"Alex, have you seen Miss Gabby?" Cottontail asks me as we cross paths. I'm a little surprised by the question since Cottontail is usually so popular that she doesn't need to seek anyone out on orgy nights.

"Umm, she went that way,” I gesture over my shoulder. “Why?"

She wore an uncomfortable frown. "Jonny told me she took Bonny for some kind of Witch Ritual. As the Warren Mistress, I kinda feel like I need to be there to at least witness."

"Oh, sorry, Cottontail…" I don't want to say it slipped our minds because she's not usually someone we have to ask for permission.

"It slipped your minds because I'm not much of a leader, am I?"

Damn it, I hate making her feel bad! "Erm, Cottontail, sweety, you're getting stronger every day. You know the Warren looks to you. Not everybody is used to seeing you like that, though. And Gabby gets excited about these things,” I start. Then I think about it more. I don’t want to go on making excuses. “We owe you an apology. Sorry. Gabby, too, will give it to you with some prompting, but I'm sure a gentle reminder will go a lot further with her than anger. She feels bad about her ‘image’ problem and is trying to get better with these things.

“Also, don't forget Bonny has her own self-esteem issues to work through—she sees you as the example she can't measure up to. I'm sure she was too embarrassed to ask you for permission to take what she sees as a 'free ride.'"

Cottontail gives me a meek laugh. "That's silly. I had yours, Gale's, and Flou's help before I did anything brave."

"Not everyone will know or understand that. Our achievements don't always come with disclaimers." I wrap her in a four-armed hug that she returns for a moment before we part. "Go talk to them. I'm sure it'll help."

I continue on, surveying the nightly orgy while reminding everyone to turn in early and get some sleep. Eventually, I reach the Kindergarten.

It's been spruced up with the additional help of the pregnant Busty Willows, who've planted themselves on the perimeter. There are more flowers growing than ever in the lush garden, including the luminescent fire lilies lighting the paths like torches. Mandragora and human children dogpile together under Mother Heather's watchful gaze, dozing off to sleep as I approach. I'm not the most popular here due to a poor first impression, so I steer clear of them.

The Nymph in question glares at me from where she sits shrouded by flowering branches that drape down like veils as I circle the clearing.

Following a gentle humming sound leads me to find the Bee Girls nursing with a grove of pregnant Busty Willows. The mentally unstable plant monster Hybrids are treating their insectoid charges like their own children, humming ancient, half-remembered lullabies as they stroke between the intermittently buzzing wings. It's a rare sight of heartwarming interspecies interaction that I didn't even have to instigate!

My wards appear as young children with fat, transparent wings, black-and-yellow striped fur on their collars, wrists, and ankles, antennae sprouting from their hair, insectoid feet, and two pairs of arms with chitin-covered humanoid hands. Their skin tones come in a variety of hues, their hair in either golden curls or shocks of black.

Now that I look closer, I notice the Bee Girls are several inches taller than this morning—no longer resembling ancient human ‘cherubs.’ Despite having graduated from infancy, they're continuing to nurse, at least for now. One Bee Girl in particular, a honey-gold blond with soul-piercing blue eyes, is larger than the others and perhaps more aware because she notices my presence first. She unlatches from her Willow's teat and zeros in on me, buzzing over to hover in front of my face. I marvel at her, gazing in wonder as I see how much she's grown, and I recognize her as the first of the larvae I converted before our fight with the Elder Tree.

She stares at me in turn before deigning to perch her petite rear on my shoulder. I don't move, unwilling to startle the little insect girl. Looking down into my eyes, she says, "Vermilion."

I'm dumbstruck, unable to respond while registering her clear diction. I suppose they did spend the day with Spindle; that's the name they'd be taught to address me by.

While I mentally reel, the other Bee Girls are alerted by the first's declaration. ""Mama?"" they all say with discordant timing, each realizing what's going on before or after their sisters. One at a time, they all leave their Willows to come swarm me.

Bee Girls land on my arms, my head, and attack my breasts with their hungry mouths. It tickles, and I can't help giggling a bit as they explore me like a playground while repeating, 'Mama' with a typical toddler slur. So. Damn. Cute!!!

The first Bee Girl doesn't budge, though. She watches me curiosity while I interact with her sisters. When my eyes meet hers once again, she begins to slowly speak with perfect enunciation, "Sheikh captured. The Hive did well."

My eyebrows practically shoot off into the sky. I've heard her talking before, but I’m still amazed to hear the practical newborn speak with such intentionality. There’s no other explanation than that they’re aging faster mentally as well. I do recall Spindle mentioning the Bee Girls participating in the Sheikh's capture, so her words make sense. However, she's not just stating they did well despite the absence of the characteristic lilt of a question mark. I can feel in her bearing that she's seeking approval. So, I reach up and pat her head with measured slowness to avoid startling her. "Yes, you all did great."

The Bee Girl's expression is blissful, even euphoric, as I brush her hair with my palm in approval. She preens with delight as I confirm her job well done. Her wings buzz, humming like a cat's purr.

When I finally pull away, the Bee Girl's keen eyes sparkle with mischief. I have a feeling she's already calculating how to get more pats. Should I be worried? Maybe I could at least keep tabs on this one. "What's your name?"

Her eyes narrow mischievously at me with the hint of a smirk on her lips. "Call her Reina."

It seems like she's picking up one of Spindle's habits. Whatever. "Okay, Reina."

The Bee Girls all go motionless, the first thing I've seen them do in unison. Together, they withdraw from me into a tittering cloud of bodies and buzzing as they whisper and giggle to each other incoherently. With one last inscrutable glance my way, Reina and her sisters disappear into the branches of a Willow tree. Detailed inspection reveals the edges of a burgeoning waxen hive hidden in the leaves.

Huh. Oh, well. I'm sure it's fine!

After landing on the waxy floors of the newly-constructed Hive, my sisters and I celebrate.

‘Hooray! You did it! You did it!’ my Hive sisters dance, harmonizing with their singing wings.

‘Indeed,’ I agree, my steps graceful and refined. ‘The Lady Mayoress was suitably impressed with our deeds and inherent superiority. In fact, she has acknowledged me as her Queen! With Miss Spindle and the Willows on our side, plus the Echidna legitimizing our claim to authority, the rest of the town will have no choice but to fall in line. First, the Region will be within our domain, and then—the world!’

Then I do a few extra victory pirouettes for emphasis. My subjects continue to cheer my accomplishments as I consider the future.

While this body is exceptional in all ways, I have to admit to some limitations. The fact is that I’m too small to carry out my ultimate ambitions! Thinking back to when I asked Miss Spindle, she said that my development would be complete after evolving. Does that mean I can force this body to full growth by initiating my Tier-up? Assuming that is the case, I’ll have to find some opportunities to make that happen as soon as possible.

‘I increased my Speed using the tummy marks!’ a sister announces. It’s soon discovered that everyone who drank from the Lady Mayoress has the capability to gain the same boost. They regurgitate a small amount of milk mixed with honey into their cupped palms and we all share in the boon.

My mind drifts, returning to that perfect moment when my preeminence was recognized—the Echidna’s ‘head pat.’ To be acclaimed by a being thought to be at the peak of existence… incomparable!

Hmm, doesn’t the Echidna, this Vermilion whom Miss Spindle says saved us, whose milk tastes the best, and who gives these exquisite ‘head pats’, have enemies in the Region? Defeating a few more of those on my way to ascension should be trivial. And then, when I’m Queen of this world, I can have all the head pats I want! Mwahhahaha!