Christopher's POV:
Jogging through the slowly dismounting row towards the hospital wing, my mind raced miles away from me, five years ago when I approached The Knights with a pure helplessness, they didn't hesitate to clear my case, however that's also something they made difficult, like abducting Queen Hammond, our mother. Months later, they informed me she was safe and healthy, and they intended to safeguard her, untill the case is solved, however the way I'm seeing it, the case is far more deep rooted and they also struggled to have a hold of everything. I don't blame them for not keeping contact with me, they are efficient with their secrecy and that's also the reason I'm dreading so much. Did something bad happen to mother?
Reaching to the threshold of a shabby looking building, at the abandoned area of the staff quarters, I knocked twice on the door, patiently waited for someone to come and get me. A young man, older than me, in a complete black comfy, oversized clothings, opened the door, bowing slightly he let me in and locked the door firmly. Entering the hallway, he guided me to a conference room, where the members were busy on talking in a mild down tone. When they finally looked back at the doorway, I completely froze there as if someone pulled up a big fat prank on me: there sat seven most important people of current political situation!
Judging my reaction, Dr. Kaiser felt sympathy as with a soft smile, he greeted "welcome to The Knights, Crown Prince Christopher. Please have a seat."
As Jeremy pulled the chair, just beside him, my expression turned one of a betrayal and Crown Prince Tristan sincerely stated "Crown Prince Christopher, I understand you're hurt, but you should know that we're here with much more complicated situation. I hope you understand our confidential prototype."
Giving a small smile, I nodded, then I sat down and Jeremy immediately said "I'm really sorry, Chris."
"Hey, that's really okay. I understand your situation. I truly do. And I'm thankful that you guys are out there, working so hard, going beyond any race and borders."
Looking at everyone in their eyes, l tried my best to convince that I meant it.
However professor Klein spoke with a regret in his voice, "I beg to differ, Christopher. All over the years we've successfully handled many cases but your case is still the lengthiest and most critical one, since a potentially formidable enemy force is involved in it. And I can't assure you success this soon. As the leader of The Knights, I sincerely apologise."
Immediately standing up, I hurriedly explained "professor Klein, please don't apologise to me. I'm really well aware of your efficiency in this job and I don't have any doubt on your efforts. But I quite don't understand what you meant by potentially formidable enemy."
With a brewing hatred, professor Klein muttered, "the Khirigans."
As my eyes widened in shock, Dr. Kaiser asked me "Prince Christopher, did you really not know about the involvement of the Khirigans in the attack of the Hinoi royal palace?"
"No, it was some of my internal spies that informed me that they had seen some foreign people mixed in our guards and their fighting style was similar to the Lawrences. However in later months, I was informed by courier spies that the Lawrences had never pulled up such a feat. Then I just thought that you guys will find out whoever they were."
I explained in detail as I watched deep frowns rising on their faces.
In a very controlled voice, professor Klein elaborated "prince Christopher, it's true that the Lawrences have some unique foreign fighting style but that doesn't mean they have accuintance with the Khirigans. Heck! They even initiated this group to eliminate any Khirigan who stood as threat to any kingdom and for your information, l should let you know that, now only the Kaisers and the Hammonds are left to clean."
"What do you mean? Why the Hammonds will be involved with the race that wanted the whole royal family wiped out?!"
This time, professor Jones interrupted the irritating thoughts growing up in my mind, "first of all Christopher, it's not the whole Khirigan race that wanted to do anything with other kingdoms, it's their ruler, who is cruel, greedy, merciless, almost a wild beast. And secondly the attackers were there to kill queen Hammond solely, not the whole royal family. You know what's more shocking?Your father's chamber was completely unattended by those assassins. That night, me and Gregory were stationed at the door of the king's chamber."
I didn't know how to digest all those information all together, they were saying that the Khirigans attacked the palace only to kill mother and their using of words clearly showed me that the king, our father knew it all along! That's not possible! Yes, our father has changed, changed a lot actually, still he loved mother, how could he let that happen to her?! He isn't some greedy, merciless person. Since childhood, I've seen him as a kind benevolent person, then when that changed? Was that a perfect mask all along?! But why?
Shock, surprise, betray all types of emotions broke their barriers within me, but the most vulnerable one, I was hurt. Unnoticeably, tears rolled down my cheeks and Jeremy immediately engulfed me in side hug.
"Everything is gonna be fine, Chris. You didn't know what was happening inside the palace. And we're glad that you weren't there. See in the end of the day you were the one who trusted us with this mission and we promise we'll not disappoint you."
Breaking the hug, I looked into his eyes and only sincerity and assurance reflected in them.
"That night Nick was there too! I wouldn't have forgiven myself if something happened to him." Just imagining that my mind hurt.
But it seems that he had done his own portion of digging about these things. All his actions for the past five years are crystal clear now! Why he went to St. Loire for his college then suddenly changed it to Gyanlo then coming to Escortia University for higher studies, everything. So that's why he was warning me to watch my nerves in here, he knew the members all along. I need to have a serious talk about it with him.
It was Dr. Kaiser's comment that broke my trance "if something really happened to prince Nicholas, we would've been more devastated, trust me. Thankfully Simon had taken him out of the palace that night."
He looked really relieved. I almost forgot that he is the former crown prince of the Kaisers and prince Simon's oldest brother. But why did he step down from the throne? This family is really mysterious. Then what about mine? My own father actually turned out to be traitor, he betrayed the whole kingdom, he betrayed his family, he defected from his own ethics. Where is the man who never compared his two wives, neither neglected any of his sons. It's true that after my mother, the former queen's death, he became a lot self centric, quiet, sometimes his mood changes were even unpredictable, he even didn't give permission to investigate my mother's unnatural death further, concluding that it was completely a drunken fall from the balcony. He didn't have anything to do with my mother's death, right? How? He even mourned over her death! Those might've been some slips from his mask, but now it seems that he couldn't hide his deeds for long!
Thinking so much, my body involuntarily shuddered "I still can't imagine our father scheming such a thing, moreover involving the Hammonds with the Khirigans!"
Dr. Kaiser seemed a bit hesitant, as he spoke "umm...Prince Christopher, the bond between the Hammonds and the Khirigans runs through bloodline now."
Completely puzzled, I looked at him with pure curiosity, and he continued "have you ever heard anything about your mom's side of family?"
"No, she never mentioned a single thing about them except for that I have my maternal grandfather's name in mine and her maiden surname that she carried with her till death, I'm using it since then."
My mind still raced miles to appear as controlled as possible.
Where all of these are heading to?!
It was professor Klein, who spoke, almost with a hushed tone "this is gonna be a good shock for you. But Christopher, know one thing for sure that we'll never judge you, neither we'll despise you."
As everyone looked at me with assurance and encouragement, l braced myself with bravery and waited for the bomb to be dropped and Dr. Kaiser didn't disappoint me.
"So apparently, your maternal grandfather, the late Christopher Bennett was a provincial Duke of the most north-eastern states of the Khirigan kingdom. 26 years ago when the rightful heir to the throne of the Khirigans, the crown princess was overthrown and chased away from her homeland by the current ruler, king Theodore Chase, no father felt safe about their daughters. Your grandpa was no exception, at least not when he had an eligible daughter for marriage. So he sought after the most desperate way, coming to the former king Hammond, your paternal grandfather, he begged for protection of his daughter. And thus they decided on marrying off the two. As you've seen they were actually a good couple, a perfect duo for the Kingdom of Hinoi."
"So you guys are telling me that I'm actually a Khirigan from my mom's side? And I never knew that? Anyone never told me about these things! And you guys want me to believe you?!"
Incredulously, I explained my whole doubt.
This time professor Klein continued "there were many reasons for not revealing this truth to you Christopher. Your maternal grandfather didn't want conflict with king Theodore, in the same time he wanted to protect his daughter's new found happiness. So after the wedding he completely cut every connection with your mother and the former king Hammond was pleased with the arrangements, as long as his family and people were safe. Trust me, the whole Hammond royal family cherished your mother and so did the people of the kingdom. It's just that few years later when your maternal grandfather's treason was caught, did the Khirigan king take action, he annihilated the whole province as well as the whole Bennett family and started plotting against the Hammonds."
Silence. A complete silence passed through the whole room and my heart felt the immense pain that my mom might've felt over the years in one go.
It was professor Jones again who assured me, "prince Christopher, don't blame any of your grandfathers in this matter. He didn't only sacrificed his life and family, his people also suffered the outcomes. And King Hammond initially wanted to revenge them, but then all of a sudden your mother died and he broke the truce with the Lawrence royals and never contacted us."
"He had connections with you?!" I just couldn't believe it. If father actually reached out to The Knights to stand against the Khirigans then why did he suddenly start to support them?!
"Yes. At that time we weren't this big or anywhere near famous. Even we didn't have our younger members joining yet. Still he saw potentials in us and trusted us." Professor Morgan spoke for the first time in that evening.
Sincerely stating that, he looked into my eyes, as he continued "as you see, we've successfully cleared every kingdom from any kind of Khirigan activities including their spy services, still we can't rest assured. They have the richest kingdom on their full support, the Kaisers and the strongest army power from the Hammonds. Even if we joined the rest kingdoms to fight against them, despite the meticulously crafted war plans of the Lawrences, tremendous manpower from the Jensens and a wealth support from the Yeagers, it'll be a sure lost case and we don't want a direct war, we are still avoiding any direct royal involvement in this matter."
Hearing this, something seemed funny, they are the future power of every political pillar including me and they said that they weren't involving royals in it!
"None of the kings know about this matter?"
Professor Klein replied with much aggressive way as he caught my mockery "as per protocol we are obliged to inform them beforehand, but they don't take decisions for us. The supporting royal families respect our decisions and try to help us with carry out our missions smoothly."
Uhu! Shouldn't have touched this sensitive matter.
Patting his back in a soothing manner, Dr. Kaiser faced me and continued to assure me "Christopher, we understand your dilemma. You don't have to feel pressured about it. You won't be questioned by king Hammond for your presence within us, neither will be your brother. As you see we're completely focused on the Kaisers right now and we promise no one will be harmed when we confront with the Hammonds."
"How will I clarify these things to my people?"
"You don't have to do anything about that, time will bring someone to explain everything don't worry." With a mischievous smirk, professor Palmer hinted something to me.
I was confused, they were talking about our mother, the queen, right? Did she regain her memory back already? How the hell I'm going to face Nicholas to explain all these things?! After mother's disappearance, he had become a lot pessimistic and cold, totally unbothered about his emotions and other's too. Though he knows that father doesn't show much care to us, still he believes that he will come around and reunite the whole family again, if only he knew what kind of person our father has become.....
Jeremy broke the trance of my thoughts "Chris, don't stress too much. Prince Nicholas has more matured brain than he shows."
No wonder he is my best friend, he exactly knows my priority problems.
And I thought, I got the perfect timing to enquire about mother "you guys said that someone will clarify the situation, is it our mother? Did she regain her memory already?"
Professor Klein subtly glared at professor Palmer, as he tried to cover up the matter as convenient as possible "unfortunately no, Christopher. She is yet to..."
Before he could continue further, a panting baritone voice interfered "sorry sorry sorry, Henry. I got caught up with the ward's regular check ups again. I hope, I didn't...."
Finally the owner of the voice noticed me and I can't fathom who looked more surprised, me or the newcomer who is none other than my brother's crush.
Felix Chase.