A Princess Reborn

"Sarah! We're home!" I hear my mother call out as she enters the kitchen, accompanied by Brianna.

"Oh, hi," I respond, walking over to stand in front of my mother.

"So, I've cleaned the oven, swept and scrubbed the floors, and washed the dishes, just as you asked, Mother."

It's painfully obvious that Brianna's supposed morning chore assistance was a lie. There are unwashed dishes piled up, and the floors definitely haven't been cleaned.

"Hmph, we'll see about that."

Mother starts unpacking her fruits and vegetables on the table. Brianna, who's walked in behind her, stands next to her by the table. "Oh, Mother, did you hear the news I received in town?"

"What news?" I inquire.

"Don't concern yourself with it, little sis. It's nothing that pertains to you."

"What? But I'm curious..."

"Nope!" Brianna darts up the stairs, laughing. I start to follow her, but my mother stops me.

"Leave her be, Sarah. She's your sister, and you shouldn't be bickering with her. Besides, you should be more focused on your chores."

"What? But I've done them all!"

"You think you're finished? Truly? These dishes are still smudged, there's grease in the oven, and the floors aren't clean." What does she mean? I finished everything before she got home. There's no point in arguing, I guess. "Sigh... Yes, Mother."

"Good. At least you understand not to backtalk your elders."

I know this might not be the ideal moment, but I need to ask about the Spring Festival. I head over to the sink and begin scrubbing supposedly smudged dishes. With a sigh, I dread the upcoming question. "Mother, can I ask something?"

"What is it?"

Her lack of interest is palpable. I take a deep breath, turning around slowly to avoid direct eye contact with her. I'm scared she'll say no, but there's a glimmer of hope for a yes. Well, I might as well go for it. "Hannah invited me to the Festival of Spring in town. Can I go?"

My mother smirks, then bursts into laughter. "What, you? Attend the festival? Oh, that's a good one, Sarah."

I move to stand in front of her again. "Mother, I'm serious! Please consider it."

"Absolutely not! You sneaked out at night, despite your father and me expressly forbidding it for the Starfall event."

Well, Father didn't care, it was only you...

"Not to mention you only did the bare minimum on the chores I assigned you. No, you're not going to the festival, Sarah. And don't even think about sneaking out again."

"Mother, please-"

"I won't discuss this further. You'll finish your chores later; I need some time to myself. You've given me quite the headache."

For now, I give up and head to my sister's room to discover what news she learned in town. I push open the door and find Brianna seated at her vanity, brushing her hair in the mirror, holding a dress.

"Brianna, that dress is stunning!" I comment.

"Oh, well, it's rather nice, isn't it?" She preens in the mirror, turning this way and that to admire herself. "Mother bought it for me today in town. The shop boy practically stumbled over himself to assist us. Seeing it on me, though, I can't blame him."

"So, town was good?" I ask.

"Very pleasant. Quiet."

"Great to hear. I didn't have such a good day. Why did you tell Mother about last night?"

"I can't keep anything from Mother, you know that! And I was genuinely worried about you, out there alone." Right, sure. But if she can't hide anything from Mother... "Hmm, you can't hide anything from Mother, huh?"

"I can't. Must be the special bond between the favorite daughter and the parent."

"Well, if that's the case, you've probably also shared your romantic escapades, right? That traveling merchant last year, the innkeeper's son this winter... she's aware, isn't she?" Brianna stands, glaring at me. "Are you threatening me, Sarah?"

"Maybe I am, Brianna. What are you going to do? I know Mother would be devastated to learn about her 'favorite' daughter's antics."

"You have no idea what you're saying, dear sister. You? Threatening me?"

Brianna advances toward me, her skirt swishing as she looks down at me with a glare. "You're so vulnerable. No one here likes you. You only have Hannah, and she's easily distracted, just like you. Even Father prefers me."

Brianna stands in front of me, running a single finger over my cheek with a smile on her lips. Her eyes, however, hold anger. "So lovely... you're truly lovely, Sarah."

"Thanks..."

"I dabble with herbs, you know?"

"So?"

"With a simple mixture, I could ensure your pretty face stays hidden forever, and people would assume it's due to some unfortunate disease. It'd be so effortless. So easy." My face drains of color. "Ah, perfect! You understand not to doubt me. Think carefully before standing up to me."

I hear my mother calling from downstairs. "Brianna, come to me, please."

"Coming, Mother!" Brianna sweeps past me to head downstairs. I touch my cheek, shivering.

She's horrible... Mother would never believe me. She's so two-faced. And she gets everything she wants... this dress is exquisite, and she doesn't even seem to care. Once I go to the city to study, that will be my chance. Away from my family, I'll have my own beautiful dresses, and shop assistants will be at my service, not Brianna's.

"Sarah! Downstairs, now!"

"Coming, Mother!"

Hurrying downstairs, I wonder what my mother wants. "Took you long enough. Did you fall asleep up there?"

"She was probably ogling my new dress," Brianna remarks.

"It doesn't matter, you're here now. I have an announcement about your future education." Brianna appears to already know what it is. "Your father and I can only afford to send one of you to the town for studying. We can only manage for one. The daughter who doesn't go will stay here with your father and me. She'll handle household chores and help out in the shop."

My mother pauses, looking between me and Brianna.

"The daughter who will go to study in the town is-"

My mother's words are drowned out by the noisy barking of dogs outside. "What's all that ruckus?"

"Visitors? Maybe it's the shopkeeper's son who can't resist my charm?" I internally roll my eyes at my sister's vanity. "Brianna, your confidence never ceases to amaze me."

Our mother shakes her head. "No, he would know better than to appear unannounced."

Brianna's enthusiasm deflates, but she follows me and our mother outside to investigate.

My mother strides toward the edge of the shed with quick steps. The dogs have clustered around something that's riling them up. "I hope it's not a snake, Mother."

"Quit pushing, Sarah! Gods, you're such a bother!" Brianna retorts. She gazes wide-eyed at the scene ahead. "Is that... a lamb, Mother?"

"Indeed, dear."

A lamb? How charming. Father never brings home any of his butchered lambs. Mother forbids having them as pets. "What's wrong with it?" The dogs are in a frenzy, barking and snapping at the lamb as it eats from the bowl on the ground. The lamb lifts its head and lets out a loud bleat, almost as if it's barking back.

"Baaa!"

"This flat world has truly gone mad."

"Mother, that lamb is odd."

"It's cursed, that's what it is."

"Maybe it's been sent to torment us, Mother," Brianna suggests.

"Yes, by that envious baker's wife who can't stand my superior crescent rolls."

"Or that rival farmer who wants to curse Father's butcher shop." That's enough of their nonsense. I step forward to face Mother. "Or maybe it's just a lost lamb that got along with the dogs. Look at it! It's adorable."

Mother and Brianna exchange irritated glances. "Don't be foolish, Sarah. I sense a curse hanging over it, don't question your mother."

Being different doesn't mean you have to fear or hate something.

"There's only one solution." Mother strides forward, grabs the lamb by its scruff, cutting off its 'barking.' With her other hand, she starts hitting the lamb. "Good, maybe we can beat the dark magic out of it. You've always had a way with this, Mother," Brianna remarks.

"I'll beat the curse out of it, or end it, but it can't stay like this!"

Enough is enough. "Mother, stop!" I rush towards them, trying to free the lamb from her grip, but it's futile.

"What do you think you're doing? You nuisance! Move!" The lamb struggles, bleating sadly at me. "No, Mother, please stop! It's just a baby, leave it be!"

"You're intolerable, Sarah. Fine. I'll put it in the barn; your father and I will decide what to do later."

I internally roll my eyes. I know she'll decide and Father will go along as always. Well, at least the lamb is safe for now.

"She was trying to help, why must you always meddle?" Brianna interjects.

"You can't help if there's nothing wrong to fix."

I'll check on the lamb once Mother leaves the barn.

"Fine, it's in the barn now. Your father will handle it when he's back. Come on, girls, back to work!"

After Mother and Brianna have returned to the house, I cautiously approach the barn. I hope the poor thing isn't in too much pain. The lamb is tethered to a post in the center of the barn. I enter and scoop it up in my arms. "Oh, poor thing, I'm so sorry. Are you hurt badly?" The lamb starts licking my face. "Quit licking me! You're like a dog, aren't you?"

The lamb keeps trying to jump on me and lick my cheek. "Settle down, there you go. You're cute as a button, what bad luck for you to end up here with my family." The lamb continues to stare at me as if it's waiting for my next words. I extend my hand to it, and it gently licks my finger.

"Little lamb, I promise I'll protect you. I won't let them take their superstitions out on you. I'll figure something out. If reasoning doesn't work, I'll try something else-but they won't touch you again." The lamb bleats as I stand up and brush straw off my clothes. "Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it."

I make my way back to the house and overhear my mother and Brianna in the kitchen. As I step in, ready to broach the topic, I spot Father, who's just returned from work, enjoying a cup of tea. "Father!"

"Ah, there you are, my dear."

I hurry over and peck him on the cheek. "Father, there's something I need to discuss with you."

"Leave him alone, Sarah. Your father's had a long day, and he needs rest."

"It's alright, Elith. Let the child speak."

"Father, there's a little lamb-"

"Sarah, we already told your father about the cursed lamb. Now be useful and peel the carrots," Mother interrupts.

"It's the sweetest thing, Father."

"If what your mother said is true-"

"Of course it's true. Have you ever seen a lamb barking?"

"There's something eerie about that lamb; we need to address it." Address it? No! I disregard my mother's orders to peel carrots and stand in front of him. "Father, please, I implore you. The lamb isn't cursed."

"How can you be so sure, sweetling?"

"I don't know what's gotten into her lately, Patrick." Mother says.

"Please, Elith, let her explain."

"At least he wants to hear me out. The lamb behaves strangely because it was raised among dogs. It's not cursed; it's simply accustomed to thinking and acting like a dog. Think about it."

"I see."

"That creature was sent

by a rival, someone trying to bring misfortune to our home."

Father sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes. He'll likely appease Mother. I might as well press on and ask about the festival. "Father, there's another matter I'd like to discuss."

"Yes, Sarah?"

"I'd like your permission to go to the Festival of Spring." The kitchen goes dead silent. Even the simmering soup seems to hush. "Have you spoken to your mother about it?"

My mother whirls around, her eyes aflame with rage. "Of course she has. And the answer was no. That's what I'm talking about, Patrick. She's defiant and out of control. You should discipline her properly as a father."

"Sarah, focus on your studies instead."

"Oh, hasn't Mother told you, Father? We can only afford to send one of us to study in town, and it's not going to be Sarah," Brianna chimes in.

Since when was this decided? I had no idea. "What... I don't...?"

"Yes, it's a future of chores and assisting Father in the butcher shop for you, I'm afraid."

"Brianna! Enough of that talk." Father says. Tears well up in my eyes as Father addresses me. "Your help would mean a lot. The butcher shop is thriving, and you'll be admired for your skills. There's much to learn, my dear."

"But Father, that's not what I want for my life."

Mother shakes her head and storms out of the room. Father sighs and follows her.

"Well, thanks for upsetting Mother and Father all at once."

"You've been so unkind to me, Brianna. What have I ever done to you, sister?"

"Enough with your sulking. I just wish you'd recognize that I'm more talented and beautiful than you. You haven't even kissed a boy yet, for heaven's sake, and you'd never fit in town."

"Everyone knows boys only like you because you're pretty and easy, Brianna."

Brianna stares in disbelief before lunging forward and slapping me across the face. "How dare you!" She shoves me for good measure. I stumble and hit my head against the brick fireplace behind me. My body weakens, sliding down to the floor just as Mother enters the kitchen. "What is happening here?" She spots me on the ground, rushing over and kneeling beside me. "Sarah! Why are you on the floor? Look at your face, it's blood-red!"

Before I can respond, Brianna jumps in. "Oh, Mother, I'm so relieved you're here! Sarah threatened me. She's consumed by jealousy and attacked me. I had to defend myself, Mother, and I pushed her away." Such utter nonsense.

"Is this true, Sarah? Did you attack your sister?"

"She slapped me and then pushed me into the fireplace, Mother."

"How could you lie to your mother, Sarah? Do you find pleasure in it?"

"If Brianna slapped you, she must have had a reason. Well, Sarah?"

Brianna starts speaking again. "Mother, she called me awful names, things I won't repeat. She lied and accused me of terrible things I'd never, ever do."

"The village boys might disagree, I'm sure. She's so fake. I don't know how the boys put up with it," I say, glaring at my sister.

My mother turns her gaze to me. "Jealousy is an ugly trait, Sarah." She looks back at Brianna, who's now flushed red. Brianna begins stuttering, struggling to find words to wriggle her way out of this situation. "Enough!"

My mother continues, "Sarah, you've pushed me to my limits. I have no choice but to punish you severely."

Wait a minute. "Punish me?"

"In addition to your regular chores, you'll clean the pigpen and sweep the yard by yourself for the next two months."

"Mother..."

"Another word, and I'll add your sister's laundry to your tasks."

"Yes, Mother."

Brianna and Mother exit the kitchen together. I'm still sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, when the reality of it all crashes down on me.

It's hopeless-my dreams of studying have crumbled, the little lamb is confined in the barn awaiting its grim fate, and Brianna will forever torment my soul. I pull myself up, fill a bag with essentials, and slip out the back door.

I need to escape this misery.