An official encounter.

They are surrounded by the nothing but white background, both Conrad and the boy are seating on a table having a conversation. The boy's clothes are wrecked, and he is almost naked and covered with dry blood. He also looks very exhausted.

''Why do you still fight to live?'' Conrad asks.

''Because... I believe.'' 

''In what? you don't look like someone who has a reason to live.''

''But I do want to live.''

''Do you think you'll be able to remain alive in that condition?''

''No, I don't but I'll try... if you were in my situation would you want to die?''

''What?''

''If you survived what I'm surviving would you want to end your life?''

Conrad finally wakes up from the weird dream and looks around his room to clarify where he is. He was relieved that he was in his room. He grabs his gown and exits the room. On his way to the dining room, he encounters Godfrey.

''Ah Godfrey, just the person I wanted to meet.''

''Your highness... I was on my way to wake you up... what did you need from me sir?''

''I'd rather talk about it after breakfast. Meet me in my room then.''

''Understood, sir.'' 

Conrad walks in the dining room and everyone in the family is already there and is dining. He sits and starts plating.

''Oh nice to see you this morning. Are you doing better?'' Asks Hilda

''What?''

''Godfrey said you were sick yesterday, are going to be able to go to school today?''

''Oh no, I haven't fully healed yet, I think I'll just rest some more.''

''Okay... just don't act sick to skip school.''

''N-No not at all, mother.''

''Brother, is everything okay?'' whispers Hans.

''Yes? why do you ask?''

''You're in your sleeping clothes, during breakfast. You never eat in your pajamas. And also, the fact that I didn't see you the whole day yesterday.''

Conrad realizes that Hans is right.

''Oh, it's nothing brother, it's just my lack of sleep that's all.''

Hans shrugs and carries on eating his breakfast. Conrad finishes before everyone and leaves without any announcement. Minutes after Godfrey enters the room and sees Conrad staring out the window patiently waiting for him.

''Sorry for being late your highness, I was-''

''It's okay Godfrey, thank you for coming.''

''Anything for you, your highness.''

''Let's get straight to business... As you may know I went to the woods the other night. While I was there, I encountered a boy.''

''Oh, so you made a friend... that's good sir.''

''No, no it's quite the opposite... he almost killed me... but he chose not to. Which leads me to the point I want to make. I want to go and see him.''

''Sorry sir, but you want to meet the boy that almost killed you.''

''Yes.''

''May I ask why sir?''

''Because the fact that he didn't kill me when he could've, is what intrigues me.''

''With all due respect sir, that's foolish.''

''I know it is, that's why I want you to come with me.''

''Why would I want to do that?''

''Because I have a good reason to do so. What if that boy needs someone like me to come into their life? Right now, he is too dangerous, and if we leave him be, he will become more dangerous for our nation then we can ever imagine. I think we should save him before he becomes a threat.''

''What if he doesn't cooperate and wants to kill you?''

''That's where you come in.... you kill him.''

A twelve-year-old saying those kinds of words wasn't normal. But for Conrad he grew up in the world of politics. He was always taught to solve problems with logic and not emotion. Godfrey felt sad for Conrad. 

''Why don't you let his majesty deal with this?''

''Because I want to deal with this myself, no one in my family needs to know about this.''

''Okay then. I'll join you.''

''Good, we leave after dinner, noon.''

Godfrey bows and exits the room. Conrad goes and starts searching through his bookshelf for something to read. His books are all scientific and educational. He picks up one of them, its thicker than most of his books and looks new to his collection. He looks at the cover and there's nothing, but words written in gold on the green covered book. 

''The True Essance of Mankind. This is a new one.'''

Conrad goes to his study desk and starts reading the book. He reads it for the whole morning until noon.

After reading some of the book he goes to take a bath and get himself ready to go out. And when finished he gets out his bathroom and Godfrey was waiting for him in his bedroom.

''Oh, you're already here? Could you wait for me? I was just about to wear my clothes and we'll be heading out.''

''Take your time, sir.''

Conrad goes to his closet and wears his attire. Since he'll be surrounded by trees and green, he wears a green and gold suit with a white shirt underneath.

He fetches a furniture artifact to store some clothes for the boy. He also sends Godfrey to store some food in another artifact. He finally returns and everything was ready, and they were set to leave. Conrad attempts to jump out the window.

''Your highness, what are you doing?'' Godfrey stops him.

''We're leaving.''

''But why can't we leave through the front door.''

''Because I don't want them to see me.''

''You'll be leaving with me this time. His and her majesty will allow you to leave if you are with me.''

''Yes... you're right.''

The leave the room. Before leaving the house the encounter King Josef in the passageway.

''Father.'' 

''Yes son?''

''Godfrey and I were planning on taking a walk outside the palace gates, may we go?''

''What's wrong with walking inside the gates?''

''If you don't mind me speaking your majesty, I suggested he should experience the outside world more and what's better to begin with then the nature surrounding the palace.''

''Okay, don't be out for long.''

Conrad noticed how quick his father accepted the proposal. He realized the difference was Godfrey, his father trusted Godfrey even with something that seemed unusual. The two walk outside and through the garden of the palace. Queen Hilda was busy paint while Princess Gerta was playing with her dolls.

''Hey, you two, where are you going?'' Hilda asks.

''Godfrey was taking me outside the palace gates for a walk.''

''Okay, be safe okay!"

''Can I also come?'' Gerta asks.

''Next time, Gerta. And I promise I'll take you with us. Okay?''

''Really?''

''I promise.''

They walk out the gate and the guards open the gates and bow as they walk out. They walk on the road until they aren't visible to the guards, then they enter the forest.

''Where did you see this boy?''

''I remember hearing river so we should investigate there.''

They head for the river. The closer they got to the river they started seeing trails of blood. 

''He seems close.''

''Well, that was easy.''

Godfrey points at Amari who is washing himself with the river. The get closer and his behind a tree. Amari suddenly disappears in a blink of an eye. Then reappears behind Conrad with a dagger pointing at his neck. Godfrey is also behind Amari ready to fight. Conrad is in shock and can't find himself to move. He felt the same feeling he felt the other night.

''Don't do something you'll regret.'' Godfrey ordered.

Amari let's down his dagger.

''You should stop doing that... one day you'll kill someone you wish you didn't kill.'' said Conrad

''What do you want from me?'' 

''I just want to talk to you, and I've bought you some clothes.''

''No thanks, now leave.''

''I would advise you to keep your mouth shut.'' 

''Godfrey... please allow me.''

The two look at one another, wind fills the silence amongst the three. Amari is calculating how he can fight the two. 

''Before you start fighting, I have something for you.''

He pulls out the artifact and gets some clothes out of it including food.

''Why?''

''Because I want to help you. But in exchange we have to talk, like normal people.''

Conrad hands him the clothes, causing Amari to be confused. He wants to decline Conrad's offer but think of how he doesn't have food and clothes.

''I'm willing to cooperate, for now.''

''That's good to hear.'' Conrad smiles.