Something in the water

Chapter 4

"You look very pretty tonight princess" Peter says to me with a cheeky smile. "Thank you Peter" I say flatly. I'm not in the mood for fun and games. This boy seems to always be in that mood. The butlers step forward and serve us, it's a nice roast chicken. I take a small helping of vegetables to go with it. I just want to eat and go back to my room. Someone taps on a glass and the king clears throat, "We are all here today to welcome our young guest, princess Alice." As he says my name a cheer rings through the room. "Although the circumstance of her being here is not pleasant. We hope she will enjoy her stay." He turns to me and adds "We will protect you and keep you here until it is safe for you to return to you kingdom." Keep me here? That sounds almost like a threat. Another cheer rings out in the room then everyone goes back to talking amongst themselves. "So you managed to get here only a few minutes late. I've seen worse." Peter says and I turn to him and say "well I did go to the kitchen and they pretty much lead me here." Peter laughs, he's really sweet but I can't do this right now. I start eating so I don't need to talk anymore. The food is delicious I don't know how they make it but this is so good. The kings words stick in my head, what does he mean keep me here? I'm just supposed to be visiting for a few days at most a week, but I'm supposed to be able to leave at any time. I can't stand being trapped anywhere. I start to freak out. My breathing starts going funny. I can't get a full breath in. "Are you ok?" Peter asks me I just shake my head. I start wheezing. The table goes silent and everyone looks at me with concerned faces. That makes it worse. I turn and look at Peter and he looks terrified and goes to pat me on the back, he thinks I'm choking but I'm not. I shake my head at him, and he pulls his hand away understanding what I meant. At this point I can barely breathe and I start crying. Everyone starts whispering about me. "I will help her to her room, then I will call the doctor" says Peter and he stands up and helps me to stand. We walk out of the room, I lean on him because I feel like I'm going to faint. As soon as we are out of the room, Peter just finds the nearest sitting room. It's a big room with white and gold walls and blue furniture. Peter helps me over to the sofa and I sit on it, then decide to lay down instead. My head is spinning and I'm just wheezing now, Peter couches in front of me "Are you alright?" Peter asks he looks so worried. "Yeah. I-I'm f-fine." I say shakily. He pushes my hair back behind my ear, "I know you're not." He says. He's right, "I jus-st n-need to sit here for a b-bit then I'll be g-great" I tell him. He sighs and looks me over carefully. Then stands up and walks out of the room. Great now I'm stuck in this room, in a part of the castle that I've never been in before so I can't find my way back to my room. I put my hand on my chest and try to breathe fully. Peter comes in and a man I have never met is with him. "I'm Dr Rupert. You must be Alice." He says to me. I nod. He looks old and wears fat, round glasses. Peter stands just inside to door and leans on the wall. Dr Rupert walks over and kneels next to me. He listens to my breathing and Peter tells him everything that happened today, and I tell him how I felt at dnner. "I think it was a panic attack." Says dr Rupert "I think everything just got to you in the end." I nod everything has gotten to me today. "I suggest you just get some rest and try not to worry about anything because everything will be fine." Rupert says then leaves the room. "Some of the others at the table fainted" Peter tells me with a smile. I laugh. "Can we go to my room now?" I say. Peter nods comes over and picks me up. "What are you doing? I can walk." I say half laughing. He feels strong and safe, like nothing else matters. "Oh really?" He raises an eyebrow at me "It might be easier this way" he says smiling. I laugh. He carry me all the way to my room. Then I knock on the door, Maggy is in there. She opens the door and is shocked by seeing us like this. My face blotchy from crying and still a bit out of breath, his hair messy and shirt creased. Peter walk straight past Maggy and puts me on my bed. "What are you doing in here? Get out." Maggy says, and Peter walks over to her. "Can we have a word in the hallway?" He asks her politely. She frowns at him but agrees. I roll over in bed and start laughing like a child. I've never seen Maggy that mad before. After a few minutes Maggy comes back in and helps me get ready for bed. She doesn't say anything. I jump into bed and Maggy turns out the lights. "Goodnight Maggy" I say as she leaves the room. I can't stop my mind from wandering back to my parents. How are they? I just want them to be okay. I cry myself to sleep with thoughts and dreams of my parents.

Hey guys. It's school holidays here so there might be a few extra chapters post throughout the week. Enjoy this chapter xoxo