Meanwhile, inside the Duchy of Lawrence, Anna slipped through William's window.
Anna: "…Huh? No one?"
She silently opened the window and stepped inside—only to freeze when she noticed a piece of paper lying on his bed.
"I've gone to the Old Crown Prince's Palace. You'll most likely find me there…"
She clenched the paper in her hand and quickly left the room.
At the same time, inside Romy and Domi's first challenge…
Between screams and sobs, between Romy's cruelty toward the girls and the terror of the orange-haired one—curled up on the ground, muttering in fear—Louis wandered inside the tent.
Louis (thinking):
Running away isn't an option anymore. I'll have to face this sooner or later… The tent openings overlook the palace from the right and left. If there's an exit, it's either from the front—behind the stage—or the door behind me, which only leads back to the starting point… and either way, it's sealed. So what now?
Anna finally reached the place where the Crown Prince's palace was said to be.
Anna: "I can't even see the palace… it's a massive forest. The palace is right in the middle of it. This is a maze…"
A sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
She turned around.
William was leaning casually against a tree.
William: "So, you came after all. Well, well…
lucky me. I've got a decent fortress protecting me now."
Anna: "Are you insane? Going into a forest like this? This reckless—no plan, no preparation, nothing?!"
William: "Did I really have another choice? If there's even a chance to change what's happening, then saving her is worth any price."
Anna: "There isn't a single official map of this palace. It's an unknown labyrinth. So tell me, genius—what now?"
William: "Well, well… fortune smiled on me this time. I found—"
Anna: "Found what?"
William: "I found—"
Anna: "What did you find, you idiot?!"
William: "A guide to lead us! Allow me to introduce Old Man Bobo! A round of applause for Bobo!"
…Silence.
(Mr. Bobo was a short old man, his features oddly resembling a hamster. He wore a religious cross, and his large black eyes were innocent and childlike.)
Anna: "Ugh… and how exactly do you know this forest, Mr. Bo—Bo?"
Bobo: "Greetings, my lady. First of all… why don't we start with a nice cup of tea?"
Back to Romy and Domi…
Romy: "Now then, the second question… Truth or lie. Dear Catherine— is it true that you used to secretly eat sweets behind your parents' backs?"
Catherine: "Y-Yes… yes, that's true!"
Domi: "Ooooh, how embarrassing! Hahaha!"
Romy: "Tsk, tsk… what a troublesome child."
Romy: "Now, the final question… If you answer honestly, you'll escape with one hand intact—hehehe. But if you lie… you'll become our lovely dinner."
Romy: "The last question… hmm. According to the information on this paper, your father married another woman over your mother. Oh my, what a traitor… Tell me—do you still love your father?"
Silence.
Catherine's eyes filled with tears. The light in them began to fade—hope draining away.
Louis (shouting): "Oh, come on! You wretched old hag—how dare you ask something like that?! Do you have no morals at all?!"
Everyone stared at Louis—inhabiting Ivy's body—in shock.
Catherine looked up at him. The light returned to her eyes.
Domi: "How dare you speak during the challenge, you little brat?!"
Romy: "Catherine, answer!"
Louis: "Oh, so you're ignoring me now, you u-g-l-y old witch?!"
Romy turned toward him, fury burning in her eyes.
Romy: "You've dug your own grave, you cursed little girl."
Catherine: "Yes… I still love him."
The second hand-mold snapped open.
Catherine ran straight into the girls' arms.
Romy stared in shock—then slowly turned toward Louis, her expression twisting with rage.
Romy: "…So. It's your turn, you bold little thing. Step forward."