Ross answered, "Of course, provided you perform well and have a clean history."

"You can count on it, Your Highness," Rhea nodded, touching the wine bottle again. "It's getting late. Another glass before you rest?"

"No," Ross declined, "As I said, I don't want to get drunk."

"Fred should be leaving now, shouldn't he?" he asked, glancing at the wall clock.

Rhea flicked the bottle and murmured, "Oh, yes, it's late. You should rest, Your Highness."

"I still have work to do. You should leave now." Ross picked up a document. He immediately felt dizzy and overwhelmingly sleepy. He frowned, trying to shake off the drowsiness.

"It must be tiring to handle so much work," Rhea said, remaining where she was. "You don't have to work so hard. Why don't you get some sleep? You must be sleepy."

Ross could barely keep his eyes open at the repeated mention of "sleepy." A powerful force seemed to be pulling him down. He willed himself awake, but another voice urged, "Go to sleep. It's late, and you're tired. Continue your work tomorrow."

A strange ringing also assaulted him. The voice and sound combined, overwhelming him. He longed for respite from the noise.

"Sleep, Your Highness. You're exhausted," a gentle voice whispered. Ross wanted to refuse, but exhaustion rendered him speechless. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Rhea watched him. After a while, she said, "Your Highness? Your Highness, are you asleep?"

Receiving no answer, she cautiously sat beside him. Glancing around, she leaned closer, whispering, "Ross?" It was disrespectful to use his given name, but she was testing his sleep.

"Ross? Ross?" She called again, but there was no response. She then moved the wine bottle closer, flicking it while whispering, "Ross... Ross..."

Her faint voice and the ringing sounds pierced Ross's ears, causing him to snap open his eyes. "Who is it?"

Rhea started, though she anticipated his reaction. Composing herself, she looked at him and said, "It's me, Ross."