CHAPTER 176
THE SECRETS HE NEVER TOLD
Before the day Hans met Dijkstra, Bernard had brought Chris to Rudolf’s doorstep. It was early, not even the sun had visited them but the father and son were at Rudolf’s annoyed face. “I thought I was clear earlier.” Rudolf groaned, continuing, “Leave before Sierra wakes up. You know better than me, how nutjob a Parvian imperial can be.”
“What can I do for you to accept him?” Bernard pleaded.
“Here we are alone,” Rudolf stated, glancing at Chris, commanding him, “Get outside brat…” And when Chris left, turning to Bernard, he stressed, “This is the last time I’m talking to you like a civilised person, so you better use this chance to give me some fucking sensible reason.”
However, there was something else in Bernard's mind, the impending war he wanted to stop was catching fire every second. He explained, "Clandor will soon face a civil war. The damage of the Elven war had halted the civil unrest, but it is inevitable. Soon royals and the new council will be in each other’s throats. I took an oath to protect Queen Reina and I will do so. I just don’t want Chris to be part of it." Bernard paused, if it was upto him, he never wanted to share this, but one can't have everything like he wants. "His bloodline," he resumed, "The imperial power is not of his own. It was taken away from a newborn and instilled into him."
Rudolf had disbelieving expressions, even Bernard thought it wouldn't have made sense if he didn't witnessed it first hand, "I don’t know what HIS plan was, but I can’t just sit by and let my child be someone else’s pawn. I almost lost my son that day because of his experiment.—"
"Was this the reason you brought elves to Parv" Rudolf interrupted.
"No,It was not. But it helped kickstarting everything, my shook up belief, my distrust. And moving on, his erratic decision didn't helped. I couldn’t trust him so I began to find reasons for what he was doing, but found something else. Do you know why when I brought Hans to you, he was half dead? Samson did something to him. All I did was to save this child. Do not trust him, Rudolf. Samson was not in his right mind, but as if he bewitched every one, they all followed his whim and jumped at hell on his call"
Rudolf remained silent, it's not like he believed Bernard completely. He knew this former commander was still hiding things. But some of his rant actually made sense to him. The changes he saw in Samson's before Elven war was something he couldn't understand but as he knew the boy very well, he ignored it thinking it was part of some bigger plan. However, what he got was the news of his death. "Hmm.." he grunted, thinking wasn't his strong suit.
"What do you hope to accomplish?" he asked at point blank.
"Please take my son in, I beg you." Bernard pleaded.
"It's like you are running from something?" Rudolf asked, doubting "What proof do you have if you aren't duping me into—
“You know, I do not have a crafty mind, sir. This is the truth that no one can verify, but my honour as a knight of Parv. I’m telling you the truth."
“But you are not telling me something.” Rudolf insisted.
“Yes, because, believe me, once you hear it you’ll regret hearing it. Just let him be a good son in your memory.”
“Fine, I don't want to hear it." Rudolf shook his head, "But a civil war is not something you would be wary of. So tell me what got you spooked?"
"The moment Chris showed the imperial bloodline...Lets just say, Parv is not the only one looking for that power—"
"Say in plain words. what kind of a shitstorm am I going into?" Rudolf raised his voice.
"The Ancient kind." Bernard replied softly.
"Fuck!" Rudolf cursed and added,."I’ll keep your brat safe and teach him a thing or two—”
“Thank you, sir,” Bernard let out a breath of relief and before he departed, he warned Rudolf, “Keep Hans away from Reina, the far the better. She won’t think of consequences if she gets any chance with him.”
“You don’t have to say that to me, I know very well. That very thing is what makes her dangerous.”
Bernard called his son in, telling him to follow Rudolf, “Do as he says and don’t even think about leaving his side. Got it.” Chris stayed silent, he wanted, no he needed to learn from Rudolf, but the way his father was telling him was confusing him. However, his remaining silent prompted Bernard to raise his voice. “I asked, do you understand?”
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“Yes, Father,” Chris answered like a soldier.
“Haa..” Rudolf sighed, “First Hans, then Winters’ daughter and now this one. It looks like I’m babysitting ticking time bombs. It's happening again.” He looked at Chris, “You brat, you better clean your slate, forget whatever your father had taught you about my skills and go claim a sword named Incarna from those alliance bastards.”
NEXT DAY
Hans was still in bed, wondering why Dijkstra had postponed the meeting and even more why Xandor obliged. But his answers were soon going to be answered by another uninvited guest who just knocked on his doors. “Come in,” He answered sitting up, and door opened. Chris’s father entered, yesterday he had a talk with Rudolf and now it looked like today was Hans’s turn. “What Can I help you with, Mr Bernard” Hans asked.
“I just wanted to have a talk with you, Prince Hans—”
“Just Hans, that would suffice. Accepting the Prince title would make you my enemy Mr. Bernard.”
“Okay, Hans.” Bernard nodded, and said in an apologetic tone, “Despite my reasons… I know it won’t erase the things I have done to you. I'm sorry for robbing you of your family—”
“Do you seek your demise through me?” Hans questioned, confused why this man was here, saying the things that would do nothing but agitate him further. And looking at his baffled face Hans added “If that is what you want, I can’t help you. I don’t even hate you—”
“Why? I betrayed your father. I got him…I was the reason he died. So why?”
“I can’t understand the loss of something that I never had. I was raised with love and care. Gramps and grandma never let me feel any absence of father and mother. So if you seek my hate I can’t give you any.”
“I see,” Bernard pondered, explaining, “I apologise again, I just wanted to make sure your friendship with my son is genuine or not. But I'm sure that you’d be a good friend to him.”
Hans did not speak further, but there was still one thing that was bothering him, so he couldn’t just stay silent for long, “But why are you sending your precious son to your enemies?” He looked at Bernard, raising his head and stared right into his eyes, “I might not share the sentiments of Grandpa, but if someone had costed me my child, I’d see no any reason to not do the same.”
“Even if the child is innocent?”
“Yes, one must return what you received several folds, this is what the Imperial family believes in, you know that very well, don’t you?”
“I understand.” Bernard nodded
“You still haven't answered my question, Mr Bernard. Why are you sending your precious son to your enemies.”
“Because that is not the worst place for him to be. And Sir Rudolf owes me a life, yours.” He pointed out, continuing, “I rescued you when everyone wanted to see you die. I was the reason you are alive, Hans.”
"But wouldn't that cancels the debt. you got Samson..my father killed and saved my life. I'm no genius in math but it sure look like it cancels—"
"No." Bernard denied, firm. "I saved you so he has to save mine. I got Samson killed so I must die. That will cancel my debt."
“Sure, knock yourself out." Hans said indifferent. He never had any father growing up so he couldn't fathom the loss but for a while, he imagined how good it would have been if Samson taught him everything right by his side. So he might not harboured any hate for Bernard but it doesnt mean he felt good around him either. "Do I owe you something else ?” Hans asked, as his indifferent attitude continued.
“No,” Bernard shook left and right, explaining further, “You know, the power Chris possessed…” He paused, glancing at Hans from the sides, thinking what would have been like if Hans never lost this power to Chris.
“Chris possessed… continue, why the sudden pause?” Hans asked, snapping him out of his daze.
“Yes,” Bernard continued, “The power he possesses… might become his shackle, you do not know how easy is for some people to manipulate someone—”
"I have some ideas,” Hans thought of Sam and arat, even he could think of using this scenario to bind Chris to his purpose. He shook his head and declared. “I need answers in simple words. I hate it when people go around. From what are you running from, Mr Bernard? It's not Parv, Arat has declared his stand so what is eating you up that you are ready to even part with your son? Answer it clearly. It's the least you can tell me.”
“Woah! you sure are your father's son. Rudolf asked me the same thing earlier." Bernard stunned amazed.
"If my grandpa could see that. Then you are not doing a good job hiding it. or you want us to find it and schemed—"
"I do not posses a scheming mind. I'm a simpleton, Pr...Hans. Clandor might be engulfed in war soon. It is still a possibility but when it happens…I don’t want Chris to be used by elves or Parv or any other thing. Being with you and Rudolf right now is a safe haven for him, at least for now.” Bernard looked far, sensing the trouble coming, “I do not have time left. It was nice meeting you Hans and just for your information, do not trust Dijkstra for security, he is very easy to distract.”
Bernard reached the door, turning once again he stated, “Another thing, if you find yourself facing the Elven queen, run as fast you can. Do no. Never meet her. I serve her that is why I know her better than anyone.”
“You can leave, Mr Bernard,” Hans said, still indifferent. Bernard went the way he came from and Dijkstra came fuming back, prompting Hans to ask, “Where were you?”
“Finding a Bastard. He had the nerve to throw a stone at me—”
“Just for a fucking stone” Hans retorted, “You left me here alone, what happened to your promise of keeping me safe for a few days.” Hans now understood why Bernard said those words and who was the one who had the galls to throw stone at Dijkstra. Before he could get an answer from him, another knock came saving Dijkstra from one awkward conversation.
“Hans, are you awake?” The girl asked from outside prompting Hans to hum in affirmation. She twisted the knob and entered.
“Ah. Sis! Did something happen,” He bolted out of his bed and before he could rain down questions, Vanessa said, her voice deepening, “Get ready, we need to go somewhere?”
“Where?” Hans asked
“It's your father’s birthday. You should at least visit him today.”
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