roman. Please?”

The Prince sighed, the Beta's scent comforted him slightly. "I thank you for the positive words, Patton. But it's just not working." He started to leave the throne room.

"Where are you going?" Patton asked in concern.

"Stables." Roman states without looking at them. "Don't even think of following me." He could feel Logan's piercing gaze on his back as he kept walking.

-,-,-,-,-

"I swear he is going to be my downfall." Logan grumbled as he and Patton made their way around the village. Searching for future consorts isn't as easy as people believe. They had spent under an hour going door to door in search of someone worthy of being Roman's mate. And none of them were up to their standards.

"Aww, try not to take it so seriously, Lo." Patton tells him. "Look at Thomas. He's still the same loveable, goofball we knew all those years ago!"

"That's because we helped him get back to who he was. Had we not, he would still be severely depressed. Remember?"

Patton nodded sadly. That was an incredibly dark time in the Kingdom. Fortunately, they were all able to move past it, even if it proved to be difficult. "I remember." They silently continued making their way through the village until Patton smelt a distinct smell in the air. Focusing on the scent, he started to follow it.

"P-Patton?" Logan called out. He started to sprint after him before deciding to run. "Patton! Get back here immediately!" Groaning, he kept following the other adviser.

They continued to follow the scent until Patton skidded to a halt. The smell was coming from a young boy. He was wearing a patchwork shirt that went over his knees and his hair appeared to be a tangled, dirty mess. He was shaking like a leaf and was curled in himself.

Patton's hear broke at the sight of him. Carefully, he walked up to him and knelt in front of him. "Excuse me?" he whispered. The boy was startled by his voice and backed away from him. "Woah, woah, calm down. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise." He held a hand out, making sure that it was okay to touch him.

The boy crawled towards Patton and sniffed his head before nuzzling into it. Patton was shocked by the reaction while Logan observed it more. He noticed how young he was, around 16 at most. He had striking silver eyes, but he could see how he had bags under them. What he also noticed was how his behavior was that of...

Logan's eyes widened as he pulled Patton away from him. "Patton, I'd be careful with him."

"What? Why?" Patton asked, a little upset.

Logan looked at the boy before whispering to Patton, "He's a Feral Omega." Patton was shocked. "You don't know how he's going to react to you. And not only that, a Feral Omega can't be a member of the Royal Family."

"And why not?" If Patton wasn't a Beta, he'd be releasing a scent that would've made Logan cower in fear.

"Thomas had enough scandal with the abolishment of Omega slavery. Not to mention the Consent Laws!" Logan hissed. "We don't need to add to that."

Patton glared. "I get that, Logan, I really do. But he seems to be more than just a Feral Omega." He looked at the boy then back to Logan, desperation in his eyes. "Trust me, Logan. Please?"

Logan sighed. It was always hard to say no to Patton. "Fine." Patton cheered happily before returning to the Omega.

"Hi again!" Patton says quietly as to not disturb him. "I was curious if you wanted to come with us somewhere?" The boy tensed up at that, backing away again. Patton released a calming scent to try and make him feel better. "I know that sounds scary, but I promise you we'll take care of you."

Logan stepped forward. "I can assure you that Patton is correct in that regard. While I can understand that you don't trust us, but we wouldn't back down on our word." He held a hand out for the boy to sniff, only for him to hiss at him. Logan glared at Patton. "Are we positive--"

"Yes!" Patton insisted, making the boy flinch. He was quick to reassure him, "I'm sorry. We just think it would best if you came with us."

The boy whimpered, his eyes shining with tears.

"Living out here on the streets is very dangerous, especially for an Omega such as yourself." Logan tells him gently. "We don't want you hurt. We only want you to be safe and we can take you to a safe place."

Hearing that made the omega look at him. Promise?, he signs, shocking the advisers.

"Aww, what's wrong, kiddo?" Patton asks. "You can't talk?"

When I get real anxious or highly emotional, he signs. Rely on body language, facial expressions and signing when that happens...Please answer question.

"You can trust me when I say that we will uphold our promise." Logan responds kindly. "And I happen to be very good at reading people as well as sign language. So if you ever find it difficult to sign, you can always use me for assistance."

The boy looked at him, then at Patton. Seeing the kindness and the reassurance in their eyes told him that he could trust them. Thank you.

Logan smiled. You're welcome.

"What's your name, kiddo?" Patton smiled as he helped the boy to his feet.

It took him a while but the boy finally said, "V-Virgil."

-,-,-,-,-

Knock, knock, knock. "Roman?" 

Thomas opened the door to his son's room. He noticed him lying down on his bed, face planted in his pillows. Thomas also took note that Roman was dressed in his pajamas instead of his regal uniform. He sat down beside him and placed a gentle hand on his back.

"Go away, Father." Roman muffled out. He didn't want to bother dealing with anything related to his future, and albeit, upcoming marriage. All he wanted was to be alone with his thoughts.

Thomas cooed sadly, rubbing his back in soothing motions. "I know you don't wish to talk about it," he says. "I understand, truly I do. Though I must tell you that Patton and Logan have returned."

The Prince groaned loudly. Great, he thinks. This is happening regardless of whether or not I want it to. Nonetheless, he slowly rose from his bed and changed back into his uniform. Before left, his Father called to him.

"Roman, wait." The Prince turned around. "Please remember what I said, alright?" He nodded.

He knows that even though he doesn't want to do this, at all, he should still have his princely etiquette. Straightening his back and lowering his shoulders, he left his room and made his way to the throne room. Thomas trailed closely behind him.

Once they arrived, Roman noticed Patton, Logan, and the herald all standing directly in front of the throne. What caught his eye was the figure standing beside Patton. They were dressed in a white gown and a veil was covering their face.

In the olden days, white symbolized that those who were going to be royal consorts aren't mated. Nowadays, since Omegas were originally kept as slaves, the white has no symbolism anymore. That doesn't mean that the Royal Family still doesn't use it.

Patton saw him and smiled brightly. He didn't say anything to Roman and gently lead the veiled figure towards him. He mouthed to Roman, "I really hope you like him."

Roman gently held the ends of the veil between his fingers before gently lifting it over the figures' head. When he saw the face underneath, his breath was caught in his throat.

Virgil looked completely different from how Patton and Logan found him in the streets. His messy hair was washed and straightened. Instead of it being a dirty, brownish color, it now glowed a dark purple hue.

His eye makeup was stunning, dark purple with a black outline. It made his silvery-purple eyes pop. A light blush was on his cheeks, a subtle touch to contrast all the dark coloring.

Roman thought this was the most beautiful creature he ever laid his eyes on.

At first, Virgil didn't recognize who he was standing in front of until he noticed the insignia on Roman's uniform. His eye grew wide and his face grew red as he immediately knelt down in respect.

Patton giggled, while Thomas and Logan smiled. Roman chuckled. That seemed to be a typical reaction when strangers meet a member of royalty. He gently guided Virgil back to his feet.

"Please don't kneel." he tells him kindly. "I do not wish for formalities right now."

When Virgil went to speak, he found that he had no voice. He placed his hands on his throat and shook his head fearfully.

"What's wrong?" Roman asked worriedly. "Can't you speak?"

"I'm afraid, Your Majesty," Logan explains, addressing Thomas more than Roman. "That when he gets into states of high anxiety or any other emotion state, they reduce him to becoming mute. In that case, he relies on communication via sign and body language along with facial expressions."

Roman nodded in understanding. "What is your name, beautiful one? Can you try and sign it to me?"

Virgil went wide-eyed and blushed more at the petname and quickly, albeit shakily, signed his name. My name is Virgil.

"Fortunately, he has told Patton and I that his name is Virgil, which is what he signed to you." Logan translates. Roman adored it. "Unfortunately, however, he is a Feral Omega who was living on the streets after the abolishment of slave ownership."

Thomas looked at Virgil sadly. "A feral Omega, is that so?"

Virgil looked down at the pristine floor in embarrassment. He felt two finger hook under his chin and forces him to stare at Roman, who was still looking concerned.

"There's nothing to be afraid of." he tells the omega gently. "We are all friendly here. My Father was the one who abolished Omega slavery, as you probably know, and we would never hurt you." He can see the stress leave Virgil as he begins to look more relaxed.

It took him a few tries, but Virgil utters out, "T-Thank you."

His voice was scratchy and a little deep, but Roman loved the sound of it. Everything about the omega were things the prince secretly dreamed of.

"I-It's no trouble, really." he coughed, blushing a shade of red as deep as his sash. He looked at the junction between Virgil's neck and shoulder, then met his eyes again. "May I?"

Virgil didn't necessarily know what he was asking for, but he shyly nodded.

Roman stepped forward, careful as to not make the omega anymore nervous than he was, and pressed his nose to his scent glands. His scent. It was something he never smelt before.

Despite him being a former slave, he doesn't have a bond mark or anything to represent another alpha's scent. Virgil was covered in his own that marked him as his and his alone.

Virgil seemed shocked by the gesture, but one whiff of the prince's scent made him quickly submit. It was a strong, earthy scent and it provided him comfort. Feeling his anxiety leave him, Virgil wrapped his arms around Roman tightly and pressed his nose to the alpha's scent glands.

Thomas simply stared, Patton blushed deeply, and Logan looked indignant.

Scenting on the neck was always considered a private matter. Members of the royalty would only scent their consorts on their wrists. The only public exception was during weddings. Roman seemed to be disregarding that rule entirely, and he didn't seem to care.

The two remained that way for a long time, nuzzling each other and soaking in each others' scents. It was only when Logan loudly coughed that Virgil recoiled back. Even though he looked embarrassed, he didn't feel that way.

Thomas stepped forward. "Roman?" His son turned to him, reddish-brown eyes shining with glee. When he nodded enthusiastically, the King smiled and turned his head towards the herald. "I believe you have an official announcement to make?"

"Might as well." Logan says, rolling his eyes. "They've already completed the first step of the mating process."

Roman flushed, but he looked back at Virgil who gave him a small smile. The prince responded with a larger one of his own, tangling Virgil's hin, pale fingers in his own.

His Royal Highness Prince Roman of Alexandros is delighted to announce his engagement to an Omega named Virgil. Further details of the wedding will be announced at a later date.

His Royal Majesty King Thomas of Alexandros sends his well wishes to the happy couple.