“Chrysalis.” Fortuna spoke calmly, walking past the guards into the throne room.
“Ah, Fortuna-domina. What are you doing here? Has my son been causing you trouble?” Chrysalis asked, sitting still on her throne.
“Not at all, your majesty. He is coming along wonderfully, extremely gifted for his age.” Fortuna dismissed the thought. “Though it shall take a while to convince him the things you said to him are a load of rubbish.”
“Then why have you come to see me?” Chrysalis asked.
“It’s about your other son.” Fortuna said, and Chrysalis let out a laugh.
“Ah, has Athrex-eques found yet another problem with Thorax that needs to be reported and dealt with? I thought I had asked him to come to me with those, not you.”
“So that’s why the first time I’d heard of it was when Pharynx and I found him.” Fortuna made a mental note to speak with Athrex about it. No matter what their Queen said, problems with apprentices should still be reported to the Head General.
“Nothing of the sort.” Fortuna stated in response to Chrysalis’ question. “It’s about your treatment of him.”
Chrysalis’ gaze hardened. “I see.”
“Your majesty, permission to speak freely?”
“Granted…”
“When I first encountered Thorax, not including during the apprentice ceremony, he had several injuries that could have been fatal if left untreated. Upon asking Pharynx, he told me this is not the first time Thorax has returned from conversations with you with injuries. Forgive me for intruding, your highness, but is this the best way of ensuring you have an heir?”
Chrysalis chuckled and stood up. “Fortuna, you seem to forget I only need one heir. Thorax is weak and his brother is strong. So his brother will live, and he will die.”
“What if Pharynx were killed in battle? What would happen if you didn’t have another heir?”
“I have a plan, Fortuna. Just because I do not share them with you does not mean they do not exist.”
“You cannot use that as an excuse to kill off your own child!” Fortuna cried
Chrysalis’ gaze darkened, and she glared at Fortuna. Fortuna glared back.
“You and I both know how hard you worked for this position, Fortuna-domina. You would hate for all this to be taken away just because of one conversation, wouldn’t you?” Chrysalis asked
“...No, your highness, of course not.”
“Then you had best stay silent.”
“Not even her majesty can keep me silent about those two for long.” Fortuna thought defiantly.
“Your majesty, I’m merely suggesting you treat them as equals to each other. You respect one but you cannot respect the other?”
“Because Pharynx is strong, Thorax is weak and it’s becoming clear that won’t change.”
“Everyone has got their own strengths. Just because Pharynx’s strengths are easier to see does not make his brother weak in comparison. Given time, Thorax will grow and show everyone the strengths that they can’t see.”
“Fortuna, I have no need for your ‘guidance’. I am not a child, and I am done talking about my children with you.” Chrysalis snarled at her.
“This isn't the only problem. Pharynx seems to believe he must treat you with the respect you would expect of an adult drone, not a nymph. He hardly even addresses you as ‘mother’ and calls you by your title or rank.”
“That is how I have chosen to raise my children. They should treat me with the respect I deserve.”
“If they do not?” Fortuna pressed. Chrysalis ignited her horn.
“They get a reminder.” Chrysalis replied, baring her fangs. “How I raise my children should not be your concern, Fortuna.”
Fortuna was not intimidated by this act, and kept her gaze strong. “You know, they’re not just your children. They have a father, and I’m sure he would disagree with what you’re doing to his sons-”
“They have no other parent but me!” Chrysalis snarled, glaring at her.
“We both know that’s a lie, your majesty. I don’t know what you did with him, but my cousin-”
“Is dead to me!” Chrysalis slammed a hoof on the ground. “He abandoned this Hive and I will not allow my heirs to follow in his hoofsteps! They will grow up loyal to their Queen and if they cannot see that they will die!”
“Your majesty,” Fortuna said, keeping her voice level despite the rage growing inside her.
“What is it?!”
“They are not low-ranking drones in the Hive. They’re your sons of barely five years in age. You cannot ask them to treat you with the stoic, stern respect you ask of the adults, because they are not adults. Punishing them for being unable to control their emotions is not how you should treat them.”
“You are to be silent, Fortuna! I will not stand for this any longer and I am beginning to lose my patience! Since the loss of your rank doesn’t seem to intimidate you, how about another motive?!”
Fortuna stayed silent, knowing Chrysalis was merely pausing for effect. Sure enough, she continued.
“If you truly care about my sons enough to wish for their safety then you will not bring this up again! Is my meaning clear, Head General?” Chrysalis snarled at her.
“...Yes, your majesty, I understand. Forgive me, my queen.” Fortuna bowed to her, her golden mane falling over her eyes. Even though she was mad, she could not risk their lives. She would never forgive herself if she was the reason they got hurt.
“Very well.” Chrysalis snarled. “Remember your place, Fortuna. You are not their mother. I am. You have no say in their lives.”
“Yes your majesty.”
“Good. You are dismissed. Get out of my sight, now.”
Fortuna sighed, closing her eyes as she left the room. She lost herself in thought as she walked to her room.
“You are not their mother. Ah, but Chrysalis, if only I was… they deserve a real mother. Not the likes of you.” Fortuna thought, smirking to herself at her inner rebellion.