Elliot eyed Flynn as he slowly sipped at the fish soup placed in front of him. He hesitated to say anything as the servants left him alone to his lunch. He watched Flynn quietly as he gathered his courage.

"Come, eat with me," Elliot casually said, slightly shifting in his seat.

Flynn raised his brows at him making Elliot want to shrink into himself. Did he say something wrong? Maybe he was too casual. Elliot bit his lip but quickly hid his expression when Flynn sat next to him. Either way, it worked!

Elliot’s eyes brightened as he quickly served a bowl of fish soup to Flynn, gingerly placing the porcelain bowl before him. Flynn watched his actions silently as he eyed the soup and Elliot with interest.

He slowly lifted his spoon and started to take a sip. His expression softened; he couldn't remember the last time he had a well-cooked meal like this.

Elliot continued to eat his food when he heard Flynn ask, “is there a reason why you suddenly let me eat with you?” Elliot almost choked on his soup, letting out a few coughs before he could respond, “w-what’s with that attitude? You should be thanking me for inviting you!”

Flynn scoffed as he leaned over the table, “thanking his highness.” His voice was cold, making Elliot’s sweatdrop. This isn’t a good start, is it? He eyed Flynn and let out a sigh before speaking in a soft voice, “just think of it as a thank you…”

Flynn paused and glanced over, lifting a brow, “did you not thank be earlier?”

Elliot stiffened, “w-well if you don’t like me thanking you, you can just leave!” he shouted as his face flushed a bright red. He could hear a slight chuckle coming from Flynn, making him croak, “what is so funny?”

Flynn shook his head, “Nothing, I just thought you’re quite different from what I imagined.”

Elliot’s face paled, “and…and what’s that?”

Flynn rested his head in the palm of his hand as he observed the small prince with a subtle smile, “an arrogant, selfish, spoiled child.”

Elliot pouted his lip into a straight line, “how dare you, say such a thing!” he muttered through clenched teeth, but the smile on Flynn’s face didn’t disappear,

“well, you still are like that, just a bit…nicer?”

“Humph! Of course, I can be nice!” Elliot continued to pout as he stuffed his face with the soup. Though he was seen through by Flynn as he said, “sure, nice people play tricks and bother the servants.”

Oof.

“That’s – I just…” he really couldn’t refute him.

Flynn noticed Elliot’s struggle and casually continued as he lazily ate his food, “So? You're nice only to those who save your life? Dose every servant have to risk their life for you, just so they can be treated well?”

“….” He really, really, couldn’t refute him...

Elliot bit his lip until it turned a bright red as he responded, “I’m the prince, it’s one’s duty to protect and save me…”

Flynn’s dark eyes then flashed with cold air, “Perhaps, but if you keep treating those who are supposed to protect you this way, then don’t blame me if they plan an assassination.”

Elliot’s face flushed with anger as he slammed his small hand against the table, “are you admitting to treason?!”

Flynn shrugged, “I’m merely stating a possibility. Something like that has happened throughout history. A king is not a king without his servants, after all. If you continue like this, you’ll never be a king.” He then cleaned his face with a white handkerchief and got up, “well, in the state you are in now, it’s not like you have a chance anyway…thanking his highness for the meal, but I must tend to the gardenias.”

Elliot quivered in his seat with anger. His flushed face seemed to satisfy Flynn as he went back to the garden and continued his work. The worst thing is, Elliot couldn’t refute him. Gabriel wasn’t the smartest, nor was he the nicest. His only goals were self-centered and small.

He paused as a thought came across his mind. First, he had to act like an angry, spoiled prince; so, he noisily humped and barked, “clean this up!” at the lingering servants before storming back into the estate.

He did his best to make himself look angry, stomping his feet against the hard tile before slamming the door of his chambers.

The servants looked on with nervous knit brows. They didn’t want to deal with an angry little prince, so they quickly went on with their duties.

Ginny was first to react as she quickly made her way towards the prince’s chambers. She gingerly knocked on the wooden door, wanting to inquire what had happened, but Elliot was quick to send her away.

Elliot let out a sigh and pressed himself against the door. He looked at his small wrist before flicking it, letting the light blue interface greeted him cheerily,

System: “Any questions?”

It seemed like the system knew that Elliot wanted to ask something. He thought for a moment before finally asking, “regarding staying in character for Gabriel…What Flynn said to him, Would it be enough for him to change?”

There was no answer on the screen. Elliot grew nervous at the system’s silence; he started to question if it heard him when a line of text popped up.

System: “Processing complete. Gabriel wouldn’t change too much.”

He looked at the line of text and silently celebrated. So, Elliot was not completely locked in Gabriel's ways. He quickly asked, “then, regarding Flynn’s words, wouldn’t he want to work hard and learn about leadership and his kingdom?”

System: “Denied.”

Elliot became visibly confused, but the next line of text made him want to curse,

System: “Regarding Gabriel’s personality, he would complain to Prince Mathew about Flynn’s behavior not necessarily change.”

Dammit.

He was afraid of this, but he knew that Gabriel wouldn’t miss the opportunity of getting more of Mathew’s attention.

Elliot let out a deep sigh. There’s no telling what would happen to Flynn if he complained to Mathew. If he did say something, Flynn would likely be fired or killed. Elliot couldn’t let that happen! Flynn was a key component for him gaining power!

He fell onto the bed, feeling the exhaustion overtake him. He didn’t know when he fell asleep, but a faint knock woke him up.

Slowly opening his eyes, he groggily got up from the bed, wiping away some drool before saying, “come in.”

Ginny slowly opened the door, “Prince Gabriel? Are you feeling alright? You still have your afternoon lessons.”

Elliot froze on the bed. He did forget!

“Ah – Yes I’m alright, just feel a little tired.” He got up from the bed and fixed his clothes. Ginny glanced at him with worry between her brows as she pressed her soft hand onto his forehead. 

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

Elliot gave her a brilliant smile before nodding, “Mn, I’m fine, don’t worry.”

He then quickly made his way towards the study.

A stern woman stood by the desk as she tapped her long nails impatiently onto the wood, but once she noticed Elliot enter the room, she quickly changed her demeanor.

Elliot recognized her as Mrs. Cheng. She was strict with Gabriel and often showed some hidden malice under her gaze.

She swiftly pushed up her thin glasses, clearing her throat, “Prince Gabriel, I see you’re able to make it. Please take a seat; it’s time to review yesterday’s lesson.”

Elliot hesitated as he sat down, trying to bring up Gabriel’s memories of this so-called lesson, but the prince didn’t seem to be interested in the slightest and didn’t retain any memory of it. Elliot could only cry in his heart as he put on a tormented expression.

Mrs. Cheng noticed Elliot’s expression and heaved a heavy sigh. She seemed to have expected this reaction as she opened a textbook, “have you forgotten what we have gone through, Prince Gabriel?”

Elliot furrowed his brows and avoided eye contact, “it seems…I have…” he meekly said.

Gabriel didn’t seem to care about his studies, seeing how Mrs. Cheng rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration.

“Knowing your country’s history is important, Prince Gabriel, you must understand it to understand how things came to be and how to move forward.” She placed the book before Elliot and pointed at the top of the page, “read from here until I tell you to stop.”

Elliot squinted at the dense text with a furrowed brow, but before he could say anything, he heard Mrs. Cheng say, “If you aren’t going to take your studies seriously, then I might have to mention this to Prince Mathew.”

Elliot physically stiffened, but inside he felt like a ray of light was shown in the dark. An opportunity for change has arrived! He thanked Mrs. Cheng in his heart, but he didn’t forget to show his frustrated expression as he started to read.

Elliot took the study session seriously, which pleased Mrs. Cheng. With Elliot’s enthusiasm, the lessons went by quickly, and it was already dinner time before he knew it.

By the time he heard Ginny say dinner was ready, he quickly made his way towards the dining room with shining eyes. He looked like a younger brother that was excited to see his long-seen brother, but in truth, Elliot was starving! He was able to smell the rich aroma during his lessons; it was pure torture.

“Brother!” yet, he still played the part of a younger brother.

Mathew was already seated at the head of the table when he saw Elliot enter the dining room. He smiled softly with a nod, “How were your studies?”

Elliot physically stiffened and slightly stuttered, “I-it went well.” Mathew noticed Elliot’s reaction but didn’t push further as the dishes were placed on the table. Once the food was placed before Elliot, his thoughts were completely thrown to the back of his mind.

The rich aroma of roasted duck filled his nose, making his mouth water. Mathew glanced at his bright-eyed little brother and chuckled to himself as he served him some food. Elliot blinked but didn’t bother stopping Mathew and quickly took a few bites, savoring the tastes as if he was afraid he would never eat again.

It was then that he heard two beeps in his head, making him stop the fork that was midway in his mouth.

System: Side Task loaded: Tell Mathew about Flynn’s behavior. Be sure to make it believable! ~

Elliot choked. Was the system going to force the words out of him? He was hoping that he Wouldnt need to mention this to Mathew.

He cautiously glanced at Mathew before straightening his posture and slowly started to play with his food as if he recalled something. Mathew noticed the change and lifted a brow, “Gabriel? Is there something wrong?”

Elliot pursed his lips before glancing at Mathew with his big watery eyes, “Brother, I was bullied.”

Mathew blinked, but quickly cool his expression, “by who?”

Elliot sweated a bit before he started to play the role of a mistreated child and explained what had happened during lunch. Mathew’s expression grew dark and swiftly told one of the servants to bring in Flynn.

Elliot’s movements stiffened as he saw the lovely gardener walk into the room. Flynn looked indifferent, but still paid his respects to Mathew, “anything I can do for his highness?” he subtly eyed Elliot before looking away.

Mathew lifted his chin as his cold voice chilled the entire room, “have we been treating you too well?”

Flynn narrowed his eyes, immediately understanding what was going on. He slightly bowed before saying, “this servant has gone too far and apologizes to his highness, Prince Gabriel.”

Mathew glowered at Flynn as he leaned back into his seat with a hum, “it seems you understand why I called you here. Very good, then this will be easier. I don't tolerate anyone that takes our royal blood lightly... Gabriel, I'll let you decide how to deal with him.”

Elliot stiffened in his seat as he looked at Flynn, who never relaxed his bow. Sweat started to form on his forehead.

[comment below :0]

> Severe Punishment.

> Dismiss Him.

> Forgive Him.