<TW: Talk of a suicide attempt. >

Elliot awoke in a cold sweat. This time, he managed to wake up before sunrise, but only to have a coughing fit.

The dawning sun slowly rose as his heart pounded in his chest. The red of the sun only made him grow even more uneasy.

The dream was anything but pleasant. Although it was just Gabriel’s memories, Elliot felt everything as if it was his own. His times of sickness, abuse, and neglect all lingered in his chest. Like a sticky lump burrowing deep in his heart.

Elliot shivered at the cold eyes that his father gave him. The apathetic eyes of his mother. And the loathing of his siblings. The only one who seemed to care was Mathew...yet he was never around. Not even in his dreams.

Elliot felt the great pain and loneliness that haunted Gabriel ever since he was a child. So lonely...that Gabriel had nearly succeeded in ending his life.

Just...how old was Gabriel at the time? Though Elliot knew he wasn’t Gabriel, he couldn’t help but feel the hole of loneliness still lingering inside him.

An emptiness that itched at his heart. Nearly making his eyes sting.

It felt uncomfortably familiar. 

Elliot clenched at his chest and leaned against the headboard of the bed, closing his eyes he let out a shaky sigh.

He had to admit. If he didn’t have the memory of his real name or the fact that there was a weird system prompting him, he would have believed he was the real Gabriel.

Elliot’s mind muddled as he thought back through the dreams, slowly letting them disappear into the back of his mind.

A deprived chuckle left his lips, “mischief and pranks were the only things you relied on, huh…?” Elliot knew the reason why Gabriel resulted in creating mischief and trouble, but it wasn’t until tonight that he fully understood the emotions behind it.

“Prince Gabriel?” a soft voice called. 

Elliot quickly looked over and noticed a tall figure in the shadows. The voice was gentle, but Elliot still felt his heart shift with fear. Only when the figure stepped out of the shadows did Elliot calm down.

Elliot sighed, “George, what are you doing here?” He pressed his fingers onto the bridge of his nose,  letting his last thoughts be pushed to the back of his mind.

George’s face slightly flushed, “I-I was guarding.”

Elliot blinked at him, “guarding?” a small smile spread on his face, “Who? Me? You’ve been self-training for how long now? Do you see yourself as my personal knight?”

George bit his lip, embarrassed, as he stammered, “I-I! I just wanted to make sure you were safe! I-I would never assume such a role...I’m not capable yet...”

Elliot watched this naive buffoon with a small smile. He leaned forward, resting his head on his knee. “Not yet? Are you planning on becoming my knight in the future then?” he chuckled. He was simply teasing the boy, but who knew that George’s eyes would stare deeply at him.

“I am.”

George's stern voice reverberated into Elliot’s chest, making his subtly heart skip. Elliot was caught off guard.

A soft chuckle left his lips, but an inconspicuous shadow filled his eyes “you’re so keen on becoming my knight, but do you know what that means? Risking your life for me...it’s not worth it.”

Elliot paused. The words that left his mouth, just now, he wasn’t sure if they were Gabriel’s or his own.

George quickly rebutted, “what do you mean? Prince Gabriel, you said that we should be friends! I...I have come to care for you...even though we don’t know much about each other. I-I still...I W-wish to know m-more about y-you...” Gabriel started strong but quickly turned into a bumbling mess. His face was flushed red as he avoided Elliot’s gaze.

Elliot watched this boy and couldn’t help but soften his gaze.

“Besides!” George continued, “I know you're worth protecting, and I bet there are others who feel the same!”

Elliot paused.

Why did he have to think of Flynn at this moment? Still, Elliot couldn’t help but smile. 

George relaxed after he saw Elliot’s expression had calmed. “Mm- See? Just now, you thought of someone.”

Elliot’s breath stuck in his throat, “Child, you talk too much!” He quickly turned in his bed and covered himself with the blanket.

George blinked.

Child? Wasn’t he the same age?

Elliot couldn't fall back to sleep. He just curled himself in the bed until the sun fully rose above the horizon.

Once the manor grew lively again, Elliot felt that those dark emotions from Gabriel's past were just a fleeting moment. Simply passing by. They had nothing to do with his own emotions and past.

Even though Elliot can't recall anything, these memories had nothing to do with him.

Forcing these intrusive thoughts away, Elliot went back to work.

Spending his days getting closer to George and the Countess were his top priorities, and it was pretty easy.

It was strange, but these two seemed to have an innate liking towards Gabriel. So, he just had to spend his time with them.

As for the Earl, Elliot thought he heard wrong, but it seemed true that Earl Winston quickly grew close to Gabriel. He seemed to have already "joined his party". Though he wasn't sure if that would change if the Earl knew of his ambitions.

Still, the Earl took time to return home and, not to mention, spend it with him. At first, this scared Elliot. Since not even Prince Mathew took this much time off for him. Wasn't the kingdom in peril? How come the Earl has more time to spend than his own brother? Still, Elliot couldn't help but feel reassured that he had the Earl in the palm of his hands.

This lasted for a few weeks. Things seemed rather peaceful. Elliot nearly forgot his mission until he heard the mechanical ding dong ring through his head.

[Reminding the player! The sidequest is getting closer to its time limit of two months! Please continue to work hard!]

[Reminding the player! The main quest is getting closer to its time limit of two months! Please continue to work hard!]

Elliot paused the spoon that was about to enter his mouth. He quickly fixed his expression before anyone noticed.

Elliot eyed Earl Winston and countess Jasmine. Both peacefully sat across from him, enjoying their meal as they quietly chatted. Elliot calmed himself and continued to eat as he prompted the system in his head.

What do you mean by a time limit? Why is there a time limit all of a sudden?

[Answering player's question: There was no sudden time limit. The system provided a reminder for when the host body will decay. Calculations have found it would take approximately two months.

Reminder: If the task is not completed before the body is deceased, then it is considered a failed attempt, and punishment will be implemented. Please continue to work hard!]

...

Elliot couldn't help but feel uneasy when he heard the word deceased. Right. This was a poisoned body.

Living these easygoing days seemed to have twisted his belief.

He completely forgot he was a slowly ticking time bomb. Still, why did the system wait until now for it to notify him? Why didn't it tell him how long he had left the moment he woke up in this damned world?!

"Gabriel? Are you feeling unwell? You look pale." Jasmine's concerned voice gently asked, making the Earl quickly look over and signal for a servant to bring over Dr. Phelps.

Elliot flashed a bright smile, "don't worry too much, I'm fine."

After a few bites of food, Elliot stood up from the table. "Thank you for the meal." he said with a genial smile, "I'm going to lie down for a bit."

Earl Winston nodded, "yes, please get some rest. If you need anything, be sure to call."

Elliot felt a painful warmth twinge in his heart before he made his way towards his room. 

George silently followed behind Elliot through the halls. Like a loyal puppy. Elliot didn't know whether he should laugh or cry. He felt that this child seemed a little too attached to him. 

Thinking about the system's reminder, Elliot couldn't help but feel uneasy. This body was going to die so soon. How was everyone going to take it? He knew for sure, Jasmine would cry for days, and that little puppy George would probably cry just as much, if not more. But Elliot was most curious as to how Flynn would react. Lost in thought, he heard George speak up behind him.

"Y-Your highness? You're not going in?"

Elliot snapped back to reality. He was standing in front of his bedroom door. Staring blankly at the intricate carvings of the wood.

Elliot sighed, calming himself before glancing over to George with a small chuckle, "there's no need to follow me everywhere, George."

George paused with an expression full of worry, "but...are you sure you're alright, your highness?"

Elliot could only helplessly smile, "I'm fine." He tried to appease the boy before closing the door behind him. 

He stayed silent. 

Though spring was starting to arrive, the last push of winter breezed through the room.

Elliot's thoughts seemed muddled. He had lingered at this estate for too long. He needed to move on.

Taking a deep breath, he called out to the system. "What's the completion status?"

The familiar beep echoed in his head.

[Calculating player's completion score...]

[Calculation Complete.]

[Player's scored 55% out of 100% of side quest, and 65% out of 100% of the main quest. Please continue to work hard!]

Sidequest? Right. There was that. 

"What's the status of the sidequest?"

[Ginny's loyalty is 50%, and Mathew's loyalty is 5%]

Elliot nearly choked. "So low?! Wasn't it 35% before? What happened?!"

[Mathew's loyalty has decreased from the moment the earl joined the player's party.]

Elliot paused. This was the reason? If that were the case, then why did dear brother make a deal to send him away in the first place?! He could be lazing about in his home with Flynn- Argh, forget it...

He let out a frustrated groan before falling into his bed, letting the soft blankets surround him.

He quietly stared at the ceiling in thought, "What happens if I fail the sidequest?"

[If the sidequest is failed, then the player will not receive the benefits for completing a sidequest.]

Elliot quickly sat up, "you mean there's no punishment?"

[Not receiving the benefit is the punishment. Benefits are not recyclable.]

Elliot hesitated, "what is the reward for completing the sidequest?"

[ > Antidote. 

Uses 1. World Carryovers 2.

Use internally. A fast-acting antidote to all poisons regardless of a world's science or beliefs. Use on any person.

> Prince's Tear. 

Uses 3. World Carryovers 2.

Use externally. Can heal minor to severe injuries. Cannot heal life-threatening injuries. Use on any person.

Elliot listened carefully and pondered. These two things can be quite useful. He was about to ask more when the mechanical voice chimed in. ]

[Due to the player's low level. Players can only choose one benefit if the sidequest is completed. Each benefit has a 'world carryover' limit: the item can only be carried through a said amount of worlds.]

Elliot sighed. Was it really too good to be true? Either way, he should try to complete the sidequest. If it meant gaining something helpful. Then why not.

He just had to try and find a way to bring Mathew's trust back.

But that's easier said than done.

Elliot knew the only way to gain Mathew's trust was to give up Gabriel's ambitions and pledge full loyalty toward him. It really was a contradictory quest.

Elliot would have to trick Mathew into believing he was on his side. Pondering on what to do, a distorted beep echoed in his head.

[_Ne¿ed-optíons¡?]

Elliot looked at the clear blue screen in front of him. He could tell something was off with the texture. Could it be a system error? Ignoring the text, he read the two options. They were concise, yet it felt strange. 

He narrowed his eyes.

"You're helping?"

The mechanical voice didn't beep again and only kept the clear blue screen open for Elliot to read.

[C-hoose one.¡_]

[Kill Mathew for the throne]

[OPT out of sidequest]