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When he regained consciousness, there were people surrounding him. With eyes half open, Elliot eyed the familiar faces—Catarina, Henrique, Victoria, Charlotte, and several servants. He blinked a few times before managing a sentence. “Where am I?”

Catarina’s shoulders fell in relief as her son woke up. She patted her chest softly, leaning on her husband’s shoulder as he rubbed her arm softly. “Oh, Goddess,” she sighed in relief.

“You are in Victoria’s room,” Henrique stepped in with his explanation, still holding his wife in his arms.

“You made us worried a lot, you know?” Victoria chipped in, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “If Charlotte hadn’t come—” she shook her head and furrowed her eyebrows. “Oh, Goddess, I can’t imagine that.”

Elliot tilted his head, puzzled. “What happened?” he asked, looking alternately at the people in the room with genuine confusion.

Charlotte stepped into the conversation, hands on hips. “Did you leave the balcony door open?” she leaned, piercing an accusation gaze at her older brother.

“I... did,” Elliot’s gaze dropped, realizing what he had done. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain how something deep within his mind urged him to leave it open—but decided against it and closed his mouth, letting the ambiguity lingered.

Charlotte straightened her back, curling her lips. “I found you... being strangled by a strange guy,” she explained with a small, hushed voice as though she was scared an uninvited guest were eavesdropping.

“A guy,” Elliot chirped, looking around the room. Silly him, there was no way the intruder would be with them. “Where is he?”

Charlotte’s gaze darkened. “He’s on the first floor,” she answered rather coolly. “Locked and chained in a room with a few guards in charge.”

Elliot frowned, processing the information for a second. When things clicked in his mind, he straightened his back, alerted. “I have to see him,” he stated firmly.

Charlotte’s eyes widened, as surprised as the rest of the group. “What?” she raised her voice, fury and disbelief surged in her tone.

“I have to see him. Alone,” Elliot repeated; eyes trained to the door as he was ready to get up.

Charlotte’s jaw hardened; her glares pierced the young master in fuming anger. “Are you out of your mind?” she lashed out, raising her voice to the young master. “He almost killed you, and you want to see him? Alone? What has gotten into your head?”

Charlotte’s anger startled Elliot. He turned to his friend, who was so furious her face turned red. He remained calm, deciding that one of them had to keep their composure. Eyes flickered to the maid, Elliot stated firmly, “We might get information from him, and I am the one to dig it.”

Charlotte clicked her tongue, shaking her head in frustration. “Why does it have to be you?” she dropped her shoulders and asked, her voice strained. “There are so many people here. Why does it have to be you?”

Elliot kept his gaze straight, though letting silence taking over their conversation. He then shifted his gaze towards his parents, eyes signaling for nothing but approval. The couple looked at each other, unsure with the proposal. Their hesitation was understandable, though. The stranger had almost killed their son, and now said son wanted to meet the murderer?

Victoria put her hands on her hips, huffing impatiently. “Just let him be,” she suggested in annoyance. “At least he’s awake and the boy is detained. If Elliot is in danger, he can just scream like a little kid. The guards are watching on the door, anyway, right?” she winked mischievously to her brother.

Usually, the unnecessary remarks could get them into a small sibling quarrel, but, now, Elliot could only be grateful that she got his back. He broke into a grateful smile.

Catarina and Henrique stared at Victoria, who remained sturdy with her words. They drifted their gazes to the son and, although reluctant, agreed with their daughter. “Alright, as you wish,” Catarina answered cautiously in a hushed voice. “Just... watch for yourself.”

Elliot was beaming in delight. He bowed to his parents with utter gratefulness, then turned to Victoria. “Show me the way,” he ordered his sister in high spirit.

Raising her eyebrows and smirking smugly, Victoria teased, “You love to order people around, eh?” while also walking out of the room. Elliot followed directly behind her.

Victoria did not close the door to her room—as there were still a group of people inside—and she treaded her way through the corridor. “I wonder why you want to see him?” she asked, finally. She had wanted to ask it ever since before, but she knew if she asked, their parents would not let Elliot meet the boy. At least, if Charlotte nor Victoria could back him up, they would be more lenient. However, Charlotte was not as generous as letting Elliot’s idea ran wild. Instead, Victoria had to step in.

Elliot frowned at the question. He did not know the answer. All he knew was he had to see him. He debated whether he should tell Victoria or not, and he decided to. “My guts are telling me to see him.”

Victoria crossed her hands in front of her chest. “Why?”

The young master shook his head and let the question hung between them. The little sister decided that she should not pry any longer. The siblings remained in awkward silence along the way, until they arrived at the room in question.

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