M: "Yeah, I'm starving," Mandara agreed, following the others, Derogan followed too but looked like he had something else on his mind.

"Sir England, if it's alright with you, can we go back to the place I was captured yesterday," he asked, fiddling with a loose feather, "I want to say goodbye to Thunderstrike."

———

Rowen caught up with Anglo and Saxon and said that he would be joining them.

"It's not because I don't trust you, it's because I do want to see how he's doing," he clarified, "and ... to apologize to him and you two for letting Derogan and Sir England run off under my watch since it was my responsibility to keep you all accounted for. My foolishness caused my king to be severely injured and for you to be forced to stay longer than you should have, I am deeply sorry."

N: "We understand. We all feel responsible for what happened to him yesterday, and frankly, I should have kept a better eye on my son," replied Anglo as they made their way to the king's room.

"And us staying postpones my impending doom back in Britain," joked Saxon, earning a wing slap from Anglo.

"What he was trying to say," Anglo corrected, annoyed by the entity's bluntness, "is that, despite the unfortunate events, we have enjoyed our time here in the small pockets of peace." He added, "and since we would probably not be able to come again, we will treasure those moments," he added, not knowing that Mandoria had lifted the restrictions. When he had finished they arrived at the bedroom doors.

———

"Are you sure," England asked, but when he saw Derogan's sure expression, he gave in.

"But wouldn't there be any Prussians around," Johann asked worryingly, but England explained why.

"All of the Prussians were dealt with," he turned to Derogan, "Let's go."

M: "Thank you," Derogan said quietly.

"Can't we eat first, I'm hungry," Mandara whined.

"It'll be quick, I promise," Derogan reassured him.

They asked a knight to come with them for safety and walked back to the place Derogan's horse was shot at. It took a while since they were on foot but eventually made it to the body. Despite being dead for hours, Thunderstrike's body was relatively untouched except for a few carrion birds, which flew away when the group approached.

Derogan was the only one who went up to his horse, kneeling by its head and petting its neck.

"I'm sorry boy," the prince said sadly, "we've been through a lot together haven't we, and I know that Cinnamon will miss you too, you were practically siblings. I know you're somewhere better, and maybe someday we will meet again, but for now, I hope you can find peace."

He leaned down and hugged his horse, "goodbye my friend, I'll miss you so much."

———

The guards again were hesitant about letting anyone who wasn't a doctor in, but when Rowen said that the king requested them they let the three enter. There were two doctors there making sure Mandoria's wounds were clean and that he wasn't in too much discomfort, Mandoria opened his eyes when he heard his visitors come in, smiling slightly.

N: Both Anglo and Saxon slightly bowed in respect, as well as Anglo lowered his wings to acknowledge the presence of the King Wing. The winged country was happy that Mandoria was being treated, while the entity was simply glad that he was alive.

"We are sorry," Saxon solemnly spoke, "for the trouble that we have caused, and for your current condition."

"Sir Saxon and I were told that you wanted to meet us. Is there something that you wanted to discuss?"

———

When Johann saw the body, he couldn't believe that the healthy young horse that he met yesterday was the same one that was lying still in front of him. The boy walked up to Derogan and placed his hand on his shoulder, "I can see that the both of you were the closest of friends, and I'm sure that a wonderful friend like Thunderstrike will surely find peace."

M: "He was my best friend," Derogan said, sitting up straight, "I raised him since he was a foal, we've been on many adventures together, I just wish our last one didn't come so soon."

Mandara had come up and placed a hand on his brother's other shoulder, Derogan looked up to him and a silent message passed between them. Derogan spoke in Mandorian to the knight that came with them, he nodded and stepped towards the deceased animal, kneeling on one knee with the princes. The three prayed in Mandorian over Thunderstrike, then the brothers plucked a feather from their wings, Mandara gave one to the knight too. They raised the feathers to their foreheads, said a few more prayers, then set the feathers on the horse's body.

The knight patted Derogan's shoulder comfortingly before standing up, the brothers following.

"Ok, we can go home now, " Derogan said, wiping his eyes.

———

Mandoria nodded, he opened his mouth to try to speak but one of the doctors stopped him, "you cannot attempt to speak yet, your Highness, your throat has been  damaged and needs to heal."

Mandoria rolled his eyes but didn't argue, not like he could to begin with, so he tried to speak through vibrations to Anglo.

"Yes, I wanted to thank you both for your actions against the Prussians," he was saying, "there was nothing either of you could have done to prevent what happened, even if England and Derogan hadn't run away, my sons play in that forest all the time and would have run into them eventually, and the outcome could have been worse if you two and England were not here. I thank you dearly."

N: When Anglo had translated what Mandoria said, his shoulders relaxed from some tension he didn't know he had. However, what the king said didn't sit well with Saxon.

"I believe that both Sir Anglo and I are grateful to have found grace in your sight, but I will not accept it. Many things could have prevented what happened, and people were hurt because of it. And it all started when I came with my issues to this kingdom. Now I understand what Derogan was saying about me being cursed: everyone around me gets hurt but I get minimal to no injuries."

———

England silently watched from a distance as the Mandorians prayed over the fallen horse, and Johann walked up to him to also give them space. Both of them were not familiar with the ritual nor did they understand Mandorian; however, they knew that it was in honor of Thunderstrike so they both lowered their heads in respect.

When the country heard they were ready to go, he nodded and led the group back to the castle.

M: Mandoria's brows furrowed when Saxon told on Derogan, Rowen also looked troubled despite knowing that.

"I assure you, you're not cursed, my friend," Mandoria said with his wings, "I believe in a lot of things but curses are not one of them. What you perceive as a curse is just coincidental misfortunes, nothing more. Sir Saxon, my kingdom is constantly targeted by Prussians, not a year goes by without some sort of altercation, whether it is by my people, me, or even my children. I have been injured by the Prussians more times than I can count and it was only a matter of time before Mandara and Derogan were targeted too."

Mandoria winced when a doctor was unwrapping his wing to change the bandage, the wound underneath was gruesome; a large gash across the width of the arm, bone could be seen within too so the other doctor left to get something.

"None of this is your doing, Saxon," Mandoria said once he calmed down from the pain, "no matter what others say or what you have done in other countries, I know you would wish no ill-will to me or my sons, they see you as a friend, something I'm sure is hard to come by with your line of work, I don't believe you would cause any harm to them."

N: Saxon only silently listened as Anglo translated, taking in the kind word of Mandoria, nodding along to what he said. He nodded not necessarily to agree but to accept what he heard.

When Anglo saw the king's injured wing, he quickly glanced away from the sight. "Is there anything that I could help with," he asked as he mustered the stomach to examine the wound.

M: The doctor shook her head and spoke in Mandorian.

"No, it's best to leave this to us," Rowen translated, "I understand you want to help since you too have wings but we know more about resetting fractured bones than even you long-lived countryhumans, though it would be good for you to leave as soon as you are finished so his Highness can rest."

"Before you go, you should know that I am resending the restrictions,  "Mandoria said, "I was angered and frustrated back then, and even though I still would appreciate it if military groups did not come here unannounced, I think that it would be nice to have you two and your son visit every now and then, I know that the children would enjoy it, seen as how fond of you they have become."

N: Anglo nodded, "Doctors are the most skilled people, and I have never doubted the skill of one." After he had translated, he silently thanked Mandoria before taking his leave along with Saxon.

———

Once they arrived back at the castle, wanting to raise the spirits of the princes, England rushed ahead. He headed straight to the kitchen where he met with the main chef, and after exchanging some words and recipes, he came back to the group.

"Sir, England," Johann asked, puzzled at the country's behavior, "where did you go?"

"You will know soon enough," replied England, a small smile forming on his face as they made their way towards the dining hall.

M: The brothers exchanged intrigued glances but didn't press further, just silently following the English country to the dining hall. When they got there and sat down, Derogan lay his head on his arms and just deflated, not feeling very energetic or hungry, Mandara wrapped a wing around his sibling's shoulders but Derogan didn't react to it.

"Whatever you did, Sir England, I hope it was enough to lift him out of the pit," Mandara commented."

———

When Anglo and Saxon left, Rowen said his well-wishes to Mandoria and followed the countryhumans.

"That went better than I anticipated," Rowen commented, "I do hope the king will regain his voice soon though. I predict the children and England will be in the dining hall by now, perhaps we should join them?"

N: "I think we should, and besides, I'm feeling a bit peckish myself," Anglo said, so they made their way towards the dining hall.

Back in the dining hall, Johann sat beside England and opposite Derogan, and seeing his friend's sad countenance, he wanted to cheer him up. "I'll be right back," he told the group before quickly running out of the dining hall. When he left the hall, he ran past Anglo, Saxon, and Rowen and made his way to the kitchen. Asking a servant, he was able to obtain two containers: one containing salt, another containing spicy powder.

After a confused England got over Johann's abrupt departure, he replied, "I do not know if it would help him completely, but I hope that it would help one way or another."

M: Mandara hummed but said nothing, he was curious about Johann's sudden leave but he guessed that he was doing or getting something to cheer up Derogan.

Rowen, Anglo, and Saxon arrived soon after and the first thing the human noticed was Derogan's glum appearance, "what's wrong Derogan, aren't you happy that your father is awake?"

"We went to say goodbye to Thunderstrike before coming here," Mandara answered for his brother, who hummed in confirmation.

N: Anglo nodded, "saying goodbye is the hardest thing to do, especially to someone close as you were to Thunderstrike."

When they were all seated, a small group of servants and the main chef came to provide breakfast. As requested by England, they had brought an English breakfast for everyone, complete with beans, eggs, sausages, and toast.

"Although this might not be what you're used to," England said, nodding in thanks to the chef, "I hope it's something that can give you a little boost of energy."

Once he said that Johann came back into the hall, hiding the two containers underneath his shirt, and returned back to his seat next to England.

As England rambled about the dish, the human boy tried to sneak some extra salt and spice into England's plate. He knew how spicy the powder would be, so he planned to put only the necessary amount to just burn the tongue. He glanced at Derogan and tried to discreetly get his attention; his mischievous smile plastered on his face.

However, his plan went too well. When he looked away, the sieve that allowed the contents to pour out slowly came off so now England's plate was covered in salt and spicy powder. Johann's eyes widened, "Scheisse," he muttered as he quickly retrieved the lids and hid the containers under the table.

"... and that's how the full English came together," finished England, boring everyone out with his monologue. The others already started to eat, so he picked up his fork and began to tuck in.

"Maybe, Sir England, you shouldn't eat that," warned Johann, slightly panicking, "the cooks may have not made it to your standard."

"I highly doubt that," replied the country, the food inching nearer his mouth, "I gave the recipe myself." With that, he took his first bite and instantly recoiled from the overwhelm of salt. Next, he began to go red from the spice, so he grabbed for the water to cool down. The whole time, Johann tried to shrink into his chair, and when England asked what happened to his plate, he replied, "it wasn't a full English; it was half English, half Mandorian. And you did get your boost of energy."

M: Mandara was drinking his water then instantly spit it out, bursting into laughter right after. Rowen started laughing too, he knew it was rude but England's expression was beyond hilarious, though he made sure to ask one of the chefs to switch out England's food.

Derogan couldn't help but crack a smile and let out a small chuckle, though that was the extent of a response that was gotten out of him.

"Not bad Johann," he complimented, "I'm glad our influence is paying off." That made Mandara laugh even harder.

N: Johann smiled weakly, "I have become the student of the prankster princes." However, Anglo, who was taking care of his son, was not pleased.

"You should have not done that. You don't know what would have happened, am I not right Saxon?" He turned around to see the entity slightly shaking, trying to contain his laughter.

When Johann came into the hall, he noticed that he was carrying something, so he kept an eye on him. As he saw that he was pouring the salt and spices into his son's plate, he didn't do anything and only waited for what would be done next. But when he saw the contents completely spill, he almost choked on his water and was able to see the impending doom of England.

"Aye, your right," the entity replied, barely containing his laughter, "you should have spread it out evenly and not dump it in one pile. Every decent cook knows that."

M: That broke Derogan, he snorted then started full-on laughing, which made Rowen and Mandara happy that his spirits were lifted for a bit. England's new plate was brought out soon after as well as a new jug of water.

"I'm sorry about that Sir England," Rowen apologized, then jokingly said, "I guess I'll be needing to teach someone some table manners when he comes to live with me, isn't that right fwexin jemphdell (little troublemaker)?"

N: "You don't need to apologize, Sir Rowen," England said, although he looked like he has gone through a fight ... with some spice, "it is understandable at his age that he has a troublesome side." He stared at his plate and slowly lifted up his fork, tentatively poking at his food, as if testing if it were alive. When he got the confidence, he cautiously took a bite. Convinced that his food wasn't salty or spicy, he ate but kept an eye on Johann.

The human boy turned to the captain, and although he didn't understand the last thing he said, he smiled when he knew it was about him, "You might. Also, Sir Rowen, you probably have to teach me some Mandorian too. I can't have everyone around me talking in code."

M: "Of course, it's only fitting," Rowen agreed, "what I said just now means little troublemaker."

"You also don't need to keep calling him Sir Rowen," Mandara said, "we just call him Rowen."

"I recommend calling him Hezyka (Father), it means friend," Derogan said, snickering quietly.

Rowen's eyes widened when he said that but kept quiet to see if Johann would take the bait.

N: "Hmm, oh ok," Johann replied, so he sat up in his chair, and looked up to Rowen.

"You are my Hez ... Hezy ... zyka. You're my Hezyka," he stuttered as he tried to pronounce the word properly, and smiled when he achieved doing so. But when he saw Rowen's eyes, he furrowed his eyebrows, "did I say it wrong?"

M: "Um, no," Rowen said, feeling both awkward and suddenly parental, "you said it right, it's just that hezyka doesn't mean friend."

An audible snickering came from both of the princes, earning an exasperated head shake from the adult.

"Hezyka means father, Johann."

N: Johann silently stared at the ground when he heard what it meant, not knowing how to react.  After a minute of silence, he stood up, walked up to Rowen, and hugged him tightly, as if he was afraid he would disappear.

"My Vater is gone," he muttered, "yet you can be my Hezyka. But I might need time to adjust." He buried his head in the captain's chest, and whispered, "thank you," to no person in particular, only happy to be with Rowen.

M: Rowen was frozen from the hug and Johann's words, not knowing how to react either, but eventually accepted the hug and wrapped his arms around the boy.

"I would be more than honored to be your hezyka, Johann," he said quietly, a single happy tear running down his face, "and I promise to always look after you no matter what."

Derogan felt bad that his joke brought such a reaction, "Sorry, I shouldn't have tricked you like that."

N: "Even if it was a trick," commented Anglo, "I think you might have changed their friendship to a familial one." He was happy for the both of them, that they have found someone to care for. "Like I said before, Sir Rowen, you will be a wonderful father," the winged country told the captain.

(wanted the chapter to end on a happy note.)