-Kashion-
Kashion was relieved. The negotiations had gone well. All the individual points had been reviewed once more, and everyone had agreed. Of course, an extremely difficult year now lay ahead for him and especially for the scientists. But he was relieved and a little proud that he had managed it without a marriage alliance with Princess Evlina.
He had just signed the contract, and Oren brought it to Count Kashk Rutz.
The count grinned and said, "I'm very excited to see what the coming year will bring." Then he took his pen and signed it.
Oren took the contract again and brought it to King Mandach. King Mandach smiled benevolently at everyone, looked at Evlina, and said, "I am happy and grateful to witness this historic moment. May our worlds continue to remain allied from this day forward." Then he signed the contract as well.
Oren took it back and now placed it in front of Princess Evlina.
At that moment, Rein cleared his throat. Kashion looked at him. What was he plotting this time?
"Before the princess signs it, perhaps we should clarify something first," Rein said.
"Oh? And that would be?" Kashion asked. So close to the finish line, he did not want any complications.
But Rein laughed and stood up. He walked over to Princess Evlina's side and helped her up from her chair.
"I would like to announce that Princess Evlina and I are engaged. The alliance with Earth is therefore secured once again." Rein was positively beaming as he held Evlina's hand.
A murmur went through the hall, followed by applause. Kashion stared at the couple in disbelief. He truly had not seen it coming, nor had he expected it.
And yet, deep down, he was secretly relieved that he no longer had to worry about the princess in any way. He joined the others in applauding.
Finally, Evlina and Rein signed the contract as well.
After Rein had signed it, he kissed the princess on the cheek.
The two of them did not look bad together at all, Kashion thought.
Count Kashk Rutz laughed loudly. "Congratulations, Rein," he said. "You sensed an opportunity and took it. Let us hope Tingdao does not end up empty-handed after all."
Kashion felt everyone's eyes on him. He merely gave a dry laugh. "Thank you for your concern, Count Kashk Rutz. You need not worry about me." Then he looked at Rein and Evlina. He put on a pleasant smile. "Rein, Princess Evlina, you have my blessing. I wish you both all the best."
Rein grinned at him and winked. Princess Evlina only gave him a crooked smile.
Kashion stood up. "Now that everything has been settled, I thank you all for this promising outcome. You will receive copies later in your rooms. The day after tomorrow, there will also be a farewell banquet, and I would be delighted if everyone attended."
He looked around and saw happy faces everywhere.
He sighed. It was truly done now. At last, he could focus on other things.
The hall slowly emptied. Kashion intended to go see Prior immediately. He truly missed her. And he hoped everything had gone well with his mother.
As he left the hall with Oren, Ken, the palace spokesperson for the public, immediately approached him.
"Your Highness," he said, "I couldn't hold back the press. They insist on an interview. Tonight."
Kashion pressed a hand to his forehead. Of course this had to happen too. He had pushed it out of his mind. Naturally, they would want an interview after the negotiations. Kashion looked at the clock.
"Tell them to come to the grand audience hall at five o'clock," Kashion told Ken. Then he turned to Oren. "Get Iris and then come to my room."
Oren nodded, and then everyone went on their way.
Iris was the royal family's makeup artist. Before public events like these, they always trusted her hands. He would still have enough time to briefly check the news, prepare himself, and get properly ready.
When Kashion arrived in his room, he first wrote Prior a message to let her know he was thinking about her.
Then he took his tab and skimmed through the news. There were several good headlines such as: "Historic trade agreement finally secured," "Agreement with Saturn will bring more stability to Earth," or "An agreement has finally been reached." He read a few articles and was pleased that some reporters wrote positively about him. That he had handled the situation confidently, and that he believed in Tingdao's progress.
There were also pessimistic articles: "Is our science even capable of this?" or "Did Prince Kashion gamble too high?"
Then, of course, there were new articles as well. Rein and Evlina's engagement had spread quickly. The press could hardly wait. There were harmless headlines like: "Wedding songs soon in Feuerfelder" or "The Saturn princess has found her home on Earth."
But there were also articles Kashion would especially have to prepare himself for. And naturally, they were connected to Prior. "Why did Princess Evlina choose Crown Prince Rein over him?", "Engagement in Feuerfelder — why are we hearing nothing from Lantian Palace?" And worst of all: "Is scientist Prior after money?" or "Does Prince Kashion only want fun and no commitment?"
Kashion shook his head and put the tab aside. In doing so, he overlooked several other important articles as well.
This would definitely be an exhausting interview. He would have to try to steer everything back toward the trade agreement.
There was a knock at his door. Kashion stood up to open it for Iris and Oren. But it was his mother.
"Ken told me there's going to be an interview," she said as she entered.
Kashion nodded.
His mother sat down and continued, "I already heard it. Rein got engaged to Princess Evlina." She sighed. "That is exactly what I was afraid of. Now you look like someone who was cast aside and is marrying the second choice."
Kashion groaned. "Mom. But I know that isn't what this is."
"If Prior had been reasonable, we could have announced your engagement long ago."
Kashion grimaced. Rein's announcement probably still would have happened before theirs.
"Your reputation is at stake," his mother continued. "They call you someone who doesn't want commitment. First, you didn't want the princess, and now you don't want to commit to her servant either. Even though it's actually the other way around." She sighed. "Oh, I don't know what I can do to convince Prior."
Kashion had sat down as well. "How did things go with the dresses?" he asked. He had a bad feeling after the way his mother had been speaking.
But his mother smiled. "Actually, it went quite well. She expressed a few wishes, but we found several things. Tomorrow I'll take her to the hairdresser, and then we'll look at makeup."
As if on cue, there was another knock at the door. Kashion stood up. "That's probably Iris and Oren."
The two entered. Iris had all her tools and makeup with her.
"I'll look through your wardrobe," his mother said and began searching. A little later, she returned with a burgundy suit. "This one looks elegant," she remarked.
Kashion looked at Iris. Iris nodded. "I'll look for some tones to match it," she said.
Kashion was about to start changing when a thought occurred to him.
"Mother, why don't you go see Prior again and later bring her to the small private room behind the audience hall? I think it would be nice if the two of you could watch my interview together."
His mother thought for a moment and then nodded. "All right." Then she looked at Oren. "Oren, help Kashion get dressed and make sure he looks presentable for the interview." With that, she left.
Oren walked over to him with a grin. "You need help?"
Kashion pulled a face and gave Oren a friendly smack on the head.
Then he put on the burgundy suit, and Oren made sure everything fit properly.
Iris then took care of his hairstyle and applied matching makeup. The makeup was important so that his skin would not shine too much on television. But the royal family also valued perfection. For occasions like these, everything had to be flawless.
When Iris was finished, Kashion looked at himself in the mirror. He nodded. He no longer looked tired at all. The makeup had concealed everything. He was satisfied. This would work. He practiced a few poses and expressions.
Iris said goodbye for the time being. She would wait in the audience hall and step in if necessary.
Kashion then discussed a few important topics with Oren. Oren asked uncomfortable questions as practice, and Kashion formulated suitable answers.
Soon enough, the time had come, and they had to leave and make their way there.
Kashion was always especially nervous during occasions like these.
-Prior-
Prior had spent the time reading a little and had then received Kashion's message.
"I hope everything went well on your side. The negotiations were a success! But I have to give an interview tonight, so I won't have any time now. Still, you are always in my thoughts."
She wondered what kind of interview it would be. Probably about the agreement. Would she be able to watch it? She definitely did not want to be there in person and be seen by others.
Eventually, there was a knock at her door. She was quite surprised that it was Queen Ada again already. Was she going to come several times a day now?
Prior looked at her questioningly.
"Kashion has to give an interview," the queen said.
"I know," Prior replied.
"He wants you to watch it together with me. We have a small room behind the audience hall. From there, we can follow everything unseen."
Prior suddenly felt excited, as if she were going on an outing. "Really?"
The queen nodded.
"But no one will be able to see us, right?"
The queen nodded again. "That doesn't mean we can allow ourselves to dress too casually. But what you're wearing is still sufficient for today."
Prior pressed her lips together and nodded.
"Let's head over before the big crowd arrives. There will also be something small to eat and drink."
Prior took her bag, packed her tab and messenger, and then set off with the queen.