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."