“Mum. He called me mum!” Fortuna couldn’t help thinking as she trotted through the Hive, each step she took was lighter with excitement. “I didn’t even consider that he thought of me as a mother the same way I thought of him as my son!”
Fortuna smiled widely as she headed down a familiar hallway. There was just one last test to be sure.
“Hey Thory.” she said, poking her head into the room of the princes.
Thorax, thirteen years old like his brother, was sitting in the room. He was looking through their first aid kit, but looked up at Fortuna as she entered.
“Hey Forty!” he said cheerfully. “I-I was just looking at our supplies, we’re running low on dock leaves and tansy.”
“Pharynx and I can gather some on our next patrol.” Fortuna told him, sitting down. “I was just wondering… your brother and I were talking, and he called me something…”
“Like, a swear word?” Thorax blinked. “I didn’t think he cursed around you.”
“No, he-wait, are you implying he does curse?” Fortuna questioned, and Thorax gulped.
“U-Uh… no…” Thorax said unconvincingly. Fortuna rolled her eyes and rubbed his head, catching one of her leg holes on his neckfin purposely. He squeaked and she chuckled.
“I’ll ask him later.” Fortuna said, winking at Thorax. “He won’t have to know you might or might not have mentioned it.”
Thorax sighed in relief. “Thanks… so what did he call you then?”
“Mum.”
Thorax’s eyes widened and he stood up. “Wait-but-dang it!”
Fortuna blinked, then giggled at his reaction. “Come again?”
Thorax sighed and laid down. “Hunter-discipulus was talking with me-he’s not so bad now, he’s cooled off a little-and he and I made a bet that you would call Pharynx son first… I just lost.”
Fortuna chuckled and rubbed his head. “Well, you two probably made that bet long after I first saw Pharynx as a son, so I’ll repay you the money you’ll have to give him.”
Thorax blinked. “Wait, really?”
“Of course!” Fortuna nuzzled Thorax. “You’re both my sons.”
“Really?!” Thorax hugged her tightly. “I didn’t think you cared about me the same way you did Phary.”
“I’ve told you not to call me that!” Pharynx groaned, storming into the room and laying down in the nest. Fortuna giggled and reached over to rub his head, brushing his jagged red neckfin in comfort.
“We were just discussing how you called me mum.” Fortuna explained, and he blushed.
“I didn’t think Forty saw me as a son too…” Thorax told Pharynx, who rolled his eyes.
“Thorax, we’re brothers, of course she sees us both as her children. Besides, you’re around her almost as much as I am. It was going to happen eventually.” Pharynx said.
“Your brother’s not wrong.” Fortuna agreed, pulling Pharynx up with one hoof and dragging him into a hug.
“Ack! ‘Tuney!”
Fortuna giggled and nuzzled him. “You have been my sons since I first met you. I care about you both, and I’ll do anything for you.”
“Is that the reason I’m becoming a warrior?” Pharynx raised a brow.
“Yes, but a different aspect. You’ve earned the rank many times over Phary-”
“You’re gonna be a warrior?!” Thorax tackled his brother in a hug. “Yay! Go Pharynx, I knew you could do it!”
“Ack! T-Thorax, get off!”
“But Phary, you’re gonna be a warrior!” Thorax cried, smiling at him. “My big brother’s gonna be a warrior before anyone else!”
Fortuna laughed as Pharynx struggled, and he glared at her.
“Not helping, mom!” he snarled.
“Oi, don’t fight, you’ll make me pick favorites!” Fortuna giggled, and Pharynx snarled.
Quick as a flash, Pharynx had grabbed Thorax’s hoof and spun him, sending him flying into their nest. Thorax shrieked and sat up, and Fortuna laughed, trotting over to help him brush off the moss now stuck to his carapace.
“That’s why you’re becoming a warrior.” Fortuna told Pharynx. “Pure skill. And good reaction time.”
Pharynx smirked, puffing out his chest, and Fortuna giggled, smiling at him. Thorax gave another small cheer.
-----------------------------------------
Fortuna couldn’t be prouder of her son, watching him stride up to her as she marked him not just a warrior, but her deputy. Fortuna chuckled to herself mentally as she saw the look of momentary surprise on her former apprentice’s face.
“I’m so proud of you, my son.” Fortuna thought to herself as she dismissed the warriors and stood up, seeing Pharynx walking towards her.
“Your deputy?” He asked, and Fortuna chuckled. “Why?”
“Why do you think? You deserve it.” she replied. “You will continue to learn, you are still young after all, and I hope to be the one who shall continue to guide you. But you have earned the rank, and I am proud to have you as my equal.”
Pharynx nodded in understanding. “So should I still meet you tomorrow at the usual time for training?”
“No, we’ll be going on patrol tomorrow. Your first as a warrior.” Fortuna smiled at him. “You don’t have to be formal around me, you know, Phary. It’s still me, I’m still ‘Tuney’.”
Pharynx blushed, then nodded. “Alright… mom.”
Fortuna chuckled and smiled as he left. She felt another burst of pride as she headed off to her room.
“You shall go far, Phary. I’ll make sure of it.” she thought, smiling, walking down the hall.
“Ah, Fortuna-domina.”
The voice halted her. Fortuna turned, gaze hardening. “Your majesty.”
“So, my son is a warrior now. Your deputy.”
“You gave me permission to make him such when he turned thirteen.”
“I am aware of the agreement we made.” Chrysalis gazed at her. “I question why his brother has not improved. You said you spoke to his mentor?”
“Not everyone can excel quickly. For some it takes longer.”
“Yes… still, Pharynx… I am not sure it was wise to make him deputy.”
“Why do you say that, your majesty?”
“I have plans to make him the next King. He cannot be king and general, and if you are to… regrettably… lose your life on the battlefield, we will require a general instantly, we would not be able to wait for Pharynx to select and train a replacement for himself before ascending to the throne.”
“I know what I’m doing, your majesty.” Fortuna assured her, and Chrysalis narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
“Very well… just remember, he is a prince first. Anything else is second to it.” Chrysalis reminded her.
“I am aware, your majesty.” Fortuna assured her.
“Good.” with that, Chrysalis was gone.
“Just what are you planning for my son, Chrysalis…?” Fortuna murmured, continuing to walk to her room. “As for dying on the battlefield… you wish, Chrysalis. I plan on seeing my sons into adulthood, and protecting them until I can get them out of your clutches. Just you wait.”