Savdat

The Elder was perfectly aware of the Niqols' political situation and the inevitable repercussions Khan's actions had caused.

The Niqols were politically done for. Their reputation wasn't salvageable, especially since they couldn't defeat an opponent backed by the Thilku Empire.

Actually, the Thilku Empire probably wouldn't need to play a role there. The Elder had only needed that quick inspection to confirm that Khan was a monster. Chances were, he wouldn't need anyone's help to deal with the Niqols.

Defeating Khan or making him pay for the insult were the Niqols' only options to regain a modicum of reputation. With those possibilities gone, the Niqols could only go back into seclusion, reorganizing themselves once again while waiting for the universe to forget about the failed arranged marriage.