Chapter 868: Social meeting
Monica was busy reviewing business documents on an interactive desk when Khan returned to their quarters. She planned to greet him, but noticing his lost expression made her abandon
that casual approach.
"What happened?" Monica asked, worried. She knew Khan had met Cora and Amber that night, and Khan was the type to suffer over the slightest issue with his friends.
"I should have stayed longer in Reebfell," Khan announced, his mind half-absent. "Just a few more months would have been enough."
Monica frowned in confusion, but her nose smelled roguish thoughts. She had long since developed a sixth sense for Khan's scoundrel ideas, and that ability was sending warning signals now.
"What happened with Cora?" Monica questioned, leaving the interactive desk.
"She switched teams," Khan explained, his gaze still lost in impure thoughts. "She and Amber are an item, sort of."
Monica's eyebrows arched in surprise before a far more intense feeling invaded her. Khan was still lost in his imagination when a heel hit his bone crown, flipping it off his head and snapping him back to reality.
"I should be grateful," Monica scoffed, placing her fists on her waist while oddly standing on one heel and a bare foot. "I can hate her now."
Khan blinked before running his glowing eyes over Monica. She had yet to change, wearing her indigo wrap dress. The heeled leg also aligned with the clothing opening, exposing her knee and part of her thigh.
"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?" Khan wondered.
"Oh, no, you don't," Monica warned, gesturing to Khan to stop since he had started approaching her. "You keep your scoundrel hands off of me when you are thinking about other women."
Khan didn't stop, and Monica retreated only to bump into the interactive desk behind her. She couldn't escape nor dodge the arms that trapped her torso.
"Get off of me," Monica complained, throwing light punches on Khan's shoulders. Her efforts were pointless, and her attacks quickly lost strength when a kiss landed on her neck.
"You are terrible," Monica groaned, angry that she instinctively started clinging to Khan's neck. "You know that?"
"I've invited Cora and Amber to tomorrow's meeting with the descendants," Khan revealed, his face reaching where the dress started covering the shoulder. "Introducing them to those environments will confirm their connection to me."
Monica angrily groaned again but didn't say anything. She understood the descendants' duties better than Khan ever could, so she recognized the action's value. Cora and Amber's families wouldn't dare to complain about their relationship when they were the only connection to Khan.
"Are you thinking about me now?" Monica whimpered, closing her eyes and lifting her knee through the dress' opening. She felt no surprise when a hand caught it, and her other feet slowly left the floor, knowing Khan would hold her.
Khan lifted Monica and placed her on the interactive table. Holograms partially hid her figure, but nothing could diminish her beauty. Her dress' lowered shoulder and enthralled expression could make anyone lose their mind, and Khan wasn't immune to it.
"I only think about you," Khan responded under Monica's defenseless gaze.
Monica looked deep into the blue glow that shone on her face, recognizing the expression she loved. Her weakness to that attention angered her, making her deliver a slap to Khan's cheek. The smirk it triggered intensified her rage, fueling the pull that brought Khan to her lips.
The tournament's fourth day featured nothing monumental. The preliminaries unfolded smoothly, eliminating more contestants while the guests on the towers indulged in casual conversations.
Khan's gradually improving mood didn't go unnoticed, but no one mentioned it. The terrace's guests also refrained from inviting him out to parties, dinners, or other social events. They knew he was busy that night, and he and Monica eventually departed to attend that promised meeting.
Monica and Khan changed, removing the sweat and dirt they had accumulated from sitting on the terrace all day while waiting for the right time to join the meeting. Khan also dropped most of his alien attire, wearing more human and elegant clothes but keeping the bone crown and Thilku cape.
By the time Khan and Monica reached the hall intended for the meeting, all the descendants had arrived. Luke, Bruce, Lucian, Mark, John, Lucy, George, and Anita had occupied different couches, but their attention mostly was on the two foreign presences. Cora and Amber were also in the hall, tense under those lofty figures' pressure.
Khan and Monica's arrival I the target of the descendants' attention, dispersing the two women's tension. The sea of greetings that flew in the couple's direction allowed Cora and Amber to breathe, granting them a break from that political pressure.
"I'm sorry for the wait," Khan announced, walking hand-in-hand with Monica toward one empty couch among the descendants. "I haven't worn human clothes in a while, and it isn't easy to satisfy my fiancée."
"Women can never get enough of being spoiled, Prince Khan," Lucy commented. "You should have learned that by now."
"My fiancée's appetite always surpasses my expectations," Khan responded, sitting down. "Though I'm guilty of enjoying indulging her."
Monica shot a knowing look at Khan before retrieving one of the available bottles and two glasses from the central table. Then, she sat at his side, curling her legs on the couch and
pouring the booze.
The descendants waited for Monica to finish pouring before George stood up, lifting his glass to make an announcement.
"I guess this toast won't need explanations," George declared. "To Bret."
"To Bret," The descendants echoed, also lifting their glasses. Khan was about to imitate them before a thought made him retract his hand.
"Bret Sodsi," Khan uttered, looking at the booze's surface illuminated by his eyes. "That was
his name."
The descendants exchanged glances. They knew they had stepped into a classified environment established by powers that could destroy their families. Their hesitation was unavoidable, but George wasn't among them.
"To Bret Sodsi," George corrected his announcement. "May he rest in peace."
Khan toasted according to the Niqols' customs with George, forcing the descendants to play along. Everyone lifted their glasses, honoring Bret.
"As you may have noticed," Khan exclaimed once the toasting ended, "I invited two old friends today. Luke and Bruce have already met them, and I'm sure you know who they are, but introductions are in order."
Khan indicated Cora and Amber's couch before continuing. "Cora Ommo and Amber Teldom have greatly helped me on Reebfell. Make them feel at home."
A round of introductions unfolded, with each descendant orderly standing up to announce their names. Only George ended up exchanging a short hug with Cora due to their shared past
on Istrone.
Cora and Amber didn't need those introductions to learn about the descendants' identity, but Khan's political intentions didn't go unnoticed. He was announcing his friendship to the two women, putting them under his protective authority.
The two women felt embarrassed, especially Cora. They weren't used to that kind of spotlight, and Cora almost feared her past with Khan could create problems. However, the descendants pretended that the topic didn't exist since Khan didn't bring it up.
"By the way," Khan realized. "Where is Martha? Did I forget to invite her?"
"Your Cousin kidnapped her, dear," Monica revealed. "Princess Montares is with them, too. I
think they are exploring some of Pandora's establishments."
"Did you reject them to keep me company?" Khan asked.
"Your soon-to-be wife needs to be at your side during such delicate periods," Monica
declared, "And I've already arranged a girls' night for next week. Princess Edna is also
coming."
"Make sure to have fun," Khan said, not wanting to touch the topic. The sole idea of having Princess Edna on the planet tried to trigger a headache, so he avoided thinking about it.
"You are also invited," Monica stated, looking at Cora and Amber. "I'm afraid you can't refuse."
"It will be fine," Lucy reassured. "We won't eat you."
"Probably," Monica giggled. Many also laughed, thinking Monica was referring to the three Princesses, but Khan knew the truth. He partially feared Monica's jealousy could cause problems, but the issue was already beyond his reach. Khan had no power over the girls'
nights.
"Allow me to offer my services," John intervened, leaving his couch to approach Cora and Amber. "I'll gladly shield you during such a dangerous experience."
It didn't take a genius to understand John's behavior. Amber and Cora were quite attractive,
especially the latter, and their lower status didn't require political maneuvers that involved entire families. John could hit on them without worrying about repercussions, but his intentions featured a big miscalculation.
John took Cora and Amber's hands, planning to kiss them. They were ready to play along due to the status difference, but the gesture clearly made them uncomfortable. The other descendants also noticed that, and a few sighs resounded among those who understood what
was about to happen.
John's smile suddenly froze. Nothing had happened, but he felt as if cold daggers had surrounded him, preventing any kind of movement. The voice that reached his ears also sent a
chill down his spine, threatening to make him faint.
"John, sit down," Khan ordered, calmly drinking his booze.
"You got it!" John exclaimed, letting go of Cora and Amber to return to his couch. He promptly refilled his drink, but his hand kept trembling until he downed two large mouthfuls.
The message resonated loud and clear, and the descendants were bound to share it outside
that isolated environment. Cora and Amber weren't to be messed with. "Business is good, I figure," Khan said, changing the topic and general atmosphere. "Indeed," Luke confirmed. "We made in a few days what we would have earned in a month."
"Earnings limited to this quadrant," Lucian specified, "Of course."
"And good for us," Mark added. "I didn't do the math, but my brain works on its own. This tournament must have cost a fortune."
"It is costing a fortune," Khan confirmed, "But you must acknowledge its benefits."
"I can't complain about that," Mark said, lifting his hands in surrender. "More money to our businesses," Lucian summarized, "More chances to connect to the
nobles. What more could we want?"
"Glad we are on the same page," Khan stated, lifting his glass for another toast. "Then, to our
partnership. May it continue to provide benefits."
Another round of toasts unfolded before the meeting delved into casual conversations. The
descendants had no problems finding topics to kill time with, and the tournament provided more than enough talking points.
Despite the general morning obligations, the meeting stretched deep into the night. Gossip and other conversations flew, occasionally involving Cora and Amber. The two women slowly warmed up to that lofty environment, but it was clear they needed more time. Nevertheless, the time to call it a day eventually arrived, and the descendants began departing after a round of polite salutes. Khan and Monica also summoned soldiers to escort
everyone to their respective quarters, but the former wanted to attend to another business before hitting the bed. "George," Khan called as the group headed for the hall's exit. "A word?"
George didn't expect that sudden request, but seeing Monica approach him and steal Anita
from his elbow explained the seriousness of the situation. George could only nod at his girlfriend before remaining alone with Khan.
"What is it?" George wondered. "Taking me up on my idea of getting wasted?"
"I need to tell you something," Khan revealed, dodging George's gaze while leaning on a
couch's back. "Something I should have told you long ago." "Oh," George voiced. "Serious stuff. I'll get the drinks." "George," Khan sighed while George crossed him to reach the table with the bottles. "I'm
happy that you got out of all of this, and I don't want to pull you back in, but you must know.
If not to help me, to protect Anita and your family."
George froze before reaching the table. He slowly turned, and the light radiated by Khan's
eyes eventually shone on him.
"The Second Impact gave me more than a scar," Khan explained, and a long story began.