The Hidden Royals (ON HOLD)

15.

"Jackson, stop flirting with my sister and help me with this box," Esther pointed to the box

"I see someone wants my attention," Jackson grinned and walked over to the box

"Haha, very funny. The only one who wants your attention is Elliana," Esther nodded to Elliana, "But, I do have a question,"

"Ask away," Jackson bend down to grab the box

"Is my sister the one for you? Because if she's not then you lost the most gorgeous lady in the Kingdom," Esther grinned, crossing her arm

"Esther!" Elliana shouted, hitting Esther's arm, but wanted to know the answer

"Oh, um, uh....," Jackson walked away with the box, "I do see myself with Elliana for a long time, but let's see what the future holds for us, but I can assure you, I won't let you go that easy," Jackson smiled and winked at Elliana

"Wow, I see a wedding in the future," Esther sang, skipping to the counter where the box was

"Esther," Elliana whined, her cheeks burning

"Aw! Elliana is blushing," Jackson gushed, pulling her into a hug

"No couple interactions in front of me. I'll be in the back if you need me," Esther walked into the kitchen with materials from the box
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"Excuse me? Is anyone here?" A voice called out

Esther raised her head, confused. Why isn't nobody in the front? Sure today was a slow day, but that didn't mean for them to leave it. Esther wiped her hands on her apron and walked out of the kitchen. A man stood at the counter, a cloak covering his face.

"Oh, uh, excuse me. Sorry for the wait," Esther apologized, but was afraid

"No, it's fine. Can I have a chocolate twister and two kolaches," He said, taking his hood off

"Sure," Esther walked over to the display and grabbed a chocolate twister and kolaches with different tissues and placed them in separate bags

"Would you like the kolaches warm?" Esther asked

"Yes, please,"

Esther put the kolaches in the microwave, push in 30 seconds and push began. She turned towards the man.

"Will that be all, s- Oh my god! Anastasios?" Esther covered her mouth, staring at him

"Took you long enough, Esther," Anastasios smiled

"Well, how was I suppose to know it was you with that cloak?" Esther glared at him

"Well, I guess you forgot my voice that quickly," Anastasios frowned

"Oh, don't be a baby even where's Lukas? The both of you are always stuck together," Esther asked, looking over his shoulder

"He's not here," Anastasios stated, quickly

"Oh, that's too bad. I wonder if he still likes raspberry donuts or if his ego is still bigger than his brain," Esther shrugged her shoulders and took the kolaches out when the microwave beeped

"How much do I owe you," Anastasios asked, taking out his wallet

"It's on me. Even I want to know what you've been up too," Esther smiled at him, "Oh, I need to check the kitchen, you can take a seat. I'll be right there," Esther rushed off into the kitchen

She quickly did the pastries, covered it with parchment paper and placed it on a rack. She checked the pastries in the oven and took out the ones that were ready onto an cooling rack and let the other pastries continue to bake. Esther cleaned up her mess and reminded herself to clean the dishes later. She walked out of the kitchen and looked for Anastasios, to find him at his regular table. Esther smiled and walked over to him, she took a seat and smiled at Anastasios to which he smiled back.

"So, how has life been?" Esther asked

"If I'm being honest, stressful. Just too many things coming to me one after another," Anastasios sighed, rubbing his neck

"Sorry to hear that, but you are a man, so you'll be taking over your father's business or life,"

"Esther, that is very sexist," Anastasios joked

"I'm saying the truth even I want to ask you something that's been bugging me," Esther leaned forward

"What is it?" Nathaniel also leaned forward

"Is Lukas a prince? I know I'm talking nonsense, but Prince Lukas looks like Lukas and has the same name as him, so-"

"When did you see him?" Anastasios asked, butting in

"The parade. He walked by the cafe and he looked so similar to Lukas," Esther squint her eyes, remembering

"And what if he was? What would you do?" Anastasios asked

"To be honest, I wouldn't know. I would treat him with respect. Oh God, I would need to get on my knees so he can forgive me for calling his brain small," Esther gasped, mortified

"I'm a prince also," Anastasios said out of the blue

"Huh? Come again," Esther looked at him confused and flabbergasted

"I'm Prince Anastasios of Jian, the next King," Anastasios introduced himself, placing a seal on the table

Esther stood abruptly, stumbling backwards, the chair moving along with her. Esther didn't know what to say. Two of her friends were princes and she spoke to them like regular people.

"Esther," Anastasios walked slowly to her, reaching out

"Oh, um," Esther couldn't speak, she was too shock

"I know it's a lot of information to take in, but that doesn't mean our relationship has to change,"

Esther stared at him then looked down, her hand laying on her hip which held the engraved crown and initials of her mothers name. I'm also a royal, but a hidden one. Nobody knows that mother had children or that she was alive.

"Esther, are you fine? I shouldn't have sprung that on you. I'm sorry," Anastasios apologized

"Don't apologize. I would've known sooner or later, but it's just a lot to process. That two of my friends are princes who became friends with me," Esther chuckled, still shocked

"I didn't want our reunion to be like this, but it seems I ruined it," Anastasios frowned, ashamed of himself

"How long are you staying here?" Esther asked, staring at him

"A week or two. I have important matters here and I wanted to catch up with Lukas and you," Anastasios smiled

"Well, we can figure out what to do after today, but I think today has been... informative and you need to sleep. I can see the bags hanging off your face," Esther reached to touch his face, but stopped herself

"How could you see that?" Anastasios cautiously touched his eye bags

"Its very noticeable, so you need rest and you being here isn't doing you justice,"

"You want me gone, don't you?" Anastasios sadly smiled

"W-what, no! Sure, I'm still shocked on the information you told me, but your health is more important than you being here," Esther tried to reassure him

"Esther, you don't need to lie. I un-,"

"No, you don't understand. I'm not kicking you out because I feel uncomfortable or because you're a prince. I'm telling you that your health is important and you need to rest. Even we or I need to process this information, so please don't take it the wrong way. I just care for you even if we don't know each other that well," Esther explained

"You haven't changed, I'm glad you haven't," Anastasios pulled Esther into a hug, "I'm sorry for making you more uncomfortable, but I've been waiting to give you a hug,"

"You know I lost hope in seeing you and Lukas, but there was always a tiny speck of it, hanging around," Esther wrapped her arms around Anastasios, "I'm glad that speck of hope stayed with me,"

The both of them stayed like that for a while until they were interrupted by someone.