– Prior –
After their meeting with King Mandach, they were on their way back to Evlina's room when they encountered Crown Prince Rein in the corridor. He was completely alone.
"Perfect timing, Princess," he said, addressing Evlina. "I just asked Kashion if we'd like to go outside for some fresh air—just into the palace garden. I'll take care of drinks and snacks. You're the only one missing," he added with a wink.
Evlina smiled. "Good idea. I think some fresh air would do us all good right now."
They agreed on a time for Rein and Kashion to pick Evlina up, then said goodbye to Rein.
"Are you coming along?" Evlina asked.
Talina and Prior nodded.
"Good," Evlina said. "Then let's quickly change into something comfortable and wait for the two princes." She laughed softly, covering her mouth with one hand.
Talina and Prior quickly went to their room. Prior changed into comfortable light linen trousers, a green shirt, and more practical shoes.
So much had already happened that day that the morning felt like it had been yesterday. Deep down, she knew rest would have done her good—but she didn't want to miss the chance to see Kashion.
She looked in the mirror and smiled, thinking of his compliment.
"Are we ready?" Talina asked.
Prior nodded, and they went to Evlina.
Evlina had put on a beautiful blue summer dress, and Talina helped her with an updo.
– Kashion –
Kashion was exhausted from the long day so far. Still, he was looking forward to spending some time in the garden with the others—especially because he hoped Prior would be there this time. Rein had only mentioned that the princess would come, but the chances were high.
He spent a bit of time with Luu, playing with her and feeding her.
Then he changed into comfortable black trousers and a dark green shirt. Soon after, Rein arrived with his attendant, and together with Oren, they set off.
– Prior –
Prior stood by the window, looking out into the garden. Dusk was just beginning. She felt slightly nervous and tapped her fingers lightly against the windowsill.
At last, there was a knock at the door.
"Will you get that, Prior?"
Prior hurried to the door and opened it. Prince Rein stood there.
"Are you ready?" he called into the room, and Evlina answered, "Just a moment!"
Prior left the door open and stepped past Rein outside. She saw Taner, Oren, and Kashion waiting there.
She stopped a short distance away, greeting them with a small nod and a smile.
She met Prince Kashion's eyes—and once again, she couldn't look away. There was something magnetic about him. Neither of them said a word; they simply looked at each other. Yet she could see so many different emotions in his eyes.
At last, Evlina and Talina joined them, and the group made their way into the garden.
At first, Kashion, Rein, and Evlina walked ahead. Prior, Talina, Oren, and Taner followed. But then Kashion slowed down until he was walking beside Prior. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
– Kashion –
There was so much Kashion wanted to say to Prior. But he didn't know how—or where—to begin.
When she had looked at him earlier, he hadn't been able to look away either. There was so much warmth and depth in her eyes. It had pulled him in.
Now he walked beside her, glancing at her from the side again and again.
He was aware that others might notice his behavior. But after everything he had said in the meeting and to his parents, they either already knew—or would soon.
The woman he was interested in was not Evlina.
It was Prior.
And he wanted to know everything about her. She was like an unfamiliar land he longed to explore and understand.
They had already walked some distance into the garden and were still looking for a suitable place.
"Let's go closer to the pond," Kashion suggested.
Rein turned, nodded, and briefly glanced curiously at Prior before looking ahead again.
– Prior –
Kashion and Prior had naturally drifted a little apart from the rest of the group. Not by much—but enough that it felt like they were their own little unit.
Prior kept wondering whether she should say something. It felt good just being close to him, but she wanted so badly to talk to him.
She decided to start by asking how he was doing.
"How are you after—" she began, just as he said at the same time, "How was it for you—"
They looked at each other and smiled.
"You first," he said.
"Um… how are you after all the meetings today?" she asked.
He smiled. "Thanks to my rescuer, everything went perfectly."
Then he grew a little more serious.
"Overall, I'm satisfied with how things went today. Of course, it's a setback that we have to renegotiate—but I'm glad about some developments."
She wasn't entirely sure what he meant, but as she looked at him, she couldn't help thinking how much he impressed her.
She couldn't quite pinpoint why. Maybe it was his calm strength… or his positive nature.
At the same time, he radiated so much confidence. She admired that.
– Kashion –
He noticed the way she looked at him—and felt almost like a little boy who had just been given a great gift.
He looked at her, and her eyes were shining. He couldn't help but think back to the moment in the lab when he had seen her admiration. It wasn't quite as strong now—but it was a beginning.
Still, he didn't understand what he had done to make her look at him like that.
"And how was it for you?" he asked.
Her expression changed instantly. As if she had touched on something painful.
"Well… I'm just glad it's over for now. I find these official, formal discussions extremely uncomfortable," she said.
He laughed. That suited her.
"I'm glad you were there. Otherwise, things wouldn't have gone so well for me today," he said.
She looked at him again and smiled.
Suddenly, they heard a strange sound.
A low growl. A deep, rumbling noise that made the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end.
Kashion and Prior turned toward the sound.
A few meters away—right there in the palace garden—stood a large, furious tiger.
How was that even possible?
He heard the group behind them grow restless.
Kashion immediately extended his arm, shielding Prior, and called out:
"Oren, protect the princess!"
– Prior –
Prior had never seen a tiger in real life, and the growl frightened her. For a moment, she felt frozen.
Then something clicked inside her. Like an instinct.
She saw the tiger take a few steps closer. And she knew only one thing:
She couldn't let Kashion risk his life for her. Not for her.
So she moved, stepped in front of him, and spread her arms as if to shield him.
In that moment, she felt no fear.
She knew this feeling.
She couldn't bear it when others were afraid or in danger—and then her own fear simply disappeared.
– Kashion –
Kashion froze in shock. What was she thinking?
Without hesitation, he grabbed her by the arms and pulled her behind him.
He looked at her, upset. "Don't ever do that again!"
He was so angry he was breathing as if he had just been running.
Then he saw her flinch in pain, and he loosened his grip slightly—though he still held her arms.
– Prior –
Kashion's grip had hurt, and he looked at her with a mixture of shock and anger she had never seen before.
For a moment, she had even forgotten the real danger.
Then his expression softened slightly, and he said, "I'm sorry."
Suddenly, she heard a sharp hiss—then the sound of impact. She looked toward the tiger.
It had been struck by an arrow.
Moments later, several figures in black appeared. One of them came straight toward them.
He dropped to one knee before Kashion. "Forgive the delay, Your Highness. The tiger has been tranquilized. The area is secure."
Kashion let out a breath of relief—but still hadn't let go of Prior.
– Kashion –
Fortunately, the Hualin had brought the situation under control.
"Thank you, Wanyi," Kashion said. "How could this happen?"
Wanyi, the chief of the palace Hualin, stood up and shook his head.
"I cannot explain it. We will investigate immediately."
Then Wanyi glanced skeptically at Prior, frowning.
Kashion looked around and noticed that everyone was watching him. Only then did he realize he was still holding her. He wasn't even sure anymore whether he was holding her—or holding on to her.
At last, he let go and cleared his throat.
"Wanyi," he said. "Take her to her room."
Wanyi nodded.
Kashion hesitated, then shook his head.
"No. Take her to my sister."
– Prior –
Wanyi nodded again and looked at Prior expectantly.
Prior felt uneasy. She could feel every gaze on her. It was as if time had slowed, and everyone could hear even the smallest sound—like her shoe bending a blade of grass.
She didn't understand. Why should she leave? Why go to Kassia?
"Shall we?" Wanyi asked.
"I expect you in my room afterward, Wanyi," Kashion added.
Wanyi nodded to Prior, and she followed him.
– Kashion –
Kashion watched Wanyi and Prior leave for a moment. With him—and with Kassia—she would be safe.
Then he turned back to the group.
A few Hualin remained. One was examining the now sleeping tiger.
Oren stood by Evlina's side—but it was Rein who had stepped protectively in front of her.
Taner and Talina simply stood there.
All of them were looking at him, their eyes full of questions.
"I'm afraid we'll have to postpone this," Kashion said.
Evlina stepped toward him and stopped in front of him.
"I think the two of us should talk."
Kashion swallowed. Then he nodded.
"Come," she said. "In private."
She walked a few steps, then added to Talina, "Wait here. I'll be right back."
Talina nodded.
Kashion followed her until they reached a place where they could speak undisturbed.