His eyes trembling in disbelief, Max stared at the lady. Had she just thrown his gift across the room? He sulked from the growing disappointment. That was when she asked, "Did you just say I looked like that thing?" Her eyes were wide with fright.

The resemblance was apparent in Max's eyes. "Yes. Do you not think so?"

As soon as he gave the affirmation, Jubelian pointed at the abandoned doll. "Take that and get out of here," she demanded.

* * *

"What's wrong?" he asked rather softly in response to my angry request. He sounded as if to appease me rather than question, allowing me to calm down. Now that I thought about it, it was only a stuffed animal. Moreover, it was something he had picked out for me. He probably had no idea that I hated mice this much. Concluding my thoughts, I explained, "I don't like mice, Max. Who would like it if they were told they resembled someone or something they disliked?"

He stared at me for a moment before turning toward the gift on the floor. "I don't understand. The doll is—at least for me—small and cute."

I doubted my ears. Was he saying that I was small and cute? Repeating those words in my head, I turned my attention toward the small toy as well. It was eerie at first glance, but now it seemed a little cute.

'I guess it doesn't look so weird anymore…' I was convinced at an instant.

That was when Max forfeited. "There's nothing I can do about it if you don't like it. I will do as you say."

I watched as he picked up the little stuffed animal. Regret washed over me in an instant. It was something he had bought for me! Realizing the process he had gone through in picking out the item, I decided I had been too harsh.

'If I leave him be, he will throw it away… or it might fall into someone else's hands.'

My eyes darted back and forth as I agonized over what to do. Once I finally approached him, I reiterated myself. "Max, I really hate mice." Then I took the small toy in his hand and said, "But I will try to like this one." I didn't go as far as to admit that he was the reason behind my decision. Nevertheless, his face brightened. Realizing the crisis had passed, I finally spoke the words I've been meaning to say. "Thank you for the present."

Gazing into my eyes, he asked gently, "You haven't forgotten our promise, have you?" There was no way I would have forgotten it—I would answer his confession tomorrow. The day I'd been eagerly waiting for was finally near.

Nodding, I began, "Of course. Shall we—"

"See you tomorrow," he cut me off, suddenly bidding farewell.

I looked out the window he jumped from for a moment then locked the entrance to the balcony. Placing the present I had received on the bed, I mumbled to myself, "The more I look at it, the cuter it gets."

I had been thoroughly brainwashed—a truly frightening phenomenon. I couldn't believe I was thinking about this while looking at a doll resembling my most-hated animal. I spent another few minutes looking at my present. The day where I would have my final battle was a few hours away. Putting my hands together in front of me, I prayed.

'Dear heavens, please let everything go well tomorrow.'

* * *

Standing on the veranda of her bedroom, Beatrice stared up at the night sky. The moon shone brightly, illuminating the dark earth with its faint silver rays.

'Please let the banquet be a success tomorrow without any incidents. Also let that eyesore Maximillian be exiled from this kingdom as soon as possible, so that I can become the sole recipient of my parents' love and attention.'