Chapter 87: Familiar Faces (1/2)

The guard proceeded to let them inside of the boundless guard and they slowly walked along a road passed with polished limestone bricks.

The garden was truly too large, as the guard then sped up his pace so it didn't take the entire afternoon to reach the main palace.

After a short while of walking and appreciating the rare flower and plant species of the garden, they were finally in front of the ginormous palace.

The guard knocked and two people opened the gates.

They were dressed in loose attire and they both had a red dot on their forehead.

Alex wondered what its signification was and asked one of the men.

Fortunately, he was kind and he cupped his head and informed him, ”Sir, the Bindi is to keep God in the center of our thoughts through our third eye.”

Alex thanked the man and cupped his hands back.

The guard then whispered something to one of the two men and it seemed like he had to go back to his shift.

The man in question hinted at them to follow him and fortunately guided them through the otherwise labyrinth-like palace.

”This place is very...big...” Alex giggled and remarked.

The man nodded and stated, ”Originally, Lord Ashoka wished for a small palace but everyone refused and we all contributed to building this palace for Him.”

'Sounds like a nice dude.' Alex thought to himself.

While they were walking across a corridor, large windows greeted his sight with a small courtyard and Alex had a strange expression.

The courtyard was a peaceful garden with a pond and a simple gazebo.

However, there was a man in the garden.

He had long, tied-up hair and brown skin. His eyes and hair were similarly brown.

The man seemed to have a reserved and quiet demeanor and he was practicing movements with a sword.

Alex instantly identified the man as the arrogant prince from Olep, Aadityapal.

But instead of the annoying 'sh*thead' Alex met back then, he now seemed very mature and calm.

As if Aadityapal felt a gaze on him, he turned around in their direction.

When he saw Alex, all of his movements halted and he stared at him with wide eyes.

The two exchanged stunned stares until Alex crossed into another corridor and they couldn't see each other any longer.

”You okay, Alexei-boy?” Hermes looked at him confusingly.

”Yeah, everything's fine...”

They resumed walking and the man halted in front of a tall gate.

”Inside, Lord awaits you.”

He then bowed to them and left.

”Thank you for your service.”

_____________________________

There were sandals and footwear carefully placed outside of the gate, and it seemed like Hermes and Alex also needed to remove their footwear.

They did so and Hermes knocked at the gate.

”Enter.” A comforting voice said.

The two opened the gate and entered a large hall.