Nick obediently allowed himself to be led to the operating table. Lily watched, sorrow filling her. The boy likely didn't understand he was to be experimented upon. The organization had taken him from his father; he was about to die as a lab rat.

"You can't do this, Your Majesty!" Lily exclaimed, turning to the queen. "You know the experiment's risk. How can you proceed? Stop it immediately!" Fred, on the operating table, frantically nodded, agreeing with Lily for the first time. "Yes! Stop it now!"

The queen ignored him, slowly turning to Lily. "You're right," she said calmly. "It's risky; I need someone to test it."

Lily was speechless.

"You're smart, Lily. You knew I was aware of Fred's actions. You understand that someone as intelligent and capable as I shouldn't die prematurely, right?" The queen examined her thin, wrinkled hand. "Look at me. No matter my power, age has overtaken me." She tilted her head back, letting out a long, helpless sigh.

She felt time slipping away. Even the best medical team couldn't slow her aging. She refused to die; she had so much left to do.

Therefore, she'd been thrilled to hear of the R10 experiment. It was a step toward realizing her dream. Fully aware of Fred's clandestine actions, she'd consistently ignored his selfish pursuits. She knew about the experiments on humans and other subjects but remained inactive. Her position prevented involvement; she couldn't risk her reputation. The blame would fall on Fred, not her.

Now, it was time to see if their efforts had borne fruit.