Learning Curve.

The parents enter the medical room and Mrs. Andino sprint and pushes everyone aside to go hug her son. She holds him tightly and this makes him murmur in pain caused by the hug.

''Mama, you're hurting me.''

''That's good. This should teach you a lesson.'' Mrs. Andino finally lets go of him. 

''Pops, Mama. I'm really sorry, I should've told you guy.'' Apollo bows as he is seating on the bed.

''It's fine son, the only thing that matters right now is your well-being.'' mentions Mr. Andino.

Conrad walks in the room along with Godfrey who steps in after him. Mr. and Mrs. Andino bow as a form of greeting as he walks in, he does the same in response. With a disciplined posture he stretches his hand towards Apollo's parents.

''Good day Mr. and Mrs. Andino.''

They smile at him and both of them shake his hand.

''What well manners.'' Mrs. Andino whispers to her husband.

''What do you expect? He's a prince after all.''

Mrs. Andino looks at the bed that's on the other side of Apollo's bed and notices Amari quietly sitting there quietly look out the window. He is covered with bandages all over his body excluding his eyes and nose. Amari seems to be enjoying the scenery of the forest from his view, the wind that enters through the window makes it even better.

He then determines the different colors and shapes of the trees that can be seen amongst the green trees. He sees the significance of how a tree, regardless of how it looks has the same values and meanings of any other tree, but the time and way it grows could be different from one another. Strangely enough the difference of that tree could be what gives it value, what makes it special.

''Okay! now that everyone is here, let's discuss what's at hand.'' Josef announces. ''We've talked to Apollo's parents, and they seemed to agree with what we have offered. We've executively decided that we'll send out troops from the Wachter Guild to go and catch these slave owners.''

Josef pauses and looks at the other parents.

''We've also decided that your friendship to one another, considering your futures will be a distraction on your education and focus on the future.''

''Bullshit!'' 

''Father!''

Conrad and Apollo both scream in unison. Mrs. Andino slaps Apollo on the top of his head, he looks at her at a very displeased way. Amari doesn't seem to be shocked by this statement.

''Father, they have been my friends for weeks and my grades haven't decreased, in fact they have improved drastically.''

''Exactly what he said.''

''The decision is final. We can't risk putting you at danger, did you perhaps forget you're the son of a king! Being friends with these kids will them and you in danger!''

Conrad starts to enrage, he clenches his fists and jaw, one could see the vain pop out his forehead. They can't oppose to this, as they don't how to and what to say.

''What about Amari, what will happen to him.'' Apollo asks.

''He'll be-''

''I decline your offer.'' Amari interrupts calmly.

''You don't even know what he was about to suggest.'' States Hilda.

''I don't want to be in some orphanage.''

The room becomes quiet. Unlike his two friends who look like they are filled with rage, Amari's demeanor is calm, and he isn't showing any signs of discontent. 

''I had a feeling you would disagree on that.'' Claims Mrs. Andino

Everyone turns their attention to her. As she walks around Apollo's bed and goes to Amari's side. She approaches Amari and puts her hand on his shoulder in order to comfort him. 

''So, I thought of an alternative just in case something like this happens. No matter what we have to get you of the streets so why don't we give him a guardian.''

Everyone stares at her in confusion but are eager to hear where her idea goes.

''Nana.''

''Which Nana? our Nana?'' Apollo asks.

''Yes. Our Nana.''

''Who's Nana?'' 

''She was my guardian growing up. She also helped me with looking after Apollo and his sister when they were growing up. She's basically my mother and their grandmother.''

''Nana is actually a good idea, if you think about it.'' claims Mr. Andino.

''It would be a good idea, if Amari agrees.'' 

Everyone looks at Amari expecting an answer.

''I want to meet her first. I'll decide after.''

''Okay! we'll take that! You'll like her the moment you guys meet.'' Mrs. Andino claps her hands in excitement.

The room returns to being quiet.

''So, we agree that you three won't be friends anymore, correct?'' Declares Josef.

The boys then stare at one another. Amari then nods at both of them, and nods at Josef and to Apollo's parents. Apollo and Conrad don't seem to want to agree on this.

''I don't... mind.'' 

''Hey, as long as you have a nice place to stay with food and warmth, you'll be fine. Right?''

''Yeah.'' Amari smiles.

Amari and Apollo look at Conrad waiting for him to also be on board, but he seems to be the least happy and convinced by this. He looks furious.

''Conrad, it's cool right?''

''Why? why are you guys okay with this?''

''We... we have to consider our saf-''

''BULLSHIT!! that's a bunch of bullshit and you guys of all people know it!!''

Conrad's rage increases by the second, a dark aura surrounds him.

''We're friends and you guys are okay with just throwing that away!! I just won't accept it, that ju-''

Conrad receives a hug from Amari, that everyone in the room including Conrad didn't register until seconds after. This surprised everyone in the room because Apollo and Conrad have never considered him as someone who gives hugs. The rest of the room were just surprised by his speed, which was irregular for a boy as young as Amari to have.

''We aren't throwing anything away. The three of us will always be friends, that's something that can't change. Besides, we'll always find each other later in our lives.''

''Amari's right, we won't always be separated forever. Right?''

Apollo looks at his parents, and they both nod in agreement. Everyone agrees, Conrad runs out the room. Godfrey and Hilda go after him while calling him.

''I would like to thank you for being with us and understanding our condition.''

''It's our pleasure, your majesty.''

''Please excuse me, I'll have to go handle this family matter. I'll send servants to be at your aid while you are here.''

Everyone bows as Josef leaves the room, and leaves Amari with Apollo and his parents.

...

Hilda enters the room and finds Conrad covering his face with a pillow, while lying on his back. She goes to sit next to his bed and holds his hand.

''Son. We're sorry, but we had to look after your safety and their safety. The world is full of people like the ones you met some more dangerous than the other. And I just can't take a risk of losing any of you ever. So please... please understand why we're doing this.''

Conrad removes the pillow in frustration and lifts himself up to sit up straight.

''Mother, you are the one who said I should make friends out there, you are the one who encouraged me to be social and create genuine friendships. But now you expect me to just leave my friends forever. That isn't fair! you guys aren't being fair!''

''I know! but you have to understand that this isn't something we haven't thought through, you'll just have to trust us. Trust me.''

''I hate you guys!! I hate you for doing this to me!! Just leave me alone!!''

''Conrad...''

Conrad screams at the top of his lounges while he buries his head in the same pillow. Hilda stands up and leaves the room, she's on the verge of crying but forces herself not to.

After his mother left, Conrad gets up and paces around the room. He grabs a small decoration pebble and throws it on the floor, he moves on to another object and does the same. He carries on with other furniture where he throws it around on the floor. Godfrey walks in to see what the matter is.

''Is everything okay? Your highness.''

''I don't think it is, Godfrey.''

''Is there a way I may help sir?''

''I don't you'll be able to help me, Godfrey''

''Sir, there's a lot of ways for me to help you.'' 

''Godfrey... I desire to become strong, the strongest.''

''Your highness, I've been waiting your whole life for you to ask me that.''