The week before Prince Blaine Andreason's seventeenth birthday, his brother was cursed. If you asked around the kingdom, nobody was exactly surprised - Cooper's flair for the dramatics had always gotten him into a bit of trouble, but honestly, this was something that they would have expected years ago. His parents had spent much of his teenage years soothing ruffled feathers about protocol deviations, drunken shenanigans, and bedded (but not wedded) ladies and duchesses – and once a princess who seemed to be giving her royal parents an equally difficult reign. His dalliances never seemed to mind that Cooper's charismatic advances didn't follow with proposals; their advisors certainly did. Thankfully, in recent years, he had, with the exception of a hasty retreat from nearby Mackinley, settled down into his role of Crown Prince, preparing to eventually take on responsibilities of king and ruler, much to the relief of everyone involved. So when his parents proposed a series of formal balls to introduce him to a few daughters of royal and high-society families he hadn't "corrupted" (and more than a few that he had) for marital alliances, nobody really foresaw trouble.

Blaine certainly didn't.

As the much younger, long yearned for, and therefore much adored son, Blaine's childhood had been one of indulgence and happiness. That changed, however, during the years of Cooper's indiscretions and the swirling rumors of being unsuitable to rule, where suddenly Blaine found himself the focus of his parent's attention. If it had just been more attention, that would have been acceptable, but instead this seemed to mean more lectures on propriety, attending meetings and war councils with Queen Andrea – not that there had been a war in over fifty years but one must be prepared – and more than one conversation about preparing for the perfect political match, if indeed, his mother bypassed Cooper and crowned Blaine as her successor, as she so often threatened. Needless to say, he is relieved when his parents' attention turns back to Cooper and while his mother hints that ball invitations had gone out to several young women his age as well, Blaine easily brushes off the suggestions of matchmaking. He enjoys his lifestyle of lazy morning reading in the garden, afternoon horseback riding with annual hunting trips, and management of the country affairs; he has no interest in any marriage, suitable liason or not.

Blaine lingers at the edge of the dance hall, mostly deflecting the ladies that his mother sends over for him to entertain, while he exchanges pleasantries with Lord Wesbrook, his closest confident. They had shared living quarters for a year when they had been sent to the Academy for education; after Wes had dumped a pail of water on his head during an impassioned argument, they had become vowed brothers.

Wes came into town early for Blaine's birthday at Blaine's begging to provide a distraction from the tedium of polite socialization and he carries news and gossip of their old classmates, so Blaine barely notices the growing commotion around them, until he's jostled heavily by frightened people apparently fleeing the great hall. "What-what's going on?"/p

"I don't know." Wes shakes his head in confusion and follows Blaine as they push against the crowd. He points briefly at Wes to direct him to the other side of the hall as he heads for the throne.

A woman, with short blond hair, stands in front of the throne, a menacing sneer on her face as she glowers at his parents. "I had hoped to receive an apology."

His mother's calm, overly polite smile never alters. "An apology? My lady, I don't know who you are or how you have been slighted."

"You don't know? You don't know who I am? I am Sue, Sue the Great Fairy, the greatest fairy of all! Perhaps that explains the lack of an invitation, as I was surprised to hear that the prince was hosting a party tonight. A ball in which all of eligible young ladies were to be invited to meet the prince."

"Any grievance was not intended–"

"You? You expected an invitation to meet me?" Cooper's voice booms out as he strolls towards Sue, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the room. "To dance with me? To, what, marry me? Why would an old hag think that she would have a chance with me?"

Anger twists the woman's face. "An old hag! How dare you! Be careful with your tongue, prince! I am as fit to rule as any of those vapid petticoats there and I have more power than you could ever imagine."

Cooper laughs brightly and pats her cheek. "I like a woman who says her mind. And so convincingly! Perhaps you could be my scribe? Or court jester? I believe we have an opening."

Fury twists her face further and it takes all of Blaine's will not to shrink away from her. "You mock me, Prince, and you will pay."

"Oh, please, how many times have I heard that from a woman? What will it cost me? Ten gold pieces? Twenty? William, pay the lady and escort her out. Good evening to you, mistress." Cooper purposefully turns his back, a grin stretching across his face as he reaches out his hand to a cluster of women clutching each other and trembling. "Did the music stop? Why did the music stop?"

"Son, you should hold your tongue!" His mother rebukes, turning back to Sue. "My son means no–"

"Oh he certainly does. You wish that money could pay me off but Sue does not slink off in defeat! You think you can mock me, and you are sorely mistaken. Nobody insults Sue and gets away with it. Perhaps a pox to that handsome face? Or I could turn you into a yapping spaniel who begs for crumbs."

"You don't scare me, Sue." Cooper's patented smile doesn't leave his face but all humor has left his voice.

"Oh, but I should. I am beyond your worst nightmare. And I think I know just the curse. You, Cooper, son of Andrea, eldest and heir to the throne of Dalton, will fall into a sleep for a hundred years, dreaming of only me. Perhaps by then, when all of your loved ones have withered away and died, you will find me a more acceptable bride."

She points her long staff at Cooper, who still wears a cocksure smirk on his face. "Ex infinity vita est somnus!" Blaine watches as the curse strikes Cooper, bending him back as if being struck to the head. His eyes close and he crumples to the ground unconscious, a golden glow surrounding his body. Sue nudges his still body, and seemingly satisfied at her handiwork, smooths her gown and laughs brightly. "That was one of my finest, I do say. So satisfying, like lancing a festering blister." She preens to the gaping and horror-struck crowd.

A disbelieving silence lingers over the party guests. Blaine pushes forward trying to reach his fallen brother. "Cooper! Coop!" An electric shock forces him back from the golden sphere.

"Ah, ah, no no, Charming. He is mine."

"You can't do that! You can't have him!" He pushes again against the barrier and smarts from the shock.

Sue yawns widely. "Your resentment is … delicious, but I am bored of this all. I would wish you a good night, but I rather hope that it's not. Hmmm. Maybe, I'll make sure that it isn't!"

Green sparks coalesce around her, and with a sudden boom, she disappears and in her place is a dragon, imposing over the crowd. Shrieks of terror fill the great hall as the guests back away and then flee, pushing and screaming at each other. Blaine stares helplessly at the creature, who make a noise like a laugh, and reaches down to scoop up Cooper into its claws. Cooper doesn't wake, doesn't fight, his body flopping bonelessly in deep sleep.

The castle guards approach, surrounding the dragon with swords raised, but the barrier prevents them from approaching. The dragon watches, its large jaw stretching into what might be imagined as a smile.

With another boom, the dragon and Cooper are gone.