– Kashion –
Kashion was still staring at his tab. In a moment he would have to say that he couldn't explain it when a notification popped up from CheqiMasterPro: "FoxPriority has sent you a message."
Right now? Seriously?
But without thinking, he opened it.
"Say that you're quickly reading something. I'll write the answer here."
He swallowed. That was completely unexpected. She would help him? She truly was his bright spot.
So he said out loud, "I'll just read something quickly," and waited. That was surely plausible enough.
– Prior –
Prior had taken her tab into her hands. It wasn't really unusual, since many people also used it to take notes. Normally, however, people didn't write messages with it. For that they used the messenger. The tab was mostly used for official correspondence and state documents.
So it might work without anyone noticing.
Kashion had managed the first part. He had read her message and said what she had asked him to say.
Fortunately, she could type extremely fast—something people often told her. She tried to write in a way that was simple but scientifically accurate enough to sound believable.
– Kashion –
It didn't take long before the next message from Prior arrived. He opened it immediately and briefly closed his eyes in relief.
That was all he needed.
"So, first of all, regarding our research here," he began.
He had to smile slightly and concentrate on staying serious.
"Of course, all of this is still strictly confidential, and I cannot share every piece of data and every result in detail."
He briefly looked around the room and saw many people nodding in agreement. Count Kashk Rutz seemed casually interested, Evlina looked at him with curiosity, and Prior was simply looking down at her tab.
"I would like to mention that the research into synthetic crude oil is close to a breakthrough. Of course, it will not be able to replace natural crude oil, and we will not have the necessary quantities anytime soon, but for Saturn it would be a long-term breakthrough.
Beyond that, there are remarkable achievements in our concentration, density, and condensation research. I can say this much: with our current findings, thrust in power plants and propulsion systems could be increased by 12%. That means all of us—the realms on Earth as well as Saturn—could save about 10% of Aethereleum.
The thrust is created through directed pressure pulses and controlled density gradients. The propulsion system itself can generate the resonance frequency at which Aethereleum is almost automatically converted into its working structure.
I should also mention that this is far from the end of our research. Our laboratories are also working on more efficient materials and propulsion technologies in general."
Kashion paused briefly.
Prior had thought of so many things. He didn't read her words one-to-one, but she had formulated everything in such a way that it was easy for him to put it into his own words.
– Prior –
Prior hadn't been able to look at Kashion the entire time because she had been so busy writing. Now she had added one last part about Saturn and could finally look at him while he spoke.
He wasn't really reading what she had written, but turning it into his own words. And he said it so calmly and confidently that she was deeply impressed.
He continued:
"And, esteemed guests, there is one thing we must not forget: life on Saturn is advanced, but resource planning and stability are extremely important. Excessive extraction of Aethereleum could destabilize the lithosphere. Therefore, we do not wish to expect larger deliveries than necessary.
I hope this brief explanation will suffice for now and will also be satisfactory to you, Count Kashk Rutz."
With that, he finished speaking, and for a moment the room fell silent.
Prior felt truly proud of him.
He looked at her again briefly, with that spark of shared knowledge in his eyes, and she felt as if he were pulling her even deeper into his whirlpool.
Then he broke the gaze and looked around the room. Prior did the same.
Kashk Rutz was silent. Rein was grinning. Nara seemed satisfied, and Mandach was smiling as well.
Evlina also seemed very impressed. She was still looking at Kashion with admiration in her eyes.
Then she looked at Prior—and suddenly at Prior's tab.
Prior had closed the chat window. But CheqiMasterPro was still open.
Evlina stared at her in disbelief and rolled her eyes.
"Seriously now, Prior? That bored?" she said, shaking her head.
Prior couldn't explain herself. What could she possibly say? Anything would only speak against Kashion.
She only said, "Forgive me," and closed the app—just as two notifications appeared:
"kashion233 has sent a message."
But she couldn't open it again now. Otherwise she would completely lose face in front of Evlina.
"Well spoken," Mandach finally said.
"I share the understanding for Saturn's situation. And I am also interested in Tingdao's research. I am willing to supply my crude oil for it."
- Kashion –
Kashion felt relieved—but above all infinitely grateful. He would have loved to run to Prior and thank her. But he couldn't do that now.
When he had looked around the room, he had been satisfied. Count Kashk Rutz had failed to expose him. Professor Nara and the other scientists seemed satisfied, and now King Mandach had backed him up.
"Thank you for understanding us so well," Princess Evlina spoke up.
He nodded to her. His speech had clearly pleased her.
"I would like to add one more thing," she continued. She smiled. "My father has nevertheless given me a small margin that I may use, should I have certain plans on Earth."
Kashion closed his eyes and took a deep breath. She had hinted at what everyone expected and hoped for.
He heard Rein laugh softly.
Kashion looked at Prior. She was staring down at the table. Why couldn't she look at him now? He didn't want her to draw the wrong conclusions.
Kashion finally smiled.
– Prior –
Of course Prior knew what Evlina was hinting at. But she didn't quite understand it. Hadn't she made it clear earlier that this subject was no longer on the table?
She didn't dare look at Kashion. She didn't want him to see that it hurt her.
She looked at Evlina. There was something calm and confident about her. She was looking directly at Kashion, and Prior could see in her eyes that she truly admired him.
Then Prior looked at Kashion after all. He smiled slightly—but not like usual. It seemed more forced.
As if he had noticed that Prior was looking at him, he turned his gaze to her. She knew there must be a thousand questions in her eyes, but his smile softened and he almost imperceptibly shook his head.
Then he said,
"Thank you for the offer, Princess. I believe we in Tingdao are satisfied with the current proposal."
– Kashion –
Kashion hoped he had expressed it clearly enough—and still politely.
Evlina smiled and nodded. "It is only an option you may keep in mind."
"Tingdao may be satisfied, but Terland is not," Kashk Rutz spoke up.
This time, however, Kashion was almost grateful for the distraction.
"Your explanations about increasing thrust and saving Aethereleum are still not enough for me. Terland wants the same share as Tingdao. Or Tingdao gives us part of its share. After all, we have the most oil, and oil synthesis is still far from efficient. Unfortunately, Terland cannot present any marriageable princes, otherwise I would have made you an offer long ago, Princess."
The sons of Count Kashk Rutz were already married. The one son of King Mandach was married as well. In truth, only Kashion remained. Or Rein. But Feuerfelder was not an attractive trading partner.
Evlina laughed.
"Thank you, Count Kashk Rutz. At the moment I can only say this: we will remain with the 3 billion m³ of Aethereleum that we would deliver to Earth in total. 1 m³ for 200 liters of crude oil. The distribution was previously discussed with Tingdao—but for Saturn it is no longer necessarily fixed."
A murmur spread through the hall.
Evlina had not spoken like this before. It was a small blow against Tingdao. Before, she had always supported giving Tingdao preferential treatment. But after he had rejected her in front of everyone, she was apparently giving them the cold shoulder.
"How large is the margin?" Tendol suddenly asked.
Evlina smiled. "30 million m³. It is a one-time amount, but I am certain it is not insignificant."
Tendol nodded. Then he looked at Kashion, trying to signal that he should negotiate. But Kashion was more certain than ever that he did not want that.
"I think the best course is to adjourn the session so that the countries can consult individually and together before we reconvene," Tendol suggested.
The proposal met with agreement.
– Prior –
Prince Kashion stood up, and everyone rose.
"Then I declare today's session closed."
"In my room in one hour," Evlina said quietly to Prior, Talina, and Keron. "I want one hour to myself first, but then I expect you."
With that she left the hall.
Prior did not like the mood at all. She would have preferred to hide somewhere.
– Kashion –
Kashion did not like where all this seemed to be heading—namely, renewed discussions about a possible alliance with Evlina.
He felt someone encouragingly pat his shoulder. Oren.
Why couldn't negotiations like this ever run smoothly?
Rein approached and laughed.
"Well, I'd take her immediately. What are you hesitating for?" he asked.
"She isn't the right one for me," Kashion replied firmly.
Rein just laughed again. "There probably isn't a right one for you."
Kashion looked across the hall. Most people were still there, but Princess Evlina had already left. He saw that Talina and the scientist from Saturn were also on their way out—closely followed by Prior.
He couldn't possibly let her leave like that. He didn't want her to have the wrong thoughts.
– Prior –
Talina and Professor Keron headed for the exit, and there was no reason for her to stay any longer either. She could talk with the other scientists later. So she followed them.
When she reached the door, she suddenly felt someone grab her arm.
She turned around.
Kashion.
– Kashion –
He had caught her just in time. She turned around, and he released her arm.
She looked at him questioningly. It was as if her eyes were a pond full of question marks.
"Thank you," he said softly at first. "My savior." He smiled.
He noticed her cheeks turn slightly red.
She only smiled faintly but said nothing.
"Please, Prior—trust me," he said at last.
– Prior –
The way he spoke to her made her terribly nervous.
She should trust him? What did he mean by that?
"What…?" she finally managed to say.
"I will solve the problems," he replied.
– Kashion –
He was still afraid that she didn't understand—or didn't want to understand.
So he said,
"I will not marry the princess."
Now he had said it.
Prior looked at him with wide eyes but still said nothing.
– Prior –
Prior heard a rushing sound in her ears.
She didn't know what she should feel. She felt an immense relief and joy. And the fact that he had told her this—he had wanted her to know.
But on the other hand, she was afraid of how the princess would take it. And she was afraid it would bring difficulties for Tingdao. Because that would also bring difficulties for Kashion.
"Can you trust me?" Kashion asked.
Prior only nodded.
Now he smiled. "Then I won't keep you any longer."
She looked at him for a moment, gave a small bow, and went out.
What does all of this mean now? she wondered as she walked toward her room. Talina and Keron had not waited for her.
On the way she briefly took out her tab and opened Kashion's message.
She still wanted to know what he had written to her.
kashion233
Prior
kashion233
I owe you.
She smiled.
– Kashion –
Kashion watched Prior leave for a moment and then returned to Oren and Rein.
Rein looked at him with a frown.
"Who was that?" he asked.
"Prior," Kashion replied calmly. "Evlina's attendant."
Rein looked at him curiously. "Was it about Evlina—or about her herself?"
Kashion playfully pinched Rein's arm.
"Rein, you don't have to know everything."
"Interesting," Rein said with a grin. Then he became a bit more serious. "Kashion, unfortunately I didn't get a chance to play my part today. I hope the next negotiations will be just as exciting."
Kashion shook his head. "I'd prefer them to be less exciting."
"Life would be boring then," Rein teased. "Let's do something later. I'll message you."
With that, Rein left the hall with Taner.
Tendol was now standing beside Kashion.
"We urgently need to talk," he said.
Kashion nodded. That much was clear to him.
"Let's go to the small meeting room," he said to his advisors.