Briar Rose gingerly pulled out the worn old journal. The cover was scratched and it smelled old and dusty. She opened it with care and started reading the first few entries.
April 16 -
Too much to deal with right now. I had to write it all somewhere or I think I might go mad. Life was so normal for us, or at least as normal as it could be. But yesterday my brother and his wife had their first child. It's almost like they're all under some kind of spell, but what could be so powerful?
The celebration of her birth was earlier today. Invitations were sent out and they received so many lovely gifts. Last of all were the fairies. Lance was always very polite to them and his wife Lily was always inviting them over for tea or a garden party. Lily was certain she'd sent out invitations for the thirteen of her closest friends among the fairies, but apparently one of them was lost in delivery or some such nonsense and one of the fairies was offended. I think I'll never understand women and their incessant need to be the center of attention and to be accepted by everyone else.
I'd met the thirteenth fairy a couple of times, I think her name was Nikole' or Jenette, but she seemed like a very nice fairy, as fairy standards go. But when she showed up at the party, even without an invitation, there was a strange look in her eyes. It wasn't anger, at least not as I know it, but it seemed as though she wasn't herself. Instead of being like the other fairies and presenting Lance's daughter with a blessing, she presented a curse. Lance wouldn't tell me the details afterward, just that I had to take his daughter away and she wasn't to return until after her sixteenth birthday. I would do anything for my brother, so I took her in to live with Heather and I. That wasn't the problem. What unnerved me the most was the blank look he and his wife had after the thirteenth fairy left. It was the same look I'd seen in the fairy's eyes. Something just isn't right about all of this.

May 8 -
We've had little Bri here for almost a month now. Heather and I love her to pieces, but I'm still worried about Lance and Lily. I went to visit Lance just the other day. I guess I kind of hoped he'd change his mind, or at least give me a reason for abandoning his newborn daughter. He seemed like his old self again, but whenever I mentioned anything about Briar Rose or what had happened, he'd get that same look in his eyes. It was like he'd had a spell cast upon him. I'm not sure, what it is exactly, but I fear that may be the case and that someone else might be manipulating him. Someone strong enough to manipulate one of the thirteen strongest fairies and someone as strong as Lance? It scares me to think what that could mean. Of course he could just be acting like a flake. Back when we were in school he's always do this to me, leave all his responsibilities on someone else. I would have thought his new position would have brought at least a little bit of maturity.

Briar wiped her eyes on her sleeve and sniffed back a few more tears. Had it been so long ago that she'd read this? Maybe there was more to it than she remembered. She pulled the corner of the next page and flipped it over gently.

January 21 -
It's been almost a year now. Do you ever have that feeling, like you're being watched? Of course not, you're just a journal. But lately it's like I can feel someone watching, their eyes always on me. I turn around, but there's never anyone there. Lance and Lily are still the same. I just have to make sure not to mention Briar Rose to them though, and they're fine. They were even talking about having another child.

August 17 -
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I hate the thought of a double-life, but with them always watching me, I can't let anyone else know. I'm going to do some research on my theory. I've spoken with Professor Ardeneaux (under the shroud of his Rune Arts of course. It's the only place I feel safe anymore.) and he says it has merit. He said he'd noticed something peculiar recently in the fairy's kingdom as well, so I'm glad I'm not the only one who has grown suspicious. He's going to do some research and then get back to me in a few days.

Briar heard the loud, final thud of the front door closing. Her mother couldn't be back already? She hurriedly ran from her closet, closed the journal and stuffed it under her pillow before she set about throwing the dusty fabric into the furthest corner of her closet.
"Bri! Bri we caught one!"

* * * * *

"I've got one... two... three..." Chris sighed and slowly counted the rest of the deliveries. Saturdays were always the worst. It was everyone else's day off. No one wanted to actually work on the weekend. They wanted to relax and be waited upon hand and foot. The nerve of that girl too! Like I would actually have the time to haul that huge crate of fabric up a flight of stairs and wherever else she wanted! Honestly, what was with all the girls in this town? They thought that just because they had money or power that made them better. Or if they acted all sweet and innocent and stupid all the boys would fawn over them. Give me a girl with brains any day.
He eased the horses into a trot as they pulled the wagon full of deliveries along the cobblestone path. Christopher tucked the few strands of hair that hung in his face behind his ear. He sung to himself as he bumped along down the road. Low and soft enough that only he could hear.

My princess has found another man,
his slipper fit her close enough.
and I'm left in the cinders,
who knew life could be so tough?
Where's my fairy tale ending?
Can't I be your perfect prince?
you're lost again to someone else,
I haven't seen you since...

Chris laughed at his own lyrics. "Should be 'I haven't seen you... ever!'... that'd be a little more accurate." Another small jerk of the reins and the horses slowed to a stop in front of Mrs. Rothenberger's bake shop. He eased himself down from the seat and pulled the first of five bags of flour from the cart. They weighed in at fifty pounds each and Christopher knew he'd be feeling it in the morning. He switched the weight to one hand as he pushed open the door. Mrs. Rothenberger knew what it was like to have to work Saturdays. She was a pretty nice woman. Married young, only a couple children, all of them grown and living on their own by now. She had one of those faces that when they smile at you, you can't help but smile back.
"Good morning Christopher!" she beamed from behind the counter.
"Morning." Chris replied.
"Oh good, the flour's finally in! You're such a sweetheart, let me at least hold the door for you." She puttered over to the front door as he set the large bag in the back room of her shop and went for the next one.
Chris nodded his thanks and gave her a small smile as he walked back to the cart. Mrs. Rothenberger was sure to give him a thorough questioning before he left, as well as make sure he had enough sweets to last him for the rest of today's trip.
"So have you met anyone yet?"
"Anyone?" Chris did his usual attempt at playing dumb.
"You know, a sweet young lady. I'm sure with all your charm and gentlemanly ways that any girl would love to have you." She sat properly in her chair, carefully stirring sugar into her tea.
Chris shrugged, "Not yet ma'am."
"Well they're missing out then! Why, if I was your age..." she reached over and pinched his cheek with all the care of his own grandmother. "How's your father? Is your mother holding up well? I heard that last month's trip was rough on her..."

Chris gave the old woman a wave as he set his new bag of sweet on the seat next to him, then clicked at the horses to get them moving. Two deliveries left. Then I can go home and take a nap, maybe practice that new song and make sure the lyrics aren't quite so lame...
He turned his head sharply as a brightly colored poster caught his eye. It was in what looked to be very official looking writing and carried the royal seal and other frills along the edges.

ATTENTION:
The annual King's Ball will be held this Friday, April 15th at the palace.
All are invited to attend.
Best dress only.
Begins at 7:00pm

Boooring. Chris rolled his eyes. He almost didn't catch the last few lines which read:

Entertainers, performers and musicians wanted.
Please apply at the castle gates before Thursday evening.

Christopher swallowed hard and pressed down the butterflies in his stomach. This was it. This had to be the chance they'd been looking for. His hands shook as he pushed the horses onward. It looked like he'd be making an unexpected stop on his errand run today.
* * * * *

"An unexpected stop?" the younger brother raised an eyebrow. "that can't be. I expected it all along."
The older brother rolled his eyes and shook his head, "oh you did not."
"I rather like just watching this one though. I'd like to see where he goes."
The elder brother yawned and stretched gracefully before making his way out of the old study. "Watch all you like, I'm going to bed."

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