-Prior-
Prior took a deep breath as she entered the room. This was also the room where Evlina had often had breakfast. How strange that she had now, in a way, taken the princess's place! And it gnawed a little at her conscience.
The room was larger than she had expected and very bright. In the middle stood a large round table, covered with all kinds of food and drinks. Servants in kitchen uniforms stood off to the side, ready to help or refill anything. Everything looked very inviting. Only the person already seated at the table looked anything but inviting. King Tyron was sitting there. Prior's heart began to race, and she felt a flicker of fear when she saw him. He looked up in surprise, as if he hadn't known she would be coming.
"That person," he grumbled, standing up, "I will not sit at a table with that person." Then he walked past her and out of the room without giving Prior a single glance.
So that was it. She closed her eyes briefly. She was almost relieved that he was gone. It was the first time she had seen him since the incident in the transporter.
"Prior," she heard Kashion say, as if from underwater. And suddenly she felt his hand on her back. She hadn't even noticed that she had swayed. She looked at Kashion and took a deep breath. "Okay," she said. "It's all okay."
"Sit down," he said, guiding her to an empty chair. Kashion sat down beside her, and Queen Ada sat down next to Kashion.
Queen Ada cleared her throat. "Well. We cannot really blame him. It is a difficult situation for all of us."
Prior looked down at the table. So many delicious things were laid out. Fruit—including strawberries, of course—various kinds of bread rolls, croissants, cheese, cold cuts, cereals, even cake! Everything one's heart, stomach, or taste buds could desire. But at the moment, everything had lost its appeal. It all looked almost colorless. Everything seemed to smile at her, but the smile didn't reach her.
"Mother," Kashion said. "Please."
Then he looked at Prior. "What would you like to drink? Orange juice? Coffee? Tea?"
Prior only looked at him and bit her lower lip. "I couldn't even talk to him," she said.
Kashion gave a bitter smile. "My father is a tough nut. Don't worry about it now. We'll make the best of the situation."
Prior nodded.
-Kashion-
The beginning had already gone wrong. He didn't know what he had hoped for—but certainly not this. He had been afraid Prior might faint. And even now, she looked anything but happy.
He looked at his mother and tried to appear as pleading as possible.
"Prior," she finally said. "Help yourself. Enjoy it." Then she looked at Kashion questioningly. He gave her a brief nod.
"What would you like?" Prior asked.
"A coffee," his mother replied, and Prior reached for the coffee pot and poured her some.
Then Prior looked at him questioningly. He nodded, and she poured him some as well.
Finally, she poured herself a cup.
"You both look tired," his mother remarked.
"Didn't sleep much," Kashion replied.
His mother shook her head. "Today is an important day. Don't let yourselves be distracted."
"I know," he answered.
-Prior-
The atmosphere was very tense. It had probably always been different with Evlina. Would she ever be accepted?
Prior reached for a croissant and some jam. It was soft and crispy at the same time and tasted fresh of butter. At least something. Slowly, her appetite began to return.
"Prior," said Queen Ada.
"Yes?"
The queen seemed to consider her next words. Prior braced herself for anything—but not for what came.
"Tell me, Prior. Do you have children?"
"Excuse me?" she asked, shocked. She looked at Kashion in alarm. He seemed just as startled. Prior put the croissant down on her plate. She was stunned, her breathing quickening.
"It's a normal question," Queen Ada said. "The news was full of your past. If you don't have children, that's good. Otherwise, it would make things more complicated for Kashion."
"No children," she answered curtly.
The topic is over, Prior tried to calm herself.
"Good," said the queen. There was a brief silence in the room. Then suddenly the queen asked, "But you're not ill, are you? For Kashion and the family, it would be…"
"Mother!" Kashion interrupted, standing up. "That's enough!"
Prior didn't dare look up from her plate. She felt so ashamed. Evlina surely hadn't had to endure anything like this.
Prior pushed her plate aside. She wanted to leave. She started to get up as well, but Kashion placed his hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her back down. She looked at him, and he looked at her pleadingly.
"Please, Prior, stay seated."
She clenched the fabric of her dress in her right hand and closed her eyes. She had to calm down.
-Kashion-
He could hardly believe that his mother had managed to make everything even worse. He sat back down.
Prior just stared at her plate and looked tense.
"I'm sorry," his mother finally said.
How could he salvage the situation?
For long seconds, there was silence. Not even the sound of eating or cutlery could be heard. No one seemed to have any appetite.
-Prior-
So uncomfortable! Couldn't someone say something?
Prior stole a glance toward the queen. She looked concerned. She probably hadn't even meant any harm—she just wasn't very sensitive.
Then she met Kashion's eyes. He looked almost afraid.
She should say something to change the direction of the conversation. But what?
Prior cleared her throat. "The coffee is good."
She closed her eyes. What a stupid, trivial thing to say.
"Yes," the queen replied. She looked at Prior and smiled. "We have coffee imported from Firefields. It's a special plantation. We have different varieties. One even has an orange note."
Maybe the coffee topic wasn't so bad after all. Prior picked up her cup, held it up, and nodded to the queen.
"Orange sounds interesting," Prior said.
"If you come again next time, I'll have the orange coffee made for you," the queen replied.
Prior nodded. Then she suddenly felt Kashion's hand on hers. She looked at him, and his lips formed a silent "thank you," before he gently stroked her hand.
"That sounds good," Prior said.
"The cake," the queen said, pointing to a piece of cake on a plate, "that is cake in the Gelserkh tradition."
Prior looked at the cake. It was less pretty, more like a simple sponge cake and yellow in color.
"It's my favorite cake," the queen continued. "It looks simple, but it tastes very good, and I can always eat it." She laughed.
"Then I'll definitely try it," Prior replied.
Before she could reach for the plate, Kashion beat her to it and placed it in front of her.
She had to smile. Food was a good peacemaker and like a universal language that everyone understood and that connected everyone.
She picked up her fork and tried a piece. It was very fluffy, tasted gently of egg, and was sweet. "Mmm," she said, giving the queen a thumbs-up. It was true. It wasn't an explosion of flavor, but it was delicate and pleasant—not like a cream cake that one quickly gets tired of. "It tastes really pleasant and delicious," she said to the queen after swallowing.
The queen nodded and smiled at Prior. This time, the smile seemed genuine.
-Kashion-
Kashion felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Prior. She had managed to change the atmosphere in the room.
He watched her as she ate the cake and could hardly look away.
She looked at him and frowned.
"Do I get a piece too?" he finally asked.
She smiled and slid the plate toward him. But then she pulled it back again, stood up, and fetched another plate with a piece of cake from a bit farther away. She placed it in front of him and said, "Here you go."
That wasn't quite what he had wanted.
He took the plate, then swapped it with Prior's plate and used his fork to take a piece of her already-bitten cake. She looked at him questioningly.
He laughed softly. "I like that one better."
It still wasn't exactly what he had wanted—but better.
She laughed as well, still slightly puzzled, but then took a piece of the new cake.
"What are your plans for today?" his mother asked.
"This afternoon is the final negotiation for the contract," he explained.
-Prior-
"That's right," his mother said. "And Prior, you'll accompany him?"
Prior shook her head. If she now said that she didn't want to attend the negotiation, that would surely be another minus point with Kashion's mother.
"Prior isn't coming today. Everything is already settled anyway, and she doesn't need to be there," Kashion answered for her.
"And what will you do then?" the queen pressed further.
Did one always have to have plans? Did one always have to be busy in the palace?
She bit her lower lip thoughtfully.
"Prior has just properly moved into her room and still needs to settle in," Kashion stepped in again, winking at her.
"Ah yes, understandable," the queen replied.
Prior cleared her throat. She looked at the queen. "Um…" she hesitated briefly, "Queen Ada, if you like, we could meet again later and talk about my appearance. I would be willing to listen to your suggestions."
Now the queen actually began to beam. She nodded several times. "That would be wonderful. Prior, I'll contact you later. Then we'll see what we can do."
Prior agreed. Kashion's hand found hers again and squeezed it.
They looked at each other and shared a silent communication. She could see that he was grateful and relieved.
They continued talking for a while about trivial things, like the weather or other food. Then Kashion explained a few more things about the contract.
Eventually, they parted ways.
Kashion had to prepare for the negotiation and said goodbye to both women with a kiss on the cheek.
The queen briefly took Prior's hand and told her once more that she would be in touch.
In the end, Prior felt relieved. It wouldn't be easy, but she had a small glimpse of hope that she could get a bit closer to Kashion's parents.
Then she returned to her room, curious about what the rest of the day would bring.