-Prior-
Prior lay on her bed, sighing and groaning. She caught herself pouting. This breakfast had gone anything but the way she had hoped. She would have liked Kashion's mother so much, would have loved to find Kashion in her, but she was so different. She shook her head. Those questions at breakfast. She clicked her tongue. Whether she was healthy?
She heard her messenger vibrate. She looked at the display. A message from Kashion.
"I'm so sorry I had to leave you alone… and that my parents treated you that way. Thank you for being so brave today and for staying so kind to my mother. Please try to forgive them." She sighed again. Forgive. Would his father at least apologize to her once? And would his mother ever truly accept her? Then another message from Kashion came. "I'll have to go to the negotiation soon, and without my bright spot." She had to laugh softly. Maybe she should have gone with him after all? But she didn't feel like facing those looks again in that tense atmosphere. She thought for a moment, then typed a reply: "I'll try my best. It was really uncomfortable today. I hope it gets better soon and that they can accept me." And what should she reply to the thing about the bright spot? "Your bright spot is thinking of you. I have the clothing matter with your mother later. I think I'd almost rather be at the negotiation. Think of me too! You know, the sun still shines at night, even if we can't see it."
-Kashion-
Kashion looked at his messenger. Prior seemed truly discouraged after breakfast. He couldn't blame her. He felt a bit guilty. He had put her in this situation and now couldn't even be there for her. Later, he would have to speak to his mother again. He hoped so much that the next meeting between the two of them would go well. Hopefully, they could find something that would satisfy them both.
He read her comparison with the sun and thought about it. She was right. You didn't see the sun at night, even though it was there. Prior was on Earth with him. That was what mattered.
"Are you finished?" Oren asked impatiently.
Kashion quickly typed a reply and then put his messenger away. "Let's continue," he answered, and they went through the points of the contract for the third time to make sure Kashion could explain everything well.
-Prior-
Prior read Kashion's reply: "Don't let my mother upset you. No matter what happens, I stand by you. Stay true to yourself—that's how I like you." He had written a second short message as well. "I miss you." She had to grin. And she had to admit, she felt the same. She missed him, even though they had just seen each other.
She had to yawn. She suddenly realized how tired she was. She lay down and just wanted to close her eyes for a moment and doze a little. But as soon as she closed her eyes, she actually fell asleep.
Prior heard a knock on the door and was torn out of her midday nap. For a moment, she had to think about where she was and what might be coming up now. Ah, the clothing matter. But that couldn't possibly already be Kashion's mother.
She got up and went to her door. But it was indeed Kashion's mother standing there with another woman whom Prior didn't know.
"I've brought our tailor with me," Queen Ada explained.
Prior blinked a few times, trying to wake up properly.
"Did you sleep?" the queen asked.
Prior nodded. "Forgive me. I was very tired."
The queen didn't make a face, and Prior couldn't tell what she thought of her.
"Then come in," she finally said, letting the two women enter.
The tailor was a woman around the queen's age. Very well-groomed and dressed somewhat extravagantly.
Prior waited until the queen had taken a seat, then sat down opposite her. The tailor took a seat beside the queen. She held a large tablet in her hand.
"Where shall we begin?" the tailor asked. "Everyday clothing, formal occasions, or the engagement celebration?"
Had Prior heard that correctly? Engagement again? She shook her head. "No engagement," she said.
The tailor looked at her questioningly, while the queen sighed. The queen looked at the tailor and said, "The engagement will take a little longer. Let's start with something formal. After the negotiation, we'll soon have the farewell banquet."
Prior swallowed. She briefly clenched her hand into a fist. She would manage this.
The tailor held the tablet out to Prior and showed her some designs. Prior's eyes widened. She would never wear something like that.
"That's too short, that's too tight, that's too revealing. I don't wear things like that," she explained.
The tailor sighed. "You are rather small, so a short dress would suit you better."
Prior shook her head. "That's not my style. I need something I feel comfortable in."
The tailor made a face. She looked questioningly at the queen. The queen shrugged, then nodded.
"Wait, I'll look for other dresses," the tailor finally said. Then she tapped a few times and showed Prior some more designs.
These were all very striking colors—bright green, pink, or a really bold red. She would feel far too conspicuous in those. She would prefer something more simple. At least the cut was better. Midi-length dresses in an A-line shape. That was something, at least.
"Are these dresses available in less striking colors?" she asked quietly.
The tailor and the queen exchanged another glance.
"I am a tailor. I can use any fabric and any color," she finally said.
Prior nodded. "Good, then I would like something in dark, rich colors. Dark green or dark blue, perhaps?"
"That can be arranged," the tailor said, making a note. "But I would add sequins or pearls to create a bit more effect."
Prior thought for a moment. Then she nodded. That was fine.
"Then we can move on to everyday clothing. I have a mix of suits and dresses here. Depending on the occasion." The tailor held out the tablet again. The selection was better than she had expected. It all looked quite comfortable.
"That's fine," Prior replied.
She looked at the queen. She smiled and nodded. "You see, Prior. It's all not that difficult."
Maybe she really had exaggerated a little.
"I would suggest five suits and five dresses for now. We still need to take your measurements," the tailor said. "If you could please undress down to your underwear."
Prior was startled. She hadn't thought of that. It made her uncomfortable. And would the queen have to be there for that?
"Now? Here?" Prior asked.
The queen laughed. "Prior, we are all women. That's no problem at all. It's completely normal."
What was she supposed to say to that? So she stood up and began to take off her clothes. She felt so uncomfortable in her own skin. She almost felt like the queen was examining her. Would she now look to see if there were any flaws anywhere?
The tailor took her measurements, one spot after another, and noted everything down in silence. Meanwhile, Prior kept feeling the queen's gaze. Was it her imagination or real? She didn't dare look. When the tailor was finished, Prior got dressed again as quickly as she could.
"It is a luxury to have everything custom-made. And Damant here is one of the best tailors in Tingdao. Many would feel honored to have this opportunity," Queen Ada explained.
Prior nodded and said quietly, "Thank you. I appreciate it." For many, this would probably really be a great privilege.
"I will have the clothes made and delivered as soon as possible," Damant said.
"Thank you," Prior replied.
"Then I will take my leave," Damant said, and after a slight bow, she left.
The queen remained in the room.
"Well, that went well. I'm relieved," the queen said. "Next, we'll take care of your hairstyle and see what we can do with makeup."
Prior took a deep breath. She closed her eyes. "The hairstyle is fine. But I don't need any makeup."
The queen laughed. "Every woman needs makeup. We can start with something subtle."
Well, she didn't want to say no now. And she could always look at it and still decide against it when the time came. "All right," she said.
"We also have a fitness room in the palace," the queen remarked suddenly.
"A fitness room?" Prior asked, surprised. How did the queen get to that now?
The queen smiled. "Yes. I'll make sure it's shown to you," then she winked at her, "a little fitness doesn't hurt to get us into shape."
Prior swallowed. So the queen really had been examining her. Prior was at a loss for words. She felt humiliated.
They sat opposite each other and looked at one another in silence for a moment.
Finally, the queen gave a faint smile. She opened her mouth, then closed it again. She seemed to consider what she should say. In the end, she said, "Life in the palace is anything but easy. All eyes are constantly on you. In Kashion's case, not only those of Tingdao, but of the entire Earth and even the whole galaxy. For the woman at the side of such a man, it is not easy. There will certainly be many rumors, Prior. We can do our part to stand as inconspicuously as possible at our husband's side."
Prior looked at her in surprise. Was she actually trying to encourage her? Or was she trying to frighten her even more?
The queen continued: "Princess Evlina is used to this life. Even if you were in her entourage for years, it is not the same as having such a role yourself. Whether you believe it or not, I used to be different. I grew up more in the countryside and didn't place so much importance on many things. If you want to support Kashion, you can learn it too."
Prior nodded. "Thank you, Queen Ada." She sighed. She just thought that it wasn't quite what she wanted. She didn't want to change herself that much.
The queen stood up. "Very well, Prior. I should go. Tomorrow morning I will pick you up after breakfast so we can go to the hairdresser. I assume the banquet is already in a few days."
Prior had also stood up. "All right," she said. Then she accompanied the queen to the door. The queen smiled briefly and then left.
Prior closed the door and stood in front of her mirror for a moment. She found her hairstyle fine. She found everything fine. Why should she have to change anything? She looked at her body. She didn't look that unfit at all!
She sighed. Suddenly, she felt like all of this was constricting her. She went out onto the balcony.
She urgently needed some fresh air.