"I understand now—I was sad that you will be affected by this, Nectus. Don't be. Such a small number of deaths is really a cause for celebration."
"Oh. Uh…"
I turned away, now full of more mixed feelings. And blushing a little.
Although I was sad—it didn't change the joy Ambrosia's presence and her care for me gave me. Even her sometimes almost heartless personality was really growing on me.
"I wish I had your optimism. Or is this more of a pessimism?"
"Whichever of these means that I make the best choices for the hive."
I chuckled.
"Amby, I think the word you are looking for is 'communism'."
"So, it's a communist decision if it means it's best for the hive and our empire?"
I scratched my cheek.
"Not… exactly… Ah, I'm too tired to explain it properly today. I just want to go to bed… You should get some sleep, too! I didn't invent candles so we could stay up late and doomscroll through our phones—or, well, our wax tablets—until it's almost sunrise and time to wake up again!"
