The queen loosened her grip on the bedsheet and sighed as she lay back down. She stared at the ceiling and asked, “Where’s Lily?”
"She's doing well and is waiting to become your vessel. Rest assured, I've taken good care of your new body," Fred said smilingly.
"My body?" The queen looked at him. "What about your new body, Fred? Have you already prepared one?"
Stunned, he caught himself and chuckled. "What are you talking about, Your Majesty? The experiment we're doing is for you. I'm still young, aren’t I?"
"Yes, but for how long?" the queen said coldly, "Fred, you're brilliant for planning everything ahead. You’ve worked so hard to make the experiment happen so you can use me as a guinea pig, huh?"
"That's not—" Fred stopped himself and suddenly began to laugh. His laughter grew louder and wilder as if he could not contain it.
"You're clever, Your Majesty, and you know me best. All right, it’s as you said. However, you don't have to get mad," he said steadily, "No matter what, you stand to gain from the experiment if it succeeds.
“You’ll be the first who does. Just imagine. You'll stay young and live forever. How wonderful that will be?!"
The queen wanted what Fred claimed, but now that she was lying on the bed, she had somehow changed her mind.
"Have you ever wondered what would happen when we pull off the experiment?" the queen asked solemnly, "Now that you’ve told me everything, do you think I will still keep you alive when it succeeds?"
"Why not?" Fred asked, sounding carefree and confident. “Did you forget that I brought your people here? I have many supporters in the country, too. When the experiment succeeds, you’ll look like an ordinary Hylander. What can you do to me?”
"Fred, that's treason," the queen said coldly.
"No, Your Majesty, I'm doing this for Yudonia’s future!" He took a deep breath. "So you must hang on for now. You'll finally see what I’ll achieve when the experiment works.
"At least by then, I'll have you to share the joy with." He paused and added, "You're the one who thought about the experiment, and you’ve been looking forward to its completion for so long.
“I bet no one wishes for it to succeed as much as you. You must rest well, Your Majesty. Your dream will come true tomorrow. I'm sure you look forward to it as much as I do!"
Fred then strode out of the room and beckoned the doctors. "Take good care of Her Majesty, and ensure she stays alive!"
The queen could only lay in the room and listen to his voice as it faded away.
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