"Guess what girls, I've gotten three proposals since last night," Stela smiles a cat like smile and stuffs a piece of gargan meat down her throat.

After a full day of activities Casandra, Stela and I met in the recreation room for an evening meal but because the spread was so generous we piled up our plates with all the various delicacies we haven't had before.

I stick my fork into a piece as well and swallow it whole. Gargan meat is something none of us have ever had but we have all heard about how delicious it is. They look like large birds about the size of geese on Earth and are found in abundance here in the North where it's warmer.

Aside from that my plate is filled to the brim with seasoned algae, rhye rolls, various pieces of fruit and desert I've never seen before. I'm enjoying the food too much to respond and it seems Casandra is as well.

She closes her eyes and sighs when she bites on a cream roll. I smile when I see the icing roll down her chin and Stela scowls at the two of us.

"You two are disgusting," She says even though she has piled her plate like ours.

"How was training today?" Casandra asks me. Her bright red hair is styled in a side braid, interwoven with gold ribbons. Even Stela's hair looks fuller than usual and both girls have a rosy glow on their faces, their make-up done to perfection.

As paramours, I wonder if they have stylists to dress them up on a daily basis.

I on the other hand have sweaty hair that clings to my forehead, no make-up and am wearing the standard training outfits all the fighters are given.

"It was fun," I reply whole heartedly to which Casandra smiles. "I learnt how to use laser poles today."

Asta had come in from the army training ground and she taught me how to handle a laser pole which are thin sticks about four feet long that emit a high heat laser frequency from both ends on impact.

It had taken a while for me to get used to the speed and agility needed to handle such a flimsy yet deadly weapon but once I got the hang of it, Asta and I fought for hours in an isolated training room with walls that absorb the heat from the laser tips.

After we were done, I was sore from over exertion and my stomach hurt from the fight with Michael but it was a satisfying soreness. I was also slightly proud when the other fighters stared in shock when Asta had come to find me.

Apparently the army officials hardly ever trained with the fighters and when the others saw Asta approach, their expressions were filled with both awe and jealousy.

However, it was only when we finished training did I realize her true intentions.

"I don't know how you did it but I trust you will be joining Master Lucian X for dinner tonight," She had stated it more as a fact than a question and it had shocked me that she knew about his invitation. "Sergeant Atmos says it is imperative that you do if you hope to join the army."

Of course I had said yes. After what happened at the introductory dinner last night with Lazarus, I was more than cautious about angering another Plutonian. But that didn't mean the thought of being alone in a room with a Plutonian didn't frighten me to the bone.

The thought of dinner tonight with Lucian makes me nauseous and suddenly the cream rolls don't look so appetizing.

"What did you two do today?" I ask Stela and Casandra, eager to distract myself from the inevitable.

Stela runs a hand through her shiny blonde hair and I notice her fingernails are painted dark blue.

"We did some sculpting exercises in the morning and then we met up with our stylists after," Stela shoots me a lazy smile that shows how content she is with this life style but we all know that comfort here is only temporary. For a paramour it will only last with the affections of a suitor.

After years of thinking fighters and paramours were worlds apart, my situation makes me realize that we are more similar than I'd like to accept and that makes me curious.

"Did you get any proposals?" I ask Casandra.

She is silent for a while and her cheeks turn red.

"Oh come on, don't be so coy," Stela snaps in irritation. Her eyes are wide with curiosity and I can almost read her mind. She sees everyone as competition and because Casandra is the only other paramour amongst the three of us, I know it would drive Stela mad if she had more proposals.

"I've gotten three as well," She finally replies.

I look at Stela and try to swallow a smile when her face turns pale. Yes, she hates even the slightest form of competition.

"What? Don't tell me we have the same suitors," Stela pushes her plate of food away and draws her fingers together in a knot. "Are you meeting one of them later?"

"Yes, I am. For dinner but I'm so full now I don't know how I'm going to eat later," Casandra laughs at me and I smile apprehensively. I'm not sure if she's ignoring Stela or just simply doesn't realize the obvious hatred on her face but I've learnt from experience that this girl is cunning and ruthless. I would hate for Casandra to be on her bad side although I'm unsure if she has a good one.

"What about you? Most of the Plutonian's were all over you yesterday," Casandra asks and Stela's narrowed eyes focus on me with all their malice.

My throat feels dry as I am reminded of Lucian and I wonder why Casandra would ask such a question. How does she know that the fighters and the Plutonian's have relationships?

"Me? Of course not, I'm a fighter and after what happened with Lazarus, I doubt anyone would take interest in me," I lie smoothly after years of practicing in the showers when everyone was asleep.

I don't even blink but I see the slightest amount of uncertainty in Casandra's eyes which confuses and frightens me. Stela on the other hand looks satisfied with my answer.

"How does it work? Do you get to choose your suitor or do they choose?" I ask curiously, eager to divert Casandra's inquisitive eyes away from my panicked ones.

"Well we get to have dinner with each of them and if they are interested they will give our handler's an offer. We choose which offer we like best and then they become our suitor," Stela waves her fingers in the air animatedly.

"Handler?" I ask.

"Yes, we each have a handler who will deal with our suitors directly. They also decide what we wear, how we look and which offer will be in our best interests," Casandra explains.

I nod my head slowly. Is Asta supposed to be my handler? I feel sick at the thought.

"Do they profit from...from the transaction?" My words are indelicate but Asta and Sergeant Atmos's persistence makes me suspicious. Although maybe I should have worded it better. Casandra's eyebrows knit together in a frown and even Stela glares at me.

"I'm not sure," Casandra says. She picks up the last piece of meat on her plate and chews it slowly. "I'd better get going. I have to get ready for later."

Stela gets up as well, muttering the same thing under her breath. To me they look beautiful and well-dressed already I wonder what more is there to prepare. I on the other hand have a lot to work on but I somehow can't bring myself to leave my seat.

After procrastinating as much as I can I walk to my room slowly only to find two well-dressed Plutonians standing by my door.

"Good evening, Aria. I am Aster and this is my sister Quan. Master Lucian sent us to get you ready for dinner," The slightly shorter one speaks in a soft voice that is somehow extremely soothing.

Unlike the flighty Plutonian who dressed me up yesterday, these sisters have their hair parted in the middle and tucked neatly behind their ears. Their clothes are less extravagant and they wear a minimal amount of make-up but it only makes them look more sophisticated.

They open my room door and walk in without my permission and I follow soon after hoping they would take their time like the stylist yesterday. The longer I delay dinner the better.

After I shower, I close my eyes and let them do as they please. They barely speak and their hands are so soft and gentle I doze off while they are doing my hair. When I wake up my make-up is already done.

"Master Lucian told us too much is unnecessary," Quan speaks as I stare at my reflection. Unlike yesterday, my face is less made up, aside from the slight tinge of red on my lips there is barely anything there and yet I wonder how they made me look more vibrant.

I smile in response and nod in understanding. I am grateful for their politeness but today I find myself wanting Asta and the Plutonians chatter instead. The silence brought by Aster and Quan does little to distract the apprehension I feel inside.

They slip me into a sea green dress that fits perfectly and nod their heads at my reflection.

"To be honest we are quite unfamiliar with Master Lucian's preferences," Quan says as we leave my room and board a glider with the same 'V' shaped symbol painted on its side.

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. Did he not entertain guests like the others?

"Why is that?" I hesitantly ask.

The two of them exchange glances and I watch Aster nod slightly giving permission for Quan to continue.

"Well this is actually the first time he has ever invited someone to join him in his quarters," Quan says and I mirror the shock on her face.

"You mean the first human?"

"No, you are the first guest he has ever invited," She answers.

I frown for a moment not quite registering her words. We reach a large building with a huge compound that stretches out for miles.

It takes a few minutes to reach the entrance as we pass by various forms of greenery I've never seen outside. I am struck by the beauty of the well- kept lawn with its colourful plants and flowers.

Flowers. I remember them from Earth not here.

A lump forms in my throat as I stare at one that looks so familiar. When we reach the entrance I slowly get off but Quan and Aster stay behind.

A tall well-dressed man waits for me by the door and gestures for me to go inside.

I stare at Quan and she nods her head reassuringly. I wish she could come with me but I am in no place to make demands.

A single thought plays in my mind as I cross the clear blue threshold into the building.

I am the first person Lucian has ever invited over for dinner and for the life of me I cannot understand why.

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