Everything is a little hazy.
My body isn't responding properly and something is fiddling with my head and face.
Just when I become somewhat clear again I start to regret it and wish I would never have regained my consciousness.
I wake up to the greatest horror one could imagine.

 

"Screelksh..." (E)

 

I would scream more thoroughly, but the reason why I can't do so is the same which induced me to scream in the first place.
My mouth is covered and it stirs in my throat.
If I would just be gagged this wouldn't be half as bad.
I am completely through, unable to process this, while the past events already put a burden on my mental state.
But despite this terrible state of mine, there is one thought which comes clear, as a reaction of my very being revolting against what transpires here.

KYSKA!! PULL YOUR TONGUE OUT OF MY MOUTH!!!

As she becomes aware that I am awake she gladly moves her mouth away from mine while her tongue, which is disturbingly far longer than I ever thought, dislodges with an audible "slutsh"-sound from deep within my throat.
Staring at her with wide-open eyes I don't even know what to ask her.
In the end, it just amounts to:

 

<Creak/Why?> (E)

<Ah, you recovered my princess. How fortunate.> (K)

 

Frantic I strobe my mouth and throat, on the out-, and inside, and sputter at Kyska what comes to my mind.

 

<Why would you? This feeling! What did you... What is this taste?!> (E)

<I had to feed you with nectar, my princess.> (K)

<Nectar? Why? Why the tongue?> (E)

<Because you collapsed my princess.> (K)

<I collapsed?> (E)

<Naturally. You laid one-hundred eggs, grown from your own energy. Then you were for a long period under extreme stress because of your mother. And during all that time you didn't consume the slightest amount of nourishment. Naturally, you spent all your reserves during this time.> (K)

 

So I was just exhausted.
However...

 

<But why the tongue?!> (E)

<It is common to feed a princess. Like this, the nectar can directly enter your stomach and provide new energy, while there is no chance you would choke because of the liquid.> (K)

 

I'm choking for completely different reasons!

 

<Never again! You hear me? Never! Again!> (E)

<But it was necessary! Your complexion was ill." (K)

<Even then! No tongue in my mouth or wherever else you'd put it instead!> (E)

 

I shudder.

 

<If you wish o. As long it isn't necessary I will abstain my princess.> (K)

 

What does necessary mean?!
After calming down I first have to assess the situation.

 

<How is everyone?> (E)

<Naturally, your family was very distressed about your condition. It settled a little after I assured them that all you need is some rest and nourishment to get better.> (K)

<And the other guests?> (E)

 

I mean, I never checked once on the people I've brought here and even the two on my courtyard I kinda neglected.
Furthermore, the last I saw of Temia was how she was close to getting executed because of some lesé majesté against me.
It would be really bad if something were to happen.

 

<While there were some issues with me leaving your side, princess Liseti helped out by sending several nurses capable of human speech. Due to a lack of education, their abilities are still underdeveloped, so it was just a provisional measure.> (K)

<Fine. I think I should show up there later. To show that they weren't forgotten. Could you by time return there and check if any greater issues developed?> (E)

<As you wish, my princess.> (K)

<Oh, and Kyska?> (E)

<Yes, my princess?> (K)

<That throne, or whatever it is. I want it out of my room.> (E)

<Are you sure? This would be inconvenient. It is a valuable asset to your production.> (K)

<You put it there without my permission. I don't want it in my living room. That's it! No discussion!> (E)

<Then I will store it close by.> (K)

 

I had no idea that it could even be moved because it looked as if it's fixed to the ground.
I really don't like this thing, but grudgingly I have to admit that it was slightly easier than the usual bending down on the ground.
Still, I wouldn't want it where I eat.

 

<Whatever.> (E)

 

Kyska leaves to take care of the tasks I gave her.
I should do the same.
Foremost visiting my family to show them that I'm fine.

It's not far and thanks to Kyska I'm not hungry.
As much I would prefer it to be.
I guess they didn't visit to not wake me up, so I could sleep soundly.
Kyska is devoted to her job and there is no reason to think she would neglect me.
Yet I would have liked it so that there would have someone to keep Kyska from doing "that".
Urgh, gross.

But then there's my mum, who has some weird fascination for the insects going for her.
She might even have given her okay if it helps me to recover.
No idea and I won't inquire.

 

"Hello? Are you there?" (E)

<Erys! Are you fine? We were so worried about you!> (F)

 

Mum directly rushed over, while dad is still the calm and composed type.
Even if it gets now a little strange since he cannot understand what she says, but still kinda knows how to read her.
I continue speaking human to help him a little to stay involved and participate.

 

"Yes. Apparently I was just a little exhausted." (E)

 

I look at expressions of disagreement.

 

"Or very, very exhausted. But it's all better now." (E)

<You suddenly fell. How could this happen?> (F)

<Scrie, screk!/Apparently doing "that", costs quite a lot of energy and I skipped some meals.> (E)

 

The only positive thing about speaking in Formicea is that I can obscure stuff I don't want to address too openly.

 

<You cannot do that! You were always so negligent when it was about taking care of yourself.> (F)

"Well, to my defense, for some time now I always had a bunch of insects to do that for me." (E)

<You're aware how bad of an excuse that is? You need to be more careful.> (F)

"I'm trying, but it's hard to keep track. This situation was special and won't repeat anytime soon." (E)

"You still should pay attention to the signals. I want that my daughter stays healthy." (R)

 

I stare at dad.
To chime like this into a conversation is extremely unusual for him.
This just proves how important he thinks that is.
It shows genuine concern and this thought makes me a little happy.
I embrace him.
And he hugs me back.

 

<You're our daughter. No matter what happens, we want you to be alive and well.> (F)

 

My mum speaks in insect speech, but it's obvious what she conveys.

 

"Don't stress about each little thing. A family exists to share the burden." (R)

 

I guess Kyska told them my exhaustion came from stress and now they want to ease me up.
I guess I should comply with their wishes, a little bit.

 

"By the way, what about Toris?" (E)

"Well, a while after you fainted this big worker you sent after him returned, with Toris sleeping in his claws. It was a little off-putting, but he was quite careful while carrying him." (R)

 

He must have grown tired from his tantrum.
And I am not sure if "he" is the right word when speaking about workers.
But I'm glad to know that everyone is fine.
Well, mostly.
I look a little uneasy at mum.

 

"What are you now going to do mum?" (E)

<I don't have any concrete plans. I think I should continue to train my voice.> (F)

 

That sounds reasonable.
It would be great if she could recover.

 

<And then there is also my work at the nursery where I slacked far too much.> (F)

 

That sounds not reasonable.
Not in the slightest.

 

"You, you still want to work as a nurse?" (E)

<Oh yes, I intend to go back there.> (F)

<Go back? You know what happened there! And who surveys that area! What if she again goes for you.> (E)

 

I switch back to Formicea, as I always do when I am agitated and lack the focus for proper pronunciation.

 

<That's unlikely. Her last words were that I could just resume my work. I don't think she will just change her mind.> (F)

<You don't know! And why would you want to go there in the first place after everything that happened?> (E)

<I liked the work there. It had something fulfilling. I don't know what the others thought about me, but they had no issues working by my side. And now I can understand them. This might end up disenchanting for me or maybe not. Nonetheless, I'm curious what they have to say.> (F)

<It could still be dangerous for you to go there. For example, you might say something wrong now. Even I don't know all of the rules the Formicea live by.> (E)

<If you worry that much, why don't you accompany me?> (F)

<Accompanying? You? There?> (E)

<I think you should.> (F)

<Why?> (E)

<Erys, you know what is there, right?> (F)

<Yes I know there are... those.> (E)

<Not "those". Yours. You gave them life. You are responsible for them. Don't you think it's right to at least grant them a visit?> (F)

 

If she says it like that it truly sounds as if I would be neglecting my babies if I don't go.
I regain my composure and answer.

 

"Fine, you got me. I'm coming with you. But mostly because I would feel you might otherwise again get abducted." (E)

<If you say so.> (F)

 

Mum has a smile on her face, accompanied by an obvious hint of mockery.
Dad says he stays to look for my brother and that he would make him breakfast when he wakes up, which worries me deeply.
I hope Suki will help him at that time since honestly, I trust the insect which was just introduced to the concept of cooking more in that regard than my father.
Kyska meanwhile accompanies me, along with the obligatory giant escort following some way behind me.
Now I just need to forget this wriggling feeling in my throat.