Chapter 7

SEVEN

T he palace’s technology lab pulsed with an electric hum, a veritable symphony of beeps, whirs, and soft electronic chirps filling the air. Roqron stood at its center, surrounded by an array of cutting-edge equipment. Holographic displays flickered and danced around him, each one showcasing vital data about Tharvis’s ecosystem in dazzling 3D detail.

Roqron’s long, nimble fingers danced across a control panel, adjusting parameters and fine-tuning the last of the preparations for their expedition into the wild lands. His mind, however, kept drifting to thoughts of Mila. Her irreverent attitude, her sharp intellect, and the way she seemed to effortlessly challenge every preconception he had about Earth diplomats... it was infuriating and captivating all at once.

He shook his head, white and black hair falling across his forehead. “Focus, Roqron,” he muttered to himself. “The fate of Tharvis doesn’t rest on how attractive you find your arranged bride-to-be.”

As if the universe itself was conspiring against his concentration, the lab doors hissed open. Mila strode in, dragging a hefty case behind her, the wheels making a soft scraping sound against the polished floor. Roqron’s breath caught in his throat. She was wearing form-fitting expedition gear, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, and yet she looked more stunning than any royal in their finest attire.

Roqron raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into an amused smirk to hide his sudden nervousness. “I see you’ve brought your entire laboratory with you. Planning on setting up a rival research facility in the wild lands?”

Mila grinned, giving the case an affectionate pat. “Hey, a girl’s gotta be prepared. Besides, if your fancy gizmos short-circuit the moment we hit a patch of alien dirt, someone’s got to save the day.”

Roqron couldn’t help but chuckle, surprising himself. When was the last time he’d laughed so freely in this lab? “I assure you, our technology is more than capable of handling a little dirt. But by all means, bring your... quaint equipment along. It might make for an interesting comparison.”

“Oh, it’ll be interesting all right,” Mila shot back. She sauntered closer, and Roqron found himself acutely aware of her closeness. “How about a little friendly competition? Your high-tech toys versus my tried-and-true tools. Loser has to... I don’t know, eat that weird glowing fruit from the palace gardens.”

“Deal,” Roqron said, the word escaping his lips before his brain could process it. There was something about Mila that made him want to play along, to step out of his usually composed role. “Though I must warn you, that fruit is considered a delicacy on Tharvis.”

“Of course, it is,” Mila rolled her eyes, but her smile never faltered. “Let me guess, it tastes like chicken?”

“More like a cross between a sunburst and mathematical equation,” Roqron replied, deadpan.

Mila blinked, then burst out laughing. “You’re on a roll with the humor. At this rate, I might give you a best-joke medal.”

Roqron felt a warmth spread through his chest at the sound of her laughter. He wanted to hear more of it and be the reason of her smiles. It was a strange, new feeling, and not entirely unwelcome.

“All right, Your Highness,” Mila said, composing herself but still grinning. “Show me what we’re working with here. And don’t spare any of the technical details – I promise I can keep up.”

Roqron nodded, gesturing to the array of equipment around them. “We’ll be taking these drones with us,” he explained, pointing to a set of sleek, silver orbs hovering quietly in a corner. “They’re equipped with advanced scanners capable of detecting even the slightest environmental anomalies. They can analyze soil composition, atmospheric conditions, and even track the movement patterns of local wildlife.”

Mila whistled, clearly impressed despite herself. “Not bad. But can they differentiate between natural environmental fluctuations and artificial disturbances? That’s where my eco-sensor really shines.”

“Of course, they can,” Roqron replied, a hint of pride in his voice. He tapped a nearby console, bringing up a holographic display of Tharvis’s wild lands. “Here, let me show you the areas we’ll be focusing on.”

The map zoomed in on a particularly rugged region where the terrain shifted from dense, alien forests to craggy mountain ranges. Red markers dotted the landscape, indicating areas of environmental instability.

“These are the regions most affected by subtle eco change,” Roqron explained, his tone growing serious. “We’ve received reports of mineral depletion in these areas, far beyond what should be occurring naturally. The local tribes have noticed the wildlife has been behaving erratically, and we have detected sudden, violent storms that seem to appear out of nowhere.”

Mila leaned in, her eyes scanning the map intently. She was so close that Roqron could smell the faint scent of her shampoo – something fresh and earthy like a forest after rain. It was intoxicating.

“Any theories on what’s causing it?” she asked, oblivious to his distraction.

Roqron cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “Nothing solid yet. That’s why this expedition is so timely. We need to gather more data and see the effects firsthand.”

“Well, then,” Mila said, turning to face him, “I guess we better not waste any more time. It’s already late. Unless you’re having second thoughts about venturing into the wilderness with little ol’ me?”

Roqron felt a spark of something– excitement, perhaps. “I assure you, I’m more than capable of handling whatever the wild lands – or you – might throw at me.”

Mila’s eyebrows shot up, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Is that a challenge, Your Highness?”

“Perhaps,” Roqron replied, surprising himself with his boldness. “Though I doubt you could keep up with me out there.”

“Oh, it is so on.” Mila laughed, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down Roqron’s spine. “Just don’t come crying to me when my ‘primitive’ tools outperform your shiny toys.”

“As much as I like how you call me Your Highness , you’re going to be my bride. Call me Roqron.”

She met his gaze and licked her lips, making him forget how to breathe. “Can I call you Roq?”

The way her voice lowered to say the nickname caught his attention. “If you desire.”

Her gaze lingered on his mouth. “Okay, Roq.” Then their gazes met and held. “I so desire.”

He did too. Too much.

As they continued to banter and prepare for the expedition, Roq noticed Mila’s every movement. The way she bit her lip when concentrating on a particularly complex piece of equipment. The graceful arc of her neck as she tilted her head back in laughter at one of his unexpectedly dry comments. The brush of her hand against his as they both reached for the same tool, sending sparks of electricity through his body.

“You know,” Mila said casually as she helped him load equipment onto the hovercraft, “for someone who’s supposed to be all prim and proper, you’re not half bad at this whole ‘fun’ thing.”

Roq felt a warmth spread across his cheeks. “I... thank you. I must admit, it’s not a side of myself I often get to explore.”

Mila’s expression softened. “Well, maybe this expedition will be good for both of us. You can teach me about your fancy Tharvisian tech, and I’ll show you how to loosen up a little. Deal?”

“Deal,” Roq agreed, realizing with a start that he was actually looking forward to it.

When he lifted a thick case that looked different from the others, Mila asked him, “What’s in that one?”

“Weapons,” he replied.

She froze in place. “What for?”

He heard the slight waver in her tone. “They aren’t called the wild lands for nothing. There are dangerous creatures we could encounter. But don’t worry, I’m aware of what roams the forests on my planet.”

Mila rolled her eyes at his faux-haughtiness. “Whatever, Tarzan. Can I see the weapons?”

He set the case on the floor of the hovercraft. “Of course.” He flipped the lid up to display the items he’d packed.

There were several items she’d never seen and had no idea how to use. “What’s that little box thing? It doesn’t look like it could harm a fly.”

“That device generates an electronic pulse that can temporarily stun an animal.”

“Oh,” she said, “a wireless Taser. That’s cool. No Glock, I see. I trained with one of those. Part of Daddy’s safety regimen for his daughters, along with years of martial arts.”

As they finished loading the last of the equipment, Roq found himself stealing glances at Mila. She was unlike anyone he had ever met – brilliant, stubborn, infuriating, and undeniably intriguing. This expedition was going to be interesting, to say the least.

“Ready to head out?” he asked as they boarded the hovercraft.

Mila grinned, strapping herself into the co-pilot’s seat. “Born ready. Let’s go save your planet, Roq. And who knows? Maybe we’ll have some fun along the way.”

As the hovercraft’s engines hummed to life, Roq couldn’t shake the feeling that this expedition was going to change everything – not just for Tharvis, but for him personally as well. With Mila by his side, challenging him at every turn and bringing out a side of himself he barely recognized, he was beginning to see his world in a whole new light.

The hovercraft lifted off, carrying them toward the wild lands and whatever adventures – or dangers – awaited them. As they soared over the gleaming spires of the palace, Roq allowed himself a small smile. Whatever happened out there, one thing was certain – with Mila around, it wouldn’t be boring.