The hivemind is conquering for me?

”Man, that hit the spot.” I exclaimed as I rested back in my chair and looked at the ceiling. I felt so full, but it felt so good. The food was amazing.

’Wait... Where am I?’ I thought to myself as I remembered that the food had been brought to me and did not just manifest before me. ’Though that would be the dream...’

Looking around the room, my memory was jogged. I was in the royal palace. The others had left the room for some reason and now I was alone with...

My eyes locked with Elaine who instantly smirked at me as she held a small bowl of sorbet in one hand and a spoon in the other that was in her mouth.

”Welcome back to the world, Apollo. I thought I lost you there for a moment.” She said after removing the spoon.

I felt myself blush. I really had lost myself, everything had tasted so good.

”Sorry, your grace. I know I said that my manners were leaving the building, but I really didn’t mean to wolf out like this... It was the accelerant. I think. I hope.”

”Apollo, relax, it’s fine. While you were ’wolfing out’ I had a thought. You know how to let loose. I, on occasion, also enjoy letting loose. I was wondering if you would accompany me to my room? I wouldn’t ask just anyone, but from our little philosophical discussion earlier, I want to take a chance on you.”

”Is this a request or an order from the queen?” I said in a joking tone.

”This is a request, though if you deny me, I will make it an order.” She said as her face turned playful for a moment before returning to normal.

”Then how can I say no? I’ll be happy to accompany you for a while... Wait, won’t Dickon be there? I doubt he would want to see me.”

Elaine looked at me confused. ”First of all, King Dickon, Apollo. Second. Why would he be in my room? He is in his room.”

”Oh you have your own rooms? My bad, I assumed you shared one. Sure, let’s go then.”

”Ah! Wait a second, Apollo. I still have my sorbet. I don’t eat as fast as you do.”

”Oh... Right. My bad. Please, take your time.”

...

Elaine and I walked down the halls of the palace in unison. She once more had her arms wrapped around mine and smiled at passer-by’s

I couldn’t tell who was who. What role each person had. If they were a servant or if they were a noble, Elaine could and pointed them out to me as I walked.

I was honestly impressed. Though she did also live here, It was probably just her knowing who was in her home and for what reason.

Before long we arrived in front of a set of doors which Elaine then parted from me to open. ”Please, come in.” She said, smiling with her eyes closed. I was momentarily stunned by the woman. I hadn’t really paid it much mind, but for some reason the way she invited me in made her look very homely and pretty.

I shook the thought aside, it was just an observation and made my way inside.

Gaudy.

Gaudy and red.

My thoughts must have been obvious as she giggled as she shut the door behind her, locking it in the process. ”Gaudy I know. But I am a queen. I am expected to live in opulence.”

”Yeah, it’s really nice. It ain’t no cave, but I suppose it will do.” I joked, eliciting a laugh from Elaine.

”Oh really? Tell me what your cave has that this room doesn’t have.”

I looked around. Of course, it didn’t have an 80 foot alien queen inside it with her queen guards... But this room did have a queen. It had a bed... It didn’t have a bed bug, but I couldn’t bring that up...

”Ummm... the walls? No... Oh! It doesn’t have a laboratory!” I said in triumph, prompting Elaine to raise an eyebrow.

”Your laboratory was in your bedroom? That is interesting.” She admitted.

”Well, technically it was in a room a bit away, but cave is cave.”

Elaine walked further into the room after I said that, she pointed to her right towards an extinguished fireplace. ”Apollo, take a seat by the fire if you wouldn’t mind. I am going to change quickly.”

”Sure, no problem. Should I light the fire?” I asked.

Elaine paused and looked towards the fireplace. ”Sure, why not? Though no Psionics...” She added the last part after I snapped my fingers and the logs inside ignited.

”Oh, my bad. I forgot” I said, but Elaine just shrugged her shoulders.

”It’s fine. Call it our little secret. Now I won’t be long.”

Elaine went behind one of those zig zagged wall divider things and before I could act, her toga went over the top of it. Giving her her privacy, I sat on the couch and watched the fire for a few moments and began to smile as Sol began to flirt with me now we had a moment alone.

...

Elaine checked a screen that was connected to a closed circuit array of gems she had in her room that acted as security cameras. This was another test. Her dinner just now told her one thing about Apollo. She did like him.

He had a simpleness about him that she appreciated. So she had to make sure her hunch was correct. If he failed, she would kick him out and never speak to the man again. As she had to be sure.

She had attempted to make male friends before. Dozens of times. None had passed this test.

Standing in just her panties, she just watched, observed. Apollo did as he was told. He remained on the couch. After a couple of minutes was when the usual lingering glances towards the divider began.

Curiosity. Behind here was a queen. Almost completely naked, vulnerable. Would his mind wander?

After nearly five minutes there was nothing. Not even a single glace. Elaine felt the corner of her lip crease upwards. She knew he was a good boy. Now for the final test and she can share her little secret unwind with him.

...

”Apollo?”

I suddenly heard.

’Hold that thought babe, we will continue this later.’ I said with a telepathic wink before standing up and turning to the zig zag thing. ”Yes, Ela- Queen Elaine?”

”I came back here and forgot my bra. Could you fetch one for me? They will be in the top drawer by my bed.”

”Sure, one second.” I said, shrugging my shoulders. Walking over to the beside draw. Opening the top, sure enough, there were bras.

”Do you have a preference?”

”No, just a black one will do.” She said.

I nodded, picked up a black one that looked supportive and walked over to the zig zagged wall before draping it over the top like her toga.

”I left it next to your toga. I’ll go sit back down.”

...

Elaine blinked as she looked at her crystals. Not a moment’s hesitation. Not a glance. Not even a pause. Of course she was delighted to see this, he passed her final test of worthiness, but at the same time. Did he really just not find her attractive enough to risk it?

She shook the thought aside, she was starting to think like her mother and the thought sent shivers down her spine. ’Just be glad he passed, don’t look into the other shit like a psycho bitch...’

...

Hearing movement from my left I turned and Elaine finally emerged from behind the wall. She was wearing another Stola, though this one had much less fabric, less flowing and slightly tighter though still looked roomy and breathable. It was also shorter reaching halfway down her thigh.

I noticed from the corner of my eye the bra I had brought her was still atop the wall, but I shrugged my shoulders; she must have decided against wearing it.

The only thing that had me confused was what took so long? Aside from removing her crown, she still looked basically the same.

’Must be a woman thing’

As she approached she was holding a small box in her arms. She placed a box on the table in front of me before taking a seat by my side.

She then turned to me seriously and spoke. ”So, I told you I wanted to let loose today. Your presence and mannerisms has drawn it out of me.”

I nodded. ”You did say that. Do you have something in mind? I’m not exactly sure what it is you want to do? Though my intuition tells me that box is involved.”

”Wow... I am in the company of a genius.” Elaine teased.

”You are only just realising? My mind is an enigma; few truly see its brilliance without succumbing to madness.”

Elaine swatted my arm playfully. ”Don’t start getting cheeky with me, young man. You may be that big, but don’t you think I won’t fight back if you start a war you cannot win.”

I raised my arms in defeat, prompting Elaine to nod her head before pulling the table towards us. ”Yes, Genius. The box contains what I do to let loose. Apollo, you need to promise me you won’t share this with anyone. I am asking you as my new friend.” She placed her hand on my thigh and squeezed slightly.

”Not a word, your grace.”

” Just Elaine. You have earned it.” Elaine said with a smile before reaching over to the box and opening it up.

The moment it opened my eyes went wide as I looked inside. I was quite shocked.

”Is that what I think it is?”