– Kashion –
"So, how is it going?" Kashion asked Oren when he reached him.
Oren looked at him with a sly smile. "Everything is going well—though of course not as perfectly as for you, my prince."
"Perfect?" Kashion asked.
"Well, who is the fairy-tale couple tonight? You look wonderful together."
Kashion smiled wistfully. He picked up a glass of sparkling wine and took a sip.
Looking wonderful together. It felt as if everything was slowly slipping away from him, as if he were losing control. And somehow, as if he no longer knew what he truly wanted. It had all seemingly started with the Cheqi game and the misunderstanding. Now he felt certain of nothing.
When he had seen Yina arriving, holding Prior's hand, he had suddenly thought—perhaps he was completely wrong about her. Perhaps she wasn't plotting anything at all and had simply played the game. After all, Evlina had told him she had practiced it constantly. But somehow, he didn't want it to be that simple.
Why?
"So quiet?" Oren asked thoughtfully, pulling him from his thoughts.
"You danced well too."
Oren laughed. "One does what one must to help Your Highness save face."
"I would have thought you'd dance with Prior," Kashion said carefully.
Oren looked at him. "I asked her, but she didn't want to dance."
"Oh." Kashion took another sip.
Oren nudged him lightly with his elbow. "Maybe she would have danced with you."
Kashion laughed. "Unlikely. I just can't figure her out."
"Do you have to?" Oren asked.
Did he have to? No. But he wanted to. It was like a Cheqi game he couldn't solve. He wanted to understand her.
"Yina befriended her immediately."
Oren raised his eyebrows. "Oh. Well, Prior is very warmhearted. I think small children can sense that," he said. "Prince Kashion, I know the past few days have been exhausting for you. I'm saying this as your friend: you should focus on the agreement and Princess Evlina—not on her maid. She isn't plotting anything."
Kashion took a deep breath. Deep down, he knew Oren was right. Perhaps it was truly just the tension. Perhaps he had overthought it and imagined things.
He looked across the room to Evlina—the radiant personality, surrounded by several people, laughing and at the center of attention.
Then his gaze moved to the large table. To his sister and Prior. They were sitting next to each other and seemed to be talking comfortably. His sister was smiling, and Yina was bouncing around, showing Prior different things. The sight warmed his heart. He almost regretted refusing Evlina's earlier offer—that he could play Cheqi with her maid.
But Oren was right. He had to focus on Princess Evlina.
He would try to let go of his doubts.
He patted Oren on the shoulder in a friendly way. "Thank you, my friend," he said, set the glass down on a nearby table, and made his way toward Evlina.
– Prior –
It wasn't so bad sitting with Princess Kassia—especially since Prince Kashion wasn't there.
Kassia and Yina made the atmosphere relaxed. Yina kept showing Prior new drawings she had made, little toys she had brought, and even tiny acrobatic figures she could form with her fingers. She had truly blossomed.
Kassia smiled at Prior. "Yina is usually very shy with strangers. But she seems to have taken to you immediately."
Prior felt deeply touched and smiled at Yina. "Maybe she senses that I can understand her."
Kassia nodded. "She needs to feel comfortable and doesn't like pressure."
"Exactly. I can absolutely relate to that."
"And how does Earth feel to you?" Kassia asked curiously.
Prior thought for a moment, took a deep breath, and answered, "It feels good to see something new. Everything here feels new, fresh, and exciting to me. What I've seen so far is very interesting. The nature feels different from ours. Earth itself is much smaller, yet many things seem bigger. On Saturn, large cities and skyscrapers aren't really allowed."
Kassia watched her attentively. She was truly listening.
"Interesting. And the people?"
"Do you want my honest answer?"
Kassia nodded firmly. "Please, without embellishment." She laughed.
"Well… to be honest, I'm pleasantly surprised. I believe people here also value etiquette greatly. On Saturn that can be strong as well, but it sometimes feels more superficial. Here it seems deeper. Though I've only been here a short time. So far, I find everyone approachable. They have a pleasant reserve and are very respectful. I feel like I can be more myself here."
Prior was surprised at how openly she was speaking to Kassia.
Kassia's smile widened. "I'm glad to hear that." Her voice had a softness similar to her brother's.
Unconsciously, Prior glanced toward Kashion. He was standing with Evlina.
"And my brother?" Kassia suddenly asked, pulling Prior from her thoughts.
Prior felt caught—both in her thoughts and in her glance. "Very respectful," she finally answered.
Kassia laughed. "Yes, he certainly is. He's the best brother one could imagine."
Prior looked at Kassia, who spoke of her brother with such affection.
"Since our father appointed him regent, he has lost much of his freedom and lightness. But I know he will give everything for the people of Tingdao and will one day be a very good king."
Lost freedom and lightness… That almost reminded Prior of herself. Though Kashion did not seem that way to her. And of course, she was no regent.
She looked toward him again. One thing was true: he didn't seem relaxed now. He seemed tense. Evlina stood beside him with a glass of sparkling wine, apparently telling a story. The women and men around her laughed.
"And how is Evlina?" Kassia asked. "I haven't had many chances to speak with her. She is always immediately occupied by Kashion or my parents."
Prior smiled at Kassia. "You will surely have the chance to get to know her better. But she is certainly a good match for Kashion."
Kassia looked thoughtful. "You phrased that very well, Prior. I will get to know her myself. I like that. Whether she is a good match—I'll leave that to my brother."
Prior stared at her with wide eyes. How could she say that? Should she tell the princess later?
Kassia smiled again. "I don't mean it badly, dear Prior. But so much is always expected of us royal children. Perfection. Yet not everything is as perfect as it seems."
Inside, Prior felt stirred. She knew that feeling all too well.
Kassia placed her hand gently on Prior's arm and smiled. "If Princess Evlina truly is perfect for my brother, then I would welcome a bond beyond the agreement."
So not everything was set in stone, Prior thought. And truly, it hadn't been from the beginning. But that shouldn't matter to her at all.
Should it?
– Kashion –
Kashion listened as Evlina told anecdotes from Saturn—how different things were there, how much larger and more modern it was. Yet she also said she liked Earth. She had completely captivated the small group around her. She was very good at that.
This time, Kashion resisted the urge to look toward his sister. Oren was right, and surely everything was fine. He trusted his sister's judgment—she rarely held back her opinion.
Suddenly, the music stopped entirely.
The banquet had come to an end. Servants began clearing away empty dishes and glasses.
"Oh, is it already over? What a pity," Evlina said. "Prince Kashion, I truly enjoyed myself." She beamed at him.
He smiled back. "I'm glad. We will have more such occasions in the coming weeks."
Kashion escorted Evlina back toward the table.
Kassia and Prior had also stood up. He looked at Prior—and this time she did not immediately lower her gaze. Instead, she held his for several seconds.
Kashion felt his heartbeat quicken. It was as if she were seeing him for the first time. There was something in her look—something like recognition.
Finally, she looked away.
He saw her wish Yina and Kassia good night, then walk over to Princess Evlina.
"I will bid the guests farewell and then escort you back to your chambers," Kashion said to Evlina.
–Prior–
When Prince Kashion and Princess Evlina approached the table, Prior couldn't help but look at Prince Kashion. After what Kassia had told her, she wanted to form a more complete impression of him. But he looked at her—and held her gaze without looking away.
It made her nervous, and she felt her heartbeat quicken. She noticed how much depth there was in his eyes. To Prior, it felt as though they were seeing each other for the first time. She had to look away. And she was relieved when he excused himself shortly afterward and went to greet other guests.
"I will accompany you to your room," she said to Evlina. Evlina nodded and began saying her goodbyes to the guests as well.
You wouldn't necessarily expect it from Prior, but she made sure to say goodbye to Kassia and Yina. Kassia insisted they exchange Messenger contacts. It was almost too much for Prior, but she couldn't refuse.
She then said goodbye to Professor Wan and Mei, Tin and Nara.
Finally, the small group was ready to leave. Prince Kashion and Princess Evlina walked ahead, while Talina, Oren, and Prior followed a short distance behind.
"Everything alright?" Oren asked.
Prior nodded.
"I heard you made a friend in Yina."
She looked at him in surprise. He had heard? From whom? Vaguely she remembered seeing Oren standing with Prince Kashion in the hall, talking, while she had been sitting with Yina and Kassia. But why would they have talked about her? Strange.
Prior simply nodded and smiled.
"You two danced well," she added to Oren and Talina.
Soon they arrived at Evlina's door.
Prince Kashion said his farewell and briefly let his gaze sweep over the group. This time, Prior didn't look at him.
Oren followed the prince.
Then Evlina, Talina, and Prior stood alone in front of Evlina's door.
"I'm tired," Evlina said. "The council meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. So please come to me early in the morning. Then we can discuss everything."
They said their goodnights, and Talina and Prior returned to their room.
Prior lay in her bed but couldn't fall asleep. Her conversation with Kassia kept replaying in her mind. Again and again she saw Prince Kashion's intense gaze before her—the eyes that held so much depth. It would surely be better if she encountered him less in the future.
Since she couldn't sleep anyway and wanted to distract herself, she opened a few Cheqi exercises on her tablet. She wanted to learn how to combine Fox and Bear more effectively.
–Kashion–
Kashion sat in his armchair. He had already dismissed Oren. The tablet lay in his hand as he read the news. Photos of his dance with Evlina were already circulating online. Everything moved so quickly.
One headline made him smile: "The Perfect Couple?"
It was exactly the question Kashion himself was asking. He knew he had time—but there was pressure from his family and from the council members. Everyone seemed to expect so much.
Then Prior's eyes came back to his mind. That brief second-long look. She had almost looked at him as if she recognized him—and it had felt to him as though he had seen something in her eyes as well. He just didn't know what.
He shook his head and thought of Oren's words.
Then he opened a Cheqi match on his tablet. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep anyway—so he might as well do something useful.