Yeah, some things should be expected.

Like, for example, your mum totally freaking out over the fact that you got abducted in some kind of nationwide conspiracy.

"Do you have anye ideea what I went through? No, screew that, what you wEnt through! Oh my god, my poor gierl!" (F)

Well, seems like she switched from the scolding to genuine care.

Though, the downside is that I now feel guilty for putting her in that state.

"I, I'm fine, mum. They made a point not to hurt me in order to use me as their hostage. Though, they did hurt Kyska." (E)

I look back at my personal nurse and feel a pang of guilt at her missing wings.

For a moment, Mum's gaze switches several times between me and her and then she nods, gives me another squeeze, and walks to her.

(F)

(K)

(F)

At this, Mum squeezes her tightly to her chest.

An act that makes even Kyska, who's always so aloof, appear startled for a moment.

(H)

I suppose she didn’t ruin the moment on purpose.

Still, it throws us a bit out of the mood.

At least, I can take in the room now.

What surprises me is that, next to the obligatory abundance of loyal drones in the form of messengers, guardians, nurses, and to a smaller degree workers, there's also a rather large partition of humans in her entourage, who look like palace officials.

Probably those she needs to deliver messages to people who aren't supposed to freak out at the messengers.

Not to forget, not all of them speak human.

(E)

(H)

She points at the far end of her hall where there's the throne and right next to it... the king.

Oh my god, what did she do?

He certainly doesn't look as regal anymore.

Probably had to experience a lot of degrading moments if he spent all the time with Honiu.

(E)

Honiu stares quizzically at me for a moment, before coming to terms with her answer.

(H)

(E)

(H)

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I'm pretty sure that building a mirror courtyard where she keeps the ruler as her attendant didn't make for a much better impression.

(E)

(H)

"Ie, I am wiel-, willing to cooperate." (King)

He can hear me!?

God, just what did Honiu subject him to?

"Oh, I, I'm sorry. I didn't intend to appear rude. I hope despite everything that happened, this won't mean the unfortunate end of our negotiations. I still intend to do my utmost so things stay peaceful." (E)

"Ee-Even ief, if the ree-recent days can be overcome. Ie, I think thee, the blow to our mie-, milie-, military may prove devaz-, devastating." (Ki)

I didn't realize it at first, but now it's becoming obvious.

He's struggling really hard with his speech, trying desperately to force himself to get it right.

(E)

(H)

(E)

(H)

So she wrecked his voice because of a resurfacing kidnapping trauma.

Not like I couldn't get this sentiment, but it's a bit much.

(H)

Does Honiu seriously complain here that she fails to weed out the concept of stupidity?

I mean, I don't know who's more wrong here.

The humans for being as they are or Honiu for even bothering to try?

Yet other concerns are just as present.

(E)

(H)

"Ie, ahem, I made it a poie-, point to avoid any further incie-, incidents. Aaron works tie-, tirelessly to quell conflict. It's maybe not perfE-, perfect, but ie-, it works out." (Ki)

I seriously have no right to complain.

From what I was told here it seems like they did the best they could.

Surely the results are better than what I would've been able to accomplish.

(E)

(H)

(E)

(H)

At this, I'm sure I just heard the king chuckling.

Though, I need to admit, the idea that an insect questions the core of our society of inheriting status upon birth might be somewhat amusing in a way.

(H)

I feel like, for the near future, everyone is going to be rubbing salt in that wound.

(E)

(H)

Okay, something isn't right here.

She seems far more desperate about this than I'd assume her to be, given her level of interest before I was abducted.

(E)

At this, I receive a response with an expression of surprised pheromones.

(H)

(L)

(H)

Is she secretive on purpose?

"Grumble"

A quake?

Now?

Wait, Erys!

You already learned that in most, if not all, cases the Formicean actions below the surface were what is causing shifts of the ground on the surface.

Is this some kind of grand project they're working on that I wasn't aware of?

Yet before I can further contemplate the nature of this quake, a messenger rushes into the room, straight to Honiu.

(H)