Lily tilted her head, fighting back tears. "There's something I find strange," she said.

"What is it?" Mike asked, after comforting his son.

"Instead of detaining Prince Ross, Her Majesty has sent him back to Yudonia. If so, why couldn't we reach him?"

After some thought, Mike replied, "There are two possibilities. It's probably due to poor signals, or he doesn't want us to contact him."

They exchanged a look, both wondering the same thing: Why couldn't they contact Ross? Was he planning something?

Three days later, Lily inserted the last needle into the queen's leg and looked up. "You should start feeling your legs tomorrow," she said. "Still, it'll take some time before you can stand." She chuckled suddenly.

"Why are you laughing?" Yasmin asked, touching her legs. Sensation had begun to return over the last two days, and she felt she could soon stand. But the queen's chuckle made her hesitant.

Lily shook her head. "Well, it was pointless, wasn't it? Since you insist on conducting the R10 experiment, you'll abandon your body sooner or later. I shouldn't have wasted my time treating you."

Yasmin squinted. "Then why did you—"

"Oh, who knows," Lily added, "Perhaps you'll think your body is the best after all. We all came into this world with nothing. Only our bodies belong to us. Will we be the same person if we abandon them?"

Yasmin sighed. "You're right."

When the time came, Lily removed the needles. The queen moved slightly; though her legs remained still, she felt her toes move. It was an exciting sensation she hadn't felt in years.

"You've given me a wonderful gift, Lily," the queen said, tears in her eyes. "I have a gift for you, too."

Yasmin turned and opened a wooden box containing several bottles. Lily was surprised. "Is that...the R10 drug?"

"You're right," the queen nodded, picking up a bottle and squeezing it. She made up her mind and poured its contents into a nearby flowerpot.

Lily gasped. "Your Majesty?"

"I couldn't sleep well for the past few months," Yasmin said slowly, "but it wasn't because of you. I'd been wondering if I should continue the experiment. I was reluctant to give it up, but I didn't know what I'd face if I continued. I decided to stop when my legs gradually regained sensation. You were right all along. We all have our destinies, and I shouldn't sacrifice so many lives for my obsession. I'm exhausted, and it's time to stop and smell the roses."

Lily was speechless, finding it hard to believe.

"Ross returned to Yudonia to take the throne. He'll pave his own path," Yasmin said, a relaxed smile spreading across her face. "It's time for me to return and pass on my responsibilities to him. You are free to go. We all have journeys to embark on, don't we?"

"Anyway, I'm glad to have met you, Lily," the queen said, extending her hand. "Are we still friends?"

Lily gazed at Yasmin's hand for a long moment before taking it. Yasmin smiled and nodded. "Of course we are." [The End]