-Kashion
The reception was slowly coming to an end. Kashion had grown a little bored. Rein kept making jokes, which at least meant he didn't have to pay quite so much attention to Evlina.
King Mandach and Manina were incredibly sweet. They danced together several times and chatted casually with Kashion and his parents.
Count Kashk Rutz didn't dance at all. He mostly stood with various professors, demonstrating how much he supposedly knew about science. Kashion had stood there once with Pil, but eventually he couldn't listen anymore and excused himself.
Now he was standing with Kassia, Lina, and Oren. Yina was sitting nearby, drawing pictures. She had asked about Prior several times, which both touched and pained Kashion.
It hurt because he would very much like to know where she was and what she was thinking.
Lina looked a little tense. Partly because of seeing Oren again. Kashion knew she liked him. But it was also because she kept hearing the name Terland, and the count was nearby as well.
Kashion and Kassia knew that Lina had attended school in Terland as a teenager and had experienced terrible things there. Since then, she had developed several compulsions, and any reminder of that time was difficult for her.
Kashion was proud of her for still facing her fears again and again. Despite everything, she always seemed cheerful.
"I'm honestly tired now," Lina said. "Is it alright with you if I withdraw?"
Kashion shook his head.
"Not a problem at all, Lina. We'll be informing the guests soon anyway that the reception is over."
"May I…," Oren began.
Kashion looked at him questioningly, and Oren continued.
"If I'm no longer needed, I would like to accompany Lina and then withdraw as well."
Kashion nodded.
"That's no problem either. Go ahead."
Lina and Oren said their goodbyes.
Kassia looked at Kashion and grinned.
"So much tension in the air."
Kashion grinned as well.
"Indeed."
Kassia placed her hand on his arm.
"I'm definitely on your side. You know this won't be easy. But I think it's enough that back then I… you know."
Kashion nodded and looked at her gratefully.
Back then, their parents had decided that Kassia should marry Council Member Tendol. Tendol had a great deal of money, and it also strengthened the royal family's position in the council.
He sighed.
"You know, inside I'm full of tension. The next few days won't be easy. But at the same time, I suddenly feel calmer."
Kassia nodded.
"I understand."
Kashion looked at the time. It was slowly becoming appropriate to officially declare the reception over.
Of course the other guests could remain.
But he could finally leave.
-Prior-
Prior was still sitting at the table studying various reports. From time to time she continued eating different snacks.
She also read information about Terland, Ostrand, and Firefields. The last one interested her because it was a rather small country.
She also found a few hints suggesting there might be rare earth elements there, but none of it was very conclusive.
Suddenly the door opened and Talina came in.
So the reception must have ended.
"Oh, I'm so tired," Talina said. "I thought you were already asleep. Do you feel better?"
Prior nodded.
"It helped."
Talina looked at her thoughtfully, sat down across from her, and then said,
"Prior, I need to tell you something."
Oh. That didn't sound promising.
"For the past few days you haven't really supported the princess. You weren't actually present at anything important."
I had my reasons! she wanted to say.
She sighed.
"I'm sorry. But the work in the lab was important too. And Evlina had given her approval for the trip."
"Still," Talina said. "The princess is very generous. But she chose you to come to Earth with her. So you should support her as best you can."
Prior nodded.
"Alright. I'll talk to her tomorrow. I won't make any extra requests anymore."
"Good. What are you reading?" Talina asked.
Prior shrugged.
"Just scientific reports and reports about the three kingdoms represented here."
Then Talina noticed the large bag of snacks.
"And what exactly is all that?"
Prior shrugged again.
"I got snacks from the kitchen."
"From the kitchen?" Talina asked.
Ah. She didn't know that.
"It's downstairs. It's on the map," Prior replied.
"I see," Talina said.
-Kashion-
Kashion was in his room when he remembered that he now had a pet.
He smiled when he saw Luu sleeping in a corner.
He looked once more at the instructions from the servant. It probably wouldn't be too difficult.
Kashion sat down in his armchair and picked up his tablet.
Finally.
The last game with Prior wasn't finished yet.
He made a move and hoped she was still awake.
-Prior-
Suddenly she received a notification.
"kashion233 has made a move."
Immediately she felt a flutter in her stomach and her breathing quickened.
Should I just ignore it? she wondered.
But then she opened the game.
At the same time she reached into the bag, took a slice of dried mango, and bit into it.
She made a move with one of her bears.
Shortly afterward another notification appeared.
"kashion233 sent you a message."
And immediately another one.
Her heart began beating faster and faster.
kashion233
Thank you for playing with me.
kashion233
Since you won't dance with me.
-Prior-
She laughed dryly.
"Reading something interesting?" Talina asked from her bed.
Prior shook her head.
"I'm playing Cheqi with a slightly cheeky person."
"Oh," Talina replied. "Well, have fun then. Good night."
"Good night," Prior said.
She got ready for bed so she wouldn't disturb Talina.
Then she lay down and looked at her tablet.
She hadn't replied yet, but another message had already arrived.
kashion233
Why FoxPriority?
Hmm?
What did he mean by why? The dance? The game?
FoxPriority
Why what?
kashion233
Why do you call yourself FoxPriority?
FoxPriority
That's simple. Because the fox in the game always has priority for me.
Meanwhile he had made another move
kashion233
Oh oh. Now I know your weakness and where I can attack.
FoxPriority
Don't underestimate me, Prince Kashion.
She had once again managed to protect her fox with a bear and smiled.
kashion233
I would never dare. But I learn quickly. And I will learn how to break through the defense of your pieces.
Then he captured her bear with one of his donkeys.
Prior felt warmth spreading in her stomach again, and she felt it in her face too.
His last message almost felt as if he wanted to break through her own defenses.
She swallowed.
She wanted to change the subject.
FoxPriority
And why 233?
kashion233
That was an old internet slang from long ago that meant laughter.
FoxPriority
Ah.
FoxPriority
Laughter suits you.
kashion233
Thank you for the compliment, Prior.
kashion233
What are you doing tomorrow?
FoxPriority
I don't know yet. I have to ask the princess.
-Kashion-
Right.
Prior couldn't freely decide how to spend her time.
He himself still had to think about what he would do tomorrow. The first big council meeting would only take place the following day, and he had already prepared everything.
The day after the reception had intentionally been left free.
He wrote one more message:
"I understand. I hope we see each other tomorrow. Good night, Prior."
-Prior-
Prior smiled when she saw his last message.
"He hopes to see me."
She simply replied:
"Good night, Prince Kashion."
Then she set the tablet aside.
But how was she supposed to sleep tonight?
She felt so nervous. Not like butterflies in her stomach—more like an army of insects.
She had to think again about the balcony. When he had placed his hand near hers.
And later when he had held out his hand invitingly.
She wondered what would have happened if she had taken it.
What it would have felt like.
But she simply hadn't been able to do it in that moment.
Yet her friends were right.
If she didn't allow herself to explore it now, she would wonder for the rest of her life what might have happened.
She picked up her tablet again and searched the internet for pictures of him.
She had to smile when she saw them.
And it felt so unreal—because he simply looked too good.
Then she felt ridiculous, like a fangirl, and put the tablet away again.
What had Nari said?
She was lost.
She probably was.
She really had to be careful. Her heart was still in pieces, and she had to handle it gently.
-Kashion-
Kashion smiled and remained in his armchair for a few more minutes.
Then he got ready for bed, walked over to Luu for a moment, and gently stroked her head.
She opened her eyes and didn't look particularly friendly at him.
But she didn't hiss.
And she didn't seem as frightened anymore.
Not long after he had lain down in bed, he heard a few noises.
Then he felt Luu jump onto his bed and curl up near his feet.
He smiled.
That day had filled him with quiet satisfaction, and he slept well.