"Alexander? Stop spacing out you clod." I snapped out of my trance as I blinked my eyes absent mindedly while looking at Dianne and Kaval.

    "Uh -er, what were you saying? I asked while giving them a half apologetic smile.

    "Is there something going on with the two of you?" Dianne asked while looking at me and Apollo questioningly. I heaved out a light laugh while shaking my head.

    "Why would you think that?"

    "I don''t know? Probably because you didn''t greet him?" Her eyebrows were raised as she spoke. Kaval nodded in agreement with his eyes closed. Smiling at them, I turned to look at Apollo. His eyes were on me which made me a tad bit shy. Internalizing, I sighed and cursed at myself for imagining those things. Unknowingly laughed absent mindedly as I reminisced the thought that popped in my head moments ago..

    Somehow, I could feel a bitter disappointment in the pits of my stomach but was quite relieved that I did not act like a fool.

    "I told you. He''s not okay. You see? He''s laughing alone?" My ears grasped the words which came from Kaval.

    "No, Kaval. I''m fine. Just had a silly thought." My eyes went back to Apollo before I gave a faint smile. Good thing that I remembered to stay on my act. Be depressive and smile while making sure that my eyes seemed to look like they held sadness within them. The trick might''ve worked as I noticed the three of them looking at me with a discerning look.

    "You look good, Apollo." My tone was soft and calm when I spoke while again, giving him a half smile.

    For a few minutes, none of us didn''t exchange a word. The table was in deafening silence as I could sense that they were quite troubled. I knew that they want to ask me questions but they can''t seem to bring it up to themselves. Wanting to not spend any more of my time in silence, I wave my hand at a waiter who was nearby.

    "I did not come here to stare with the three of you, you know? I expected food and all I get is this? I am offended." I tried to muse as the three of them snickered and smiled at me. The waiter gave us the menu which had a quite the number of choices. As we finished deciding what to have, we gave our orders to the waiter to which he smiled at.

    "Your food will be served shortly your majesties."

    "Thank you." I said while smiling at the waiter who left the table immediately.

    "How have you guys been? Is training going well for you?" I stated, wanting to start a descent conversation with them. I am also quite interested as well as to how are they preparing for the grand clash which will be in a few days from now on.

    "You bet that I have devised a plan to beat your ass up." Kaval stated while laughing. I knew that he was joking but wanting to make them believe and spreading my sense of sadness to them, I smiled at him before looking down. Dianne elbowed him as Kaval released a grunt.

    "Try not to break that much bones I guess?" I answered with a fake snicker with my head still facing the ground.

    "I- I was joking, A-Alexander. Of course-"

    "You knucklehead! How can you be so insensitive! This is why I don''t like you-" Dianne started to scold Kaval. I went on with my acting, bowing my head low and acting all depressed. To be honest, I do feel bad about lying to them as I am deceiving them at this point but a game is a game. This is not the time to just talk about things. They are training, of course but little did they know that I am already penetrating their defenses. I was deep in my thought when I felt someone''s arm sliding over my shoulder to which the action made me jolt from surprise. Apollo was looking at me with a warm gaze making me feel even more guilty but nonetheless, I still went with the plan and smiled at him sadly.

    "Don''t worry about it you guys. I will still do my best in there." I spoke and made sure that the fake enthusiasm was very evident in my voice. Kaval was looking at Dianne with a glare as the other hit him in the head.

    "We''re counting on you Alex." Apollo said, his voice soothing me.

    "Yes! I''m also trying to convince Hade to not go in on Alex that hard but whenever I try to talk about it, he changes the subject immediately. I also haven''t seen him today." Dianne said as if trying to make me feel better.

    "Don''t do that Dianne. Please, don''t make me look weak like I already am. I''ll try my best to last there with a descent amount of time. And even without powers, I''ll defeat Hade no matter what."

    "You have the guts to say that." My body froze as I recognized the voice that spoke just now. My gaze was fixated on Kaval who looked at the person behind me with a surprised expression.

    "H-Hade? What are you doing h-here?" Dianne stammered.

    I could hear the ugly noise of the chair being dragged, the metal screaming from the friction caused by the floor. I jumped lightly when Hade placed the chair harshly between me and Kaval. My senses could feel the tension between Apollo and Hade which was like a gun powder and a fire that can explode at any moment.

    "Oh. I thought we were having dinner. You know, the five of us? But I must say that I am quite disappointed to not have received an invitation? Quite rude right?" Hade turned his gaze towards me and this time, I took all the courage I have within me and looked at Hade in the eyes straight on.

    "The only rude thing here is showing up to a formal dinner without being invited. Shamefully acting like an unpolished prince, no?" I smirked. Hade looked furious at the statement but he kept his cool and laughed while clapping his hands.

    "I must say, Alexander. You have quite the brave face for a pathetic fish such as yourself." A nerve snapped within me but like Hade, I too smiled and shook my head. I can''t say the same thing as Kaval and Apollo though. Kaval was looking at Hade with such disappointment while Apollo was ready to charge at Hade here and then.

    "You better leave Hade-"

    "Or else what, Apollo? You''re scared that I might scratch your boyfriend?" I cursed myself for being shy at the statement when it was false. Although I could sense bitterness within his words, I decided to just let it go as why would he be bitter about it? Apollo started to stand up and was ready to pick up a fight with Hade but I placed my hands on his chest and motioned for him to relax. I then looked at Hade with the fakest smile I could put on my face.

    "Hade, please leave us. We do not want to cause any scene here." Kaval spoke calmly but the devil only snickered and looked at him.

    "Why the attitude, Kaval? You weren''t like that until you met this rotten sea creature over here-"

    "Because unlike before, you are acting very much like an uncultured brat right now." Dianne spoke this time.

    Hade raised his brows as he leaned on the table.

    "You can say all the things you can but the only sad thing here is-" Hade looked at me with an evil smirk before continuing.

    "How this useless organic glob is going to cry and beg for mercy inside that arena." He continued. I felt a pang of anger within me and I tried my best to suppress it as it would be better if I released my anger on him inside that arena.

    "Don''t be too sure Hade. It was not me that lost to someone''s proxy. What more when it''s the real thing. I can''t harm you with powers but remember this, I can definitely break your bones with a stone. I even fear that it would be me, who will end up killing you." I did not know what was inside of me when I said those words but I sensed my own wickedness. The others looked me with an impressed smile while Hade looked at me with a smirk.

    "Oh, feisty. We''ll see about that Alexander." He spoke and looked at Apollo.

    "You might want to watch your boyfriend closely Apollo, I might end up borrowing him because you know why? He''s fun." Hade spoke before he held my hand in his. I was shocked and tried to get my hand back but he had a strong grip on it. His eyes stayed on me as his lips touched the back of my hand sending something to what seems as a bolt of electricity down my spine.

    "Looking forward to face you in that arena. Princess." His voice held mockery and seriousness at the same time. I looked at him with now a bored expression wanting to look very much unbothered when in fact I was beyond bothered because he said the last word of his sentence, just as how he did in that godforsaken dream.

    "Princess."