Chapter 1488: Aunt Zaza

No questions were needed there. Clearly, Khan and Liiza were now before Tamara’s parents, and their stance was undoubtedly problematic.

Liiza was straight up squeezing Tamara in her hug, while Khan was casually caressing her long green hair. Despite the trio’s past, physical interactions with the Nele were still taboo, and the married couple couldn’t have indulged in those before a worse audience.

Tamara’s parents seemed able to read what was happening inside the couple’s minds and immediately acted upon it, stepping forward to approach Khan and Liiza.

Liiza let go of Tamara and stood up, and the same went for her husband. The little Nele seemed unaware of what was happening and continued to focus on the sleeping Yeza in Khan’s arms, but her mediation turned out to be unnecessary.

Khan was ready to default to the Nele’s ways, even preparing his alien accent to voice the traditional greetings, only for Tamara’s father to grab his shoulders.

The gesture was firm but gentle, followed by something even more shocking. Tamara’s father leaned forward, lowering his head until his forehead touched Khan’s chest, mustering a voice that seemed on the verge of cracking.

"Thank you for saving my daughter," Tamara’s father said.

Khan was taken aback, and glancing at his wife didn’t really help. Tamara’s mother had trapped Liiza in a sudden hug, hiding her face in her neck, leaving her as stunned as Khan.

Liiza also looked for Khan’s gaze, and the same emotions spread inside them when their eyes met. They both weren’t that great at dealing with such genuine gratitude, but they couldn’t dismiss those earnest parents, not after becoming parents themselves.

"I’m glad we happened to be there at the right time," Khan claimed, patting Tamara’s father’s back.

"You did more than just save our daughter," Tamara’s mother exclaimed, leaving Liiza’s neck to look deep into her eyes. "You treated her like your own daughter and took care of her all the time."

"We couldn’t have done otherwise," Liiza responded. "I want my own daughter to be as sweet as Tamara one day."

"If she isn’t already," Tamara’s father stated, letting go of Khan and straightening his back, looking down at Yeza while placing a hand on his daughter’s head. "You have a beautiful daughter, Uncle Khan, Aunt Liiza."

Tamara giggled when hearing that, and Khan and Liiza exchanged another glance at the Nele’s parents’ meaningful looks. Somehow, they had officially gained a niece.

"Thank you," Liiza uttered, smiling.

"Thank you," Khan echoed, but his expression hinted at a question.

"I’m [Freoc]," Tamara’s father said, understanding what Khan wanted.

"[Alis]," Tamara’s mother promptly added, introducing herself.

"Now Aunt Liiza and Uncle Khan know Tamara’s Papa and Mama," Tamara giggled. "Is Aunt Zaza here, too?"

"She is with the Niqols in another area of the party," Khan nodded. "Do you want us to show you the way?"

"We can’t impose," Freoc immediately refused. "We know you must be extremely busy."

"But Tamara wants to see Aunt Zaza!" Tamara exclaimed, pouting.

"Tamara, you promised you’d behave," Freoc scolded. "And we can still find your Aunt Zaza on our own."

"I apologize," Alis said, letting go of Liiza. "Our little girl seems to have grown more spoiled in our absence."

Alis threw knowing looks at Khan and Liiza, almost making them divert their eyes in guilt. The two were definitely to blame for Tamara’s more unrestrained behavior, which would have been fine for a kid, but not a Nele kid.

"Don’t make those faces," Alis laughed. "I’m glad my daughter had such caring guardians."

Alis reached for Tamara, placing a hand over her husband’s, which was still on their daughter’s head. She also threw a meaningful look at her, wearing a pensive expression.

"And who knows?" Alis wondered. "Maybe this can become the norm for our kids from now on."

Luckily, Tamara didn’t understand such deep topics, but Khan did. The Nele taught their kids to be extremely careful and distrustful from a young age. They had to do so due to the many ill-intentioned people in the universe.

However, obtaining a home might change that. After enough time passed, the Nele might feel confident in dropping their hard stance on strangers. Perhaps, the safety of Coravis would change their customs again, finally putting their species’ tragedies behind them.

"I’ll make sure of it," Khan declared. "I’ll also keep an eye out for you all during this party, so relax and enjoy your time here."

"Such a caring and protective man," Alis chuckled. "No wonder Caja speaks so highly of you, and all the young women couldn’t wait to meet you."

Liiza’s smile froze, and her white glow slowly moved past Freoc and Alis, glaring at the group of green figures, focusing on any woman who looked too beautiful, busty, or interested for her own good.

"I’d be wary of the Nele, Aunt Liiza," Alis teased. "Many of us already feel eternal gratitude toward your husband and would do almost anything to repay that debt."

"The Nele have yet to meet a Niqols’ woman," Liiza declared. "It seems I’ll have to address their bold ideas."

"Mama, stop teasing Aunt Liiza," Tamara scolded. "She becomes too cold for Tamara when she is jealous."

"Oh, sweet Tamara," Liiza called, reaching down to gently pinch Tamara’s cheek. "I’m never jealous. I’m just worried about what Uncle Khan and those who like him might go through."

"But I like Uncle Khan!" Tamara complained.

"You are an exception because Aunt Liiza likes you very much, too," Liiza responded.

Alis and Freoc had far sharper senses than their daughter, so they didn’t feel at ease at all in Liiza’s presence. Something icy and dangerous was boiling in her aura, making them exchange a worried glance.

"We have taken enough of your time," Freoc coughed. "We should settle and start looking for Aunt Zaza."

"I’ll check on you again once I finish my rounds of salutes," Khan promised. "Oh, but do promise me one thing."

Alis and Freoc couldn’t help but focus again. Despite their jokes, their debt toward Khan was truly immense, and they would do anything in their power to repay it throughout their lives.

"Never ever call Aunt Zaza with any other name," Khan said. "Promise me you’ll always call her that, and be sure to spread the word with the other Nele, too."