Lily straightened and said, without resentment, "Of course, you wouldn't."

"That's... quite a pity," the queen murmured thoughtfully.

"Well, there's a price for everything. That's how the world balances," Lily continued. "I can't stop you if you must proceed with R10. Still, I won't witness its success or failure. I simply wish the outcome isn't something you'll regret."

Lily smiled, turned, and left the room.

Rick, standing guard outside, had overheard their conversation. Exchanging a look with Lily as she passed, he entered and saw the needles in Yasmin's legs. "Your Majesty, those needles—" The queen waved him off dismissively. "It's alright. Lily will remove them later."

Even so, Rick remained wary. "You're being too careless, Your Majesty. What if that woman—"

"She wouldn't," Yasmin interjected, shaking her head.

"Why do you trust her so much?" Rick asked, despite his apprehension.

The queen fell silent. Only then did she realize she had always implicitly trusted Lily. Although Yasmin claimed she no longer trusted anyone, she hadn't even suspected Lily of poisoning the needles.

"I'll bring her back now!" Rick noticed the queen's pensive expression and started to leave.

"It's alright!" the queen said. "I trust her."

Rick was surprised.

Mike never thought he would see his son again. Determined to rescue Nick, he had begun to lose hope after enduring so much. Nonetheless, embracing his son, he found Nick unharmed, having only lost a little weight.

"Dad, when can we go home?" Nick asked softly. Pausing, he added in a quieter voice, "Can we ever go back?"

"Don't be silly. Of course, we can. In fact, I came to bring you home." Mike wrapped his arms around his son. "We'll go home together, and I'll never leave you again."

"I don't want to leave you either!" Nick clung to his father. Though more mature than his peers, he was still a child, trembling in Mike's embrace. He had been scared throughout this ordeal, despite his efforts to remain calm. Seeing his father, Nick finally relaxed.

As they talked, the door opened. Mike looked up sharply, feeling Nick jolt. He quickly held his son tighter, wanting to shield him from anyone who might separate them. However, it was Lily. Relief washed over them both. Nick warmly greeted her, "Lily!"

Lily smiled. "Hey, Nicky."

She looked at Mike. "Are you feeling better now?"

Mike nodded and said sincerely, "Thank you so much."

"Don't thank me. You've done a lot for Nick, too. I only managed to get them to allow this meeting. They won't release Nicky."

Mike nodded. "I know. I'm happy just to see my son. Even if they kill me now, I'll—"

Nick clapped a hand over his father's mouth. "I don't want you to die, Daddy!"

Mike softened. "I won't. We'll return home safely soon."

"Yes, we will," Nick said seriously. Although the boy merely echoed his father's words, it touched Lily profoundly.