Briar Rose (A Noir Sleeping Beauty Retelling)

2. charming rose

After Vita Hex's curse on the child, Tobias and Iniid employed the services of Richard Jinx to protect Briar Rose until the fateful eve of her twenty-first birthday.

Richard had humbly submitted to the task and took it as an honour to assist the Rose family on such an important assignment. Their daughter's safety now rested on his shoulders. It wasn't an easy task ahead of him, but Richard knew that if he were to protect Briar Rose, she would first have to learn how to defend herself.

At nine years old, he taught her how to shoot.

"Straighten your arm. Yes. Good."

Richard stood in the rear gardens of the Rose Estate, his eyes glued to the figure of a small girl with golden hair. She wore a white shirt and tatted grey coveralls. She straightened her arm as instructed, her petite finger grazing the trigger of a pistol. She closed her left eye, trying to focus her aim on the tin can resting on a table a few yards from her position.

"Don't close your eyes!" Richard shouted.

Briar Rose pulled the trigger and fired a bullet a few inches to the right of the tin can. She grumbled.

"Try again," Richard said.

Briar Rose tossed him an annoyed glare. "I am trying!"

Richard approached her, placing a hand lightly on her right shoulder. "Try until you hit it. Don't close your eyes. Look at the target, not the pistol."

Briar Rose nodded. She tucked a strand of hair behind her small ear and aimed the pistol at the can. She straightened her arm, trying not to squint as she examined the target. Richard stood quietly behind her, watching her process. Briar pulled the trigger, and smoke puffed from the pistol barrel. A bullet struck the edge of the tin can, and it bounced off the table.

Briar smiled, spinning around. "I did it!"

Richard stroked a hand through her hair, taking the pistol from her. "Well done."

And so the years of training went by. Briar Rose grew not only in beauty but also as a promising protege. She mastered a pistol at ten years old, a shotgun at fourteen, and a rifle at sixteen. She was a natural behind the wheel of a motorcar, efficient and adaptable—a proper tour de force.

Soon time ticked away, and the sun finally began to set on Briar's final day of twenty. Tobias had arranged a private family party at the estate to celebrate his daughter's coming of age, and Richard was particularly anxious. However, he tightened the black-tie of his charcoal suit and put on his best smile. He had prepared Briar Rose the best he could. Tonight would be the finale of all his good intentions.

Richard grabbed a glass of champagne and joined Iniid and Tobias in the main hall, who together eagerly lifted their eyes to the top of a grand staircase leading to the second floor with hopes to catch sight of the dazzling Rose heiress.

Meanwhile, outside, a dark figure circled the grounds of the estate. They looked up and located a room on the top floor, white light bleeding out onto an attached balcony. The dark figure stepped into a clearing, revealing their identity as Julian Spade. The young boy had grown into a handsome young man, strong and adventurous. With his eyes still set on the balcony, he watched a figure move inside the room. He grasped a protruding ledge and begun his climb up the side of the house, carefully pulling himself over the balcony railing and landing soundlessly on his boots. As he rose, a voice called out.

"You're not with my father's men."

Julian smiled. "What makes you say that?"

A figure approached him from inside the room, encapsulated in white light. Soon the beautiful face of a young woman appeared. Her golden hair dropped in long loose curls down her spine, and a white robe embraced her slim figure. Julian's breathe was snatched from his lungs as he laid his eyes upon her, but they soon trailed down to the pistol in her hand. She placed her finger on the trigger, smirking while aiming for his chest.

"Why else would you be sneaking around?"

Julian felt a cold sweat down the back of his neck.

"Easy there, sweetheart. No one has to get hurt."

"I'm far from sweet. What's your name?"

"Julian Spade."

The young woman arched a brow, lowering the pistol. "This is a private event. What are you doing here?"

Julian grinned, leaning against the balcony railing. "The city speaks of the enchanting Briar Rose. I wanted to see if the tales were true, and so far, they have not disappointed."

Briar Rose joined Julian on the balcony. He stared longingly into her eyes, opening his jacket. He reached inside and pulled out a white rose.

"For you."

"A gift?"

"It is your birthday. So am I not allowed to spoil my future bride on one of her biggest nights?"

"How charming," Briar Rose said, taking the flower, "and I suppose you want something in return?"

Julian smiled. "Being in your presence alone is enough. You are a rare breed, Briar Rose, a true angel from heaven."

"A romantic and cunning linguist," Briar said, smelling the rose. "What a delightful combination in a man."

Julian leaned forward, and Briar surprised him with a gentle kiss. She pulled back slowly, blinking her long lashes. "I must go. My parents are expecting me."

She departed Julian's side, tracing her fingers along his jawline as she walked back into her room.

"You have bewitched me, Briar Rose," Julian muttered, touching his lips. "I am in love."

"Darling, you have my heart," Briar replied, holding out the white rose. "I am yours."