"It's just an idea," Alexander said, looking toward Dominic. "I think Queen Yasmin is obsessed with the R10 experiment because she hasn't completed it. If she believes she has, perhaps she'll be less fixated."

"I think so, too," Dominic replied thoughtfully, nodding. "It makes psychological sense."

Austin leaned back, sighing in relief. "So, the crucial question: who hypnotizes her? She's wary of us, and it's not easy for commoners to meet a queen." He spread his arms, yawning slightly.

"Me!" Dominic declared, startling Austin so much he nearly fell backward.

"Uncle Dom?" Austin reseated himself, looking at the old man incredulously. "Are you out of your mind? You just returned! You can't take such a risk!" He shook his head vigorously. He couldn't let his granduncle endanger himself again.

"Who else? You?" Dominic gave Austin a sidelong glance and snorted.

Austin was speechless.

"Only I can meet her," the old man said solemnly. "And I'm afraid I'm the only one who knows how."

The trio fell silent, acknowledging his truth. Even if they risked meeting Yasmin, they wouldn't know how to hypnotize her. Rhea's attempt to hypnotize Mike notwithstanding, none of them possessed that skill.

"Are you confident?" Alexander asked, knowing he wouldn't let the old man proceed otherwise.

Dominic nodded. "I once saved her life; I think she'll trust me. Besides, she has insomnia. She won't suspect a thing if I tell her the hypnosis is to help her sleep."

His reasoning seemed sound, leaving the others little choice. However, Austin remained uneasy. "But you just got out of—"

"So what?" Dominic interrupted. "I'm still in Hyderland, am I not? And do you have a better plan?"

Austin, unable to offer one, clenched his teeth. "Then I'll go with you, to look after you." It was a compromise he could accept.