Selena looked incredulously at Lucy, her voice trembling as she said, "But I've never killed anyone, I can't do it."

Lucy stood up and walked over to her, patting her shoulder. "Practice makes perfect. Besides, you're not doing it yourself. You've used proxies before."

"But…"

"Selena, hesitation won't lead us anywhere. If you hesitate to eliminate her today and she manages to break free from your grasp, it will be you who suffers the consequences. I've devised a plan, but the decision is yours on how to proceed."

Selena clenched her fists, her lips pressed together. "I get what you're saying. Only the deceased can truly keep secrets."

Lucy gave her a reassuring pat on the back. "Finally, you're seeing things clearly. Remember, Freya is no ordinary opponent. You've had your fair share of clashes with her and know how skilled she is. Direct confrontation won't benefit us, so we must rely on strategy, understood?"

"I understand. This woman is a force to be reckoned with, both in combat and design. Keeping her alive means I'll forever be in her shadow, so... if she doesn't perish, then who will?"

"Exactly. Proceed, but ensure to cover your tracks and leave no trace behind."

"Okay."

…

In the hotel room.

Freya hugged Queen Sally's arm, coaxing, "Master, please let Matthew return home. I promise to accompany you to Leiton Island tomorrow morning."

Queen Sally sat on the sofa, completely unmoved. Having experienced a few setbacks with this apprentice, she had become smarter.

She lifted her teacup elegantly, sipping her tea with grace, seemingly ignoring Freya's words.

"Master!"

Freya tried acting cute. She sat beside her and began massaging her back.

Queen Sally closed her eyes contentedly. When Freya was in Yara Kingdom, all she cared about was learning. She never behaved so obediently before.

After completing her studies, she left without a care in the world for three years.

Although the master and the apprentice kept in touch by phone, the girl never flew over to see her once.

If she hadn't come to find her this time, the girl would probably have almost forgotten what her master looked like.

"Master, you really look younger and younger as you get older. I can hardly detect any signs of aging on you." Seeing that it was useless to please her, Freya began to flatter her.

Queen Sally opened her eyes slowly, her sharp gaze falling on her. After observing her for a while, she said softly, "Oh, I'm fifty years old already, going through menopause. How am I still young?"

Freya smiled helplessly after hearing this, "Master, who said you are old? In my heart, you are the youngest master. Although you are fifty years old, you look like a young girl in her twenties."

Queen Sally raised an eyebrow and sighed, "As an old lady like me who dresses up gorgeously, all those young men who approach me are just gold diggers I keep."

Freya suddenly realized something and covered her mouth in shock.

If she remembered correctly, she seemed to have said something to Matthew before.

She had mentioned menopause to avoid Matthew getting too close to the master, but she didn't expect the boy to spill the beans.

Now, the master was using those words against her, clearly angry.

"Girl, you're really too arrogant. How dare you educate a child like this? Are you trying to anger your master?"

Queen Sally put her teacup down heavily on the table and stood up abruptly. "Menopause? Exposing your master's age? If you don't explain to me tonight, don't think about taking Matthew away."

Oh dear, her master was really angry!

Freya sensed the tension in the air.

Having been taught by Queen Sally for so many years, although her master was strict and demanding in training, she had never been angry with her.

Freya slapped herself hard. Why did she say such things?

Now, she had stirred up trouble for herself.

She hugged Queen Sally, feeling guilty, and said, "Master, please don't be angry. It's my fault for saying you're going through menopause. But I didn't say you keep young men. I didn't..."

"You didn't say it, but you meant it. Humph!" Queen Sally turned her face away in a huff.

"Oh, Master, what you said is actually true. You still have your charm and good temperament. Most of those young men approach you just because they covet your wealth and status..."

Her words successfully flattered the Queen.

She praised Queen Sally for her excellent care and reminding those young boys that their approach to her is not pure.

Queen Sally was originally full of anger, but upon hearing her words, she laughed out of anger.

"Enough, I'm not falling for your flattery. Don't try to sweet-talk me." She pushed away Freya's hand, her expression serious. "Do you think I, as your master, lack discernment? I can't be easily deceived. I know very well why those young men approach me, and I have my principles. No matter how lonely I may feel, I won't stoop to seducing young men."

"That's right, Master, you are the Queen, how can you be easily deceived?"

Freya chimed in.

Seeing her apprentice's flattery, Queen Sally sighed lightly in resignation. "If you truly care about your master, then listen to her and leave Leonard soon. No matter how handsome he may be, he's not worth sacrificing everything for. If he ever abandons you, you'll regret it."

"But, Master, I believe in his character. He won't let me down."

"Hmph, men are no better than dogs. If you can trust a man's words, then pigs can fly."

Queen Sally's emotions suddenly intensified.

Back when she abandoned the throne for love, what was the result?

The man who promised to marry her had disappeared without a word.

She waited for him for five whole years, only to receive news of his death in the end.

It was a heavy blow to her, so much so that it chilled her heart towards love, and she never married.

"Master, not everyone is the same. At least Bradley isn't."

Freya still had confidence in Bradley's character.

Although there were women around him, he was allergic to women, and those women couldn't get close to him even if they tried.

"Freya, you're still too naive. Leonard is a prince of the Newman family. Once he regains control of Solterra and becomes a king, the number of women around him will only increase. You may be young and beautiful now, but how long do you think he'll stay with you once your looks fade?"

"But what about Felix? He's also a prince. Won't he abandon me once he becomes a king?"

"Felix is different."

"What's different?"

Queen Sally pondered for a moment before speaking softly, "Because I trust his master, who has exceptional character. Being his proud disciple, he must be also have exceptional character."