-Prior-
Prior couldn't fall asleep. She kept thinking about Kashion. And not just that—she felt like their relationship had suddenly become very serious. Very serious.
She was still a little afraid, but she wanted to take the risk. He was exactly the kind of person she had always longed for. Of course, she knew it wouldn't be easy.
Then her thoughts drifted back to the woman from the New Dawn. She had said she would come back and find her. Should she take that seriously? Was she safe in the palace?
She took a deep breath. With Kashion and the Hualin, this had to be the safest place.
She picked up her tablet again and played a few rounds of Cheqi under the covers. But she couldn't really focus. The pieces all seemed to carry meaning now.
Later, she put in her earbuds and listened to her favorite music. The singer with the ethereal voice always touched and calmed her. But he sang about longing and deep emotions—and that only stirred her feelings even more.
Was everything now colored by Kashion and her thoughts of him?
At some point, she finally managed to fall asleep.
-Kashion-
Kashion couldn't sleep well either this time. He kept thinking about the moment when Prior had said, "If I stay…"
He was still afraid she might suddenly change her mind.
And then there was the test. If it succeeded, everything would be secured. If it failed, everyone would tell him they had warned him.
He could already see himself sitting in the negotiations again. But this time, he couldn't bear the thought of Prior sitting so far away from him. He would have to talk to her—and to the princess.
Luu was sleeping beside him. He pulled her closer into his arms. She hissed and growled at first, annoyed at being woken, but quickly settled again.
He just needed something to hold onto.
-Prior-
Prior had slept a little longer. When she woke up, Talina was already gone—wherever to. Somehow, it made her sad that everything now stood in the shadow of her relationship with Kashion.
She stretched and picked up her messenger.
As she had hoped, there was a message from Kashion.
"Did you sleep well? I didn't—I had to think about you."
That familiar swarm of butterflies filled her stomach again, and she smiled.
"Same here," she replied.
Her messenger immediately started ringing. She cleared her throat—her voice was probably still rough. Then she answered.
"I've come up with something," he began right away.
"Mm?"
He paused briefly, then cleared his throat. "Because of our relationship… I'd like to talk to you and Princess Evlina."
"Oh?"
"I'll explain it to you then." A short pause. "After that, I'd like to show you one of the best rooms in the palace."
"Better than the library?" she asked, surprised.
He laughed. "I'm pretty sure you'll love it."
She smiled.
"I'll bring Oren—we could use a fourth person. Do you have someone in mind?"
She thought for a moment and immediately thought of Lina.
"I'll ask Lina, okay?"
"Lina is the perfect choice." He paused again. "Have you had breakfast yet?"
"No."
"Perfect. Then I'll come get you right away." And just like that, he hung up.
Right away?
Prior looked at herself. She was still in her pajamas, her hair completely messy.
She quickly called him back.
"Oh?" he said, surprised.
"I just woke up and I'm not ready yet. Please give me a few minutes, okay?"
He laughed. "I'll give you ten?"
"Twenty."
He laughed again. "Alright—twenty."
-Kashion-
Kashion smiled to himself as he stood in front of Prior's door. Oren stood beside him.
Earlier, Kashion had called Kassia and asked her to come to the palace café.
She would be the first person he would officially introduce Prior to—not as a scientist from Saturn, but as the woman by his side.
The twenty minutes were up. He gave her one extra minute, then knocked.
It didn't take long before Prior opened the door. She looked at him, then at Oren, then back at him.
They looked at each other for a few seconds—and Kashion couldn't help himself. He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
"Good morning."
-Prior-
She was still surprised every time he kissed her like that. Was that already the third time?
She glanced at Oren, who politely looked away. Then he cleared his throat.
Kashion and she both laughed. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he took her hand, and they walked together to the palace café.
When they arrived, Kassia, Yina, and Lina were already sitting at a large table.
Prior looked at Kashion. She hadn't known he had invited them—but he only smiled.
Kassia and Lina looked at them—then at their joined hands.
Kassia raised her eyebrows, then broke into a wide smile. She stood up, walked over to Prior, hugged her, and said, "Welcome to the family."
Prior's heart started racing again. Everything was happening so fast.
She shook her head. "I think that's a bit early to say."
Kashion cleared his throat. "Let's sit down first."
He pulled out a chair for her, and she sat down. Then he sat beside her.
"I wanted to officially introduce Prior to you today," he said.
Prior looked at him—he seemed so happy. It filled her with warmth.
"Finally," Lina said. "It was only a matter of time. I'm happy for you."
Prior smiled. With Kashion, she would gain a family—a sister and a cousin.
She also thought of his parents. She hadn't really met them yet and hoped they would react positively.
She longed so much for someone who would feel like family—a place where she truly belonged.
She reached for a croissant and savored the moment.
Kashion poured her coffee and kept asking if she wanted anything else, showing her different dishes and explaining them.
Prior could barely respond. She felt completely overwhelmed—in the best way.
-Kashion-
Once they were all full, Kashion glanced at the time. If they wanted to do everything he had planned and still be at the test site on time, they had to get going.
"Could you ask Princess Evlina if now would be a good time to talk?"
Prior bit her lower lip and looked at him uncertainly.
"What exactly do you want to discuss?"
He smiled. "First of all, you should stop speaking to me so formally. It sounds so distant."
"Oh."
He looked deeply into her eyes. "I don't think you can be Evlina's attendant and belong to me at the same time."
-Prior-
Her heart started racing again. But he was right. Even politically, it no longer made sense.
She would officially end her role for Saturn—and not just belong to Kashion, but also to Earth.
Inevitably, the woman from the New Dawn came back to her mind.
She looked at Kashion. Yes… she wanted to stand by his side.
She nodded. She had chosen this path—and she would keep walking it.
"I'll ask her."
She sent Evlina a message, and not long after, a reply came back. She had time now.
-Kashion-
Kashion stood up. "Oren, Lina—you can wait here for us. It shouldn't take too long."
They both nodded. Kassia stood up and hugged Prior again. Yina stood as well, and Prior lifted her up, spinning her around a few times. Yina laughed.
Kashion watched them, feeling a deep sense of relief that his sister and niece got along so well with Prior.
Then they left.
They walked side by side in silence—but kept glancing at each other.
Finally, they reached Evlina's room, and Prior knocked.
Evlina opened the door and invited them in.
Kashion sat down with Prior on a sofa, while Evlina took a seat in an armchair opposite them.
"What is it you want to discuss?" she asked.
Kashion took Prior's hand. Evlina looked briefly shocked—but quickly composed herself and returned to a neutral expression.
"Because of Prior's relationship with me," Kashion began, "I no longer think it's appropriate for her to remain in your service."
Evlina exhaled slowly—then nodded.
"I understand," she said.
-Prior-
It was uncomfortable for Prior to look at Evlina, but she had to face it.
Evlina studied her thoughtfully.
"That was to be expected," she said. "I understand, and under these circumstances, it makes sense. But Prior—are you aware of what this means?"
Prior looked at her questioningly.
Evlina smiled. "If you continue down this path, you will most likely never leave Earth again."
Prior inhaled sharply and looked at Kashion. He squeezed her hand reassuringly. He seemed about to say something, but Evlina continued:
"A ruler cannot simply leave Earth. And his…" she hesitated briefly, "…his wife, of course, cannot either."
Evlina was right. But hadn't Prior already known that ever since she came to Earth?
Before anyone else could speak, she said, "I am aware of that."
She looked at Kashion. He seemed relieved.
"Good," Evlina said. "Then I suppose I'm losing my advisor."
Kashion laughed. "I wouldn't put it that way, Princess Evlina. This is only about the official role. Prior stands by my side officially, but I have no objection if she continues to assist you with any questions."
Warmth spread through Prior at his words. It made everything so much easier.
"Besides," Kashion continued, "I'd like to thank you."
Evlina raised her eyebrows. "For what?"
"You helped Prior during a difficult time. And more importantly—you brought her to Earth… and to me."
As he said that, he gently tightened his hold on her hand again, and Prior felt a pleasant tingling spread through her entire body.
At the same time, one thought became crystal clear to her:
There was no turning back now.