-Kashion-
When Kashion heard the question, he had to smile. But this time it was the most genuine smile. A smile he could not restrain, even if he had wanted to.
"I'll return the question," he said, grinning at reporter Phu. "Well then, what kind of woman would I carry into the palace?"
The reporter raised her eyebrows but said nothing. She seemed to be waiting for his answer.
Kashion looked directly into the camera.
"Saturn has not only brought us precious Aethereleum and agreements, but also something precious: the woman I would always carry into the palace."
-Prior-
Prior stared at the screen. Warmth spread through her. At the same time, she could feel the queen's gaze resting on her.
-Kashion-
The hall was silent for a moment. Then the reporter asked, "Does that mean we may soon celebrate your wedding?"
Kashion laughed. "One thing at a time. For now, we will celebrate the agreement and the unity of the kingdoms."
He hoped Phu would be satisfied with that for the moment.
"Then we shall wait with anticipation." Phu stood up and then said, "I would now like to give my colleagues in the audience the opportunity to ask Prince Kashion questions."
Kashion looked into the audience, and immediately many hands shot up. Phu called on a man.
"Can Tingdao truly afford to supply petroleum?"
-Prior-
Prior was no longer really listening. She looked at Kashion and wanted nothing more than to run to him and throw her arms around his neck. He had handled it all so confidently. And the way he had smiled. And that he had called her precious!
Suddenly, there was such a strong restlessness inside her, but in a positive way. As though a swarm of insects were watching fireworks.
"Do you still doubt his feelings for you?" the queen suddenly asked.
Prior looked at her. Did she doubt them? Trusting someone was not easy for her. But Kashion had done so much that she had to admit she did not doubt his sincerity. It was just all so unreal, and she was afraid of the future. But no, she no longer doubted his feelings.
She shook her head.
The queen nodded. "And do you doubt your feelings for him?"
Immediately, Prior answered with a vehement, "No!"
The queen smiled faintly and looked at her as though she had expected exactly that reaction.
Ada sighed. "Then why are you so strictly against an engagement?"
Prior pressed her lips together. "Hm, everything is happening so fast for me. I don't doubt the present, but what if—"
"Prior," the queen interrupted her, "I am Kashion's mother, and I have known him his entire life. Once he sets his mind on something, it is difficult to dissuade him. He is dutiful, somewhat stubborn, and determined. But I have never seen him as passionate and convinced as he is with you." The queen gave a dry laugh.
Prior looked at her with wide eyes and then back at the screen, where Kashion was still answering reporters' questions.
"If he chose you, then it was not on a whim. My son knows what he is doing," the queen continued.
"But for you, I am the wrong decision and probably not very lovable," Prior replied.
The queen smiled weakly. "You are very different from how I imagined my daughter-in-law. And your past and your lack of experience in public conduct do not make things easier."
Prior bit lightly on her lower lip again and did not know where to look or what to say.
"But," the queen said, now smiling a little more encouragingly, "as long as you love Kashion, support him, and also think about the people of Tingdao, I am convinced we can manage everything."
Prior nodded. At least that much.
Both fell silent again and looked at the screen. The reporter was currently thanking someone from the audience and then called on someone else.
"Prince Kashion, do you not think you should approach the scientist from Saturn with greater caution because of her past?"
Prior closed her eyes. When she heard things like that, she could understand the queen. Everything she did or had done would affect the royal family's image. Of course, she was not the best choice.
-Kashion-
Kashion had already feared this question. But he was prepared for it. He put on his composed smile.
"I believe many people encounter difficulties at some point in their lives. Even Tingdao as a nation has endured difficult times. But that does not make us less valuable — quite the opposite. It has helped us prove ourselves and grow. We can now face challenges and problems even better. Therefore, I am convinced that a woman like that at my side can be a good example for the people of Tingdao. Difficulties do not bend us down. We rise upon them and become greater."
Kashion had felt how quiet the hall had become. Suddenly, the reporters from Tingdao began to applaud.
Reporter Phu nodded at him approvingly.
-Prior-
Prior was speechless. Kashion had turned her weakness into a strength. He had not downplayed her past but had given it value.
She did not even notice the tears in her eyes until a small tear rolled down her cheek.
Suddenly, she noticed movement from the corner of her eye. She looked to the side and saw the queen silently holding out a handkerchief to her. She accepted it and murmured a soft, "Thank you."
"He has always been a very good speaker," the queen said. "And he knows how to stand up for the people who matter to him."
Prior merely nodded.
She looked at the screen and suddenly realized that looking at Kashion now made her shy. Her feelings had become so strong all at once, and it was becoming harder and harder to control them.
-Kashion-
The reporter had given another journalist from the audience the floor.
"What can you tell us about the New Dawn?"
Kashion quietly inhaled. That was a question to which he himself had no answer.
"At the moment, I cannot say anything about that," he replied diplomatically.
The reporter still held the microphone. "And what do you say to the rumor that Prior is secretly working undercover for the New Dawn?"
Kashion froze briefly at the statement. He swallowed. He had never heard such a rumor before. After Prior's encounter with the New Dawn, it was completely absurd.
-Prior-
Prior was shocked. How did people even come up with something like that? She looked at the queen and shook her head.
The queen only gave a very slight shake of her own head, as though telling her not to pay it too much attention.
Then she heard Kashion say, "That is nothing more than a rumor. Prior came here to support the agreement, and she is on Tingdao's side."
Prior pressed her lips together. Was she even on anyone's side? Politics did not really interest her. But of course, Kashion could not say anything else right now.
The reporter merely seemed to nod and then handed the microphone back to reporter Phu.
After that came a few more harmless questions. The worst was probably over.
-Kashion-
At last, the interview and question round were over. The reporters were gradually escorted out of the audience hall, and the cameras were turned off.
He let out a deep breath. He was satisfied. It had gone well.
He hoped Prior had liked his words. Together with Oren, he made his way to the small room.
He stopped briefly in front of the closed door and adjusted his collar once more.
"Do I look good?" he asked Oren.
Oren merely rolled his eyes.
Kashion opened the door and saw his mother and Prior sitting beside each other. Prior turned around and stood up.
The way she looked at him… that was different. There was something uncertain and convinced in her gaze at the same time.
He entered the room, and Prior took a few steps toward him until she stood very close in front of him.
At first, she only looked at him in silence.
Then she suddenly started smiling faintly and said, "The makeup makes you look so different."
He had to laugh and looked at her expectantly. Was that all she had to say to him?
"Does it smudge if you touch it?" she asked curiously.
He looked at her challengingly. "Try it."
She stretched out her small hand and touched his cheek. Her hand was a little cold, but at the same time her touch felt so good to him. He placed his own hand over hers so she would not pull it away too quickly.
-Prior-
As she looked at him and touched him, words failed her. There was so much she wanted to tell him, but she did not know how.
She looked up at him, and her gaze briefly lingered on his lips. Then she looked into his eyes and saw that he was thinking similar thoughts.
Finally, he tilted his head, and when their lips touched, it felt once again as if the army of insects inside her had set off fireworks.
Suddenly, she heard a loud clearing of a throat.
Kashion stepped back.
Prior was disappointed. The moment had been far too short, and the attraction between them was so strong that it hurt.
Both of them looked toward the source of the sound. Kashion's mother.
She looked at the two of them with mild amusement and then said, "Kashion, you spoke well today. I am proud of you."
Kashion seemed pleased by the praise.
"Nevertheless, I think it would be best if you went to sleep early today so you will be fit for the remaining preparations tomorrow."
Kashion nodded.
The queen continued, "Tomorrow morning, I will accompany Prior to the hairdresser, and afterward I will teach her a little etiquette before the banquet. Oren!" she then said, turning toward Oren, "Please accompany Prior to her room. I still have something to discuss with Kashion."
Prior pressed her lips together in disappointment, but she nodded as well. Kashion looked at her, leaned down toward her, and whispered into her ear, "For the moment, I'll let you go, though unwillingly." Then he gave her another kiss on the cheek.
Finally, Prior walked with Oren in the direction of her room.
-Kashion-
Kashion had a smile on his lips as he walked with his mother toward his room.
"I talked to her," she said.
"Oh?"
"She has no doubts about your feelings, nor about her own feelings for you."
He looked at his mother radiantly.
She smiled. "I think you can ask her."
Kashion grinned and felt warmth spreading through his chest. He had so many ideas. One in particular appealed to him, but he would first need advice. But was it really already time?
-Prior-
Prior was still standing on her balcony, looking at the now dark sky. Suddenly, she saw tiny points of light in the air. What? Ah, she remembered. The fireflies. She smiled and felt happy. She stretched out her hand, but could not catch one. She remembered what Kashion had once told her. That people used to trap fireflies in jars. And then she remembered his questions. She nodded. If fireflies willingly returned again, then it was all right to keep them in a jar.
She went back inside and picked up her messenger.
-Kashion-
Kashion had showered and was glad to be rid of all the makeup again. And he was wearing more comfortable clothes now as well. In that regard, he could truly understand Prior.
He heard his messenger vibrate. A message from Prior.
"Thank you for your words today. You give me so much. More than you can imagine. You make me feel things I never even knew I could feel. You say I am your light. But Kashion. I am only the moon living in your sunlight. You make me shine. I am so glad I came to Earth."
Kashion looked at the words and felt as though a blanket had been wrapped around him on a cold winter night. Another message from her arrived.
"Forgive my cheesy words. But I simply had to write them."
He laughed and replied, "No, Prior. They are not cheesy. But now I have to warn you. This is your own fault. I will never let you go again. I am not a scientist. But even I know this much. The moon cannot escape the sun's gravitational pull. So accept that there is no escape left for you anymore."
-Prior-
Prior had first been afraid she had written too much. But now, as she read his answer, she had to laugh.
"No problem," she replied. "I entered this orbit willingly."