returning to the forest, where Bobo sits at the tea table with William. Anna remains seated a short distance away, staring at them, tense as if she might burst at any moment.
"Are you going to speak now?" Anna said.
Bobo glanced at her, lowered his cup slightly, exhaled in mild irritation, then spoke.
"According to Sir William, you wish to reach the Crown Prince's palace. It's a dangerous labyrinth—but not an impossible one with me. I've spent years exploring it."
"And what makes someone like you live here," Anna pressed, "spending years of your life on a maze like this? A hobby?"
William stayed silent, clearly interested in the answer as he sipped his tea.
Bobo set his cup down on the table. He paused, then said quietly, "After my wife died… I fell into a deep depression. I spent my days drinking and crying—until one day I found a letter on my bed."
"A letter?" Anna asked.
"Yes. It was in my wife's handwriting. It said: 'I've gone to the old Crown Prince's palace. You'll most likely find me there.'"
"When I came here, I honestly thought it was a cruel joke. I was about to leave when I heard a whistling sound. I turned—and saw my wife in the distance. I ran to her, followed her to the edge of the labyrinth, and there I discovered it was a statue of her… perfect in every detail. At first I thought it was an illusion, but every time I returned, it was there—one hundred percent real."
He swallowed. "When I tore my gaze away from the statue… the Crown Prince's palace stood right in front of me. That's when I realized I was here for a reason. And so I've stayed."
"What a story," Anna murmured.
Meanwhile, Louis had taken a seat opposite Romy, idly twirling a flower between his fingers. Romy glared at him—furious, terrified, and very much wishing she could kill him.
"Oh my," Louis said lightly. "What a terrifying look. How about we play the challenge a different way this time?"
"And who are you to suggest that?" Romy snapped.
"Are you afraid of me?" he teased.
Her anger flared, but she forced herself to calm down.
"If it weren't for the Crown Prince's rules," Romy said coldly, "you'd be slices of meat in front of me."
"Oh," Louis grinned. "So you are afraid."
"You little brat!" Romy barked. "State your wager."
"Six questions for two," Louis replied.
"Six?"
"You and Domi will wear the mold, just like me. Each of you gets three questions to ask me. I get one question for each of you."
"And if you fail?" Romy asked.
"Then you eat me."
"And if we fail?" Domi said.
"If only one of you fails, nothing happens,"
Louis answered calmly.
"Fine," Romy said.
"But," Louis added, eyes gleaming, "if both of you fail… everyone in the room advances to the next round. No exceptions."
"What?" Domi started. "Are you joking?
There's no way we—
"Agreed!" Romy cut in.
"Romy!" Domi cried.
"As if she'll win," Romy sneered, fixing Louis with a murderous smile. "Get ready to be cut to pieces, you rat."