Chaos' Heir

Chapter 891: Inconclusive



The day featured multiple breaks to celebrate Monica's birthday. As the second-most important person on the planet, the special event deserved the same celebrations addressed to Princesses, and Khan's organization didn't disappoint.

Spectacles, announcements, and more filled the day, often interrupting the battles. The trend continued throughout the night, in which the couple was forced to fly to different locations to show Monica's face to various guests. The two had limited those visits to important allies and acquaintances, but the trips remained plenty.

The couple arrived at the final location only deep into the night. Midnight had long since passed when a ship dropped Khan and Monica in one of the main city's buildings' terraces. The waiters had adorned the place with soft artificial lights, various interactive tables, and exotic plants, but everything paled compared to the spectacle below.

Sadly, the couple never had the chance to gaze at the vast city from one of its highest points. That terrace was the final destination from the night, so Khan and Monica had already gone through tens of guests. However, the place was packed with more, starting a seemingly endless series of polite congratulations and conversations.

The process would usually be unbearable for Khan, especially after an entire night spent like that. However, the praises showering Monica were an excellent silver lining that distracted him from the burdensome situation. She was getting the respect and attention she deserved, and he wouldn't get in her way or complain.

Another silver lining soon arrived. A person who had every reason to cause anyone major headaches ended up creating a great diversion and saving Khan from that endless stream of fake smiling faces.

"Monica!" Princess Edna's voice pierced the terrace's ruckus, making the crowd of guests open to create a path.

Princess Edna's figure became visible afterward. She had reached the terrace through one of the building's elevators, and spotting Monica made her rush through the path created by the crowd to approach her. Ron and Jack were also there but remained in the back, the former only exchanging a casual nod when he exchanged glances with Khan.

"Edna," Monica called, performing her elegant bow. "I'm glad you could finally make it."

"I told Ron to remind me," Princess Edna revealed, happily reaching Monica and stealing her hands to break her bow. "Of course, I would make it."

The terrace didn't lack nobles and other influential figures, but Princess Edna held a unique position even among them. Her arrival silenced most chats and murmurs, and many guests bowed their heads in respect.

"Let's get out of here," Princess Edna suggested. "We can continue celebrating your birthday while we fly around the planet."

The suggestion sounded like an order, which was perfectly in line with Princess Edna's character. Still, Monica's new status allowed her to refuse her or attempt to, at least.

"Edna, I'm afraid I can't leave," Monica announced. "Many guests have come a long way and made sacrifices to attend my birthday. It would be improper to depart now."

Princess Edna didn't accept the refusal but didn't insist, either. In her strange wisdom, she looked past Monica to eye Khan, knowing he could solve the issue.

"Khan?" Princess Edna called.

"If my Fiancée wishes to," Khan exclaimed, "I'd be happy to replace her in her absence. Of course, only as long as our esteemed guests are fine with me."

Khan's polite words left the audience with no choice. Refusing him would be akin to insulting his relevance, which no one underestimated. Actually, the guests preferred that development since it forced Khan to be the party's main character, which everyone was interested in. In most cases, Monica's birthday was only an excuse to get to him.

A series of agreeing words, nods, and polite confirmations filled the crowd. The audience didn't hesitate to authorize that early departure before exchanging knowing gazes. Everyone knew they would jump at Khan as soon as Monica left.

Nevertheless, Monica wasn't the type of woman to leave Khan alone among sharks. He could hold his own, but she still wanted to lighten his burden, especially since she knew what he would do as soon as the party ended.

"Dear," Monica called, slipping out of Princess Edna's grasp to reach for Khan's ear. "Are you sure I can leave you alone?"

Monica had whispered the last part, but the guests wouldn't have understood her words' true meaning even if she shouted them. She didn't refer to the current party but to the secret appointment awaiting Khan once he dealt with the audience.

"I'll have the guys watching over me," Khan reassured, also whispering into Monica's ear. "Don't worry and enjoy yourself."

"I'd need you to enjoy myself," Monica teased. "Still, I suppose I could do with a night out of all this."

"Happy birthday," Khan muttered, smiling.

"Thank you," Monica said, leaving a quick kiss on Khan's lips. "Let me do you a favor now." Monica separated from Khan and faced Princess Edna before adjusting her suggestion. "Edna, since we are all here, we should take the other girls with us."

"Great idea," Princess Edna exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "Ron, prepare a suitable ride."

Ron had picked up the phone before the Princess could make her request, and a big, luxurious ship soon approached the terrace. In the meantime, most of the female population at the party had gathered around Monica and Princess Edna, ready to join that sudden trip. The average age was also relatively low, so the invitation didn't exclude anyone.

"Miss Solodrey," Princess Montares called as a metal ramp descended onto the terrace. "Would you mind if I remained behind? I have much that requires your Fiancé's attention."

"Rachel," Monica smiled, but her gesture conveyed no friendship. "My attention should be enough to keep my man out of your mind."

"Edna, you were so right," Princess Montares chuckled, stepping on the metal ramp. "This night will be fun."

"Right?" Princess Edna said, clearly misunderstanding what Princess Montares implied. "Girls' nights are always better than these boring gatherings."

"Princess, your manners," Ron scolded, approaching the metal ramp with Jack.

"Take care of my Fiancée, Ron," Khan announced, ignoring the now-packed metal ramp to look straight into Ron's eyes. Somehow, his words had sounded like a threat.

Ron had grown to accept Khan and learn his character, so the threat didn't affect him. He performed a serious nod, conveying his resolve for the task. He would have done that even without Khan's statement.

Nevertheless, the friendly exchange of glances didn't go unnoticed, especially from Jack. The huge noble guard's grey eyes gained some focus, converging on Khan. Jack had sensed something, piquing Princess Edna's interest.

"Now that I think about it," Princess Edna exclaimed. "It's been years. Jack, how is Prince Khan?"

The same question had created some waves on the network four years ago. Jack's evaluation had been so promising that Princess Edna herself had struggled to believe it. Yet, much had happened since then, and even more had changed in Khan.

Silence instantly spread throughout the terrace. Those lofty social environments held Jack's evaluations in high regard, and listening to them could finally disclose the real extent of Khan's current power. Khan also knew he couldn't stop that process, so he limited himself to

matching Jack's focused gaze.

"There's only death on his path," Jack commented.

Princess Edna waited for the rest of the evaluation, but Jack didn't add anything. He keptNôv(el)B\\jnn

staring at Khan, creating a strange tension that invaded the surrounding air.

"Is he stronger than you?" Princess Edna asked, reminding Jack to finish the evaluation. Still,

Jack didn't reply.

"Princess," Ron intervened. "These aren't topics for such a joyous occasion."

"Jack?" Princess Edna called, ignoring Ron's attempt to change the topic.

"How much death will you cause?" Jack questioned, achieving the impossible. Princess Edna

was so shocked by the out-of-character words that she fell silent to focus on the scene

completely.

"As much as necessary," Khan responded.

Princess Edna ignored the potential repercussions of Khan's answer and asked a different question. "Would you be able to stop him, Jack?"

"I only see death," Jack revealed. "I don't know if mine or his."

"Interesting," Princess Edna exclaimed. "That's the first time I heard Jack say that."

Khan knew he should defuse the situation, but Jack's stare awakened his competitiveness. The

guard was a war machine, but he was a monster, and the idea of testing who was better grew more intense by the second.

"My alien techniques probably take the blame," Khan eventually said, finding a believable justification. "Jack can't see my prowess clearly because of them."

"Maybe," Princess Edna uttered as a new idea started to form in her mind. Those who knew her saw the evident red flags, and Monica ended up intervening.

"Should we hit the other building first?" Monica suggested. "As comfortable as the military uniform is, I thought I might change."

Mentioning clothes distracted Princess Edna from the stalemate, filling her mind with a different topic. Her eyes lit up as different ideas replaced her previous interest.

"You must show me your new collection," Princess Edna requested, hurrying through the

metal ramp. "I know Rachel helped you out."

"I just gave some suggestions," Princess Montares commented, shooting a knowing look at Khan before following Princess Edna. "Miss Solodrey's taste is impeccable, and I must admit every dress fits her better."

"That's Khan's doing," Princess Edna explained. "It makes me so jealous."

"Prince Khan's doing?" Princess Montares wondered, stealing Princess Edna's elbow. "You

must tell me everything you know."

The conversation continued even after the trio entered the ship. More guests followed the three women, including Jack and Ron. Soon, only men remained on the terrace, and the ride retracted its ramp before departing.

Khan followed the departing ship with his gaze until a hand landed on his shoulder. A full glass soon filled his view, and he seized it before eyeing the friendly face behind his right

shoulder.

"You know I needed this, George," Khan said, clinking his glass with George's.

"Who doesn't?" George scoffed. "And the night is still long."

"Longer without our partners," Mark joined the conversation, approaching Khan and George.

"Especially since we must discuss business now," Lucian announced, also joining the conversation. "I'm afraid you know what we are talking about, Prince Khan." The terrace still had nobles, so the descendants couldn't openly discuss the problems assaulting their alliance with Khan. Yet, they didn't need to specify them for Khan to understand their meaning. His family's factions had threatened to use their older connections to those wealthy organizations, and the younger generation was feeling their pressure now.