Formicea

 

The humans stare expectantly in my direction.
I on my side panic inwardly.
I absolutely cannot let anyone see the nectar facilities.

 

"Ieeehk! I-it's a little difficult to get there." (E)

"It isn't, my princess. The nectar production is free to visit and naturally close to the mycelium." (K)

"Oh, is that so? Great! Thank you, Kyska!" (E)

 

Help!
As soon they'll get there all these people will be disgusted by us.
The swarm will appear barbaric and we'll lose all credit we ever could hope to get.

 

"S-still. Maybe another time. Right now should be bad. Right, Kyska?" (E)

"I wouldn't know why. The nectar units don't care if they're being watched. And even if, it doesn't influence their production if they're troubled. They simply have to get fed." (K)

 

The more I hear about them the more I feel sorry for these poor things.
Yet right now I need somehow to work around the issue that Kyska's species has no knowledge about the concept of a lie.

What shall I do?
It becomes more and more obvious that I'm hiding something.
I'm already getting some looks.

 

"On the other side, maybe not now. We have no reason to hurry that much. And it seems that the princess is tired. We shouldn't impose too much on our host." (O)

"Y-yes, you're right. I'm terribly exhausted." (E)

 

The people don't seem to be completely convinced.

 

"Seriously guys, I've seen part of her "schedule". You can be sure it's... intense." (O)

 

Olira's word seems to have some weight and the guildsmen stop being so inquisitive.
If she just wouldn't have been so ambiguous.
But it seems I somehow dodged this.
Yet then she passes by and winks at me.
God, I won't get out of this.

Since everyone is convinced that I am tired this concludes our excursion.
I found it as well interesting to see all these processes but now I should get back home since it starts to get late and I haven't eaten yet.
I really fear Kyska might use her tongue again.
Olira comes with me and I make sure there's someone to escort Temia back later.
It was a stressful day and I want to get it behind me.
But then Olira again addresses me.

 

"Is there any chance to see what this nectar is about? Is it some kind of secret?" (O)

"Uhh. It's not that this information is confidential. It's just... urgh, whatever. There is a private installment on the courtyard. I'll show it to you. But please no gossip about this." (E)

"Certainly not! I appreciate your trust." (O)

"Yeah, yeah." (E)

 

Olira wants my favor and profit.
So I'm sure she won't speak about this if she deems it might be detrimental for trade.
And I doubt that the fate of some wormlike creatures will concern her too much.
I lead her to the nectar units.
Those poor creatures.

 

"There." (E)

"E-ehm, what is this?" (O)

"The nectar facility. Nectar is a special drinkable fluid. These creatures produce it in their bodies if they're fed." (E)

"Creatures? I just see some wobbling flesh behind... Oh my god." (O)

"Right. I know. If the others would know, no idea what they might think. I was told they don't feel discomfort in this existence. No idea how they would know. I just can say that they're like this." (E)

"So these creatures are something like your livestock? Uhh, hard to believe they're fine. I've never seen a farmer treating his animals like this." (O)

"Sadly they aren't animals." (E)

"What do you want to say?" (O)

"They're members of the swarm, like all the others. They have the same origin like all the other creatures you know here." (E)

 

My voice sounds flat as I'm not too keen to relay this.

 

"Wha-... How? Why? Urrb, what a thought. Does this mean you made..." (O)

"Oh! No, no, no, no, no, no, no! I haven't yet. I could but I don't find them too great." (E)

"Why would they do this? What is the purpose to do something like this to their own kind?" (O)

"Kyska, could you fetch a bit of the nectar?" (E)

"Immediately, my princess. I'm glad that you remember to take care of yourself." (K)

 

She takes a nearby stored vessel she commonly uses to transport the nectar to me and approaches one of the producers.
With some deliberate touches, she stimulates its glands and is in return rewarded with a steady stream of liquid she directs in the vessel.

 

"My princess! Here is your nectar!" (K)

"Uhh, it's for our guest." (E)

 

Both of them look bewildered at me.

 

"I want to show Olira what the nectar is about. Just a sip. More isn't recommended." (E)

"I'm not too sure about this." (O)

"If the princess is offering her nectar that's an extraordinary honor!" (K)

"Don't worry. It isn't poisonous." (E)

 

Mum already had a really small amount before.

 

"Then... fine." (O)

"Drink very carefully. It's really intense." (E)

"Well, great." (O)

 

She sips.

 

"God, what is this!?" (O)

"That's nectar." (E)

"I had never in my life something so excessively sweet! Oh my, it's hard to get rid of the taste." (O)

 

She doesn't seem to like it very much.

 

"As it was already mentioned before, nectar really compresses the food and makes it store more energy. There are many reasons regarding efficiency which opt for the usage of nectar units. It stores energy very efficiently." (E)

"Don't get me wrong. This taste is by far too much for me. On the other hand, I certainly know some people who would pay quite a sum for an ingredient like this." (O)

 

What happened to "those poor creatures"?

 

"I thought you were creeped out because they are treated like this?" (E)

"Did I say this? Honestly, I don't really care that much. If they're fine it's fine. Certainly, if people would know about this it would become difficult to sell this stuff. However, how you treat them is a matter that only concerns your people." (O)

"If you say so." (E)

"So, is this for sale?" (O)

"Ehk, I don't know. Kyska?" (E)

"Surely a certain amount could be given. Particularly to empty some of the fuller ones at times. Yet within the limits. Nectar is too precious to waste it without proper exchange." (K)

"So a little bit." (E)

"As it should be for a luxury. Excuse me but I need to make some calculations. I'm sure you're busy as well." (O)

 

She's right.
I really have to eat something before I again collapse.
Hard life.

 

After this, the day came to an end without greater incidents.

I had dinner with my family and we could enjoy the plenty stocks my courtyard gathered while I was in Osari.
I considered inviting Temia and Olira but I don't really know them and with the situation, regarding my mum, the atmosphere was already a little tense.

It's a bit downing that she doesn't speak to us as she usually did during dinner, but she simply can't do so yet.
This made me again think that having that ominous liquid to help them understand her might be better.
However, as the table was full with flesh, which is some kind of luxury, and such a wide variety of other kinds of food we at least had all a decent feast.

Foremost I had, as I felt really hungry.
This might be linked to the fact that I'm eating for all those things growing inside me.
Yet after we were done I started to feel sleepy.
Not the normal kind, but really exhausted as if I could just move me to my bed, or tub now.
And for that, I even needed help from Kyska and Suki.
I guess I dozed off the moment I touched the surface of the content inside.