The AI system provided a small reprieve from the loneliness and isolation in my spacious apartment.
Technically, where I lived was one of the palace's guest suites. At first, it felt strange living in a palace. Not that it looked like one. It resembled a fancy hotel, similar to ones on Earth. Only far more hi-tech.
My accommodations were larger than my old apartment back home, with multiple bedrooms, a huge balcony, three bathrooms, and a massive living room with two long sofas.
In the kitchen, there was a sink and a food prep area equipped with a complicated food replicator. Thankfully, there was a dining hall which I sometimes attended for my meals when I wanted some company. Sometimes I ate with Grace and Trex in their private apartment, but I liked to give them their privacy.
There were days I still couldn't believe how vastly different my life had become.
It was odd to think that soon I’d be a single mother raising a human child on a strange new world.
I hadn’t made many new friends since I rarely left the palace. Aside from Clor, one of the kitchen staff, my friends included only Grace and Trex. Rekna, whom I met on the Protectorate ship, was someone I also considered a friend, but we didn’t hang out or anything.
He now served as the palace medic and was very protective of my baby and would give me grief if my body showed even the slightest hint of poor nutrition or dehydration.
Luckily, my checkups showed the pregnancy was going well for both me and the baby. Rekna seemed thrilled about my baby's upcoming birth and was always reminding me that Alara needed more younglings. He was the only one I trusted to help deliver my baby when the time came.
Orin was the one person I desired beyond friendship, but that was a pipe dream. Since I was already pregnant when I was abducted, I was under no illusion that he would want to be with me. But I couldn't deny he was all I had thought about since I first saw him.
Because he was our chief guard on the Chetok, I got used to seeing him every day. Though he didn’t smile often and rarely spoke, I’d looked forward to seeing him and the pleasant tingles I felt every time I caught him looking at me.
His handsome blue-green face, pointed ears, shoulder-length brown hair, and dark-blue eyes drew me in every time. I couldn’t help but be attracted to him.
Once or twice the usually somber warrior smiled at me, which filled me with hope he might feel something for me too. I was left disappointed, though.
Glancing at the time, I sighed and rushed out of my apartment to avoid wallowing any further.
As I waddled out of my suite, I glimpsed Clor heading in my direction. “Hello,” he grinned, stopping in front of me and holding up a plate of Alaran baked goodies that made my stomach growl. “I brought something for you.”
I glanced at the plate, then back at him, and my lips curved downward. “Actually, I am heading to the garden to have lunch with Queen Grace, but thanks for thinking of me.”
My frown turned into a grin when I saw the smile didn’t leave his face. I sensed he may have wanted to hang out for a while, so I added, “If you want to come by later this afternoon, we can visit and share these goodies?”
He nodded and pulled the plate back. “Then I will bring these with me when I visit you later. I don't want to make you late for lunch with the Queen.” He sidestepped, and we walked down the hallway together.
The journey from palace to garden resembled an art gallery, showcasing intricate tapestries and paintings depicting past rulers. The fancy rugs in certain halls made me feel like I was committing a crime by stepping on them.
“I’ve missed seeing you since you stopped helping us in the kitchen. The market visits are less interesting now too,” said Clor.
Then when I didn't respond he asked, “How do you feel today?”
“The baby has been kicking up a storm, but otherwise nothing exciting to report.” I grinned. He didn’t need to know about the various side effects of my pregnancy, such as swollen ankles and a persistent feeling of bloating. Not to mention the frequent trips to the toilet.
We didn’t have that kind of relationship.
Grace and Rekna were the only ones I complained to, and even then, I felt self-conscious if I divulged too much.
“Your Terran language has such descriptive vocabulary.” Clor shook his head, looking amused.
“I suppose we do.” I laughed. Alaran’s weren’t much for colloquialisms or sayings. Clor frequently chuckled at my remarks, but he never made me feel stupid for the things I said. Which I appreciated.
Not long after I offered to work in the kitchen, I became friends with Clor, a kind, and mixed race Alaran. Making a new friend was great, but since Alara’s inhabitants were mostly male, I had to accept that any new friends would probably be male too.
It was a bit of a change since there was a fine line to walk regarding the males, and I still wasn’t clear on all Alaran customs yet. I kept things light in all my chats with guys at the palace so as not to give any of the males the wrong impression.
It was important that I treaded carefully where they were concerned. I didn't want a romantic partner at the moment. Unless Orin had a sudden willingness to be with me, of course. Which didn't look like a possibility.
Sighing, I smoothed some hair off my face and redirected my attention to Clor.
