Chaos Heir

Chapter 1288: Dinner

Monica felt surprised for the third time, but Rodney remained an unreliable narrator. Also, his history spoke louder than his words. That man didn’t care for emotions. Rodney probably saw them as any other tool for his goals.

That wasn’t necessarily bad. Plenty of political figures lived like that. For some, it was actually a requirement to adopt that lifestyle. Their environment would eat them alive otherwise.

Monica had seen some of those examples in her own family. Her mother had sweetened after the Khan’s debacle, but she didn’t forget how she used to be. The same went for Monica’s father, and her political experience featured many such figures.

Therefore, Monica didn’t blame Rodney for developing that personality. His situation was also more unique than most, and it didn’t exactly feel awful to receive proper compliments after so long. Yet, that hardly mattered now.

“Everyone always gets that point wrong,” Monica sighed, showing a simple smile to Rodney. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Colonel, but I broke up with my ex-fiancé, not the other way around.”

“You had to do it because your former fiancé didn’t have the guts to do it himself,” Rodney claimed. “He made himself inhuman while demanding everyone else to follow. You couldn’t, so you spared him from that hard decision.”

No one knew the details behind the breakup. Khan and Monica had never shared the full story with anyone, but Rodney had gotten pretty close to the truth. His insight was quite praiseworthy, but Monica couldn’t help but wear a cold expression.

“Are you insulting me, Colonel?” Monica wondered.

“There’s no blame in wanting to remain human,” Rodney declared. “Prince Khan might not have seen any value in it, but I do. Your decision was commendable. You had no business chasing after someone blind enough not to acknowledge your worth.”

An unbelievable doubt formed in a dark part of Monica’s mind. As impossible as it sounded, Rodney truly seemed to mean his words, especially since Monica could easily spot the other lies.

“For a man who spent so long among criminals and illegal activities,” Monica announced, “You are a terrible liar.”

“I meant what I said, Miss Solodrey,” Rodney stated. “In my eyes, you are more of a Princess than any of those lazy and complacent nobles.”

“Not that,” Monica chuckled, leaning deeper into her chair while covering her mouth. “I was talking about your insults toward my ex-fiancé. You might be able to trick others, but I can see how much you respect him.”

Rodney’s serious expression wavered for the first time since the meeting started. His gaze also grew more intense, invaded by something that bordered on childish irritation.

“There’s no shame in that, Colonel,” Monica reassured, crossing her arms. “Khan is one of the greatest men who have ever existed, if not the greatest. Even as a political opponent, you can recognize his achievements and admire his efforts.”

Rodney had to admit he didn’t expect that comeback. He could hide that feeling quite easily from everyone. Khan actually was the blindest of them all against him, but Monica wasn’t tricked.

It was unavoidable. Watching Khan shine during Milia 222’s crisis inspired Rodney. That tragedy against the Nak’s hand had been Rodney’s turning point, the event that had awakened his maturity and had made him decide to strive for greatness.

That was exactly what Khan was. Despite his many quirks and unclear allegiances, he was a great entity, and Rodney couldn’t help but aspire to achieve greatness himself after being in his presence.

“Prince Khan is an exceptional individual,” Rodney admitted, “But he can only have my recognition. He lost my respect when he forsook humankind.”

“Is that why you are here, Colonel?” Monica wondered. “Is making me your partner a way of making Khan regret turning his back on humankind?”

“I wouldn’t disrespect you like that, Miss Solodrey,” Rodney responded. “You deserve someone who values who you are and is proud of having you at his side. I can and want to be that person. It would be my honor.”

Monica had sort of started to believe Rodney, but that did little to affect her frigid, still-bleeding heart. Mere words wouldn’t move her. Chances were that nothing could move her at all.

“And,” Rodney added, “I know what plans your force has for me. I will reach the peak of the Global Army with or without your help, but having you at my side might benefit future deals.”

The point brought up by Rodney had been one of Khan’s recent headaches. The latter knew Rodney was his best possible inside man in the Global Army, but making their interests align was troublesome.

Monica was aware of that point, too, and sharing the story about the Scarlet Eyes had probably played a part in Rodney’s willingness to compromise. After all, common enemies were famous for solving past grudges.

As for the offer itself, it didn’t have many negatives, if any. Monica had no real prospects when it came to relationships, and giving away that part of herself would secure a key ally.

Monica could finally fulfill the role her family had always wanted her to fulfill, serving humankind in the process. Yet, she didn’t even consider the matter for a second before giving her answer.

“No,” Monica instantly rejected.

“Am I that unfit?” Rodney asked. “I promise to treasure you and give you the spotlight you deserve, other than helping you seize your rightful place among humankind.”

“No,” Monica repeated, shaking her head. “I will give all my expertise, efforts, and knowledge to my force and its allies, but I won’t give myself for anything less than true love, the same love I’ve already felt once.”

Monica lowered her gaze at that point, summoning a holographic screen to check the network. She wasn’t pretending now, and her brain mustered one last line before delving into the news. “You can leave now, Colonel Semmut.”

The decision was clearly final, but Rodney didn’t move. The refusal didn’t shake him, but it definitely put him into a pensive state.

“Okay,” Rodney eventually said. “If you are the woman I think you are, you can probably make me fall for you.”

Monica’s hands stopped typing, and her eyes slowly moved back to Rodney. She had to admit she didn’t expect the man to be so serious about her.

“Why should I make you fall for me?” Monica questioned. “If you intend to pursue me, it should be the opposite.”

“You are correct,” Rodney agreed. “Miss Solodrey, would you grant me the honor of having dinner with me?”

“As I already told you, Colonel,” Monica said, wearing a polite smile, “I’m busy.”

“You owe me for saving your life in Milia 222,” Rodney insisted.

“Is that your idea of courtship?” Monica scoffed. “Guilt-tripping me into a date?”

“I won’t pretend to be a decent man,” Rodney declared. “I’m not beneath these strategies if they get me what I want.”

“Love doesn’t listen to strategies,” Monica sneered, refocusing on the holographic screen.

“What I want now,” Rodney announced, stopping for a second to highlight his following words, “Is to see you in a dress, smiling as you monopolize the attention of every wealthy customer in the fanciest restaurant this planet has to offer.”

Monica couldn’t refrain from diverting her attention from the screen again to look at the man still standing before her desk.

“That’s not hard to achieve,” Monica pointed out. “I’m popular. I’ll be even more popular as the news keeps spreading.”

“Trivial gossip doesn’t concern me,” Rodney declared. “I meant envy from every woman and desire from every man.”

Monica’s hands left the control desk, moving to the armchairs as she completely turned toward Rodney. Truth be told, it had been a long time since she had eaten in a proper restaurant or worn a dress for something that wasn’t a political meeting, and she very much enjoyed both.

“I’m a demanding, difficult woman,” Monica revealed, “And my former fiancé made my standards the highest in the entire Global Army.”

“As they should,” Rodney responded. “So, shall we?”

“No,” Monica refused. “I need at least five hours to prepare, and I might be late by a few more.”

“I’ll wait,” Rodney promised.

“Shouldn’t you be busy climbing the political ladder?” Monica wondered. “You are still a Colonel, Colonel. That’s nowhere near the peak of the Global Army.”

“With your permission, Miss Solodrey,” Rodney exclaimed, “I’ll wait.”

Monica’s eyes darted up and down, studying Rodney from head to toe. Yet, a sigh eventually escaped her mouth. She deactivated the control desk, sealing it behind her genetic signature, before standing up.

“Enjoy your wait,” Monica said, crossing the control desk to head for the office’s exit. “I will take long.”

Monica pretended not to notice it but saw how Rodney wore a military salute, remaining in his position, probably planning to stick to his promise from that very moment.

The ninth volume will end here. I hope you enjoyed it!

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