Cinderella AU // OxO // Closed

Lloyd shook his head. "Nathaniel usually just goes out with a servant or two… he's not typically guarded. Oh, I hope he stays in…"

"Once you're in your room, I'll find him." Ellis said.

Lloyd nodded and sighed softly. "I couldn't bear for anything else to happen to him…"

Ellis nodded a little bit. "I know."

Eventually, they reached Lloyd's room. He seemed drained from stress and crying, and he was still quite pale.

Ellis gently helped Lloyd over to the bed.

Lloyd carefully sat down on the bed and then lay down with a shuddering sigh.

Ellis looked at him. "I'll go find Nathaniel."

Lloyd nodded, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Ellis slippped out of the room, hoping Lloyd wouldn't do anything stupid while he was gone. He went to look for Nathaniel, unsure where to look.

Nathaniel had been outside, but at the sound of the gunshot, he'd been dragged inside by the servant he was with, who was now trying to soothe him. Considering he'd been shot when he was younger, which was the cause of his inability to fly, he was always pretty shaken up at the sound of gunshots. By now, he was enveloped in the servant's arms and seemed to be more stable.

Ellis finally found them, and relaxed a little when he saw that Nathaniel was alright.

The servant looked up at Ellis worriedly. "What happened?" She asked. "Is Prince Lloyd alright?"

"He's…he's physically fine. One of the guards is dead."

She gasped and brought one hand up to her mouth. "Who? What do you mean he's 'physically fine'?"

"Lloyd is physically fine. Mentally, he's pretty upset. And I believe the guard was…Philip?"

She nodded a bit. "I know Prince Lloyd well… it doesn't surprise me that he's upset. He really does care about all of us, you know. The king scolds him for being soft, but he can't help it."

Ellis nodded a little bit. "Yeah." he replied.

Nathaniel looked up at Ellis, still a bit shaky and teary. His hair was a little bit disheveled and he seemed even more upset at the news. "Can… c-can you take me to him?" He asked weakly.

Ellis nodded. "Of course." He replied. "Come here."

Nathaniel rubbed at his eyes with one hand while he held onto Ellis with the other. His small hands were still trembling, but he seemed to be mostly okay.

Ellis held Nathaniel's hand gently, shooting the smaller male a soft smile. "It'll be alright." He said softly.

Nathaniel nodded weakly. "Y-Yeah, I just… don't like guns…" He whispered, his voice quiet and hesitant.

"Yeah, I get that." He led Nathaniel towards Lloyd's room.

Nathaniel glanced up when they walked in the room, his face falling when he saw silent tears rolling down Lloyd's cheeks. Lloyd was still quite pale, and he'd curled up tightly by now. "Lloyd…?" He asked weakly. Lloyd looked over at him quietly.

Ellis gently escorted the smaller prince inside, releasing him once Nathaniel saw Lloyd.

Nathaniel hesitated before heading over to Lloyd's bed and clambering onto it. "I don't want you going outside, Nathaniel…" Lloyd whispered, wrapping his arms around Nathaniel. "It's too dangerous… I can't bear anything happening to you." Nathaniel nodded and tucked his head under Lloyd's chin.

Ellis quietly left the room to let the two brothers have time together, without him.

Lloyd waved to Ellis for a second before hugging Nathaniel again. "You could go out with guards, but it's better if you stay in… I'll play with you if you'd like, but please stay in…" Nathaniel nodded again. "I will, Lloyd…"

Ellis closed the door behind himself, letting out a breath and shaking his head slightly.