Chapter 236: Chapter 220: Possible Paths

After they arrived back at the base, Regina kept an eye on Ria, both metaphorically and literally. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Ria was more … fragile than she tried to pretend. She’d have probably seen it without the psychic link. If nothing else, it was clear that being separated from the hive was traumatic or at least a burden. Luckily, the other drones realized it as well without her having to say anything. As they got settled in at the base, Ria always had someone close by, ready to offer a shoulder to lean on but careful not to crowd her.

Regina felt a bit … conflicted about all of this. On the one hand, she had hundreds of children. She couldn’t afford to pay close attention and give comfort to every one, and she already felt vaguely guilty for giving special attention to some of them.

On the other hand, they were her children. She was their mother.

In hindsight, the way they’d avoided calling her that because of her obvious discomfort with the idea must have been a bit of an emotional stressor as well, something that should have been more obvious to her. But if I’m honest, that discomfort - has faded. Maybe I’ve just gotten used to the idea?

She still wasn’t sure what she should do about it, how she should act. She had to strike some middle ground between normal human family dynamics and alien insectoid hives. Although, thinking about it, she couldn’t be the first Hive Queen to run into this conflict. Especially since, from what she’d gathered from Galatea, Leian and even Alianais, this was apparently normal for them. The others had to have some solutions or common practices for it. One more thing she’d lost out on by basically being stranded in this place and time as the only one of her kind. I wonder what kind of cultures the old Hive Queens would have been from originally?

Regina shook her head and dismissed that thought, focusing back on her surroundings and the task at hand. She wasn’t going to solve this, or at least sort out her feelings, right now.

The main priority at the moment was getting everything squared away regarding the negotiations and diplomacy in general. Regina focused on that while she made a quick stop by the hatchery and then returned to her rooms. She felt that they were past the most difficult parts, but she didn’t want to screw up now.

At least the war should be pretty much over, with Nerlia surrendered and the Esemen withdrawing, except for the Cernlians. Marquis Lyns should be handling them. But Regina knew better than to assume that he would manage everything without bothering her. With her luck, she’d have to fight off the next challenger for him in a few weeks. Or against him. Or maybe the gods would start screwing around again.

She was a bit dissatisfied that she’d actually dealt with the Esemen without getting to the bottom of their connection to said gods, although Nightsen’s admission as good as confirmed what she’d suspected, and actually gave her a few details to work with. She didn’t really want to engage them more closely just for the chance of finding out more, so she’d have to be content with more normal diplomatic (or espionage) attempts at information gathering.

Regina distracted herself by watching the Esemen prepare to head out, at least as far as she could tell. She’d need to send someone - with a proper, large escort - to settle details, but she was glad to see they were going to be gone soon. It would still leave her to deal with Whitor, and other local nobles, but she’d be in a good position for that. The hive was much better off than it had been at the start of this war, if nothing else.

It didn’t even surprise Regina when the System popped up another notification before her eyes. Clearly, she had gained some Experience for her diplomatic endeavors.

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