-Kashion-
She had simply hung up! Kashion shook his head. But at the same time, that meant she would be coming to him any moment. It still made him nervous. And he was curious what she meant by casual. After his mother had spoken with her, he absolutely didn't want her to feel uncomfortable in the palace because of her appearance or to pretend to be someone she wasn't. If that had been his goal, he might as well have accepted the princess's offer.
He glanced at himself in the mirror. Everything was to his satisfaction. He smiled. This time, he didn't want to wait in his room; instead, he went out into the hallway and waited for her at the Cheqi table. He didn't sit down yet. He leaned against the wall and waited. He checked the time. Let's see if she would really make it in under twenty minutes.
-Prior-
Prior didn't delay any longer and set off. This time, as she walked through the hallway, she noticed that there really were more guards around here and there. Had she just not noticed before? Had Kashion increased security after everything that had happened?
Soon she reached the area near his room and was surprised to see him leaning against the wall outside, waiting.
He looked at her and immediately smiled.
"Not even ten minutes," he said.
She shook her head. He took a few steps toward her and stopped in front of her. He seemed to study her and then said,
"So this is casual Prior."
-Kashion-
Kashion's gaze lingered on Prior. In that outfit—a pair of comfortable gray pants and a gray shirt—she looked charming. More than anything, she looked so relaxed. Like someone you could unwind with, feel at ease with. She looked like home.
He leaned toward her and kissed her on the cheek.
"I like casual Prior," he said.
-Prior-
Will I ever stop getting this nervous when I see him or when he kisses me on the cheek? Prior wondered. Immediately she felt her heart jump again. How could such a small touch trigger such strong feelings? She looked into Kashion's eyes and, for a moment, couldn't think of anything else.
"How are you?" he asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.
When she saw him and couldn't think of anything else, she was fine.
"I'm okay," she said finally.
He smiled and nodded.
"Come, sit down," he said, gesturing to the Cheqi table.
She took her seat and couldn't help but smile slightly at the thought that she now considered this her place.
He sat opposite her.
They looked at each other for a few seconds before he said calmly,
"White begins."
As if she didn't know that.
"A normal game?" she asked. With Kashion, you never knew what to expect.
He raised his eyebrows.
"A completely normal game." Then he grinned mischievously. "Unless you want something else. Do you want to play for something?"
She shook her head.
"No, no, not necessary."
Now she grinned at him. She placed both hands on the board and turned it 180 degrees until the white pieces stood in front of him.
He studied her, tilting his head slightly.
"That means?" he asked.
She gestured to the board.
"White begins."
-Kashion-
Kashion took a short breath. This Prior. He would play along—for now. But he would get back at her eventually.
He laughed softly and moved a white tree two squares forward. At the same time, he looked at her and saw her small, triumphant smile.
She moved a black tree from the side one square forward.
"Prior, you don't have to change for me," he began. "You don't have to dress differently. I like you the way you are."
Prior sighed.
"I know. And I also know your mother has a point somewhere. As the woman at… I mean, as your girlfriend, I should take a bit more care of myself. Out of respect for you and your family."
Kashion picked up a Forester piece but paused for a moment. It was hard to concentrate.
He looked at Prior, feeling a deep warmth.
"You can say it."
"What?" she asked.
"As the woman at my side." He smiled. "That's definitely what you are." He placed the Forester closer to the center.
Prior moved another tree forward a few squares.
"I'll talk to her again. I think we can find a solution we're both happy with."
Kashion nodded. He moved a pawn forward.
"You should know, fashion is especially important to my mother. She's always liked it and spends a lot of time on it."
-Prior-
She looked at Kashion—perfectly styled and dressed again. She had to laugh.
"That must be in the genes then. She passed it on to you—the always perfectly dressed prince."
Kashion laughed.
"If Prior likes it, it's worth it."
"So there's no such thing as casual Kashion?" she teased lightly.
He laughed and shrugged.
"Let yourself be surprised."
Prior moved a donkey diagonally forward a few squares, maybe to capture one of his Foresters.
"As for the engagement…" Kashion began.
Prior felt her breath catch, warmth flooding through her. She looked at him with wide eyes. What would he say?
He smiled—slightly mischievous again.
"I don't want to pressure you. I'll give you time."
Prior felt a huge tension lift from her.
"However," Kashion continued, "you should keep in mind that I am the most desirable bachelor in the galaxy, and all the other women are just—"
Prior shook her head before he could finish, grabbed a black piece, and threw it at him.
He froze, looking at her in shock—but smiling.
"Prior! Not with my pieces."
"I'm sorry," she said, but she was laughing.
-Kashion-
It took a great deal of effort not to stand up and kiss her. His gaze rested on her as she sat there, bold and laughing.
He picked up the piece that had landed on his shirt and held it out to her. She reached for it, but instead of placing it in her hand, he took her hand and quickly kissed it.
She looked at him, slightly startled. He smiled and then slowly placed the piece into her hand.
-Prior-
Prior had held her breath again, and her entire hand seemed to tingle. Slowly, she pulled her hand back with the piece and placed it back on the board.
"If you throw my pieces at me, there will be consequences," Kashion said with a wink.
She just nodded. She was completely flustered now, staring ahead.
"Whose turn is it?" she finally asked.
"I think yours," he replied.
She captured one of his Foresters.
"Seriously, Prior, I'm not putting pressure on you. Let me feel when the time is right," he said.
Prior looked at him. His eyes were so serious, so sincere. But how could he be so sure? Why was he so good to her?
"Thank you," she said finally.
-Kashion-
Now he moved a donkey a few squares.
He would give her time. As long as she stayed by his side, in his life, that was all that mattered.
"How was your day, by the way?" she suddenly asked. "How were the negotiations?"
And suddenly, everything seemed to blur before his eyes. He looked at Prior, who was watching him with full attention, sincere and present. Wasn't this what he had always wanted? Sitting in the evening, playing Cheqi, talking about the day?
It suddenly felt almost unreal.
He swallowed, then smiled and nodded.
"The negotiations went well. We reached an agreement."
"Oh, that's great," Prior said.
Kashion nodded.
"Oren is coordinating with the representatives of the other realms about when we'll hold the next major negotiation for the treaty. And I gave Tendol some time off."
"Time off?"
"Yes, because recently he's been acting against me and more on my father's side. I want him to think about where his loyalty lies. And it'll do Kassia some good as well."
-Prior-
Prior was a bit surprised. But she didn't think it was a bad thing. Time off was something positive, after all—and there were certainly worse punishments.
"I hope you can resolve your differences," she said.
He nodded and moved his Eagle to attack her Fox. But she moved the Fox to safety.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps, then Oren's voice:
"Oh, so you're out here."
She looked at him; he gave a short nod and then turned to Kashion.
Meanwhile, Prior quickly analyzed the board for weaknesses.
"The other realms all agree—the treaty negotiations will take place tomorrow," Oren reported.
"Good," Kashion said.
Oren cleared his throat.
"I'll leave you to your game then." And he left.
Kashion tried again to attack her Fox with the Eagle, but this time she didn't save the Fox—she attacked his Eagle with a donkey. Let's see how he'd get out of that.
"Maybe everything will be over tomorrow," he said, capturing one of her Bears with his Eagle.
"Let's hope so," she said—and captured his Eagle with her second donkey, which he had overlooked.
He sighed.
-Kashion-
He was so distracted he couldn't focus properly. Now the Eagle was gone. He tried to move one of his Bears closer to his Fox.
"Is it okay if I don't come to the negotiations tomorrow?" Prior suddenly asked.
He looked at her, surprised. He had imagined her sitting beside him again. She looked tired—and she had been through a lot.
"Of course, no problem. Get some rest tomorrow," he said.
She moved her Eagle to attack his Fox. He barely had a chance now. He studied the board longer. He was clearly trapped. But losing to Prior tonight wouldn't hurt.
He tried to move his Fox to safety—maybe she would miss her opportunity.
But then she captured it with her Fox.
She grinned, beaming with victory. Her big eyes shone triumphantly at him. He was just about to say something when he heard footsteps again.
Who now?
Then he saw Kassia approaching.
"Hi Prior!" she said. "I hate to interrupt, but I need to speak with my brother. In private."
It was surely about Tendol's leave.
He stood up, and so did Prior.
"We were done with the game anyway," he said.
He hated having to let Prior go just like that—but he couldn't send his sister away either.
He walked over to Prior.
"Good game," he said softly, then pulled her into an embrace. "I'm so glad you're here," he whispered into her ear.
He held her for a moment longer, reluctant to let go.
Prior pressed her lips together, then looked at Kassia.
"I'll leave you two to talk."
One last glance at him—and she left.
"Please," he said to Kassia, opening the door to his room.