Chaos' Heir
chapter-802

Khan obviously was unaware of Thomas and Raymond's secret meeting, and the same went for Rebecca. The timing had been perfect, keeping any potentially troublesome party in the dark. Learning about it would change the celebration's mood, but their ignorance allowed them to try to enjoy themselves.

Rebecca and Khan returned to the terrace once their conversation was over. The scenery there didn't change. Anastasia and Luther supported Monica as the many guests tried to claim her attention, but Princess Felicia and Prince William did their best to divert part of those attempts.

Khan and Rebecca's reappearance switched the guests' focus, turning them into a crowd hungry for attention from those relevant figures. The two were more important than everyone else, and a sea of fake smiles unfolded in their vision, seemingly warning them about the imminent torrent of polite talks.

Nevertheless, one figure ignored the event's etiquette and rushed to Khan's side, seizing his arm. George wore the same fake smile as the guests, but words carrying a far different tone escaped his mouth.

"[I'll start saying all kinds of stories if you don't take me away]," George threatened through his teeth, using the Niqols language to add another layer of secrecy.

Khan had to hold back the urge to laugh. He would love to indulge George, but the event required his presence. Yet, glancing at Monica relieved him of those duties. As soon as their eyes met, she said a silent "go" with her lips, forcing Khan to give in.

"I have more matters to discuss privately," Khan announced to the guests, directly turning toward the same trapdoor he had just crossed. George followed behind, and the two soon reached the lower floors.

Khan and George instinctively coordinated, going on auto-pilot as they silently crossed the structure. They retrieved booze and food while descending through the building and stepping outside. Khan had an idea of what George wanted, so he led him to the area between the terrace and the brothel since it was darker and more private.

"Give me that," George ordered as soon as the two settled inside the first spacious crevice they found.

"Use your bottles," Khan refused, showing the booze in his hands. "These are mine."

"Becoming a Prince made you stingy," George snorted, sitting on a nearby rock and dropping his booze to the ground.

"Technically," Khan uttered, "I paid for all of this."

George glared at Khan, but the gesture didn't stop him from opening one bottle and bringing it to his mouth. He took a long sip, followed by a shorter one, before handing the booze to Khan.

"That bad, huh?" Khan asked, calmly enjoying the fine booze.

"It's torture," George cursed. "Be healthy. Don't come to bed stinking of booze. Take up more duties. Become the heir your parents need."

George's line didn't stop there. He continued repeating the nagging he had endured during those years, and his voice gradually grew high-pitched to imitate the source of his annoyance.

"You must really love her," Khan teased.

"What love?!" George cried. "That woman is a sly monster devoid of compassion. Her hunger is bottomless, and her demands endless."

"You are loving it," Khan commented.

"Not even close," George scoffed, stretching his hand forward, which Khan promptly filled with the bottle. "Our fights aren't like yours. There's no dirty sex afterward."

"I don't know what you are talking about," Khan feigned ignorance.

"Shall I remind you who gave you condoms and a place where to get laid?" George questioned.

Khan diverted his gaze, his mind delving into memories of the Harbor. Those old problems felt so small now. He almost missed the time when his greatest worry was finding a place to be alone with Monica.

"What's up with you?" George asked, studying Khan. "Don't you smile anymore?"

"Only with Monica," Khan revealed, realizing his cold face didn't falter during the conversation. "Martha made me chuckle."

"Always at war with something," George sighed. "How it was?"

George didn't need to add details to make Khan understand what he was asking. He knew how heavy the slaughter must have been for Khan. That unshakeable cold face probably was only one of its many consequences.

"Sad," Khan described. "Dirty, necessary. The Global Army had to understand I'm for real."

"I wasn't talking about that," George uttered.

Khan lowered his gaze. The dark ground filled his vision, but he saw much more. Various lights shone in his eyes, depicting information about the symphony. He didn't even need to think to know he could break it, and the matter wouldn't even take much effort.

"They were powerless," Khan explained, "Ants facing an entity they couldn't hope to oppose. It was so easy I almost changed my definition of life."

"You were fighting simple workers," George reminded.

"They could have been warriors," Khan said. "Nothing would have changed. I'm just superior."

"And humble," George joked.

"I swear," Khan exclaimed, sitting on the ground. "I wouldn't even play human if it weren't for Monica."

"You are human," George scoffed, "And something else."

"Yes," Khan nodded, "But I don't belong."

George fell silent. He was one of the few people in the universe who could understand Khan's spiritual struggle. Actually, George comprehended it so deeply he knew the issue had no solution. Khan had strayed too far from the human path, and there was no turning back.

Khan could blame the issue on the transformation, the alien arts, and other unorthodox practices, but George knew where it had all started. He had seen it happen before his very eyes. Nitis had been a turning point for Khan. His appearance didn't change, but his mind had already abandoned humankind.

"You've never belonged to species," George declared. "You've belonged to people, no matter what they were."

"Just like you belong to Anita," Khan confirmed.

"Where did that come from?!" George cursed. "Were you waiting to change the topic?"

"Come on," Khan said. "You would have already broken up with her if the situation was so terrible. Don't hide behind politics, either. You are a Prince's best friend. That excuse won't stand."

George was ready to throw a joke, but Khan's statement left no openings, forcing him to consider his point. Anita was genuinely annoying at times, but the idea of breaking up with her had never crossed his mind.

"What should I do?" George asked. "Be a good boy, succeed to my father, and aim for Patriarch?"

"Why not?" Khan wondered. "You have real experience, education from the Harbor, and connections. You are the perfect candidate for the role."

"Sounds so boring," George commented. "And with Anita?"

"Man up and marry the girl," Khan stated. "It's not like you have my problems. The Wildon family wouldn't even need to think about it."

"Calm down," George said, prolonging his sip to deal with the topic. "Marriage is your field. I'm the funny, handsome, awesome, free one."

"You haven't been free for years," Khan pointed out.

"That was a choice," George uttered, "Something I can stop doing whenever I want."

"Does she sleep on the left or the right?" Khan teased.

"Always left," George instantly replied. "She says my left arm is more comfortable."

George realized his mistake when Khan's cold face broke into a smirk. He had answered too quickly, and Khan knew what that meant.

"I preferred the other expression," George snorted. "And it doesn't mean anything. I obviously would know that after being together for so long."

"Favorite position?" Khan attacked with another question.

"We-" George began to reply, but hesitation arrived. That wouldn't be the first time he and Khan had talked about similar topics. Those conversations had always been quite smooth, too, but George felt unable to engage in it now.

"Someone became quite protective," Khan teased. "How cute."

George opened his mouth, but no words came out. He wanted to prove Khan wrong, but his brain opposed him. Anita was no random girl for him. He simply couldn't share those intimate details.

"I blame you," George cursed, "For everything."

"You were ready," Khan responded, "And you had all the Harbor's female population at your disposal, but you still went for the only one who could put a leash on you."

"She went for me," George corrected.

"Please," Khan snickered. "You two were almost flirting more often than us."

George snorted but didn't reply. He went for the booze, only to notice the empty bottle. Khan promptly opened a new one and took a sip before attending to his friend.

"Marrying Anita could help you a lot," George considered. "You'd have the most wealthy and influential families on your side."

"Are you searching for an excuse to propose?" Khan wondered.

"Shut up," George replied. "I was being serious. You are an odd Prince. Your figure is more public. You can create a political array anyone can study instead of leaving the network wondering about your influence."

George had hit the mark. Khan's unique situation could turn him into something the Global Army had yet to witness. He could publicly unite many forces under his name, creating an organization that could deal with both nobles and soldiers.

However, talking with Rebecca had already filled Khan's mind with heavy thoughts, and the birthday was still ongoing. He didn't know when the next break would arrive.

"Do we really have to talk about politics now?" Khan asked.

"You're right," George sighed, leaning back on his rock and staring at the sky past the canyon. "This quadrant isn't bad."

"This planet isn't bad," Khan corrected, also lifting his gaze to the sky. He didn't add anything, but George knew what he meant.