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Chapter 861: Reunions

The fighters\' arrival had captured the audience\'s attention the previous day, but many kept eyeing the main tower now. The guests were still curious about Khan, especially those who truly knew him.

The situation was no better in the main tower. Monica could understand much from Khan\'s short explanation, but the Thilku Lords, Tlexicpalli, and noble representatives couldn\'t be satisfied with that. They also felt compelled to say something about that personal tragedy. It was almost mandatory due to their status and relationship with Khan.

The representatives seemed ready to go first, but Lord Rsi took the lead. During the wait, he had seized some booze and stretched his massive arm toward the throne to offer his cup.

"Condolences, [Blue Shaman]," Lord Rsi announced. "Know that the news saddened many Thilku."

Lord Rsi had gotten friendlier during the tournament, but the announcement still surprised Khan. Basic condolences were fine, but the Lord had involved his soldiers, too. He didn\'t mention the whole Empire for political reasons, but Khan could read between the lines.

"It was his time," Khan responded, accepting the drink and gulping it down in a single sip before lifting his arm. "My father died exactly how he wanted."

Waiters promptly arrived to refill Khan\'s cup and deliver more drinks to the guests. The Thilku also requested food, and the Scalqa imitated him.

"Was he a warrior?" Lord Rsi asked.

"Scientist," Khan explained. "The best there was."

"[Ah]!" Lord Exr cried. "That explains how you learned our runes so quickly."

Khan glanced at Monica, wearing an "I told you so" face, but she responded with a deadpan expression. His proclivity for alien languages and cultures had nothing to do with technology. Still, seeing him able to joke after Bret\'s death made her giggle.

"Will you honor his death?" Lord Rsi questioned, referring to [Festivals] and similar events. "I already had a private funeral," Khan explained. "Though I appreciate the interest." Lord Rsi glanced to his right, and Lord Exr understood the silent message.

"We could host a [Feast]," Lord Exr suggested. "The Empire has long since settled here, and this is a suitable occurrence."

The offer had a deeper meaning. Khan had already hosted [Feasts], which made sense since Baoway was his domain. Having the Thilku organize a similar event would apply the same theory. They would basically state that they considered the planet their home as well.

The other guests didn\'t miss that detail, and Khan found the strength to nod due to the Thilku\'s good intentions. However, a disturbance suddenly ran through the symphony, and Khan almost knew what would arrive.

"The event is a great idea," Tlexicpalli exclaimed. "My warriors are eager for a rematch."

Lord Rsi and Lord Exr almost took the bait but remained silent out of respect for Khan\'s tragedy. Tlexicpalli also avoided pressing on and switched to offering her version of condolences.

"Prince Khan," Tlexicpalli called. "If you need to blow off some steam, the Ef\'i would be more than willing to provide the chance."

Tlexicpalli hinted at sparring matches, but Khan had experienced another side of the Ef\'i\'s culture. They knew how to have fun and let loose, but he wasn\'t in the mood for those joyous parties yet.

"I appreciate the offer," Khan said, pulling Monica closer from her waist, "But my fiancée is already taking care of that."

Lord Exr and Lord Rsi held back their jokes and laughs but glanced at Monica in approval. They already respected her, and learning that Khan could rely on her intensified that feeling.

The representatives followed. Polite condolences resounded on the terrace while battles raged below. Except for Princess Montares, the nobles had a more detached approach to the topic, which Khan preferred. He appreciated the aliens\' good and genuine intentions, but his brain failed to record most words that landed on his ears.

The personal tragedy also created a strange atmosphere on the terrace. Silence reigned once the rounds of condolences ended. The guests engaged in occasional, short conversations, but the jokes and laughs of the previous day were absent. The general mood didn\'t allow them.

That pushed most of the attention to the battles, which were relatively entertaining, albeit with nothing noteworthy. Even the few contestants who slightly excelled received no offers from nobles or major families. It was too early for that.

Nevertheless, Khan appreciated that quiet mood. He drank and ate, occasionally adding comments, but his mind often wandered past the battles and guests. Thoughts about his father and matters related to his death distracted him, isolating him in his own world.

The thoughts didn\'t have any real direction. They were random, generated by the closeness to the tragedy. Khan only needed time, and the guests were respectful enough to leave him alone.

The battles ended when Baoway\'s star began to disappear behind the horizon. Once again, the tournament eliminated half of its remaining contestants, and the many parties departed, leaving the arena to head toward different celebratory events.

Khan also departed, excusing himself with Monica to avoid getting dragged into parties or other annoying situations. Bret\'s death played in his favor there, stopping any guest from attempting to kidnap him. Still, the personal tragedy demanded a relatively public appearance, and leaving through the arena\'s appointed streets pushed Khan into unavoidable social obligations.

Leaders had duties, and personal tragedies didn\'t exempt them from them. Actually, any major event increased their numbers, and even Khan had people he couldn\'t refuse to meet.

Khan had yet to leave the arena when familiar auras touched his senses. He was still departing with the terrace\'s guests, walking hand-in-hand with Monica, but the event forced him to stop. Those around him imitated his action, following his gaze into the vast and bright

corridor.

A group of soldiers advanced in Khan\'s vision, but his eyes looked past the troops, recognizing the people they hid. Luke, Bruce, Lucian, Mark, John, Lucy, George, and Anita were heading his way, accompanied by their parents and family representatives. Truth be told, Khan could ignore most of those descendants. He had built part of his authority over Baoway through them, but they would understand his desire to remain alone now. However, the others deserved a fraction of his attention, at least to reassure them that he was

okay.

The two groups met, and the soldiers broke their lines, heading for the corridor\'s walls and exposing the descendants. Luke and the others promptly bowed in respect, echoing words like "Condolences" and "Prince Khan", but George didn\'t bother with those empty pleasantries. "I\'m sorry," George exclaimed, reaching Khan and slamming his hand on his shoulder. "Do you want to get wasted like old times?"

Anita would usually shoot a glare at George but held back. She and Monica exchanged a look, which transformed into a sad smile, before focusing on their respective men.

"One of these nights," Khan promised. "Not today."

"Alright," George nodded, looking at Monica. "Take good care of him. You know how he is."

"He won\'t leave my sight at all," Monica declared before looking at the bowing descendants. They could force Khan to stay with them for hours, and she knew he only wanted to leave. His duties prevented him from pushing everyone away, so Monica decided to step up. "Friends," Monica called. "Thank you for your concern, but could we postpone this reunion? I feel rather unwell, and there\'s still much to plan."

No one believed Monica\'s claim, but everyone understood her motives. Khan wanted to avoid that impolite gesture, so Monica took it upon herself to justify their need to leave. She even blamed herself, preventing eventual complaints about Khan\'s availability.

The justification worked perfectly, and no additional questions flew toward Monica. The descendants had already accepted her reasons, so they didn\'t want to prolong the couple\'s stay in the corridor. Yet, Khan didn\'t let that protective gesture fly.

"Forgive my protective fiancée," Khan announced. "I\'ll find the time to celebrate with all ofn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

you, but I\'d rather retreat early today."

"It\'s understandable," Luke promptly responded, reassuring Khan and forcing the other descendants to follow suit.

"Contact us whenever you need," Lucian continued, and more polite words followed.

The same went for the descendants\' parents and family representatives. They echoed the younger generation\'s words, quickly offering their respects and vouching for their availability. That feeling was also genuine, which made sense given the wealth and influence obtained through the alliance with Khan.

Monica didn\'t fully understand why Khan didn\'t let her protect him but left that question for later. Now, she only thought about taking care of him, which meant leaving as soon as

possible.

Khan shared Monica\'s idea and prepared himself to resume his departure, but more familiar auras touched his senses, halting his steps again. Martha was among them, but Khan had no problems with her. The same went for Princess Felicia. His issues were with the other two. Amber and Cora were heading his way.