-Prior-
Prior took a deep breath. It hadn't been unexpected. Still, she felt sorry. She looked into the crowd. Count Kashk Rutz shook his head, and even though she couldn't read lips, she thought she could guess what he was saying—"I knew it" or "It was obvious." Then he left with his people. King Mandach and Evlina were talking; they seemed more disappointed than anything else.
Kashion stood silently beside her. She glanced at him, but his eyes were closed. What could she say to comfort him? Of course, he had been too hasty—but that wouldn't help him now.
-Kashion-
Kashion closed his eyes. It had looked so promising at first, and then it was over so quickly. He didn't even dare to look at the crowd. Everywhere, the expressions would probably say: "We told you so." He was also afraid that Prior might say the same. She had tried to warn him, after all.
He heard her clear her throat. He looked at her and gave a faint, wistful smile. But there was no disappointment in her eyes.
"In science, we often think we fail," she said, "but actually, we learn what we can improve. At least now we know more."
He would have liked to pull her into an embrace, but he still felt uncertain in public. And then Rein, standing to his right, started laughing. He put an arm around Kashion's shoulder.
"I'd say our Firefields metal is just a bit too strong for you," Rein joked.
Kashion jabbed him lightly in the stomach with his elbow. "Easy for you to laugh."
Then he turned back to Prior. "Thank you for your words. Come on, let's talk to the scientists and see what explanation they have."
-Prior-
Prior was eager to speak with the scientists. She immediately joined Tin, Nara, and Yin. They looked rather dejected.
"I don't quite understand it yet," Tin said. "Everything looked stable. We managed to create a large magnetic field using dysprosium and aethereleum. I'm wondering where it became unstable."
Nara studied a screen with their data. "Even if more metallic hydrogen condensed than expected, we chose a frequency that should have been safe."
Prior thought for a moment, then looked at the displays in front of them. She saw various diagrams and graphs.
It was interesting. The magnetic field stability was above 99%. In the frequency analysis, the lines for dysprosium and aethereleum ran almost perfectly parallel for several seconds—until suddenly there was an extreme spike, and the values shot upward uncontrollably. The pressure was also very high and compressed. Aethereleum itself was already an extremely dense gas with immense force. The key had to lie in the stability. It was too perfect.
"Maybe dysprosium and aethereleum just don't work well together," Kashion suggested.
Prior shook her head. "I think it's exactly the opposite."
All eyes turned to her. She wasn't entirely sure, but somehow the magnetic field seemed too rigid to her—unyielding, almost…
"I think it's trapped," she finally said. "Have you ever considered that stability might actually be the problem?"
They all looked at her questioningly.
She swallowed. "Look here." She pointed to a graph. "This dysprosium almost acts like a wall. It basically trapped the aethereleum. Because of the resonance, overcompression built up, and the aethereleum essentially discharged itself." She gave a small laugh. "I think we didn't give it room to breathe. We held it in place instead of letting it work. It can't be confined like that. It follows the dysprosium for a while…" she pointed at the parallel lines, "…but then it becomes so charged that, without any freedom, everything escalates." She pointed at the spike.
Tin looked thoughtful, then his eyes widened. "That could actually be it. Maybe we need to give it more leeway. We'd have to adjust concentration, frequency, or duration… I already have some ideas!"
Nara nodded. "We approached stability the wrong way. And we mustn't forget— aethereleum isn't an Earth gas. It doesn't fully follow our laws. So yes—let's give it some instability!" She laughed.
-Kashion-
Kashion didn't understand everything Prior had said, nor could he really interpret the diagrams. But he was impressed. He could see how passionate she had been while speaking. He had to find a way for her to stay connected to science. Maybe a laboratory in the palace really was a good idea. He loved that enthusiasm in her—and he didn't want to take it away.
"Good work," Kashion said at last. The scientists looked at him in surprise.
"The test may have failed today, but we found a possible cause. That's worth a lot."
"Then let's head back to the lab and continue working right away?" Tin suggested.
Kashion shook his head. He had put too much pressure on them before—he realized that now.
"Take a day off. The next negotiation is tomorrow anyway, and there won't be another test before that. Nara, you can take the day after the negotiations off as well."
She nodded, unable to hide her smile.
He noticed the scientists exchanging glances—relieved, even happy. They were clearly exhausted. He needed them. In a way, they were his most valuable resource.
Then his messenger vibrated. The High Council wanted a meeting. Not surprising.
He touched Prior's arm, leaned in, and whispered softly in her ear, "I'm proud of you. I have to go now—we'll probably only see each other again tomorrow."
Then, louder, he said, "I have to leave. Oren, once you're done here, escort Prior back and then come to the council chamber."
He gave Prior one last wistful smile and left.
-Prior-
After Kashion had gone, Tin suggested, "Let's pack up and go get a drink. Prior, you—… forgive me, you will come too, right?"
Prior was about to say yes when she remembered she couldn't—not right now. It was too dangerous. The New Dawn had given her a week, but there might still be others watching her. And in truth, she had already promised Kashion—without words. It wasn't just about her anymore. And he had enough to deal with after the failed experiment.
She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I can't. But keep me updated. And like Prince Kashion said—you did good work."
"It's a shame you can't come," Nara said.
Prior still felt uncomfortable being addressed so formally.
"Next time, then," Nara added, and began packing up with the others.
"We can head back too. I'll call a hover," Oren said, tapping something into his messenger.
On the way back to the palace, Oren didn't say much—and neither did she. He dutifully escorted her to her room before leaving.
Talina sat at the table and nodded at her. The atmosphere between them was still tense—and likely wouldn't change anytime soon.
Prior sat down on her bed and began scrolling through some news from Tingdao's press.
"Experiment failed."
"When will Prince Kashion announce the engagement?"
"Has the agreement failed as well?"
"Is the test a sign of what's to come?"
She shook her head. It was all negative. She checked Tangyan's news too.
"Did we back the wrong horse?"
"Will the princess return without an agreement?"
"Is Tingdao's technology just hot air?"
"What is Earth Prince Kashion really planning?"
Not any better. She set her tablet aside.
It wasn't easy to live in the public eye. You would always be judged. And how quickly something like "the perfect couple" could turn into "nothing but empty promises."
-Kashion-
Kashion was exhausted. The meeting had dragged on, and of course, he had to endure plenty of criticism. In the eyes of some council members, he was nothing more than a reckless, selfish ruler. But he had visions for Tingdao—and he did not take his responsibility lightly.
They had gone over every possible response to Count Kashk Rutz's demands. He did not doubt the support of Ostrand and Feuerfelder.
Kashion sat on his bed and read the news. Naturally, the failed experiment dominated everything. But he had learned from it. In the future, he would be more patient—and listen more closely to his scientists.
He just wanted confirmation that his path was the right one. He hoped that tomorrow, they could finally reach a decision everyone could accept.
And then… he would have to introduce Prior to his parents.
He picked up his messenger to text her—just as her message came in.
"Don't worry about today anymore, Kashion. I'm proud of you. One failed test doesn't change that. Good night, sleep well."
He smiled. She was proud of him. That meant so much.
He exhaled softly, then typed:
"Thank you, Prior. That means a lot to me. Good night, sweet dreams."
Then he had another idea and added:
"Wait—what's your favorite color?"
She was still awake and replied:
"Blue, closely followed by green. But if I have to choose—blue. And yours?"
He smiled.
-Prior-
Prior was already very tired, but she wanted to see his answer.
It came quickly.
"Green. Like your eyes."
She laughed and shook her head.
"Tsk," she replied simply.
Another message followed:
"Tenness and potassium?"
She was confused for a second—then realized what he meant and shook her head again, trying not to laugh out loud since Talina was already asleep. How had he even come up with that? Did he even know Tenness?
Of course, she hadn't meant the chemical elements Ts and K—and she was sure he knew that.
Well, if he wanted to play, she could play too.
"No, not like Tenness and Kalium. You shine more like uranium, sulfur, lithium, nitrogen and tellurium."
-Kashion-
Kashion stared at the message and let out a dry laugh. Another chemistry riddle? He probably shouldn't have made that joke. He had never even heard of Tenness before, but when he quickly looked up a "Tsk" joke, he couldn't resist.
He was so tired—but he would have loved to solve the riddle right now. Still, reason won out.
"You're impossible. But I will solve it—and then I get my reward, right?"
She replied with "Tsk" again, then added:
"If you can solve it, yes ^^. Good night."
He laughed softly.
"Good night. Radiant dreams."
And he made himself a promise:
This time, he would solve the riddle without any help.