Chapter 5

FIVE

M ila stepped out of the royal dining hall, her head buzzing with a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite untangle. The opulent dinner with its exotic Tharvisian cuisine and rigid etiquette had left her feeling more out of place than ever. As she wandered the halls of the palace, her thoughts drifted once again to her sisters. Raelee and Venus, both newly married and embarking on their honeymoons, seemed to have embraced their new roles with an ease Mila couldn’t fathom.

“Two down, two to go,” she muttered under her breath, running a hand through her dark hair. “Wonder if Zora will be the next sacrificial lamb on the altar of interplanetary diplomacy. Bet she’d at least try to marry a plant.”

The weight of her own impending marriage to Roqron pressed on her, a constant reminder of the duty she’d never asked for. She needed an escape even if just for a moment. As if answering her silent plea, the ornate doors of the royal library loomed before her, promising sanctuary.

Mila pushed open the heavy doors, and the sight that greeted her took her breath away. The library was an architectural marvel, a perfect blend of ancient wisdom and futuristic technology.

Towering bookshelves filled with ancient Tharvisian texts stretched toward the ceiling, their spines adorned with intricate, glowing symbols. Holographic displays hovered in midair, projecting streams of data that danced like ethereal ribbons through the space.

The soft glow of bioluminescent plants lining the walls bathed the room in a calming blue-green light. As Mila stepped further into the library, she inhaled deeply, savoring the scent that reminded her of pine and lavender. It was a stark contrast to the stuffy formality of the dining hall, and her shoulders relaxed for the first time that evening.

“Now this,” Mila whispered to herself, a small smile blooming, “is more my speed. Who needs a honeymoon when you’ve got the galaxy’s most impressive library at your fingertips?”

She made her way to a nearby data terminal, her fingers ready to dive into the wealth of information at her fingertips. The holographic display sprang to life at her touch, revealing a treasure trove of data on Tharvis’s unique ecosystem. Alien flora and fauna danced across the screen, each more fascinating than the last.

Mila’s eyes widened as she zoomed in on a particularly intriguing species of bioluminescent fungus. “Hello, beautiful,” she murmured, her scientific curiosity piqued. “You might hold the key to revolutionizing sustainable energy back on Earth. Sorry, Prince Charming, but I think I just found my true love.”

As she worked, making mental notes, Mila found herself relaxing into the familiar rhythm of research. Here, surrounded by knowledge and the promise of scientific discovery, she could almost forget the weight of her family name and the expectations that came with it.

The complexity of Tharvisian ecosystems offered a welcome distraction from thoughts of her sisters’ whirlwind romances and her own impending marriage.

The soft hiss of the library doors sliding open barely registered in Mila’s consciousness, so engrossed she was in her research. It wasn’t until a familiar voice broke the silence that she realized she was no longer alone.

“I see you’ve found our planet’s finest collection of knowledge,” Roqron said, his deep voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Mila glanced up, her eyebrow arching at the sight of the Tharvisian prince. Roqron cut an imposing figure, even in the serene atmosphere of the library. Mila found herself momentarily distracted by the way the soft library lighting played across his angular features. She quickly shook off the thought, annoyed at her body’s betrayal.

“Can I help you, Prince Charming?” Mila quipped, her tone light but laced with a challenge. “Or did you just come to make sure I wasn’t planning a daring escape through the ventilation system? Because let me tell you, after that dinner, the thought did cross my mind.”

Roqron’s lips twitched, the barest hint of a smile threatening to break through his usual stoic expression. “I assure you, our ventilation systems are far too advanced for such primitive escape attempts. Though I don’t doubt you’d find a way to surprise us all.”

“Was that... a joke?” Mila gasped in mock surprise. “Alert the media! The prince has a sense of humor after all. Quick, someone check if the sky is falling.”

Roqron’s almost-smile grew a fraction wider. “I’ll have you know, Lady Mila, that I am quite capable of humor. I simply choose to employ it sparingly, unlike some.”

“Ouch,” Mila clutched her chest dramatically. “You wound me, Your Highness. And here I thought we were bonding over our shared love of... ventilation systems.”

To her surprise, Roqron stepped closer, his eyes scanning the data she’d been analyzing. His now-familiar scent washed over her, and Mila found herself fighting the urge to take a long, noisy sniff up his body.

“Actually,” Roqron said, his voice dropping to a lower register that did funny things to Mila’s insides, “I might be able to offer some insight. Our AI systems have been monitoring and sustaining the environment for centuries. It’s quite fascinating, really.”

Mila’s interest grew despite herself. She’d been so focused on the biological aspects of Tharvis that she hadn’t considered the technological side. “AI systems, huh? Color me intrigued. Care to elaborate, Your Highness? Or is that classified information, for royal eyes only?”

As Roqron explained the intricacies of Tharvis’s environmental monitoring systems, Mila was drawn into the conversation. For once, the prince wasn’t just a symbol of her impending political marriage – he was a scientist, a fellow seeker of knowledge. Their discussion flowed easily, moving from environmental data to AI algorithms, each finding unexpected common ground in their shared passion for problem-solving.

“I have to admit,” Mila said, a grudging respect in her voice, “your planet’s integration of technology and nature is impressive. Earth could learn a thing or two from Tharvis. Maybe this arranged marriage isn’t such a bad deal after all – I get a whole planet as my personal research lab.”

Roqron chuckled, the sound sending an unexpected warmth through Mila. “Is that all I am to you, Lady Mila? A means to access our scientific knowledge?”

Mila grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Well, that and a rather aesthetically pleasing lab assistant, I suppose. Those cheekbones could probably cut glass.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Mila wanted to snatch them back. Had she really just flirted with Roqron? Judging by the surprised look on his face and the heat creeping up her own cheeks, she had. Damn it. So much for keeping her hormones in check.

“Also,” she said, clearing her throat. “ Mila is good. Lady Mila makes me sound like a stuffy princess.”

“Mila, it is.”

The way he said her name gave her goose bumps. She tried to ignore the crazy growing attraction between them and focused on the research.

A comfortable silence fell between them, broken only by the soft hum of the holographic displays. Mila discreetly eyed Roqron, seeing him in a new light. There was depth in him she hadn’t expected, a genuine passion for science and innovation that mirrored her own.

And, if she was being honest with herself (which she really, really didn’t want to be), he was unfairly attractive. The way his brow furrowed slightly when he was concentrating and the elegant lines of his hands as he manipulated the holographic data... Mila forced her gaze back to the screen, silently cursing her traitorous imagination.

“So,” Mila said, breaking the silence and desperately trying to steer her thoughts back to safer territory, “I’ve met your brothers, but I’m curious – what’s it like growing up with them? Any embarrassing stories you’d care to share? I promise I won’t tell... much.”

Roqron’s expression softened slightly, a hint of warmth creeping into his eyes. “Growing up with my brothers was... interesting, to say the least. We’re all quite different, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Azlun, the diplomat, Vexor with his intense focus on duty, and Dravek... well, let’s just say he keeps us on our toes.”

Mila leaned in, intrigued by this glimpse into Roqron’s personal life. “Oh? Do tell. I need some good material for the next awkward family dinner.”

Roqron hesitated for a moment, then his lips quirked into a small smile. “Well, there was this one time when we were younger... Dravek decided it would be a brilliant idea to reprogram the palace’s cleaning droids to follow Vexor around, constantly polishing his shoes. It took us days to figure out why Vexor’s boots were suddenly shinier than the ceremonial armor.”

Mila burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the quiet library. “Oh, that’s priceless. I can just imagine Vexor’s face. Remind me to thank Dravek for that mental image.”

As they continued to pour over the data, Mila inched closer to Roqron, their shoulders nearly touching as they shared the holographic display. The proximity sent an unexpected jolt through her, a spark of awareness she hadn’t anticipated. Their hands brushed as they both reached to adjust the display, and Mila pulled back quickly, her heart racing.

Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up, finding Roqron’s intense gaze fixed on her. The air between them crackled with tension, heavy with unspoken desires.

“Roqron,” Mila whispered, her voice barely audible. She watched as his eyes darkened, flicking briefly to her lips before meeting her gaze again.