Elliot thought to himself for a moment before coming to a decision, "Mathew is suspicious; it'll be best to keep an eye on him." He knew he had to stay cautious of this elder brother of his; one wrong move may cost him dearly. Flynn quietly listened before nodding in agreement.

Elliot shuffled in the bed, wanting to get off, but his body immediately betrayed him. The sharp pain was no longer dull, making him collapse back onto the soft bed that now felt cold. He bit his lip to muffle a pained grunt as Flynn quickly went to his side.

"You're not supposed to move so much. Your wounds will reopen." Flynn quietly spoke as he gingerly put Elliot back into the bed.

Elliot could only grit his teeth. How was he supposed to complete his tasks if he was bedridden?

Not long after, a few knocks tapped on the door. Elliot let out a strained, "come in." He tried his best to calm his breathing and maintain some composure before the double doors opened.

A nurse carried in a tray of porridge and a glass of water. Her face was anxious as she carefully watched where she stepped, as if afraid of offending anyone in the room. Elliot found this quite strange, but once Mathew walked in behind her, he immediately understood.

Mathew's usually calm and handsome face was now pale with sharp dark blue eyes, filled with killing intent. It was enough to make Elliot shiver. He involuntarily swallowed a lump in his throat; this brother of his was truly...angry.

What was worse, this brother of his didn't bother to say a single word as the nurse cautiously placed the tray beside the bed. Instead, once the prince's eyes met with Flynn's, the killing intent seemed to skyrocket! Elliot couldn't help but wonder what had happened while he was unconscious?!

The nurse gingerly checked Elliot's wounds, making sure there were no major changes before she quickly bowed and bolted out of the room. He couldn't blame her; he wished he could run away!

Eventually, Elliot cleared his throat. "Brother..." his feeble voice called from within the covers; hearing the voice, Mathew's eyes seemed to soften and finally focused on him. But he stayed silent, keeping the room at its grim atmosphere.

A doctor with short graying black hair finally walked in to kill the silence. His glasses shimmered within the light as he narrowed his brown eyes at the small child.

A few nervous sweat beads lingered on his forehead, “It’s quite a miracle you survived such a state. If you were found even a second late...” He paused and glanced at the two powerheads in the room with unease. He didn't dare continue his sentence before clearing his throat.

Flynn turned his gaze away as if avoiding the conversation. Elliot lightly blinked; he didn’t recognize this doctor; he didn’t seem to be a doctor assigned to any Nobel family either. He glanced at Flynn for an answer, but Mathew's harsh voice answered for him.

“This doctor was called over by your trusted servant. He even refused to allow any of my doctors to enter the estate."

Elliot felt his ears ring, a headache, another headache! Why was Flynn acting out of hand?! Elliot knew for sure; Mathew would be even warier of them now! Elliot tried his best to maintain a calm expression as he glanced over at Flynn.

Flynn couldn't help but feel his hair stand on end; why did it feel like this child was inwardly cursing at him?

The doctor took a small step forward as he lightly bowed to Elliot, "Apologizes, I am Dr. Phelps. There is no need to worry; I am very skilled."

Elliot silently checked the doctor. He is most likely the one who tested his medicine for poison. Still, to go as far as to refuse Mathew’s doctors…Elliot could only light a candle for their future.

Dr. Phelps followed through and quickly checked over Elliot’s body. The wounds were already stitched shut, some bleeding had occurred from when Elliot woke up, but with a few movements from Phelps's hand, the bleeding seemed to stop. Still, Phelps's face was serious as he shook his head.

"This type of wound...I'd say even the healthiest of bodies would have trouble fully healing, as for one like yours..." Dr. Phelps couldn't help but tensely glance at the two pale-faced men in the room before carefully continuing, "your body has been severely weakened and damaged throughout the years, such wounds on your body...and the amount of blood loss, I’m afraid you'll be more susceptible to infection and high fevers.”

There was a deep silence, which both made Dr. Phelps feel relief and unease. 

Elliot’s face was pale; he tried not to show the pain on his face, but simply sitting up was enough to make him feel dizzy. Dr. Phelps made sure Elliot laid back onto the bed before continuing, “You mustn’t overexert yourself. You need to be in bed and rest for quite some time. Perhaps for a few months, along with daily checkups. It would be best to have a nurse by your side for the time being.”

Elliot swallowed a lump in his throat as he dazedly nodded. The doctor then rummaged through a small bag and carefully placed two bottles of pills onto the nightstand before glancing at the two grim-looking men, "This should help reduce any swelling and oncoming fevers. He must take them once a day... I'll give more instruction to the nurse that will be watching him."

Mathew sighed and nodded, "I already have someone to watch him." He then gestured to the door to guide the doctor when he heard Flynn's harsh voice. "What is this? I can watch him; there's no need to bring more strangers into this! don't you understand that no one can be trusted at this time!"

Mathew's eyes darkened, once more reflecting some bloodthirst within his pupils. His voice chilled, "I don't believe you understand just whom you're talking to. Let me remind you; you are nothing but a lowly servant, a gardener even, whereas I am the crown prince. I only allowed you to bring this doctor in out of curiosity, but any other proceedings that regard my younger brother will have nothing to do with you. Leave out of this before I toss you back to where you belong."

Mathew's words stung Flynn to his core, making him hold back any words he wanted to spit out. It seemed he had forgotten; he's no longer a great general of a promising kingdom. He's just a mere servant that Mathew could easily kill him off without any repercussion.

Flynn bit his lip as he glanced at the small child in the bed; he cannot do anything to protect him...can he...? He quickly retreated his gaze and left the room, daring not to dig an even bigger hole for himself.

Mathew straightened himself, feeling empowered now that the nuisance was away. Elliot could only shrink into the covers, trying to hide his dismay. Dammit Flynn; Why'd you have to make him an even bigger enemy for yourself?!

He could only hope that things were alright between him and this elder brother of his, peaking out from under the covers; Elliot felt his heart skip as his eyes met with Mathew's.

Mathew eyed the Doctor before calling in a servant, "Take him to see Edward; He'll be watching over the young prince."

Elliot swallowed a lump in his throat as the two left, leaving him alone with Mathew. He carefully observed the elder Prince's expression, but he couldn't discern what he was thinking.

“The assassin…he managed to come into my estate so easily, I don’t mind if you blame me for this…”

Elliot felt his heart race as Mathew spoke, staying silent, he seemingly answered the prince's words. Mathew nodded knowingly before letting out a deep sigh. His eyes shimmered with grief, but Elliot couldn't find anything genuine within the male's pupils.

“You know I would never let anything happen to you.” Mathew gently brushed his fingers through Elliot’s hair, lightly petting him as his voice softened, “this event…It pains me to see you in such a state…which is why I must ask you to leave this estate.”

Elliot froze in the bed. Was this big old brother of his kicking him out? He stayed silent and waited for Mathew to continue, but there was a dreadful pause that made him feel unbearably uneasy.

It then hit him. This prince was likely driving him away from Flynn rather than the assassin. Elliot opened his mouth to refuse when Mathew finally chimed in, “Countess Jasmine came to visit, but now that this mishap has occurred, I must send them away…why not stay with the countess while you recover. I cannot trust my estate to be safe for you anymore…”

Elliot wanted to call bullshit right away, but he quickly closed his mouth. Wasn't this a good opportunity to get closer to the Earl?

Hearing that there was no protest, Mathew smiled gently and continued, “It would put my heart to ease if you stayed with them. The Earl estate has many trustworthy guards; I would feel better if you stayed with them.”

Elliot’s thoughts paused. Trustworthy guards…wasn’t Mathew known to have those as well? And look at how he ended up! Elliot couldn’t help but bite his lip. “If I go...can I bring some people with me?”

Mathew’s petting paused. His eyes seemed to sharpen, “you seem quite attached to that gardener; is he the one you want to take with you?”

Elliot involuntarily shivered. It wasn’t until now that he truly felt Mathew’s hatred for Flynn. His eyes seemed to leak with bloodthirst before he made a smile that didn't reach his eyes. “I’m sorry, but he must stay at the estate. He is just a gardener after all. It would be best to have a maid, or rather, a guard if you wish to bring someone along.”

Elliot couldn’t refute; Even if he wanted to turn on the spoiled younger brother act, the chill in his body didn't let him. Still, he couldn't go to the estate alone. He knows he cannot trust Mathew to provide a loyal guard. He needs someone he can trust...

Elliot could only think of Ginny, but was she to be trusted?

Seeing Elliot aggrieved, Mathew's face warmed before he leaned down and gently kissed the child's forehead, making the prince shiver.

"Don't worry, I promise you, Edward is a great guard that I've personally trained; he'll take great care of you." Mathew then hummed, "If you wish, I can find a servant that you can appease your boredom while you're there...someone your age perhaps?"

Elliot bit his lip; Another child? Children were easy to mold, but could he trust them? Either that or bring Ginny...or should he risk it alone...?

[Comment Below! :0] Note: You still have 3 hints left in this world.

> Go Alone.

> Bring Ginny.

> Bring another Child.