The queen was shocked. "Fred?!"

"Your Majesty, what are you doing here? Don't you trust me?" Fred hurried over and knelt before her, though his expression was angry.

"No, it's not that I don't trust you," the queen replied, looking panicked, like a child caught red-handed.

"Your Majesty, I've always been loyal. You know how hard I've worked to ensure your continued reign. Yet you question my loyalty?" He looked as if she had betrayed him. Ashamed, the queen touched his face. "Oh, of course not. I know you're loyal, and I've never doubted you. I just wanted to ask her a few questions."

"Then why did you wait until I wasn't around? Why behind my back? Was it because there were things you didn't want me to hear?" His forceful tone, even half-kneeling, overwhelmed the queen.

Lily, observing the exchange, suddenly burst into laughter, breaking the tension.

Both turned to her. Fred's anger intensified. "What are you laughing at?!"

"I find your customs interesting," Lily retorted, her mocking tone evident. "Is this how a subject expresses loyalty in Yudonia? By interrogating the queen?"

Fred was outraged. "What are you talking about?! I only spoke louder than usual. I wasn't interrogating her. You're just trying to divide us!"

"I think everyone knows that's a lie, and that you've misbehaved," Lily dared to say. Her words fueled Fred's anger.

"Your Majesty, I've been loyal for twenty years! You can't doubt me just because of a random accusation from an outsider," Fred pleaded, his anxiety palpable.

The queen nodded. "Yes, I know. I've never doubted your loyalty. Still, you must believe I only wanted to ask her a few questions on a whim. That doesn't mean I doubt you. I know you're loyal, Fred, but you shouldn't distrust me either." She shook her head, looking disappointed.

"No, I would never doubt you, Your Majesty. I was wrong. However, we can't trust this cunning woman—everything she says and does is designed to help her escape. She's not devoted to you. As I said, Hylanders are not to be trusted. I'm the only one loyal to you." Fred placed a hand on his chest and bowed deeply.

The queen nodded. "I understand, but I hope you can keep this under wraps. The incident at the research institute has already alarmed the local government, and they're investigating. If this gets out, there will be significant international implications..." She trailed off, knowing Fred understood the gravity of the situation.