Disclaimer: I do not own Sleeping Beauty. The original belongs to the rightful author Charles Perrault. What you would read is merely a retelling that I've written for my own practice. I hope you like it!

Fairy Tales Retold

SLEEPING BEAUTY: UNAWAKENED

"When true love's kiss could not save the day…"

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CHAPTER ONE

Prince Adrien had heard of her tale. In fact, her curse was the reason he'd come. He'd wanted to see her, to know if everything the townsfolk were saying of her story was true, and maybe if he could, to wake her too. After all, his arrival at her tower had not come without a fight. His attire, once handsome, neat and fitting only for a handsome royalty such as himself, was now no different than a prisoner's clothing, adorned with torn and blade cuts, decorated with ashes, dust and blood combined.

He did need not need to look in a mirror to know how ragged he looked. Even his breathing was laboured, his walk limping from when the dragon had generously thrown a stone at him. He could only hope his inherited good looks and the charm he was said to be born with would be enough for him to be recognized as the sole heir of Alvinia's throne. It would just be embarrassing if he was to be mistaken as a commoner after all the chivalry and struggles he'd gone through. The townsfolk were certainly not kidding when they referred to the witch as a force to be reckoned with. He only wished they added the part where she was keeping a carnivorous dragon as pet. He and his men could have done better with a warning. Nevertheless they'd battled and won. He would make sure to commend the bravery and loyalty of his soldiers upon their return, and he would also make sure to reward those who were wounded as well as generously compensate the families for the sorrowful loss of three of his men.

"Your highness, we've found the room!" announced Karlon, one of his bravest soldiers who volunteered to lead their way as he stood by the door on top of the stairs.

Prince Adrien allowed two men to assist him as they climbed, with the rest of the twenty soldiers following them from behind. The rest of them, he had ordered to watch guard and wait outside for his return.

"Should I open it for you?" Karlon asked.

"No!" The prince exclaimed, clearing his throat as soon as he realized how unlike himself he was acting. It had been the highlight of the townsfolk's story when they regaled him of the ethereal beauty that was the sleeping princess of Sage Kingdom. It would do him an answered question to see if they speak of the truth, not that they lied about the witch and her spell of course. It was a fact they learned early that indeed everyone, and by that, every living human and animal in the Sage Kingdom was put in deep sleep.

It took twenty more steps to reach the room Karlon was now guarding.

Carefully, and with bathed breath, the young prince turned the doorknob open.

Alas he saw her. The fair maiden who had caused him and a hundred soldiers to embark on a journey far away from their home kingdom, sleeping soundly in her dust covered bed, her chest rising and falling beneath her regal but dirtied gown. So this was the infamous Princess Aurora of the Sage Kingdom. This was the monarch who would be the key if he was to succeed in breaking the spell that put a whole kingdom in deep sleep.

He lingered by the door, suddenly afraid to take a step. Her room was not different from other parts of the Sage Palace, all dusty and filled with spider webs. But he forced himself to earn courage and freed himself from his solders' hold, ordering them to leave them be without saying a word.

They all bowed as a sign of reverence to him before taking their leave to stand behind the now closed door.

Prince Adrien sighed, taking careful and slow limping steps to stand beside her bed. The townsfolk had spoken the truth. Even from afar, Princess Aurora was a sight to behold. And up-close, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid his eyes on.

He even found himself wondering if she was truly human. Was she not a fairy? An angel maybe? Surely no human could look so beautiful to bring a man to his knees. But there she was, and he found his knees would give away without his soldiers to help him stand.

"Leave us," he ordered his men, his tone breathless just for the sight of her.

As soon as he heard the door closed, he let his knees dropped to her side.

Surely if she were awake, she would know. It would drive a man crazy not to touch the fair princess's cheeks. And he would be damned if he was to restrain himself from touching the golden brown curls that were her hair. His fingers ached to trace her thick lashes. He wondered what the color of her eyes would be if she was to open them. Finally, his fingers found her lips, soft and moist with her breathing, red as a freshly picked rose from his Queen mother's garden and enough to drive a man thirsty.

Leaning with his elbows propped to her bed, he pulled himself up, midnight blue eyes unable to look away from her beautiful face.

At long last she was right in front of him. A smile adorned his lips at the mere thought of possibilities. Mustering the gentleman that he was raised to become, he took first her hand to his lips before he leaned down to grace her lips with a gentle kiss.

It lasted seconds, and felt like he had gained far greater than what he'd lost coming here.

When he pulled away, he was shaking, suddenly afraid of what punishment awaits him for kissing such a beautiful princess. Surely such act could be called a sin? He could feel his heart beating so fast behind his rib cage.

Meanwhile Princess Aurora stirs in her sleep. And for a moment, the prince held his breath, waiting to see if she would wake.

A huge wave of disappointment crashed over him when she still wouldn't open her eyes. She lays there, breathing, but still asleep, still unconscious and unaware of what was happening outside the world of her dreams.

The prince backed away and sighed, still clutching her soft hand. Perhaps it was because he had only seen her now and it was awe instead of true love that caused him to touch his lips with hers? But then what else could he do? Was she meant to be awakened by another prince? Was he not the one destined to break the spell?

It hurts him to even think that another man was out there trying to fight his way to her. His heart cringes at the thought that another man who was not him was meant for her.

He allowed himself to be disappointed only for a span of half an hour. He took his time to keep the door closed, afraid of what he would see in his soldiers' faces in replacement of their anticipation.

With no other choice left, the prince accepted his fate. It was by far the hardest decision he would make since he'd made his resolve to come for her rescue.

"Karlon!" he called, putting effort to hide the sadness that apparently wipes his heart. "Ready the man, and prepare a carriage. We're taking Princess Aurora home with us."

To be continued...

Author's Note: Sleeping Beauty: Unawakened is the first installment to my own version of FAIRY TALES RETOLD. Thank you for reading. Did you like it? What do you think would happen next? Would you like to read more? If yes, then please do entertain me with your reviews. Have a nice day/evening!