Once upon a Princess (Atypical Series #1)||✔️

10. Truth or..?

ISABELLE

Saturday 4th August

It has been three weeks. Three weeks since I've seen my sister. I've barely slept, and I can tell everyone else in the palace was concerned as well.

Someone knocked on the door, "Come in!" I yelled. I was surprised by my own voice, it sounded brittle; like broken glass.

Graham entered the room and I stiffened; I haven't spoken to him in person since the day I slapped him across the face and it seemed like he still held resentment for the action. He avoided my eyes as he spoke, and I noticed that he had allowed his facial hair to grow and his usual dark quiff was in a tangled mess.

"We still haven't found her," he croaked, stumbling onto my bed. I felt my shoulders deflate and swallowed the lump in my throat.

"It's been three fricking weeks Graham. Father's been upset with me for decreasing the guard count here to search for Alexa,"

"Um, Alexa's his daughter," Graham pointed out, furrowing his brows. I scoffed.

"Welcome to our world,"

Graham's eyes softened for the first time since he entered the room and he scooted over so that was an arm's length away.

"Listen, I feel terrible. This is all my fault-"

"No shit," I interrupt, glancing over at him. My breath caught in my throat when I realized how bad he looked up close. Graham never allowed himself to look bad.

"You aren't helping Isabelle," He growled, his eyes flashed with such intensity. I quickly looked away as I muttered that I was sorry.

He took a minute to compose himself and I wondered if the guilt he felt, was directed towards the fact he lost Alexa or him losing Alexa. I out ruled the second option, considering that there was no love involved in their relationship.

I clasped his hand with mine and when his uncertain eyes flickered towards me, I gave him an assuring smile, "We'll get through this okay? I know my sister is still out there safe. She's a strong girl."

He nodded in response and squeezed my hand. He released a shaky breath before uttering,

"I think it's time we send out an alert,"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ALEXA

It had been an eventful three weeks since I left the palace. Surprisingly as each day rolled by, my yearning to remain with the Hartleys grew. Within the three weeks, I've managed to grow closer to each and every one of them, making it harder to say goodbye. They have officially accepted me as one of their own as I was always included in their playful banters, roast sessions and arguments. I knew it was silly of me to hope to stay there, but I couldn't forever. Eventually, I'd have to leave.

It was a Saturday night and Arianna, Isaac, Nate, Shaniah, Chase and I were lounging about in the living room. Cindy had complained of having a migraine and retreated to her room. That Saturday night, the six of us lounged around the room, snacking and joking around, when Shaniah insisted that she watch her entertainment show that was about to start at that moment.

"Ugh, that rubbish?" Nate grumbled, dipping his hand into the popcorn.
"Shhh," Shaniah raised the volume and fixated her eyes on the TV screen.
A young brunette and an older Hispanic guy sat at their desks, displaying their fakest smiles and chuckled as they relayed the latest news.
I zoned out, not bothering to listen to the latest celebrity scandals that those two had to spill.
I rose from my seat to get a refill of water when I heard it,