-Prior-
When Prior heard Kashion call her, she startled. She first looked at Evlina, who didn't seem pleased about it, but nodded nonetheless.
"I expect you back with me shortly. We have quite a bit to discuss," Evlina said, then left with the other Saturnians.
Prior felt curious gazes from all sides again as she walked toward Kashion. She was nervous, but also happy to see him a little longer and talk to him.
-Kashion-
Kashion watched Prior slowly approach him. He wasn't entirely sure what he wanted to say yet. He only knew he wanted to see her, hear her voice, and have her close to him a little longer.
When she stood in front of him, she looked at him questioningly.
"You did well preparing my team for the dysprosium matter," he finally said.
She shook her head but smiled.
"I only had a hunch and found it interesting," she replied.
Then she looked at Professor Nara, who stood beside him.
"If possible, I'd like to be there when you conduct experiments with dysprosium," she said.
Professor Nara looked at him, as if waiting for his decision. He had said no outsiders should enter the lab. He trusted Prior—but it was too risky for her. What if the New Dawn was planning something? He didn't want her in danger under any circumstances.
He looked at Prior and smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Prior, but given the current situation, I can't let you into the lab."
He saw that it hurt her.
"Oh," she said.
"It's not because I don't trust you," he quickly added.
She looked at him, confused. She seemed quite unsure. He had to make it clear that it wasn't about her.
"You're from Saturn, and we don't know what the New Dawn is planning. I don't want to put you in danger," he explained.
That seemed to reassure her a little; the expression in her eyes softened.
"I understand," she said. "In that case, I can still meet outside the lab and discuss a few things, right?"
He thought for a moment.
"I think it would be safest if you stayed here in the palace."
Prior looked at him in surprise. Then she let out a dry laugh.
"You're not planning to lock me up, are you?" she said with an ironic tone.
He couldn't help himself—he grinned, tapped his chin thoughtfully, and said,
"That would actually be a good idea."
She looked at him, wide-eyed and shocked, and he enjoyed throwing her off balance a little, even if it wasn't obvious.
"I'm joking," he added.
"You can meet outside the lab, but please be careful," he said finally.
She smiled more again.
"Thank you," she said, then turned to Nara, who was still standing beside him, watching her with apparent amusement.
"In that case, could we exchange messenger contacts, Professor Nara?" Prior asked, taking out her device.
Nara nodded and held her device to Prior's to exchange contact information.
That's when Kashion realized what he was missing. He didn't have Prior's contact either—and messaging her through CheqiMasterPro was often inconvenient.
At that moment, Tendol approached.
"Your Highness, what you proposed wasn't discussed beforehand. We need to talk urgently."
That wasn't surprising.
Kashion nodded.
"You can all go ahead to the smaller meeting room. I'll be there shortly. I still need to discuss something with Prior."
Tendol looked at him grumpily, then cast a narrowed glance at Prior before leaving the hall.
-Prior-
What could Kashion possibly want to discuss with her now?
She noticed Tendol looking at her suspiciously. Professor Nara and Oren, on the other hand, seemed amused. She looked around the hall—representatives from Terland and Ostrand had already left. Rein was still there and approached her and Kashion.
He grinned.
"I hate to interrupt, but Kashion, I just wanted to tell you—I'll be waiting for you later," he said, then left the hall.
Everyone else had gone, except for them, and Oren was waiting by the door.
Prior looked at Kashion expectantly.
He smiled.
"Your messenger," he said simply.
"Hmm?" Prior frowned in confusion.
"Give it to me," he said.
"Ah," she replied and held out her hand with the device.
He glanced at it and reached out—but instead of taking the device, he took her entire hand along with it and briefly held it against his own.
At the touch, Prior drew in a sharp breath, warmth spreading through her. Her heart started beating faster. She looked at Kashion, who had that slightly mischievous look again, his lips curved into a faint smile. After establishing the contact, he slowly let go of her hand and looked at her.
"Now I can reach you more easily. It's simpler than always going through CheqiMasterPro," he explained.
She was still a little caught up in the moment and his gaze, managing only a soft "mh."
Then, with feigned sadness, she said,
"Oh, in that case… I think I'll miss kashion233." She looked at him challengingly.
He laughed and shook his head. Then he said quietly,
"Don't worry, Prior, I won't give you much opportunity to miss him," and winked at her.
They looked at each other for a moment longer until Oren cleared his throat.
Kashion shrugged.
"Duty calls, I'm afraid," he said, glancing at her device. "I'll message you later." Then he left the hall. She watched him and Oren go for a moment.
Then she lightly touched her right hand with her left, thinking about how Kashion's hand had felt. She smiled, took a deep breath, and made her way back to Evlina.
-Kashion-
Kashion was on his way to the smaller meeting room with Oren, but his thoughts were still with Prior. He hoped the negotiations would really be over soon.
When they entered the meeting room, Kashion immediately sensed a mixed mood. Tendol was still upset, while the scientists seemed more positively intrigued.
In the end, Tendol insisted on discussing the matter again with the full council. They scheduled a meeting for the next day.
But first, Kashion would meet with a few advisors and go to Rein.
-Prior-
Evlina and the others were already waiting impatiently.
"Well, did Prince Kashion want something important?" Evlina asked.
Prior shook her head, earning suspicious looks.
"Never mind. This dysprosium and all that—could it also be interesting for us outside of propulsion?" Evlina asked.
"Definitely," Professor Keron replied. "Depending on the quantity, it could also be useful for field generators on Saturn."
"Good," Evlina said. "Then Feuerfelder is becoming truly interesting."
They continued discussing the current session and how to include Firefields. Evlina planned to speak with her father later and intended to approach Rein the next day.
-Kashion-
Kashion was already on his way to Rein. He was still surprised that his friend had kept quiet for so long. Like everyone else, he had clearly underestimated Feuerfelder.
"I have a question, Your Highness," Professor Nara suddenly said. Besides her, only Oren, Professor Wan, and Pil were present.
"Go ahead," Kashion replied.
"Now that the agreement is no longer so certain," she continued, "how much can I tell Prior and the others from Saturn? Does the same level of confidentiality apply, or should we be stricter now?"
Kashion smiled.
"Good question, Nara. For now, you and the others from the lab don't need to meet with the scientists from Saturn. Everything is uncertain—especially with the New Dawn. Prior is an exception." Then he added quietly, so only Nara could hear: "You can speak openly with her. I trust her, and it's only a matter of time before she belongs with us."
He truly believed that.
Nara looked at him in surprise, then grinned.
"I see," she said. "Though I suppose we won't be seeing her too often in the lab, will we?"
Kashion hadn't really thought about that yet. It certainly wouldn't be easy. He didn't want to take her work away from her—but he knew all too well that you couldn't have everything.
He sighed.
"We'll see."
Finally, they arrived at Rein. He was probably the most cheerful person that day.
He immediately presented them with two cases filled with cerium and dysprosium and said it was a gift for Tingdao. Nara, Wan, and Pil were visibly delighted and said they would begin experiments as soon as possible.
Rein talked a bit about the discovery, extraction, and deposits of the heavy metals in Feuerfelder. Then he said:
"I think that's enough science for today. I'd like to speak with Kashion alone."