"It doesn't matter who I am. I just wish to chat with you." Yasmin didn't want to reveal her identity. Instead, she smiled and whispered to her bodyguard, instructing him to leave. He obeyed, somewhat hesitantly, closing the door behind him.

Now alone with Dominic, he said, "I know who you are."

"Oh?" The queen raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Who am I then?"

"You're a woman. From Yudonia," he said thoughtfully, gesturing toward her.

Yasmin laughed. "You're right! I'm surprised you speak Yudonian so well. That's quite rare for someone your age."

"What's wrong with my age? I'm still young, okay?" Dominic said, patting his chest.

"How... old are you?" Yasmin hesitated; his tone seemed severe. She'd misjudged his age, assuming him to be in his fifties, given his energy.

"I'm seventy-five!" Dominic declared. "I'm still young."

The queen was shocked. I'm five years younger and already feeling weak. How is he still so youthful? she wondered.

"Why? Am I not young?" Dominic flexed his muscles. "Look how strong I am!" Although his musculature had diminished, his spirited demeanor belied his age.

Yasmin played along. "Well, you are."

Dominic beamed. "Right? I'm even stronger than most young'uns."

The queen spoke sadly, "But even if we deny getting old, we can never be young again, can we?" She missed her youth. Now, she could barely stand, feeling weaker each day, a chilling proximity to death.

Dominic frowned. "What are you talking about? I'm not in denial. Besides, why must we be young again? Our lives aren't complete unless we grow old."

Yasmin hesitated. "Complete?"

"Of course!" Dominic said firmly. "Do you know how many people die before reaching my age? Everyone experiences youth, but not all have the chance to grow old. You should cherish it."

It was the first time anyone had spoken to the queen like that. People constantly flattered her on her youth and beauty, but she knew it was insincere.