Reuben’s Trabel Journal – Entry #10

Location: Château de Ronald
Date: Touching Almost Nothing

Dear Journal,

We landed safely in a field near the castle, thanks to Ronald’s heroic fire-breath (and a lucky breeze). After a lot of cheering and a little bit of crying (mostly from Dougie, but happy tears), Ronald invited us inside for a proper castle tour.

“Just one rule,” he said, puffing out his chest like a tour guide in training. “By order ob the monarch: NO TOUCHING ANYFING.”

Teddy wrote it down immediately. Dougie nodded solemnly. I tucked my paws behind my back.

We made it fru the Grand Gallery wiffout incident. We almost made it through the Belbet Throne Room. But the music stand in the Royal Music Salon? It was just so… shiny.

Before we knew it, Dougie had climbed up for a better look. Teddy followed to inspect the “craftsmanship.” And I—I may have tapped one ob the keys on a berry old piano that played a note that definitely echoed.

Ronald gasped.

We froze.

But instead ob scolding us, he leaned in and whispered, “Okay okay just don’t tell the monarch. Or the butler. They’re snitches.”

We kept exploring—secret staircases, golden libraries, a hallway ob portraits with eyes that follow you (berry unsettling).

Teddy rated it 4.5 stars for decor, 5 stars for the cheese platter. Dougie says if we ever need a hideout, this castle is perfect.

And me? I feel like we’re libing inside a storybook.

Just… next time, I’ll keep my paws in my pockets.  Gotta run, we don’t want to be late for dinner in the Grand Hall!

—Reuben  xoxo

P.S. We did not touch the crown. Technically.