The queen calmed down, her expression now tinged with sadness. Lily’s self-deprecating tone, and perhaps the unsettling implications of her words, had clearly struck a chord. "I never thought he would do this to me," she murmured.

"Perhaps you were simply in denial," Lily replied gently. "He served you for many years, and was the person you trusted most. It's understandable that you wouldn't want to believe he would betray you."

Lily understood betrayal intimately. The anger, disappointment, and sadness she felt when Mike's deception was revealed, even if forced by the organization, were still fresh in her memory. The queen's situation was even more precarious; those in positions of power were particularly vulnerable to betrayal by those closest to them. Once that trust was broken, the damage was often irreparable.

The queen sighed, shaking her head. "Why would he do this? My health has been so poor lately, and I've relied so heavily on his advice. He doesn't—"

"Greed knows no bounds, Your Majesty," Lily finished calmly, meeting the queen's gaze without fear.

"Aren't you afraid?" the queen asked, her voice edged with apprehension. "You know what you're about to face."

"If fear could solve problems, I'd be terrified," Lily replied steadily. "But we both know it can't. You, however, should be more afraid than I am right now."

The queen's eyes widened, then a brief, incredulous laugh escaped her lips. "Me? Afraid of you? Why should I be? I'm the queen, for goodness sake!"

"Of course you are," Lily conceded. "Yet you fear aging and death—problems you face imminently. Now you must also confront betrayal and loss. We're fearless when we have nothing to lose, aren't we? Conversely, the more we possess, the more we fear losing it." Lily's words, delivered with the casual ease of a friend, nonetheless struck a raw nerve, exposing the queen's unspoken fears and harsh reality.

"No way!" the queen exclaimed, her voice sharp. "That's enough fear-mongering! You're trying to divide us."

"When did I mention fear-mongering or division?" Lily smiled faintly, approaching the queen. "How about betrayal and treachery? I doubt Fred would use those words in your presence, would he?"

"Just shut up!" The queen covered her ears, shutting her eyes tightly.

"You can choose not to listen," Lily said quietly, "but can you prevent what's coming?" She poured herself a glass of water and sat on the sofa.

Silence descended. The queen slowly opened her eyes, expecting Lily to be gone. Instead, she found Lily watching her with a serene smile.

The queen gripped the arms of her wheelchair, her voice hoarse. "What's your point? You're a prisoner, just like me."

"Our situations aren't identical," Lily shook her head. "I have a chance of leaving. I'm afraid it's less likely for you."

The queen blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. "Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?"