"Isn''t it too much to ask for a littlefort for the Prince Consort?" Mikhailis mumbled, half to himself. He gazed out the window, but he wasn''t seeing the scenery passing by. His mind was still back at the scene earlier that morning, reying Elowen''s expression when she had reluctantly agreed to Vaelis''s suggestion.


    There had been a moment—just a second—where her eyes had met his, and he''d caught a glimpse of irritation, or maybe uncertainty. Then, just like that, she''d nodded and epted Vaelis''s arrangement, climbing into his carriage without a second look back.


    The way she had walked away, her back straight, her expressionposed, had left him feeling strangely hollow, as if something important had shifted between them. He couldn''t quite shake off the unease that had settled deep in his chest.


    A sigh escaped his lips as he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled there since the departure. He couldn''t help but wonder if there was something he was missing, some reason why she had so readily agreed to Vaelis''s suggestion without any real protest.


    He wanted to believe it was just for the sake of convenience or politeness, but a nagging feeling at the back of his mind refused to let go of the possibility that there might be more to it.


    Does she actually dislike me now? Or maybe she found out about... everything with Lira and Serelith?


    His thoughts spiraled, each one worse than thest. The idea that Elowen could have somehow found out about theplicated situation between him and the two women sitting across from him was enough to make his stomach churn even more. He needed to get a grip, but it was hard when all the signals felt mixed and confusing.


    He nced at the two women across from him. Lira looked calm as ever, her expression betraying none of her thoughts, while Serelith seemed deep in thought, an unusual seriousness about her. The air inside the carriage felt heavy, the silence thick and ufortable. It wasn''t often that the three of them found themselves together like this, without Elowen to act as a buffer between them.


    He wished he could read their thoughts, just to understand if they were as uneasy as he was.


    A soft chime from his sses interrupted his thoughts, and Rodion''s voice spoke directly into his ear.


    <No need to worry, Mikhailis. Everything is within parameters. The queen''s emotional signals suggest frustration, but her feelings towards you remain unchanged.>


    Mikhailis closed his eyes, letting out a breath of relief. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly at Rodion''s words. He could always count on the AI to give him the truth, no matter how harsh it might be. It wasforting in a strange way, knowing that Rodion was always watching, always analyzing, always keeping tabs on things he couldn''t control.


    So it''s not me, then?


    He rxed slightly, leaning his head back against the cushioned seat. He needed to trust Elowen, needed to believe that whatever was going on, it wasn''t because she had suddenly decided to push him away.


    "Thanks, Rodion. I really needed to hear that."


    <Of course. Though I should note, your stress indicators were approaching an unhealthy level. Perhaps a deep breath would help.>


    "Always so caring," Mikhailis muttered, his tone half-sarcastic, half-grateful. He took Rodion''s advice, closing his eyes for a moment and taking a long, slow breath.


    The familiar routine helped, grounding him a little, reminding him that he had to stay focused. There were more important things at y here than just his own insecurities.


    Just as the carriage rocked gently over a bump in the road, Serelith broke the silence, muttering to herself, "The queen... she''s acting strange, isn''t she?" Her gaze was unfocused, her fingers ying absentmindedly with a lock of her long, purple hair. She seemed almost lost in her thoughts, her usual yful demeanor nowhere to be found.


    Lira nodded in agreement, her expression asposed as ever. "Yes. You''re absolutely right," she said, her voice soft but firm. She nced at Mikhailis, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Usually, if Her Majesty feels cornered, she has that cold look—the one that could make even the boldest men step back. And yet today...


    today she looked more like a maiden caught off guard."


    Mikhailis frowned, feeling a pang of defensiveness at their observations. He knew they meant no harm, but hearing them talk about Elowen like that made him ufortable.


    It felt too personal, too raw.


    "Isn''t it a bit rude to talk about the queen like that?" he said, though his tonecked any real heat.


    Serelith shrugged, her lips curving into a mischievous smile.


    "Oh,e on, Your Highness. You know we''re not wrong. Normally, she''d be the one giving that cold, hard stare—especially towards someone like Earl Vaelis. She''s always been so... well, let''s just say muscle-headed when people make advances on her." Serelith''s smile widened a little, a hint of her usual yful self returning.


    "But today, she seemed almost... unsure. It''s strange."


    Mikhailis nced at Lira and Serelith, seeing the concern thaty just beneath their teasing words. He knew they were worried about him, about Elowen''s behavior and what it might mean for all of them. He offered them a small, reassuring smile, trying to ease their concerns.


    "Elowen must have her reasons. Whatever it is, I''ve decided to trust her."


    Lira''s expression softened, and Serelith''s smile turned genuine as they both nodded.


    "Yes, Your Highness. We believe in Her Majesty as well," Lira said, her voice filled with quiet conviction. There was somethingforting about their faith in Elowen, something that made the unease in his chest loosen just a little.


    Just then, a soft chime sounded from Mikhailis''s sses, and Rodion spoke again.


    <That''s very noble of you,ing from someone who wanted to summon the entire Chimera Ant colony to take down Earl Vaelis not too long ago.>


    Mikhailis let out an exasperated sigh.


    "Shut up, Rodion."


    <Just stating the facts, Mikhailis.>


    He shook his head, a hint of a smile ying on his lips. Despite everything, it was moments like these that reminded him he wasn''t alone—that no matter how twisted things might get, he had people by his side, and even an AI that seemed to take delight in poking fun at him.


    It wasforting in a strange way, knowing that Rodion, Lira, and Serelith were all there, each of them ying their part in keeping him sane.


    The carriage fell into afortable silence once more, the gentle rocking almost lulling Mikhailis into a half-sleep. He could hear the distant sounds of the other carriages, the low chatter of the guards riding alongside them, the rustling of leaves in the breeze.


    For a moment, it almost felt peaceful, as if they were simply on a leisurely journey without the weight of political tension or personal fears bearing down on them. He closed his eyes, letting himself drift for a moment, his mind quieting as he focused on the rhythmic sounds around him.


    But that peace didn''tst.


    Suddenly, Rodion''s voice rang in his ear, cutting through the calm like a de.


    <Mikhailis, the nest is under attack again.>


    Mikhailis''s eyes snapped open, his heart skipping a beat. He straightened in his seat, his gaze darting towards the window, though he knew there was nothing he could do from here. The sense of helplessness hit him hard, his stomach twisting as he tried to process Rodion''s words. Not again.


    "Details, Rodion," he said, his voice low, trying to keep hisposure despite the sudden rush of adrenaline.


    <Monsters have infiltrated the underground near the nest. The colony is already responding—the Chimera Ant Queen has moved your clone and the egg close to the surface. All soldiers are positioned to defend. Fire Scarabs are in ce as well.>


    Mikhailis closed his eyes, a string of curses running through his mind. Why now? He needed to focus, needed to trust in the colony''s strength, but it was hard when he was miles away, powerless to do anything but watch.


    He opened his eyes, then he saw Rodion already projected the view on his sses—the colony moving in perfect coordination, the Queen''s pheromonalmands driving the soldier ants to repel the attackers. His clone, the one meant to serve as the Chimera Ant King, radiating the pheromones that had drawn the monsters in the first ce.


    The scene was chaotic—soldiers moving in formation, Fire Scarabs positioned to block the entry points, the Chimera Ant Queen directing the defense with a precision that was almost mesmerizing. Mikhailis watched as one of the intruders—a massive, armored centipede—lunged towards the egg, only to be intercepted by a group of soldier ants that tore into it with relentless fury.


    The Queen''smands were swift, decisive, each movement perfectly calcted to protect the egg and his clone.


    Should it really be at a moment like this?


    He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to shout in frustration. He was miles away, powerless to do anything but watch through the link Rodion provided. It was maddening, knowing that the colony was fighting for its survival while he sat in a carriage, unable to lift a finger to help. The helplessness gnawed at him, the frustration building with every passing second.


    The carriage rocked again, the road growing rougher as they made their way north, and Mikhailis took a shaky breath, trying to focus. He had to stay calm. He had to trust in the strength of his colony, trust that the preparations they had made would be enough. They had faced threats before, and they had survived. They could do it again. He had to believe that.


    Rodion''s voice broke through his thoughts, the AI''s tone as calm as ever.


    <The situation is currently under control, Mikhailis. There is no immediate threat to the Queen or your clone. I will continue to monitor.>


    Mikhailis nodded, though his jaw remained tight.


    "Keep me updated," he muttered, his voice barely audible.


    <Of course. Though I would suggest you rx—stress levels are again approaching an unhealthy threshold.>


    Mikhailis let out a breath that was half augh, half a sigh.


    Rx. Right.


    He nced at Lira and Serelith, who were both watching him, concern clear in their eyes. He forced a smile, trying to shake off the tension that had settled over him.


    "I guess I''m quite hungry," he added, his voice breaking the tension that had settled in the carriage. He forced a grin, trying to lighten the mood, and both Lira and Serelith smiled, their expressions softening.


    "Well then, Your Highness," Lira said, her tone teasing, "shall we arrange for a grand feast once we arrive?"


    Serelith chuckled, leaning back against her seat. "As long as there''s something spicy. I could use a little heat."


    Mikhailisughed, the sound easing some of the tension in his chest.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Alright then, it''s settled. A grand feast it is. And maybe we''ll even invite Earl Vaelis... just to see if he can handle the spice."


    The three of them shared augh, and for a moment, the weight of everything seemed to lift, if only just a little.