fifth petal.

[readitinabook]

[The writing starts slowly and carefully.]

The Tale of the Queen of Hearts

[But it picks up speed as the writer goes on.]Once, in a far-off land, there was a princess who was not allowed to be a princess. Her father, the King, had wanted a son to be King just like him, and so he refused to let his daughter know that there was such a thing as a

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[burns_things]

[Here, Estelle, have some writing in return.]

Little did anyone know that the Queen, in her fury, would dispose of those who she learned not to be the woman she sought for; after time and time again being met with disappointment, the Queen turned to ruling with an iron fist and slew all who would stand in her way.

[readitinabook]

[Hurried scrawl.]

It doesn't go that way!!

[burns_things]

[Veeery slowly and neatly:]

Does too.

[readitinabook]

You're

[Long pause.]

Not Allowed To Change My Story!

[burns_things]

I can't? Oh, that makes me

[PAAAAAAAAAAAAUSE.]

SAD.

[readitinabook]

[Hesitating, pen wavering over the scroll...]

It's my story, and I get to decide how it goes. You should write your own story.

[burns_things]

[Hmm.]

Not bad.

[readitinabook]

What do you mean?

[burns_things]

I was expecting you to roll over and allow me to ruin your story. Maybe you are a real princess after all.

[readitinabook]

I don't think it has anything to do with being a princess. While I was still in the castle, I would have let you.

Ruin my story, I mean.

[burns_things]

I see. A princess should learn to be strong and firm, not be coddled and timid.

[readitinabook]

Then even while I'm away from the castle, I'm learning to be a better princess.

[burns_things]

Between avoiding being called by your title and always talking of leaving the castle, here I thought you did not want to be a princess at all.

[readitinabook]

I'm not sure what I want to be.

But whatever it is, I should be better at it, shouldn't I?

[burns_things]

[... ... ...]

I suppose so.