''If you continue to laugh, I will leave, I swear.'' Alex declared threatening.
Artemia sighed; she decided to stop teasing Alex and asked a question that she was curious about.
''Alex, when it comes to a relationship, you a complete novice I'm wrong?"
Alex shook his head; he admitted that he was a novice in relationships; after all, his relationship with the girls could be said to be his first real relationship; the previous ones were him playing around.
''I see; no wonder you are acting like that,'' Artemia said while softly caressing Alex's face, he turned his face, and his eyes were directly looking into her eyes. The two stared at each other for a moment before she continued.
''Although I understand your action from a bystander point of view, it was like you were protecting your lover. Maria might have gone a bit overboard, but it was because she was jealous of Eri; it a funny thing when you think that she was not that jealous of us, but she became totally emotional when it comes to Eri while she was didn't show such emotion when facing the fox girl, I meant Kuina. I wonder why it is like that.''
Alex was also confused; he knew he was at fault for caring too much about Eri, but it was just him doing his job; he was protecting his investment. By acting as he did, she would be grateful toward him, and maybe she would change their temporary contract into a permanent one. Talent like Eri is once lifetime opportunity, so you better not miss it. It was why Alex acted so concerned about her, forgetting the aftereffect his action could have.
If he had taken a few minutes to think about it, maybe the result would have changed; he made two mistakes, one was to give his lover the wrong idea while the second one was to plant a fake seed inside Eri, depending on the situation Eri might misinterpret his action as him being interested in her which would make her change the way she views him and who knows she might start developing romantic feeling for him, something Alex never wanted nor planned.
When Artemia explained everything to Alex, he was shocked; he never thought a casual decision would have many repercussions. He vowed to be more prudent in the future.
''What should I do?''
''Artemia, please tell me!"
Seeing Alex so fragile made Artemia feel an unknown emotion. She quickly pushed this emotion back as she knew it would not end well if she were to let this emotion take control; who knows, she might turn into the next Sakuya.
''Ah! I don't know what to say. While I wish you two to reconcile, I don't know where she is.'' Artemia shrugged her shoulders, but Alex didn't believe her; he decided to gamble.
''Please tell me where she is. I couldn't sleep since a few days ago. I want to see her and makeup with her. I can't leave without her; without her beside me, I'm incomplete; she the piece that makes the rest whole. Every one of you is important to me. I don't want to lose either of you. If I didn't overcome this small problem, it would be hard to manage the rest of you. So please help me.''
Seeing Alex, who was practically begging her, the princess sighed; she could feel the other girl's presence outside of the room, they were spying on them, and when they heard she might know where Maria was, they became reckless. If not because they were spying on them, they would have barged in; however, Artemia was sure that if she didn't give Alex a satisfactory answer, those girls would barge in to demand an explanation.
''Okay, stop begging. I will tell you. I have just found out where she was this morning, and she forced me to keep a secret, saying if I ever tell any of you, she would not forget me. Knowing her, you must understand that she is not the one to joke easily; therefore, I kept secret; however, now I'm going to tell you, as, for the consequences, I will assume them.''
Artemia's declaration made Alex feel loved; he lifted his head and kissed her; she was surprised by the sudden kiss but soon responded. Their kiss didn't last long and was not too wild.
''I guess this is my reward, but it's not enough. I wished for more.'' The greedy Artemia could stop but want more.
Alex nodded and whispered something into the princess's ears which made her widen her eyes before she chuckled and said.
''Okay, sure. We have a deal!"
Outside, Gracier looked at Eris, Eri and the other girls wondering what Artemia's words meant.
''Young lady. I think it's inappropriate for you to know more about the master and the mistress talk. It's adult stuff.'' Noire was the one to say this; the others looked elsewhere; they didn't want to be the one to tell Gracier what Artemia truly wished as a reward.
Gracier frowned; when Alex was whispering to Artemia, someone among the girls blocked her ears so she couldn't hear what her brother had said.
''If you don't tell me. I will tell Big brother that you spy on him, and knowing him, he would be very angry. I believe none of you want to see him angry, do you?''
Noire and the others looked at each other perplexed, wondering if Gracier was truly trying to threaten them while being part of the group spying on Alex? But most of them didn't say anything; however, not everyone was the same; for example, Eri couldn't stay still; she glared at Gracier.
''Go on and tell him, I will tell him that you were here together with us, and let's see what he would say.''
Facing Eri's threat Gracier chuckled and tilted her head to the side.
''I wonder if he would believe you z total stranger or me his lovely sister he loved more than anything?"
Gracier question left Eri speechless; she looked at Gracier for a moment before shouting.
''Shameless!"
''That is my second nickname.'' Gracier declared proudly while looking at Eri retreating; she left the room in a hurry. Noire and the other girls exchanged glances before sighing.
'Shameless indeed.'