"Am I really inside a witch's house? I can't believe it." Leon walked around, his eyes wide with curiosity as he examined the array of potions, herbs, and mysterious objects that filled the room. "I thought it would be full of horrible child-killing equipment."

"I told you, the witch is nice," Briar said, her voice calm as she followed him, her gaze sweeping over the familiar surroundings.

"Why is this room full of smoke?" he asked. "Is something burning?"

"It's not smoke, it's sage. It's meant to purify the energy," Briar explained. The soothing scent of the herb wafted through the room, wrapping them in a comforting embrace.

"What is this?" Leon approached a table where a large crystal ball rested, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly glow. He leaned in and peered into the depths of the mystical sphere. "Is it where the witch sees the future?"

"Don't touch anything," Briar warned him as he tapped the crystal ball with his fingers.

Everything was fascinating in the witch's house. However, Briar dared not to go near any of them in the absence of the witch because some objects were dangerous. For instance, the small flower that looked beautiful but would burst into flames in your hand as soon as you touched it. Then there were the knives, capable of stabbing if provoked, and the haunting flute that emitted a dreadful note, persisting until deafness consumed its listener.

"Is the mirror magical?" Leon's gaze shifted to a large oval-shaped mirror framed by intricately carved wood. "Or does the witch just want to see her ugly face?"

"You are so rude!" a ghostly voice reverberated from within the mirror.

Leon jumped away from the mirror. "It can speak!"

"Of course, it is magical," Briar said, stepping forward to stand before the enchanted mirror. The mirror was one of the most powerful magical objects that the witch possessed. It possessed the knowledge of spells, potions, and hidden realms beyond the mortal world. Unlike the other objects in the witch's house, the mirror was safe. It was friendly and very talkative.

"Sorry Mirror. He was only joking," Briar said.

"Oh, princess, look at you," the mirror responded, its voice tinged with concern. "Your aura is so weak today. It is so hard for me to focus on it."

The mirror showed Briar her reflection. The princess looked like someone whose aura had died. Her cheeks flushed with a feverish hue, her once radiant golden locks now tangled and unkempt, and her emerald eyes dulled by the weight of sorrow.

"What happened to you?" the mirror inquired.

"Bad day," Briar replied.

"I can give you a spell that will make you happy when you chant it three times," the mirror offered eagerly.

"Thank you, Mirror," Briar said. "But I don't think any happy spell can make me happy anymore."

"Who is the rude boy? Did he make you unhappy?" asked the mirror.

"He is Prince Leon," Briar answered.

"So, he is Prince Charming, your true love," said the mirror. "I thought he would be nice, but he is very rude."

"Stop using the word rude," Leon exclaimed, joining Briar at the mirror's side. "That is not the word you used to describe me. I'm a hero."

"You are rude," the mirror repeated, unimpressed by Leon's protests.

"Mirror," Briar said. "Where is the witch?"

"She is making a potion." the mirror sounded sad. "She's very busy lately and does not ask me for spells anymore. All day I'm just standing here with no one to talk to. I'm very lonely."

Briar smiled sadly. "I understand."

"Why don't you spend some time with me," the mirror said cheerfully.

"Sorry Mirror," Briar said, "but I have to see the witch urgently."

"Oh," the mirror said sadly.

"Well," Briar suggested. "You can talk to Leon."

"Even though he's rude," the mirror replied, "I'll still talk to him."

"What?" Leon said, his mouth hanging open. "I'm not familiar with how to talk to a talking mirror. I'll come with you."

"You stay here," Briar ordered. "The witch doesn't like it if you disturb her while she is making potions. She might transform you into something, like a frog."

The mirror chuckled playfully.

"Fine," Leon said. "Try to return quickly."

"Sure." Briar nodded.

With caution, she navigated through the magical objects, making her way to the potion room. In the center of the room, a fire crackled warmly beneath a large cauldron, the flames licking the sides and casting flickering shadows on the walls.

Lavonna, sat beside the fire, her slender fingers moving deftly as she added ingredients to the bubbling brew. The cauldron hissed and spat with each addition, flames occasionally bursting forth in colorful eruptions of light. Surrounding her were an assortment of items like dried leaves, various stones, and bottles filled with liquids of all shades. The entire room felt like a living thing, vibrant and pulsating with magical energy.

Lavonna herself was a striking figure. Her skin was pale, almost luminescent, and her hair, usually a deep black, had been transformed into a mesmerizing mix of red and silver that cascaded down her back in soft waves. Her eyes, usually stormy gray, now had a hint of amber, a color that shifted subtly as she worked, as if reflecting the magic, she was conjuring.

"Hello, Lavonna," Briar said as she approached.

Lavonna glanced up, her gaze warm. She paused in her stirring, a small smile playing on her lips. "Briar," she greeted in a voice as calming as a gentle breeze. "You've come."

"Yes," Briar replied, trying to peer into the cauldron without getting too close to the unpredictable flames. "What kind of potion are you brewing?" she asked. "Mirror said you've been very busy."

Lavonna's smile widened slightly. "The full moon is just a week away," she explained, resuming her stirring. "I'm preparing a potion for Vesper. He needs to be in perfect health before the transformation. This will help ease the pain that comes with it."

Briar's gaze drifted to the corner of the room where Vesper loomed, half-hidden in the shadows. The sight of him sent a shiver down her spine. Even in his human form, he was an imposing figure, his frame tall and muscular, his features sharp and predatory. His eyes, a piercing yellow that seemed to glow with an inner fire, followed her every movement, a sly smile revealing the tips of his unnervingly sharp teeth.

Vesper was the witch's boyfriend. He was a werewolf. Briar couldn't understand why the witch loved him. He was a monster. On the other hand, Lavonna was a kind-hearted and naturally beautiful woman. She could have easily married a prince. But again, like once Lavonna said, it was love, and Briar was too young to see beyond the curtain of the physical realm and saw the true soul of someone.

"Good evening, Vesper," Briar said, her voice faltering slightly as she tried to sound polite. "It's... good to see you."

Vesper's smile widened. "Princess, it's always a pleasure," he replied. His voice, a low, velvety growl that sent another shiver through her. "But you should be careful coming here so close to the full moon. It's not exactly safe."

"Stop teasing the princess," said the witch. "Your potion is almost ready."

"Well," Briar said, turning her attention back to Lavonna, "what is it that you wanted to talk about?"

Lavonna set the ladle aside and rose gracefully from her seat, moving with an almost ethereal fluidity that made Briar wonder if she was walking or gliding. She gestured for Briar to follow, leading her to a long, weathered table tucked away in the corner of the room. The table was cluttered with an assortment of magical items—crystals that seemed to pulse with an inner light, bundles of dried herbs, and various alchemical tools.

"Would you like some herbal tea?" Lavonna asked as she began to prepare a fresh pot. "I've discovered a new blend that I think you'll like."

"Sure," Briar agreed, watching as Lavonna's face lit up with a delighted smile. The witch added a mix of herbs and tea leaves to the boiling water, the fragrant steam filling the air with a calming aroma.

As Lavonna worked, Briar couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides. "I think I know what you want to talk about," she said.

"You do?" Lavonna asked as she poured the steaming tea into two delicate cups.

"Before I came here, I visited the town," Briar said, taking the cup Lavonna offered her, the warmth seeping into her cold hands.

Lavonna took a deep breath and waited for Briar to speak.

"Am I cursed?" Briar asked, her voice trembling. "Am I the reason people are turning into monsters?"

The question hung in the air. Lavonna's face grew pale, her expression becoming a mask of sorrow. The room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the crackling of the fire and the distant, mournful howl of the wind outside.

"Yes, princess," Lavonna finally admitted, her voice cracking as she spoke. "It's true." Her eyes filled with tears, and she slammed her hand on the table in a sudden outburst. "And it's about the curse that I wanted to talk to you."

Briar felt as though the ground had been ripped from beneath her, her heart plummeting into a chasm of despair. She had clung to the hope that Lavonna would deny the existence of the curse, to reassure her that it was all just a horrible misunderstanding. But now, faced with the witch's confession, the weight of the truth pressed down on her like a crushing burden.

"I will become a monster as well," Lavonna continued, her voice shaking. "I'm dying of worry over what will become of my magic, my home, and Vesper once I'm gone."

Vesper stepped forward and gently wrapped his massive arm around Lavonna's shoulders. "I'll still love you, even after you become a monster," he murmured.

Lavonna looked up at him, her eyes brimming with sorrow. "I know, darling," she said, wiping away her tears with a trembling hand. "But I cannot bear the thought of losing my soul."

Lavonna picked up one of the cups of herbal tea and handed it to Briar, her hands shaking. "Drink this," she urged softly. "It will bring you some comfort."

Briar held the cup in her trembling hands, staring down into the swirling tea leaves as if they could reveal the secrets of her past and future. "When did this happen?" she asked.

Lavonna's breath hitched as she began to sob quietly. "After the sleeping curse was broken," she started. "The kingdom awoke from its long slumber, and we celebrated your fourteenth birthday. Everything was wonderful as if time had stood still and then resumed with joy. Everyone picked up their lives where they had left off. The kingdom was happy once more." She paused, her eyes clouding with pain and regret. "Then, out of nowhere, the Wicked Fairy arrived and cursed our kingdom with the deadly Curse of Thorns. The curse is so powerful that even the good fairies could do nothing to help us."

"What is the Curse of Thorns?" Briar asked, her voice trembling.

Lavonna took a deep, shuddering breath, her hands gripping the edge of the table as if to steady herself. "According to the curse, each day at sunset, some people in the kingdom will transform into thorn monsters," she explained. "And on your next birthday..."

Briar's anxiety tightened its grip around her heart. "What will happen on my birthday?" she asked.

"Every single human in this kingdom will be turned into a thorn monster," she said, her words dropping like a hammer blow. "Forever."

The cup slipped from Briar's grasp, shattering on the ground in a cascade of porcelain shards and dark tea. "WHAT?" she cried out.

Vesper let out a dark chuckle. "You should never celebrate your birthday," he said. "It's jinxed."

A chilling realization struck Briar. "My birthday..." she whispered, "it's only a week from now."

The room seemed to close in around her, the air thick with an intense sense of dread. Lavonna remained silent, her hands shaking as she watched the pieces of the shattered cup on the floor.

"Why?" Briar cried out. "Why did the Wicked Fairy curse me?"

"The reason is unknown," Lavonna said. "Perhaps the Wicked Fairy was angry that the sleeping curse was broken. Perhaps she couldn't bear to see the happiness of the kingdom. She is wicked, after all."

"Can't you break this curse?" Briar pleaded. "You know magic. You must be able to do something."

"My magic is not strong enough," Lavonna said. "If there were anything I could do, I would have done it a long time ago. There is nothing I can do."

"There has to be a solution," Briar insisted. "There is always a way to break a curse."

"There is a solution, but it's not an easy one," Lavonna said.

Briar's heart was pounding with a mixture of hope and fear. "I'm ready to do whatever it takes," she said. "Please, tell me what to do."

Lavonna took a deep breath, her gaze locking onto Briar's. "I had a vision. A prophecy about the curse," she began. "And you know very well that my psychic abilities are strong. All my predictions about your birth, the sleeping curse, and even the Curse of Thorns have come true."

Briar reached out and grasped the witch's hands, her grip tight with urgency. "Lavonna, I believe your predictions. What does your vision say?"

Lavonna hesitated for a moment, glancing nervously over her shoulder as if afraid someone might overhear. Then, she spoke in a hushed tone, "You have to go on a quest to break the curse," she said.

Briar nodded at the witch.

"But if the king and queen discover I've shared this with you, they will kill me," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "They made it clear that the prophecy should remain a secret."

Briar gasped, a cold dread settling in her stomach. "My parents know about the prophecy?"

"Yes," Lavonna confirmed. "They were the first to know. But they chose not to believe it. I understand them. They're your parents, Briar. They're worried about you, and they think the fairies will find a solution."

"Your parents are selfish," Vesper said. "They are willing to destroy the kingdom to save you. Isn't the kingdom their first responsibility? They vowed to prioritize the kingdom's safety above all else, including their own children."

"Vesper!" Lavonna snapped, casting him a reproachful look.

"It's okay, Lavonna. He's right," Briar said, her voice firm despite the turmoil in her heart. "Tell me what I have to do. What is the quest?"

Lavonna took a deep, steadying breath. "Princess, there is a book called the Book of Curse. It was written by the fairies thousands of years ago. It contains rituals to break every kind of curse that has ever existed."

Briar's eyes lit up with a flicker of hope. "That means the book also contains a ritual to break the Curse of Thorns."

"Yes," Lavonna confirmed. "If the curse is broken, all the monsters will regain their souls and transform back into humans."

Briar's brow furrowed with confusion. "So, if the fairies have a ritual to break the curse, then why aren't they helping us?"

Lavonna sighed, her shoulders sagging. "The fairies of Fairyland don't have the book. But the forest fairies do," she explained. "Their leader, Viatrix, owns a magical library that contains thousands of books about magic, including the Book of Curse. But the fairies of Fairyland and the forest fairies are enemies. The forest fairies will never help humans, and the fairy queen can't forcefully take the book."

"Your quest is clear," Vesper said, his voice a deep rumble that filled the room. "Get the book from the forest fairies, find the ritual to break the Curse of Thorns, perform the ritual, and save the kingdom."

Briar took a deep breath. "Then I accept the quest," she declared confidently. "I'll break the curse."

Lavonna's face clouded with concern. "Briar, don't rush into any decisions," she said. "The quest is full of danger. Have you any idea where the forest fairies reside?"

"In the forest," she replied.

"Not just any forest," Vesper said, his eyes narrowing. "The Midnight Forest."

The name sent a chill down Briar's spine, but she tried to hide her fear. "So," she said, attempting to sound unfazed, "it's an enchanted forest. What of it?"

Vesper chuckled darkly. "So, it's an enchanted forest that will try to eat you alive."

"You're just trying to scare me," Briar retorted, though she couldn't keep the tremor from her voice.

"He's speaking the truth," Lavonna said. "Briar, I don't want to throw you into danger, but..."

"But, Lavonna, we know it is the only way," Briar said.

"Briar, I'm filled with dread. Part of me wants you to break the curse, but another part is terrified for your safety," Lavonna said.

Briar reached out, squeezing Lavonna's hand. "If fate wants me to go on this quest, then it will also give me the strength to complete it. I'd rather die trying than sit here waiting to become a monster."

"You seem eager to die," Vesper teased, though there was a grudging respect in his voice.

"If you've set your mind to this, I won't stop you," Lavonna said. "But remember, this might end horribly."

"I know," Briar said. "Can you help me find the forest fairies?"

Lavonna walked over to a small cabinet. She carefully selected a parchment from the neatly rolled maps and made her way back to Briar. "This map," she said, unfurling the parchment with care, "was made with the help of Mirror. It will guide you to the forest fairies' village."

Briar unrolled the map, her eyes tracing the detailed lines that depicted the sprawling Midnight Forest stretching across the northern expanse of the kingdom. "Thank you, Lavonna," she whispered.

Lavonna pointed at a spot on the map. "This is the Enchanted Garden," she said, her finger following a meandering brown line that cut through the garden. "Follow this path," she instructed, "and it will lead you to the forest fairies."

Briar nodded, carefully rolling up the map and tucking it into the pocket of her cloak.

"And," Lavonna added, placing a delicate hourglass on the table, "this will help you track time." The sands in the hourglass were already beginning to trickle.

"And lastly this," Lavonna whispered, holding a tiny vial containing a crimson liquid, "is your secret weapon. Only use it when you have no other choice. It has the power to temporarily immobilize your enemy, giving you a chance to flee." Gently, she entrusted the vial into Briar's open palm.

"Remember, the forest is infested with packs of werewolves," said Vesper.

"Don't frighten her." Lavonna scolded him.

"I'm not scared," Briar said.

"Briar, be careful," The witch warned. "And do not go near anything that seems too enticing. The forest is full of traps."

"I will be careful," she promised, giving Lavonna a reassuring smile. "Thank you for everything."

Lavonna's eyes shone with unshed tears. "I wish you good luck, Princess," she said. "I hope you break the curse and save us all."

"Well then," Briar said, forcing a smile, "I'll see you after I break the curse." She gave Lavonna a final nod and left the room.

Leon stood before the mirror, listening to its incessant chatter.

"What took you so long?" Leon asked, his voice tinged with impatience. "What did the witch say?"

"Everything I needed to know," Briar replied, her hand resting protectively over the map tucked inside her pocket.

"Now, can we leave?" Leon almost pleaded, casting a wary glance at the mirror.

"So soon?" the mirror said, its reflective surface rippling slightly. "I haven't even told you everything yet."

"I don't want to know any more spells that involve blood and eyeballs," Leon said, making a face of exaggerated disgust.

Briar assumed the mirror was telling the prince about the horrible ingredients on purpose.

"See you later, Mirror," she said, turning towards the door. "Come on, Leon."

They left the witch's cottage, the door creaking shut behind them. The evening air was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the warmth of the potion room. They retrieved their swords from the cat and began the long walk back towards the castle.

**