The Hidden Royals (ON HOLD)

34.

Esther sat on the bed, irriated and anxious. She couldn't leave since Lukas and Anastasios were outside of Olivias room and they forced her to walk to her 'room.' Now, she's stuck inside the room with Anastasios and Lukas.

"Can't the both of you leave?" Esther said, looking at the both of them

"Not until you tell us why you were here to see Olivia," Lukas said, leaning against the wall

"Thats a secret between us girls,"

"What's in the bag?" Anastasios asked, nodding his head to the bag

"Nothing for you to know," Esther grabbed the bag

"Esther, just stop acting like this. Just tell us what your hiding," Lukas demanded, having enough

"And why do I need to tell you? If I'm keeping a secret then it needs to remain a secret. That's how secrets work," Esther informed him

"Fine then," Lukas sughed, "I already contacted your father and he's on his way,"

"What?" Esther eyes widened, "Why couldn't you have let me go? He doesn't need to brought into this,"

"Esther, what is going on?" Anastasios asked, staring at her, "You aren't yourself,"

"Well, that's what happens when something goes on inside your head," Esther pointed to her head

Lukas and Anastasios just stared at Esther, just wondering what the hell was going on. Esther held the bag to her, just wanting to be six feet under the ground. Everything was going downhill for her.

"Come on, Esther. Lets wait downstairs for your father," Lukas said, holding out his hand

"Okay," Esther ignored his hand and walked to the door and out

Lukas and Anastasios followed Esther as they walked to the front of the palace doors. Esther was too focused trying to make up a lie to not noticed that Anastasios was speaking to her.

"Esther," Anastasios placed his hand on her shoulder which caused her to jolt

"You scared me," Esther breathed quickly, looking up at Anastasios

"You weren't listening," Anastasios frowned

"Sorry, I... just have too much on my mind," Esther told him, putting on a fake smile

Anastasios grabbed Esther's hand which caused her to take her hand out of his hold. Anastasios felt his heart clenched. 'Why was she acting like this? What happened during the time I was gone?'

They stood there, waiting for Nathaniel to come.

"Esther! Esther, where are you!" Nathaniel yelled, storming through the front door

"Dad," Esther said, running to him, "Im sorry, so sorry. I-I...,"

"Esther, what are you doing here at night?" Nathaniel asked, angry, "What was so important to come here?"

Esther stared at him, her heart beating frantically. What could she say? She couldn't tell them the truth.

"I called for her, Duke Nathaniel,"

Their heads snapped to the speaker. It was Olivia. She had a coat on with her robe sticking out from the bottom

"Your highness," Nathaniel bowed

"No need for that, Duke Nathaniel. I sent a dress to Esther, but it seems I sent the wrong one, so she came here so I can give her the right dress," Olivia explained

"A dress? You didn't need to give Esther a dress. I'm perfectly able to buy my daughter a dress,"

"Oh, but I wanted to give her a gift and why not a dress for the ball today? She has been a great friend to me even though we just barely met," Olivia stated, smiling

Nathaniel frowned. He couldn't understand what was happening.

"Dad, can we go home? We need to sleep before waking up in the morning," Esther told him

Nathaniel looked down at her. He saw fear and pleading in her eyes. He should be disciplining her for leaving and coming to the palace, but he couldn't. He was angry at her, but he couldn't shake off that something was happening and it included Esther.

"Come on, let's go home," Nathaniel wrapped his arm Esther, "Thank you Prince Lukas, Prince Anastasios, and Princess Olivia for caring for my daughter,"

"You'll be coming tonight?" Olivia asked, staring at Esther

"I don't think so," Nathaniel answered

"Marquess Nathaniel, I don't mean to be rude, but this will be a great opportunity for your daughters and I know they've been preparing for it," Olivia explained

"Dad, Elliana has been waiting for this, so please don't let her not go because of me," Esther begged him

"Fine then, but I won't forget this, Esther," Nathaniel sighed, "Well be on our way," Nathaniel bowed and pulled Esther along with him

They walked alongside each other. Nathaniel kept an eye on Esther. He wanted to speak to her, but he couldn't.
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"Get some rest. Today's a big day," Nathaniel told Esther, kissing the side of her head

"But-,"

"Well talk later. Get some rest, birdy," Esther wrapped her arms around him

"I'm so sorry, dad," Esther whispered, tears brimming her eyes

"I know. Now go," Nathaniel pulled away from her and shooed her

Esther sadly smiled and walked towards the stairs. She walked up the stairs and into her room. She saw Elliana sitting up in her bed and looked over at her.

"What were you thinking?" Elliana said, disappointed

"I wasn't thinking," Esther told her, truthfully

"Esther, you need to stop thinking of yourself and put yourself in Dad and mines spot. You've could've gotten hurt and you went of all places to the palace, seriously," Elliana scoffed

"I don't need to be scolded by you, Elliana. I already know what I did was wrong, so just leave me alone,"

"No, Esther! I get to have a say in this as I'm your older sister," Elliana stated

"Okay," Esther said, hanging her dress bag on the rack and going to her bed

"So, that's it? No telling me why you did that?"

"No, I just want to sleep," Esther took her coat off and placed it on the chair at the end of her bed

"You think this is nothing and is just a thing that won't be noticed by others, but others wi-,"

"Goddamn, Elliana!" Esther yelled, hitting her duvets, "Don't you think I know. I just want to sleep, but it seems I can't since you want to lecture me," Esther grabbed her pillow and blanket and walked to the door

"Where are you going?"

"Away from here," Esther left the room and walked to Nathaniels office

She shut the door behind her when she got in. She walked to the couch, laid her pillow and blanket on the couch. She set the alarm on the clock and got into her makeshift bed. Esther let out a breath and stared at the ceiling

"I can do this," Esther's voice cracked