The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 975: She Is Obsessed

Milanna’s eyes went wide. She had been prepared to engage in a battle for Hailey’s heart. All was fair in the war of love, but not only was the queen present, seven Praetorians were literally just singing with the man.

Temporary damage control was needed.

"Haha. Oh forgive me, Archon, no sorry, Sentinel. That was just a very big misunderstanding. I was new to the post and felt the need to flex my authority. When you landed on my checkpoint with all that platinum, it sent off red flags in my mind. Please forgive my behaviour back then. I learnt my lesson."

...

I narrowed my eyes at the woman. Facial and emotional cues were still not my strong suit. But body language? I was more adept at that and the woman’s stance even as she softly bowed towards me was rife with hostility.

I didn’t know why she disliked me so much, but I didn’t really care. You couldn’t have everyone on your team. I decided not to escalate anything as I was in a good mood after a nice sing song and meeting back up with Hailey.

"Sure, you are forgiven. Just don’t abuse your power in the future... Um, what was your name again?" I asked, prompting the woman to stand up straight, she lifted her chin haughtily and announced.

"Lochagos Milanna Greyard of the Ecumenopolis 5 Greyards’. I’m sure my last name precedes me?"

I turned to Hailey for clarification.

"Her father is the Archon of Ecumenopolis 5." She explained knowing my knowledge is lacking in certain areas.

I mouthed an ’Oh’ before turning back to her. "Ok then, Milanna Greyard. We are cool. I’m going to get back to the topic at hand as I don’t know how to continue this conversation."

I then turned to Elaine who was still sitting down with a smirk on her face. "So, your grace. What did you think of the song? Was it up to your standards?"

Elaine stood up at my address and softly clapped for a few moments. "You all sang brilliantly. While I wouldn’t say it is a song for an event like this, considering it felt rather informal, I did thoroughly enjoy it."

I scratched the back of my head. "Yeah, it is more of a passing the time type of song. Not a performative piece."

As I said that, I felt a hand pat me on the shoulder. I then turned to Argyra as she said,

"Performative or not, I can tell you we thoroughly loved it. Thank you for sharing your song with us Apollo, it is going to be a hit with the rest of the order. We should go now though, enjoy the rest of your night and I will inform Rhapso and Nerissa you were inquiring about them."

Each Praetorian then gave me a thank you of their own before activating their armour and disappearing. I focused hard, but I couldn’t even hear their footsteps as they left. Or if they left.

Psionics were scary, but so was science and technology. Mixing the two together like the Praetorians did was just something else.

Argyra was the last one of them left and before she went, she gave my arm a squeeze and asked. "So, are there more songs in that head of yours? Or are you a one hit wonder?"

I then attempted to reply, but my answer somehow came out of Hailey’s mouth.

"Apollo has lots of songs! You should hear the one he serenaded me with back at the college. I didn’t understand the concept of swooning to music until I heard him sing that one..."

"Is that so?" Argyra asked in a tone I couldn’t place. "Well, the next time we meet, I must draw another song out of you. To sate my curiosity. Perhaps you could even make me swoon?"

Argyra then giggled playfully after she said that, she too then disappeared, though I felt her hand linger and pass across my chest for a moment before she truly left.

I smiled at the Nymph being playful before realising everyone was staring at me. Putting my hands together, I clapped and asked. "So, what do we do now?"

Elaine replied, "I should probably get back inside before my absence is noted. Thank you again Apollo, I’ll come find you for another chat in a little while. I’ll let you youths have some alone time."

Elaine then turned to leave, prompting Milanna and Adia to bow as she left.

It also made me realise that Adia was here at all, so after Elaine was gone, I asked. "Hey, I remember you, Adia. How have you been?"

"Oh?!" Adia suddenly exclaimed, surprised at being adressed. "Sentinel, I am well thank you. I hope you are well and are recuperating well after your recent war?"

I smiled and wrapped my arm back around Hailey. "I’ve found a couple ways to ’destress’ you could say. And please, any friend of Hailey’s is a friend of mine. Call me Apollo, I don’t need titles."

Adia simply nodded her head and looked away a little flushed in the face for some reason. I then turned to Hailey and noticed she wouldn’t look me in the eyes. I smirked. ’Oh, she told her?’

Seemingly wanting to change the subject, Hailey suddenly exclaimed. "Oh, Apollo. I brought you a drink." She then wriggled away from me and picked up two glasses, handing me the blue one.

"Oooh~ Is this a blue lagoon? I love this drink." I exclaimed and took a sip.

"I know~" Hailey said, giving me a look that turned me on a little.

"Perhaps we should go back inside!" Milanna suddenly exclaimed, excessively loud. "Apollo, you are a guest of honour at today’s event. You shouldn’t be absent from public view for too long, it would set a bad precedent."

’And I cannot allow these two to be alone. My darling, I will save you from this man!’ Milanna thought to herself, doing her best to not appear angry at the physical touching occurring between the two of them.

"Hailey?" I said her name, seeking her take.

She sighed. "Milanna is right. While I would love to keep you alone here for longer, your absence has already been noted by a number of individuals. It’s best if you stay in the event room."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Thats fair. Truthfully, I only came outside because no one else was in there with me and strangers were trying to talk to me. I only planned on being here for a couple of minutes anyway. The whole singing with the Praetorians and Elaine coming over was a surprise to me and was not planned. Lets head back in then."

...

After we made our way back inside, we were not bothered at all compared to earlier. I was going to give the credit to Hailey as although I rarely experienced it in her presence, I knew she had a frown that was basically a warding device.

We chatted for a few minutes as I enjoyed my blue lagoon. I smelt a whiff of Psionic beverage coming from the bar as the bartender opened the keg for another party goer, but I held off from having any yet, I wanted to share my first one with Valerica and Serena.

That Milanna woman had begun chatting with others nearby, but I kept feeling her glaring at me. Everytime I tried to catch her directly, it was like she hadn’t looked at me once. As I tried to catch her again, I suddenly heard Hailey sigh.

Turning towards her, I asked. "Is something wrong?"

She nodded her head. "Yeah. I’m just going to be honest. It’s about Milanna. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but... She is kind of... Obsessed with me."

I smiled. "Why wouldn’t she be? You are amazing."

Hailey smiled for a moment at my compliment, but shook her head. "No, that’s not what I meant. Apollo, she is crazy and she is in love with me. She is obsessed. She has been for years.. I am assuming the reason you were held behind at that checkpoint was because she figured out who you were and was trying to punish you for your closeness to me as I had told her the week before that I was into you."

"Hmm~" I hummed taking that in. "And how do you feel about her?"

Hailey got a bit closer to me and whispered. "I hate the bitch. I Fucking despise her, but she won’t leave me alone. She hasn’t for years. And I can’t really do too much about it. Her family is very influential, so I can’t act against her and she outranks me in the military. Plus she hides it really well. I mean Dickon loves the woman as well, which doesn’t help. She is sneaky and while not Psionically gifted, is dangerous. I fear she is going to keep on trying to get between us."

Hailey then pressed herself into my body, seeking comfort. "Please don’t think less of me for this. I only love you."

I frowned at Hailey’s vulnerability. I was glad she told me this, but I couldn’t understand why she would think I would think less of her?

’So she has a yandere? Hmm... I don’t know how to deal with one as all my loved ones are normal.’ I thought, convincing myself...

"Hailey, look at me." I spoke in a calm, soothing voice. She proceeded to look up at me. I smiled at her and she smiled back.

I then leant down and she got on her tip toes as we began to kiss one another.

A moment later, I felt a presence next to us. Sure enough it was Milanna. She was about to tap my arm when I pulled back from the kiss and looked directly at her.

I then proceeded to pull Hailey close and asked the blonde,

"Is there a problem, Milanna? I’m trying to have an intimate moment with MY girlfriend."