Caged

12

It had been a two months since Zwei was branded, and his wound fully healed without any complications. Desmond did keep his promise and visit...

..at the cost of Sullivan nearly killing the male for coming to his manor without permission. Luckily, Zwei stepped in and did his best to calm the man down, somewhat working. However, Desmond had to break his promise with the threat of having his leg as a decoration around the mansion, and he knew Sullivan wasn't kidding.

Sullivan tapped his foot as he dipped his pen in the ink, finishing off his letter. He sighed, waiting for it to dry before folding and placing it into an envelope. He took the candle providing him light and held it over the paper, letting the wax drip onto it. He took a stamp and pressed it into the warm substance, the Yohan Estate seal being imprinted. Zwei watched from the other side in awe, his eyes finding everything Sullivan did in that moment absolutely amazing. Sullivan looked up, chuckling at Zwei's adorable posture. "What is with that look on your face?" He asked. "I have never seen someone write so quickly... how did the wax make that tiny picture there?" Questioned Zwei, pointing at it.

You'd expect a fifteen year old boy to know what it was.

"It is our seal," "I thought they were animals and live in the sea..?" "No, not the animal. The stamp is pressed into wax or lead and it makes a small picture to show who the letter or whatever you are sending, that it came from you." Sullivan explained. Zwei nodded, understanding. "Hmm... baby seals look like puppies when they are first born.. they are very cute, right Sullivan?" Zwei smiled. The man nodded, moving on to the next letter. "May I go outside, Sullivan?" The older male paused his movements, scoffing. "You have the nerve to sit there and ask me to leave the estate after the stunt you pulled last time? Absolutely not," Sullivan denied. "B-But I-!" Zwei held his tongue, not wanting to talk back to his husband. Sullivan unintentionally showed a small smile as he sighed, "You have been very good since our Estate crest was seared into your thigh... Is there a reason for it?" The man asked, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. Zwei fidgeted with the fabric on his nightdresses, the two had woken up roughly an hour ago and had breakfast, then coming here to finish Sullivan's work as Duke. "You hurt me when I am disobedient... so I try not to be.." Sullivan's grin got bigger, 'So my form of punishment has finally clicked in his head.. hopefully I can-' Sullivan's thoughts were cut off by someone hurriedly knocking on the door. "Come in!" The man permitted, watching as a butler opened the door with haste, panting, "The Prince and Princess have been assassinated!!" He clamored. Sullivan quickly stood up in shock, "Get Harper from the stables, we have no time to wait for a carriage!" Sullivan demanded, hurriedly grabbing Zwei's hand and rushing them out of the corridor.

Zwei was still in shock as the two came to a stop on Harper, a thoroughbred Quarter Horse. Knights and guards on Appaloosa breeds following behind them. They had arrived at the castle and were rushing inside the palace.

"Where are they!?" Sullivan shouted, a female servant coming into view. "D-Duke Sullivan! Right this way, sir!" She gasped, leading them quickly to the Princess and Prince's bedroom. Knights stood at their post, swords in hand as they stopped the servant from entering, but allowed Zwei and Sullivan.

The sight was dreadful.

Princess Amelia laid still, her pupils dilated and her mouth slightly open. Prince Archimondt had blood pooling out of his mouth and onto the bedsheet as a gash in his throat poured the crimson liquid.

He noticed Duchess Judinne crying at the view with a hand over her mouth, and Desmond in the far corner, a look of sheer horror buried deep in his typically smug and energetic eyes. A doctor walked up to Sullivan with an apologetic expression. "They are both dead, there is nothing we can do to save them now..." She muttered. Zwei gagged, leaning over as he vomited. Sullivan rubbed the boy's back soothingly, anger building inside him.

The only two questions now, were..

"Who did it, and why..?"