Chapter 90: Chandra and Aarush (2/2)

”Father, I rushed back when I heard the news.” He gave the latter a deep bow.

”Aarush.”

Aarush then turned to Alex and gave him a slight bow.

The confused glint in his eyes didn't escape Alex, nor did the minutious bow.

It was the kind of bow that they used to greet people whose status they didn't know.

'A crafty one for sure.' Alex remarked.

Aarush then turned back to his father and smiled.

Ashoka coughed and introduced, ”This is Alex, a god from western lands, treat him well.”

The prince placed a hand on his mouth like he was shocked and turned back to Alex.

”Forgive my lack of politeness, Sir.” He bowed deeply.

Chandra observed the three silently, and Alex greeted him to break the silence, ”Greetings.”

”You have the aura of a stranger around you, strange.” Chandra pronounced incomprehensible words.

Alex frowned and the other two seemed confused.

”Excuse my words, I am just blabbering, it is a beautiful night.” Chandra waved his hand and revealed a lotus drawn upon his palm with brown henna.

Ashoka laughed and said, ”Of course, it is your very moon that makes the night so breathtaking.”

Aarush coughed.

With everyone's attention on him, he proclaimed, ”Father, you cannot give up your throne yet! Competition between siblings is already so high, and if a successor needs to be chosen, there could be, god forbid...violence...”

'What a performance...' Alex trusted Aadityapal and saw right through the prince's act.

By undermining his other sibling's actions, he excluded himself from the 'violent' competition and glorified himself as a merciful prince that would be fit for the imperial throne.

'Knowing how these acts go, his next words will be about a feat of his.'

Ashoka was about to speak, but Aarush continued, ”Forgive me, I have overstepped my boundaries. I came here to inform you of my success in funding rice fields for the famished western provinces.”

'Bingo, that is a very honorable act, Aarush, but couldn't you have chosen a less strategic time to mention it?' Alex was extremely cautious.

”Great job, son. However, may we speak tomorrow? It is the dead of the night and time to sleep.” Ashoka halted his son's plans instantly.

”Alex, do you want me to escort you to our most luxurious guest room?” Ashoka turned to him.

Suddenly, Aarush interjected, ”Sir Alex, my palace has recently had some renovations and I can guarantee the comfort, I would be pleasured to welcome such a personage in my humble abode.”

'Shameless.'

Alex replied, ”It will be fine, I'll go with Ashoka.”

Aarush bowed his head and his clenched jaws did not escape Alex's observation.

'Lad, you are far too young to think that you can gain my favor with cheap tactics.' Alex forgot for a moment that the two were probably the same age.

Chandra, who was on the side, simply said, ”Child, Aarush, if you still wish to seek my training, you know where you can find me.”