Chapter 799 Brother


    Reba Nognes was a fifth-level warrior with long brown hair and deep brown eyes. Her facial features were delicate,cking even the slightest trace of wrinkles. She barely looked in her thirties, but her aura told a different story.


    Khan felt a bit surprised. He had heard about Reba from his father and Cousins, but most of his assumptions came from the woman''s status. She was more than a simple Princess. She belonged to the older generation, which wielded higher authority and demanded immense respect.


    However, Reba''s aura carried nothing but warmth. She was entirely at ease among the staring crowd, and confidence surrounded her figure, but that cozy feeling remained intense.


    "He called me Aunt," Reba chuckled, stepping forward to reach Khan. "Let me take a look at you."


    Khan was the epitome of coldness and detachment. His mere eyes sent death threats, keeping everyone away. Only those close to him felt confident enough to ignore that defensive fa?ade, but Reba didn''t hesitate to reach for his chin.


    Strangely enough, Khan didn''t dodge Reba''s hand. Her warmth was oddly reassuring, and the gesture radiated a loving vibe that made him lower his wariness. He even let her lift his head as she inspected his features.


    "You might not know this," Reba announced, "But I''ve been the third person to hold you after you were born."


    Reba seemed not to care about the audience, and Khan didn''t mind it either. He wouldn''t feel ashamed about those personal revtions, but Reba''s behavior remained surprising. She wasn''t acting as a Princess at all. Khan saw nothing more than a loving rtive during the scene.


    "To think such a cute baby would have turned into a little monster," Reba smiled. "It''s such a pity."


    Khan felt the urge to frown and finally retracted his head. His face didn''t show it, but the statement confused him. Reba''s warmth and the words "little monster" didn''t belong to the same field.


    "Don''t worry," Reba reassured, seemingly reading Khan''s mind. "Monster is fine. Monster might be what the family needs."


    Everything felt so odd to Khan. Reba didn''t seem to know which mask to wear. She appeared unable to stick to either Princess or loving Aunt, making her behavior hard to read.


    "May we talk in private?" Reba eventually requested.


    Everyone heard the request, so rejecting it wouldn''t be proper. Khan''s friends would also understand his priorities. However, that night was supposed to be about Monica, and he couldn''t leave her alone after she sacrificed her special day for the greater good of the quadrant.


    "Aunt Reba," Khan announced. "My fiancée needs me here."


    "Oh, I apologize," Reba gasped, seemingly realizing where she was. "I was so caught in the reunion I forgot my manners."


    Reba crossed Khan to dive into the audience. The guests moved aside at her arrival, allowing her to reach Monica. Thetter tried to perform an elegant bow, but Reba promptly seized her hands.


    "Monica Solodrey," Reba called. "You are such a beautifuldy. Happy birthday."


    Monica almost froze. Her political training couldn''t prepare her for that situation. She knew how to deal with clingy Princesses, but Reba''s status and rtion to Khan created an internal conflict in her mind.


    "Thank you, Princess Nognes," Monica managed to utter.


    "It''s Reba for you," Reba reassured, grinning. "You can also call me Aunt. You know, I''ve always wanted another daughter."


    Monica had to muster the entirety of her self-restraint to prevent her mouth from hanging open. Like Khan, she didn''t get much family love growing up, so Reba''s warmth took herpletely by surprise.


    "We''ll have our girls'' talkter," Reba said, letting go of Monica to inspect the guests. "I should pay my respects to your parents now."


    Anastasia was on the verge of tears. A high-tier noble had joined her daughter''s birthday party, bringing massive honor to her faction and herself. She felt she could die happy, and what followed threatened to make her faint.


    Reba crossed the guests and stopped before Anastasia and Luther to perform an elegant bow. The married couple promptly imitated her, but she spoke before them. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Our blood is tied now," Reba announced. "I hope you''ll allow me to address you as Luther and Anastasia."


    The tables had turned. Usually, it was the lower family''s role to request that friendliness, but Reba had stolen the spot, humbling herself before Monica''s parents. Needless to say, Luther and Anastasia felt ecstatic but did their best to stick to polite behaviors.


    "You honor us, Princess Nognes," Luther eximed, lowering his head in respect.


    "We aren''t worthy, Princess," Anastasia added.


    "Our children will soon join hands in marriage," Reba reassured. "We''ll all be one big family, so it''s only proper to abandon useless pleasantries."


    Anastasia felt her blood pressure tanking at high speed. She truly wanted to faint. That was the happiest day of her life, but the situation demanded a straight face from her.


    "I apologize for being sudden," Reba continued. "May I ask permission to steal your daughter''s fiancé for a few minutes? If it''s not too much trouble."


    "Of course!" Anastasia beamed. "Khan, dear, indulge the Princess. We''ll take care of Monica."


    Being called "dear" by Anastasia sent a chill down Khan''s spine, but it was clear the situation had be unavoidable. Besides, he noticed a suppressed smirk when exchanging a look with Monica. She struggled to hold back theughs seeing her mother like that. Even without him, Monica would find ways to have fun.


    "Very well, Aunt Reba," Khan conceded, turning toward one of the trapdoors. "If you would follow me."


    Reba reached Khan and seized his elbow to let him escort her downstairs. The two crossed Princess Felicia and Prince William along the way, and their mother uttered a cheerful order before disappearing. "Socialize."


    The structure''s lower floors had various environments. Kitchens, control rooms, bedrooms, and more filled the building to attend to the guests'' every need. Reba''s request implied a desire for privacy, and Khan quickly fulfilled it.


    Khan and Reba crossed a few bowing waiters before reaching a small, rtively empty hall. That was intended as a second dance floor in case Baoway''s weather misbehaved, but the two could make it work for their private conversation.


    Khan half-expected Reba''s behavior to change in private. He didn''t sense that kind of darkness in her mana, but his senses had been wrong before. Nevertheless, Reba''s warmth didn''t wane, and her smile remained bright as she let go of Khan and wandered through the hall.


    "The Solodrey family sure spent a lot of money," Rebamented, checking the hall''s specifics. "I used to be too shy to dance when I was younger. Of course, Elizabeth always forced me."


    Reba chuckled as her eyes lost focus, looking past the hall''s metal surface to dive into distant memories. Some longing tainted her mana, and a faint sadness spread throughout the symphony.


    "She was the reckless one," Reba revealed. "Beyond stubborn, resourceful, and driven. Her guts were a sight to behold. Nothing seemed impossible for her."


    Khan kept his gaze on Reba, studying any change in the symphony. He was curious but remained silent to let her finish her speech.


    "I was the soft one," Reba continued, turning to smile at Khan. "Admittedly, I was too na?ve and insecure for a Princess. Maybe that''s why I took Elizabeth as a role model. Her strength was almost blinding."


    Reba lowered her head, her smile turning bitter. She loved her memories, but the reality always added a tinge of sadness. She missed her sister far more than she could show.


    "Thomas was the practical one," Reba exined. "Some would call him cynical, but I know my brother. He always did as he was told, diligently working to be what the faction needed him to be. Honestly, he still is."


    Reba fell silent for a few seconds before lifting her head. That was the first time Khan didn''t see a smile on her face.


    "Please, don''t hate Thomas," Reba said. "His actions always had the faction''s interests in mind. He is one of the reasons we still hold some power after everything that happened with Elizabeth."


    "Are you asking me not to kill him?" Khan questioned.


    "If possible," Reba confirmed. "I know why you do what you do. I don''t condemn it. I just-. He''s my brother like your mother was my sister."


    Under all that confidence, Reba was nothing more than a worried sister who didn''t want to lose her brother. She understood the eventual necessity of the event, but her naivety prompted her to make that request anyway.


    "Is that the price for your support?" Khan coldly asked. The scene was moving and even gave him a good impression of Reba. Yet, he barely knew her, and his needs came first.


    "I''m not so maniptive," Reba giggled, seemingly happy Khan''s mind could generate those thoughts. "No matter your decision or future, you have my support."


    Khan didn''t know how to take the statement. Reba''s unusual behavior kept him guessing. He couldn''t understand how to treat her, especially among all that one-sided affection.


    "So much wariness," Reba noticed. "I suppose it''s only natural. Don''t worry. I''m not na?ve enough to hope in the goodness of your heart."


    Reba stepped forward, stopping before Khan. She crossed her arms, and her smile gained a confident vibe as she exined herself.


    "Spare my brother," Reba announced, "And I''ll give you the Nak."