Khan was speechless. He had sensed that sothing in George was off but would have never expected his problem to be of such profound magnitude.
Moreover, things didn't end there. George's mana carried sothing else that could only be labeled as sha. Khan didn't know what could cause such a feeling but was sure Anita and his baby weren't part of it.
"Congratulations?" Khan exclaid, unsure of how to react to the news.
"Thanks," George replied, seemingly sharing Khan's uncertainty.
Sure, Anita and George had been together for a long ti, almost as long as Khan and Monica. Wealthy descendants also tended to marry quickly once their political positions were solid.
However, George was George. In Khan's mind, he was still his easy-going best friend. He recalled countless conversations about girls and other idiotic but fun topics, but here George was, about to beco a father.
If anything, that monuntal event proved once again how deeply life had changed for Khan and everyone else. They weren't simple kids anymore. Many years had passed, and their daily problems had transford in nature, becoming greater and more rewarding on various, truly aningful levels.
Nevertheless, those thoughts barely managed to show their presence in Khan's brain before he refocused on the core of the issue. His best friend would beco a father, and the news put a smile on his face as soon as his mind achieved so clarity.
"You'll be a great father, man," Khan announced. "That kid doesn't know how lucky he is."
"How can you claim to know and say that?" George asked, running his hands through his short hair once Khan stole his bottle. "What if he learns about all the shit I've pulled? What if she learns about that?"
"Co on," Khan reassured. "You had your roguish period, but Anita made an honest man out of you. Besides, I always knew you had it in you."
"That's why I bla you," George cursed, stealing the bottle from Khan's hands. "You rubbed your whole married man on , and look where that brought . I'm going to have to get married! ! Getting married!"
"Don't you want to marry Anita?" Khan asked.
"Of course, I want to marry her," George declared, taking a long break to enjoy the booze. "That's not the point. If it weren't for you, I could have fooled around for a few more decades."
"Yes, curse ," Khan joked. "I forced you to fall in love, marry, and have a lovely child. I'm the cruelest man in the world."
"Shut it," George snorted. "The second and third parts aren't true yet."
"Please," Khan laughed. "Your child will be lovely."
"Obviously," George proudly agreed. "Did you see my future wife? Did you take a look at ? Talk about cheat genetics."
"That's very humble of you," Khan teased.
"I learned from the best," George replied.
"I am indeed the humblest man in the universe," Khan confird.
"And the most ntal," George added.
"We agree on that," Khan nodded. "Though, I'm really happy for you. You'll do fine. Actually, more than fine."
George grunted, only to discover that the bottle wasn't in his hands anymore. Khan was busy drinking it, and its contents were dangerously close to ending.
Khan smirked from behind the bottle, knowing what George was thinking far too well. However, a mory suddenly rose into his brain, reminding him of a past conversation and adding a sad vibe to the atmosphere.
Tradition wanted the marriage to happen before the baby's birth, especially for wealthy descendants. It was a matter of reputation and financial security, so it was safe to assu George and Anita would host it in the following months.
Yet, Khan was about to leave and probably wouldn't return anyti soon. Chances were he would miss George's marriage and wouldn't get to play the best man for him.
Khan didn't even know how to approach the idea. A conflict ford inside him. He needed to leave. Khan was sure of that, but missing his best friend's marriage didn't sound right. He wanted to attend it, but George seed to have other plans.
The sha in George's mana intensified as he glanced at the bottle in Khan's hands before lowering his eyes. He looked at the ground, seemingly too scared to lift his gaze. Sothing deep was bothering him, and a strange emotion eventually appeared inside him, giving him the strength to voice what he had in mind.
"Khan," George called. "Have I been a good friend to you?"
Khan was almost tempted to crack a joke, but the seriousness of the situation made him reply honestly. "Of course. The best friend."
"Did I ever ask you anything?" George continued, unfazed by Khan's reply.
"No," Khan stated. "If anything, it's who relied on you over and over again."
George nodded but hesitated, the sha inside him intensifying even more. He hated himself for even engaging in a similar conversation, but sothing greater than himself forced him to continue.
"You know," George announced. "I haven't known about this for long. You actually are the first person I told."
Khan remained silent. He was getting worried about George's state, but it seed he carried nothing harmful.
"When I first learned about it," George continued, "I was happy, truly happy. I thought I'd be terrified, but I couldn't stop smiling. Even Anita was surprised."
George hesitated again but eventually continued. "But I did beco terrified once I was alone, once I thought about what you've told ."
It didn't take a genius to understand George's fear. Giving birth to a child on the verge of a universal war could scare anyone. As always, ignorance truly was bliss, while knowledge was a
curse.
"I am strong," George declared. "I keep training, and I'm even stupidly diligent, but I'm not you, Khan. I can never be as strong as you. I'm not sure anyone can."
George finally lifted his head, forcing himself to look his friend in the eyes. He didn't want to speak his following words but had to. After all, George was doing that for his future child. "Can I ask you a favor?" George questioned. "I swear it will be the only favor I'll ever ask you in my life."
"Anything, George," Khan confird. "You know it."
"Get rid of the scarlet eyes," George requested. "If not for , for my future child. I know only you can."
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