The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 967: I Can Fix Him

After Rham and Hugo walked away, I just watched people for a while to pass the time. On this balcony it was mostly military personnel, though there were several groups of clearly well off nobles.

There was even a male Sepiida in high ranking military garb that piqued my interest, but not enough to go over and talk to the man. I just hid in the closest thing there was to a corner and waited patiently.

I kept hearing over the crowd techno-mechanics calling out countdowns until the King began his speech. Once five minutes were left to go, I felt a knot in my stomach as I looked out at the crowd below us.

They were quite a way down, but when I looked, I could still pick out faces. The roar of their cheers and yells had long become background noise.

"You look like you are going to be sick." A girly voice suddenly called out from behind me. I turned around and became confused for a moment before looking down.

It was a child wearing way too much makeup for a child. Though it was still unique compared to everyone else present. The black lipstick and thick eyeliner was a clear giveaway now that I knew the difference.

"Oh, hey Maxine. What are you doing here?" I asked, prompting the little girl to tut as she crossed her arms and shook her head.

"Apollo, I’m a princess, we aren’t at dinner, you need to remember your titles before you get in trouble. Also I live here."

I got down on one knee so I wasn’t towering over the eleven year old. "Ah! Forgive me princess Maxine. As you learned yesterday, I’m not very good at all this."

"Hmmm~" Maxine hummed as she began inspecting me with quite an intense look for someone so young.

She then shook her head again. "Who dressed you, a child? I mean that tie is that a four in hand knot? I learnt that before I could walk! Come here, take it off, let me tie your tie properly."

’I thought it looked nice?’ I thought to myself before taking my jacket off and undoing my tie.

Maxine then got on her tip toes as I was still taller than her when kneeling and began to tie my tie again.

Within seconds she was done and nodded at her work. A nice Eldredge is a massive improvement compared to that baby work. Here, have a look."

Maxine then looked down at the floor, showing me her tiara that had a metal that was very reflective so I could see myself in it.

"Huh. I didn’t know ties could look like this. Thanks Max- Princess."

I then put my coat back on and resisted the urge to touch my tie again as I didn’t want to ruin it. She simply smirked at me.

"Of course. I’m happy to help my subjects. It’s only natural."

"Maxine, what are you doing over here, you need to get into-" Elaine suddenly walked over after spotting Maxine out of position. She then realised who was also here and suddenly began to blush after what happened yesterday.

"Oh, Apollo. You are here too. H-Hello."

I smiled at Elaine and bowed my head slightly. "Your Grace. You are looking well."

"You too. Did you sleep well last night?" Elaine asked before cursing internally. ’Is this your first time making small talk? Pull yourself together.’

I paused for a moment, choosing my words carefully. "I am well rested and my body is in tip top shape. Like the stress has just been sucked from my body."

There was nothing like a good pankration with a loved one to clear the mind and relieve stress after all.

Elaine felt her ears burn in embarrassment at his suggestive language. He didn’t know she knew what he meant by that. What she had seen in Hailey’s room...

"I- I see. Wait, back to my original point. Maxine, what are you doing, your uncle will be starting any moment."

"Sorry mummy. But I saw Apollo here all alone looking like a lost dog. I just had to help him. And good thing too,His tie was a mess, but I fixed it." Maxine then pointed up at her handiwork and Elaine nodded.

"Very nice." She then smirked. It was the duty of every parent to tease their child after all. "You know, Apollo. My Maxxy is quite a reserved girl when obligation doesn’t require her to interact with others. She must have taken a real shine to you to come over all by herself to help fix your tie."

"Mum!" Maxine promptly gave Elaine a look I had never seen another person make before storming away.

Elaine let out a throaty giggle as she watched Maxine run away to her siblings before turning back to Apollo. "Don’t mind my teasing Apollo. She is eleven and you are a handsome man. I put one and one together."

I had zero idea what she meant by that, but to be polite I just shrugged my shoulders and replied, "Oh it’s fine. She is very sweet. I can see she was raised by a very caring mother.

Elaine smiled and gave me a nod. "We will talk again later, ok? We are due to start any moment."

"Of course, your grace." I said with a smile and Elaine smiled back and replied.

"Apollo, I thought I told you yesterday? You earned the right to call me Elaine when it’s just the two of us. Anyway, I will see you later."

...

Elaine walked back over to where she was designated to stand during the speech. She noticed Maxine doing her best not to frown, but the aura she was emanating was so obvious.

Walking over to her daughter, she stood behind her and placed both hands on her shoulders so she couldn’t run away. "Sorry, sweetheart. I couldn’t resist. It’s not everyday I get to tease you about boys."

"By the stars I want to die..." Maxine muttered, prompting Elaine to giggle before leaning in closer to whisper.

"What is it you liked about him? His muscles? Those red and purple eyes? His looks? I will even admit he is very good looking." Elaine said, prompting Maxine to flinch.

"What!?! Eww no! I don’t think he is... I don’t want to hear you say that about anyone other than daddy. Gross." Maxine declared before suddenly blushing.

"Then what is it sweetie? Come on, tell mommy, please? I know it’s embarrassing, but if you do. I will drop the whole thing." Elaine asked, curiously.

’This will be good for her development. Teaching her that a princess can’t always have what their heart desires will stop her from becoming spoiled as she hits puberty.’ Elaine thought to herself.

Maxine looked down and spoke quietly. "I- I don’t know... He just looks so lost, you know? Like he doesn’t know what he is doing. It is sweet... It’s different. He makes me feel like... I don’t know. Like I can fix him? You know?"

’Uh oh.’

Alarms began firing off inside Elaine’s head. She needed to shut down these thoughts fast before the crazy kicked in. She would need to break her promise and have a long, long talk with her poor innocent baby after the speech so when she grows up, she doesn’t grow up like one of those women...

’I am so glad I caught this early... I suppose I have you to thank, my friend. Even if you are the cause.’ Elaine thought as she looked at Apollo. As she did so, she couldn’t help smirking as he looked around aimlessly.

’He does look so lost. It is endearing for someone so strong to appear so weak and helpless. Heh, like a lost puppy waiting for his owner to come and collect him.’

Elaine didn’t realise it, but she was now staring at him, smiling softly as she got lost in her thoughts.

...

Dickon was mingling with the nobles, as was his job. Whilst in the middle of a hearty chuckle, he caught a glimpse of a most beautiful sight.

His darling wife was smiling. He had not seen that genuine smile for quite some time. How he missed its beauty. His heart became aflutter. He longed to know what was causing her to smile so he followed her gaze.

A task difficult for most when peering through a crowd, but he was trained for this. Hopefully it was something simple that he could surprise her with later...

Whilst doing so, Dickon frowned as a large figure with purple hair standing at the edge of the balcony.

He loathed the man’s presence. He actually had the nerve to be in a relationship with his precious daughter without asking for his permission? How the scrunt tricked her into that relationship was still unknown, but he would get to the bottom of it and dish out the most severe punishment imaginable one he-

Dickon suddenly paused, as something in the back of his mind cut through the anger.

Turning back to Elaine, she was still smiling. She followed her gaze again and-

’No... It can’t be.’ He thought before checking several times. ’Why is she smiling while looking at him?!?’

He wasn’t going to allow his mind to create scenarios. He was going to ask at this moment, even if he would get shouted at, but as he took a step forward. The lady Jocasta suddenly raised her voice.

"Positions everyone! Twenty seconds until the broadcast begins!"

Dickon turned to his wife who was now preoccupied, no longer looking at that scrunt.

He then turned back to that man and narrowed his eyes with deep, deep suspicion.

’He is up to something... I just know it.’