Elliot felt his brain pounding against his skull as he pressed his body against the backrest of the bench. A deep sigh left his pale lips after pondering for a long time; he finally decided on pleasing all three people. It won't be easy, but this was the best bet he could make to ensure that at least one person was supporting him.

The only thing was the fact that Gabriel wasn’t a people pleaser. Elliot had to find a way to make this coward troublemaker into a king-like personality without it being too OOC. He sighed for himself, feeling like he'll have to dig his own grave soon.

Elliot glanced around the garden, scanning for Flynn. According to Gabriel’s memories, Flynn wasn’t close to him. The times they spent together were scarce, and they would only meet briefly within the garden when Gabriel would take his morning walks.

After stretching his body, Elliot started to continue his morning walk following the path that Gabriel would take. His eyes stayed alert, noticing that not many servants bothered to check on him. Elliot didn’t care; he didn’t bother causing any trouble either. He figured that Gabriel would hesitate after fainting yesterday.

A tall figure immediately caught Elliot’s eye. Flynn was tending to the garden of white roses that surrounded the inner garden. A few stone benches were placed within the middle along with a large weeping willow tree, creating a beautiful atmosphere.

Elliot quietly made his way towards the inner garden and froze as soon as Flynn’s dark eyes met his. The first thought that came across Elliot’s mind was: Why is he so good looking?!

Flynn looked to be in his twenties and stood tall at 6.1 ft. (185 cm.). He wore a dirty white shirt that showed his arm muscles and ripped dark brown trousers. Along with his chiseled jaw, one could tell he had been through rigorous training. His narrow black eyes only stared at Elliot for a split second before they returned towards the roses.

Elliot felt his body float, no! Why?!... Stare at me more!

He only calmed himself by reciting 'I’m in a child's body' a few times.

Elliot hesitated before taking a seat on one of the stone benches. His numb body protested, but he simply ignored it. he couldn’t help but take a few glances at Flynn. The more he looked at him, the more he felt he was his type. Why did he have to be in such a frail child’s body?! Elliot sighed away his depressing thoughts before trying to figure out how to please this gardener of his.

In truth, Flynn should be rather close to Gabriel, considering Gabriel was the one who saved his life and brought him to the estate. But Elliot won’t easily believe that. The man was a general at such a young age, which meant that he must have great power and resources. Someone like him bowing down to an enemy prince, Elliot wouldn't put it passed him if he was biding his time for revenge.

The question was, how does one make someone fall in love with – no no no – how does one make someone trust an enemy?

Elliot bit his lip, thinking of a way to break the ice when he heard a deep icy voice, “Is there something wrong?”

Elliot quickly looked over at Flynn and noticed the man’s dark eyes. He stiffened his body as Flynn mockingly chuckled, “You’ve been staring at me for a while with a frown on your face, is there something you don’t like?”

I like it very much! Elliot’s mind cried, but he kept an indifferent face as he responded with a humph, “You're disturbing my time for viewing the garden.”

Flynn lifted his brows, making Elliot curse at Gabriel’s haughty personality. Does he realize that he’ll crumble once someone calls him out?

Flynn’s next move wasn’t surprising as he gathered his things and started to leave the inner garden, “very well, I won’t disturb your highness any longer.” His voice was equally indifferent, making Elliot sweat.

He quickly pulled onto Flynn’s shirt, “w-wait!”

Flynn blinked at Elliot, making him feel uneasy as he hung his head low. Elliot’s face slightly flushed, making a sharp contrast on his pale skin. “I – thank you for saving me yesterday.”

Flynn hesitated, hearing the silence made Elliot’s mind run wild. Was he going out of character? No, Gabriel would at least thank someone who saved his life. The way he went about it just made him seem like some tsundere, but thinking about it, Gabriel was the very definition of a tsundere.

Elliot slowly lifted his watery eyes at Flynn, he wasn’t sure what was going on inside the man’s head, but the gaze that fell on him wasn’t hostile. It made Elliot sigh in relief. He then promptly turned back to his arrogant troublemaking self by slightly pushing away, “Well! That is all I wanted to say!... Don’t forget to tend to the gardenias as well!”

After stating this, he turned around and left the inner garden. It wasn’t until he made it back into the estate that he let his rapidly beating heart calm down. Flynn had amazing momentum that Elliot could feel the pressure that man was able to put onto him with a single glance. It was numbing.

A servant noticed Elliot lingering beside the doorway and promptly stepped forward, “Your highness, lunch should be ready soon.” Elliot nodded at the servant before glancing back at the garden; the servant was attentive, “would you like to eat outside?”

Elliot hesitated before nodding, “make my seat near the gardenias.” He wanted some eye candy while he ate. The servant nodded and quickly made the preparations.

Elliot glanced around and noticed that his trusty servant, Ginny, was nowhere to be seen. The servant noticed and promptly spoke, “Miss Ginny is speaking to Prince Mathew right now.”

Elliot’s eyes shinned, mimicking an adoring little brother, “Mathew is here?”

The servant noticed the young prince’s eyes and smiled softly, “would Prince Gabriel like to see him? Why not invite him to lunch?”

Elliot thought about it before heavily nodding. The servant bowed and told others to escort Elliot to where Mathew was.

The two were in the study where Mathew would often frequent when he visits. After taking Elliot towards the study, the servant discreetly left, leaving Elliot to hear a single voice from Ginny, “and you think it’s safe to keep him here?”

Elliot’s hand froze on the doorknob. He glanced around before shamelessly pressing his ear to the door, trying to hear the conversation within the study.

“I told you, he’s safer here than at the castle. If my brothers caught him, do you think he would even last a full day?” Mathew’s voice was hoarse, seemingly tired as he spoke.

“You say that, but what about that general you keep here?”

It seemed that Mathew made a surprised face as Ginny sneered, “You don’t think I know? He’s a general from the enemy’s kingdom, just what are you planning, Prince Mathew?”

Suddenly a loud bang rang from inside as if a fist slammed against a table, “you are out of line Miss Ginny!” Mathew’s shout made Elliot shiver let alone Ginny.

Mathew noticed he was too aggressive, so he calmly said, “I wouldn't do anything that would put Gabriel in danger. You must trust me on this. That man will not do anything, he’s alone and on enemy grounds, do not worry. And if he does get out of line, then know that I will personally take care of it.”

Ginny let out a shaky breath, “I understand. Apologizes to his highness…”

Elliot heard the doorknob turn and promptly hid within the hallway. He had to give props to Ginny, despite her position as a servant, she even confronted the prince about such a thing. Elliot could only feel admiration for her loyalty and somewhat stupidity.

He waited for a bit before knocking onto the door to the study, not going in until he heard Mathew’s approval.

Walking into the room, Elliot noticed that the man sitting at the brown desk was holding onto his forehead. Things at home didn’t seem to be going well.

Elliot had to admit that the prince was quite good looking, he had the same golden hair like him, but instead of blue eyes, he adorned hazel green eyes that seemed to shimmer. He wore brown and silver silks that hugged his athletic body.

“Brother!” Elliot put on an innocent face as he made his way towards Mathew, “come have lunch with me!”

Mathew noticed Elliot and made a helpless smile, “Gabriel, I can’t right now, I still have some things to go over.”

Elliot pursed his lips, pouting, “You’re always busy, and you don’t visit as often anymore…”

Mathew hesitated before giving Elliot a gentle smile, “alright, how about dinner then? I hear they’re going to make roasted duck today.”

Elliot’s eyes shimmered, “yes! It’s a promise!”

Elliot ran out of the room like an excited child before being stopped by one of the servants, “Prince Gabriel please refrain from exerting yourself, you’re just recovering.”

Elliot frowned before the servant showed him to the picnic table that they set up for him. As soon as the food was in front of him, Elliot forgot about everything. He was quite hungry. In the morning, he didn’t feel like eating, but after moving around and being awake for a while, he started to feel his empty stomach protest.

The lunch was light and was mainly medicinal, making the taste rather bland, but Elliot couldn’t help it. His body was weak, and he can’t have heavily seasoned food all the time.

His watery eyes scanned the gardenias before he subtly glanced at Flynn as he tended the garden. He pondered on how to be on good terms with Flynn. He wanted to ask the system about this character, but the only things he got was what he already knew.

Elliot sighed; he simply must get to know this person slowly like every other human being. What was the point of having an all-seeing system if it was useless in simple situations like this?

Elliot could only harden his socially awkward heart and try his best to get close.

[comment below on which choice you want the MC to make]

> Invite him to eat lunch with you.

> Go to talk to him.