Chapter 930: Rumors


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    "Aunt," Khan called, watching Princess Reba enter the hall. "I''m not bringing William or Felicia to Senerth. I already have too much babysitting to do."


    Princess Reba''s eyebrows arched in surprise, but a warm smile soon broadened on her face. She understood what happened, and the idea made her chuckle.


    "Did Thomas convince you to bring Richard?" Princess Reba asked, seemingly teasing Khan. "You sure have grown fond of my brother, Nephew."


    "He has his uses," Khan scoffed, ignoring Princess Reba''s teasing smiles. "I don''t know what''s up with everybody. They think Senerth will be a holiday trip or something."


    "It''s customary to send promising or problematic individuals to work under great leaders," Princess Reba exined. "Families exchanged descendants for political reasons countless times. This isn''t much different."


    "I''ve been a leader for barely over a year," Khan said, dismissing the praise. "Do they think I can turn spoiled Princes into proper warriors by snapping my fingers?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "You have a good track record," Princess Reba pointed out, approaching Khan. "And, well, it''s part of your responsibilities. Youck the age and the grey beard, but you are the future Father and Grandfather of the next Nognes generations."


    Khan avoided making eye contact with Princess Reba until she stood before him. He looked at her in time to see her hand reach for his face. The gesture embarrassed him, but he didn''t shy away from it.


    "You look tired, Nephew," Princess Rebamented, maneuvering his head from his chin. "Producing an heir is a critical task, but you should tell your Fiancée to let you rest every now and then."


    Khan diverted his gaze again. He had never grown used to that type of family affection, and Princess Reba unconsciously hammered down that weakness. Despite the political chaos, she did her best to be a motherly figure, and Khan could only y along with her.


    "So, my Uncle spilled the beans," Khan said, ncing at Princess Reba''s curious expression before diverting his gaze again. "We are just trying. It sounded like the right period."


    "It always is," Princess Reba revealed, "And it never is at the same time. You just do it, and the family deals with it."


    "Like my Mother?" Khan wondered, retracting his head to tell his Aunt he had reached the limit of that maternal love.


    "That''s not what I''d call dealing with it," Princess Reba sighed, retracting her hand. "Let''s just say your political position would create a far more favorable environment."


    Khan scoffed but didn''t say anything. His eventual son or daughter would have an entire noble faction serving them. That was the direct opposite of his childhood in the Slums.


    "Also," Princess Reba continued. "I''d have the chance to spoil him rotten. I''ll be a proper Grandma for once."


    "Him?" Khan asked, pouring cold water on Princess Reba''s heated excitement.


    "Or her," Princess Reba added. "Though a he would be better, especially if he is as cute as you."


    Princess Reba reached for Khan again, but he leaned backward, dodging her hand and walking around the table behind him. He used that chance to refill his drink and rify another point.


    "And it''s not Monica," Khan exined. "And I''m not tired. I simply have much on my te." "You are my blood," Princess Reba snorted. "I''ll always take your side over Miss Solodrey''s. Also, I''m your Aunt, so I''ll always want you to take it easier."


    Khan didn''t even try addressing those points. Those unreasonable stances were almost worse than his element, so he directly changed the topic.


    "What''s the issue?" Khan questioned. "It''s not Senerth, and I know you didn''te here to tease me."


    "The fun is always short," Princess Reba sighed. "I talked with Father. He is ready to receive you."


    Khan''s eyes lit up. After the meeting with the Excellencies, Princess Reba had taken it upon herself to summon Alexander. Khan could have handled that part himself, but fighting Bruno had taken priority.


    "Where is he?" Khan asked.


    "Two floors down," Princess Reba revealed. "Twenty-first dining hall. Yes, there''s food."


    "Thank you, Aunt," Khan eximed, downing the drink and leaving the ss on the table before hurrying toward the hall''s exit.


    "Not even a love you, dear Aunt?" Princess Reba teased, chuckling when Khan escaped that maternal affection without saying a word.


    Khan dismissed the previous friendly mood as his mindset changed. Things with his Grandfather were still rocky, but the two had reached a rtively peaceful understanding. Yet, the topic was serious, requiring Khan''s full attention, even if he couldn''t deal with it until Senerth''s expedition was over.


    The twenty-first dining hall soon unfolded in Khan''s vision. The ce had limited couches and tables, creating a more private atmosphere, and Alexander sat on an armchair, seemingly unaware of Khan''s arrival.


    "Grandfather," Khan called, stealing a few tes along the way before reaching an empty armchair before Alexander. "Thank you for making time for this."


    "You call," Alexander uttered, straightening his back to wear a more professional stance, "Ie."


    Khan began dining, uncaring of making Alexander wait. Thetter didn''t seem to mind, but Khan''s eating speed soon added some slight shock to his face.


    "The Excellencies," Khan eventually said, clearing his throat while putting aside the empty tes. "What can you tell me about them?"


    "A lot and nothing, Grandson," Alexander revealed. "Many rumors, but nothing concrete. I have gauged their general personalities over the years, but no one particrly stood out. That''s to be expected from such figures."


    "You were the exception due to my Mother, right?" Khan asked, stealing a nearby bottle while a full te still rested on hisp.


    "Indeed," Alexander sighed. "Elizabeth had a way of making her messes public, which forced me to expose myself. That revealed information normally limited inside the faction."


    Khan nodded, alternating between drinking and eating. The nobles were secretive figures, and the faction leaders pushed that feature to the extreme. It helped to be mysterious at those levels. Unpredictability was a powerful weapon, which Khan had exploited plenty.


    "Who stood out in your opinion?" Alexander asked. "We can start from there."


    "Cassius," Khan instantly said. The man was the only non-elderly among the Excellencies, and his mana had even managed to catch Khan''s attention.


    "Oh, him," Alexander nodded. "I understand why. In a way, the two of you are simr. He is more politically inclined than you, but many believe he never cked on his warrior training. Some even said he has attempted the evolution."


    "He didn''t," Khanmented. "I would have seen it."


    Alexander felt surprised once again but didn''t investigate the matter. If Khan said Cassius hadn''t tried to evolve yet, he didn''t. Khan had owed that trust in those matters.


    "He also rose to power quite sharply," Alexander continued. "He suddenly reced his Uncle and remained in power until then. It''s said his faction is as united as ours."


    Each Nognes faction had a clear leader, but those organizations were asrge as entire wealthy families. Divisions and struggles for power were the norm inside such big parties, so achievingplete unity was a respectable feat.


    Actually, Cassius'' feat was even more respectable than Khan''s. Khan''s faction had lost power and shrunk over the years, facilitating unity under a single leader. Meanwhile, at least on the surface, nothing simr had happened to Cassius'' faction, vouching for his political skills.


    "And I guess everyone only cares about their own butt," Khan stated. "Obviously," Alexander confirmed. "I canpile a list of rumors and certain events around Cassius and his faction. Still, I''m afraid you won''t have time to review everything before your


    departure."


    "Do it anyway," Khan ordered, "About every faction and faction leader. Make it as detailed as possible and give it to my Fiancée. I''ll review it once I get back."


    Usually, handing out such ssified information to an outsider would meet heavy resistance. Monica and Khan weren''t married yet, so the order could be problematic. However, Alexander


    didn''t hesitate to nod.


    "There was that other one," Khan recalled. "Francesca. She was rather talkative and open during the meeting. Though I did make one of her Princes bring back Prince Jack''s head."


    "The Princes who initially came to negotiate with you were expendable," Alexander reassured. "No one is going to hold their lives or treatment over your head now. As for


    Francesca, she is quite the opportunist."


    "Is she?" Khan questioned.


    "Slightly more than the others," Alexander specified. "She has vast political experience and a


    good nose for good opportunities. Also, I can think of something else, but it''s just a theory."


    "Speak," Khan ordered.


    "It told you Cassius is simr to you," Alexander repeated. "You cover simr roles. Eventual problems with Cassius would naturally push Francesca toward you. She might feel she needs


    an equally capable ally."


    "Do you think the two factions are at war?" Khan wondered.


    "Factions are never at war," Alexander dered, "And mine mere is a guess. However, I can


    ask around and see whether there are some rumors. My old informants might still be in business and respect me enough to answer."


    "Do it," Khan said. "Now, moving on to the others..."