– Prior –
"I don't understand what this is about," Prior said to Wanyi.
He didn't respond and simply continued walking ahead of her. Wanyi was a tall, muscular man who carried a certain authority. His black hair was already streaked with a few strands of gray.
"I could just go to Princess Kassia on my own. Actually, I don't even have to go to her—I could just return to my room," she continued.
Wanyi stopped and turned around. His voice was firm.
"Forgive me, but I will do exactly as the prince instructed. I will escort you to the princess."
"You don't have to speak to me so formally," Prior replied.
He let out a quiet laugh. "I wouldn't dare do otherwise."
He turned again, and she followed. There was no point arguing.
She could still feel Kashion's hands on her arms. She brushed her hand over the spot where he had held her. His reaction had frightened her—but at the same time, it had touched her deeply.
She replayed the scene in her mind. Everything had happened so fast. She felt no fear anymore—only a restless unease.
At last, Wanyi stopped in front of a door and knocked.
It didn't take long for Kassia to open. She looked surprised to see him.
"Wanyi?" she asked. Then she noticed Prior. "Did something happen?"
Wanyi nodded. "There was an incident in the garden. The prince wishes for her to remain with you for the time being."
"An incident?" Kassia asked.
"Everything is under control. No cause for concern," Wanyi replied.
He bowed to Kassia, then turned. He also gave Prior a short bow, which made her uncomfortable.
"I must return to the prince," he said before leaving.
"Come in and tell me everything," Kassia said.
– Kashion –
Evlina looked at Kashion with visible anger.
"Forgive me, Princess. I don't know how the tiger—" he began.
"Why?" she interrupted.
He didn't understand. She wasn't standing still—she was pacing.
"Tell me why, Prince Kashion! Why didn't you come to protect me—but her?"
She wasn't finished. She took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Why can't you look at me the way you look at her?"
There was almost a pleading in her gaze.
"What am I lacking?" she asked.
Kashion sighed.
"Princess Evlina, I'm sorry. You lack nothing. You are perfect in every way."
She let out a dry laugh.
"Then why does my servant have your attention and admiration—and not me?"
Kashion took a deep breath. He thought for a moment, then answered quietly:
"It's more about me. When I'm with her, I feel alive—as if I can truly be myself, without having to play a role."
Evlina stared at him in disbelief.
Kashion gave a faint smile.
"I feel like she gives me something I thought I had lost. And…"
He paused briefly.
"…there are so many emotions and so much enthusiasm in her that I wish I had myself."
Evlina closed her eyes.
"I thought you were simply distant. Are you really willing to risk the agreement for this?"
Kashion shook his head.
"I still support the agreement. I believe our two realms can offer each other a great deal."
"But perhaps you can't have both," Evlina said.
Both? She meant the agreement—and Prior.
Kashion swallowed.
"I won't be pressured, Princess."
She laughed dryly again.
"I don't think my father will be pleased. And as I said in the meeting, under these circumstances, I will not give Tingdao preferential treatment."
Before Kashion could respond, she continued:
"But don't worry, Prince Kashion. I know emotions have no place here. I will not be unfair. If Tingdao manages to convince me, I will convince my father as well."
That was a relief. He was glad the princess was wise and just.
"Thank you. I appreciate that," he said.
Evlina nodded.
"But I want to make you an offer."
Kashion raised his eyebrows.
"I'll give you one week. No matter what happens, no matter what you do—during that week, you can come to me at any time about the alliance and the marriage, and I will agree."
Kashion's eyes widened.
"You don't have to do that, Princess. That—"
She cut him off again.
"I need this week. Give it to me. Even if you don't need it. I want to be able to tell myself afterward that I gave you the choice."
Kashion exhaled slowly and nodded.
Evlina pressed a hand to her forehead and shook her head slightly, as if she had a headache.
"It's been a long day. Let me know when the next meeting is. And come to me anytime if you change your mind."
She turned and walked away.
Then she suddenly stopped and turned back to him once more.
"One more thing," she said. "It won't be easy for you—because of Prior. But you should know this."
She paused.
"She is a good person. You may hear stories about her… about her past. But…"
She sighed.
"Don't forget that she is a good person—and that she deserves good things."
Then she left.
Kashion watched her, puzzled. What did she mean? Prior's past?
He kept the thought in the back of his mind as he headed to his room. He still needed to speak with Wanyi about the palace security.
– Prior –
Prior sat on the sofa in Kassia's room with Yina beside her, while Kassia sat across from them.
She had just told them that a tiger had suddenly appeared in the garden.
"Unbelievable. Something like that has never happened before," Kassia said. "That must have been terrifying."
"Was the tiger big?" Yina asked.
Prior nodded. "It was frightening. Especially the growling and hissing sounds."
Then she began to recount what had happened afterward.
"You stepped in front of my brother?" Kassia asked, eyes wide.
Prior nodded, now almost embarrassed. She shrugged.
"It was like a reflex. I didn't really think. But then your brother grabbed me and pulled me behind him."
She continued, explaining how he had held her and then sent her to Kassia.
"I don't even know why he had me brought to you," she said.
Kassia laughed softly.
"Oh, Prior. He might as well have made a confession."
"What?" Prior asked, startled, feeling her heart start to race again.
Kassia smiled warmly.
"When the ruler of an important country puts a woman's life before his own—and then keeps holding onto her…"
She laughed again.
"…then it's quite obvious to everyone what he's thinking."
Prior immediately remembered the way everyone had looked at her—including Evlina and Wanyi. She suddenly wished she could disappear into the ground.
"But he could have just saved me like that," she argued.
Kassia nodded.
"And held onto you the whole time? He does that with everyone, does he?"
Prior made a face.
What must Evlina and Talina think of her now?
"He had you brought to me to protect you," Kassia said. "He probably wanted to spare you looks and comments. And you make him vulnerable. As long as we don't know where that tiger came from, he needed you somewhere safe."
Vulnerable?
Prior looked at Kassia in disbelief.
"Vulnerable?"
Kassia nodded.
"If others know that you matter to Kashion, they could target you to weaken him."
That sounded frightening. But yes—she couldn't forget who he was and what position he held.
"But don't worry, Prior. You're safe here, and the Hualin will take care of everything," Kassia said.
That calmed her a little.
Still, Prior was surprised that Kassia didn't seem particularly shocked.
"Aren't you surprised?" she asked.
Kassia looked at her, confused.
"About what?"
Prior hesitated before saying it.
"That your brother wanted to protect me."
Kassia smiled and shook her head.
"Ever since he told me to take you to Gelserkh, I could put two and two together."
Prior looked at her in surprise.
"Gelserkh?" she asked.
Kassia nodded.
"I wasn't supposed to say it was his wish. But he really wanted you to see it."
It had all felt like such a strange coincidence, Prior thought.
She remembered the Cheqi game, the bet—and how she had told him about her wish.
That he had fulfilled it anyway, even though she hadn't won—and had arranged it quietly for her—touched her deeply.
For a moment, she was speechless. A warmth spread through her.
It wasn't like a swarm of insects this time. It was something light, something warm—like a swarm of fireflies glowing inside her.
She began to smile.
Then suddenly her messenger vibrated. She picked it up.
"Oh," she said after reading the message. "Princess Evlina wants to see me immediately."
Kassia looked thoughtful, then said:
"If you really have to go, I'll tell Emi to accompany you."
Prior shook her head.
"That won't be necessary. It's all within the palace."
Kassia replied firmly:
"You are not going anywhere alone after my brother had Wanyi bring you to me. I'll inform Emi. She'll be here shortly."
– Kashion –
Kashion sat in his room with Oren. Wanyi stood before them, delivering his report:
"So far, we've determined that one of the kitchen staff must have led the tiger in through the back entrance. We found DNA traces there. Otherwise, we haven't discovered anything suspicious yet, and security has been tightened."
"Good," Kashion replied.
Though it wasn't good at all—it meant someone from his own people was involved.
"We have arrested the man and will detain his family for now as well. My men are on their way. As soon as we learn more about the motives, I will report back. We suspect it was about money, and that he was hired by someone who wants to prevent the agreement," Wanyi explained.
Kashion nodded. That was plausible. The agreement was not welcomed by everyone—neither among the Saturnians nor the people of Tingdao.
"Then I will return to my duties," Wanyi said.
As he turned to leave, something Evlina had said came back to Kashion—the part about Prior's past.
"Wait," Kashion said.
Wanyi looked at him.
"Investigate whether there is anything unusual in Prior's past. Report to me as soon as possible."
Wanyi nodded and took his leave.
Kashion didn't feel entirely comfortable with it—but he needed to know what might be coming.
And if he had to defend Prior, he needed to know what others might say about her.
He didn't want to ask her directly. He didn't want to put her in an uncomfortable position.
So he decided it was best for Wanyi to find out.
After all, the Hualin had a vast network of informants—even extending to Saturn.
He would know everything soon enough.