That was it. Anastasia had laid bare the whole truth. Her story didn't have conspiracies or insights into the Nak but explained Khan's background. He was a bastard of the Nognes family.
Learning to have a noble lineage would be a big deal for almost anyone, but Khan was different. He had wanted to know simply to confirm the many clues gathered throughout his missions. As for actual actions, he didn't plan to do anything.
"Happy now?" Anastasia questioned. "For what it's worth, you have a lot in common with your mother. I don't consider it good, but maybe it will work differently since you come from a different background."
It didn't take a genius to understand Anastasia's words. Elizabeth's wild behavior was problematic with her noble baggage, but Khan was different. The network saw his daring and brave efforts in a good light since achievements accompanied them. Without the noble's background, he was nothing more than a successful soldier.
"It already worked differently," Khan declared. "You are here, aren't you?"
"And what would that mean?" Anastasia asked.
"You wouldn't travel here just to plan Monica's birthday," Khan explained. "You have something else to say."
Monica immediately understood what Khan meant. The two had even considered that possibility in the past weeks. Moreover, Khan was right. Anastasia wouldn't have traveled so far for a mere birthday.
"That's one annoying ability," Anastasia commented, her expression growing cold. "It will be a great addition to the Solodrey family."
"Are you saying?" Monica gasped.
"Yes," Anastasia exclaimed. "My husband and I have approved your engagement. It will be announced on your birthday."
Monica had to hold back an excited cry, but glancing at Khan told her that her happiness had to wait. His face had remained cold, hinting that he had more questions.
"I'm guessing as a birthday gift from her loving parents," Khan wondered.
"Your love for each other melted our cold and scheming hearts," Anastasia joked. "The public will receive it well, drawing huge interest in your future performance."
"Which you are expecting me to excel," Khan guessed.
"At the very least," Anastasia corrected. "You are a bastard with a troublesome background and even more problematic behavior. Excellence must be your starting point once inside the Solodrey family."
"Those have always been the terms," Khan stated. "What changed?"
"You are becoming my dear daughter's fiancé," Anastasia pointed out. "That changed."
"No," Khan firmly said. "There's more."
Anastasia couldn't help but bring the drink to her mouth to prolong her silence. Her expression didn't falter, but that didn't matter before Khan. His eyes saw everything, even the hints of ambition deep inside her mana.
"It's not a secret," Anastasia eventually revealed. "It's common knowledge inside the family."
"What is?" Khan questioned.
"The top seat," Anastasia explained. "The role of Patriarch or Matriarch."
Anastasia put more emphasis on Matriarch, telling everyone what she had in mind. She didn't need to look at Monica to reveal her plans.
"You need me," Khan understood.
"That wasn't always our plan," Anastasia added. "Usually, the female descendants join the spouse's family in exchange for long-lasting alliances and assets. However, we had to adapt to our unusual situation."
"It must be truly unusual for me to be with the person I love," Monica snorted.
"Monica, please," Anastasia sighed. "It is my job to look out for your future. You squandered a lot with your reckless behavior. I had to find another path."
"Squandered?" Monica gasped. "Just because I had the stones of taking what I wanted, it doesn't mean I squandered my prospects."
"And what would your plan have been?" Anastasia wondered.
"I'm the best descendant of the Solodrey family," Monica announced, "And my fiancé is the best man in the history of the Global Army. We would have been fine regardless."
Anastasia fell silent again. That wasn't a childish remark. Monica had spoken the truth. It would have actually been strange for that couple to achieve nothing after gathering so much fame.
"Regardless?" Khan asked, glancing at Monica.
"Oh," Monica uttered, retreating deeper into the couch and unleashing a shier tone. "Matriarch doesn't sound bad with you at my side."
"Do you want that?" Khan questioned.
"I just thought that it would be perfect," Monica admitted. "You'd have the entire Solodrey family at your service, and our children would never suffer from political pressure."
Those lines left Anastasia speechless, but Monica wasn't done yet. "Besides, it would turn me into a woman worthy of you."
Monica often let her mind wander too far into the future, but Khan only saw love in those admissions. She was ready to strive for the mantle of Matriarch to improve their situation. That ambition came directly from her desire to protect her relationship.
"Silly girl," Khan sighed, breaking his firm stance to pull Monica into his arms.
Monica's fear had skyrocketed during the previous admissions, but everything disappeared once she fell into Khan's arms. She even forgot that her mother was there while she hid her face on Khan's chest and held him tightly.
Meanwhile, Khan inspected the mess of curls below him. He could sense Monica's disappearing fear, but its sole existence told him how worried she was. It seemed that she could still hide something from him, but he wouldn't let her fight alone.
"I'll do it," Khan eventually declared, caressing Monica's hair. "I'll make Monica the new Matriarch of the Solodrey family."
"You are still decades too early for that," Anastasia scoffed.
"No," Khan shook his head. "I'm not."
Realistically, Khan's claims were groundless. He was only a third-level warrior and a Captain on top of that. The upper echelon of the Global Army was far harsher to climb, but his words almost managed to convince Anastasia anyway.
It didn't help that the scene was quite touching. Khan didn't run away nor falter before Monica's daring claim. He even stood there for her to clear her doubts. As a partner, he had already surpassed most of his peers.
"I have another question," Khan continued after a brief silence. "Is the engagement a way to prevent the Nognes family from wanting me back?"
Khan's question was more than reasonable. Anastasia probably didn't know about the strange event with Princess Felicia, but someone in her position was bound to predict it and understand its meaning.
Khan could claim without a single ounce of arrogance that he was amazing. His strength alone could put him at the top of his level, and his knowledge of alien arts deepened his advantages. His senses also played a big role in his unreachable status, and his achievements added fame to an already incredible political figure.
Theoretically, it could be wise for a wealthy family to reabsorb such unique talent into their ranks. Nobles had to mind their face more, but their word was absolute, so no one could stop or contradict them. If the Nognes family wanted Khan back, they would have him, and that was a good time to think about it.
"The thought crossed my mind," Anastasia admitted. "Why? Did something happen at the wedding?"
Khan found no lies in Anastasia's words, so he decided to speak the truth. "Princess Felicia greeted me twice. I think it was a message."
"I see," Anastasia commented. "It shouldn't have been anything official. No Prince or Princess can make that decision for the entire Nognes family."
'Was it just personal curiosity then?' Khan wondered. 'Which means Princess Felicia knows about my mother.'
Khan felt a headache coming. He knew bigger problems would appear as long as he continued climbing the political ladder, but the nobles remained especially troublesome. There was no real ploy or preparation that could work against them.
"Anyway," Anastasia exclaimed. "The decision had nothing to do with that. My husband and I gave the okay after receiving reports from the wedding. You did well there."
Khan couldn't take the compliment to heart since Anastasia only cared about the political implications of his performance. She wanted a connection with the Rassec family and nothing more.
"Now," Anastasia changed the topic. "The engagement is no small event. Representatives from the Solodrey family will come here to celebrate, so you should get started on memorizing your schedule now."
"Mother," Monica called, leaving Khan's chest to look at Anastasia. "You just approved our engagement. You need to stay away from this flat for a few days."
"Monica, dear," Anastasia sighed. "We have a lot to prepare, and time is tight. Khan would also need to go out one day earlier to retrieve rings and clothes."
"Mother," Monica called again. "Either you leave, or we will have sex in front of you."
"Monica," Anastasia sighed. "These tasteless threats are below-."
Anastasia couldn't finish her line since Monica jumped toward Khan's mouth, forcing him to lie on the couch. She quickly unbuttoned his shirt, which flew away before he could even think about doing anything about it.
Anastasia initially didn't think the two would go through with the act, but Monica knew her man through and through. She sat on Khan's lap and removed her pullover, bringing his attention to her sensual bra.
The situation immediately grew helpless. Khan and Monica completely forgot about Anastasia's presence, and she soon felt forced to leave the room. Sadly for her, the elevator closed only after she heard the first moan.
