-Prior-
Prior didn't feel comfortable with it, but somehow she didn't want to talk to Kashion right now either. What was she supposed to tell him? That she was afraid?
She took her messenger and asked her friends if they had time. Then she called them.
"Tell us everything!" Nari said immediately.
Prior told them everything that had happened recently—her relationship with Kashion, the kidnapping, and the conversation with Queen Ada.
Nari and Eynara listened intently. Every now and then they gasped or said "oh" or "ah."
When Prior finished, they were silent for a moment.
"Phew, that's quite a lot," Eynara finally said. "A palace and a royal family—that's really complicated."
Prior pressed her lips together and nodded.
"But it's sweet that Kashion wanted to fly to Saturn. Good thing that Hualin reported in time. Just imagine!" Nari said.
Prior had to laugh. That really would have been something if Kashion had flown to Saturn while she was still on Earth. The laughter did her good. She noticed how she suddenly relaxed and her body loosened.
"I think the queen doesn't mean any harm," Eynara said. "That's just how things are in those circles. You used to talk a lot about Princess Evlina too, and about public image and all that."
Prior sighed. "What should I do?"
"First of all, you should talk to Kashion," Nari replied. "I mean, if you want this between you to really work… you know, communication is key."
Prior smiled again. Yes, she was probably right.
Prior ran a hand through her hair. "I just feel so strange telling him about the engagement. Either he'll think I don't like him enough, or maybe he'll feel overwhelmed and pressured. I don't want either of that."
Eynara shook her head. "Oh Prior, as always. You think way too much."
She knew that already, but it was hard not to overthink. She really wanted to do everything right.
"I somehow don't know anything anymore right now," she said.
"That's what you have us for," Nari said with a grin. "Prince Kashion likes you—a lot. You like him. And now things are just getting serious. Much faster than you wanted, but that's the price of wanting a prince."
Prior laughed again. "If there really is an engagement celebration, you absolutely have to come."
Eynara shook her head. "We won't manage that. Probably not even the wedding. But we might make it for the birth of your first child."
Prior suddenly felt very embarrassed and would have loved to throw something at Eynara. "Stop making jokes like that."
"Prior, I think we're the only ones seeing this clearly. What planet are you living on? Did Earth's air rob you of all your senses?" Eynara teased.
Prior pressed her hand to her forehead and shook her head. "This is all happening faster than my mind can keep up."
"We can see that," Nari replied, laughing.
"And about your father," Eynara said, "maybe he really means it and wants more contact again."
Prior nodded. "Yes, I'll reply to him later."
"Eynara," Nari said, "no joke, maybe we should actually start planning a trip to Earth?"
Prior's heart started racing—with excitement. It would be wonderful to unexpectedly see her friends again.
"Do you know how expensive that is?" Eynara asked.
That was true. None of them were rich.
"You have to make that a condition, Prior. Engagement only if he pays for our trip to Earth," Nari said.
Prior must have looked shocked, because Nari quickly added, "Joking!"
-Kashion-
Kashion wondered who was standing at his door now. Maybe it was Prior, wanting to surprise him? He stood up and went to the door. Luu let out a soft growl, and he had to laugh quietly. She didn't like interruptions.
He opened the door and found his mother standing there.
She entered without hesitation and dropped into the armchair. She sighed. Kashion sat down across from her and looked at her skeptically.
"Did something happen?"
"Oh, Kashion. It's not easy with your Prior."
Kashion immediately became alert. If his mother and Prior had a confrontation, then it wasn't surprising that Prior was reacting like this. He grew nervous and stood up. "What happened, Mother?"
"Sit down, you're making me nervous," she replied. As if he was the one making people nervous! He sat back down.
"I went to see her," she continued. "To apologize." That was good. Kashion felt relieved. But why was his mother acting like this then? Had Prior not accepted the apology?
"Was Prior angry with you?" he asked.
Ada shook her head. "No, she seemed to accept the apology. But you know, when I offered her my help, she didn't want to accept it."
"Help?"
"Yes, regarding her appearance. It simply can't stay like this."
Kashion slapped his hand against his forehead. So that was it. "Mother. Prior is different, and I like her the way she is."
"I know, she told me that too. But still, she could accept a little help. And that wasn't even the worst part."
What was coming now? His mother looked at him and made a face. "She wasn't at all enthusiastic when I mentioned an engagement."
Kashion held his breath for a moment. Engagement?
"What are you trying to say?" he finally asked.
"She thinks it's far too early and doesn't want to think about an engagement right now."
Kashion exhaled. Why had his mother talked to Prior about an engagement when he hadn't even proposed to her yet! A small part of his pride as the most sought-after bachelor was a bit stung that Prior wasn't immediately thrilled. But he could also understand her. Everything was so new. And especially for her, with her past.
"Mother, she comes from a completely different world, and… she's experienced bad things in her past…"
"What things?" Ada interrupted curiously.
But Kashion didn't want to talk about Prior's past with her right now. "I'll tell you another time. But don't worry. I'll talk to Prior. I know her better than you. It's not how you think."
That seemed to calm his mother a little. "I hope you're right. I do want to try to accept her. But she should accept her role too."
Kashion nodded. "Once you get to know her better, you'll understand why I like her so much."
He fell silent for a moment. "Even if it's unusual for our circles, I'd like to wait for the right moment and then propose to her properly someday."
Ada smiled at him now. "My boy, who would have thought you'd actually lose your heart?"
Kashion laughed. He thought of Prior and their encounters. "She simply stole it," he said softly, almost to himself, "I don't think she even realized what she was doing."
Ada stood up and patted his shoulder. "You've worked hard these past months, Kashion. I'm proud of you."
Kashion briefly squeezed her hand and smiled.
"Then I'll leave you be. Don't stay up too late." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and left.
As soon as she was gone, Luu came and jumped onto his lap. "Ah, Luu, not now." He really needed to talk to Prior. He reached for his messenger and didn't think long about what to write. He simply called her.
-Prior-
Prior felt better, and her thoughts were more organized after talking to her friends. She sat on her bed, looking at the teddy bear plush.
"Oh Kashion, why do you have to be a prince?"
Then she heard her messenger ringing. She picked it up and saw Kashion's name. Immediately, her heart started beating faster. She suddenly felt tense and uncertain again.
She answered. At first she heard nothing and then simply said, "I wrote that I'm not hungry."
Now she heard Kashion breathing. "My mother was there, Prior. She told me everything."
Her stomach dropped. She only managed an "oh."
"Prior, if you don't feel like eating, will you come downstairs to me for a game of Cheqi?"
"Hmmm," she made.
He laughed. "Please. No excuses. Let's play and talk. Please, Prior, we can talk about everything. Don't avoid me."
Suddenly she felt warm. And she felt her fingers tingle when she thought about the game, and a tense anticipation of seeing him.
"Okay," she said in a soft voice.
"Okay? Then I'll wait for you. No stress. If you need another twenty minutes, no problem."
She had to laugh. She looked down at herself. She was wearing something comfortable—a lounge outfit. She immediately thought of the queen. If the jumpsuit had already been bad, what about this outfit?
"I'm only wearing something very casual. I'll quickly change," she said.
"Please don't, Prior," Kashion said quickly. "I'd like to see you just like that—casual and natural. Please?"
"All right," she replied. "Then I won't need twenty minutes."
They were silent for a moment. Finally, she heard Kashion swallow and clear his throat. "I hate ending a conversation with you, but if we don't hang up, you'll need more than twenty minutes after all."
Prior laughed. "Okay, see you in a bit," she said and hung up before he could say anything else.
Still, she stood in front of the mirror for a moment and looked at herself. It didn't look good at all. Almost like pajamas. She shrugged. He would just have to get used to the sight.