– Prior –
At last, Prior let her hand glide over her pieces, still slightly uncertain where to begin.
Either way, she would once again try to move the bears that stood on the outer edges inward, closer to the fox. She began by moving a tree two squares upward, and Kashion mirrored her move.
But this time, the game had a different dynamic. Kashion played more purposefully—almost aggressively. They didn't speak a word, though their eyes met from time to time. Kashion always wore a confident expression and looked as if he were on the verge of smiling. But sometimes his gaze almost seemed like a wink.
It didn't take long before he had captured Prior's donkey and was threatening her first bear. She could do nothing and had to surrender it.
So far, she herself had only managed to capture a few of his trees and one forester.
– Kashion –
Her first bear was already gone, and he had prepared everything to take the second. He had also set up an attack on her eagle.
His effort had paid off—everything seemed to be working out.
Prior seemed more uncertain this time. Now and then she looked at him, and there was almost something questioning in her gaze.
When he captured her second bear, he heard her exhale loudly.
She looked at him.
"You're playing much better," she said.
He grinned. "Yes, Prior, I've learned my lessons."
She held his gaze, and he couldn't quite read her emotions. She didn't truly reveal how she felt.
– Prior –
He controlled the board, and she felt like nothing more than a guest upon it. He dictated and steered her moves.
Almost like in real life, she thought.
She did manage to capture some of his pieces—the donkey and the other forester—but he took it calmly.
When he captured her eagle, she had no choice but to protect her fox. Attacking was out of the question now—it was too dangerous.
But as she looked at the board, she realized she had no real chance left. If she left her fox where it was, his eagle was waiting. If she moved it slightly forward, his fox stood there. And in the other direction, she would even threaten his tree.
He had completely surrounded her. There was no escape. She couldn't break free.
She looked at him again. This time his gaze was knowing. Certain of victory. He was simply waiting for her to make a move and fall inevitably into the trap.
"No matter how I move, you've won," she said.
He nodded. "That's how it looks."
But out of fairness, she had to make the final move. So she moved the fox to the right, and he captured it with his tree. At least, she thought, it was a small piece—not his majestic eagle.
When he laid her fox aside on the board, she almost felt as if he had touched and defeated her personally.
Still, she had to admit—he had played strategically well. She had to give him that.
She looked at him again, and he folded his hands in front of his face.
– Kashion –
His strategy had worked.
He had almost felt sorry for capturing her fox. He would have liked to keep playing longer.
When Prior looked at him, her defeat was written across her face. But something else flickered in her eyes. Almost like a small spark of admiration. Not the way she had looked at Tin in the lab—but it was there.
And inside, Kashion rejoiced like a little boy.
But he didn't want her to disappear again so quickly.
"So, I'll be getting my Saturn Rings," he began.
She nodded. "Of course. You've earned them, and I keep my word."
Yes. He had earned them.
"Help me clear the board," he said.
– Prior –
She began gathering her white pieces from the edge of the board and arranging them properly.
Then she reached for her fox—but at the same time Kashion reached for his tree. They stood on the same square.
Their hands touched. Lightly. Briefly.
They looked at each other.
Prior immediately pulled her hand back and felt warmth rise to her face. She needed to be more careful.
Once the board was cleared, she said, "Then we're even now."
"1:1," Kashion replied. "Can I get the Saturn Rings tomorrow?"
Tomorrow already?
"I don't even know where—" she began.
"There's a palace kitchen in the lower level," he interrupted.
"Oh," she replied.
"I'll inform the chef. What do you need?" he asked.
She thought for a moment. He stood up, gestured for her to remain seated, and fetched his tablet. Then he held it out to her.
"You can type the ingredients in here."
But just as she reached for it, he pulled it back.
"I have a better idea," he said.
Perhaps he didn't trust her enough. After all, important and confidential data were surely stored on that tablet.
– Kashion –
Instead, he handed her a pen and a piece of paper. The idea had just come to him.
She wrote down a few things and handed it back. He looked at it and smiled. Yes, it was her flowing handwriting—the one he already knew.
"When exactly should I—" she began.
"I'll leave that to you. But I'd like the rings in the evening."
Prior nodded and made a move to stand up.
"Wait," Kashion said. "Stay a little longer."
She wouldn't escape so quickly this time.
He sat across from her again and poured more tea for both of them.
– Prior –
What was coming now?
"There are no council meetings planned for the next few days, and you wouldn't necessarily have to go to the lab. What will you be doing?" he asked.
What kind of question was that?
Prior felt herself tense. She began playing with her hands.
Not go to the lab—but she liked being there. It was more than work. Yet the possibility of doing something else here was tempting as well.
She looked at him. "Well, for tomorrow someone has already made plans for me. I'll be making Saturn Rings."
He laughed.
"There are interesting things here in the palace. Or you could go to Lantian," he suggested.
She didn't know what his intention was. They weren't friends casually drinking tea together in the evening.
"We also have a palace café," he added.
"I already know that one," Prior blurted out.
– Kashion –
She already knew it? He hadn't even shown it to Princess Evlina.
"Oh?" he said.
Prior nodded. "I was there with Kassia—I mean, Princess Kassia."
Ah. His sister. He had nearly forgotten. That was good. He mustn't forget that she got along with his sister.
"There's also the palace library," Kashion continued.
"Palace library?" Prior asked, surprised. "Another thing I've overlooked!"
That clearly interested her.
"I can grant you access. We also have a large VR and AR section. You could at least visit Gelserkh virtually."
She let out a dry laugh. "As if that's the same," she murmured.
– Prior –
"Sometimes there's no other choice," Kashion replied.
When she looked at him now, there was something almost vulnerable in his eyes.
She still couldn't figure him out.
"And what will you be doing the next few days?" she asked in return, curious whether he would answer at all.
He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms behind his head.
He winked, amused. "You mean, aside from eating your Saturn Rings?"
It was difficult for Prior to maintain her mask of indifference. A slight shiver ran down her spine. It sounded as if they were far too familiar.
Then he straightened and sighed.
"I'll do what I must. Prepare for the coming days and try to be a good host to Princess Evlina," he said more seriously.
Do what he must. Did he see his time with Evlina merely as duty?
He looked at her again with intensity, and Prior heard the rush of blood in her ears. She couldn't stay here any longer.
"May I leave?" she finally asked.
He looked disappointed—but nodded.
"Until tomorrow," he said.
And just as she had already stood up, he quickly added, "I'll inform the library. You may go whenever you like."
She nodded, gave a brief bow, and left as quickly as she could—without making it look like she was fleeing.
– Kashion –
Kashion remained seated for a moment.
"May I leave now?" she had asked. In such a soft voice. Was it really so unpleasant for her to be with him?
He wanted to ask her so many things.
He had won the game. He had earned the Saturn Rings. And yet he felt as though he hadn't moved forward at all.
He took her note with the ingredients and sent a message to the head chef.
Then he went to his room, opened the drawer of his desk, smiled—and placed the note inside.
At least he had already received part of what he wanted.