That evening, Rosina gathered them by the hearth. “Well?” she asked, her tone expectant. “What did you learn?”

Hansel hesitated, then said, “The kitchen… it doesn’t just make food. It reacts to how you treat it. When I was careful, it helped me.”

Rosina nodded. “Good. The kitchen reflects your own focus. Care for it, and it will care for you.”

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She turned to Gretel. “And you?”

Gretel held up her map, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “The house changes, but it’s not random. I think I’m figuring out its patterns.”

Rosina smiled, her sharp edges softening for a moment. “Very good. You’re learning to see—not just with your eyes, but with your minds. Keep going, and this house will reward you in ways you can’t yet imagine.”

Hansel and Gretel exchanged a glance, for the first time feeling not just hopeful, but capable. They still had much to learn, but for the first time, it felt like they were on the right path.