Chaos' Heir

The walk throughout the settlement lasted longer than Khan had initially expected. Rachel appeared genuinely amazed at the seemingly endless rows of metal tents, and watching those huge aliens bowing at Khan prompted her to keep exploring.

Princes and Princesses were used to that treatment, but Rachel spotted differences that made her curious and surprised. Her status didn't mean anything to the aliens. They only had eyes for Khan, and their behavior went beyond basic courtesy. The Scalqa conveyed proper reverence, something even the Global Army's Generals often failed to achieve.

True authority was addicting, and Rachel decided to bathe in it as long as possible. Of course, Khan questioned her about the nobles, and she always provided answers to justify her whims.

The red-haired man belonged to the Duter family, which seemed inclined to support Khan's cause. The Prince's behavior during the meeting even vouched for that, so Khan inquired deeply.

As for the other noble families, they remained indifferent to Khan's situation. The Airrak, Perac, and Kodwa didn't care about the Nognes family's infighting. They only wanted to see whether they could benefit from it.

Khan didn't mind that approach. It was actually understandable since the noble families didn't owe anything to each other. Yet, he hoped Princess Montares could provide more insights he could use, but her willingness to help didn't translate into knowledge.

"Our families are too massive to summarize them down to a single intent," Princess Montares explained. "I know their general inclination, but nothing more than that."

"Does it depend on the faction?" Khan wondered.

"Faction," Princess Montares partially confirmed, "Or Prince and Princess dealing with the matter. Take me, for example. My job was to tell you that my family likes you. I had no obligations to engage in this public walk. I didn't have to share my thoughts, either."

The explanation made sense when Khan considered Rachel's status. Princes and Princesses wielded massive influence. Some might even be comparable to entire factions from lower families. Even individually, they carried enough weight to act independently and shoulder eventual consequences.

Of course, even the nobles had Princes and Princesses who were nothing more than powerless pawns. However, they were the minority, and Khan wasn't dealing with them. His offer and position had given him access to figures who wielded actual power.

Baoway's star had reached its highest point in the sky when Khan and Princess Montares returned to the city's central buildings. He planned to drop her to her quarters before moving to the other nobles, but a complication appeared as soon as he entered the intended structure.

"Princess Montares," Monica politely called, crossing the soldiers standing guard at the building's entrance to reach the duo. "I hope my fiancé entertained you."

"He did, Miss Solodrey," Princess Montares confirmed, letting go of Khan's elbow to perform a polite bow to Monica. "Your Prince is a perfect gentleman. Though he is a bit weak against women."

"He is considerate," Monica corrected. "It's one of his main virtues."

"It must cause you many headaches," Princess Montares exclaimed. "Being engaged with such a desirable man … I'd constantly worry about having him stolen from me."

"My Prince has eyes only for me," Monica reassured. "However, that doesn't justify the liberties others take with him."

"Oh my," Princess Montares chuckled. "Edna told me you were the jealous type. I see now she was right."

Mentioning Princess Edna removed any trace of jealousy from Monica's mind. She glanced at Khan, who nodded to confirm the information. Princess Montares wasn't exactly a friend, but the couple could see her as a friendly presence.

"Miss Solodrey," Princess Montares called, reaching Monica to seize her elbow. "I'm not ready to retire yet, and Edna vouched for your taste in clothes. Do you mind showing me your collection?"

Monica retained her elegant façade, but Khan noticed how her eyes tried to light up. Baoway didn't give her the chance to have many girls' talks, and Martha didn't share her interest in clothes. The Princess was almost fulfilling her greatest urge with that invitation.

"I only have a fraction of my wardrobe here, Princess," Monica admitted. "It's almost tiny."

Khan suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. He knew how many clothes Monica had brought to Baoway. He had the soldiers build an entire room for them, and that place was bigger than the flat on the Harbor. Yet, Monica managed to fill it in no time.

"I'm sure it will satisfy me," Princess Montares reassured. "On another note, which entertainments are available here?"

"Lord Vegner's brothels are as good as ever," Monica explained. "We also have quiet gardens and dancing halls."

"But no malls," Princess Montares pointed out.

"Baoway isn't focused on tourism yet," Monica stated.

"I should send a few of my shops down there," Princess Montares said. "Being the first is always good for business."

"The city can accommodate them," Monica responded. "We only have to negotiate the numbers."

"I'm sure that time will come," Princess Montares smiled.

Monica and Princess Montares didn't notice it, but they walked deeper into the buildings. The two had hit it off immediately, and their chemistry improved at each exchanged line. However, Monica suddenly recalled something and abandoned the Princess to rush toward Khan.

"I'll be busy for a while," Monica whispered, leaving a quick kiss on Khan's mouth. "Call me if you need anything."

"Have fun," Khan replied, and Monica barely suppressed a giggle before hurrying back to Princess Montares. The latter promptly teased her, and a faint laugh resounded as the two disappeared into the building.

Khan couldn't express how much he loved seeing Monica like that. She shared his pressure and many of his duties. Actually, Monica handled most of the management aspect of Baoway, freeing a big chunk of Khan's schedule. He could only be happy when she found ways to blow off some steam.

As much as Khan would love to join that trend, more duties awaited him. The walk throughout the city had lasted long enough to make everyone notice it, so he expected immediate reactions. Climbing to the building's upper floors confirmed his hunch, warning him about another political meeting.

Khan had given a floor to each noble, but relatively public areas existed. The building had multiple living rooms adorned with couches, appetizers, and drinks, and Khan found two figures waiting for him in one of them.

The bearded middle-aged man and the red-haired man were on a couch, seemingly discussing something important. They both wielded cups in their hands but stood up as soon as Khan entered the hall. Their demeanor conveyed pure respect, but the youngest between them also showed some tension.

"Prince Catlee, Prince Duter," Khan announced. "I heard you wanted a meeting."

"More of a friendly conversation, Prince Khan," Prince Catlee explained, pointing at the table among the couches. "We have taken the liberty of testing your stash. You have good taste."

The table had a series of bottles Khan had stashed for his best guests. Part of him planned to drink them all by himself, but the nobles were important enough to deserve that treatment.

Nevertheless, Khan avoided pleasantries and headed directly for the couches, sitting before the two men. The latter returned to their seats while Khan filled one of the empty cups for himself, but his silence persisted even after he brought the drink to his mouth.

"We saw you escorting Princess Montares into your city," Prince Duter revealed. "I hope you patched up the misunderstandings during the meeting."

"We talked," Khan said. The two Princes expected him to add more details, but he fell silent again.

"We talked, too," Prince Catlee said, "Prince Duter and I. We share a specific interest and would like to discuss it with you together."

Khan's silence didn't falter, but his eyes darted between the two Princes, hinting at attention. He wouldn't speak until he fully understood what the two men were after.

"Your demonstrations and lessons made waves through the scientific field," Prince Duter declared. "We even saw their applications when flying down here. You armed barbarians with hundreds of bombs in mere months."

"My family gathered all the available information," Prince Catlee continued. "We also developed multiple theories. Correct me if I'm wrong, Prince, but the applications of your new scientific field are endless."

"And?" Khan asked. The Princes had shown their cards but had yet to voice their request.

"Both our families have young, talented experts," Prince Duter announced. "It would be our honor to send them here as your disciples."

"No," Khan directly refused.

"We'd be willing to compensate you appropriately," Prince Catlee intervened. "And we don't plan on enforcing any timeline on the process."

"I gave my answer," Khan declared. "The Global Army already tried to use my knowledge against me. Humankind lost its chance to learn what I have to offer."

The two Princes didn't have words that could change Khan's mind. They actually understood his perspective. He prioritized his safety, which was more than understandable after everything that had happened.

"Counteroffer," Prince Catlee exclaimed. "What about commissions? You'd get the same benefits but for specific magic items."