A scene with stark similarities to Khan and Monicaâs first date played on the white desert.
Khan walked forward, his weightless steps leaving no marks on the white sand while his glowing gaze remained on the messy horizon ahead.
Meanwhile, Monica strolled with her hands clung behind her back, slowing down whenever her shoes dug into the sand, seemingly wanting to experience its texture.
Silence reigned as the two distanced themselves from Snow, George, Liiza, and Yeza, heading toward the gargantuan gorge created during the battle against the Scarlet Eyesâ King. That catastrophic edge was too far away to reach at that pace, but Khan and Monica never considered accelerating.
Truth be told, Khan would normally have to get those politically trivial matters done as quickly as possible. After all, the promised universal war had finally arrived, and his power and status gave him a crucial role in arranging the allied sideâs forces.
Actually, things were even worse than that. The various speciesâ representatives had yet to arrive, but Khan could spend that time coordinating with his forces and updating them on everything he had learned and done.
For example, no one yet knew the Nak were no more. Only Khan and Liiza were aware of the True Chaosâ real nature and what that meant for the mana and the regulated universe.
To make things worse, that was only one of the revolutionary pieces of information the regulated universe had to learn about. Khan also had to address his own situation, needing a proper discussion with his lead scientists and his wife to decide how to proceed.
However, Monica was anything but trivial for Khan. He wasnât exactly free, but he could grant her some time before the world inevitably kidnapped him. He owed her that much.
Khan owed Monica so much that he couldnât even begin to consider that seemingly casual stroll as a waste of time.
Monica didnât know every detail. Truthfully, only specialists or evolved warriors would be able to understand most of the problems afflicting Khan.
Nevertheless, Monica was certain that Khan was incredibly busy now. Even if he werenât, he was still choosing to talk with her over being with his daughter and family. Monica appreciated that, but was also aware she couldnât abuse that willingness.
Monica was aware that Khanâs selflessness now belonged to someone else.
So, Monica eventually halted her steps, staring at the white sand under her for a few seconds before lifting her head, steadying herself, and reaffirming her resolve as she turned to face Khan.
Khan had obviously stopped together with Monica, and the two ended up staring at each other. He felt he had to begin that conversation, but Monica beat him to it.
"You must put your scoundrel days behind you now that you are married," Monica exclaimed. "You wouldnât want to be a bad example for your daughter."
The joke sounded slightly forced, but Khan looked past it, hearing what it truly meant, even managing to chuckle in response.
"You have no idea how terrified I am of that," Khan sighed, shaking his head, "But I also know everything will be fine. Liiza will make sure of that."
Khan immediately realized he probably shouldnât have mentioned Liiza, at least not so soon in the conversation, but Monica didnât seem to mind. She could only focus on that revolutionary change in Khanâs mindset.
In the past, Khan would have overthought that subject to the extreme, finding countless faults and problems connected to him and his darker sides.
However, none of that was visible now. Monica only saw healthy and ordinary worries proper of a father.
"It will be fine," Monica confirmed. "And I know your wife will help, but it will be fine because you could never be a bad father."
Monicaâs opinion of Khan had always been great. She was one of the few people in the Global Army who had recognized his potential when he was little more than a soldier, and his current status proved her right.
Still, that high evaluation made Khan divert his glowing eyes as more serious topics rose into his mind.
"Monica," Khan called, looking at Monica again, his face reeking of seriousness. "Iâm sorry."
That serious face tried to startle Monica, almost reawakening the feelings she was putting aside after seeing Yeza. Yet, the words Khan spoke ended up attempting to make her snap.
"Khan, you donât-" Monica began to scold, only for Khan to speak again.
"Iâm sorry I made you break up with me," Khan declared. "I put you in an impossible position, even if part of me already knew the truth."
That statement left Monica speechless. Khan would have never come to similar realizations in the past, let alone actually voicing them.
"I had gone too far for us to work," Khan continued, "But I didnât want to hurt you. I didnât realize what I thought was the right thing for you only hurt you more."
That maturity surpassed Monicaâs wildest expectations, but the contents of Khanâs statement gave birth to a worry she couldnât suppress. Luckily, he immediately addressed those fears.
"But I donât regret dating you," Khan made sure to add. "I was happy. You made me happy. You made me wish I were just a normal human so that I could have been happy with you forever."
Those few lines put Monica through a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in that freeing reassurance. Tears even started to accumulate in her eyes. After all, she had almost forced that relationship on Khan, but it seemed he didnât see it that way.
"Of course," Monica responded, clearing her throat to prevent her voice from cracking. "I am the best girlfriend in the world after all."
Khan couldnât help but chuckle hearing that inside joke, and Monica mimicked him before adding something else.
"But I guess I can forgive you," Monica said, pretending to be all haughty and mighty. "Iâll also definitely take pleasure in seeing your wife trying and failing to catch up with my sense of style."
"Something tells me keeping you two from killing each other will be harder than winning this war," Khan sighed. "At least Jenna is settled now."
"Wait, what?" Monica gasped. "What happened to that witch?"
"Right," Khan uttered, recalling that most of the universe still didnât know half of what had happened in the recent period. "She found herself quite the loyal man, just like I heard you did."
"General Semmut and I arenât anything!" Monica scoffed, raising her voice. "I had dinner with him. Once! And just because I felt like dressing up."
Khan obviously saw much more and didnât exactly like it. Still, he didnât know a lot and didnât have the right to say anything, either. He was only aware of how Monica was and how much he cared about her.
"Look," Khan said, scratching his head. "You know Iâd burn planets for you. Iâve also been itching to threaten the guy, so say the word and Iâll see it done."