The hivemind is conquering for me?

I decided to look at the silver lining as Kathrine ignored my plea. At least these leeches were the type to keep their distance and didn’t come over to ask millions of personal questions. As we entered the restaurant grounds, we were intercepted by a member of staff.

”Lady Hyllus, Archon Lambdason, welcome to our establishment, this way if you please.” The member of staff said, ushering us forward. He then escorted us to our table which was in a slightly elevated portion of the establishment, giving a pleasant view as we had our meal.

I was naturally drawn to the paparazzi on the other side of the street that were still taking pictures of us... But my hatred was temporarily squashed as once the waiter left as he placed the drink menu in front of us, I had to ask.

”How did that dude know my name? Did you tell him over the phone?” Kathrine looked at me with a slightly cocked head and furrowed eyebrows for a second before she clocked onto what I meant.

”Oh! I suppose you still aren’t that versed in Spartari politics dear. Other than when I go to your club, which has already become a scandal in the upper echelons of nobility, My allies and friends alike keep tabs on pretty much everything I do. It should come to no surprise that my fondness for you is already out there for all to know.”

I placed my menu down and gave a cheeky look to Kathrine. ”Fondness is it? And here I thought you felt a lot more for me than mere fondness” The two of us maintained eye contact for a steely moment before we both began softly laughing together.

Kathrine then reached her hand across the table, to which I replied and held my hand over hers. I used my thumb to gently stroke the side of her hand for a short while before the waiter came back.

”Have the lovely couple thought of their drinks for this evening?” He asked, causing Kathrine to jump out of daydream land. ”Oh! One red wine and a brandy please.” She said with a smile, causing the man to nod before asking if, considering the sunset and time, if we wanted lunch or dinner menus.

After leaving and returning, he placed both drinks down in front of us with both menus, I had a gander before asking Kathrine. ”So, how’s post divorce life treating you?” I could tell my question was the last thing Kathrine had expected as she almost spat out her rather large sip of wine all over the table.

She then noticed my suppressed smirk and began rubbing the rim of her glass with her finger. ”Oh, well, considering Milo and I’s previous arrangement, It has not changed much... My affair partner has been getting a little clingy though, talking about uniting our souls together... It’s like he doesn’t remember our original agreement was supposed to be strictly sexual. I mean, he even asked me out on a date, can you believe the balls on him? I am a very influential noble and he is just some bumpkin from the outer rim.”

”Is that so?” I smirked, causing Kathrine to cradle her chin with her fingers as she narrowed her eyes cheekily. ”Hmmm.” I hummed before picking up my drink. ”Do you know what that makes me think?”

Kathrine scrunched her nose playfully and asked. ”No, tell me.” I sipped my brandy and took an exaggerated sigh of satisfaction before saying casually, looking at my glass. ”This bumpkin must have some incredible looking balls on him if you agreed after all that hassle.”

”Hah!-” Kathrine immediately closed her mouth with her hands after beginning to laugh at an octave a few too high for the establishment. Nearby tables looked over abruptly and after a few awkward waves from Kathrine the status quo returned.

She then turned to me while I raised an eyebrow, a silent question on my face wanting an answer. Kathrine then took a cursory look around before biting her lip and leaning in. ”Oh, they are a sight to behold, but it’s what hangs atop them that is the real Masterpiece to look at.”

It was at this point, I spotted a familiar face walking towards us and I felt incredibly mischievous, leaning in myself, I then softly asked. ”Oh yeah? What do you like to do with this ’masterpiece’ that your bumpkin has?”

Kathrine bit her lip. ”Mmmh, I love to lick it, taste it. Gobble it up until it reaches the back of my throat and continue until- ””- Have you had time to look over the menu yet?” Kathrine suddenly froze like a deer in headlights as her eyes widened, looking up at the waiter who was now standing there, inverting his lips slightly as he clearly heard what was just said as he approached.

Kathrine, mortified, then turned to Apollo who was doing his best not to burst out laughing, but his shoulders bouncing up and down gave away that he had goaded her into this embarrassing situation.

Kathrine recovered quickly however and perused the menu quickly. After ordering, the waiter then turned to me and after wiping the tears from my eyes said, ”Oh, apologies, two flies simultaneously flew into each one of my eyes. What are the odds of that happening?”

The waiter said nothing and waited a moment for me to reply. ”I will have the same as her.” the waiter then nodded. ”Excellent choice sir, I shall be right-”

”Oh, and I am feeling extra peckish. So, let’s see. Add two steaks, cooked medium, some sort of cured meat platter and something with a lot of citrus. Oh! Do you guys make fresh bread? If so, some of that with honey butter as well.”

”Of course sir, anything else?” The waiter said as he took down the extended order, it did sometimes happen that a noble would want to take a meal home with them after all. I rubbed my chin in thought, regretting I had not grown facial hair for a moment before shaking my head.

”No, that will be enough for now, I need to make sure there is room for dessert.” I then winked to Kathrine who scoffed, folded her arms and looked away. The edge of the waiter’s lips curled slightly at that and with that simple facial expression, I won date night! Day, noon, sunset. The pedantic didn’t matter, I won!

The waiter then nodded and walked away. After watching him leave for a moment, I turned to the pouty kitten in front of me. ”Kat. Kat~~~ Kathrine~ your master wants your attention~” Kathrine’s face tilted slightly towards me as I said that, but turned away once more as her peripheral vision noticed my smile.

I could tell that she was not actually upset, more embarrassed, so I sat back and enjoyed my drink for a little while and poured in a little boost from my flask. In fact, it was only after another sip that Kathrine’s act broke and she began giggling. She kicked me playfully under the table and leaned in.

”I can’t believe you just baited me into saying that in front of someone! I felt my soul lurch from my body!” I chuckled and raised my hands in modest defence. ”What can I say? I am a master baiter... Hmm, actually, I can’t for the life of me recall the last time I did that? I always have a helping hand close by. Hmm...” I muttered, getting side-tracked from the original point until Kathrine coughed to drag my attention back.

”Hmm? Oh. That is preposterous Kat. Your Psionic essence belongs to me after all. You are bound to me. Your soul won’t lurch anywhere without my permission and if it tried, well, let’s just say I am not giving you up. Period.”

Kathrine feared if she continued with Apollo’s current topic of conversation, she would end up in a repeat of embarrassment so she changed the topic. ”Anyways, what has gotten you so hyper my love? Pulling pranks on me in public? You are usually a lot more laid back. Surely you aren’t drunk after two and a bit glasses?”

In response to her question, I stood up and picked up my chair, moving it next to her before sitting down again. I proceeded to caress her cheek with my hand, causing her to breathe in sharply before I began playing with her hair.

”No my Luscious redhead, I am not drunk. I am high... High on you, our connection has deepened, my fire burns brighter and I suppose I am simply excited for what the future holds for us.” I then leaned in and whispered in her ear. ”My darling wife to be.”

Kathrine’s breath audibly shuddered, the previous embarrassment washed away by the warm embrace of Apollo’s loving words. She loved the man in front of her so much. ”Ah, fuck it, lets feed the vultures.”

She said passionately before leaning in to kiss me, her hands ruffling through my hair, all the while across the street enough flashes were going of that it was fortunate no one in the restaurant was epileptic.