-Kashion-
Kashion was relieved that this time the discussions in the council went much more smoothly. He could still sense that not everyone was satisfied, but they reached agreements on how to draft the treaty far more quickly.
It wouldn't be long now before Tingdao's side of the treaty was finished. After that, it would only need to be signed by the other realms.
-Prior-
Prior stood in front of her half-open door, staring at Queen Ada. Instinctively, she took a step back and pulled the door a little closer to herself. Would she be told again how insignificant she was? Would they try to take her away again? But the guards wouldn't allow that.
Queen Ada stared at her as well, then pressed her lips together before finally saying, "Won't you let me in?"
Prior hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside and let the queen enter.
Queen Ada immediately sat down as if it were her own room. But she was, after all, the lady of the palace. Prior stepped closer but remained standing. She still couldn't find the right words.
"Do sit down," the queen said at last.
Prior obeyed and sat down opposite her.
The queen sighed. "It is not easy for me to accept this situation. Please forgive my harsh words yesterday." She fell silent for a moment, looked at Prior intently, then shook her head. "I also want you to know that I had nothing to do with the abduction and am strongly opposed to it. I am sorry that it happened."
She now looked at Prior cautiously, almost questioningly. Prior simply nodded. She was surprised and touched at the same time that the Queen apologized.
"I have realized how much you mean to my son. So, what am I to do?" She raised her hands in a questioning gesture. "You already know that I would have preferred Princess Evlina as a daughter-in-law. And to be honest, I don't know what my son sees in you."
That hurt Prior again. She gave a dry laugh and replied, "I don't know either. So that makes two of us."
The queen looked at her in surprise. Then she laughed a little, but quickly grew serious again. "You are brave. Intelligent." She studied her for a moment. "Looking at you… you seem alert and lively. And genuine."
Prior raised her eyebrows questioningly.
Queen Ada smiled faintly. "We must make the best of the situation. I am here today mainly to help you a little."
"To help me?" Prior blurted out.
The queen smiled again. "When I first came to Lantian, I was just a young woman who knew very little about the royal family. And Gelserkh is so different."
That made Prior smile. "I know. Gelserkh is very different."
"Ah yes, you visited my sister. She has sung your praises," she said, shaking her head again.
"Really?" Prior asked. "I found my stay with Aliror and Lina very pleasant."
Queen Ada sighed again. "In any case, it wasn't easy for me either, and my mother-in-law helped me a great deal back then. If Kashion wants you, then I will help you."
Prior felt a queasy sensation in her stomach. If Kashion wants you. The way that sounded… And words like "mother-in-law" or "daughter-in-law." It all felt so unreal.
"Thank you," Prior said simply.
Ada nodded with a smile. Then she seemed as though she wanted to say something, opened her mouth briefly, but hesitated. Finally, she asked, "Have you given any thought to what you intend to do about the king?"
Prior flinched slightly at the question. She hadn't thought much about it yet.
"I don't know. I need to think first," she replied.
Queen Ada seemed somewhat relieved. "I hope we can resolve this. You will see that the king is a good man."
Suddenly, there was another knock at the door. "Excuse me," Prior said and opened it. This time, it really was the kitchen. Shara stood there personally, holding a tray.
"We have prepared everything according to your wishes," she said.
Prior let her in, and Shara placed the tray on the table. When she noticed the queen, her eyes widened, and she curtsied.
"If you wish, I can have something brought for you as well," she said, addressing the queen. But Ada simply shook her head.
Shara took her leave, and Prior moved to sit down again with Queen Ada.
The queen stood up. "If you are hungry, then eat something. Let us sit at the table," she said.
Prior nodded and sat down at the table. It felt a little uncomfortable to eat in front of the queen, but she was quite hungry by now. She stared at the food for a while.
Queen Ada gave a small laugh. "There is no need to feel embarrassed. Go on, eat."
Prior nodded and began eating a salad. "Don't you really want anything?" she asked.
Ada shook her head. "They have presented it beautifully. They seem to like you."
Prior looked up, and this time Ada's eyes held a genuinely warm expression. Prior looked back at the food. It really was arranged beautifully and with care.
"I think the first thing we should do is change something about your appearance," Ada said suddenly.
Prior looked at her questioningly.
"Well, you are now, in a way, part of the royal family. And your appearance will also reflect on Kashion."
Prior frowned and put down her fork. "What exactly is wrong with my appearance?"
The queen pressed her lips together. "What you are wearing now," she said, pointing at the jumpsuit, "is far too casual."
Prior exhaled briefly, forcing herself not to respond too sharply. She looked at the queen steadily. "I'm sorry, but if I hadn't been locked in a transporter and forced to jump in a protective suit and—"
"I'm sorry, Prior, I hadn't considered that," the queen interrupted. "Of course. Those are exceptional circumstances." She seemed to think for a moment. "But in general. We should consider what suits you best. I have a good eye for fashion and can dress others very well." She smiled again.
Prior closed her eyes briefly. She had always been nothing more than the princess's advisor. Naturally, she had never placed much importance on her appearance. But truthfully, that simply wasn't in her nature. And she didn't want to play a role.
Prior cleared her throat, remembering what Kashion had told her.
"Thank you," she began, "but Kashion said he likes me the way I am, and that I don't need to change."
Ada sighed, then smiled. "Yes, I can imagine my son said that. But if he is willing to sacrifice so much for you, don't you think you could also meet him and the family halfway?"
"I will think about it," Prior said at last.
Queen Ada merely nodded, and Prior continued eating quietly. It felt a little strange as they both remained silent for a few moments.
Then Ada spoke again. "And then we should also start thinking about the engagement."
Prior froze, her heart pounding. Engagement!?
"What engagement?" she asked.
Ada laughed. "Yours and Kashion's, of course. We should begin planning the celebration and a public announcement."
Prior felt dazed. She shook her head. "But we're not engaged. Kashion hasn't proposed to me, and besides, it's far too soon for that."
"The news is full of your pictures. Of how Kashion carried you into the palace. The royal family is different from ordinary families. Decisions like these happen more quickly for us. Engagements are often arranged for alliances or political reasons. It would not be unusual at all to announce your engagement."
Prior grew nervous. Her breathing quickened. She had set down her fork again and rubbed her hands nervously under the table. She also heard a ringing in her ears. The queen was probably right. If she were Evlina, the engagement would have already been announced. But right now, she simply felt overwhelmed. She swallowed.
"I don't want to plan this right now, please." Her appetite had vanished.
Queen Ada did not look pleased. They sat in silence again for a while.
Finally, the queen stood up, and out of courtesy, Prior did the same. She looked at her uncertainly.
"I will leave you alone now. Think about everything. And also about the fact that your connection with Kashion brings many advantages—but also responsibilities. If you truly love him, you should think about what is best for him."
Prior only nodded, and Queen Ada left the room.
Once she was alone, Prior let herself fall onto the bed. It was all too much at once. If you truly love him, she repeated the queen's words in her mind. And yes, the queen was right—Kashion had risked and given up a great deal because he refused to marry the princess.
She remembered what the queen had said about the news. She needed to see that for herself.
So she took her tab and searched the news. And indeed—the media in Tingdao was full of it. It felt so strange to see pictures of herself. The way she hung in Kashion's arms. She could practically feel herself blushing. The headlines read things like: "Who is the mysterious woman in Prince Kashion's arms?", "Is Prince Kashion endangering the treaty with Saturn for this woman?", "Who is the stranger our prince carries into the palace?", and "Will an engagement soon be announced at Lantian Palace?"
She read a few articles. So far, they hadn't written too much about her personally, but that would surely change soon. She set the tab aside. Then she picked up her messenger. There were new messages here as well.
A message from Nari: "Ooooh, judging by the news, things are getting serious. Can we already congratulate you?" And from Eynara: "You look good in his arms."
There was also a message from her father, which surprised her the most. Her parents hadn't contacted her in ages. "Dear daughter, your parents are thinking of you. How are you?" They had probably seen the news as well and wanted confirmation.
She put the messenger down. She didn't want to reply to anything right now. What she needed was a shower. So she went into the bathroom and stood under the water for what felt like an eternity.
-Kashion-
Kashion was glad the meeting was over. They had reached a complete agreement. At the end, he wanted to speak with Tendol privately.
Tendol looked at him warily.
"You've been working a lot lately. I think you should take a short break—take a month or two off," Kashion told him.
Tendol let out a dry laugh. "Is that a suspension?"
Kashion pressed his lips together. "I think Kassia and Yina could also use more time with you. Travel a bit. It will do everyone good."
Tendol took a deep breath in and out. There was nothing he could argue against in that—and Kashion knew it. Tendol spent most of his time working and rarely did anything with Kashion's sister and niece.
Finally, Tendol nodded. "All right. I'll speak with your sister and take a month off."
Kashion was relieved. Tendol also knew, without Kashion having to say it, that he wasn't pleased with him at the moment. Kashion hoped the break would help him clear his head.
He then returned to his room. Of course, his thoughts immediately drifted to Prior. How had she been so far? Did she feel comfortable in her room?
He wrote her a message: "So, settling in well?" Then he paused for a moment and added: "Shall we have something nice to eat tonight? What are you in the mood for?"
He had to wait quite a while before a reply finally came. She simply wrote: "Thanks, but I don't have an appetite."
Kashion felt uneasy. Something was wrong. Had something happened? He sat down on his bed and looked at the fox plushie. "What's wrong with you? Are you mad at me? Why?"
Was Prior upset because he hadn't spent enough time with her? Was it still about the abduction? He was just about to think about what to reply when there was a knock at the door.