"Ashoka, I think you do realize the events that will ensue after you abdicate?" Ashoka didn't seem like a dense person, and Alex knew he was probably aware of the imperial court drama that was happening.

"Of course, but it's inevitable, and truthfully, I don't have much affection for my children, and I don't even know most of their names." Ashoka gave out his honest thoughts and his eyebrows folded together.

'I'm not in the position to give my opinion...' Alex realized he was but a stranger and it would be meddlesome to speak on issues he didn't know much about, much less understand.

With that, silence permeated through the courtyard, and it was a beautiful and peaceful night in the palace.

"Alex, where do you wish to stay for the night?"

"There are many rooms in this palace, but there are also a few other dozen palaces in the estate if you wish to spend the night in any of those."

'What a humble brag..' Alex felt the weight of poverty upon him...

"I'll just wait for Hermes to come back first." Alex waved his hands.

He then looked around.

The still and shallow waters of the pond reflected the moonlight perfectly.

However, a black dot upon that same moon broke the reflection.

The black dot was approaching their direction, and soon enough, Alex could distinguish the dot with his eyesight.

It was a three-wheeled red chariot, and clearly not the one that Hermes was using.

The chariot was drawn by three white-winged horses, and upon the two seats, two men were riding it.

One such man had an extraordinary appearance and demeanor.

He had long black hair and clear honest eyes. His clothing consisted of a light red fabric and heavy gold jewelry on top.

Even his headwear was a golden crown, and on the center of the crown, a crescent symbol arched.

'He's....glowing?!" Alex thought it was a trick of his eyes, but just as the moon glowed in the night sky, the man was glowing.

The other man looked more ordinary, but Alex perceived that he had a collected demeanor and each of his movements, down to the way his fingers folded, seemed perfect and calculated.

Ashoka looked to the chariot and exclaimed, "Oh, that's Chandra!"

"Chandra?" Alex found the name unfamiliar and lamented over his lack of knowledge.

"God of the moon and vegetation." Ashoka concisely explained it to him.

"Isn't he the same god that is offering training to one of your children?" Alex suddenly recalled that Aadityapal mentioned that a certain brother of his, Aarush, was under the training of a 'Chandra'.

"You mean, Aarush? Yes." Ashoka nodded.

When they finished their discussion, the chariot reached the point of hovering around the courtyard, and slowly landed on the grass.

The three, winged horses folded their wings and went to sleep.

Chandra, the glowing god, exited the chariot, and as soon as he placed his feet upon the grass, vegetation sprouted and grew and the smell of chlorophyll filled the surroundings.

'What's with all of these glowing gods? Why don't we glow....' Alex was childishly frustrated and decided to file a complaint to Zeus when he got back to Olympus.

'I probably can't even talk to Grandfather, let alone file a complaint...' Alex was taken by his own monologue and ignored the two incoming guests.

Aarush also exited the carriage and walked up to Ashoka. historical

"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."