A Princess Reborn

Arriving at my family's yard, a sense of urgency grips me. If my mother spots me outside, especially with Hannah, it could spell disaster. Skillfully, Hannah and I navigate the yard, concealing ourselves behind the chicken coop and farm tools, until we successfully slip into the barn. No sooner do we close the barn doors behind us than we're greeted by the endearing bleat of the little lamb, "baaa!"

"Oh, it's just the cutest thing!" Hannah exclaims, rushing over to the lamb and enveloping it in a warm embrace, burying her face in its woolly coat. When she releases it, the lamb bounds around, its tongue lolling out like a playful pup. Its trusting eyes meet ours, and it wags its tail with an almost canine enthusiasm. "Unbelievable! This is the third marvel we've witnessed in such a short time. It's as though the entire kingdom has been touched by magic!"

"It's truly amazing," I concur.

"Amazing? This adorable creature deserves a name, don't you think, Sarah? It's only fitting that you should christen this precious little thing."

As I gaze into the lamb's eyes, inspiration strikes me. "Laya."

"I knew you'd come up with the perfect name, Sarah!" Hannah applauds.

Our jubilation is short-lived as voices beyond the barn door reach our ears. "Quick, Hannah, hide! It's Mother and Father!"

We hasten to the nearest haystack and stealthily conceal ourselves, listening intently as my parents enter the barn. "Here's the devil itself, just look at it," Mother's voice says.

Footsteps draw nearer, and the two approach the little lamb. "Elith, it seems harmless enough."

"Wait for it, Patrick! Did you see that? How it bared its teeth at us, like a rabid dog?"

Only because it senses danger, Mother.

"Yes, I saw."

Hannah and I exchange wide-eyed glances.

"I think we should put an end to it and burn it, just to release any lingering evil spirits in its flesh."

No!

"Such a tender lamb, perhaps it would be better suited for a Sunday roast," Father suggests.

"By all the gods, Patrick, sometimes I question if you even listen to me. I won't consume cursed meat!"

"Very well, Elith. I'll take care of it."

The voices of Mother and Father recede as they exit the barn, their words like a dagger in my heart. "Hannah, we can't let them do anything to-"

"Don't even say it. We won't allow them, no matter what."

Both of us rush toward the lamb, only to freeze in our tracks as Brianna's presence becomes known. "I was wondering when you two would emerge from your hiding spot."

"Brianna?! How, when..."

"Unlike you, Sarah, I have the sense to remain silent while my elders converse. I saw the two of you sneaking in here earlier. You're both rather foolish, aren't you?"

"So, what's your plan? To tattle on us, no doubt," Hannah retorts.

"Why do you always assume that?"

I don't trust her, never have.

"I need a tuft of lamb's wool for one of my potions," Brianna reveals.

"What in the world, Brianna?" Hannah's tone is incredulous.

"Shush, you're my little sister's friend, aren't you?"

"What?!"

"Why don't you go back to tending your sheep and leave others' matters alone?"

"I don't have to listen to you."

"If you continue with your insolence, remember, I know your parents too, Hannah."

This is spiraling out of control. Before Brianna and Hannah can escalate further, Mother's voice cuts through the tension from the yard. She's calling my name and, thankfully, hasn't realized I've returned earlier. "Sarah!"

Oh no...

"Brianna, please, I'm begging you."

I look at my sister, my plea evident. She hesitates for a moment, then announces to Mother, "She's in here, Mother, with her friend Hannah."

My mother unleashes a stream of profanities too harsh to repeat and instructs us to come to the kitchen immediately. Brianna smirks at us, a look of triumph in her eyes, and we reluctantly make our way to the kitchen entrance. "Hannah, you don't have to come. I'll face her alone."

"I'm not leaving you."

Mother sits at the kitchen table as we enter through the back door. She scans between me and Hannah, then rises with knuckles white from gripping the table. "So you're the troublemaker who's been leading my daughter around like a wild animal."

"Mother..."

"Silence, Sarah. It's the only language they understand."

This is agonizing. I can't let my mother demean Hannah like this; it's unfair.

"Don't interrupt, Sarah. You never cease to amaze me. Running around like an aimless goose, just like mother, like daughter. Your mother's always been uncultured."

I close my eyes, tears threatening. Each of my mother's insults toward Hannah feels like a stab in my heart.

"Always rushing about, like a wild goose with no destination. But I suppose it's to be expected-like mother, like daughter. Your mother's always been a coarse woman."

Hannah bites her lip, her hands clenching into fists as pain lingers in her eyes. "Enough!" Mother looks taken aback by my sudden outburst.

"Are you not a lady, Sarah?"

"Mother, please..."

"That's my final word. Now, Hannah, get your filthy self out of my house and never return!"

I glance at Hannah. Tears silently roll down her face, her expression unflinching, a torrent of pent-up emotions finally released.

"Leave, now!" Hannah turns and swiftly exits the door. This can't be happening. It's too much. My mother leaves the room, Brianna enters, and everything becomes a blur.

"What have I missed, dear sister? Did your friend escape with her dignity intact?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't. Just curious to know if there was any entertainment. What was your conversation with Mother about?"

I think it's time to repay Brianna for her cruelty. I could easily make her believe Mother changed her mind, and I'm the one headed to study. I avert my gaze, fidgeting uneasily.

"Well...?"

"Mother asked me not to disclose the true reason for our conversation."

"What reason?"

"The reason she wanted to speak with me."

"Gods, Sarah, do you have to make this like pulling teeth? Spit it out!"

"Mother decided to change which daughter will go to study. I'm sorry, Brianna." Brianna stares at me in disbelief before erupting into laughter. "Are you jesting? That's quite the joke!"

I steadfastly hold her gaze, the mirth fading from her eyes. "Are you attempting to deceive me?"

"I'd never dare."

"True. You don't have the nerve to lie to me."

"I just didn't want you to be blindsided by Mother's decision. Think of it as a sisterly heads-up."

"But Mother loves me, she wouldn't do that to me."

"She does love you, Brianna

. She's just struggling to find the right way to tell you."

"I can't believe she'd betray me like this... I deserve to be the one studying in town."

Her anger and anxiety are palpable as she almost talks to herself.

"That vindictive woman! I'll get back at her. How could she do this to me? Am I not deserving? Does she despise me? I must have done something..."

"What's with all the muttering, Brianna?" Mother enters.

Oh no, Mother must have returned when I wasn't paying attention.

"How could you?" Brianna shouts at Mother.

"Pardon me?"

"You... You're the worst mother ever! You...vile cow!"

"That's enough! Go to your room! No dinner for you. Just leave my sight."

Brianna exits sobbing, leaving me alone with my mother. I slump into a chair, my thoughts momentarily adrift. Then it hits me-the lamb in the barn. I can't believe I forgot. I need to save it, and I must hurry. Mother's tone indicated she wants it dispatched tonight.