The following day, Ross left the embassy and drove onto the highway. To avoid detection, he eschewed air travel and opted for a car journey. His plan was to leave Kingsland, switch vehicles, and proceed south in search of the queen.

On the balcony, Fred watched the car depart with a satisfied smile. Rhea stood beside him, relieved by his expression.

"If Ross can't find the queen, he will return," Rhea said hesitantly.

"Of course, he will," Fred affirmed, nodding. "But by the time he returns, I will have completed what needs doing. Besides..." He turned and looked at Rhea appraisingly. "Isn't Ross under your control? You can prevent his return, can't you?"

Rhea was speechless.

"Why? Is that not the case?" he asked sternly.

"Yes, yes. I can," Rhea quickly replied.

"There you go. Nothing to worry about, then. Just remember to ensure he reports his whereabouts and sends you his location daily."

Fred wanted to monitor the effectiveness of the hypnosis and R20. He'd considered assigning someone to follow Ross but feared attracting unwanted attention in Hyderland. Moreover, since his aim was to get Ross to leave, surveillance seemed unnecessary. As long as the prince reported his location daily, there was nothing to fear.

Rhea nodded. "I will."

She was somewhat apprehensive but dared not voice her concerns. While the drug and hypnosis had been effective, the further Ross traveled, the more difficult it became to issue timely commands. She also wasn't certain how long the drug's effects would last.

R20 was experimental, after all, and not foolproof. It appeared to have worked well, but she couldn't gauge its longevity. Nevertheless, she needed to project confidence.

Fred stretched, and his phone rang. He answered the call, glancing at Rhea. Understanding his cue, she departed, quietly closing the door behind her.

He listened to the caller's report: "Your Grace, we've found the miracle doctor."

Outside, Rhea realized the door was soundproof. Hearing nothing, she walked away.