The Lady of the Hive has Arrived

Chapter 1: The Lady of the Hive

I knew this was stupid, but I couldn't help myself, I couldn't resist. The ride to Midowa Crest was a rather taxing journey, even more so this time due to a few extra measures I'd taken to ensure my safe arrival. I doubt anyone could blame me for indulging myself during the single intermission I had during a month's long quest to reach the capital.

My body stiffened automatically, as if responding to my frivolous thoughts. I exhaled slowly, encouraging my body to forgive me for my ignorance. Thankfully, it obliged relaxed itself against the tall grass it had pinned under it.

Nobody would do anything other than blame and judge me for these indulgences.

The stars I had been mindlessly focusing on suddenly seemed farther away from me tonight than usual. Perhaps they were attempting to respect my privacy. I smiled derisively because I knew better than to think so innocently. If anything, the stars would be shunning me for my irresponsibility.

I closed my eyes to blind myself from their judgment, still smiling to myself as I listened to the tall grasses sway with the wind. It has to be my favorite sound, one that soothes me better than any practiced performance ever had or could. The sound of the tall blades of grass grazing against each other so tenderly, with nothing guiding them to do so other than a gentle wind.

A voice with an unmistakable smugness ripped me from my almost tranquil state.

"You appear to be awfully content with yourself."

My smile fell from my face and I opened one of my eyes, making the action deliberately slow to express my irritation with him. He stood at my feet, looking down at me with his dark, mossy green eyes. Smug asshole. There are no other words to better describe this man. Despite his position, his posture, and his speech, he was far from a gentleman.

"Have they noticed my absence?" I asked him, holding his stare with my eye.

"No," he answered, his lips slightly turning up into a small smile. "I haven't the slightest idea as to how they are so dedicated to fulfill their duties, but manage to be so oblivious of their shortcomings."

Asshole. Keeping my other eye closed, I scowled at him, wanting to accurately convey to him how rapidly my irritation was escalating.

"Only an complete fool would speak of my men with such condescension. They are the finest knights in the Kingdom of Midowa, and there are none finer," I spat bitterly.

My indignation seemed to only encourage his satisfaction.

"Well, my lady, how could you possibly explain how you managed to pull off this little excursion without drawing the attention of a single knight out of your party of twenty five? Hm?" He mused in his low, ever sultry voice.

I closed my eye, not wanting to look at his stupidly smug face any longer. Still, I persisted in this conversation, refusing to abide the mockery he directed at my contingent of knights.

"You know better than to attribute the success of my escapes to their deficiencies rather than to my ability to circumvent," I stated in defiance. "If there was a man that could confine me, my father would have hired him by now. And that man would be a wealthy man indeed." I smiled to myself, unable to suppress the pride that I had in my abilities.

"Ah, I see..." I heard him murmur, sounding as if he were drifting into thoughtful contemplation.

You better, you stupid, smug asshole. My smile grew wider as my irritation was being overtaken by satisfaction in his silence. Again, I found myself listening to the tall grass rustling in the background, and sinking into a blissful void, free of his obnoxious condescension. Naturally, this peace only lasted a few meager moments. Suddenly, I felt overcome by a close, looming presence over my body.