Ross answered, “Of course, provided you perform well and have a clean history." "You can count on it, Your Highness," Rhea nodded and touched the wine bottle again. "It's getting late. How about another glass before you rest?" "No," Ross turned her down again, "As I said, I don't want to get drunk.”"Fred should be leaving now, right?" he asked, glancing at the clock on the wall. Rhea again flicked the bottle and murmured, "Oh, yeah, it's late now. You should rest, Your Highness.""I still have work to do. You should leave now." Ross picked up a document to read. As he did, he suddenly felt dizzy and unbearably sleepy. He frowned and tried in vain to shake off the sleepiness."It must be so tiring to handle so much work, right? You don't have to work so hard, you know." Rhea stayed put and continued, "Why don't you get an early sleep? I bet you must be sleepy."She repeated, and Ross felt he could hardly keep his eyes open hearing the word "sleepy." He felt as if a powerful
"You're…" Ross was still in a daze. Rhea looked into his eyes and rhythmically flicked the bottle, "I'm Rhea, your friend and master.""My friend and my master?" Ross frowned, looking and feeling uncomfortable."Yes, I'm your friend and master. Do you remember who you are?" Rhea asked. "I'm Ross, the Yudonian prince." He remembered who he was but was puzzled about Rhea's identity. Rhea nodded. "That's right. You're the prince. What are you doing in Hyderland?""I came to Hyderland… to look for my mom, the queen," he responded cooperatively. Rhea was surprised because she did not know the queen was also there. After all, interacting with the prince already seemed incredible to her. She held her breath and patiently asked, "Why are you looking for her? Has something happened to Her Majesty?""I don’t know. My mother has been missing since a few days ago." Ross shook his head, looking confused. "My mom is missing!""The queen is missing?!" Rhea exclaimed but soon covered her
"That's right. You're her son, and it's most fitting for you to go,” Rhea’s gentle voice enchanted Ross, leaving him unable to say no."Yes, I'm her son. I should be the one who finds her," Ross said, nodding. Rhea smiled, knowing she had proved herself. She stressed, "Go to sleep then. You'll depart early tomorrow, okay? Remember that.” "Okay!" Ross answered, nodding again. Rhea then tapped on the bottle to make it ring. Ross blinked, then fell asleep for real this time. Rhea got up and strolled out of the room. Someone soon brought her to Fred's office, where he waited. Since Ross demanded removing the surveillance devices from his room, Fred could not see what happened. Fred looked at Rhea, questioning, "Did it work?""Congratulations, Your Grace. You got what you wanted," Rhea said, bowing respectfully. Fred was thrilled because he could control Ross and target anyone through the drug and Rhea's hypnosis. Although Fred was more interested in the invisibility potion, h
Rhea would control everything and possibly threaten Fred if that were the case. "Not yet." Rhea looked troubled. "I understand your concerns, but R20 can only work alongside hypnosis now, which takes time to learn. We must lay the groundwork and give commands to hypnotize someone, especially in the early stages."For example, flicking the wine bottle was a subtle suggestion to Ross, conditioning him to the hypnosis. "Enough!" Fred held up a hand and grew impatient. "Just hearing that gives me a headache. Remember, you must still listen to me, even if you can control many people. Is that clear?""Yes, Your Grace." Rhea lowered her head. However, Fred did not trust her completely. To be precise, he would not trust anyone wholeheartedly. The queen served as a cautionary tale for him. She trusted him even though he would later betray her. That was why he would never believe in anyone so quickly. "Don't ever think about using R20 on me. You’re in my place and can’t escape if you
Rhea believed the doctors in the embassy could not deal with Lily’s condition. Otherwise, Fred would not beat around the bush when asking about it. Therefore, Rhea looked forward to Fred asking for her help if it concerned Lily....In Lily's room, the doctors surrounded her. They were sweating profusely. Despite their best efforts, they could only maintain her heart rate, but her readings showed that she was dying. They just could not figure out what was wrong with her. At the thought of what would happen to them if she died, their sweating became even more intense. "How is she?" Fred asked as he came by again.He could not allow Lily to die, especially not now. This was the most crucial moment. How could she die at this juncture? He simply could not let that happen! Seeing the numbers on the electrocardiogram, Fred grew upset. "Her condition is still the same as before! What the fuck have you guys been doing?!""Your Grace, we've tried everything, but we can’t find the cause
"What the hell?" Fred scolded, "Aren't you guys supposed to be experts?"One of the doctors said nervously, "Your Grace, acupuncture is a special practice developed by the Hylanders. We've never learned it."Fred asked coldly, "Are you saying I should get you a doctor from Hyderland?" "Well…" The doctors exchanged hesitant looks. Seeing this, Fred grew upset. "Out with it!" "Well…" "Say it, or I will bury you guys alive!"Alarmed, a doctor quickly said, "There's a so-called miracle doctor in Hyderland, but he has been a recluse for some time. If we can get his help, we might be able to save Lily.""A miracle doctor? I’ve never heard of such a person?" Fred narrowed his eyes in puzzlement. "He's a practitioner of alternative medicine and has led a secluded life for so long that he's rumored to be dead. However, there was news of him not long ago, so I doubt the rumor is true. He has several formidable students who are now in different parts of the world, and only he is in
The following day, Ross left the embassy and pulled onto the highway. Not wanting anyone to know where he was going, he did not take a plane and chose to travel by car. He was to leave Kingsland, switch cars, and head south to look for the queen. Standing on the balcony, Fred watched the car leave with a satisfied smile. Rhea stood by his side, relieved to see his smile. "If Ross can’t find the queen, he will return," Rhea said tentatively. "Of course, he will." Fred nodded. "But by the time he returns, I'll have already completed what needs to be done. Besides…" He turned around and looked at Rhea appraisingly. "Isn't Ross under your control? You can keep him from coming back, can't you?"Rhea was at a loss for words. "Why? Is that not so?" he asked sternly. Rhea quickly answered, "Yes, yes. I can." "There you go. Nothing to worry about then. Just remember to get him to report to you his whereabouts and send you his location every day."Fred wanted to make sure they knew
"Bring him here right now," Fred said in a lowered voice. "He refused to come with us, sir. We can't force him, or he might call the police."As they had already attracted enough attention, they could not risk it as the miracle doctor was well-known. Besides, they could not enter his estate. They had asked to see him, but he turned them down. The only thing they could do was wait in the car and call Fred for further instructions.Suppressing the urge to curse, Fred said grimly, "What does he want? Tell him to name a price." "No, Your Grace. He doesn't care for money."They were at their wits' end. As they were not in Yudonia, they could not do as they pleased. "No one ever says no to money!" Palming his forehead in frustration, Fred shouted, "Make him an offer he can't refuse! I'm sure he’ll say yes once we offer him enough." Just as he was about to hang up, he had a second thought. "Never mind. I'll go there right now." He thought perhaps it was better if he took charge in