Chaos' Heir

The nobles didn't need explanations to understand the issue. Khan wasn't the only Nognes who had made moves. Thomas had also increased his political activity, obviously trying to involve fellow powerful families to improve his position.

Thomas had even succeeded in a few instances, but the noble families had no real obligations toward one another. They could play both sides without earning any blame. Actually, the infighting benefited them since Khan and Thomas had to offer favorable deals to secure their support.

Khan was also aware of the issue, but his hands were tied. He had a good product but couldn't use it to rip off the nobles, not yet, at least. Khan needed their support more than their Credits, and the symphony soon told him he had succeeded.

Truth be told, the matter was a no-brainer. The nobles were forced to accept the offer as long as someone among them did, and the low price helped make that decision. Besides, the supplement was bound to beca vital aspect of the training regimen if it worked as intended.

"The meeting is adjourned," Khan announced once the symphony cleared his guests. "You can enjoy my hospitality as long as you want. My soldiers will see all your needs fulfilled."

Khan stood up, and those at his sides imitated him. The guests also left their seats, ready to be escorted out. Yet, one exception existed.

"Prince Khan," The blonde woman called, advancing toward the table while her two guards followed her. "May I have a few minutes of your time?"

The request wasn't surprising. All the nobles gathered there wanted to have private talks with Khan. Yet, even he couldn't predict Princess Montares would have requested it in such a public space, especially after the meeting's scuffles.

Khan glanced at Monica, who nodded and headed toward the guests with his Cousins. The three escorted everyone outside, guards included, leaving Khan and Princess Montares alone in the hall. Her soldiers briefly hesitated, but her glare quickly sent them away.

Princess Montares followed her guards' departure with her eyes before facing Khan. She initially avoided his gaze, focusing on adjusting her hair and simple drop waist dress, but her blue irises eventually went on him.

Khan found the scene odd. Princess Montares' gestures had been slow and methodical. She seemed to have practiced them to highlight her soft hair and overall appearance, but her mana remained calm. Khan couldn't spot any intense emotion.

"I want to apologize for my previous words," Princess Montares exclaimed. "While true, I had no right to insult you."

"There was no insult," Khan reassured. "Besides, I was aware of your ways. I just ignored them."

"That's highly disrespectful," Princess Montares pointed out.

"As it was trying to kill me," Khan jabbed back.

"We have protocols for similar events," Princess Montares commented.

"Which I don't trust," Khan stated.

"You didn't even give them a chance," Princess Montares said.

"Give it up, Princess Montares," Khan uttered. "You can't control me. You never will."

Princess Montares had been the epitof composure during the chat. Her mana and face didn't falter even once, but Khan's latest statement created a ripple in that otherwise calm lake. Even the faint trace of a smile threatened to appear.

"Unstable variables tend to be put down early on," Princess Montares explained. "Among us, that is. They acted too late with you."

The Princess didn't mean her words as a threat, and Khan didn't reply. He watched as she slowly inspected him from head to toe, her blue eyes occasionally lingering on the war paint and crown.

"What's the purpose of this chat, Princess?" Khan directly asked.

"CallRachel, please," Princess Montares requested. "We are of similar age, and your status might even be above mine."

"I thought you sawas a bastard," Khan pointed out.

"Politics," Princess Montares exclaimed. "You'll forgivefor engaging in them."

"Your purpose," Khan reminded.

"Though," Princess Montares added, "You could have ignored the hurdle with a different match. Marrying a Princess would remove any stain on your lineage."

Princess Montares couldn't help but gasp at the sudden temperature change. She was a third-level warrior, so the abrupt cold weight that fell on her shoulder almost made her lose her balance. She even struggled to remain on her feet and used the entirety of her strength to look up.

Khan's expression didn't change. His eyes had also remained dark, but the new pressure clearly cfrom him. It sounded impossible, but his mere thoughts could make her unable to breathe.

"Easy, Prince Khan," Princess Montares muttered, mustering a smile. "I wasn't insulting Miss Solodrey. She is splendid."

Khan let the pressure linger on Princess Montares for a few seconds before retracting it. Even after the silent threat, her mana didn't release fear, but his senses noticed the absence of inhibitors. Rachel simply had great control over her energy and mental state.

"Edna warned me," Princess Montares said, taking a deep breath and readjusting her dress. "You are quite protective."

Khan was ready to launch another threat, but hearing the n"Edna" made him slightly curious. He didn't expect Princess Montares to be on good terms with Princess Virrai. Even his Cousins didn't warn him about that detail.

"We have occasional conversations," Princess Montares explained, understanding Khan's curiosity. "Though phones and screens, mostly. She speaks highly of you."

"What are you doing here?" Khan questioned. Princess Montares' behavior didn't make sense. She had gone from insulting his lineage to suggesting a match with someone with a higher status. The Solodrey family was wealthy enough to have the nobles as sole superiors, which deepened Khan's confusion.

"I find you pleasant to look at," Princess Montares revealed, her gaze resuming Khan's inspection. "Though I'm not sure I prefer you with or without these barbaric trinkets."

'Why are all nobles crazy?' Khan cursed in his mind. "You can discuss further agreements with my fiancée."

"So cold," Princess Montares commented, chasing after Khan as he turned to leave. "Don't mind my playfulness. I would have gladly taken you as my husband, but you took too long to beca Prince. You belong to Miss Solodrey now."

Khan couldn't help but turn again to face the Princess, who showed a simple smile. Her words and expression made him want to frown, and another curse tried to rise into his mind.

"May I request a personal escort?" Princess Montares wondered. "While I reveal my insights of my fellow guests?"

"You can take my elbow," Khan gave up, offering his arm to the Princess.

Princess Montares seized Khan's elbow but knew her place well enough to keep her distance. She merely clung to him, avoiding further physical contact. That level of respect wasn't something Khan had experienced often, but the nobles saw it as common pleasantries.

"The Montares family likes you," The Princess revealed as Khan led her outside the hall. "You are more promising than Prince Thomas. Your future is brighter, and you have the support of the important names in your faction."

"But not the connections," Khan pointed out.

"That's why you called us here," Princess Montares stated, "Isn't it? Once the supplement goes viral among the nobles, your sales will stretch throughout the Global Army."

The two crossed a vast, empty corridor, and Khan tried to lead the Princess toward her living quarters afterward. However, she pulled him toward the nearest elevator, planning to head downstairs.

"Everyone is watching," Princess Montares explained as the elevator descended. "It will help with your future private meetings."

"The encampment is no place for a Princess," Khan commented. He wasn't worried about Rachel. He simply didn't want to deal with her family's potential complaints.

"Was mentioning Edna enough to make you protective toward me?" Princess Montares asked. "You are weak to friendly women, Prince Khan. I don't envy Miss Solodrey."

Khan ignored the comment, but Princess Montares promptly continued. "Well, I do envy her a little, but I'll still bathe afterward."

"Continue," Khan ordered as the elevator opened, showing the two to the teams of soldiers stationed in the area.

"The Virrai family also likes you," Princess Montares revealed. "Edna is their gem, and you saved her life. She even loves Miss Solodrey, so you can expect their support."

The soldiers formed two lines and wore military salutes as Khan and Princess Montares crossed them. They also tried to create an escort, but Khan made them stay behind with a single look.

"Rassec is complicated," Princess Montares continued. "They owe you one for Prince Rick, but the marriage made you even. You also insulted Prince Samuel. As I said, complicated."

The two soon stepped outside the tall building and crossed a few streets to reach the sea of tents. The Scalqa roaming the streets stopped to bow at Khan, and Princess Montares seemed pleased with that strange scenery.

"The Saintilon will play both sides until a winner is decided," Princess Montares explained. "They won't help anyone win but won't refuse good deals, either."

Khan's public appearance sparked a series of cries, making more Scalqa leave their tents to bow to him. Princess Montares' vision revealed pure reverence, which she appreciated.

"The Catlee are hesitant," Princess Montares continued. "They think you have potential but want to wait for more developments. Maybe bringing the Prince here will change his mind. You built a fine army."