- Farrah -

I tell you, I'm terribly overworked at the moment.

Since Honiu brought in these children I have to look after them, arrange the complete logistics of their accommodation and supply since insects have no idea what human boys and girls need, in addition to my other tasks.

These are assigning the different drones around the complex for Honiu, controlling that the eggs are well-stored, and naturally directly attending to her.

But the most troublesome thing is what I have to deal with now.

"Release the children!"

Yes, although this whole thing was said to be confidential somehow word got out that we have taken them.

But apparently, the news got a little distorted into us having abducted them.

I suppose it was to be expected that with all the involved people someone would notice that the whole orphanage and all its occupants were suddenly gone.

And since the insects are easy to blame we now have daily gatherings of wild mobs at our doorsteps.

Naturally, not at the entrance within the royal palace.

That one is off-limits for the populace.

But the others we opened are well-visited.

And so it's also part of my duties to prevent angry people from attacking our base.

Currently, a line of human guards holds the people back, who are riled up by a single individual.

And behind those is a line of our drones to make sure that the vulnerable facilities in our base stay protected.

When I approach the drones, they, according to my intentions, part and let me through.

It's certainly something I could get used to that someone listen to me in such an undisputed way.

Of course, it doesn't take long for the crowd to notice me.

"A woman?"

"Is she collaborating with these creatures?"

"Look how the insects react to her!"

Since I have their attention, I start to speak.

"Deear people. Maye I ask you to reemain peaceful? Thee children are all cared for and in good health." (F)

"As if anyone would believe this! You can't deceive us!" (troublemaker)

"Then pleease, Enter and look for yourself." (F)

"Huh!?" (troublemaker)

That showed an effect.

"Did she say we can enter?"

"We nEver intended to cause any iessues. You are freee to visit thee facility and seee for yourself how wEll the children are." (F)

Fortunately, most things Honiu did to them aren't eye-catching and won't be discovered in a brief visit.

"Th-this isn't the point! You have to release the children!" (troublemaker)

It is quite clear that this man doesn’t care the slightest bit about the children, but is here for completely different reasons.

"Eeven this can be arranged." (F)

"You, you will do as we say? Just like this?" (troublemaker)

He clearly didn't expect this answer.

But this is actually in accordance with Honiu's intentions.

She said herself that the children could leave if they wish to do so.

They just won't be allowed to return afterward.

However, I won't make it so easy for them.

"Sure. But as you know, thee orphanage won't re-open again. So beefore we hand over anye children we need to ensure that thEy'd be cared for. You'd have to officially adopt thEm and guarantee theeir well-being. This should be agreeeable, right? Who wishes to take responsibility for thEm?" (F)

And suddenly none of them seems terribly inclined to step forward.

Once again it becomes clear that it's far easier for people to get worked up about something instead of truly engaging themselves for their cause.

"If anyeone changes their mind, you can still Enter later. Naturallye, only as groups, since wee have to supervise you." (F)

For now, it seems things calmed down.

The guards seem equally surprised as the mob but also relieved that I took care of things.

So I'll return to my numerous other duties now.

It's a bit hard to be caught up here while Erys has probably the most important and challenging moment in her life.

She was so terribly tense when she left so I'm a bit worried.

On the other hand, my princess is extremely laid back about everything that goes on.

(H)

(F)

(H)

Sigh, she really has some prejudices against humans.

(F)

(H)

Right, she even lets the assigned nurses regularly inform her about the children's well-being.

According to some of the other nurses, it's been centuries since she was this invested in something.

And that's only hearsay since they don't even get that old.

A short time after she gave a pheromone order a nurse enters to tell her.

(H)

(nurse)

(H)

(nurse)

(H)

(nurse)

(H)

(nurse)

(H)

I'm almost sure that Honiu has a weird fascination with transforming humans.

(nurse)

(H)

(nurse)

(H)

At this, she raises from her lax position and with unusual vigor walks to the entrance.

(H)

I'm certain "her" new nurse thinks differently about the ownership.

(F)

(H)

Yep, totally irresponsible.

And this is only part of the reason why I seriously worry for the child she has on her mind.

(F)

At least not now.

If this kid truly mutated then there is no real place for her to go at this point.

Humans aren't kind to those who are different.

(H)

Really?

It's not like her to just take my advice.

(H)

Okay, I should've known.

My mistake.

I can't even stop the messengers from traumatizing a young girl before they lift off and are out of my reach.

(F)

(H)

She still doesn't seem to understand humans that well.

A short moment later I already hear the screaks of a freshly mutated child.

Flying seems to accelerate transportation for such a close distance considerably.

(M)

And a moment later she gets dumped in front of Honiu.

(M)

(H)

(F)

(H)

The poor girl is still fairly overwhelmed here in the middle of all of Honiu's insect escort and naturally Honiu herself.

(M)

(H)

(M)

(F)

(H)

(F)

I put all the emotions I associate with doing such kind of stuff to children into my pheromones.

At this Honiu emits pheromones akin to a sigh and turns back to the girl.

Expectant for the answer of the girl.

(M)

(H)

She's a bit hesitant while removing her shirt, even if there's not much to see for a child of this age.

At least I thought so.

(H)

She seems to be a bit worried about this question for a moment but then she speaks.

(M)

(H)

(M)

I think I should explain this.

(F)

Now she's looking absentmindedly at her hands.

Honiu takes this chance to move behind her and touch her back.

"Scrieehk!" (M)

(H)

Now that I look there are two bulges on the sides of her midriff.

(M)

(H)

At this, she knocks against one of the bulges and it starts to twitch.

(M)

(H)

(F)

(H)

(M)

(H)

Now the girl panics and taps her back.

(F)

(H)

(M)

(F)

(H)

Forget about it.

The girl has priority.

(F)

(M)

(F)

(H)

The girl still seems to be worried but she took the potion somewhat voluntarily so she can't really blame anyone.

(H)

(M)

(H)

I really should teach her to not just casually pry someone's mouth open and look in there.

(H)

(M)

Oh damn.

I think I know what she means.

This is definitely too much for now for her to hear about.

(F)

Not sure how convincing I am.

Especially since she probably can perceive my pheromones but telling her that she's getting a tube tongue to regurgitate her food through isn't something she should be confronted with directly after all the other stuff.

(H)

(M)

(F)

(M)

(H)

(M)

(F)

(H)

(M)

(H)

Now the girl slumps down after all these revelations.

(M)

(H)

(M)

(H)

She looks at them for a while before turning back to Honiu.

(M)

(F)

(H)

And she extends all her four wings in an impressive display.

Especially for this girl she’s currently towering over.

Her demanding, impatient attitude, and more importantly the corresponding pheromones, aren't helping either.

­ (M)

And so she begins to carefully touch the wings with her rather small hands.

What is actually impressive is that she seems already to be able to release the cleansing fluid at will.

I had to practice for quite some time to control the output like this.

(H)

Sigh, I have absolutely no idea what to think about this display.

"Skrrr..." (H)

But the princess seems to be content.

Suddenly I hear noise from outside and perceive the pheromones of many agitated drones.

(O)

(A)

Now, what is this ruckus about?