– Kashion –
It was the next day, late morning.
Wanyi and Oren were sitting in Kashion's room.
"So, as it turns out, the man was hired by a Saturnian opposition group. He couldn't give us any names. His family was in financial trouble, and that's why he allowed himself to be persuaded. He let the tiger into the garden through the back entrance yesterday. Since he had been working in the palace kitchen for years, no one found anything suspicious," Wanyi explained.
The back entrance. It was usually used by servants and staff for deliveries and could only be opened with the appropriate code or chip. That was why it wasn't as heavily guarded. For years, there had been no incidents.
"From now on, the back entrance will be guarded by the Hualin around the clock," Wanyi added.
Kashion nodded. "Good. What happened to the man and his family?"
"They've been handed over to the authorities and are awaiting trial. He'll be imprisoned. If his relatives were aware of it, they will also be held accountable," Wanyi explained.
"Did you find out what this Saturnian opposition wants?" Kashion asked.
"The usual. No agreement with Earth. Independence. Part of their propaganda is the space debris they believe was caused by Earth. They call themselves 'The New Dawn' and believe Saturn should have no relationship with Earth," Wanyi said.
Kashion nodded. That was nothing new. And the tiger incident had still been relatively harmless. But it had shown him that the palace—and therefore Tingdao—had weaknesses. He understood the message.
He looked at Oren. "It shouldn't be possible for someone working in the palace to have financial difficulties. Start working on a plan to regularly check on the situation of all servants and staff. We should also think about a system to provide support where needed."
Oren nodded. "I'll bring it to the council."
"Good," Kashion said. "We should also check the morale in the kitchen. He worked there for years and must have built relationships. We need to make sure everyone is still on our side. There can't be any weak points in the palace."
Oren nodded again. "I'll take care of it."
Wanyi cleared his throat. "Regarding that other matter…"
Kashion raised a hand, signaling him to stop.
"Oren, you can go ahead and take care of those matters. Also discuss the date for the next negotiation about the agreement with the council," Kashion said.
Oren looked briefly surprised, not knowing what Kashion intended to discuss with Wanyi alone. But he nodded and left.
Once they were alone, Kashion asked, "Well?"
Wanyi took a deep breath. "It's serious, Your Highness."
Kashion felt his heart start to pound. He had expected something negative. Now he wondered what it could be. Had she stolen something? Hurt someone? That seemed absurd. But he braced himself for anything. He also remembered Evlina's words. And he thought: whatever she had done, there would surely be an explanation.
"Go on," he said.
Wanyi nodded. "My informants on Saturn were able to tell me quite a lot. It's no secret either. First, the positive: Prior is a direct descendant of the famous Professor Vers, who made life on Saturn possible. She comes from an old family of highly renowned scientists. Even in school, she showed an exceptional understanding of natural sciences and went on to study physics and chemistry. Everyone was amazed by how quickly she grasped things."
Kashion smiled. That fit perfectly with how he had experienced her.
"Her parents," Wanyi continued, "owned one of the most famous chemistry and phytology companies in Tangyan—if not on all of Saturn. They worked on important nutritional supplements. The company also had foundations and research projects. Prior was already involved in Aethereleum research at a very young age, even during her studies."
Kashion noticed that Wanyi kept speaking in the past tense. He grew uneasy.
Wanyi cleared his throat. "Eventually, Prior's parents arranged a marriage for her with one of their most brilliant employees."
Marriage? Prior had been married? Kashion felt hot and cold at the same time. His breathing quickened. "Marriage? She's married?"
Wanyi made a calming gesture. "The story isn't over. The marriage—yes, it took place. And shortly afterward, strange incidents occurred in the company. People who used the products became ill. Funds suddenly disappeared. An investigation began, and all the evidence pointed to Prior. It appeared as if she had tampered with the substances—and as if she had diverted company funds into her own pockets."
Kashion couldn't believe it. He was still stunned by the fact that she had been married.
Wanyi continued, "Her husband, Ayden, distanced himself from her and claimed he knew nothing. He divorced her and shortly afterward married a scientific colleague. Prior repeatedly insisted on her innocence, but she had no proof. Eventually, investigations showed that she had no money anywhere, and her guilt couldn't be proven. Nevertheless, even her parents distanced themselves from her and sided more with Ayden. Since no major external damage had occurred and the affected people recovered, she avoided imprisonment. However, Prior was stripped of all her titles and laboratory permissions."
Wanyi paused and looked at Kashion.
Kashion was speechless. He swallowed. "What happened next?" he asked quietly.
"Prior had lost almost everything. I don't know much about that time. My informants said she took jobs with cleaning companies and was able to find accommodation through them. It certainly wasn't easy. A few months later, Ayden's new wife went to court and confessed. She had been abused by Ayden and revealed everything. She and Ayden had planned and orchestrated it all. The missing funds reappeared, and all the gaps in the investigation were closed. They had tampered with the substances themselves to enrich themselves."
Kashion closed his eyes. It was hard to process everything that had happened—and what it must have meant for Prior.
"Go on," he said.
"Eventually, Prior's reputation was largely restored publicly. However, her parents never issued a public apology, and their relationship remains broken. She still couldn't find work in a laboratory, as people were wary of her. Finally, Princess Evlina came across her story, recognized her potential, and asked her to become her attendant. That was about five years ago. And now she's here."
Kashion nodded. He was deeply shaken. His hands had clenched into fists.
"Where is this Ayden now?" he asked.
"On Titan. In the largest prison on Saturn," Wanyi replied.
At least that.
"Thank you, Wanyi," Kashion said. "You may go. And this stays between us."
Wanyi nodded, patted Kashion on the shoulder, and left the room.
Kashion sat there for a moment, running a hand through his hair.
He was overwhelmed.
Despite everything, Prior seemed so full of enthusiasm. So young, so curious. How could she have gone through so much?
His gaze fell on Luu, curled up on his bed again. He stood up, sat beside her, and gently stroked her.
It gave him a bit of comfort.
He felt crushed. More than anything, he wished he could turn back time—fly to Saturn and hold Prior when she had gone through all of that. Or even further back, so she would never have had to marry Ayden at all.
How could another man have married her—and treated her like that?
He could only be glad that Ayden was on Titan, far away from him.
Kashion took a deep breath. He replayed moments with Prior in his mind. Now he understood more. She did seem cautious at times—but that was only natural after everything she had been through. And her relationship with Princess Evlina was, of course, special.
He also knew his parents would never accept Prior's past. He could already hear his father saying that Kashion shouldn't be interested in a woman with such a troubled history. And his mother, still attached to Evlina, wouldn't approve either.
But all he felt now was Prior's pain—and her strength. After everything, she had not only stood up again, she had become even stronger.
He was more impressed by her than ever.
With someone like her by his side, he could face anything.
And Kashion was determined. He would never allow anyone to hurt her again.
He knew it wouldn't be easy to gain her full trust.
But he was not someone who gave up easily.