Re:Ant Lord-Chapter 44: Unfinished Conversation

Kai, for his part, had no idea what he should say to the princess. A few moments ago he was effectively cuddling and pressing her chest. Finally he says, "Um... Good morning...!"

Outside, the attendant knocked a third time, a bit louder: "My lady?"

Mia inhaled sharply, then turned her head. "Yes—I am not sleeping," she said, voice more clipped than usual. "I... require a moment. Wait outside."

"Yes, Your Highness," the attendant answered. Footsteps retreated.

Mia twisted back to face Kai. For a breath, they stared at each other. He noticed the faint shimmer in her eyes, the subtle flush across her cheeks, and the parted lips that seemed to be deciding whether to speak, scold, or question. She pressed her hand to her forehead. Then, more softly:

"Kai... you’re awake?"

He nodded, swallowing. "I... I guess so. Where... am I?"

She hesitated, glancing down at the bed, then at him. "You’re in one of my personal suites, we’re in the outer area of the ant kingdom." The slightest quiver touched her voice. "You were... badly hurt. I brought you here. I fed you an herbal restorative last night. It was kind of my mistake that you got injured so badly. I told captain Darius to give you some challenging work. That’s why I bring you here to heal you."

Kai took it all in. He noticed that she did not immediately recoil in anger or leap to kill him for possibly groping her. Maybe she truly had no idea what just happened. Or she was choosing to ignore it for the moment. He wasn’t sure which was scarier. "Thank you," he mumbled. "For saving me."

Mia swallowed. Now that she was fully awake, the regal bearing in her posture returned. She shifted upright, smoothing a hand over her disheveled hair. "It was... the least I could do. You were found half-dead, and I can’t meet you in the healing hall. That would raise many questions." Her expression tightened, but then she composed herself. "I had you transferred to my care."

Kai’s mind soared with a thousand questions. But the pressing one that hammered loudest was: Why? Aloud, he asked gently, "I appreciate that. But... Why did you go through so much trouble for me? I’m just... a worker ant."

Her golden eyes flickered. Then, surprisingly, a small grin touched her lips. "Hmm... Because an ant shaman told me you are the one who can help me." She brushed nonexistent dust from her sleeve. "But let’s not get into that now. You must be confused."

Kai let out a shaky breath. "I... yeah."

He felt his new, fully healed exoskeleton. The tension in his arms, so raw last night, was completely gone. The swirl of new power from the Two-Star rank flickered along his aura channels, still half-familiar, half-strange. "Last I remember, I was in a big fight... then... water... everything’s blank."

Mia nodded, her expression empathic. "It’s been a few days since you fell into that ravine river. The hunting team found you washed ashore, nearly dead, and they brought you back. Your condition was bad that’s why I intervened to ensure you received direct help. I had you transferred here quietly. You needed more advanced care than what the standard ward offers."

Kai started. "And you... you fed me that herbal brew last night?"

She gave a short nod. "Yes. Among other small healing magics."

An awkward silence rose between them. Kai parted his mandibles, searching for something to say. He risked a glance downward, noticing for the first time the difference in her attire: a thin, silky robe that clung in all the right (or terrifying) places. The memory of how he woke up flared in his mind, and he forcibly refocused on her face. "I’m... extremely grateful," he managed.

She half-lifted a brow. "You can repay me by getting stronger, eventually. I will send you to the healing hall. Don’t mention anything to anyone."

A flicker of secrecy passed her eyes, but Mia only said, "My trusted retainer will show you the way. I have to go. I have some morning court duties to attend to," she said quietly, not quite meeting his gaze.

He nodded, uncertain. "Yes, Princess."

At the formality in his voice, she gave him an unreadable look, then turned to head for a side door that presumably led to her private changing area. She paused right before stepping through. Her voice turned soft, almost reluctant. "Kai... I’m glad you’re awake."

Then she slipped away, leaving him alone in the hush. The door clicked shut behind her.

Kai exhaled in a rush. That was the strangest morning of his entire reincarnated life. Maybe of both lives. He had awakened holding a princess..., discovered a bizarre new "Lustres Mark" system function, and apparently was hidden away in the private suite of a six-star figure. The potential ramifications made his head spin.

He closed his eyes briefly, letting the swirl of anxious thoughts settle. Then he quietly, gingerly, patted his exoskeleton where the cracks used to be. All gone. The fresh plates felt brand new. He wiggled his arms, tested a punch in the air. No pain. Indeed, he was stronger.

He shifted to the edge of the bed, letting his feet dangle. On a small side table, he spotted a bowl of water and a folded cloth, presumably for washing up. He also noticed a set of clothes that looked new or freshly laundered. They were definitely not common worker’s attire. Possibly something the princess had prepared?

Kai sighed, letting the tension slip from his shoulders. "When I get stronger, I will teach that butt flicker guy a lesson," he promised to himself.

A guard comes inside the room saying, "Come with me, I will escort you to the healing hall. From there you can go back to working Ants quatars.

He was escorted through the dim corridors. The guard’s steps were measured and respectful, as if guiding a revered warrior rather than a mere worker ant. Along the way, the soft glow of bio-luminescent crystals provided a gentle illumination, casting dancing reflections upon the walls.