Chapter 987: Impromptu Camping

Kathrine attempted to evacuate us from the room, but others were not having it. Partially it was the other nobles coming up to say a piece about the song itself. Mostly it was Valerica holding my arm in a vice grip, refusing to let me go as she stayed by my side with a caring smile and soft, loving eyes.

Getting through the nobles was tedious. Praise from strangers felt weird, but everyone was getting the opportunity to say a piece. Even Sigismund said that while it was a bit sappy for his personal taste, he could appreciate a warrior poet’s work.

As I began through the rigamarole of talking with yet another noblewoman with that look in her eyes, I suddenly felt Valerica’s grip change on my arm. The possessive ’Mine’ grasp suddenly loosened as she subtly began to massage my bicep.

I gave her a curious look, especially after our conversation this morning. She must have realised what she was doing as she suddenly excused herself, but not before whispering to Kathrine who was standing at the side.

"If you attempt to take him from this room, I will disown you."

I rolled my eyes at Valerica before suddenly feeling a shadow loom over me. Turning back to the next person, I realised immediately, I was not staring at a face like I had expected to, but at breasts.

"Eyes, up here, tiny."

Looking up at the woman’s face, I smiled. "Sorry Rham. Honest mistake."

The tall woman gave me a nudge on the shoulder. "Ah, it’s alright. I’ll give you a free pass considering that song worked me up pretty bad, I’m almost tempted to let you hit. Such a shame you are built the way you are, I reckon we could have had some fun.

Anyway, I just thought I’d give my own well done on the song, it was really sexy. Anyway, I’m going to go peg that guy, but I’ll keep you in my thoughts. Later cutie."

I looked to where she pointed and spotted a blonde haired youthful nobleman that was no bigger than five foot five. "Oh, right. Have fun, I guess?" Rham then shot me with a finger gun and gave me a playful wink before walking away.

’Well she certainly leaves an impression. Cool woman. I should introduce her to Caleb if we ever cross paths again.’

A few more faces came to speak then swiftly left the hall, the event being over and all. Just when I thought I was done, one more individual came up to me, another I recognised. Putting on a smile, I spoke.

"Hey, Bismuth. How have you enjoyed the party? Where is your date?"

" My date? Do you mean Varro? Oh, right. I suppose I am his date huh? He is ok, he didn’t want to stay for your performance, his loss. Apollo, that was- I don’t even have words. That was sensational! You are a natural talent."

I smiled. "Oh, I don’t know about that."

"Well, I do and so do my followers. I hope you don’t mind, but I live recorded your performance and well, I have had to turn off my communicator as I was being flooded with media requests and agents wanting to talk to you. Have you ever considered a career as an entertainer?"

I let out a soft chuckle and shook my head. "No. I sing for my own entertainment, tonight I just lost a wager and this was my punishment. And to be honest, I have ongoing issues with stage fright. It is not my calling."

"Oh really? I would not have expected that from what I have seen today. Out of curiosity, what is your calling? Diplomacy? War?"

"Science and Psionics. Mix them together and I become obsessed. Believe it or not, you are looking at a nerd."

Bismuth suddenly smirked playfully upon my declaration, slowly moving her body towards me, she replied. "Oh is that so? You know, back in school, I did always seem to favour nerds. I wonder if-"

"-Hands away if you want to keep them." Kathrine suddenly interrupted from the side.

"Forgive me, my lady, I was only being polite and- Oh, Kathrine, is that you? I thought I saw you earlier."

Kathrine sighed and looked at me for a moment, her face cringing before turning towards Bismuth. "Hi, Bertha. You are looking well."

I raised an eyebrow and turned to Kathrine as I asked, "Is there anyone I meet that you don’t know?"

"Apollo, I am an influential woman and ’Bismuth’ is a very famous woman. It’s natural we know each other. We are acquaintances."

"Ouch! Kathrine, that stings. It has only been what? Four? Five years since we-"

"-Stop. Not another word. The past is the past. It WILL stay there, do you understand?" Kathrine then proceeded to give Bismuth a death stare, prompting the woman to take a step back.

"U-Understood. Loud and clear." Bismuth then coughed awkwardly before swiftly composing herself and asking me.

"Well, then. Apollo. If you don’t want a career in entertainment. Might I discuss buying the rights to your song from you? I have a feeling a song created by a Sentinel will bring a great deal of hype and attention."

Kathrine began to speak on my behalf. "Bismuth, if you wish to discuss this further, all of Apollo’s business runs through me, we can discuss it tomorrow and-"

"-It will be made public domain." I interrupted, prompting Kathrine and Bismuth to turn to me and ask.

"What?"

"I’m not profiting from that song. Kat, do whatever you need to do to make sure that song becomes free for everyone to use. Then people can do what they want with it. I don’t want a penny of it. It sullies the memory of why I created the song otherwise."

Bismuth was baffled and asked. "Apollo, we are talking trillions of credits here that you could be losing out on, are you sure you want to do this?"

I smiled and wrapped my arm around Kathrine. "Certain. Love means more to me than anything monetary."

"Oh, darling~" Kathrine swooned as she looked up at me.

"I see. Well that is a beautiful sentiment, Sentinel. I don’t know many that would turn down so much money, I suppose you are a one in an empire kind of man. Either way, I think I will do a cover of the song if you are making it public. I cannot resist."

"Oh? I thought you were an actor? Are you a musician also?" I asked, curiously.

Bismuth looked genuinely perplexed before giggling. "I thought you and Lady Valerica were joking earlier, do you really not know who I am?"

I shook my head.

"Well that certainly is refreshing to hear. One in an empire? Perhaps one in a galaxy... Anyway, I should get going. Apollo, a pleasure to meet you. Kathrine. Don’t be a stranger. Five years is too long to see friends."

"Bye Bismuth." I said and waved as she left. I was smiling, she was nice as well.

I then turned to Kathrine and my smile disappeared as she was frowning.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Do you have to be nice to every good looking woman you meet? Worse yet, why does every good looking woman want to speak to you? It’s infuriating."

"Sorry, love. I was just being nice."

"I know that.... Grr, I’m not mad at you. Just your stupid sexy face..."

’Plus I wanna ride you and take you in my throat till I die of asphyxiation.’ Kathrine thought as she pressed herself up against me.

I smirked, in close proximity, I could hear that through her bondage link, but decided not to tease her.

Fortunately, I was done with the nobles now, making it so the only people’s opinions I actually cared about finally got to tell me what they thought of my singing.

"Babe! *MWAH* That was so sexy. I didn’t know you could perform like that!" Hailey said, giving me a kiss in the process.

"Thank you." I replied simply before Serena hugged me from the side, resting her head on me.

"I did not expect that when I asked you to perform while drunk. But I am glad I made you do it, that was amazing."

"Thanks Serena. But I am not drunk. Normal Psionic stuff has no effect on me, I keep telling you all."

"He is back to speaking in the first person, that’s amazing. How doesn’t he realise?" A voice mumbled, an individual that had been blending into the background better than my Nymphs.

"What was that about the first person, Adia?" I asked confused, but Hailey pulled my head down to look at her.

"That doesn’t matter; it is just a silly joke. Now, we don’t have to leave yet. Lets go sit back down and-"

"-HEY! Get your hands off him Serena!" Valerica shouted as her heels clicked across the now empty room.

Serena didn’t budge, simply smirking at Valerica. "And why would I do that? I am doing exactly what Apollo wants me to do."

Valerica frowned as she approached, stopping before me. "What is this slut talking about?"

Serena swiftly continued before I had a chance to say anything. "What do you mean? Weren’t you listening to his song? I’m putting my head on his shoulder. And now if you don’t mind, I have some things to whisper into his ear."

Serena then cupped her hand around my ear and began to utter absolute filth. Catching me off guard multiple times in less than twenty words.

Valerica frowned. She wasn’t going to let her sister twist Apollo’s words for her benefit. Two could play at this game.

She then approached my other free ear and also began whispering things to me and within moments of the two whispering things into my ears, the event room suddenly became a camping ground as a tent suddenly appeared.