Elliot struggled through the pain as he quickly made his way deeper into the garden. He could hear clear footsteps behind him, taunting him as they swiftly approached. Elliot managed to spot a big glass greenhouse covered by hedges and flower brush.

He looked over his shoulder only to see the shadow of the figure creep up before he darted into the greenhouse. He quickly slammed the doors close and barricaded it with a shovel stuck in the knobs. Elliot knew that wouldn’t hold the intruder for long, but it got him time to find a place to hide and cool his head.

Elliot darted his eyes around the room until he found a pile of white sheets in a corner. He hurried his way over there, only to spot a pair of sheers resting on a weathered table. Elliot bit his lip and pulled the sheers close to his chest before burying himself within the sheets, making sure not a single hair could be seen.

He tried to steady his breathing as his heart pounded ruthlessly in his ears. Sporadic dots showed in his vision as he felt lightheaded. Elliot could only lean his head back as he tried to stay calm, but before he could think, loud bangs rattled the greenhouse.

Elliot clenched onto the sheers, and not long after the sound of shattering glass filled the hot room, sweat dripped from Elliot’s forehead as he immediately silenced his breathing. It was only this time that he was thankful for having a child’s body hiding within the piles of sheets wouldn’t be as noticeable...or at least he hoped.

Muffled footsteps echoed the greenhouse, taunting Elliot as they passed by him a few times. Elliot couldn’t help but hold his breath, worsening his dizziness. He fought to stay conscious, ready to fight back if the man found him.

Elliot felt his heart pound painfully in his chest before the footsteps retreated. Elliot was about to let out his breath when bright light nearly blinded his eyes. The white sheets were pulled off!

Elliot wanted to attack, but he felt a large hand grab at the collar of his shirt, pulling him out of the pile. Elliot struggled as he felt the man pin him to the ground. A sharp pain pierced his side, making him screech out in pain.

The warm liquid spread from Elliot’s body, making him shiver as he turned his head at the masked man. He glowered at him with burning blue eyes, dammit was he going to die here?!

Elliot clenched onto the sheers in his hands as the man’s eyes widened. He readied his sword once again, realizing that he didn’t make a fatal blow. Fresh red blood and dry mud covered the silver blade as it was forced down towards Elliot.

Elliot saw a flash of white light cover his eyes as he felt another piercing pain, but he didn’t stay still for the man either. This time he made sure to struggle and thrust the sheers forward, and with the man’s force, it pierced neatly through the man’s chest.

Hot blood poured down Elliot’s hands as he saw the man go limp and nearly fall over him. Elliot kicked the man’s body, making him fall to the side. The sword fell onto the cemented ground, creating a loud clank!

Elliot heaved out a few heavy breaths, he didn’t have the energy to move or make sure the man was dead. He just laid on the ground feeling blood pool out of his growing cold body. Dammit. At least he took the bastard along with him. Still, Elliot didn’t want to die, not yet anyway, but his body refused to stay conscious as his eyelids slowly drooped, making everything before him go black.

-

Congratulations!

Flynn’s loyalty has increased! He’s no longer a temporary alley! Upgraded to: True alley! Loyalty: 75%

Matthew’s loyalty has increased! – Side Task Completion: Mathew, 35%. Pending Completion: Ginny 25%, Mathew 65%.

Please keep up the good work! ~

-

Elliot still felt delirious as he heard the monotone mechanic voice speak in his head. Eventually, he was able to open his eyes and see the sheer canopy above his head. His headache was phenomenal as he squinted and pressed his thin hand to his forehead.

Flynn immediately noticed the movement in the bed before he made his way over. He slowly moved the small hand and placed his own, making sure the small prince didn’t have a fever.

“Flynn…” Elliot managed to speak through a hoarse voice. He squinted his blue eyes at the man with knitted brows. Flynn didn’t respond until he made sure that everything seemed fine. He looked over at a nurse that had been watching over the small prince, “tell the doctor he’s awake…and bring some water.”

The nurse nodded and made her way out of the room. Elliot furrowed his brows as he tried to sit up. He wasn’t sure how he managed to survive, but he was alive! Elliot couldn’t help but smile.

“You’re smiling at a time like this?!” Flynn’s shout made Elliot bewilderedly blink. Sir, he didn’t die after being stabbed twice, ok? TWICE! Please let him smile at least!

Though, Elliot held back as he tried to clear his throat, “what’s the situation then?”

Flynn grit his teeth, “you nearly died…”

Elliot couldn’t help but tilt his head like a lost puppy. Seeing this, Flynn let out a deep sigh, calming himself.

“After I finished investigating, I noticed there weren’t any servants around the estate…then I found you laying on the ground bleeding to death. Mathe- Prince Mathew showed up a little after me... things are still going under investigation.”

Elliot watched as Flynn explained, pale-faced. He couldn’t help but smirk, “You’re starting to care about me now, great general?”

Flynn turned away and spoke in a feeble voice, “I had a younger brother…he would have been your age by now…”

Elliot silently observed Flynn; Did this mean Flynn's brother was dead? So, he sees him as a younger brother? Questions started to form in his head, but he couldn't bring himself to ask at the moment.

Elliot cleared his throat and decided to change the subject. “How did the investigation go?”

Flynn nodded, “your brother is here to meet someone rather important. Earl Winston and his wife are here for some sightseeing. Prince Mathew has invited them over for a special dinner. It seems he’s been trying to stay on the earl’s good side.”

Elliot’s eyes smiled as he nodded, “good job.”

Flynn watched the child’s eyes glitter and lifted a brow, “what are you planning?”

Elliot leaned back onto the headboard of the bed. “My brother has the right idea getting on the earl’s good side would be beneficial. It would be useful if I were to maintain a good relationship with the countess and the earl. It seems I'll have to spend my time with them while they're here...hopefully, my brother wouldn't mind…”

Elliot's eyes solemnly glanced at Flynn, “as for the intruder...”

Flynn’s eyes darkened, “the man is dead…but it is possible to follow a trail…the servants seemed to have been paid off. When Mathew found out, he seemed furious and fired everyone on sight…it’s quite the cover-up if you ask me.”

Elliot’s eyes blazed, “you think my brother is the culprit?”

“Do you think anyone else would step onto his territory? This brother of yours…I feel he doesn’t care about you, despite what he says..."

[What to say? hmmm :0]

> "Mathew is suspicious..."

> "Uriel is our best bet."

> "Let's not jump to conclusions."