"Seth, how is the harvest for this winter season coming along?" asked Queen Celeste.
"We are slowly making progress. However, it will not be enough to last us throughout the winter due to the distance of our food source. Based on an estimation, if we send out five worker ants to collect food, we'll need one of our military ants to watch over them. So, at a ratio of five to one, we can send out one hundred military ants for protection.
"My biggest fear is that it will be a large group, making us an easy target for other insects and ants," said Seth. "Even if we send out that many worker ants, it wouldn't be enough because there's no way they can make so many trips and not get tired. Plus, the food source is two to three days away from our colony. Then there's the possibility of us getting attacked while most of our forces are out. It's too risky. If it wasn't for that damn greedy grasshop—"
"Your Highness!" shouted Vladimir as he staggered into the Queen's chamber.
"Oh, it's you, Vladimir. What happened to you? You look like crap," said an ant servant.
"I need to see the Queen now. It's very urgent."
"What happened to you, Vladimir? To think someone was capable of inflicting these wounds on you..."
"The princess... she was taken last night."
"What did you say?" asked Queen Celeste, shocked.
"I was out with her when she took her usual night strolls, but then, all of a sudden, an ant warrior with unbelievable skills ambushed us, overpowered me, and took Princess Tanya away. I'm so sorry, Your Majesty. I have failed you."
"No way... they took Tanya? This is really bad."
"Yes, that's it. She's taking the bait. Now to make her believe me about who the culprit is..."
"I have reasons to believe that the kidnapper is that slave scum who came to the throne room yesterday. I mean, he practically got out of his cell on his own. Isn't that concerning?" said Vladimir as he attempted to implant thoughts in the Queen's mind.
"Go get that prisoner and bring him here. Use any torture methods necessary until he talks and tells us where he has taken my daughter."
"Yes, my Queen. Right away," said a warden as he made his way to the prison cell.
"Don't bother. All of you are just wasting your time," said Anastasia.
"And why do you say that, Anastasia?" asked Queen Celeste.
"This ant is innocent. I stayed up all night watching over him, and he never left his cell. He's not the one responsible."
"Damn, this bitch. Always ruining the plans I set in motion..."
"Well, we'll have to send a search party for her outside the colony. Order the army to send ten squads of five."
"Yes, my Queen," said Seth as he prepared to dispatch the squads.
"That's right. Take the bait. It still worked out as planned..."
"That won't be necessary," said Ari.
"How did you get out of your cell?" asked an ant servant.
"I was the one who released him. Got a problem with that?" asked Anastasia in a rude tone.
"Who the hell gave you permission? The last time I checked, I don't take orders from you. Learn your place. You're just a lieutenant."
"Silence! Did I tell you to speak? Never do that again in my presence."
"Yes, Your Majesty. It won't happen again."
"Go ahead, Ari. Share with the Queen all the information you found," said Anastasia.
"You can't listen to this spy, Queen Celeste. For all we know, he might be leading us into a trap."
"Silence, Vladimir. Let him speak his mind. Go on, I'm listening."
"Princess Tanya couldn't have been taken far, so it is pointless to send anyone after her aimlessly. Both Anastasia and I spoke with the ants on patrol that night, and they claimed to have seen Princess Tanya outside the colony roaming, which means she was accounted for last night.
"Over the span of last night until now, she couldn't have been taken far, which means she's still somewhere inside this colony. Now, my question for you, Queen Celeste, is this—shouldn't Vladimir have been accompanying her on her night strolls since he's her bodyguard? Where were you, Vladimir?"
"I was with her when she was taken by an ant way more skilled than me in combat," said Vladimir.
"That's what you want the Queen to believe. If you were under attack, the ants on patrol would have noticed. And if they didn't, why did you not signal to them?"
"At the time, my only priority was protecting Tanya! And how can you be accusing me when you see my injuries?"
"For your information, those are self-inflicted wounds. If they were from another insect, the wounds would be inverted. You wanted us to believe that you were struggling against an enemy who took Tanya away when, in actuality, you were the one who took Princess Tanya," said Ari.
"Who in their right mind would cause harm to themselves? Are you insane? And what reason would I have to kidnap the princess?"
"There are several reasons. A few days ago, the Queen ordered Anastasia to double down on patrols in case an invasion occurred. This ruined the plans you and the neighboring colony had to raid us. So you kidnapped Princess Tanya in order for the Queen to send out search parties to look for her, which would decrease the number of ants available to defend the colony.
"This would have made the invasion a whole lot easier, and you would have succeeded. The other reason was to hold Princess Tanya for ransom in exchange for food and resources. But you wouldn't risk this, as you genuinely care for her and her safety."
"I underestimated this ant... he read it all like it was an open book. I should have killed him when I had the chance," Vladimir thought to himself as malicious intentions overshadowed his composure.
"All of what this ant said sounds valid, and it adds up with all the strange occurrences that have been happening lately. Now then, Vladimir, answer me honestly— is what this ant is saying true? Were you the one who kidnapped Tanya?"
"No, Your Majesty! That's absurd! I would never do anything to harm the princess! You entrusted me with her life and safety, so why would I do such a thing?"
"Take him away. Put him in a cell until this matter is addressed."
The military ants grabbed Vladimir and pinned him to the ground.
"I'll assist them as well, Your Highness, just in case he gets any bright ideas," said Commander Seth.
"I believe that's the right course of action."
"Why did you not believe me, my Queen? That boy... he will be our downfall. Don't listen to a word that comes out of his filthy mouth," said Vladimir as he was taken away.