The space around them was endless, a blank white void stretching in all directions. There was nothing—no walls, no sky, no signs of life. Just two figures sitting at a table, their presence the only thing grounding reality in this strange place.
Conrad sat across from the boy, studying him carefully. His clothes were torn, barely covering his body. Dried blood crusted his skin, his frame trembling with exhaustion.
Yet, despite it all, he was still here. Still fighting.
Conrad leaned forward, fingers interlocked. His voice was calm, curious.
"Why do you keep fighting to live?"
The boy blinked, the question hanging between them.
"Because… I believe," he answered simply.
"In what?"
"You don't look like someone with a reason to keep going."
The boy inhaled deeply, holding Conrad's gaze. "I may not look like it," he admitted, "but I do want to live."
"Even in your condition?"
"No," the boy confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not like this. But I'll try… If you were in my position, would you want to die?"
Conrad stiffened slightly.
"What?"
"If you had survived everything I've survived… would you want to end your life?"
Conrad jolted awake.
His breath was uneven, his mind clouded by the strange dream.
What was that?
He sat up, scanning his surroundings, reassuring himself that he was safe.
His bedroom. His walls. His possessions.
Relief washed over him.
Shaking off the remnants of the dream, he grabbed his gown and stepped out. As he made his way toward the dining room, he spotted Godfrey in the hallway.
"Ah, Godfrey," Conrad greeted, "just the person I wanted to see."
Godfrey bowed slightly. "Your Highness. I was on my way to wake you. What can I do for you?"
"I'd rather talk after breakfast. Meet me in my room afterward."
"Understood, sir."
Conrad entered the dining hall, where the rest of the family was already seated, enjoying their meal.
He slid into his chair, quietly plating his food.
"Oh, nice to see you up," his mother, Queen Hilda, remarked. "Feeling better?"
"What?"
"Godfrey mentioned you were unwell yesterday. Are you feeling well enough to go to school today?"
Conrad hesitated. "Ah… no. I'm not fully recovered yet. I think I'll rest a little more."
Hilda raised a brow. "Just don't fake being sick to avoid school."
"N-No, not at all, Mother."
Hans, seated beside him, leaned in slightly.
"Brother," he murmured, "is everything alright?"
"Yes?" Conrad frowned. "Why do you ask?"
"You're wearing your sleeping clothes at the dining table," Hans pointed out. "You never eat in your pajamas."
Conrad glanced down at himself.
Hans was right.
"And," Hans continued, lowering his voice, "I didn't see you all day yesterday."
Conrad tried to brush off the concern. "It's nothing, brother. I just… haven't been sleeping well."
Hans studied him for a moment before shrugging and returning to his meal.
Conrad finished eating quickly and left the table without a word.
Minutes later, Godfrey stepped into the room to find Conrad staring out the window, deep in thought.
"Apologies for the delay, Your Highness," Godfrey said. "I was—"
"It's fine," Conrad interrupted. He turned to face him. "Thank you for coming."
"Anything for you, sir."
"Let's get straight to business." Conrad folded his arms. "As you may know, I went to the woods the other night. While I was there, I encountered a boy."
Godfrey's brow lifted slightly.
"Oh? So, you made a friend?"
Conrad shook his head. "No. Quite the opposite—he almost killed me."
Godfrey straightened. "...And you want to meet him again?"
"Yes."
Godfrey sighed. "May I ask why?"
Conrad looked back toward the window, his voice steady. "Because the fact that he didn't kill me when he had the chance is what intrigues me."
"With all due respect, sir," Godfrey said firmly, "that's foolish."
"I know," Conrad admitted, "which is why I want you to come with me."
Godfrey frowned. "And why would I do that?"
"Because I have good reason to." Conrad turned back to him, his gaze sharp. "What if that boy needs someone like me in his life? Right now, he's too dangerous. And if we leave him alone, he'll become an even greater threat to our nation. I think we should reach him before that happens."
Godfrey considered his words. "...And what if he refuses to cooperate? What if he tries to kill you?"
"Then that's where you come in." Conrad's voice was cold, unwavering.
"You kill him."
Godfrey stiffened slightly at the casual tone.
A twelve-year-old saying something like that wasn't normal.
But then again… Conrad had never been a normal child.
His entire life had been shaped by logic, politics, and calculated decisions—never emotion.
Godfrey sighed.
"Why not let His Majesty handle this?"
"Because I want to handle it," Conrad stated firmly. "No one in my family needs to know."
Another pause.
Then—
"Alright," Godfrey relented. "I'll go with you."
"Good. We leave after dinner."
Godfrey nodded. "Understood, sir." He bowed and exited the room.
Conrad exhaled, turning toward his bookshelf. He scanned the selection before picking up a thick book with gold lettering against its emerald-green cover.
"The True Essence of Mankind."
"Interesting," he muttered.
He settled at his desk, reading until noon.
Later, Conrad bathed and dressed, preparing for his meeting.
When he stepped out, Godfrey was already waiting.
"You're early," Conrad remarked.
"Wouldn't want to keep you waiting, sir."
"Just give me a moment," Conrad said, fetching a furniture artifact to store clothes for the boy. He handed another to Godfrey for food storage.
When everything was packed and ready, Conrad made his way toward the window—preparing to leap out.
Godfrey quickly stopped him.
"Sir, what are you doing?"
"Leaving."
"You do realize we have a perfectly good door, don't you?"
Conrad huffed. "I don't want them to see me."
"You're leaving with me this time," Godfrey reminded him. "His Majesty will allow it."
Conrad considered this, then nodded. "Fine."
They exited properly.
Before leaving the palace, they encountered King Josef.
"Father."
Josef turned. "Yes, son?"
"Godfrey and I were planning to take a walk outside the palace gates. May we go?"
Josef gave him a pointed look. "What's wrong with walking inside the gates?"
Godfrey stepped in smoothly. "If I may, Your Majesty—I suggested he experience more of the outside world. And what better place to start than the nature surrounding the palace?"
Josef studied him, then nodded.
"Alright. Just don't be out too long."
The two left without issue.