Dude, thank you Anon + Lovely Thief for your reviews! The reason they're not that long is because my writing passion only comes in short bursts XD I don't think I'm strong enough to write more than 1k chapters! Anyway, thank you for the messages. I forgot how much I loved reading feedback.

"Itadakimasu!" Komugi chimed before wolfing down her meal like a starving rabid dog. She smiled widely with her cheeks stuffed, clearly content.

"I do not understand that word; explain."

Komugi swallowed. "Eh? You've never said your thanks before?"

"My ... thanks?" Meruem repeated, clearly bewildered at the word.

The human set down her silverware and started motioning with her hands. "Umm, it is a way of showing that you are thankful for your food! Plants and animals will die so that you can keep living, so it is important to show that you respect their sacrifice."

" ... I see," The Chimera Ant murmured. What a foolish human custom.

"This is delicious, Meruem! It's even better than the free food at the Gungi Tournaments," Komugi said while stuffing her face. She swallowed before rattling on. "One time I ate five servings in one sitting, but I had a tummy ache after and was stuck sick in bed for a while. I think that was the first time I placed as the World Champion."

The King, however was too disturbed by her eating habits to lend a listening ear. 'Unsightly. Her manners are nonexistent.' Meruem concluded as he observed the small girl. She was creating a mess; pieces of un-chewed food were dripping onto her dress and some not making it fully into her mouth that hung loosely onto her chin.

The King was, the least to say, unaccustomed to human food. His diet consisted of strictly humans and animals and knew nothing about dairy products or this 'instant noodle'. However, watching Komugi thoroughly enjoying her meal had his curiosity was piqued. Perhaps he was missing out on the true delicacies? Still, there was nothing compared to a rare human's taste. His mouth watered just thinking about it. He'll have to remember to tell Pitou to get more in stock.

Taking her sleeve, Komugi wiped away the excess food on her face. She happily rubbed her belly. "Man, that filled me up. Thank you for the meal!" Her hands clasped together in respect.

"My King!"

Meruem froze still in his spot, recognizing the distraught voice. 'Shaiapouf has abandoned his post.'

Something was wrong.

He kept his aura focused on Komugi and her presence, the unwanted image of her lying limp in his mind. He pushed back from his seat hurriedly, his muscles already wound up and ready to pounce.

Shaiapouf barreled into the hall, his expression displaying a crossbreed between fear and sorrow. "My King! I bring news of an intruder in the palace."

"Intruder?" Komugi whispered, her smile quickly dissipating.

"Tch." Meruem's temper instantly inflamed. His tail whipped threateningly from side to side, displaying his anger. "Are you incapable of following my orders, Pouf? You were the watch-person while Pitou is away." His tone was level and calm. However, that only seemed to frighten Pouf even more.

"Yes." Falling onto one knee, Pouf extended his hand toward the King, exposing a shoe. It was covered in Chimera blood, sticky thick purple goo that clung tightly to the object. "While I was in Beelzebub I came across this lying in the main lobby's hallway next to a dead subordinate. His head was completely taken off."

Komugi couldn't hold back the gasp of surprise, but immediately clamped her lips shut. Oh, she was terrible at masking her emotions, but she remained quite; not wanting any part of the conversation.

Shaiapouf's stare rested on the girl. 'The King is still allowing her to reside in his palace.'

The crack of a whip resounded throughout the room, Meruem's tail slapping the shoe out of the Pouf's hand. "Summon Pitou! Find this nuisance." The King paused before glaring menacingly at the Royal Guard. "If he is not caught soon then it will be your head that will roll."

"Right away, my King." Pouf's head hung low in obedience. The threatening aura the King extorted was suffocating Pouf, blatantly revealing his killing intent. Without a moments hesitation, the Chimera Ant shot off.

"Foolishness. My guards are not capable of the most mundane tasks!" Meruem muttered darkly, unwinding his tail.

Useless trash. Why had he not killed Pouf?

He forced himself to relax, reminding himself that there was no other power greater than his strength. If he did come across this intruder, he would quickly dispose of him. There was no one on this earth who could match his power. He was King and will kill any who cross his path.

"Meruem? What should I do?" Her voice came out as a squeak. She had understood the urgency of the event and didn't want to be a nuisance to Meruem.

Even so, Komugi felt incredibly guarded when around the King, but could never ask to be in his way. She knew that the breacher wasn't after her head, but was most likely after Meruem's. She feared for him more than anything and simply wanted to do what she could to ensure his safety.

The King gazed at the human girl and instantly felt an overwhelming urge to hide her.

No, just hiding her wouldn't satisfy him.

"You will stay beside me until this matter is cleared up, understand?" Meruem dictated. "Do not leave my sight."

Surely the enemy was smart enough to consider her as leverage, using her as a playing piece against him. He frowned deeply, unsure of how to proceed. Komugi ... was a threat to him.

Relief flooded over the girl, "Yes, sir."

"Come, we will reside in the throne room."

Once again he snatched her hand away, making sure not to hurt her as he tightened his grip.

The King has no weaknesses, he has no fears. So why was he so scared of losing her?