The Curse of Thorns

CHAPTER ONE

Once upon a time, Princess Briar Rose sneaked out of her castle to meet the witch in the woods. As the castle faded into the distance, and with no sign of pursuing guards, she pushed the hood back from her face, allowing the gentle breeze to caress her skin. It had been months since she had left the castle, and it almost felt like a lifetime to her. She missed the forest, the trees, the vibrant flowers, and the open sky. She yearned for the songs of the birds and the company of the animals. She missed her friend, witch Lavonna, and her magic cottage. Most of all, she missed being free and running around wherever pleased.

It was horrible to live under a watch all the time as if she was a prisoner.

As Briar stepped into the forest, her anticipation quickly turned into disappointment. A feeling of unease enveloped her as she surveyed her surroundings. The vibrant flowers that once adorned the forest floor had lost their brilliance, their petals withered and grey. The leaves of the trees had transformed into a deep, ominous shade of black. The air, devoid of the sweet fragrance of wildflowers, felt heavy and stagnant. The joyful melodies of the birds were replaced by an eerie silence as if the forest had been stripped of its life and replaced with a foreboding stillness.

And the trees were covered in something sharp.

"Thorns?" Briar gasped, stepping closer to examine one of the trees more carefully. The branches and even the leaves were covered in small, sharp thorns. How could trees grow thorns all of a sudden? Was it some kind of natural adaptation? Was it even possible?

She slowly raised her hand to touch the thorns.

"STOP!" a voice shouted,

Shocked, Briar pulled her hand back and turned around. Prince Leon was running toward her. His deep blue tunic shimmered with golden embroidery, complemented by pristine white trousers. A red cape cascaded from his shoulder, while a magnificent gold crown, decorated with sparkling diamonds, graced his head. He was holding a large sword that gleamed in the sun.

"Leon?" Briar gasped.

"Don't touch the tree," the prince pulled Briar away from the tree.

"What are you doing here?" Briar asked.

"Making sure you don't get in trouble," he answered.

Briar glared at him. "Are you stalking me?"

Without any hesitation, the prince replied, "Yes."

"Why?" Briar asked.

His expression turned solemn as he responded, "I've already told you. It's my duty to ensure your safety. I am your true love." With a flourish, he brandished his sword and struck a heroic pose. "Protecting you is my purpose."

Briar sighed. Here they go again.

On Briar's christening, her parents organized a lavish party. They invited everyone, even the fairies. But forgot to invite one fairy, who was evil. And the Wicked Fairy wasn't pleased. She showed up and cursed Briar that on her fourteenth birthday, she would prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die. However, the good fairies altered the curse, transforming it into a deep slumber instead. They prophesied that Briar and her kingdom would remain hidden from the world, sleeping for one hundred years. Then, a prince, destined to be Briar's true love, would discover her kingdom, awaken her with a kiss, and break the curse of eternal sleep.

On her fourteenth birthday, Briar accidentally pricked her finger on a spindle, causing her and her entire kingdom to fall into a deep slumber. True to the fairies' prophecy, Prince Leon eventually discovered Briar, kissed her, and broke the curse, awakening both the princess and her kingdom. From that moment on, Prince Leon became an instant hero, adored by the entire kingdom. Briar's parents, filled with gratitude and concern for their daughter's well-being, confided in Prince Leon and pleaded with him to remain in their kingdom.