"We have a problem."

There were, Regina mused, few sentences people liked to hear less than those four words. Even if she wasn't sitting in a crisis meeting or administrative committee, just getting ready for a celebration. Hopefully it wasn't anything serious, although the solemnity she felt from Max, as he leaned against the doorway, seemed at odds with it.

"Did someone steal Christmas cookies, or is it more on the order of people getting into another fistfight?" she asked, as she adjusted her necklace and examined herself in the mirror.

She was wearing a gown made from a lot of silk and a bit of gold thread. It was paired with rings, bracelets and a necklace set with emeralds, real ones this time as the jewelry had been gifts. She also wore her crown, which had made the hairdo a bit tricky, but Ira and a few other drones called in to help had worked wonders with it. Regina would have preferred to just turn up in everyday wear, but the party had become a bit too big and public for that to be a good idea. She had resolved months ago that this year, she would actually celebrate Christmas. It was unfortunately not the best timing considering everything, but her drones had convinced her to still do it. Keeping it secret would have made it seem worse, so it wasn't an exclusive event, although she'd avoided any major public celebrations beyond a celebratory dinner at the palace.

They were just downplaying the religious aspects and presenting Christmas as a traditional Ancient holiday focused on family, gift-giving and winter cheer. It wasn't like they were lying.

"Thankfully, no one's started fighting, with fists or otherwise," Max replied, smiling slightly.

"Don't tell me it's actually about Christmas cookies."

"No, of course not. Although Lady Margaret has brought cookies that are surprisingly close, one wonders how she found out." Max sighed. "Several documents have gone missing. It's possible that they simply got lost in the confusion of preparing for the party, but there might also be more to it."

Regina paused. She turned fully around and walked to the doorway, absently waving Ira over from where she was looking at some cosmetics. "What documents?"

He shook his head. "There doesn't seem to be a clear pattern. At least not an obvious one. Nothing really critical, though. Tim is looking at it right now."

"Maybe he can hand that task off to someone else for now. We should go to the party. Come on."

Regina walked out, accompanied by both drones. Max had at least put on fancier clothes and Ira was wearing a similar gown to hers. As did Mia, Tia and most of the female drones present today. Though Tia's was a bright pink that most of them wouldn't touch and that she must have picked in an argument with Mia.

As they entered the place where the celebration would take place, Regina caught sight of both of them, as well as Ben and a few others. The hall was dominated by a large Christmas tree; a fir tree decorated as traditionally as they could manage, although the actual candles made it enough of a fire hazard in her view that someone had to keep an eye on it. They were already burning. Branches of evergreen trees and mistletoe decorated the rest of the hall and connected rooms in careful arrangements, along with decorations themed around stars — the motif was quite popular for obvious reasons. People already filled the hall, and Regina breathed out and let herself simply start to enjoy the atmosphere.

The party got off to a good start with a prepared dinner. Regina had decided to skip using geese or other traditionally appropriate dishes, and instead they served a variety of other things. Regina saved some space for the Christmas cookies they had set out, though. She stood after finishing her plate and started walking around, signaling it was alright to do the same. There were more people here than she'd originally hoped for but still not that many, so it felt relatively informal.

As she had expected, the Delvers were the most enthusiastic participants. Even Madris joined in on trying to sing the Christmas carols Galatea or a few of the drones showed them, or asking her questions about the symbolism and traditions. Regina paused by their group, seeking a moment to speak with Madris, who she hadn't seen in a while.

They exchanged 'Merry Christmas' wishes and a few other pleasantries, before Regina asked after her friend who'd gone to the dark elves. "Have you heard from Armin yet?"

Madris nodded. "Yes, we received a letter, though of course it was dated a while ago. He has arrived safely and met with my father and the other leadership of House Oliren. He seems to be doing fine so far. I'm waiting for his report on the gathering of councils, that will be the most important thing."

Regina smiled. "Good. I'm glad they're fine. You still have no plans to go back?"

"Not until I must," Madris replied laconically.

She nodded. Regina would be sad to see her go anyway, even if she wouldn't stand in her way. As it was, she was glad to hear that answer.

Tim walked up beside them. "I think they're trying to figure out more about the background of the holiday based on the lyrics," he said, jerking his chin at the group of people.

Regina sighed. She'd noted that Galatea had tried to avoid the more overtly religious songs, but some things obviously still slipped through. Still, instead of getting angry or trying to stop it, she just nodded and turned to the Delver-dominated group.

She cleared her throat, then started singing. "Adeste fidelis …" in Latin of course. It was lucky it rhymed enough she could remember.

A lot of people actually stopped talking and listened. Maybe they were surprised she could sing. Regina didn't let it bother her. Instead, she started in on 'O Christmas tree' as she walked closer to their Christmas tree. Then she switched tactics and started singing in German, daring to do 'Silent night' and a few others. Galatea joined her, and a few of the drones tried hesitantly before other people joined in, even if they didn't know the lyrics.

They had just gotten through 'Jingle Bells' again when Regina paused. She ignored the curious gazes of the party goers and instead frowned absently as she focused on the feeling in the psychic link. Something was off, it just took her a little while to put her finger on what. She'd been actually enjoying the party and hadn't paid much attention, besides thinking about gifts and if people would like hers, so it took her a moment to mentally switch gears.

There were slightly fewer people than she had expected, she noticed after a second. A few drones who should have been here weren't, but were instead in their room, lying in bed together. She'd been informed before that a few drones were feeling sick, and a Drone Keeper with healing magic was going to see them a while ago, and hadn't thought much about it; Hivekind were resilient, but they could still occasionally catch an illness, even if what might have spelled serious trouble for a human would be no worse than having the flu, and these were all younger and lower-leveled drones. Some of her more recently born children, from just before she'd decided to seriously slow down, or rather those of that group who'd stayed here.

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Then she tensed as she noted another absence. Florance wasn't here yet, but still in her family quarters. A quick brush against her mind showed she was concerned, though not excessively worried, and young Robin was clearly throwing a tantrum because he didn't feel well.

Regina frowned, then quickly turned to Max and focused on him, Janis and a few other senior drones, quickly apprising them of what she'd found. This might be nothing, she said. But it's best to check. Max, please make sure the remaining Star Guard are alerted and have them do a security sweep if you think it's warranted. Via, could you discreetly go and check on them, especially the child?

Of course, my Queen, I'll take care of it.

Should we stop the party? Janis asked, concerned.

Regina glanced at her and replied, No. At least not yet. It may be nothing. We should carry on as normal so as not to alarm anyone. Especially because on the off-change there was foul play at work, it would be better not to alert whoever was behind it until they'd gotten their bearings. And if this was the start of an epidemic, they could impose a quarantine once it was confirmed.

Instead, she pasted on a smile and continued on. But she did decide to move to the gift-giving instead of singing more songs. With this many people and presents, it was a little impractical to place them all under the tree, so they'd only done that with a few symbolic gifts and instead just handed them out directly.

As expected, this attracted a bit of attention. Most people, even those not of her hive or closer friends, knew about the gift-giving part of the celebrations and had prepared some presents accordingly. Regina still went first with her family. It managed to distract her from worrying about the sick people, as she still couldn't help but be a bit anxious about her gifts. Ironically, it was almost soothing to have such a normal worry.

Her presents were well received, though. She had commissioned a new sword for Max, and a matching new dagger for Mia, both the best she could get. Tim she gave a beautifully painted map of the known world, and Mia several new dresses and other clothes. Galatea got a series of adventure books, and she gave another set of them to Ira, who liked adventure stories too. She also had a cookbook and recipe collection for Ben, since she knew he wanted to start learning. For the same reason, she'd prepared a violin for Via, but that would have to wait. Other drones who she knew but wasn't as close to got smaller trinkets. Her gift for Janis was perhaps unimaginative but had taken the most effort; several books on magic from south of the mountains. She'd been most worried about her presents for those outside the hive, but they were all pleased with them; she gifted Kiara a set of exercise equipment, mostly weights, and guidebook from the old world, June some jewelry from less usual materials like platinum that she'd made herself, and Madris another set of books on magic from the south and the west. Other Delvers she knew also got gifts themed around the 'Ancient' world.

In return, Regina got even more gifts than she'd handed out, which was saying something. A lot of them were from various nobles and court officials and not very personal; probably either trying to curry favor or fulfilling social expectations. There were some from her drones and her friends, too, though, which she valued more. A lot of books, unsurprisingly, but also a set of clothes designed for flying, pictures from around the world from Galatea, and a few paintings and artistic objects. Her personal highlight was a set of two paintings in the style of an official portrait, but instead of her actual appearance, they had switched her likeness in one with how she used to look, and her face gazed at her with the fair skin and sandy hair from the photo they'd found, wearing regal clothes and her crown.

However, she didn't have much time to dwell on it. Regina stepped to the side, glancing over the party, and then focused on Via, who was sending her an update. She frowned. It didn't look good — Florance had agreed that the little prince was getting seriously ill and the situation with the younger drones also seemed serious.

Tim, please keep the party going for now, make sure people stay in the room instead of wandering off. Max, with me, she ordered. Then she contacted Kiara and June and filled them in, asking June to go quietly after a few minutes.

She also tried to depart discreetly, making her excuses to a few people who approached her. Luckily, no one was rude enough to try and impede her, and Max following her also wasn't considered unusual.

She stopped by the drones first, trying to reassure them with a gentle touch in the psychic link. Laying her hands on a few of them, Regina used her healing magic to try and get an impression of their condition.

After a few minutes, she sighed. You're not in immediate danger, but it is serious, she told those awake enough to listen. I'll come back presently. While you are sick, the infection appears to be secondary and opportunistic; you either had food poisoning or have ingested poison in another way.

It wasn't quite clear to her which, since this was clearly not an instant poison even if it was magical; they'd ingested whatever it was a while ago and their bodies had already metabolized it for the most part, but had caused issues, primarily with their gastrointestinal tract but other mucous membranes were also affected. She could try to heal them all now, but it would take a while and she felt the itch to move on, and a part of her also wanted to have more time to document their symptoms.

She transmitted that impression psychically, and they all agreed. We'll hold out, please don't worry, Mother, the oldest, Eri, said earnestly.

Regina smiled at them and gave them all a mental hug before she turned. With Max in tow, she hurried to the other wing of the palace, calling for a few more senior healers and checking in with the guards on the way.

They were starting to sweep the palace, but hadn't noticed anything unusual yet, beyond what could be explained by the Christmas party. Regina reminded them to not just look for intruders but also anything out of place, and sent a few to sweep anything connected to the kitchens. Did this have to happen on Christmas Eve? she complained to herself, but didn't share the thought. Besides, the party was probably the reason for the timing if it had indeed been poison.

They finally arrived at Florance's home, which connected to a nursery for Robin. The lady in question had visibly grown more frantic, and was pacing up and down the floor while Via and June waited for them to arrive.

"Your Majesty!" she gasped as soon as Regina entered. "Lady Via said it is serious, and there may be poison involved. Please, do what you can."

"Do not worry, Lady Florance, I can handle it," she said reassuringly, then crouched down over the little boy, who was lying in the bed. "Hey there. How are you feeling, little guy?"

Robin only stared at her for a moment before he turned his head away. He'd clearly been crying before he'd stopped just recently, but his mind, being so young, was an open book and she could sense he was still in pain and felt unwell. Regina glanced at Florance for permission while she absently disinfected her hands, then carefully felt his temperature.

What she sensed was alarming, although she managed to keep her composure outwardly. There were some differences to her drones' symptoms; in particular, he was running a fever and his temperature had been climbing up quickly to dangerous levels. The onset was much more sudden. There was still clearly inflammation in his intestines and also his respiratory tract, and bacteria were starting to multiply although it hadn't developed into a truly serious infection yet.

Regina quickly killed them and channeled healing magic into his body. She was extra careful not to cause any sudden shock, gradually cooling his body down and using a new trick she'd been developing to try and soothe his immune system. But while she worked, she was acutely aware of the others' worried feelings. It was good that Via had called her, small children were tricky … and while it wasn't clear-cut, she didn't think this was entirely natural, either.

Without intervention, he very well might have died from this.

"I will need to monitor him and periodically act for several hours, but he should be out of danger," she said, lowering her hands and turning to face the adults in the room. "Lady Florance, please wait until your assigned guards join you. Max — lock down the palace. June, you will help me find the culprit."

Regina sighed. "We will proceed on the assumption this was a deliberate attack."

One that might have cost a toddler his life. Probably as provocation or even just collateral damage. She ground her teeth. Whoever was behind this was clearly quite ruthless.

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