After that experience, I hurry back to my room.

I would love to forget what I just saw and avert my mind.

Yet, there is nothing planned for today, so I'm at a loss at how to spend my time.

A distraction might be nice.

Maybe a spinster and I could tailor me some clothes.

At least it would keep me occupied

"Kyeska, do you thienk I could obtain some itEms from humaens?" (E)

At least I can train my human speech.

"I'm sorry to inform you that the tunnels leading in the town won't be finished before tomorrow." (K)

First, unfair!

Second, seriously?!

They already progressed this far?

I really fear for mankind.

"Rieght, but ief wee want to geet somethieng we at leeast need someething to gieve in exchaeenge. Do wee haeve something lieke thies?" (E)

Also, it's not like I could just send a worker with a purse for my errands.

"Mostly our storages only consists of our food supply and the binding agent used for steadying the structures. For the rest only the corpses of creatures used as fertilizer." (K)

Okay, I really need to try harder.

My pride takes harm from being beaten by an insect in human speech.

"Maybee we can obtaein some? For example pElts from animals on thEe surfaece have some value. We could hunt theem. Or monstEr parts. From thee surface. But, thies might bee a problem ief we have that much preesence there. If we just would have..." (E)

I have still problems controlling my voice at each "e" I speak.

They always drag a little too long.

"Your first suggestions would be possible. But what was the last idea?" (K)

"It iez the center of human trade. Gold and sielver. Maybe copper too. Those are mateerials for coins. Metals in the earth. All kiends of ores are valuable in human trade." (E)

"Such a thing! They really give good wares and even food for something that is only obstructing the building of tunnels?" (S)

"For theem they are valuable. And maybe we could theen get some aniemals. Like sheeep or cows. Thies might not be the best environmEnt to raeise them. But if wee propErly care for theem iet should bee fine." (E)

"Whaat are thoose?" (S)

"Crrk, a sheeep is a dociele animal. It grows a speecieal fur you can cut off without harm. And a cow can gieve milk. A biet like the nEctar. I hope iet still tastes the saeme." (E)

"Youuu meeean youu want to aecquieereee such beeeings to use theem lieke thieez?" (S)

Suki is at least trying really hard.

"It would bee nice I thienk. This would meean to gEt sustaienable resources." (E)

"This isn't wrong my princess. To secure the supplye is a way of long-termed planning and shows foresight." (K)

Hah! There was a slip!

She isn't perfect.

"But this is no ideeal environment. ThEy are used to the surfaece and maybe won't stay healthye here. Could we maybe have a bit more light?" (E)

"I surely can request some more light-stones. For a princess this kind of wish will be fulfilled." (K)

The shiny stones around here?

Yes, enough of them should make this place look nice.

And they could even be used as wares if there is a surplus.

"And wee would need to feeed them. Grass and other plants. Just thee mushrooms could be unhEalthy." (E)

"This is all possible my princess." (K)

(L)

This princess!

What is she doing here?

Right, she wanted to visit me.

But this soon?

And I spoke like a human.

What is if she is displeased?

Can she kill me?

(E)

(K)

Kyska is on my side and as she is fairly eloquent I nod.

(K)

(L)

Alright, it seems I'm not going to get killed.

But why is she now approaching me?

(L)

She doesn't seem to be hostile but the way she handles herself is intimidating.

The way she moves as if she would own this place.

(E)

(L)

(E)

She settles on the stool opposite me.

(L)

It wouldn't bring much good to lie here.

(E)

(L)

(E)

>Really? Is it so different? I thought you weren't this far away when you could be changed into a princess.> (L)

(E)

(L)

(E)

Is she going to force me with her and abduct me?

(L)

(E)

(L)

"Cric?" (E)

(K)

(L)

Defending myself?

She wants me to fight?

(K)

(L)

(K)

(L)

(E)

(L)

(E)

I point at the ovipositor.

(L)

What!?

(L)

(E)

I rub these parts, as they feel still a bit sensitive, especially if I think about them.

(L)

(E)

She grabs me at my wrist and without delay drags me out on this courtyard-like area in front of the room.

There she places me in the middle.

(L)

(E)

(L)

She holds her right upper claw to me and I can detect a slit-like hole in the middle.

Then she points it away from me and somehow makes a jerking movement with it.

Next, some kind of broadsword rushes out.

It's as wide as the slit and looks sturdy, colored in this dark-bronze carapace tone.

(L)

She presents them to me and demonstrates a slash with such force that I am sure there won't be any chance to survive a direct hit.

(L)

She says while somehow retracting the blade with another jolt.

(E)

(L)

She snatches my right arm and bends it in a way that she is positioned between me and my hand so that I'm unable to pull it back.

(L)

While she keeps me with three appendages in check her fourth is freely strobing my arm, applying pressure at different points, which are getting increasingly uncomfortable.

(L)

She suddenly clamps down at my wrist at a real tender spot.

The feeling is unbearable and promptly...

Something's rushing out, piercing my hand!

"ScreEEH!" (E)

I averted my gaze, but after a while, I feel a tock at my forehead.

(L)

(E)

I don't want to see weapons protruding out of my body.

(L)

I know that I can't keep this up forever and take a careful glance.

(E)

(L)

(E)

I panic a little, but swords really shouldn't stick out of hands.

(L)

She points at a worker.

(L)

The worker is immediately complying and comes close.

She aims my still grabbed arm in its direction.

(L)

(E)

The worker without hesitation throws its arm at the blade.

"Skcchh"

"Screeaaak!" (poor worker)

(L)

The worker leaves the courtyard.

(E)

(L)

She bends my arm in the direction of the ground.

"Skcchh"

As soon the tip makes contact with the earth it begins.

The blade is cutting through nearly undisrupted.

(L)

Finally, she lets go of my hand.

I can just stare at the weapon which is emerging out of me.

(E)

I touch the blade with the tips of my fingers of my other hand, completely dazed.

"Skcchh"

(K)

Kyska shouts and runs to me.

I awake out of my stupor and hurriedly rip my fingers away there, realizing what I have just done.

Kyska directly takes my hand and looks at the fingers.

They are fine.

Not the slightest bit burned.

(L)

> (E)

I whispered, yet unfortunately, she heard me.

Or smelled?

Is there any point to whisper in front of these insects?

(L)

She approaches, coming very close and I become stunned, unable to get a word out at this.

(K)

(L)

And we are again at the possibility to equip an army.

(L)

And now she strokes my hair.

Am I some kind of pet to her?

(L)

I do as she says not wanting to see that thing any longer.

Instantly the blade draws back in and a fluid squirms out of the hole.

"Splotch"

This is startling me again.

(L)

I look at the hole and am a bit sad about the not hurting slit in the middle of my hand.

Workers, scatter around for emergency assistance!> (L)

"Eehk?" (E)

She wants me directly to lift off?

(K)

(L)

(K)

(L)

After she finished scolding Kyska she, unfortunately, directs her attention back at me.

(L)

She speaks about my clothes!

(L)

(K)

(L)

I am a little scared of her, but she seems to be willing to compromise.

Should I at least try to make concessions?

(E)

I have underwear and some kind of shirt that leaves the back free, brought by Kyska in addition to the dress.

This might be possible.

(L)

I am going to take off the gown, which should be a bit cumbersome for flight, as poor my imagination on this matter is.

Undressing in front of so many is making me uneasy but here are only those insects, who don't care the slightest.

Yet suddenly this princess is staring intently at me.

(E)

(L)

"IEEEHK!" (E)

She touched my chest!

(L)

She glides her claw in and presses at my left boob!

(L)

She clamps down!

"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHH!!!" (E)

I scream at this and the guardians and workers are getting agitated.

Unable to decide what to do, since the being which caused this was another princess.

Any other creature would probably now get mutilated.

(L)

(E)

I teary plea at her.

(L)

She presents me the offensive claw and there is something orange smearing on it.

(E)

(L)

She points at my breast.

Did this stuff really come out there?

Yet, much more disturbs me what she does next.

She lifts the used claw to her mouth, which exposes some kind of tube-like tongue.

And sucks it!?

(K)

(L)

She, she means I'm producing the insect equivalent of milk?

I-impossible!

(E)

(K)

She is right.

I did.

I did!!

I tremble uncontrolled.

(L)

(K)

(L)

(S)

I tremble and cry silent tears.

(L)

(K)

(L)

(K)

(L)

My two nurses support me from below my arms and help me back inside.

(E)

(S)

(E)

(K)

(E)

(K)

We are back inside and Kyska takes me carefully in all of her arms.

I quiver and sob inside her embrace but ultimately become quiet.

And sleep.