-Kashion-
When Kashion woke up the next morning, he realized that Luu was sleeping on his arm. He tried to gently pull his arm away, but Luu woke up and growled at him. He had to laugh. "I'd like to stay in bed longer too," he said.
He immediately thought of Prior and picked up his messenger. He saw that he had messages from his mother, but before opening them, he wrote to Prior first.
"Good morning, did you sleep well?"
Then he opened the messages.
"Kashion, your father and I would be happy if you joined us for breakfast today. Do your parents this favor."
He sighed. Of course, he couldn't say no. His mother was very sensitive and emotional. Besides, the last conversation with his parents hadn't gone well, and she probably just wanted to restore harmony. He just hoped they wouldn't spend the whole time talking about the agreement. He immediately felt the weight settling back onto his shoulders.
He wrote that he would come soon and got ready.
-Prior-
When Prior woke up, Talina was already up and about again.
"Good morning. Princess Evlina has already called for me," Talina said.
Prior yawned, stretched, and then asked, "Oh, what's planned for today?"
"She'll be having breakfast this morning with Kashion and his parents," Talina replied—and Prior immediately felt a sharp pang in her stomach. She sat up in bed.
Talina smiled at her. "Maybe things will finally become clearer between them. Anyway, I'm going to help her with her outfit now."
Prior was speechless for a moment. She pressed her fingernails into her thumb to distract herself from her agitation.
"Are we going along to breakfast?" she finally asked.
Talina laughed. "No, of course not. It's just for the two of them and his parents. Oh, and she said that after breakfast we'll meet Rein. Probably close to noon. But we don't know how long breakfast will take. I'm off now. See you later."
After Talina left the room, Prior remained in bed, her breathing faster. She didn't even know what she was feeling anymore. Anger? Fear? Or something else?
She took a deep breath and picked up her messenger. Oh—a message from Kashion. Maybe he had explained the situation.
After reading his message, she only grew more annoyed. "Good morning, did you sleep well!" she muttered and gave a dry laugh. She tossed the messenger onto the bed beside her and closed her eyes. If he had at least explained things! How was she supposed to trust him if he didn't say a word about it?
Eventually she got up and got ready.
She picked up her messenger again. No new message from Kashion. She shook her head. She didn't feel like replying to him right now.
She needed a distraction. She thought of Kassia and Lina. She hadn't seen them in a while and wrote Kassia a message, asking how she was and if she had time. She was glad when Kassia suggested meeting with Lina at the palace café for breakfast.
-Kashion-
Kashion kept glancing at his messenger. No reply from Prior. Was she still asleep?
He had arrived in his parents' dining hall.
His mother came over immediately, hugged him, and kissed his cheek. "No more arguments," she said.
His father was already sitting at the round table and greeted him with a nod.
His mother sat down and told Kashion to do the same.
He took a seat and then noticed another place setting beside him.
"Are we expecting someone?" he asked.
His mother smiled. "The princess will be here any moment."
Almost reflexively, Kashion stood up. "Mother, I—"
At that moment, Princess Evlina entered the room. "Good morning!" she said, smiling at everyone.
His mother stood up again to embrace Evlina.
Kashion felt torn. He would have preferred to leave, but the princess was their guest—his guest. He had to treat her with respect. So he sat back down.
Once everyone was seated, his mother said, "We thought perhaps we could help clear up your misunderstandings."
Kashion took a deep breath. "There is no misunderstanding."
"Exactly," Evlina said. "I told Prince Kashion openly that I wouldn't be opposed to a union."
"Oh, how lovely," his mother said.
Kashion closed his eyes. "Evlina, I told you openly how I feel as well, didn't I?" He looked at her.
She looked at him with a slightly teasing expression, then smiled. "I know, I know. But there's nothing wrong with having breakfast together, is there?"
Kashion shook his head, but poured coffee for both of them.
"You look so good together!" his mother said. "You simply match. I would be so happy if—"
"Mother!" Kashion interrupted. "Please stop, or I'll leave."
"But I just don't understand. Why?" she replied.
Evlina let out a dry laugh.
This was not the moment Kashion wanted to tell his parents about Prior. It felt completely wrong. He could already imagine their reactions. He shook his head. Not now.
"As the princess said, let's just have breakfast."
His mother made a face but took a piece of bread.
"Tendol mentioned there's news about the negotiations," his father added.
Kashion inwardly rolled his eyes. He didn't want to deal with politics right now either.
"Yes," Evlina said. "Firefields has suddenly become a much more interesting trading partner."
They talked for a while about the current developments. Kashion noticed his mother gradually relaxing again, regaining hope. She kept looking at him and Evlina dreamily. He was so relieved that he would soon be able to speak openly with her.
-Prior-
Prior still felt tense. She was sitting at a table in the palace café with Lina, Kassia, and Yina. In front of them were delicious croissants, pastries, and savory dishes. It should have been a nice morning.
But her thoughts kept drifting back to Kashion. Was he talking to Evlina right now? Would he suddenly realize she was the better choice?
"…you seem so absent today," she suddenly heard Lina say, nudging her lightly with her elbow. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn't been listening at all.
"Sorry," she said.
"Everything okay?" Kassia asked, looking at her thoughtfully.
Prior nodded. "Yes, yes, everything's fine. Don't mind me."
"Did Kashion do something stupid?" Kassia pressed.
Prior gave a dry laugh.
"So that's it," Kassia said to Lina.
"Do you want to tell us what happened? I'm sure there's a solution," Lina offered.
Prior still felt overwhelmed by her emotions and was even afraid she might start crying. "I'd rather not talk about it," she said.
Kassia frowned.
Prior quickly tried to change the subject. Everyone was looking at her with concern—even little Yina.
"And you, Lina? How are things with you? Any news from Oren?"
Lina sighed and shrugged. "I haven't seen him since the reception. Nothing's really happened."
-Kashion-
After breakfast, Kashion offered to walk Evlina back to her room.
"No chance?" she asked when they were alone.
He shook his head. "I've made my decision."
"I spoke to my father yesterday. He's far from pleased that he hasn't received the message he expected yet," Evlina said.
"Does that mean more consequences for Tingdao?"
Evlina laughed. "I wouldn't go that far. But he can be strict and unyielding. Let's just say the room for maneuver and flexibility is getting smaller."
"I can imagine," Kashion replied.
-Prior-
After breakfast, Prior was on her way back to her room. In the palace corridor, she suddenly heard voices.
When she saw Kashion and Evlina standing side by side, she froze. She noticed Evlina was even laughing—and the way she looked at him!
Inside, Prior was furious, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. Angry, but also on the verge of tears. She kept staring at them until Kashion suddenly noticed her.
His eyes widened. "Prior!"
Oh no. She was so angry. She turned around and hurried off in the opposite direction.
-Kashion-
Kashion had never seen Prior with that expression before. She looked genuinely shaken. And normally she would have come to him when he called. Was she angry? Why?
"Excuse me," Kashion said to Evlina and quickly followed Prior.
"Prior!" he called again, but she didn't stop.
He walked faster and finally grabbed her arm.
She stopped, but didn't turn around. "Let me go!" she said.
What was going on? Could it be… was she jealous?
"Only if you look at me and talk to me."
He saw her breathing quickly before she slowly turned around.
"Go back to the princess and talk to her!"
Oh—she really was jealous. And she looked so adorable. Kashion smiled, then began to laugh softly. He still held her arm. She looked at him with wide eyes, tried to pull free, and turned away again—but he didn't let go. He even pulled her closer.
"Let me go," she said again, softer this time.
"Prior," he said. "Do you know that you're charming when you're jealous?"
She turned to him. "Jealous?" she said with a dry laugh. "Me?"
Kashion laughed. "Very much so. And it's adorable."
She blushed and looked down.
"Prior, my mother arranged the breakfast. It wasn't my idea. And I only walked the princess back out of courtesy."
She still looked at the ground.
"Look at me," he said.
-Prior-
Prior felt foolish now. She was embarrassed. Had she really let her emotions take over like that?
She lifted her head and looked at him.
He was smiling—almost amused.
"Let me go," she said again.
But he shook his head. "I don't want to let you go." She looked at him with wide eyes. "Not until you tell me everything is okay."
He was so close. She could feel his warmth. She looked into his eyes and saw something pleading beneath the amusement.
"Alright. It was a misunderstanding," she finally said.
He let go of her arm, but they still stood close.
"That's why you didn't reply to me, right?"
She nodded. Now she felt truly embarrassed.
-Kashion-
Kashion looked at Prior, who now seemed so unsure. He had never seen anything more endearing.
"I'm sorry," she said.
Kashion smiled. "You don't have to be. If I'd known you'd get this jealous, I would have explained everything right away," he teased.
She shot him a sharp look. "It's fine," she said, then smiled again. Suddenly, she looked like she had an idea.
"I should go… we have another meeting with the princess soon."
Kashion took a deep breath. He was disappointed she had to leave. But he had to go as well. He hated these obligations that kept coming between them.
"There's one more thing," he said.
She looked at him expectantly. He tapped his ear, indicating he wanted to whisper something. She looked surprised but tilted her head slightly.
He leaned in, smiled—and then quickly kissed her on the cheek.
She startled and looked at him. She was completely flushed now.
"You're utterly charming," he said.
She raised her hand and touched the spot where he had kissed her.
Kashion knew he had to leave now—or he'd never manage to go.
"See you later," he said, turned, and quickly walked back toward his room.
-Prior-
Prior stood there, speechless, rooted to the spot. She watched him go. She could still feel the gentle pressure of his lips on her cheek. And once again, her stomach was full of fireflies.
She took a deep breath. "What's next?" she asked herself.
Ah yes—the meeting with Firefields. The princess would surely be waiting soon.
Prior began to smile. Once again, Kashion had managed to turn something sour into something sweet.