"Now then," Queen Celeste said, her voice smooth and commanding as it echoed softly through the stone chamber. "Explain yourself. What matter was so important that you would leave your cell and risk your life to stand before me?"
Ari drew in a deep breath, his eyes lowered to the dirt-packed floor. His fingers tightened slightly against his knees. After a moment, he raised his head.
Here goes nothing.
"Last night… while I was in my prison cell," Ari said, his voice steady but low, "I overheard—and saw—Vladimir speaking with ants from a rival colony." He shifted slightly. "They're planning to invade this colony," he continued. "Their goal is to seize the food stores and the colony's resources."
Ari swallowed, keeping his gaze forward. "They promised Vladimir a large reward if the plan succeeds… and the infiltration is supposed to happen in three days."
"I see," Celeste said slowly, each word measured and deliberate. She shifted slightly on her throne. The faint scrape of her hand against the armrest echoed through the quiet chamber as her narrowed gaze settled on Ari.
Celeste's eyes narrowed slightly. "And why," she asked calmly, "should I believe you… when you have no proof of this exchange?" She tilted her head, studying him in silence. The chamber remained quiet except for the faint shifting of the servants behind him.
"I have known Vladimir for a very long time," she continued. Her fingers tapped once against the armrest of the throne. "Your claim does not add up. If he truly betrayed me… then answer this." A brief pause followed. "Why would he choose to do so now?"
Ari hesitated. "I… I don't know his motive," he admitted. "Even so… if you do nothing about this intel, this colony will be destroyed." He met Celeste's gaze steadily, forcing his tone to sound measured.
Without warning, Vladimir stepped into the Queen's chamber. Ari turned slightly at the sound of his footsteps. His heart dropped. The faint clink of Vladimir's armored feet echoed against the walls. The chamber grew quiet as the guards shifted their attention toward the entrance. One by one, every gaze settled on him.
Vladimir stepped toward her, his posture straight and rigid. His eyes settled on the princess. "Princess Emilia. I've been searching the colony for you." His voice was steady, but the firmness in it was unmistakable. "Where did you go?" He paused briefly before continuing. "You shouldn't disappear like that. It causes unnecessary concern."
Emilia's chest tightened, and her hands instinctively curled at her sides. His gaze snapped to Ari, sharp and accusing. "Wait… it's you." He stepped closer. "Why aren't you in your cell? How did you get out?"
Ari kept his back straight, jaw set, forcing his face calm. A shiver ran down his spine, but he didn't move. Vladimir turned to the princess. She froze under his gaze, eyes fixed on the floor. Her shoulders stiffened, and she swallowed hard, as if she couldn't find the words to speak.
Vladimir's eyes narrowed. "Wait… don't tell me...were you the one who freed the prisoner, Princess?"
"I… I'm sorry. Yes...it was me," Emilia whispered, her voice barely rising above the echo of the chamber.
"This ant claims to have overheard you plotting against me and my colony with our enemies," Celeste said, her voice sharp and steady. Vladimir's eyes widened for a brief moment before he forced his expression back to calm. "My Queen… do you believe that to be the truth?"
He leaned slightly forward, shoulders squared, gaze fixed firmly on Celeste. "I have served you since the great war. My loyalty has always been and will always remain with you and the colony." He paused, letting his calm tone fill the chamber. "I would never betray it."
"So all the information he shared with me is false?" Queen Celeste asked, her voice sharp. She leaned slightly forward, observing Vladimir for any sign of dishonesty.
"I can assure you that," Vladimir said. "Princess Emilia," Vladimir said, his voice even and deliberate. His gaze shifted briefly toward Ari before returning to her. "So this means you believed him. You released a prisoner based on his accusation against me." His expression hardened. "After everything I have done in service to you… this is the trust you place in me?"
"I… I was only trying to do what I thought was right for the colony," Emilia stammered, her voice shaking. She hesitated. Her antennae lowered slightly as her fingers tightened together. "He… he told me something was coming. That the colony might be in danger."
She shook her head. "I didn't know what else to do. I wasn't saying you betrayed us, Vladimir. I— I just…" Her voice faltered. She glanced toward Ari.
No… Ari thought.
Emilia looked back at Vladimir. "He sounded certain. When he spoke… I believed he was sincere."
I hope he understands… I really do, she thought, chest tightening.
"I see," Vladimir said. His voice remained calm. He stepped closer to Emilia. She flinched as he raised a hand, but he gently patted the top of her head. Emilia looked up at him, her mouth slightly open in surprise.
"I'm sorry he deceived you," Vladimir said with a faint smile. His hand moved slowly over her head. "He was only using you to escape and return to his colony. He took advantage of your kindness."
His eyes shifted toward Ari, sharp and assessing. A faint smirk formed at the corner of his mouth. "Don't worry," Vladimir said. His gaze returned to Emilia. "I'll make sure he never comes near you again." He paused briefly. "And you won't be leaving my sight either."
"You lying bastard! You know what you did!" Ari snapped as he stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "Why would you lie to her face like that?"
The ant servants moved quickly, rushing forward with their spears raised. Queen Celeste lifted one hand. The servants stopped immediately.
"That's enough," Vladimir said, his voice firm. His eyes fixed on Ari. The stare was cold and unwavering. Ari froze where he stood. "Remove him from this chamber," Vladimir ordered. "A mere slave in the queen's domain is forbidden."
The military ants that came with Vladimir advanced swiftly, flinging a sticky, gooey substance over Ari's limbs. He struggled against it, the cold, clinging material tightening around his wrists and ankles, resisting his every movement until it hardened. He gritted his teeth in pain.
"You're all making a huge mistake!" Ari shouted, panic coiling in his chest. "You won't listen… and you'll regret it!" His eyes snapped to Emilia, desperate and with urgency. "Princess Emilia… please...Believe me... I'm telling the truth! You have to save the colony."
Emilia squeezed her eyes shut, her thorax tightening as a tremor ran through her limbs. She turned slowly, forcing her back toward him, antennae drooping with unease. "Please… don't speak to me again," she whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at firmness. "I never want to see your face again… you liar."
"But… Princess, why…?" Ari asked, his gaze desperate. As the military ants hauled him away, his eyes flicked toward Vladimir. He caught the faintest twist of a smirk on the commander's lips.
"Summon Lieutenant Valeria and Chief Warden Draven." The Queen's voice was calm, but every word carried weight. "I would like a word with them." Her eyes lingered on Vladimir for a brief moment. He remained perfectly calm, showing no sign of unease.
"Right away, Your Highness," a servant said, his voice quick and respectful. He darted from the chamber, the soft clicks of his feet fading as he carried out the Queen's command.
Moments later, the servant returned, leading Lieutenant Valeria and Chief Warden Draven into the Queen's chamber. As they stepped inside, Valeria's gaze immediately fixed on Vladimir, eyes narrowing sharply. She exhaled slowly, letting her tension ease just enough, and rested her armored hand on the hilt of her mandible.
"You called for me, my Queen?" Valeria asked, inclining her head with a precise bow. "And what is on your mind, Your Highness?" Draven added.
The Queen rested her arm on the throne, her voice firm and commanding. "I expect this order to reach every rank—both the Military and Warden Castes. For the next three days, double our patrols across the outskirts and interior of the colony. Leave nothing unchecked. That young ant may be lying about the invasion, but it is wiser to take precautions than to ignore his warning and face the consequences."
"I will make sure our patrols are flawless, Your Highness," Draven said, straightening his shoulders. In that brief moment, as Draven took his leave, Vladimir turned his eyes to Emilia, who still looked conflicted.
The military ants flung Ari back into his cell, the door slamming shut with a sharp clang. He grunted in pain. "You have to believe me!" he shouted, his voice raw as he lay sprawled on the dirt-packed ground, unable to move. "The invasion—it's coming! Vladimir betrayed you all!"
"Save it. Nobody likes a liar," one of the military ants sneered. "To think he deceived the princess… I'm surprised the Queen didn't order his death." The other nodded grimly, and they walked away without another word.
What the hell is wrong with them…? Can't they see I'm trying to help?
His chest tightened, breath coming in ragged gasps as his mind raced. If I don't do something… we're all going to die. I'll die with them… I can't let that happen. I have to get out of here… somehow…
"Hey, you..."
Ari tried to lift his head. "Who… who's that…?" His voice trembled. "It's you… the ant who captured me… Lieutenant Valeria." Each word caught in his throat. His chest heaved, and a cold sweat slicked down his face.
Valeria stepped closer, her shadow stretching over him. "I have a question," she said, folding her arms. "Answer me honestly… or I'll make you wish you had. Did you really see Vladimir conversing with ants from other colonies… using these lower tunnels, plotting to take over ours?"
Ari hesitated. He forced a slow inhale, trying to steady his racing thoughts, the walls pressing in around him. "Yes… I did," he admitted finally, his voice trembling just enough to betray his fear. "Right here… in this prison cell… through a crack in the wall."
There was a brief pause before she looked at him once more. "I see. Whatever the case, you have my thanks," Valeria said, her voice calm, measured. Her eyes lingered on Ari for a moment, flicking briefly to his bindings. "Though I don't fully trust your words."
She shifted her weight, crossing her arms, gaze narrowing just slightly. "However… I've known Vladimir for a long time, ever since I was just a recruit. He's always been… suspicious, especially after the great war." She tilted her head, jaw tightening faintly. "He always tries to be in everyone's good graces," she continued, "which is… what I find irritating. I myself suspected something about him, and now… it seems those suspicions might be coming to light."
Her gaze returned to him, expression unreadable. "Still...Don't get the wrong idea. You'll still spend the rest of your life as a slave here. I'll keep an eye on him… just in case." Without waiting for a response, Valeria turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing softly before fading into the distance.
Ari remained kneeling on the ground, staring at the empty tunnels. Is that… her way of saying she believes me? he thought, a flicker of hope battling the cold knot of doubt coiling in his stomach.