Formicea

 

When I open my eyes again I feel refreshed.

 

"Ah, my princess. You're awake!" (S)

"Hey Suki. Did anything happen while I was out?" (E)

"Nothing in particular. A small session of seventeen eggs. For the rest it was calm." (S)

"No, I meant the courtyard, or the humans." (E)

"No. That one was perfectly calm. Please wait for me to prepare your "breakfast"." (S)

 

I am pretty sure she learned that word from my mother.
By the way.

 

"And mum? How is she?" (E)

 

After all, I believe that it must still be very hard on her.
Heck, even now I didn't come completely to terms with my situation.

 

"She already went out to the nursery. You slept for too long in her opinion. But don't worry we explained to her that this is a necessary aspect of your role." (S)

 

Sigh, great.

Maybe I should order them to never speak with others about the specifics of a princess.
Especially not about how I sleep in because producing brood is exhausting.
Suki leaves to fetch my food.
It seems the option to eat with my family is already gone.
So I wait quietly for my meal as I truly feel a little bit more hungry since I collapsed.
This might be an indicator for me to take in more sustenance.

When Suki returns it's just the basic mushroom and nectar combination.
I'm a little disappointed but I guess it's good if big feasts stay something special.
Especially the nectar still tastes well.
I feel full when I'm done.

After that, there isn't too much to do, in my opinion.
I guess boredom is one of the things a princess has to deal with.
I mean, it's not like I could go out and help with building new tunnels or tend to the fields.
Just imagining Kyska's expression if I'd do that.

Acquiring books might be a good thing.
Or some games, yet all we had at home combusted with it.
Still, it shouldn't be impossible to get some.
I believe this should still be within the limits.

Or for example a stack of cards.
I would at least always have Kyska around to play with me.
Yet at the moment there's nothing like this.
Instead, I can just aimlessly wander around in my courtyard.
Well, and wait for my next session.

It's not that watching the daily life of the insects isn't interesting, but I miss the surface a little, where more happens or you at least see more than what's confined in these tunnels.
At least there is nature, something that gets thoroughly wiped out within the hive.
It seems one of my guests notices that I am free.

 

"It seems being a princess is quite the chilled job. At your age I already had five different daily lessons regarding managing my territory." (T)

 

I can't really come up with a response.
For someone who's about to lead absurd numbers of subordinates, I am living rather relaxed and no one's going to ask anything from me.

 

"It's... My responsibilities aren't really set yet. Most of it happens automatic and politics are not really a thing if everyone just knows the greater good or complies anyway." (E)

"If you say so. But you shouldn't just stay passive like this. That never works out." (T)

"You're different from usual. Did something happen?" (E)

"Maybe, maybe not. And you?" (T)

"Some problems. Mostly of private nature." (E)

"Fine, you don't have to tell me." (T)

 

I hope I didn't waste a chance here by not telling her anything when she goes as far as approaching me.

 

"But for having troubles, it seems that it's still rather quiet here." (T)

"I would just wish for something to happen." (E)

 

That's at least what I was thinking before suddenly an army of insects spreads in my courtyard, parts, and from the center emerges...

 

<Erys, there you are!> (L)

<Screak!/What!? Liseti? Why're you here?> (E)

<I had something to convey and this place was close by. So sending a messenger wasn't necessary.> (L)

<Okay. What is it?> (E)

 

She comes a little closer.
I didn't notice before but even if she appears to be calm there is this atmosphere around her.
It's not hard to figure this out.
Her pheromones tell enough.
She's annoyed.

 

<I went to Honiu to request on your behalf the pheromone agent she used on your mother.> (L)

<You did that for me? Thank you! But, that you're here without it must mean she denied it.> (E)

<She was quite amused that after I went to her with all my authority to take your mother with me would return "begging her" for the concoction.> (L)

 

Did I say annoyed?
She's fuming!

 

<I-I'm sorry for this. That means there's no way to convince her, right?> (E)

 

Seeing how troubled my family is right now I would really like to help in some way.

 

<Not necessarily. Her exact reply was: "If princess Erys wants something, she shall come herself."> (L)

 

Grah! I've never met this princess but even like this, she manages to upset me.
And that she could anger the always composed Liseti that much is already a remarkable achievement.
Just thinking about going to her makes me angry and I am sure it might end in a massacre.
Now Liseti notices the human next to me.

 

<It seems you're getting acquainted.> (L)

<This is Temia Lorata. She is a noble and attended that one meeting we had in Osari.> (E)

<Ah, yes. Nobles. I remember.> (L)

 

God, she has such a piercing gaze.
Maybe I should divert the attention from that.

 

"Ehk, do you remember princess Liseti? She's immensely important here. Controlling vast numbers of soldiers in the whole underground. Please be friendly to her. For now, she's rather positive regarding humans. Don't change that." (E)

 

It could be really bad if Temia shows the same behavior as she does towards me.
Liseti is proud.
Although I don't think that she is so petty that she would lose her calm.
Yet right now she's agitated because of Honiu, so who knows?

 

"Ehm, hello." (T)

 

At least that was not the typical "I'm a superior noble"-introduction.
But Liseti doesn't cease her staring.

 

"Hm, whaat iez iet thaet makez yuu more spezieeal than other humans to leead theem?" (L)

 

Why this topic?!
As if everyone wants to clash on purpose!

 

"My family for generations was in charge of the land we govern. I was prepared since I was young to take over this duty." (T)

 

I guess slight irritation is understandable and fine as long she doesn't show it openly.

 

"So herEdietary. Thiez iez neew. Ie was told humaans are veerye... How was iet? "Indieeviedualieztiec". Thiez makes iet strange to heear they lEt themseelve get controolled lieke thiez, for... Geneeraetieons?" (L)

"Ehk, this means the timespan when a human pair gets children and those take eventually over until they get children and this repeats." (E)

"Fascienatieng. This meeans the otheer humans let thiez transfer of poweer simply happEn?" (L)

 

I need to say her speech skills got better.
Yet it's still a little hard on the ears.

 

"Humans may have their own purposes but if it's about bearing responsibility they're hesitant. As long it's not about their own interests they very rarely take action and leave decisions to their superiors. Even if it bothers them they commonly obey the rules. And I make sure they do." (T)

 

Now Temia has a cold gaze and her right hand clamps around the pommel of her sword.
Why the heck does she have this here?

 

"Crk. InterEsting. I wasn't too sure. Yeet theere may bee a diffErence in demeeanor. Wiellpoweer. So thiz iz what sEts humaens apart." (L)

 

Can it be good that she continues to gather information about human society like this?

I'm not too sure.
Temia is apparently not inclined to reply.
I can understand her.
Liseti has something very intimidating about her.
And also threatening.
Even more when she focuses on you.
As she does now with Temia.

 

"Pleease tEll mee, what iez thies?" (L)

"My sword?" (T)

"Can I seee?" (L)

 

She takes it out and shows it.
I don't know much about swords but even I can see that this is a perfectly crafted masterpiece.

 

"This is a weapon. I told you that humans use tools. For fighting." (E)

"YEs! Thee stickzz. But thies looks diffeerEnt." (L)

"Sticks?" (T)

"I toook a lieking to them. ThEy are much bEtter for traiening then mye own wEaponz. They don't cause such seeveere wounds. Buut thiez one isn't thEe same." (L)

"It's made from metal, a very hard substance. And naturally it's sharp." (E)

"Wait! Weapons? What kind of other weapons do you have?" (T)

 

Oh, no. Please don't!

She does...

 

"Ssskk"

 

With this, her blade extends out of her claw.

 

"Woah!" (T)

 

I still remember that the poison on them causes terror.

 

"Aend yours? Ie would lieke to Examiene iet." (L)

 

Temia is clearly hesitant to part with it, looking several times at the sword and Liseti.
I think not only because she loses her only means of defense like this, as it clearly wouldn't make that much of a difference here at this place, but also because it seems to be very important to her.
But ultimately she hands it over.

 

"Here. Please be careful." (T)

"Naeturallye!" (L)

 

She strobes the surface, tests the weight, even receiving a small cut while feeling the blade. Much to the dismay of one of her nurses which is as part of her escort in the background.
But, different to mine, this one isn't acting up.

 

"Iet's cold." (L)

"It's enchanted." (T)

"Wait! Enchanted!? Magic? Real magic? This is a real magical weapon?" (E)

 

This is almost unbelievable!
Magic is already rare in so far that less than one of a hundred has even basic control over a single element.
But a weapon which on its own emits power...
Only the heroes of legends would wield something like this!
This sword is something like a national treasure!

 

"Skrrrrrr"

 

<Skrik!/Erys, your wings.> (L)

 

I became excited and my wings flapped accordingly.
Liseti returns the sword.

 

"From Eryes rEaction I undeerstand thies iez importaant. So you're a warrieor, equiEpped with thiez?" (L?)

 

I've never heard Listi speak human for such a long time.
The topic must be really interesting for her.

 

"If it's necessary I fight. Against all threats that are to come." (T)

"Theen I propoose a fieght!" (L)

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Excuse me! What!?