The attendants almost shrunk back near the wall to avoid getting caught in the mess, but it was too late. Prince Samuel had uttered the magic words. A noble had publicly apologized to people with lower status.
Of course, Princess Edna's presence made everything easier to accept. The attendants and Milo had already decided to mention her when reporting the issue. Still, the insult remained, and Prince Samuel could only endure it.
The Prince failed to focus even after apologizing, but Milo reacted quickly. He stood up, lifting Prince Samuel to help him to his feet before carefully pushing him toward one of the entrances. The sudden move made the Prince's mind spin, but his guard took care of that, too.
"Prince Samuel isn't feeling good," Milo announced while pushing the Prince toward the door. "I apologize for my lack of manners, but we must leave."
Milo didn't wait for replies and hurried toward the door, muttering scolding words whenever the Prince tried to peek at the crowd. Soon, the two left the ballroom, and their departure finally allowed the attendants to breathe.
However, the problems weren't over. Princess Edna was still there, and everyone in those circles knew her eccentricity. It was unclear what could still happen.
Luckily for the attendants, Princess Edna had no interest in the ballroom and attendants. She barely noticed their presence at all. Her mind carried a single thought, and she revealed it as soon as she pointed her beaming smile at Monica.
"Let's go shopping now," Princess Edna exclaimed, hurrying to Monica's side.
"I wasn't aware this space station had shops," Monica admitted, letting Princess Edna take her elbow.
"It's quite plain if I'm being honest," Princess Edna revealed before her eyes lit up with a new idea. "Let's see your wardrobe instead. Did they give you something for the wedding already?"
"They provided a few options," Monica confirmed before recalling something that made her freeze on the spot. "Wait, Edna. We can't go to my suite."
Princess Edna's smile widened when she noticed the panic on Monica's face. Her desire to visit the suite had just skyrocketed.
"It's too messy for a Princess," Monica almost pleaded, trying to escape that situation. She even glanced at Khan, but he kind of enjoyed seeing her embarrassed.
"Let's go!" Princess Edna happily ordered. "Captain, trade Ron with Monica for a while."
"Princess!" Ron scolded, but his fate had already been sealed.
"Have fun," Khan voiced. He would typically get jealous if someone saw the mess in the suite, but Princess Edna was an exception, and Jack barely counted as a man.
Monica glared at Khan, begging him to get her out of that situation. Still, he nodded calmly, forcing her to give in and see the positive aspects. She preferred Khan as a shopping companion, but Princess Edna worked too.
"One moment," Monica eventually requested, slipping out of Princess Edna's grip. "I must say goodbye."
Monica hopped toward Khan, and he welcomed her in his arms. She leaned forward, and the two exchanged a short kiss, but a pout awaited him once they separated.
"I have yet to forgive you," Monica whined.
"What did I do now?" Khan chuckled.
"You were all handsome before the Princess," Monica complained.
"I can't help how I look," Khan snickered, "And you chose this hairstyle for me."
"Yes," Monica nodded, "And it's perfect, but also only mine, so now you have to pay."
"Alright, alright," Khan didn't even try to fight. "Go have fun now."
Monica's jealousy was genuine, but its intensity was a pretense. She was only slightly mad since her brain was busy with far different thoughts. The issue with Prince Samuel was still vivid in her mind, and Khan had behaved impeccably during it. She would have locked him up with her in their suite if it weren't for her duties.
"Don't cause a mess," Monica cutely warned, leaning forward to kiss Khan again before escaping his arms. Her resolve was already faltering, so she had to hurry back to the Princess. She would have never left otherwise.
"Take care of the Captain, Ron," Princess Edna ordered as she took Monica's elbow again and dragged her toward one exit. Jack was with them, and Monica only managed to wave at Khan before leaving the ballroom.
"I love that girl," Khan sighed, shaking his head while looking at the recently used exit.
"Woman," Ron corrected, clearing his throat while approaching Khan. "Miss Solodrey is almost twenty-four, isn't she?"
"In four weeks," Khan confirmed. "I hope the marriage doesn't take time away from her birthday."
"She is too good for you," Ron commented, also staring at the exit.
"We agree on that," Khan exclaimed. "Drink?"
"I'm on official duty," Ron snorted. "I won't let anything affect my judgment or abilities."
"Didn't the Princess tell you to live a little?" Khan teased.
"Don't use the Princess' words," Ron scolded.
"The Princess did trade you for my lovely girlfriend," Khan pointed out. "Your duty is indulging me now."
Ron glared at Khan before heaving a sigh. Khan was right, and he remained a fourth-level warrior with exceptional endurance in all kinds of poison. It would take a pool of booze to affect him.
"Drink," Ron announced, striding toward one of the exits.
Khan nodded at the attendants before following Ron, and the two soon left the ballroom. Obviously, no complaints flew in his direction. He couldn't practice without Monica, and the recent events had been too much for those servants anyway.
Ron led the way since he knew the space station. The two crossed multiple corridors before ending up in a small area featuring two tables, a long desk, and stools. A bartender was also present, and Ron only needed to lift his hand to make him prepare two drinks.
Khan and Ron occupied adjacent stools, and the latter nodded at the bartender to make him go away. The man left through a door behind the desk after delivering the drinks, giving some privacy.
"Will the Princess get exposed to indecent things?" Ron questioned.
"We couldn't bring any of Lord Vegner's toys," Khan joked, knowing Ron was aware of the trip to the estate. "Sadly."
"I hope you won't get strange ideas," Ron warned, picking up his drink. "The Princess was only teasing Miss Solodrey."
"I'd be dead just by thinking about it," Khan chuckled, also attending to his drink.
The short sip stopped Khan's laugh. That was the best booze he had ever had, and a long drink followed. By the time Ron replied, his glass was already empty.
"Exactly," Ron nodded. "The Virrai family wouldn't hesitate to forget your heroic deed if you tried anything."
"Who cares about the nobles?" Khan exclaimed, jumping on the desk to inspect the other side. His eyes lit up when he found the previously used bottle, and his hand darted forward to seize it.
"What?" Ron asked, unleashing his chilling tone.
"I mean," Khan cleared his throat, happily returning to his seat with the bottle safe in his hands. "Monica would cut me into pieces before the nobles could get a chance."
Ron stared blankly at Khan before releasing a half-chuckle. That almost sounded like a snort, but Khan saw through it, and his smile soon filled Ron's vision.
"Did you just laugh?" Khan teased.
"I most certainly didn't," Ron scoffed, returning to his drink.
"I'm growing on you, aren't I?" Khan continued, leaning toward Ron.
"Keep your distance, Captain," Ron ordered.
"You are no fun," Khan laughed, settling back on his stool and refilling his drink.
The two men went silent, and a quiet tension unfolded. Somehow, both Ron and Khan knew that the time for jokes was over. Serious questions were about to arrive, and Ron's money was on Prince Samuel's issue. Yet, Khan surprised him.
"Did the Hive make any move after the last incident?" Khan questioned.
Khan's current political situation extended his reach to all kinds of intel, and that was bound to improve after replacing Ambassador Abores. However, Ron could have insights into information too classified even for Khan, and he couldn't miss that chance.
Ron calmly took a sip from his drink before inspecting Khan. He didn't glare at him, but hesitation filled his mana. He appeared conflicted about talking about that specific topic with him.
"Come on," Khan insisted. "I'll marry a Solodrey. I'm basically one with the Global Army."
Ron knew nothing was official, but Khan's face and voice carried no lies. The resolve he conveyed made that possible news turn into a certainty. Those weren't the words of a teasing kid. A mature leader was sitting beside Ron.
"The Hive is slippery," Ron eventually explained. "We had no further attacks but couldn't track any movements either. However, I'm sure you are still on their watchlist."
Khan didn't show any reaction. His face remained perfectly still as he brought the drink to his mouth. He had expected a similar answer, but helplessness arrived anyway.
'They probably can't make moves while I'm stationed in the Harbor,' Khan thought, 'But I won't be there forever.'
"What about Prince Samuel?" Khan changed the topic. "Should I expect repercussions?"
"Princess Edna defended Miss Solodrey publicly," Ron sighed. "With that and her background, no noble would dare try anything. In normal circumstances, that is."
"So," Khan realized, "He might come after me."
"I'd work hard on your job as best man," Ron suggested. "Many won't like to hear what happened today, and people do crazy things to earn the favor of the nobles."
