I leave the queen's chamber together with all the other princesses, as there is just one main entrance.
Liseti is close to me.

 

<Erys, you seem quite sullen. Isn't it positive that your request was granted? The queen was very open on that matter.> (L)

 

Yes, but at what price?

 

<You're not the one having to travel together with Honiu.> (E)

<Certainly. This might prove difficult for you. But if you can endure you might accomplish your goals.> (L)

 

She's right.
As long as Honiu isn't trying to sabotage negotiations, we might achieve lasting peace and friendly relations with Tarsona.
It would also mean that I wouldn't have to live forever secluded from others below the earth.
However, I can barely imagine how I'll be able to stand her presence for such a prolonged period.

 

<You're aware that I am present?> (H)

 

Uh, I intentionally talked quietly, but it doesn't seem to do very much if everyone can essentially read my mind.

 

<What do you want?> (E)

­<Still quite hostile it seems.> (H)

<Don't believe I forgot what you did to my mother.> (E)

<Yes, and for that, I lost all assistance from my very own nurses and have now to constantly deal with her antics.> (H)

 

Okay, I... can understand her to a degree.
Mum can be a bit peculiar.
Especially, if she wants to teach you a lesson.
And with Honiu she had a very justified reason to do so.
A complicated situation.

Yet while I can understand her suffering, to a degree, it still sounds like a bad idea to take her with us.
She seems to be far less flexible than it would be needed for interaction with humans.

 

<I have my doubts about you on this mission.> (E)

<Which would be?> (H)

<That you're starting a war, purely out of spite?!> (E)

<Which would be affecting my brood as well. I am not as petty as you might believe. Truly, it's completely the opposite. I wish you to succeed.> (H)

 

Considering her attitude just before this sounds extremely unlikely.

 

<Why would you wish that my project bears results?> (L)

<Naturally. Humans prove to be the first meaningful distraction since far too long. It might be worth supporting this if I want it to last.> (H)

<Really? You and humans?> (E)

<I'm certainly intrigued. Humans prove to be quite fascinating creatures. Already this "game of cards" your mother brought recently was a very welcome distraction.> (H)

 

Oh, I remember.
Mum came home especially late that day because those two played cards for hours.
For some reason, she brought a full vessel of nectar with her and said she won it.
Even if I could ask for this much at any time.
Honestly, just carrying it all the way down was a completely unnecessary effort.

 

<If you are so interested in humans, why were you so against me going to those negotiations, which would effectively cut out all our options for interaction?> (E)

<I can't let Uma know about the things I fancy, or she'll take them away or use them against me. Furthermore, I had to play my part. Uma should believe that you thought about this in a considerate way and everything is not just a whim of yours. With insufficient arguments, you would've been shut down. And Uma isn't someone to ask you for every detail. She expects to hear everything about a matter and then she decides.> (H)

<This is true, to a degree.> (L)

<So you seriously intend to accompany me to the humans?> (E)

<I can't go back from my word anymore. What would your mother say? You'll have to deal with it!> (H)

 

Did she really just say that?
I get the feeling that being with my mum might actually be a bit problematic in the long run.

Rather surprisingly, Honiu addresses me a second time.

 

<Aside from that, this all is in your favor.> (H)

<How so?> (E)

<I'll naturally need my personal nurse on such a journey. So she'll accompany us. I was sure you would be pleased about this. Also, she's bound to me, so naturally, she wouldn't have been able to leave my side or support you in any way while you're gone.> (H)

 

This revelation shocks me.
I never considered that, but it must be true and even Liseti isn't correcting her.
While dad and Toris might have a chance to leave mum will never be able to do so.
She's expected to care for Honiu by royal decree and negligence might lead to severe repercussions.
In fact, with her assignment mum is almost as bound to the swarm as I am.
Not like she seems to mind it very much.

I still have issues believing that this will work out.
Nonetheless, I can't discuss much more with her.
I need to leave now as fast as possible for my place.
Because I might just be able to make it there before the chaos in my mind subsides and will be replaced by a laying attack.

 

After around forty eggs, I can finally start to think things through.
While I know that a responsible person would talk to the envoy as soon as possible, informing them that their request was approved and figuring out all the business-related stuff, my family comes first.
Conveniently, they're all close by.

 

"Ah, Eryes. How nice that you're here. Is your meeeting already over?" (F)

 

It's kinda weird, but also somewhat nice, that mum treats the conference of several entities who together might have enough accumulated forces to overthrow all the countries on the surface and discuss the future of nations the same as a simple invitation to tea.

 

"Right, did you know Honiu came as well?" (E)

"Just when I could go earlier because of this reason." (F)

 

Well, might be better that she wasn't present.
If I imagine how she would've waved at me during the meeting if that was the case then I wouldn't know if I'd be able to bear all the embarrassment.

 

"Is there a reason why you're here? You looked busy." (R)

 

Dad tries, a bit awkwardly, to talk around the fact that I just had my last laying session.
Usually, I try to wait a bit after this before I see anyone because it's taxing and I don't want everyone to be able to relate my state to what just happened.

 

"No, I just wanted to tell you... I'm traveling to Valera. Mum, you as well, just so you know it." (E)

"Valeera? That's quite a trip, Erye." (F)

"Well, Honiu is coming with us, and she said she's taking you along." (E)

"Quiete strange that thee one who takes me with her iz not my own daughteer, but the insEct I'm serving." (F)

 

Yes, I'm aware of the irony.

 

"Ehk, just to say so, dad. You and Toris are naturally welcome as well to join us on this trip." (E)

"I'm not so sure about this Erys. I think it will be quite an effort to get there. Also, we wouldn't be able to do much. It's not like we could just stroll through the streets without any issues. And Toris just acclimated a bit here. Not sure if a base in the middle of nowhere would be much of an improvement." (R)

"And I'm learning so many cool things every day!" (T)

 

Well, yes. I mostly offered this because I felt a bit obligated to do so, but in truth, they might be a bit of a bother.
We would need more guards, prepare more special lodgings and food, and this while they wouldn't be able to go sightseeing in one of the most interesting cities in existence, as it would pose a security issue, which would be vexing.
However, I didn't really believe that they would consider remaining here while mum and I are going.

 

"Well, Miwa will naturally stay here, as well as Suki. They will make sure that you have everything you need. Aside from this, Liseti is also staying in the hive. She'll guarantee that nothing happens to you." (E)

 

Suki is still the one who tended to my family most of the time.
I trust her expertise.
And I don't think that I'll need two maids on this trip.
I'd like to keep it simple.

 

"Does this mean I can continue going to school?" (T)

 

Not sure if school is the right concept here but as long as it's fitting enough for him, I don't see a problem.

 

"You really like it there, huh?" (E)

"Yes! Everyone's nice and it's always interesting! Dimion is a bit of a prig, but I'm slowly getting through to him." (T)

 

No idea what his intentions are, but if he can make friends here I'm okay with this.
I want him to be happy.

 

"So you're fine with us going? " (E)

"As if I'd keep my daughter from leading great peace negotiations." (R)

"Pfft. Good. Maybe I'll be able to bring you a souvenir." (E)

"How about the crown jewels?" (F)

"God mum!" (E)

 

And with this, we end on a surprisingly light note.

 

"By the way, how are the envoys?" (F)

"Ehk, I need to go!!!" (E)