The next morning, Tyler awoke bright and early and began preparing breakfast for the knights. As he cooked, he constantly looked down at his engagement ring; reminding himself that Josh was going to come back for him, and they'll soon be married.

Eventually, Gerard and Mark woke up and helped set the table, then all the knights join together and had some blueberry pancakes; made with love by their beloved ladybird.

When Gerard ate some, he felt his tastebuds dance in his mouth. He enjoyed every single bite.

"Marry! These pancakes art delicious!"

Tyler smiled.

"Thank you, Gerard."

"How didst thee maketh these pancakes so valorous?" Mark asked.

"I went out early before dawn and picked some fresh blueberries from the garden." Tyler replied.

"V'ry cunning."

Brycen was also enjoying his breakfast, and though he still felt untrusting towards Tyler, he wanted to say something.

"Tyler, sir, I'm enjoying thy pancakes."

The child smiled to him and nodded.

"Thank you, Brycen."

Gerard wiped his mouth with his napkin, then stood up to address the knights.

"Brethren, we art leaving f'r w'rk the present day, and we might not but beest backeth by evening tonight."

Mark and Brycen were excited to go out and do their knightly duties, while the children awed with disappointment.

"Do we have to go?" Sydney asked.

"It's not fair!" Gertie cried; stomping his fist on the table.

"I wanna stay and be with Tyler!" Imogene said.

"Yeah!" Harry added.

Gerard looked to them, and their complaints seized.

"Children, thee shall doth thy duty and s'rve, and we shall not complaineth."

He leaned down to them.

"Und'rstood?"

The children nodded.

"Yes, ser Gerard."

The knightly man smiled, then the rest of the men started preparing for work. As they did, Tyler started to feel afraid.

He was being left alone again.

While the knights prepared, the boy went to see Gerard.

"Gerard, is it true you guys are leaving?"

"Aye." He replied.

"Can't I come with you?"

"Nay, darling ladybird, you're staying h're to behold aft'r our home."

"Will I be safe?"

"Of course thee shall, sweetling. We won't beest longeth, I gage."

Tyler became worried.

"Gerard, I'm so afraid of being alone again."

The knightly man took him into his arms and began to comfort him.

"W'rry not, dram one, thee shall beest good now. Thy future husband shall non beest home, and we'll hast a wedding to bray out."

Gerard's words, began to calm the boy, and he instantly felt better. The thought of marrying Josh was what made him forget about being alone.

Later on, all the knights lined up and prepared to go to work. Tyler stood with them to send them off.

Gerard was the first to bid him farewell.

"Thee beest careful while we're hence, and beware of thy aunt."

"I will." The boy replied.

"She shall anon knoweth yond thou art h're. Don't ope the doth'r to anyone."

"Don't worry, Gerard, I'll be careful."

Tyler kissed him on the cheek.

"See you tonight."

The man pressed his hand over his cheek; blushing as he walked away.

Next, Mark gave his goodbye to the child.

"Don't taketh any chances, sweet ladybird." He said to him. "I can't bareth the bethought of aught happening to thee."

"I won't." Tyler replied.

He kissed him on the cheek as well.

"Farewell, dear Mark."

After Tyler kissed Sydney, Harry, Imogene, and Gertie, Brycen was the last to share his farewell. At first, he tried to walk away, but the child called to him.

"Goodbye, sweet Brycen!"

Not wanting to ignore his kindness, the boy went back to Tyler and faced him.

"I'm warning thee, knave. Don't alloweth nothing'r nobody in our house."

When he heard Brycen's plea, Tyler smiled with delight.

"Brycen, I knew you'd eventually come around."

He leaned down and kissed him on his head.

Distracted by the kiss, the boy smiled, but when Tyler began to notice, he quickly sneered then walked away.

Following Gerard's guide, the knights went off to work, while Tyler watched and waved to them; promising a good supper when they returned.

~

Near the outskirts of the forest, the evil aunt, wearing the disguise of the old crone, watched as the knights disappeared into the forest. Her wicked smirk appeared in her teeth, and her eyes turned red and orange with revenge.

"The knights have left, now I will make my move."

Quietly, as to not disturb the forest, the old crone started walking towards the cottage.

At last, when she arrived, she knocked on the door.

As Tyler was sweeping the room, he heard the voice of an innocent and vulnerable old woman.

"Pardon me, is there anyone home?"

The boy went to the door.

"Who is it?"

"An old crone who is traveling through the forest. I was wondering if I could come and rest a while."

The child felt sorry for the poor old woman. He didn't want to leave her alone outside of the cottage. Ignoring the knights's warning, he opened the door.

The old crone was sitting on a chair next to the door; exhausted from her journey. The poor child, being as naive as he was, felt sorry for her.

"Please, little child, I wish to come and rest."

"Oh, of course you can."

He helped her to her feet.

"Come inside and sit by the fire, and I'll make you a nice cup of tea."

"That would be wonderful, my dear child."

The aunt, within the eyes of the old crone, could see how kind and vulnerable his nephew was.

She knew killing him would be easy.

When they got inside, Tyler sat the old woman down by the fire, then went to the kettle and made her a nice cup of homemade chamomile tea, which was Josh's favorite tea.

Then, he came to her side and gave her the warm cup.

"Drink this, ma'am. It should warm you up."

The old crone drank the tea, and instantly felt better.

"My sweet boy, this is really good." She said. "How did you make it so wonderful?"

"My fiancé and I made the recipe, and we loved it every since." The boy replied; innocently.

The disguised aunt was stunned.

This was the first time she learned her nephew was engaged.

"Fiancé?"

"Yes, ma'am." Tyler said. "I'm getting married soon."

The wicked aunt was mortified, which gave her even more desire to end his sweet nephew's life.

Still not wanting to looks suspicious, she smiled.

"That's wonderful, my dear."

The old woman finished her tea, then Tyler sat in front of her on a chair next to the fire. When he did, the old crone picked up her basket and placed it on her lap right where the boy could see it.

"Now, what does your heart desire?"

"What do you have?" Tyler asked.

"I have all sorts of ribbons and jewels. You choose whatever you want. It will deeply please this poor old crone."

Tyler longed to have some of her jewels, but he knew he couldn't afford it.

"I'm afraid I haven't any wage."

The old crone smiled.

"Well, that's quite alright, dearie. But, to reward you for your kindness to a poor old lady, I'm going to give you a nice little gift."

She reached into her basket and took out the apple; holding it out towards her nephew.

When Tyler saw it, he was immediately intrigued by how beautiful it looked. He had never seen anything like it before.

"Have you ever seen such a rosy red apple in your entire life?"

"It is very beautiful." The boy replied. "But, I couldn't take it from you."

"Oh, but you must take it, to please this poor old crone. It's every bit as lovely and tasty as it looks."

Tyler longed for the apple, and seeing how delicious it looked, he couldn't resist anymore.

The old crone pleaded once more.

"Take it, sweet child, take it."

The boy stretched out his band and took the apple from the old woman.

"Just a teeny little bite, my love."

Tyler placed the apple to his lips and took a bite.

The wicked aunt watched and smiled with delight.

"Such a good boy."

When he took a bite from the apple, the poison began to take effect, and the poor child collapsed.

The evil woman watched and continued to smile; laughing under her lips.

"My good, good little nephew."