Chapter 4

FOUR

T o Roqron’s amazement, his mother laughed - a warm, genuine sound that filled the dining hall. Even King Brakus’s chuckled, a rare occurrence that had several of the more uptight dignitaries looking shocked.

“My dear,” Queen Erida said, still smiling, “I think you’ll find that Tharvisian cuisine is full of surprises. Perhaps we should arrange a tour of our kitchens for you? I’m sure our chefs would be delighted to explain the... intricacies of our more lively dishes.”

As the dinner progressed, Roqron found himself increasingly baffled by his parents’ behavior. They seemed not just tolerant of Mila’s laid-back attitude, but almost... encouraging it. The king engaged her in a spirited discussion about Earth’s environmental policies, seemingly unfazed when Mila’s gestures became more animated, nearly knocking over a glass in her enthusiasm.

The queen, for her part, listened intently as Mila described her research, asking thoughtful questions and even suggesting potential applications of Earth science to Tharvisian ecosystems. All the while, neither of them made any attempt to correct Mila’s casual language or her distinctly un-royal table manners.

Roqron caught his mother’s eye, unable to keep the questioning look from his face. Queen Erida simply smiled at him, a knowing look in her eyes. As the dessert course was being served, she leaned closer to Roqron.

“You seem puzzled, my son,” she said softly, her voice pitched low enough that only he could hear.

Roqron hesitated, glancing at Mila who was now attempting to make the color-changing dessert spell out words by varying her body temperature. “I... I don’t understand,” he admitted. “Mila’s behavior is so... unconventional. I expected you and Father to be concerned, but you seem... pleased?”

Queen Erida’s smile softened, becoming almost wistful. “Roqron, my dear, Mila isn’t from Tharvis. We can’t expect her to behave like one of ours, nor should we want her to. She gave up her life on Earth to be here, to forge this alliance. The least we can do is meet her halfway.”

Roqron blinked, surprised by his mother’s words. “But the protocol, the traditions-“

“Are important,” the queen interrupted gently, “but not at the expense of making Mila feel unwelcomed here. The best way to honor our alliance is to be kind and embrace the differences she brings. Besides,” she added, “I think a little Earth spontaneity might do our court some good, don’t you?”

As if to punctuate the queen’s words, a burst of laughter erupted from the other end of the table. Roqron looked over to see his father, the normally stoic King Brakus, chuckling heartily at something Mila had said. The sight was so unexpected that Roqron found himself staring in disbelief.

“Your father and I have lived long enough to know that rigidity can be the death of progress,” Queen Erida continued, following Roqron’s gaze. “Mila brings a fresh perspective and a new energy. Embrace it, my son. Let her challenge you, let her make you see our world through new eyes. That’s how we grow as individuals and as a society.”

Roqron sat back, letting his mother’s words sink in. He watched as Mila regaled a group of dignitaries with a story, her hands moving expressively, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. The stiff formality that usually permeated these dinners had given way to something warmer, more genuine.

Turning back to Mila, Roqron found himself drawn into her orbit once again. “I must say,” he ventured, his voice low enough that only she could hear, “you have a unique approach to diplomatic dinners. Most guests spend the evening trying to impress each other with their knowledge of obscure customs and political maneuvering. You, on the other hand, seem determined to turn the entire affair into a comedy routine.”

Mila leaned back in her chair, a wry smile playing on her lips. “What can I say? I’m not most guests. Besides, I find my lab research far more interesting than pretending to care about which fork to use for the salad course. Did you know that some of the bioluminescent algae on Tharvis have properties that could revolutionize sustainable energy production on Earth? That’s way more exciting than debating the finer points of interplanetary trade agreements, don’t you think?”

Her candidness caught Roqron off guard. He was used to people carefully weighing every word in his presence, always mindful of the potential political implications. Mila’s honesty was like a breath of fresh air in a room that had grown stale with formality.

“And what exactly is your research focused on?” Roqron found himself asking, genuinely curious. “Beyond trying to determine if our food is sentient, of course.”

Mila’s eyes lit up, and Roqron was struck by the passion he saw there. It was... beautiful in a way he hadn’t expected. “I’m studying the unique ecosystem of Tharvis. The way your planet has integrated advanced technology with natural biological systems is fascinating. Take these bioluminescent plants, for example,” she gestured to the glowing flora that lined the walls. “They’re not just decorative, are they? They’re part of a larger symbiotic system, aren’t they?”

Roqron nodded, impressed by her insight. “You’re correct. The bioluminescent plants are connected to the palace’s energy grid. They respond to power fluctuations, helping to regulate energy distribution throughout the building. It’s a perfect blend of nature and technology.”

“That’s incredible,” Mila breathed, her earlier sarcasm replaced by genuine awe. “The potential applications for sustainable energy on Earth would be... game changing. We’ve been trying to achieve something similar with our own bioluminescent organisms, but nothing on this scale.”

As Mila spoke about her research, Roqron found himself drawn in by her enthusiasm. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence and curiosity, and he realized that her defiance against societal norms wasn’t just rebellion for rebellion’s sake. She had a drive to understand the world around her, to question everything, and to seek out new knowledge.

Their conversation flowed easily, moving from the intricacies of Tharvisian ecosystems to the challenges of interplanetary diplomacy. Roqron found himself sharing more than he intended, opening up about the pressures of royal life and his own passion for technological innovation.

“It must be difficult,” Mila said softly, her tone more serious than it had been all evening. “Balancing your duties as a prince with your desire to pursue scientific advancement. I mean, I complain about Earth politics, but at least I can escape to my lab. You’re... always on , aren’t you?”

Roqron was silent for a moment, surprised by her perceptiveness. “It can be... challenging,” he admitted. “There are times when I wish I could focus solely on my research without the weight of an entire planet’s expectations on my shoulders. But duty comes first. It always has.”

Mila nodded, a look of understanding crossing her face. “I get that. Back on Earth, being the president’s daughter comes with its own set of expectations. It’s part of why I threw myself into environmental science. It was something that was mine. Something that had nothing to do with politics or duty.”

For a moment, they sat in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Roqron felt a connection forming between them, a shared understanding that went beyond their arranged marriage or political alliance. He studied Mila’s profile, noticing the determined set of her jaw and the intelligence in her eyes. She was unlike any woman he’d ever met, royal or otherwise.

As the evening wound down, Roqron felt reluctant to end it. He watched as Mila said her good-byes, her casual charm leaving even the most reserved guests smiling. When she reached the king and queen, Roqron held his breath, half-expecting her to finally slip up and commit some irredeemable faux pas.

Instead, Mila surprised him once again. She bowed with unexpected grace, then straightened with a warm smile. “Thank you for a wonderful evening, Your Majesties. I hope you’ll forgive any missteps on my part. I promise I’m a quick learner, even if I might never master the art of eating food that fights back.”

King Brakus laughed, a deep, resonant sound that Roqron hadn’t heard in years. “My dear Lady Mila, I think you’ll find that Tharvis is ready for a little... how do you Earthlings say it? Shaking up? We look forward to seeing what other surprises you have in store for us.”

As Mila turned to leave, her eyes met Roqron’s. For a moment, the playful mask slipped, and he saw something deeper there - a mix of determination, curiosity, and perhaps a hint of vulnerability. Then she winked, the mischievous grin returning, and she was gone, leaving Roqron to ponder the whirlwind that had just swept through his carefully ordered world.

Queen Erida placed a gentle hand on Roqron’s arm. “Change can be difficult, my son, but it can also be beautiful. Give her a chance. Give yourself a chance. You might be surprised by what blooms from this unexpected union.”

Roqron nodded, still processing the events of the evening. He bid goodnight to his parents and made his way to his quarters, his mind buzzing with new possibilities. As he walked through the dimly lit corridors, he found himself replaying moments from the dinner in his mind.

He thought of Mila’s laughter, bright and uninhibited, so different from the polite chuckles he was accustomed to hearing at these events. He remembered the spark in her eyes as she spoke about her research, the passionate way she gestured when explaining complex scientific concepts. Even her irreverence, which he had initially found alarming, now seemed refreshing in retrospect.