The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller

Author:Ben Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin
Published: 2024-04-23T00:00:00+00:00

“Giddy-widdy,” he goaded, tickling under her chin. “Rise and shine!” But Briar Rose remained out for the count.

Defeated, the prince put the feather back into his knight’s cap.

“It’s no use. She’s fast asleep.”

“What about kissing her on the cheek?” Lana said. “That’s how my mom and dad wake me up.”

“Kissing her,” repeated the prince, thinking it over. “No, I don’t think that’s right. Not without asking first. And I can’t ask because she’s asleep.… Unless, maybe I could try a polite kiss on her hand?”

Lana and Harrison said they thought that was an acceptable idea.

So, leaning over, the prince planted a kiss on the back of Briar Rose’s outstretched hand. No sooner had he done so than her eyelids began to flutter, and she opened her eyes.

“Do excuse me,” said the prince hurriedly, as Briar Rose sat up in confusion. “My name is Otto von Duresberg, first in line to the throne of Dreitsmark. I have come to rescue you.”

Lana cleared her throat and stared at the prince pointedly, who quickly added, “With my companions, Lana and Harrison of Azupermarket.” He gestured toward Lana and Harrison, who waved awkwardly.

“Did someone kiss me?” asked Briar Rose, slightly put out.

“Yes, sorry about that,” said the prince, with a nervous laugh. “That was me. Just on your hand, though, but we were running out of ideas for how to wake you.”

“You’ve been asleep,” explained Lana.

“For a really long time,” added Harrison.

“Wait,” said Briar Rose, suddenly remembering. “There was an old woman.… She was spinning and I…” Her voice trailed away as she saw the drop of blood on her finger.

“That was no ordinary old woman,” confided Lana. “That was the thirteenth fairy. The one who put the spell on you.”

Briar Rose looked at her blankly.

“Didn’t your parents tell you about the thirteenth fairy?”

Briar Rose shook her head.

Lana took a deep breath and explained the story as she knew it.

“If a fairy cast a spell on me when I was a baby, why didn’t anyone tell me?” asked Briar Rose in disbelief.

“Maybe they didn’t want to scare you,” suggested Lana.

“I need to speak with my parents.”

Briar Rose moved to stand up, but she was still weak from her long sleep, and as quickly as she rose, she had to sit straight back down again.

“Prince Otto,” said Briar Rose, smiling. “I don’t suppose you’d be kind enough to help me down the stairs?”

When they arrived in the hall, instead of a roomful of silent statues, there was nothing but noise and confusion. Everyone had come back to life, without the slightest idea they’d been asleep.

“Well?” bellowed the king. “Where is she?”

“Not in the library, sire!” called a courtier.

“Not in the kitchen, either!” called another.

“Get back! Get back!” cried the queen, as the tall, thin butler arrived with the lit birthday cake. “It’s meant to be a surprise!”

“Your Majesties,” declared the prince, bowing deeply.

“Sssh!” hissed the king. “We’re looking for Briar Ro—”

The king fell silent, seeing that his daughter had her hand on the prince’s arm.

“Your Majesties,” announced the princess, clearly enjoying the look of horror on their faces.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.