Only three days remained. Then it would finally happen—the planned arrival of the Saturians.
Kashion had spent the entire past week with his advisory team and the High Council, taking yet another close look at resource planning. Formally, Earth had been at peace for several years now.
Yet everyone could feel a simmering unrest beneath the surface.
Resources were not distributed evenly across Earth, and the planet was still divided into different territories. They had succeeded in establishing a well-structured, functioning trade network, and in truth, everyone had been satisfied. Each region contributed what it had or produced and received what it lacked in return.
But Aethereleum could become the turning point.
Aethereleum was the substance that gave spacecraft their rapid propulsion—and so far, it had been found only on Saturn. A few decades ago, the Saturians had gifted Earth a large supply, but it was slowly and steadily running out.
The new generation of Saturians no longer felt as obligated to Earth's population. Some had cut ties entirely.
King Tioff was one of the few who still felt bound to their ancestors—and what fortune it was that his kingdom lay in the region with the highest Aethereleum deposits.
If the trade agreement succeeded, Tingdao would finally be able to assert itself against the other kingdoms in the long term. Tingdao produced much itself, but it also depended on many raw materials from other realms.
Kashion was beginning to notice how the beautiful façade was starting to crack. In recent years, new rulers had risen to power, and some had already shown greedy tendencies. Aethereleum could be Tingdao's way out—a means of protecting its people permanently.
Kashion sat back in his armchair, ate a few grapes, and sighed.
"I just don't understand why the donkey isn't allowed to move diagonally backward. I mean—why does that rule even exist?"
He didn't look at his friend Oren, but he knew Oren was rolling his eyes.
"As if there weren't more important matters you should be concerned with right now," Oren replied.
Kashion looked up from his tablet and met Oren's gaze. Oren was sitting opposite him, still studying the diagrams.
Kashion set the tablet aside. "Cheqi helps me relax. I can't look at those diagrams anymore. Besides, everything is prepared. Anything else will only become clear once Princess Evlina arrives."
"Oh, plenty will become clear then," Oren said, laughing.
"Tsk," Kashion muttered. "Nothing is certain."
Oren shook his head. "Kashion, as your mother already said—time moves just as quickly for you. One day, you'll have to start a family of your own. And if you don't want the princess, you're welcome to introduce her to the rest of us."
Kashion grabbed a grape and tossed it at Oren. Then he took a deep breath.
"I know, I know. At some point, I'll have to decide. And I also know that Princess Evlina is certainly the best choice—if only because of the agreement."
"That sounds much better, Your Highness," Oren said, popping the grape into his mouth.
"Oren, please—let's play a match," Kashion said.
Oren rolled his eyes. Kashion wasn't a prodigy at Cheqi, but no one in the palace could hold a candle to him. Kashion knew it, too. For Oren, playing against him was a burden every single time. Kashion simply needed an opponent who was his equal. But Cheqi wasn't very popular anymore; many dismissed it as overly strategic and boring.
Oren stood, gestured toward the door, and said, "After you, Your Highness."
Kashion smiled like a child. He knew Oren found it difficult to refuse him—if only because Kashion was the prince.
Out in the hallway, Kashion had set up his Cheqi board on a table. It served as decoration and game alike.
Oren sat down and chose white. Kashion took his seat opposite him and immediately picked up a black tree piece.
"Let's hope Princess Evlina can play Cheqi," Oren joked. "At least then you'd have some entertainment—and I'd have my freedom."
Hmm. That thought hadn't occurred to Kashion yet—that he might share a relaxed, friendly relationship with the princess. And besides—did Saturians even play Cheqi?
"No matter what happens, Oren, I'll always enjoy playing with you," Kashion said at last, laughing.
"Do you think I should have invited Terland and Ostrand to arrive together with the Saturians after all?" Kashion suddenly changed the subject.
Oren looked up. He had nearly reached for the forester piece—a fatal mistake, given that Kashion had opened with the tree.
"No, Your Highness. We've discussed this several times in the High Council. You must first establish a solid foundation with the Saturians before the other realms are given an opportunity. After all, this concerns the interests of everyone in Tingdao," Oren said.
Kashion nodded.
"Yes, you're right. They'll arrive in two weeks anyway—that should be more than enough. All right, how much longer do I have to wait before you make your move?"
Oren glanced at him, slightly annoyed. Kashion could play while discussing politics. For Oren, each Cheqi move alone required full concentration.
Kashion enjoyed the game. He had fun, even though he quickly noticed Oren's mistakes. He deliberately made a few errors himself so the match wouldn't end too quickly.
They continued talking about politics, and Oren repeatedly returned to the topic of Princess Evlina.
Kashion didn't want to share all of his thoughts—not even with Oren, who was not only his servant and adviser, but truly his closest friend.
Deep down, Kashion longed for someone who could complement him. Someone who understood him. And yes—why not someone who could play thrilling games of Cheqi with him after a long day?
He yearned for someone who could take a little weight off his shoulders.
A faint smile crossed his face as he thought of what he knew about Evlina. Perhaps she really was a gift. He had never seen a more beautiful woman—she was flawless. And from what he had heard, she was highly intelligent and eloquent. Maybe she truly was the perfect match.
And yet, there was a feeling Kashion couldn't describe, couldn't quite grasp. A small doubt knocked quietly at his heart. Everything seemed perfect, but something was missing.
He thought of his cousin, who always said in situations like this: "It's like hot chocolate without marshmallows." Not essential—but it would have completed it.
The memory made Kashion chuckle softly. Oren looked at him questioningly, but Kashion shook his head.
Oren reached for the donkey piece. The donkey was not to be underestimated strategically—but Oren failed to notice that Kashion's eagle was already lurking nearby. Yes, Kashion's life sometimes resembled the donkey. Everything seemed to be going well—except the donkey couldn't move diagonally backward.
As promising as everything looked, Kashion couldn't shake the thought that the spacecraft Earthbound was circling him like an eagle, and that he would soon be caught in a powerful vortex.
Kashion picked up his eagle and knocked over Oren's donkey.
Oren cursed quietly. "Well, at least the game is over now."
Too bad it's over, Kashion thought silently.
"Thank you, my friend," Kashion said. He stood up, wished Oren good night, and hoped he would sleep better that night.
At the time, Kashion did not yet know how right he was.
The vortex would come—but it would be of an entirely different nature than he could ever have expected.