Chapter 5

Alessia's POV

We entered the office. I tried not to look at the blonde man sitting across the desk. I trained my eyes toward Apollo who' now sitting rigidly on the visitor's seat.

"Good morning, your excellency." The three of us greeted each other and bowed together.

The prime minister didn't answer so I frowned and couldn't help to see why.

I slightly glanced at the prime minister. His face right now is filled with surprise...while looking at me. It's not hard to imagine why he reacted that way. He recognized me and must have known that I had left the palace. I didn't know how to react either, so my expression remained blank.

It looked away as if it had been burned and it stood up and suddenly bowed in front of the three of us. My eyebrows suddenly raised while Ales and Khleo were surprised.

I can't help myself why the prime minister did that. He's a proud man and never bows to anyone, except to the King. Why did he bow?

He cannot...no it's impossible that he bows because of me. There is no reason for him to bow before me. I am not someone that he will respect to that extent. It's more fitting that he will glare at me.

"Y-your excellency?" Apollo was more dumbfounded than us. Everyone in the room, to be exact.

"Ah...my back...my back hurts." The prime minister suddenly promised that now he was frowning. He's still standing but his eyes are pointing to the ground.

"D-do you need a physician, your excellency? Is there something wrong with the chair?" Apollo was confused.

"Don't mind me." The prime minister gave a short speech.

I became suspicious. I know the seat in this office is as soft as clouds. There is no way he will hurt his back...not unless he's injured beforehand.

"You three, take your seats." Apollo suddenly ordered us.

We are like robots sitting in empty chairs. The prime minister is frowning and he sat back in his chair after we sat down. He's acting suspiciously.

"Before we start, this is our Prime Minister Montague. He's here for a huge project." Apollo said and he looked back at the prime minister. "Your excellency, this is Ales Condor, Alessia Andromeda Condor, and Khleo Zalleon. They are the best engineers in the association. I am confident that they are the perfect fit for the huge project." He proudly stated while looking at the prime minister.

I've been thinking about what this project is. Another palace for the prime minister? The prime minister's face is still serious like a robot who doesn't know how to smile.

"I trust your judgment. But I am running out of time, please discuss to...t-these p-people about the project they will be working on." The prime minister replied and stood up. "I'll go ahead." He said and suddenly bowed to the three of us before leaving.

All of us who were left behind almost dropped our jaws. The first time he did that, I can still consider that it was because of his back...but now, there is no way he did that because of his back.

What is happening? I can't stop thinking. My inner self is saying that it was related to me, but I don't want to assume things. Even though I have suspicions, I don't want to assume.

"Sir Apollo, I'm nervous. Why is the prime minister bowing to us?" Khleo asked impatiently when the prime minister was no longer inside.

Ales and I think so. But my mind keeps dragging to Elijah. Is he paying respect because I was associated with their king before? Is that even possible when he despised me before? I broke their ancient tradition which is polygamy. I can still remember the resentment in his eyes that day.

"I don't know either, Khleo. But I need you to be careful. Everything is just suspicious." Apollo replied.

"Then why did you accept this project, sir? You can refuse this if you find the project suspicious." I can't stop saying that. If I have the option to opt out of this project, I will. But it's included in the contract that we will accept all projects assigned to us—even though there will be a conflict of interest.

"I don't dare to refuse the prime minister. You know we can be killed if we refuse them." Apollo had a difficult answer. "In regards to that, this project is related to the king."

My hands suddenly tightened their grip when I heard the word king. As much as possible, I don't want to associate with him. Working with your ex is unusual.

"A royal greenhouse will be built inside the Palace grounds. This will be a big greenhouse with its facilities. There will be another project which is the Colosseum. There will be a total of four engineers who will work on these projects." Apollo explained to us.

greenhouse? Colosseum? It makes sense. There is nothing like that in the palace so naturally, they will build it. I didn't find it suspicious and Apollo was just choosing the best engineers for this project. The only suspicious thing is...why did they choose the builder's association when there is an exclusive builder for the Palace?

I tightened my grip once again. I can't stop thinking that this is happening because of me.

Did he know that I am working here? But he already gave up on me long ago! It's impossible that he's doing this because of me!

"You know that the reputation of the builders of Valeria is no longer good, that's why they came to us. We did a great job here in Caracass, so it's not surprising that they chose us. I don't think it's suspicious." Ales said that he had been silent for a while.

"It makes sense," Apollo replied.

"I see," Khleo said.

Yes. It makes sense. I am just overthinking that this happening is all because of me. It's been three years and he didn't do anything. I don't think we will be directly working with the king since there will be advisors and the prime minister who will handle this project.

You will be fine, Alessia. He can no longer break you. I remind myself. My chest calmed down. How can I forget that the feeling is no longer the same?

"When do we start the project?" I asked. I calmed down and believe that everything is alright.

"In three days, all of you will go to the palace for a survey. Then you'll be given a week to create the blueprint. Each of you will present it to the royal advisor. They will choose the best design. will handle the project." Apollo said and because of what he said I suddenly felt light in my mood.

It only means, if I will give an ordinary blueprint, I will not be chosen. I smiled inwardly. This is easier than I thought. I cannot verbally say that I don't want to do it, but I can just choose not to be chosen.

"You said it would be four of us...who's the fourth?" Khleo asked.

I don't care who's the fourth person. What I care about right now is to make sure, my design will not be chosen.

"You'll meet the fourth person on the third day. For now, just make sure to do your best in this project." Apollo responded to us.

We all nodded. We didn't stay in there too long and we went out to continue the work. I will be back today at the hospital to deliver and explain the changes in the blueprint.

I temporarily put out of my mind the thought of us going to the palace, three days from now. I hope everything goes well.

•••

"TOPAZIO, take me back to the hospital," I told Topazio who was now sitting in the lounge area. He reads a newspaper while drinking coffee. It immediately stopped what it was doing and stood up.

"You go out often, Miss." He commented while walking out of the building.

I used to not go out or go to the site much because Ales was doing that. All I do is create a new design and Ales does the site visit. But then we were not busy. But now I can't do that because Ales is busy too. So I had no choice but to go.

"Because Topazio is needed." I just answered him.

I walked out and got into the carriage. Topazio immediately ran it. I turned my gaze outside the window where we were passing many merchants.

My forehead was suddenly wrinkled because suddenly I caught a familiar bulk that was now standing on an apple stand.

A man wearing a black hooded robe. The same build and height. I can assure you that this is the same man I saw in the forest. The sword is on his back...the same sword he used that day.

My face is almost sticking out of the window. I was anticipating who was the man who killed the demon and left like nothing happened.

He dramatically turned and the first thing I noticed on his face was the scar on his left eye. His face is not familiar at all. He's now holding a pack of apples. I stared at him and suddenly our eyes met.

I was suddenly terrified because of the blade of his gaze. I unconsciously hid and I felt my hands tremble a little. His sharp eyes are intimidating. A typical hunter that makes everyone intimidated and fear them.

I guess the hunters must look dangerous since they hunt demons. He looks like he killed a lot already. Just his mere look sends me fear. It was like you'll be frozen if you linger more than it should be.

I leaned back in the chair. I don't want to meet that man in the future. He's dangerous and cold-blooded without any words.

I calmed myself down and the carriage continued to roll going to the site. I didn't even try to look out the window because I lost my appetite. I'm afraid that I will see something that will completely ruin my day.

It wasn't long before we arrived at the site. I immediately went in and gave the blueprint and explained the changes to them. They didn't have a hard time understanding that because my explanation was clear.

After that, I got back into the carriage and left the site. I have to go back to the office to finish my pending ones especially and there is a bigger project coming up. But I have no intention of doing that. But just in case, I don't want any pending work remaining. Because sometimes, the more we expect, the less it will happen.

I was also back in the office and did the work I had to do. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't finish it all. I will need another day to finish it. So the day ended with little left. Apollo didn't add any more because he knew we had a project to work on in the next few days.

I didn't stay long in the office and I went home. I just walked from the office but in the middle of my walk, suddenly someone got into a fight in the middle of the road.

I was about to turn around because I didn't want to pry into whatever they were fighting about. But suddenly the number of immortals that were there increased and I swept away and joined the immortals who were giving birth to those who were fighting!

"What didn't you do on purpose?! Because the road is so big, you passed by here where there are vendors? And now you've come across my goods, you're going to say that I'm the one blocking the way?!" A salesman yelled angrily at another decently dressed man.

Err, I just want to get out of this place. My brain says this because I'm not interested in listening to their exchange of crisp cheapness.

"Why? Isn't it true? That's where you put your goods?" The decent man also responded angrily.

"Can you come by?" I asked the immortals behind me. I couldn't go out because of the crowd. We almost changed faces here because it was so crowded.

"Miss, can you not make a mess? We're listening to the conversation here." An ale responded to me with annoyance and even tortured me.

Is it my fault? I asked in my mind in disbelief. I understand that there are indeed many beings who want to listen to those who are fighting, which is what it is all about. But I have no interest in that and I'm still the one being forced into it.

I tried to force my way out but I couldn't. I felt a little irritated because of what was happening. But I can't blame them either because if I hadn't been careless I wouldn't be in this group.

"It's like you were just born in Caracass ah. That's why the road space is big and that's also for street vendors. It's one of the laws there to sell here. We pay taxes for our place so you can't say that it will be closed- get in the way because we're in the right position. You're the one who doesn't look at the road!" The salesman replied angrily.

"Yes! One day he also crashed into someone, the ale couldn't even do anything because he was scared of him." A seller said.

"Lies!" An angry rant of a decent man.

My irritation is getting worse because I can smell the sweaty immortals. A mixed smell of sweat and sun. Someone else is smelling his armpits, which almost wears out my patience. I've been putting up with it for a while now, but the smell of anyone's armpits is offensive.

"That's illegal you're doing!" The decent man shouted again.

"What's illegal? Do you still want to avoid your responsibility? Pay for everything you damaged!" The salesman whined.

"Your face is so thick you're going to get hurt!" The decent man also shouted. "You're going to make me money, those are rotten products of yours!"

They exchanged harsh words while I endured the smells. So when my patience was almost exhausted I spoke.

"Sir, do you have a permit to sell here?" I almost asked with a frown but held it back. The smell of the armpits is annoying, it's getting worse. Others dared to raise their arms as if there was no smell.

"Don't interfere with it!" A decent man shouted at me.

I stared at it. If I wasn't in my position now, I wouldn't bother with them.

"I have it, young lady, this is my permit to sell here. We all have it." The seller answered me and showed me a paper from the chancellor. That's proof that they can sell here.

"In that case, you have to pay for the goods you damaged. They are in the right place and place of sale. If you don't pay for the goods you damaged, you will go to jail." I seriously promise a decent man. I just want to get out of this place.

His face flooded with rage when I said that. The salesman is right. Others thought they could get through everything by shouting. The law is the law.

"Who do you think you are—"

"What's the mess?" Suddenly the sentinels that I didn't notice when they arrived came.

I was suddenly alarmed and what I couldn't get out of the crowd before, I did. I don't even know how I did it, someone else winced because I forced myself to do it.

When I saw them, it automatically made me want to avoid them even though there was no need. So anyway, I quickly left that place.