Chapter 12 : Days go by.

The following days, I spent time in the garden with my queen, eating pastries and drinking various teas. Occasionally, I invited Naturia to join us. Although we didn't converse much, exchanging only a few phrases, she seems to tolerate me far more lately. The percentages are helping me make progress. During these moments, I always brought Marie or one of the servants infected with the parasite.

"How are you today, Naturia?"

Knowing that Naturia hates me, I do my best to adopt a calm and kind demeanor. Thanks to this and my queen's Hallucinogens trait, the percentages increase—slowly, but they increase nonetheless.

"Fine."

"And work? Do the gardeners have everything they need?"

After thinking for a moment, she replied, "Yes, but some tools are a bit outdated. It's delaying the planned tasks."

I thought about it and, using my status as a princess—even though I'm not well-loved—I could provide the gardeners with what they need.

"I see."

We continued eating pastries and drinking tea peacefully. I also gave today's governess a break, letting her eat and drink with us. After an hour, Naturia got up to return to work, thanking me for the pause.

Later, I went to the well where my queen's Hallucinogens trait diffuses, infecting the staff and anyone drinking from it. I waited a while, and upon hearing my queen's faint cry, I knew everyone who could see her was now hallucinating. I cut myself several times to allow countless Love Parasites to accumulate in the well, thereby increasing the chances of infecting a large number of beings, human or animal.

Then I headed to the royal library with my governess and Marie. Alongside my queen, I read as many books as possible, searching for the one containing all the information about the portal in the forest. However, the search yielded little. Firstly, the royal library has too many books. Secondly, the book we seek might not even be there. Still, this time wasn't entirely wasted. Not only is my queen learning a lot about this world—its kingdoms, lands, traditions, churches, and more—but we also obtained valuable information about my kingdom, useful for our future plans.

Normally, my day would follow a routine: waking up, heading to the library, walking around the castle to be seen by as many people as possible, visiting the garden, and finishing at the library again. But today was different. I looked at Marie before asking her a question.

"Yes, Princess. We found the best gardening store and learned about the latest inventions."

"Good, take me there."

Marie bowed and left my chamber to gather other servants and guards for protection. Once ready, dressed in a striking ensemble, I stepped out to join my group. I went to the gate of my property within the royal grounds and climbed into a carriage with my three governesses. Knights accompanied us on horseback. Fortunately, I discovered one of the knights was infected by my parasite—the captain, Jon Conrade, already at 2% infection.

As we reached the main road, peasants stepped aside upon seeing my personal royal insignia. With my infamous reputation, they didn't dare provoke me. Once at one of the city's best gardening stores, I directly asked the staff to show me the latest inventions. Though frightened of me, they explained everything I wanted to know.

"Good. I'll take all the latest inventions!"

"Excuse me?"

The staff seemed confused and shocked.

"You heard me. I'm buying absolutely all the latest gardening inventions."

Shocked but slightly excited, they loaded everything they could onto my caravan. The rest of the items would be delivered directly to the castle garden later. My guards and governesses were equally astonished. With my infamous reputation, no one would have thought I'd buy tools for mere gardeners whom the royal family ignores. Of course, I care little for human gardeners—or any humans, for that matter! Despite being half-Zerg, I am still Zerg! Humans are merely food now. But gaining goodwill gives me more freedom and public trust, allowing me to invade from within. More importantly, it helps the parasite percentages increase much faster.

I ordered my governesses and guards to deliver everything to the garden entrance the next morning, an hour before the gardeners began work. I planned to be there to win their sympathy, but especially to impress Naturia.

The next day, at six in the morning, I stood by the pile of tools. The staff started work in ten minutes. Among the first group of gardeners arriving was, of course, Naturia. She is always diligent in her work. They were stunned to see all the tools and the princess herself. I didn't speak right away, waiting for everyone to gather. After about twenty minutes, the rest of the gardeners arrived.

"I heard your tools have become a bit outdated, delaying your work."

I paused briefly, looking at them. Their surprised expressions showed how unexpected it was for someone to have mentioned this, let alone the princess herself listening. Good—this was one of the reactions I wanted.

"So, I wanted to help for your comfort and efficiency."

I then explained all the tools already delivered, based on what the seller had told me. It took an hour to explain everything.

"Additionally, the remaining tools will be delivered in the coming days. Any questions?"

No one said a word. Seeing this, I left for the library with Marie and Jeanna. I sat at a table where books were already laid out. The library servants had prepared the requested materials: books on animals and plants. My queen Pallas and I had half-abandoned the idea of finding the sought-after book. With so many texts, it's impossible to locate it quickly. Why books on animals and plants? Simple: with the Zerg Queen Evolution trait for my queen and Hungry Evolutionary for me, consuming beings makes us stronger.

At snack time, I went to the garden as usual. On the way, the gardeners thanked me. Honestly, I was surprised! Until now, only disdain or fear had greeted me—never gratitude! But it's a good sign. Once infected, the percentage increase will accelerate.

As I sipped my tea, Naturia came over and sat down on her own.

"Thank you for the tools. To be honest, I didn't think my words would change anything."

I simply smiled, handing her a cup of tea and a plate of pastries. Surprisingly, she took them with ease. Previously, she would barely eat or drink, but now she seemed to enjoy them enthusiastically. Time passed, and after an hour, Naturia thanked me once more before returning to work.

My day ended as usual, and I returned to my chamber in the evening.

Naturia — 10%.