Countess Jasmine’s long black hair was neatly pinned up by purple jeweled clips. Her round brown eyes crescent as she grinned at Elliot. Her skin was fair and unblemished, making her seem like a delicately crafted porcelain doll. Her age didn’t show on her face. She instantly pulled Elliot into her arms, smothering him.
“I’ve missed you! I’ve asked little Mathew to let me visit many times, but he always said you were unwell to see visitors!”
Elliot couldn’t process as he tried his best to breathe; it wasn’t until Sir Edward calmed the countess down that she finally let go. She lovingly brushed Elliot’s hair with a gentle smile. “My boy, I’m happy to let you in my home! Be sure to ask me anything you might need!”
Elliot was able to stabilize himself before he gave the countess a genial smile, “I’m delighted to see you too, Auntie.”
The words visibly made Jasmine happy as she beamed, “yes, yes, enough talk out here you must be tired! We must get you inside! I have warmed your room quite nicely."
Elliot expressed his gratitude while they made their way into the manor. The Victorian-style home reflected more so inside with large archways and beautiful windows. Exquisite furnishings contained arched legs and intricate carvings. The dark wooden floor was a contrast to the marble floors at Mathew's estate, giving it a cozier atmosphere.
Elliot’s room was decorated very distinctly, with a canopy bed and marble columns. Similar to his room in Mathew’s estate. Elliot discreetly narrowed his eyes. Clearly, this Prince Gabriel had a specific taste.
The room was warm, easing Elliot's aching body. Walking towards the seating area by the bay windows, he glanced around the room before smiling at Jasmine, “I love it, thank you, Auntie.”
Jasmine’s eyes softened as she patted Elliot’s head, “I’m glad.” Taking a seat next to him, she leaned over, “now! Tell me how you’ve been all these years! Has your brother been treating you well? You do seem a bit thinner…”
Elliot thought for the moment before speaking honestly, keeping some details to himself.
Jasmine only showed signs of care towards Elliot, making him want to test the waters, as he hinted of being poisoned. The words never left his mouth but simply saying that his condition was getting worse after taking some medicine and only got better when he stopped; could show what he was implying.
Jasmine's calm face paused with a slight surprise. She hasn't seen this little prince in years, yet she couldn't help but feel he's changed quite a lot. She thought for a moment before returning to her gentle smile, “then, it seems that medicine is no longer needed."
Elliot softly smiled, “Even so, I can’t help but feel very tired these days, and I’m quite scared of these doctors.” He spoke ruefully, “but Mathew wouldn't let me bring my doctor..."
Jasmine watched this coy-acting boy with loving eyes. She felt that even though this child has changed, he was still her cute little nephew. Giving the child a soft smile, she patted his head to appease him, “oh, don’t worry Gabriel, if you don’t like those doctors, I can ask them to leave, as for your doctor…hmm, I can send for him if you’d like?”
Elliot’s eyes brightly shined, “Really Auntie?! Ah…but brother…”
Jasmine laughed, “Oh don’t worry about him! This is my manor! I choose who can come and go! And if it’s a doctor you feel safe with, then I’m sure it’ll be alright!”
Elliot quickly hugged Jasmine as he spoke with a voice as sweet as honey, “thank you, Auntie!~”
Truly! He wasn’t sure if this Aunt of his was as genuine as she was in Gabriel’s memories or two-faced, but after seeing her, she seemed to care for her nephew. Going as far as to ignore the other prince’s orders? This was quite lucky! He paused; perhaps…this was a good opportunity to bring Flynn here?
No, Elliot quickly scrapped the idea. If he did that, then Mathew would truly be furious. Who knew what he would do? Elliot shivered. No, he didn’t want to bite off more than he can chew. Just the doctor is enough. At least this way, he wouldn’t have to worry about being forced to drink any more medicine.
Jasmine didn’t delay and promptly called over a few servants, giving a few orders to send for dr. Phelps before releasing the group of doctors. To her surprise, they seemed rather happy to be sent away. Nearly running back to their carriages before almost forgetting to respectfully say their farewells.
Jasmine couldn’t help but glance at the feeble prince that languidly sat on a small loveseat, sipping tea as a puppy-like boy daunted on the prince, carefully slicing up some apples for him.
Elliot felt his body was as light as a feather one moment, then impossibly heavy the next. He could feel his bodyweight crash onto him, yet he still seemed to be afloat in a dark space. He drifted in the abyss, surrounded by what seemed like static that shimmered around him. Some areas of static spread out like crystal stars in a night sky. While others spiraled around each other, seemingly galactical.
His body felt hot as his head panged. He couldn’t move any limb on his body, even trying to move his eyes was laborious.
“…where?”
His voice didn’t leave his lips and only echoed in his mind with great difficulty. What exactly was this place?! The last thing he remembered was having lunch with the Countess…
Right, he’s been at the estate for no longer than three days... These past three days were painstakingly annoying! He always had to fight his fatigue. At first, his body would only grow tired in the early evening, but eventually, it started earlier. For instance, after dinner, then before dinner…and…now…
“Don’t tell me…!” Elliot couldn’t help but feel a bit of rage surge in his throat. He wanted to scream and argue with the system. Ask it what the hell was going on, but he couldn’t! It was as if something kept his whole body paralyzed from head to toe.
As he drifted in what seemed to be infinite space, the sound of static pierced his ears. An unbearable ringing stung his head as he drifted closer to the spiraling static. Elliot couldn’t help but panic. What can he do? He felt the weight on his head grow deeper, and within that painful ringing there seemed to be a voice.
The voice was indistinguishable underneath the static as if it were on a poorly connected radio. Though as Elliot drew closer, the voice slowly became clear. The voice struck Elliot to his core, making his heart quicken and pang in his chest.
“Elliot! How many times do I have to tell you not to go in there!?”
With a jolt, Elliot opened his eyes. He huffed in a few sharp breathes as his heart raced in his ears. Sweat dripped and dampened the bed he was on. The heat in his body slowly dissipated as a gentle breeze pushed through the sheer canopy, brushing against his forehead. Elliot managed to calm his breathing before he checked his surroundings.
He was back at the estate.
A relieved sigh came from beside him, “You’re awake, and here I thought I would have to bow to Prince Mathew and beg for forgiveness.”
Elliot looked over at the old dr. who brought in a stone mortar and pestle. The stone smelled deeply of herbs, making Elliot focus on it in a daze. Was that just…a weird fever dream? He quickly snapped back as dr. Phelps sat on a chair beside the bed and started to grind some herbs.
“You’ve been asleep for a few weeks,” Phelps spoke solemnly, keeping his gaze on the movements of the pestle.
“…W…what?” Elliot felt sweat drip down his forehead, “What do you mean a few weeks?! I can understand a few days, but weeks?!” Elliot's throat stung as he spoke, making his panic sound hoarse and weak.
Dr. Phelps let out a sigh as he shook his head, “I’m not quite sure myself…it could be a side effect of the poison. Or perhaps your body reacting to the trauma of being pierced. Either way, your body is not as strong as others…and I’m afraid that after what happened…”
The doctor’s voice trailed off, only leaving Elliot to feel uneasy. He bit his lip and couldn’t help but grimace, “afraid of what?”
The doctor glanced at the small prince, studying him for a moment before finally speaking, “your goal…what is it?”
Elliot was taken aback by his words. He couldn’t help but blurt out, “what?”
The doctor watched the boy and let out a sigh once more as if laying a layer of pity onto the child. Elliot couldn’t help but frown, despising the feeling.
“I told your servant that the effects of the poison would shorten your life. I assumed two to three years…but that was before your body suffered through great trauma…now…” the doctor adjusted himself in his seat as he solemnly started at the boy, “I would predict you won't live past a year.”
Elliot felt his hot body suddenly grow cold. Though his expression was unperturbed, his eyes visibly darkened. A year?! What the hell?! What was this bs that the system threw at him?!
The doctor dreadfully shook his head, “I’m sorry...I wish I could do more to help, but you know how difficult it is to create the antidote...and even if made successfully, I’m not sure…well…”
Elliot understood without further explanation. There was no telling if the antidote would help him if his body was already at this stage! What king? What nonsense was all this?! Was the system punishing him for something he did?! Elliot shivered; he recalled the system mentioning a punishment if he failed a task. He didn't want to find out what that might be if this world was the supposed punishment-free world!
Elliot let out a deep sigh pressing his palm to his forehead, "...well at least you're here doctor...I'm not sure if I would have survived with my brother's people around..."
Dr. Phelps watched Elliot with an askance expression, "this...Prince Gabriel...I may not know much about the royal family, but it seems to me that Prince Mathew is quite good to you. Well- relatively. Still, I'm sure he would keep you safe, and he is the strongest out of all the others. Yet it seems like you...um..."
"I'm being difficult?" Elliot straightened himself on the bed, resting his head on the wooden headboard. He watched the doctor grow nervous before making a light nod. "Forgive me for saying this Prince Gabriel, but you seem to be trying to distance yourself from the Crown Prince. Something like this, I can't help but question...what your motive is."
Elliot eyed dr. Phelps before giving him a dark smirk, "what do you think?"
Phelps gulped down and spoke hoarsely, "I think you're trying to become king."
Elliot lifted a brow, "evidence?"
Phelps coughed before speaking clearly. "Why would you feel the need to leave the safety of the Crown Prince? Unless you yourself know that someday he will betray you...and for that to happen he would have to see you as a threat."
Elliot narrowed his eyes, before chuckling, "you think I'm capable to pose as a threat to the great Crown Prince? You think highly of me, doctor."
Phelps shook his head before taking out an envelope from his coat, he stared at it for a moment, before handing it to Elliot. "This came for you while you were unconscious. don't give me that look. It was Sir Edward who opened it..."
Elliot let out a sigh, there really was no respect for this little prince was there? The letter didn't have an address nor did it say who wrote it. He gingerly pulled out the stationary from the envelope and scanned the contents of the letter. His unperturbed face slowly darkened.
The letter was written in fine cursive made with a delicate hand, though he couldn't recognize the handwriting. He didn't need to. The letter was only one sentence, and this was enough for him to figure it was from Ginny.
[ Flynn is missing. ]
Elliot felt his heart twinge, confused he let out a deep sigh, calming his mind. To think Sir Edward read this letter first, he would've already told Mathew about this. He had to thank Ginny for keeping it simple and sweet. He glanced at Phelps with an askance expression.
Though he gently shook his head. "I know nothing about this. The last time I saw him was when you were still at the estate."
Elliot paused and stared at the letter. He wasn't killed...was he?
"Not likely."
Elliot looked up, puzzled before he realized he spoke aloud.
Phelps continued, "Prince Mathew wouldn't kill I'm without reason...you would likely be it."
Elliot bit his lip, "Then...where did he go?" his voice held a slight unease.
[What to do? OwO Comment below!]
>Have Ginny Investigate
>Ask for Mathew's help
>Trust in Flynn
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