Hailey looked at the woman before her as she got up off her feet. The look in the woman’s eyes. Now having experienced the same feeling for Apollo, knew exactly in what manner Milanna was looking at her.

It freaked her out... ’How does Apollo deal with that kind of look from multiple women all at once?’

She didn’t have time to determine what that meant about her, as Milanna stood up and screamed again.

"Hailey! My love! What are you doing here?!? This is the best thing that has happened to me since I last saw you! How about a smooch to celebrate this auspicious meeting?"

Hailey frowned hearing that and resisted the urge to punch Milanna. Holding the container in her hand was a big contributing factor. "Excuse me, Milanna. I am in a committed relationship. So even if I was attracted to you, which I am not, I certainly wouldn’t be kissing you. I don’t cheat on my man."

Hearing that, Milanna showed a faint trace of hostility as she spoke. "Oh, but you are perfectly fine with him sticking his dick in how many women?"

Hailey’s head violently twitched multiple times and closed her eyes, not able to look at the woman in front of her.

"I-I’m Sorry, that was out of line Princess. I-It’s just. I’m just... Sorry..." Milanna spoke and her voice sounded genuinely remorseful so Hailey opened her eyes and let out a deep breath.

"If you say so... So what are you doing here Mil? Mil?" Hailey called out to Milanna twice. And watched as blood began to pour from Milanna’s nose.

"H-H-Hailey. T-Tiara. hahhh~" The woman proceeded to literally swoon and fall backwards. Hailey just stood there. Her expression, unchanging. Not amused.

A few moments later, Milanna sprang to her feet and took a boxing stance, throwing a few light swings before realising what she just did. Lowering her eyeline so she wouldn’t embarrass herself again, she took a hanky from her jacket and covered her nose before she asked, confused.

"I’d assume for the same reason you are here no? Are you joining the-"

"-Milanna Greyard. The King will see you now. I also advise you to seal your mouth. You almost spilled military secrets." One of the Praetorian’s spoke up and stepped from the entrance of the door to usher Milanna inside.

Milanna looked shocked at that revelation and asked. "Wait, why are you here then?" She then looked towards the centurions then at Hailey. The action continued a few more times

Centurions, Hailey, Centurions, Tiara, nosebleed intensified causing her to shudder before looking back into Hailey’s beautiful eyes.

"I- I have to go. Lets catch up later? M’kay?"

...

Hailey continued to wait a while longer. She couldn’t focus again, so she just watched the cleaners clean up the nosebleed for a while and waited in silence for a while longer after that before finally she was called upon.

A techno mechanic walked out of the doors the Praetorians were guarding and the moment she did, the two Praetorians began to walk down the hall, their job seemingly done?

"Princess Hailey? The King will see you now. It will just be the two of you at his request." The robed figure also then walked away, bowing in her direction the entire time.

Hailey sighed out the small amount of nerves she was feeling, she had faith in Apollo’s product wholeheartedly.

She then walked to the doors and entered. The moment she did. Sigismund stood up from his chair and raised his hands up.

"There she is! Where have you been? I expected you a day ago. So sorry for the waiting, some classified happenings... Woah! Someone is dressed to impress! Wearing that tiara even all the way here in nowhere is going to get out. Seems you didn’t come to play."

Hailey let out a small smirk at Sigismund’s attitude. He was always kind to her, something she appreciated since how much of a monster he was in combat. She did forget how short he was in his calm state though. She was used to looking up at Apollo, Orchid and the old hag that she forgot size didn’t always equal power.

"Yes, my King. I am-"

"Whoa! ’My King’ Are you trying to tug at my heartstrings already? I like it. Pulling out all the stops. Come give me a hug first, not seen you since Elaine’s shindig and it was years before that."

Hailey put the box down. It was a direct order from her king and uncle. As she embraced the man. After pulling back, she looked around the room for a moment and was confused. There were no other doors into this meeting room and Milanna and the supposed Praetorians inside did not exit through the door with the techno-mechanic.

’Strange.’

*Clap*

"Right then, my darling. Shall we have a look at what you brought me?" Sigismund said as he began to rub his hands together as he approached the case.

Hailey frowned at being called ’darling’, but could let it slide as Sigismund was acting as his true unguarded self and was just being nice. ’Plus he is a eunuch, so no harm there.’ She added to her thoughts before walking to his side and placed her hand on top of the case.

"Yes, I truly believe as royalty of this empire, that this drug is going to be revolutionary and could possibly replace the Lyssa drug if altered down the line."

Sigismund rubbed his stubbly beard in thought. "Replace the Lyssa you say... I do like the sound of that I will not lie. As a person who goes through extreme emotions almost daily. I know what surviving a rage like that can do and the toll it takes on a mind. Alright, open it up. Let’s see what Sentinel Apollo has come up with... Ooh, I feel like a virgin on bacchanalia. I’m so excited... You know, metaphorically speaking, as I can’t- Just open the box."

Hailey then opened her case and with a crisp noise the air tight seal opened up and inside was a large amount of the drug in its current states alongside some paperwork.

Sigismund ignored the paperwork like the plague and picked up one of the pills and opened it up to sniff the inside. "Hmm, not even any chemical smell? You mentioned the other day you have taken the drug yourself?"

Hailey nodded. "Yes, which is why I am here in my Tiara making an ass out of myself in front of all the Phalanx."

Sigismund snorted and patted Hailey on the back playfully, though she resisted the urge to cry out in pain. "Hah! I feel the same way kid, feel like a right toss pot when I have to dress up. Take it off if you want, you have already made an impression now."

His attention immediately went elsewhere. "Oh, an inhaler? That’s nifty." Sigismund then brought the inhaler to his mouth and was about to try the drug before

*SLAM!*

"Put that down you overeager ox! Are you out of your mind?!?" A feminine augmented voice exclaimed as they barged their way through the doors. "I told you, as wonderful as the brain of Sentinel Lambdason is, the drug needs testing on others before you take it! You are a high risk!"

"Jocasta!" Sigismund yelled out delightedly, before suddenly realising she had not come alone. Immediately King mode was mantled as he coughed. "I am glad you have arrived. I thought you should be one of the first on this considering our mutual interest in the provider." He then turned to the young man accompanying his friend and smiled authoritatively.

"So, young man, you must be."

"Ronnie?" Hailey suddenly interjected, surprised. He looked different from his pictures now. Shaved head with metal temp augments poking out. But him being the captain of the ship that brought Apollo to her, she would recognise the face.

Ronnie then turned to Hailey and smiled. "Princess Hailey, It is an honour to finally meet you in person. Apollo spoke very highly of you."

"Hehe." Hailey let out a laugh before suppressing herself.

"You know this stick Hailey? Goodness Jocasta, the temp augment’s you have put in him look heavier than his whole body."

Jocasta patted her apprentice on the back. "As per the contract I signed I put nothing in or on the man he didn’t want in and he is stronger than he looks. Though I will admit he has lost physical strength since the temps went in. But they are needed for his training and access to 99% of my facility."

Hailey then sighed internally with relief that Sigismund got distracted and she didn’t have to explain that she knew Ronnie from the gigantic dossier she had on Apollo before they became a couple...

"So why have you brought the lad Jocasta?"

"Why? He is my apprentice and a dear friend of Apollo. It makes perfect sense for him to join us. Plus I thought he could be a test subject before you since he agreed to it. I am curious what the effects will have on him and study them. This Gene-enhancement and augmenting is the opposite end of the spectrum of my own enhancement, so I am eager to learn to expand my scientific understanding." she mused and picked up a syringe with one of her metal tendrils.

"Hmm." Sigismund hummed, rubbing his chin. "That does make sense. However, if I may make a counter point?"

*Tssk!*

The sound of an inhaler suddenly permeated throughout the room followed by an extremely loud binaric squawk of concern.