Page 8 of The Alien's Unwilling Bride

And yet, Mila couldn’t quite shake the memory of Roqron’s closeness, the feel of his hands on her hips, or the warmth in his eyes when he’d talked about finding their own path together. It seemed that navigating the political landscape of Tharvis might be more complicated – and potentially more interesting – than she’d anticipated.

With a sigh, Mila resolved to redouble her efforts on her research. After all, she told herself firmly, she was here as a scientist first and a reluctant bride second. No matter how intriguing Roqron might be, she couldn’t lose sight of her true purpose.

But as she drifted off to sleep that night, her dreams were filled with glowing fungi, complex AI systems, and a pair of dark eyes that seemed to see right through her carefully constructed defenses. And if those eyes happened to belong to a certain Tharvisian prince... well, that was just her subconscious playing tricks on her. Right?

SEVEN

The 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 breathcaught 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.”

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