-Prior-
Prior let herself fall onto her bed. Unfortunately, she had to share a room with Talina, but at least it was quite spacious. She took a deep breath. At last, the first part was over—and it had gone better than she had expected.
"You don't need to rest just yet," Talina said. "The Princess wants us to come to her right away to talk about today."
Prior got back up, even though she would have preferred to lie down for a while. "All right, then. Let's go."
They had been given a plan showing who was housed where and set off on their way.
The architecture was different from that on Saturn. Prior looked around curiously. It was fascinating. The doors to the individual rooms and living areas could only be opened with a fingerprint. Everything was securely locked so that no one could simply enter a room without authorization. Prior had read that Tingdao had abolished surveillance in the form of cameras and similar systems several years ago—the first realm on Earth to do so. Crime had declined so much in recent years due to the flourishing conditions that it was no longer considered necessary. Prior liked that. One could move freely without feeling watched.
The walk felt rather long. The Princess was accommodated close to the royal family, of course in a more luxurious section of the palace.
A short while later, the three women were sitting together in Evlina's room, talking about their first impressions.
Naturally, Prince Kashion was the center of the conversation. All agreed that he did not have his kind of following across the galaxy without reason and that he was probably the most desirable bachelor of all.
Evlina seemed very happy.
"He's also so courteous and attentive. Everything felt so natural with him today. I almost felt like I was on a blind date rather than a political mission," Evlina said with a laugh.
Prior thought to herself that she truly wished it for Evlina, should an alliance between the two actually develop. She was a good princess and would certainly be an asset to Tingdao as well.
Evlina then told them that an excursion was planned for the next day. The Prince wanted to show her some of the landscape not far from the capital.
Prior could hardly wait. There was the Moon Lake, she had read beforehand. The water was said to be dark green, with rolling green hills all around it.
"I just think it might be too much if I take both of you with me," Evlina suddenly said.
For a moment, Prior was taken aback. She hadn't thought of that at all. And of course, this wasn't about her—it was primarily about Evlina. Plan B, Prior thought quickly. If she couldn't come along tomorrow, she would surely find another opportunity during their stay on Earth. And if necessary, she could even go alone.
"Prior," Evlina continued—and Prior was already happy that the choice might fall on her—"I think it's best if Talina accompanies me tomorrow and you focus on speaking with the scientists."
Oh. So not after all.
"All right," Prior replied simply.
"I'll make sure you look beautiful again tomorrow, so the Prince won't be able to hide his amazement," Talina said. "I think you should wear the red dress. It will look breathtaking against the green landscape."
"Very good idea. It's also my most comfortable one," Evlina replied.
"Tomorrow we'll simply enjoy the day outdoors and see what happens. From what I understood, there won't be many people with us. And Prior, you should try to find out everything new about plastics development," Evlina added.
How exciting, Prior thought. She would probably spend the whole day in the lab. Still, the topic wasn't uninteresting—she had always had an interest in the natural sciences.
Even so, she couldn't help but envy the other two just a little.
Later that night, lying in bed while Talina was already asleep, Prior couldn't resist looking up information about Moon Lake once more. It really wasn't far from the palace. She could even manage to walk there in one or two hours. That reassured her. Plan B would work. With that thought, she fell asleep peacefully.
The next morning, Kashion stood in his room, studying himself in the mirror.
-Kashion-
"How do I look?" he asked Oren, who was sitting comfortably in a chair.
"This never used to matter to you," Oren said with a laugh.
"Just tell me," Kashion replied, slightly irritated. He wanted the excursion to be perfect. It wasn't anything grand, but he wanted to make an impression.
"You look perfect. The dark blue suits you. The Princess will be delighted," Oren said, sounding almost bored.
"Do you think it's all right if there are only four of us?" Kashion asked uncertainly.
He had originally wanted to bring his family along, but his mother had insisted the night before that he should only take Oren with him. Queen Ada was also quite taken with Princess Evlina. She would be happy to have such a beautiful, kind, and gifted daughter-in-law. Of course, it was far too early to speak of a daughter-in-law—but the Queen wanted to encourage it and thought it would be good for the two of them to be alone and talk freely. Oren and Evlina's attendant would, of course, have to accompany them for the sake of propriety.
"I think the Queen's idea is a good one. Without people watching you, you'll be able to talk more freely with the Princess," Oren replied. "I only hope the Princess brings Prior and not Talina."
Kashion looked at Oren in surprise.
Right, he thought. That attendant—the one I barely noticed and already forgot
-Prior-
Prior slowly got out of bed when she realized that Talina still seemed to be asleep. She checked the time. Talina should already be with the Princess, helping her get ready. Had she overslept?
"Talina?" Prior said hesitantly. When there was no response, she called louder, "Talina?!"
Talina groaned. "Prior… I have terrible headaches. I think I'm not used to the atmosphere here. I can't do anything. You'll have to take care of the Princess today. I'll try to go to the lab later."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Have you taken anything for it?" Prior asked.
"Yes, but I'm just too weak. Please just go to the Princess and accompany her on the excursion today."
Prior quickly sent a message to the Princess, telling her she would come as soon as possible. She washed her face, put on an apricot-colored trouser suit, quickly pinned her hair up, and hurried to the Princess's room.
She was hungry—she hadn't eaten breakfast yet.
But as far as she remembered, a picnic by the lake had been planned. There would surely be plenty of food. The lake! Slowly, Prior began to feel excited. She might actually get to see it after all.
Prior wasn't as skilled as Talina when it came to preparing the Princess, but she thought Evlina looked good no matter what. In any case, they were both satisfied with the result.
A short while later, Princess Evlina and Prior were standing in Evlina's room, waiting to be picked up for the excursion.
Finally, there was a knock at the door, and Prior opened it.
It was none other than Prince Kashion himself. Prior could hardly look at him—he looked almost unreal. This time, he wore a relaxed, dark blue robe. She didn't dare meet his eyes.
Prince Kashion hesitated briefly, then said,
"Good morning, Princess. Are you ready?"