Assassin's Chronicle - Chapter 289

Chapter 289

Hui Wei tended to let his emotions dictate his actions . Normally, he was a quiet and reserved man . However, he could become very talkative if he found someone or something that interested him . When he was fully engaged in a conversation, he would talk about everything from legendary weapons and powerful, ancient warriors to ancient civilizations and deities .


Hui Wei thought maybe he was talking too much and wanted to end the conversation, but he was too excited to do that . Normally he never talked as much as this for fear of reprimand and trouble, but he found Anfey to be a very engaged listener . It was rare to find someone who would listen to him talk about all his thoughts .
After Hui Wei finished, the two returned to Saul’s place . The meditating mages showed up as well and were chatting in the living room .
"Christian!" Hui Wei called, walking over to the young man .
"How was it?" Christian asked . "What did you think of the academy?"
"I’ve never been there . Are there pretty girls?" Blavi asked, grinning .
"I didn’t notice, but I did hear some interesting news . "
Anfey sat down on an empty chair and glanced around, looking for Suzanna . He didn’t stop Hui Wei because he knew that Yolanthe must be ready for Christian to reveal himself if the students in the academy knew the rumor .
"What is it?" Sante asked . Out of everyone, he and Blavi enjoy gossip the most .
"Christian," Hui Wei said, staring at Christian . "Should I keep calling you Christian, or should I call you Rodhart?" Hui Wei raised his voice purposely so everyone could hear him .
Everyone in the room hushed and turned around to look at Hui Wei and Christian . Niya and Suzanna walked into the room just in time to hear what Hui Wei had said and froze in their tracks .
Christian looked at Hui Wei and sighed . Then he smiled and said slowly, "Rodhart is only my baptismal name . Christian is my real name and I would prefer if you still call me Christian . "
"Wait," Blavi asked, "you are Rodhart? The Rodhart? As in, the third prince Rodhart?"
"There’s already two princes . I am the unnecessary addition . I hope you can still treat me like one of you," Christian said, lowering his gaze .
"You’re really the prince?" Feller asked, his eyes wide .
"Alright, alright," Anfey said, standing up . He grabbed two apples from a nearby plate and sat down next to Christian, tossing one of the apples to Christian . He took a bite of the apple and said, "What? Are you scared now that you know who he really is?"
"No," Feller said, shaking his head .
"Feller . "
"Yea?"
"If you were a prince, would you want us to salute do you?"
"Of course not . "
"Why not?"
"Because you are my friends . "
"Christian sees us as his friends as well . How do you think he would feel if we all act careful around him?"
"But…" Blavi opened his mouth but did not finish his sentence .


The atmosphere suddenly became very awkward . Even though Anfey’s words made sense, Christian’s real identity came as too big of a surprise . It was hard to imagine being friends with a prince .
"So you’re Rodhart, huh?" Niya said . She ignored the awkwardness and did not change her way of speech . "Why didn’t you tell us?"
"There are a lot of reasons," Christian said . "It’s a long story . "
"Who would have thought?" Entos said as he appeared in the living room . No one noticed him before and no one knew how much he had heard . He glanced at Christian and smirked . "I’m impressed . You fooled even me . "

"I didn’t want to fool you," Christian said .
"If I remember correctly, you’ve been here since you were six . How did a six-year-old learn how to lie?"
"Like I’ve just said, I didn’t want to lie to you . I’ve never been to Swordbury Principality and I’ve been living here ever since I can remember . "
"Christian, didn’t you say Rodhart is your baptismal name?" Anfey asked, rubbing his chin .
"Yes . I was baptized . You have all met the man who performed the baptism . "
"Slanbrea?" Anfey asked, surprised .
"Yes . But of course he had forgotten me . "
"Of course," Entos said, smiling . "You were only a child then . " He paused for a moment then said, "I remember that, though . His Majesty had allowed the Church of Light to build a church in Swordbury Principality . It is said that the prince has good relations with the church . Who would have thought the real prince was suffering elsewhere . "


"I’ve never suffered," Christian objected . "I’m very satisfied with my life right now . "
"That other Rodhart is brilliant, though . He fooled almost everyone, including the church . He must be good to fool those missionaries for so long . "
"It’s actually not that hard," Christian said with a shrug . "He’s been taught for his entire life that he is the real prince . He needn’t actually fool anyone . "
Anfey lifted an eyebrow, then nodded . This was indeed a successful lie . Christian’s stand-in didn’t know he was not the real prince and had no chance of making mistakes .
"I don’t care if that Rodhart knew or not," Entos said . He took a few steps forward and smirked . "You, though, you’re different . I’ve always treated you like a little brother, and that won’t change . You may be a prince, but you are still my little brother . You’ve fooled me for over a decade . I’m hurt by your lie . What are you going to do to make it up to me?"
"My birthday is in three days," Christian said slowly . "I can make it up to you then . "
"Even your identity was fake . How am I supposed to know whether your birthday is real?" Entos asked, shaking his head . "If I had known this, I wouldn’t have spent all that time finding your gifts . "
"The birthday’s real," Christian said earnestly . "Don’t you remember my baptism?"
"It’s so long ago," Entos complained . He frowned as he tried to recall the event, then turned his gaze to Christian again . "Fine . You have to make it up to me though . "
"I swear!"
"There will be consequences if you don’t satisfy me," Entos said, glaring at Christian .
"Of course, of course," Christian said, smiling .
"Christian," Anfey said, tapping him on the shoulder . "I haven’t spent as much time with you, but I trusted you . Shouldn’t I also get whatever you are preparing for Entos?"
"He’s right," Niya said, walking over . "You lied to me too . I’m hurt . You should make it up to me, too . "
Christian looked at the two of them and shook his head . "Fine," he said . "I won’t forget you two . "
"Did you forget about me?" Suzanna asked . She patted her sword and said, "I put my life in your hands . "
"It’s my birthday," Christian sighed . "Shouldn’t you guys be giving me presents?"
"Are you dishonoring me?" Suzanna asked, frowning . "What are the rules for duels here?"
"You should ask Riska that . "
"Fine, fine," Christian said before Riska could answer the question . "Alright . Everyone gets a gift, alright? Stop tormenting me . "
"You’re saying we all get a gift?" Riska asked, grinning . Everyone relaxed after seeing Christian act so embarrassed and the recent revelation began to fade from their memories .
"When Entos was gone, you were the elder brother," Blavi said, shaking his head . "We all trusted you . "
"I feel like you are all teaming up against me," Christian said, looking down at the ground . "And I thought I was popular . " He snuck a glance at Entos and smiled gratefully . Christian knew that Entos was trying to ease the tension, and he was thankful for it .
"You won’t be until you earn our forgiveness," Blavi said with a wide grin . Then he suddenly turned to Anfey and said, "By the way, Master said he wanted to see you in the labs . "
"Why didn’t you tell me sooner?" Anfey asked .
"I didn’t know Hui Wei would tell us such a big secret the moment he walked through the door," Blavi said with a shrug . "You should probably go there right now . "