your birthday

It was your birthday again and your father came to visit. He was wearing black and looked older and more tired than normal. It had been a year but more seemed to have changed than normal, he had lost more of his hair and it had turned grey in places. There were bags under his eyes and he was very thin. You got thin when you were sick so you had expected that. He paid a coin to the dragon showed his mark and came upstairs.

"Daddy, you look tired and sad." You said as soon as he came into your room. He held a new black dress for you.

"I'm sorry baby, I tried so hard to get you claimed before your mother died so that you could come and see her." Your Farther informed you.

"Some of the knights got really close." You informed him. "Come, I'll show you the drawing." You say and move to the door to your study and motion for your dad to follow you.

"No sweety, I don't have time." Your dad dismissed your notion. "I need you to look after your brother now that mum is gone." He informs you.

"What? Why? How?" you asked in amazement.

"He is only 7 years old but he knows how to read and write. He can send messages if you need anything but your mother taught you how to look after yourself and other people which is something I don't know how to do. I have been hiring a nanny to look after him but I am low on money and can't afford one anymore." He tells you.

"What do I have to do?" It is more of a statement than a question. You have accepted that you will have to do this. It might be fun to have another person. You could play the two-person games your mother played with you when she visited. Remembering her made you sad but you sat on your bed ready to listen to what your dad had to say.

"I need you to cook and clean for him, keep him happy, mend his clothes when they rip, make sure he bathes daily as you do and most importantly keep him away from the dragon. When you are claimed your "Price Charming" will be instructed to teach him man stuff: like fighting, how to rule, riding and other things. However, as he will be living with you I need to teach you a few things about boys." Your dad tells you.

"Are they that different from girls?" you ask.

"There are a few differences, most of which are unimportant but some you need to know. Boys look different naked and their body works a bit differently. You only need to know how to clean a boy so let's go to your bathroom and I will show you." Your dad says.