I swallow hard and squeeze Jonah’s hand. He squeezes back, nodding at me reassuringly.

“What will you even do while I’m gone?” I whisper to Jonah.

Jonah shrugs. “I don’t know. Do you have a PlayStation, Mr. Beast?” he calls out.

“Huh?” Mr. Beast asks.

“I guess that’s a no. What about ketchup? Do you have ketchup?” my brother asks.

“Of course,” Mr. Beast huffs. “Homemade ketchup.”

Jonah’s eyes light up. “Seriously? Yum.”

“Are you hungry? I have a lot of food. Mr. and Mrs. Butler!” Mr. Beast calls out, turning toward the castle.

“Oh! I remember that part from the movie!” Jonah says. “Is the housekeeper hiding in a teapot?”

“Excuse me?” Mr. Beast asks incredulously. “Why would anyone hide in a teapot? How could anyone even fit in a teapot?”

An older man and woman walk slowly into the garden. They’re both thin, with gray hair and kindly expressions.

“These are my housekeepers,” Mr. Beast explains. “Mr. and Mrs. Butler.”

They nod and smile at me and Jonah.

“Their name is really Butler?” I ask. Under different circumstances, I’d giggle.

Mr. Beast nods. “Of course. In the kingdom of Kingdom, your name describes you.”

“The kingdom of Kingdom?” I ask. “This kingdom is named Kingdom?”

“Yes,” Mr. Beast says simply.

Oh. Like Beast. And Beauty. That’s funny.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Butler!” Mr. Beast says to his servants. “We have a guest!”

“A quest?” says the old man. “Did you say we have a quest? Will we need Pony?”

“Not a quest,” Mr. Beast says. “A guest.”

Mrs. Butler pulls on her earlobe. “Are you tired? Do you need a rest?”

“No,” Mr. Beast bellows. “A guest! Look!” He points to Jonah.

“Ah!” says Mr. Butler. “Guests! Why didn’t you say so, Mr. Beast? We will set up their rooms right away.”

“Can I get you something to eat and drink?” asks Mrs. Butler.

“Yes!” says Jonah. “I’m starving. And I heard you have ketchup —”

“Rooms won’t be necessary,” I cut in. “We’re not staying overnight. But I’ll be bringing back a girl named Beauty and she’ll be staying.”

“Oh, wonderful,” says Mrs. Butler warmly. “I will get three rooms ready. I’ll pick out some clothes for you, too! The closets are packed with new outfits I sew in case we ever have visitors!”

I’m about to correct her, but … new clothes! Who am I to say no to new clothes?

“Do you have any toys?” Jonah asks.

“Toys?” Mr. Beast snarls. “No.”

“I’m sure I can find something to entertain you,” Mrs. Butler rushes to say. “We have lots of board games. And tons of books in the basement.”

Jonah scowls. “No books, please. I don’t like to read. But I’ll check out the games. Bye, Abby, you can go, I’ll be fine! I’ll teach Mr. and Mrs. Butler how to play flying crocodile!”