Chapter 1262: Grudges

Prince Thomas, Princess Rebecca, and Alexander had replaced Garret and whatever group of scientists and soldiers Khan expected to see at his side.

Realistically, the trio’s presence on Coravis was reasonable and easy to explain. The planet had a teleport, and Khan had been away for almost eight months, causing all sorts of problems in the meantime.

So, it made sense that some of the main figures in Khan’s family would have jumped at the chance to reunite with him and obtain a direct update on his exploits, other than confer with him about recent developments on their side.

Moreover, Khan didn’t just engage in battles and other reprehensible acts. Those actually wouldn’t have required that mobilization.

Instead, Khan had done something strictly connected to his faction and family. He had gotten married, and the nobles took those matters seriously.

Still, despite how much Khan understood that event, he couldn’t help but remain speechless. He expected to meet familiar faces and introduce his wife to some of them, but his return had now become a family matter.

Khan was the one who tightened his grasp on Liiza’s hand now. His Uncle and Aunt had already seen and talked with Liiza, but that was their first official meeting. Also, his Grandfather was there, making everything more official and political.

It didn’t help that Princess Rebecca wore a faint smile that failed to hide her intentions. Her façade was perfect, but her mana exposed her, and a chill instinctively ran down Khan’s spine.

However, as bad as Khan was with family matters, he steadied himself, his expression turning strangely serious. He was the de facto leader of his faction and wore that role quite well. His pregnant wife was at his side, so it was his job to make his family accept her while keeping her safe.

“Uncle, Aunt, Grandfather,” Khan greeted in order as the trio finished crossing the metal ramp and stopped before the married couple.

“My Prince,” The trio said simultaneously before three sets of curious eyes moved toward Khan’s right, inspecting the dark figure at his side.

“We finally meet, Uncle-in-law, Aunt-in-law,” Liiza announced, letting go of Khan’s hand to perform a Niqols’ bow. “And it’s an honor to make your acquaintance, Grandfather-in-law.”

Liiza had defaulted to her politest behavior before Khan’s family, and the trio couldn’t possibly disrespect her when the blue light shining on them threatened to destroy them if they thought otherwise.

Nevertheless, none of Khan’s relatives even considered that option. Actually, Alexander showed an uncharacteristic, genuine smile, half-lowering his head to imitate Liiza’s bow.

“Just Grandfather,” Alexander said. “My Princess.”

Liiza lifted her head in surprise, and Khan shared that sentiment. His relationship with his Grandfather would never be great due to past grudges, but the old man had truly meant his words. They weren’t an attempt to make up for his mistakes with Khan’s parents.

“You are even more beautiful in person, My Princess,” Princess Rebecca praised, “And you can call me Rebecca.”

“My Princess,” Prince Thomas nodded, limiting himself to that announcement of Liiza’s new status.

Liiza straightened herself up, not knowing how to react to that immediate acknowledgment. Truth be told, she wasn’t great with family matters, either. Her story wasn’t as tragic as Khan’s, but her upbringing had definitely been dysfunctional.

Nevertheless, the married couple had a bomb to throw in that seemingly peaceful meeting, and Khan decided to be the one to break the news, stepping forward while placing a hand on Liiza’s back.

“Uncle, Aunt, Grandfather,” Khan called while Liiza’s white light shone on him. “We are expecting.”

The trio couldn’t help but be surprised. Fertility was a big thing for nobles, especially those as unique as Khan. Marrying and making children were among the oldest and most solid political practices in those lofty environments, so Khan’s relatives had paid a great deal of attention to any updates on the topic.

Yet, the updates didn’t look good at all. Garret had promised to continue studying the issue to search for a solution, but science had a limit, no matter how many miraculous substances Khan found.

However, the problem turned out to be a non-issue. Khan had only needed to reunite with his long-lost first love to solve all of that. In little under eight months, he had found a wife and conceived a child, almost making that development feel fated.

“Congratulations, My Prince, My Princess,” Prince Thomas declared, being the first to recover from his shock.

“My deepest congratulations, Nephew, Liiza,” Princess Rebecca exclaimed, doing a great job at containing her exploding excitement. “Our promised talk just became more interesting. Do you wish to be called Niece?”

“I’ll agree to anything you prefer, Rebecca,” Liiza politely replied.

“You don’t have to be so stiff,” Princess Rebecca reassured. “We are family now.”

Alexander’s silence created a stark contrast with Princess Rebecca’s friendliness. The old man looked troubled at that revelation but not due to malicious intentions.

Of course, that reaction didn’t go unnoticed. Liiza pretended not to see it, continuing to play the humble and polite wife at her first real meeting with her husband’s family, but Khan didn’t let his Grandfather off the hook so easily.

“I’ll be a Great-grandfather,” Alexander commented while the blue light illuminated him. “For that to happen due to Elizabeth’s child …”

Understanding dawned upon Khan, and he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. None of his Cousins were married or had kids. He had been the first inside the faction to achieve that, and his parents’ history almost made the event hilarious.

The child of a union Alexander’s faction had opposed had ended up becoming the first to initiate the new generation of nobles. Fate seemed to be mocking Alexander as if wanting to make him pay for what Khan’s parents had suffered until his last day.

Khan could easily see himself taking pleasure in that mocking development, but his gaze fell on Liiza when her white light shone on him. She didn’t know much about his faction’s situation and grudges, so she showed part of her confusion, having effects she couldn’t have predicted.

Every family had problems. Khan was an extreme example, but Liiza was another. Also, noble families had the odd tendency to darken those issues, turning them into political ploys that could destabilize their very integrity.

Khan didn’t want his child to be born into a similar environment. He desired nothing but love for him or her, giving them everything his life had lacked and more. Still, that couldn’t happen as long as Khan held past grudges close to his heart.

Forgiving Alexander was simply impossible for Khan, but that didn’t mean he had to hate him or remind him of his mistake for the rest of his life. The old man had long since acknowledged it anyway. All that he had left was to do his best to make up for it.

However, for that, Khan had to give Alexander a proper chance.

“Well,” Khan sighed, “Considering his parents, our child will most likely be another monster, a cute one, that is.”

Liiza glared at Khan, but his smile told her something was up, so she trusted him to continue.

“So, Grandfather,” Khan continued, carefully patting Liiza’s waist, “Your days of cleaning up after me aren’t over. He will just do it for me.”

“She,” Liiza corrected, making Khan roll his eyes.

Prince Thomas stayed outside of that interaction, but Princess Rebecca couldn’t help but throw a knowing glance at her Father. Meanwhile, Alexander was understandably stunned. Khan had clearly cracked a joke, but his Grandfather responded with one of the most serious tones he could muster.

“I’ll see it done, My Prince,” Alexander declared, his expression growing slightly softer. “Thank you.”

Khan sighed mentally but didn’t say anything. He didn’t even nod as his attention fell on Liiza and her waist. His decision only vouched for how much he was willing to do for her and their future child, and it seemed he had made a decent first step.

Liiza felt Khan’s unusual mental state, but buzzing noises resounded among the group before she could question him. Even Khan’s phone rang, but he let his Uncle take the call.

“I’ll tell him immediately,” Prince Thomas announced, moving his phone away from his ear to offer it to Khan. “My Prince, it’s Mister Bizelli.”

“Garret?” Khan asked, bringing the phone to his ear.

“My Prince,” Garret’s voice escaped from the device. “A Kros’ fleet is approaching Coravis. They claimed you invited them here.”

“Yes, let them through,” Khan confirmed. “I didn’t expect them to come so soon, but that might be for the best.”

“Also, My Prince,” Garret continued. “They said they brought a King, and that part of the message was specific for you.”

“They sure move quickly,” Khan exclaimed. “Set a meeting point in the sky. I’ll fly there immediately.”

“As you wish, My Prince,” Garret uttered, and Khan closed the call, handing the phone back to his Uncle.

“I have to do some-” Khan began to say, but Liiza suddenly took his hand, squeezing it.

“[Don’t leave me alone with your family],” Liiza half-pleaded, half-scolded, switching to her language to have a private conversation.

“[It’s either them or the Kros],” Khan shrugged his shoulders. Theoretically, it wasn’t ideal to show Liiza to the Kros just yet, especially in her pregnant state, but she didn’t hesitate to voice her preference.

“[I’ll take the Kros],” Liiza declared, making Khan chuckle.

“[I’d tell you to come with me],” Khan considered, “[But I need someone to stay with the Nele].”

Liiza diverted her gaze, pouting. She didn’t want to admit it, but Khan was right. Besides, Khan was better with politics, while she might be of some help to the Nele thanks to her expertise. Leaving Ilman and Zalpa alone with them wasn’t ideal, either.

“[I’ll come back soon]?” Khan wondered, unable to refrain from chuckling when Liiza wore a glare. Yet, she still leaned forward to leave a quick kiss on his lips, releasing his hand to let him go.

Khan didn’t immediately set off. He caressed Liiza’s cheek and did the same with her waist before glaring at his relatives. His silent order was clear, and Liiza slightly blushed, but his figure eventually disappeared, leaving the four on the shore.

The sudden disappearance slightly startled Prince Thomas and Alexander, but Liiza looked at the trio in time to catch Princess Rebecca smiling at her. For some reason, Liiza experienced the same chill Khan had felt earlier.