So, I still didn't find out the identity of Peter Pan. I also felt bad for not being able to thank that mysterious guy who came to my rescue at the bar. I was too preoccupied at the time, but maybe if I had paid attention I might have identified him. I didn't even see his face... I tried to hear his voice in my head to see if it matched the guy at the supermarket and the guy from last night...

She said she's not interested.

You should've carried a basket.

Face it, dove, I've sparked your interest.

I couldn't tell if it was the same voice, ugh, this was so frustrating! I was becoming paranoid over a voice, kinda like Eric with Ariel. Maybe a lotta Brits sounded the same. Maybe I was simply jumping to conclusions and misinterpreting coincidences. Either way, why did it even matter to me? Why was this guy enveloping my brain and seeping into every thought of mine? Why did my heart pump at the mere thought of him?

Face it, dove, I've sparked your interest.

Dang it, he did! Which meant I wouldn't be able to rest until I met him face to face. I had to find out. Was he the guy at the supermarket? Was he also the guy who saved me at the pub? If he was, how'd he know I'd be there? Was he following me?

These were the questions that swirled in my brain.

"You're late Alyssa!" Gwan's shrill voice broke me out of my trance. Ugh. face storm now, ponder Peter Pan later. Gwan had cornered me after I returned home with Henry (after a relatively long drive around the country). Helena looked like a cat who swallowed the cream as I entered the parlor. No doubt she had given a full, possibly exaggerated report of what happened to get me in trouble. Why? I don't know, I don't have issues unlike her.

"You left your cousin in the store without leaving any word! Of all the irresponsible—" I found my attention waning as Gwan continued to rant. Sometimes she reminded me a bit of Mom but I really hoped Mom wouldn't become like her; thankfully, she took after Pops.

"Therefore I've decided on a suitable punishment for you. You will be grounded in your room until further notice, Alyssa!" Gwan's ending note brought me back to the present.

"What? No way, you can't tell me what to do!" I flared up.

"Oh, can't I? You'll do exactly as I say! Now go to your room, Alyssa!" I glanced at Helena's smug face and Henry's apologetic one and tears of anger filled my eyes. I turned and retreated to my room before they could fall. I locked myself in and snuggled on my bed, hugging a pillow. First I'm banished, then I'm grounded. Day two and I already felt miserable; what was I going to do? No way could I keep bending to Gwan's inflexible will and rigid rules. And Helena would do anything to get me in trouble.

"I wanna go home," I cried to myself. "I can't stand being here." But home was impossible to get to; I was stuck in this medieval purgatory for the time being.

I went to the window and opened it for some fresh air. At least it soothed the 'trapped feeling' a little. I could even smell the roses in the garden below. The night sure was refreshing—

"You!" I suddenly gasped as I looked down and saw a figure in the garden, harvesting the roses. He wore dark clothes but even then I could recognize the tall, sylphlike figure. It couldn't be anybody else. He looked up at me upon hearing me. If only the moon hadn't hidden itself behind the clouds just then! I strained to make out his face but all I could see were those silver eyes, though I felt like he was grinning at me.

"Hey, wait!" I called, as I watched him stroll off. He merely turned, gave me a sparkly-toothed smile, and vanished. Blast, if I hadn't been trapped in my room I would have finally been able to tackle him! Now I'd have to wait till tomorrow. He won't escape me again.

I rescheduled my plan; I couldn't go home yet, not without solving my Peter Pan mystery! Only after I'd done that could I find a way home.

Finding Peter Pan down proved to be harder than I thought. Every time I came close to catching him, he seemed to disappear and wouldn't return till late at night, just like his shadow. It was like he was playing hide and seek with me, it was so frustrating! What's more annoying is that I still didn't get a good look at him.

But I had bigger problems to deal with.

It was less than two weeks till I started King's. I counted down the days until I could be free of this wretched place like a kid waiting for a birthday—hey, if not home, at least I could be away from Gwan for a few hours. I also had an idea about not staying at the estate while attending college playing in my head—sort of a backup plan in the worst case scenario. I just had to figure out how to execute it.

There was also Church service to attend this Sunday—unfortunately, I came down with a most convenient cold. Whoo. At least I could escape being seen in church with Gwan—the misery of people finding out I'm related to her was more than I could bear. So I got out of that, this time. Now I just had to find a church closer to King's so that I could go there when classes started.

But first, a freaking ball.

"You're not seriously wearing that?!" Henry exclaimed as he passed by my room. I was getting ready for my boring 'debutante ball' and had left the door open on account of Bealey—he'd come by earlier to drop some aspirin off at my request. I figured I'd need it.

"What's wrong with it? It's party wear, isn't it?" I asked. I was wearing a short, glittery two-piece lilac-colored dress with a little of my stomach showing. Super hot, that's what Kevin called it when I wore it to the spring formal.

"It's a bloody scandal waiting to happen and you could get thrown in the dungeon for wearing it!" Henry said with a look of aversion.

"Yeah well, either that or Gwan ships me back home!" I retorted.

"Ah, so that's the master plan," Henry said with a smile.

"Well yeah, duh," I said, slipped into my gem-studded stilettos, and flipped my hair back.

"Now are you gonna sit there like a dead fish or escort me down?" I asked, arching my brows. Henry grinned goofily.

"For your information, I hate kippers," he responded and took my arm.

"Showtime," I said to myself. Time to disqualify myself as heir of the estate.

The ballroom was nothing like I found it that first morning—now it was filled with a finely clothed throng, the hum of chatter with soft stringed music weaving in between. It was also brightly lit with every chandelier glowing in its crystal glory while the sugary scent of wine and appetizing canapes filled the air. In other words, too many stimuli for the senses.

"There's Gran—she'll have a blue fit when she sees you," Henry said in a low voice near my ear. I spotted Gwan in a black high-necked gown and Helena standing in the middle of several elegantly dressed women. Helena was wearing a peach-colored satin dress—the pristine model of modesty. Good for her. I was here to turn heads, not blend in.

I picked a flute off a passing waiter's tray and sipped it. It was white wine. My first chardonnay... too bad it had to be at such a disagreeable place. I sampled some canapes and straightened myself up. Time to face the old lady.

"Hi!" I said cheerfully, interrupting the elderly group. Eyes widened at me and a few old ladies even pursed their thin lips. But the best look of horror was from Gwan at the sight of my outfit—too bad she hid it quickly, it was priceless. Like she was about to pass out.

"Ah, yes, ladies, may I introduce my Granddaughter, Alyssa?" Gwan sounded like she wished she could denounce me. Good, I was one step closer to getting out of here.

"How do you do, Alyssa?" One of the pearl-draped ladies asked me.

"How do you do what?" I asked with feigned cluelessness. One old lady in green gasped.

"She can't be serious!"

"I'm afraid her unconventional American upbringing has despoiled the Westrope blood in her."

"Indeed, and have you seen such an inappropriate outfit? I cannot believe you condoned it, Gwyneth dear!" They were disparaging me in my presence. Unbelievable.

"Still, you tried your best, Gwyneth. It can't be helped, what Margaret did. Marrying an American." Whoa, back up. Was that a dig at my mom and dad? Hell no, I won't stand for that.

"Why don't I have a little word with her, Grandma?" Helena intervened sweetly before I could open my mouth. Immediately all the old ladies' faces brightened.

"Of course Helena, you're always so reliable," Gwan said in relief. Clearly, I was the salt and she was the balm on Gwan's wounded pride. Helena grabbed my arm with an iron grip and led me away. I could still hear the vultures gossiping, "You'll have your work cut out improving that one, Gwyneth." Ugh, I wanna strangle something!

"Let go of me, Helena," I said roughly when she brought me out onto the balcony. She let go of me, shoving me forward.

"You're a disgrace to this family, do you know that?" she stated in disgust.

"Couldn't care less," I retorted. "This isn't my family."

"You might feel like that with that childish rebellion of yours but Grandma is determined to make you part of this fold and whether you like it or not, all your efforts to get away from here will only make life harder for you," she said calmly. I narrowed my eyes.

"Why do you care?" I asked.

"I don't. If you're all for making life a living hell for yourself, cheers to you." She smiled in a way that made me cringe. "Once you convince Grandma you're completely unfit to run this place, she'll come to her senses and send you back to the hole you crawled out of." I blinked at her; for 'family', her level of venom was beyond what I expected. She hated my guts.

"I hope to heaven we don't share too much blood because I'd loathe myself if I were you," I threw back. She shrugged.

"Only the weak would possess such a mindset."

"So your plan is to get rid of me and Henry and stay in Gwan's good books in order to claim this dump? Good luck to you, Ursula." I saluted her with a swagger. She gaped at me. I left her standing there, returning to the ballroom. I'd had enough of that girl's tentacles and her company. I needed another champagne flute—heck, I needed a bottle. I bumped into Henry on the way.

"There you are, I thought you'd been eaten alive—my goodness, you look like you've seen a ghost," Henry exclaimed. Was I that pale? I felt more green.

"I need alcohol, lots of it, and not the debilitated wine Gwan's serving," I told him. A pretty brunette appeared by his side and latched onto his arm.

"Henry darling, you're running away from me," she said with a flirty smile. She looked sweet, in white satin and lace, and had large eyes.

"Pat love, I was just checking up on my little cousin," Henry replied with a genuine smile at her. Oh, I get it. His sweetheart. I wasn't sure Brits knew how to date.

"Oh, you're Henry's cousin, Alyssa?" she asked with wide eyes at me. "My, you're pretty! Is that American fashion? I'd kill to wear a dress like that."

"Darling, I wouldn't let you dress like that for anyone but me," Henry nuzzled her cheek. Ew. Okay, cute for them, they're obviously in love.

"Alyssa, this is Patricia, my girlfriend," Henry said, turning to me. I smiled at her although the effort was aggravating my throbbing temples.

"Nice to meet you." I needed to get away soon. I leaned in to whisper to Henry, "Dude, where's the secret alcohol stash around here? I'm dying for a beer."

"You won't find anything but gin in the study." Henry shook his head. "But there's—"

"Henry! The first dance is about to start." Gwan appeared out of nowhere, displeasure painted on her face as usual.

"Of course Gran, I was about to ask Patricia to—"

"Alyssa, don't you have a partner?" Gwan cut him off to glare at me.

"I don't feel like dancing," I said truthfully.

"Nonsense! You must dance! It's tradition for our family to always attend the first dance at a ball."

"But I don't have a partner." And unless you can manufacture one in two seconds—

"Henry, you'll lead your cousin in the first dance, won't you?" What the–?

"Er..." Henry looked at Pat and then at me.

"Don't worry, family always comes first. Go on." Patricia guided him forward gently. Okay, that was nice of her. Henry awkwardly took my hand.

"Sorry, Lys," he whispered to me as he led me to the floor. I sighed.

"Please just tell me where I can find alcohol after this," I begged.

"In the cellar. Two flights downstairs from the kitchen, down the passage until you come to another staircase. First door at the end. It's a bit wonky so be careful you don't let it shut tight, it needs a bit of muscle to open from the inside. There's no electric light and it's dark as pitch down there," Henry replied.

"I thought you didn't know the way to the kitchen," I joked weakly. He grinned.

"I'm not an idiot," he said. I smiled.

"Thank you," I said.

Three waltzes later, (my tyrant-of-a-Grandmother insisted) my feet were aching and my head was pounding. I wondered if that aspirin I took was for babies. I needed alcohol so bad I was ready to pay all my allowance for it.

"Alyssa, your aunt and uncle have just arrived, do come say hello!" Gwan's grating voice pulled me into a huddle of people. Oh great. More meetings and greetings.

"Alyssa, is that you? My you've grown!" Aunt Hildegard (I couldn't mistake her, she looked just like Mom except she had brown hair) enveloped me in a tight hug. I was surprised; I didn't think intimate gestures like that were legal in a place like this.

"Hello, Aunt Hildegard. It's nice to meet you," I replied politely. She pulled back to take in my appearance.

"You're the spitting image of Maggie... I'm so glad to see you here in London at last." She smiled kindly at me. Huh, she's not at all like Gwan. And Helena's not at all like her.

"So this is the niece I've been hearing so much about." Uncle Dorian scanned me curiously. I saw where Henry got his nondescript looks from—but at least he was more like his mother at heart.

"Yes, it is such a joy having Alyssa here," Gwan simpered. I almost fake coughed at her exaggeration.

"So how are you enjoying London, dear?" Aunt Hildegard asked me.

"It's alright. A lot different from home," I answered truthfully.

"We must catch up soon. I'm longing to hear about your mother. Perhaps we could go shopping together sometime?" Aunt Hildegard asked.

"Oh please Mother, that's a disaster of an idea. Alyssa is terribly flighty," Helena patronized me.

"Only when the company is disagreeable," I threw her a dirty look. "I'd love to go out with you, Aunt Hildegard," I said sweetly. Helena scowled.

"Why don't we have some chardonnay?" Gwan intervened, seeing a storm brewing. We all took flutes of wine, myself included. The hard stuff would have to wait a little longer. I gulped mine down in one shot hoping it would kick in fast.

"What a frightful waste wine is on you, Alyssa." Helena wrinkled her nose at me. "You're supposed to follow the three S's rule."

"What now?" I looked puzzled.

"Swirl, smell, sip," Henry chimed in. "Gives you an appreciation of the wine."

"Then again, one with such uncultivated tastes can't possibly appreciate good wine," Helena smiled guilefully at me.

"Helena!" Aunt Hildegard hissed sharply. She glanced at her mother and went silent.

"Ooh, I adore Debussy! Henry darling, can we dance?" Patricia interrupted us with perfect timing. Henry led her away. I saw this as my chance to escape.

"Will Maggie visit us, Mum?" I heard aunt Hildegard ask Gwan. "Now that Alyssa is here..."

"I doubt her ego will let her. She's completely ignored me for all these years." Gwan's cutting voice replied. Who's fault is that? I retorted in my head. It's not mom's fault you're such a whiny, dissatisfied complaint box who wouldn't accept my dad as family...

I looked around at a sea of people I didn't know, all decked out and buzzing with gossip, mostly about me. This was Gwan's world. I don't blame Mom for wanting to escape all this one bit; I blame her for sticking me in it!

Panic filled me. Was this glittering world of snobs where I was doomed to be for the rest of my life? Hell no, I had to get out. If not sooner, later.

I snuck out of the ballroom, nodding at Henry. Hopefully, he'd cover for me if Gwan started hunting me down. I had no intention of returning to this insufferable party. I'd heard enough gossip to last a lifetime.

I once read a book called The Handbook to Etiquette. I found it hilarious and embarrassingly accurate about human behavior. It was more of a comedy than an educational piece though. But I did master the art of being polite thanks to it. I just didn't bother applying any of its suggestions right now due to a pounding headache. I had to find some alcohol, quick.

I took off my shoes and padded down to the cellar barefoot. The tunnels leading there were dark; I looked for a light switch but there was none. Right, Henry said there were no lights. I wish I had brought my phone. But I was just here to grab a bottle and get out so it shouldn't take long.

The door was lying half open when I reached it. Maybe Bealey had come down to fetch something. I pushed open the door, the pitch-black hitting my eyes and causing an eerie feeling to run up my spine—

"What are you doing here?" a male voice sounded through the darkness, startling me. I squealed, stumbled back against the door, and—bang! It shut behind me. Oh, shoot!

"No, no, no!" I frantically tried to tug the door open but it wouldn't budge.

"You've got us good and locked in here," the voice continued, sounding undisturbed by the fact. I turned around to face whoever it was but nothing but pitch blackness pierced my retinas. Dagnabbit, a fine mess I got into here! I was trapped!

Yep, hope you don't hate balls after this. That was sooome ordeal for Alyssa! Family, huh? They can drive you nuts...

But Peter Pan might be the sparkle that keeps Alyssa rooted... And now she's trapped in a cellar alone with a mysterious stranger! Who could it possibly be? 🤔😏
Stay on tenterhooks for the next chapter!

Oooh, hope you're loving the disney references and stickers! Holler if you are, Disney fan! 😍