As John headed to the bakery, Louis returned to his room for his lessons with Mr. William. As always, he finished them without delay, and soon found himself wandering the palace gardens…
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Surrounded by towering hedges in the maze-like garden, he strolled quietly…
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Shhh…
"What… what's happening… I'm losing control over her… Damn it… damn it… I forgot—the roses in the room… Ivy, get out of th—"
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Ivy: "Ahh… What should I do…?"
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(She ran—without thought, without direction.)
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Ivy: "Not this path! It's blocked… Blocked!"
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Her desperate attempts led her through twisted corridors of green…
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Until at last, she escaped the maze—only to find herself face-to-face with a worse fate.
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Rose: "Ivy! Darling, come have tea with me…"
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Ivy froze, unsure whether to obey… or run.
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Ivy: "I-I'm sorry… I must go…"
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Rose: "Wha—?"
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Ivy dashed toward the palace, as fast as her legs could carry her.
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Rose (coldly): "Ugh… Little brat. Very well… Release the hounds."
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Woof… Woof… Woof…
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Ivy: "No! No no no!" (she cried, tears running down her face as she sprinted)
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She reached her room—but the dogs were close.
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Crunch! One of them sank its teeth into her arm.
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Ivy: "Ahh… I must… reach… the rose…!"
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Snarl! She bit the dog's ear.
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Yelp! The dog clamped down harder.
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Ivy (screaming): "I… won't… give up—!"
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Chhhk! With a final push, she ripped off its ear. The dog whimpered and retreated to a corner, trembling.
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She rushed to Louis' enchanted rose and devoured one petal.
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Louis (calmly): "Well done…"
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Woof… Another dog entered the room.
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Louis: "Hello there, friend."
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Woof… Woof… Woof…
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Without flinching, Louis seized the fireplace poker.
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Snarl! The dog leapt—but Louis struck it mid-air and drove the iron deep into its skull.
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He collapsed to the floor, leaning against the wall, breathing heavily.
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Fweee… A sharp whistle echoed through the room.
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The dog ran out, terrified.
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Then the maids entered, followed by Rose—only to freeze in horror.
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There was Louis, leaning against the wall, blood staining his lips, smiling.
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Louis: "Shall we have tea now?"