-Prior-
In front of the grand hall, they met Prince Kashion's parents, who were waiting for them. Queen Ada smiled and exchanged knowing glances with King Tyron when she saw Evlina on Kashion's arm.
The large doors were opened, and a loud voice announced:
"King Tyron and Queen Ada, Prince Kashion and Princess Evlina."
They stepped inside to approving applause.
Prior almost felt out of place. As she entered, she immediately saw a magnificently decorated hall filled with people. It was slightly larger than the one where they had dined upon arrival. Almost in the center stood a large round table. Prince Kashion led Evlina directly there. It was reserved for the royal family and the most important council members.
Oren guided Talina and Prior to one of the smaller tables scattered throughout the hall. It seated six people.
Prior glanced around. She did not recognize anyone.
The remaining scientists and crew members of the Earthbound had not been invited. She made a mental note to ask later how they were doing.
She also noticed a large dance floor and musical instruments arranged nearby.
Conversations with strangers or dancing — she felt inclined toward neither.
Besides Talina and Oren, an older scientist joined their table with his wife and son. He introduced himself as Professor Wan. His wife was Mei, and their son was named Tin. Tin appeared to be roughly Prior's age.
Once everyone had taken their designated seats, Prince Kashion stood.
All those who were not of noble rank and had already sat down rose again.
"Dear guests," he began, "my parents, King Tyron and Queen Ada, and I are most pleased to welcome you here tonight, so that together we may once again formally greet our honored guest, Princess Evlina of Saturn."
Prince Kashion turned toward Evlina with a smile. Applause followed.
"Please enjoy the celebration," he continued. "We will first dine together and take the opportunity to converse, and later there will be music and dancing. We wish you all a most pleasant meal."
With that, he sat down again, and the guests resumed their seats after another round of applause.
Prior was seated directly in the line of sight between Prince Kashion and Evlina.
Whenever she looked straight ahead, she saw them.
After sitting down, she had glanced up once more — and met Prince Kashion's eyes.
Her heart began to pound.
His gaze held hers for several seconds.
She quickly lowered her eyes to her plate. It made her deeply uncomfortable. She tried to reassure herself that she must have imagined it — or that he had actually been looking at Oren, who sat beside her.
-Kashion-
After finishing his speech and sitting down, Kashion's gaze had drifted briefly — unintentionally — toward Prior. She sat precisely in his field of vision.
Without realizing it at first, his eyes lingered.
He could not help but observe her more closely.
After all, he needed to determine what she was plotting.
At least that was what he told himself.
"Oh, is that prepared with potatoes?" a soft voice beside him asked, pulling him almost from a trance.
Kashion nodded briefly and turned to Evlina. She smiled and began explaining how potatoes tasted entirely different on Saturn.
-Prior-
Throughout the meal, Prior repeatedly felt watched by Prince Kashion and consequently felt ridiculous.
And yet — almost every time she looked in his direction, their eyes met.
Perhaps it was coincidence.
She could not explain it.
On the one hand, she tried to engage in conversation at her table. On the other, she remained slightly unsettled, constantly aware of that sensation of being observed.
Professor Wan explained that he headed Laboratory Two. He and Talina had met during her visit there. His wife was warm and approachable.
"Tin works in Laboratory One," Mei added. "Did you not see one another there?"
Prior studied Tin more closely. He had short brown hair, brown eyes, and a light stubble. He was a likable and handsome man.
She mentally reviewed the laboratory but could not recall him.
She shook her head. "I am afraid I do not remember."
Tin smiled kindly. "That is quite all right. We always wear lab and protective clothing. Perhaps that is why."
Prior laughed. "Yes, that must be it. What is your field of research? And — if you prefer, we can address each other informally."
"Gladly, Prior," Tin replied with a smile. "Yin told me you are something of an Aethereleum specialist. That is also my field. I focus on density and concentration shifts."
"Oh, wow. That sounds fascinating," Prior said, visibly intrigued. "Next time I am in the lab, I would love to exchange ideas."
"With pleasure," Tin answered.
They continued speaking about their work. Talina and Prior shared small stories about Saturn. Prior realized that she had so far gotten along remarkably well with the people here. She could speak naturally with them. Normally she was not someone who easily conversed with strangers, yet on Earth she had had only positive experiences so far.
She found herself smiling.
The main course was cleared away, and servants brought fruit and small delicacies.
Prior briefly reflected that Talina, Oren, and she were rather privileged that day. The term servant was somewhat outdated; it was more of a professional title. Women like Talina or Prior possessed considerable skills and were respected in their respective fields. Still, in most realms, clear distinctions between social ranks remained. Some servants had been raised in service since childhood — Oren likely among them. On Saturn, such customs were rare.
Suddenly, a servant placed a bowl of strawberries on their table.
Prior's eyes widened.
She had never seen strawberries so large. They were nearly the size of her hand. On Saturn, they were tiny.
Without hesitation, she reached for one and examined it in her palm.
"Wow," she said — and took a bite.
They were sweet, aromatic, and not watery at all.
"Wow," she repeated, mouth still full.
Mei burst into laughter, and the others at the table joined in.
-Kashion-
Kashion heard laughter and glanced toward Prior's table.
They all appeared thoroughly amused — even Professor Wan, whom he remembered as rather stiff.
He frowned slightly.
He saw Prior cover her mouth with her hand, clearly delighted. She reached again for the bowl of strawberries, and the others laughed once more at something she seemed to say.
Highly suspicious, Kashion thought.
He remembered the excursion at the lake, when he had heard Oren laughing. And the previous evening, when Prior herself had laughed.
At times she appeared so relaxed — yet whenever he stood directly before her, she was none of that.
That was suspicious.
He watched as she reached for another strawberry — and suddenly it slipped from her hand, rolling slightly across the table.
How clumsy, he thought — and caught himself almost smiling.
He immediately composed himself.
"You must try our strawberries," he said to Princess Evlina.
She smiled and showed him the plum in her hand. "I shall stay with this. I do not care for strawberries."
"Ah," Kashion replied. "No matter. I am also fond of plums. In Tingdao, we have many specialties prepared with them."
"Then I look forward to discovering them," Evlina said.
-Prior-
Prior could hardly stop praising the strawberries. She did not want to stop eating them and already feared that such enjoyment might soon be unavailable again.
From the corner of her eye, she repeatedly noticed Prince Kashion's gaze and wondered what she was doing wrong.
Was she too informal for his liking? Had she eaten too much?
But why would that concern him?
At one point, she caught Oren glancing toward Kashion — and then looking at her questioningly.
That dispelled her suspicion that she had imagined everything.
And that unsettled her.
She hardly dared to look straight ahead anymore.