America x Reader - Poison Apple Part 4

"Hey, tell us a romance story!" Tino said, excited
"Yeah, tell us a story!" Peter said
The Chibis crowded around you as you sat in a chair
"Alright, just one, because you all have to get to work" You said, smiling
You noticed that Iain was the only one who remained leaning against the wall. He looked completely uninterested, which broke your heart a little, because you liked him
"Well ... once upon a time, there was a princess ... and she fell in love with a handsome prince ... there was nobody like him ... anywhere at all" You said, drifting off in your thoughts
"Was he tall?"
"Was he handsome?"
"Did he say ... he loved her?"
"Did he ... steal a kiss?"
"He was so romantic ..." You sighed, blushing
Your heart ached as Alfred's face appeared in your mind. That mischievous smile of his ... those big blue eyes ... you shook your head, breaking his spell over you
"Anyway, the princess was taken away ... and waited for her beloved prince to rescue her" You said
"Oh, that's a sad story!" Peter wailed
"Come on, enough mush ... we have to be gettin' teh work" Iain grumbled
You sighed as the others looked disappointed
"Oh, Iain ... couldn't we just-"
"Come on boys, you have more important things to do than listen to me" You said, standing up
One by one, you bid them farewell and sighed
"Oh Iain ... why don't you like me?" You mumbled
No sooner had you shut the door, someone knocked on it. You opened it and gasped. It was an old peddler woman ... with a basket of apples
"Hello, my dear" She said, smiling
"H-hello" You said, nervous
"Would you like an apple, dear?" She asked, holding up a red apple
You stared at it. It was certainly tempting
"Do you want to hear a secret?" She asked
You nodded, out of curiousity ... and you didn't want to appear rude
"This is a wishing apple" She said in a hushed tone
"W-wishing apple?" You said, intrigued
"Yes ... you make a wish, then take a bite. You have to be quick, mind" She said, smiling
You took the apple from her and examined it
"Anything at all?" You asked
"Indeed, my child. This one's on the house" She said, smiling
You smiled and closed your eyes
I wish ... that Alfred would come ... and take me to his castle so we can live happily ever after ... You thought, sighing
"You made a wish dear?" She asked
"Uh-huh!" You said, smiling
"You have to take a bite now, don't let the wish grow cold!" She said, sounding like she was in a hurry
You smiled ... and took a bite

-Meanwhile-

Iain sighed as he watched the others work. He felt bad for behaving so cold towards you. You were so nice to them ... and yet he was so standoffish
"What's wrong, Iain?" Berwald asked
"Nothing ..." Iain replied
"Hey, where's Tino? He said he forgot something at the house" Ice said
The others shrugged and as if on cue, Tino appeared
"Quick, this old lady gave (Name) an apple ... and she's collapsed! I think it was the Queen in disguise!" He cried
The others gasped
"We have to help her!" Mathias said, horrified
The others nodded and they all dropped their tools
"Come on, we have to hurry!" Tino said
They all ran through the woods as fast as their little legs would carry them back to the house. They saw the old crone leaving
"Hey, hold it right there!" Iain shouted
The crone looked at them and cursed loudly, trying to run away
"Peter, Berwald, Emil ... you check on (Name). The rest, follow me!" Mathias said, running after the old crone
"For the last time, it's Ice!"
"Don't argue about this now, come on!" Iain said
Peter, Berwald and Emil entered the house and the others followed Mathias, who had cornered the old crone by the edge of a cliff
"You meddling fools!" She growled
She stepped back, forgetting there was a cliff edge behind her and fell to her doom. The Chibis looked at each other
"Well that was pointless" Lukas mumbled
"Let's go check on (Name)" Tino said, worried
They all nodded and rushed back to the cottage to find the trio crying
"What's wrong?" Ice asked
They all approached you and gasped. You were lying there, pale and lifeless ...
"Sh-she's dead ..." Peter said, bursting into tears

To be Continued