‘How can I die just like that? How can I undergo an experiment that we can’t prove will work?’Fred knew the success rate was low and only dared to proceed with the experiment because he was not the test subject. Now that he had become one, he would never do it. "It's okay. I was just asking for fun." The queen smiled, having guessed his response correctly. She waved and said, "Let's begin now."Someone soon seized Fred and brought him toward the operating table."No! No!" Fred shrieked. "You can't do this to me, Your Majesty! The experiment still needs me. You still need me!" The queen sneered. "You acted so differently when I was the test subject. Why? Is the experiment scary? Didn't you claim the success rate is high and there won't be any risks? What are you afraid of now?" She spoke coldly and turned toward the person holding Nick's hand. "Hurry up!"The person holding Nick brought him to another operating table. At that moment, one of the guards pinned Fred onto one whi

"You don't want to die, but neither does he!” Lily pointed at the operating table and said, "Have you ever considered that he's still a child? You're a mother, too, and you even have grandchildren. What if someone else treats them like this—" "That would be their fate!" the queen sternly interrupted. Lily was stunned. The queen glared at Lily and continued, “The world is all about survival of the fittest. If your country isn't strong enough, I wouldn't even need to bother about the ties between our two nations.“If Yudonia is a strong country, we wouldn't need to yield to other countries or care about what the world thinks of us, would we? If you aren't strong enough, you would have died a hundred times instead of questioning me now!"The queen did not think it was wrong for her to make herself and her country stronger. Although she pitied those who died for not being strong enough, she did not think it mattered to the bigger picture.Lily noticed the look in the queen’s eyes

Lily took a breath and answered, "Yes, I want to save Nick, but it doesn't make me wrong. I’ve told you how risky the experiment is, Your Majesty. I'm sure you remember." Now that Rhea was trying to disrupt Lily’s plan, the latter could only rely on her relationship with the queen to salvage the situation. However, the queen did not respond and grew pensive, trying to recall what Lily had told her.Rhea noticed Lily had swayed the queen again and said, “Don’t believe her, Your Majesty! Indeed, the experiment is risky, but she only wants to save the boy. You mustn’t fall for her tricks.”Lily glared at Rhea. "Hey, even if I'm trying to save Nick, I'm just stating the facts!"Rhea scoffed and said, "Yeah, right. For his sake, you wouldn't even wish to make the experiment work.""Can you guarantee it’ll work now?" Lily asked. Rhea smiled. "Of course not." "Since you can't, why conduct an experiment that is most likely to fail?" Lily looked toward the queen and said gently, "Your

Despite her caring tone, the queen continued to look at Lily.Rhea looked at the latter and noticed she was ignoring her, too. She hated being ignored ever since she was a child. Rhea had achieved so much, yet people still treated her like nothing.As long as Lily was around, Rhea could only play second fiddle to her. Rhea could not help but try and persuade the queen again, “We have all the right people and resources to experiment today. Your Majesty, you shouldn’t give up now!”She knew things would be different if they proceeded with the experiment. However, the queen lost her temper and glared at Rhea, scolding, “I told you to leave!”Rhea was startled. She dared not push her luck anymore and bit her lower lip, saying, “If you need anything—”She quickly shut up and left with the others when she saw the queen’s impatient expression.When Rhea reached the door, she could not help but look over her shoulder at them. She grew envious and resentful, seeing the two gazing at each

Fred had always treated Lily as the queen's vessel. He would take good care of Lily but could never spare her in the end. Lily looked at Yasmin quietly as the latter raised her brow and said, "You don't believe me? If you don't, I can—" Lily interrupted, "No, I do. You're the queen, and I know you keep your promises. You wouldn't say so if you haven't considered sparing my life."Lily smiled somewhat mockingly. "I should thank you for willing to do so."It sounded awkward coming from her, but she meant it. Yasmin did not need to care about Lily’s life, but she was willing to trouble herself with finding a new vessel. Still, that was not what Lily wanted.Yasmin noticed Lily was not overjoyed. The former grew puzzled, asking, “Then why can’t you help me? Don’t you want to reunite with your family? Don’t you want them to achieve immortality, too?”"No." Lily readily shook her head. Yasmin looked at her in disbelief. "Why wouldn’t you? Everyone wants to live forever. I'm sure yo