17-CHERRY RED OR STRAWBERRY RED？

CHERRY RED OR STRAWBERRY RED? Suddenly, we heard a buzzing noise coming from the highest tower in the castle. It sounded just like an airplane before it takes off. I pressed my ear to the door leading to the tower. The noise got LOUDER and LOUDER Then it slowly faded away, As we made our way to the kitchen, we passed a huge picture window. I glanced outside. Then I blinked. For a minute, I thought I spotted the strange black flying creature we had seen on our way to the castle. I shook my head and peered out the window again. No, nothing there now. Maybe I needed to make an appointment with Dr. Bifocals, my eye doctor, and get my

eyes checked. My glasses were sort of old. At that very moment, we heard voices coming from one of the rooms. I recognized the voice of the young countess Snobella.

"Did you iron my dress? Not yet? Be careful! CAAAREFUL! YOU'LL BURN IT THAT WAY!" she commanded. I heard Thea grumble. Snobella didn't seem to notice, She kept ordering my sister about. "Brush my fur. Easy, you are tugging at my curls," she squeaked. "Now I must have some red polish on my nails, and my whiskers need to be curled." I heard her sigh. "Next I have to decide which cape to wear. The cherry red, the strawberry red, or the tomato red? What do you think?" she asked. But my sister didn't have a chance to reply. "Oh, what am I thinking?" the countess smirked. "You're just a simple maid. Only I can make the right choice!"

Again I could hear Thea grumbling. This time it was even louder. My sister hates to be pushed around. Uh-oh, I thought. I hope she doesn't get so angry she blows our cover. Luckily, the countess seemed to have other things on her mind. "Put these fifty dozen red roses in a vase for me," she instructed. "They're from my fiancé, Count Schnoz von der Nose. Ah, Schnoz," she added softly. "So sweet, yet so boring..." Her voice drifted off. Then I heard the sound of pawsteps. Minutes later, my sister appeared. "That rodent is a total hightmare." she fumed. "She wants me to help her with everything. I wonder if she even knows how to brush her own teeth! But there is something even stranger about her." Thea

continued, lowering her voice. "She never removes that cape of hers. I wonder what she is hiding beneath it! She's probably not a mouse. I think she's really a monster!" I glanced at Snowbell's closed door. "She is very pretty, though," I said with a shy smile. My nephew joined in. "I think she is one of the prettiest mice I have ever seen!" he cried. Thea snorted. "She's pretty, all right. Pretty evil!" she snarled. Just then, Benjamin grabbed my paw. He pointed toward one of the rooms. It had a red door that was slightly ajar. It had to be the count's bedroom.