The Prince’s Secret Twins (Al-Sintra Family #2)

Chapter 22

Tila snuggled with Rafi while Laith was having “tummy time” on the floor by her feet. One of the day nannies was down on the floor with him, offering him various toys.

Having time to think wasn’t necessarily a good thing. She wanted to talk to someone about what was going on between herself and Joran, but Tila didn’t have any close friends here at the palace.

“Good morning!” a soft, feminine voice called out.

Tila turned to find a beautiful woman…well, a teenage girl…stepping into the nursery. Immediately, Tila’s mood brightened. “Good morning Marianna,” Tila replied, smiling warmly. “How are you? How’s university life?”

Marianna shrugged. At seventeen, Joran’s half-sister was already in her first year of university. “It’s fine. Not really very hard though,” she said and stopped several feet away. “Could I help in any way?” she asked, looking down at Laith on the floor.

The nanny immediately stood up, looking to Tila for confirmation. “Should I come back in an hour?”

Tila smiled gratefully. “That would be wonderful. Thank you.”

Marianna still hesitated. “Please,” Tila urged. “Come on in. These little guys love visitors, but watch your hair. They are stronger and more determined than they look.”

Marianna laughed but she moved closer, bending down to gently lift Laith into her arms. “Goodness, you’re a big boy!” she teased, sitting down with Laith in her arms as she perched on the edge of the rocking chair. “How are you doing? How’s life here in this…” she looked around as if trying to define her home. “Prison?” she teased. “Sorry,” she cringed. “I need to stop saying things like that, shouldn’t I?”

Tila smiled. “You don’t like living here?”

Marianna smiled down at the baby in her arms, making faces at him while wiggling one of the colorful toys. “I came here about a year ago after my mother died.” She made another face, causing Laith to wiggle with delight. “It was…difficult,” she continued. Finally, she looked over at Tila. “Khal, Joran, and Raj are my half-brothers. They are a bit intimidating, aren’t they?’

“They are,” she agreed with a nod. “Do you get along with them?”

“I do,” she replied, but Tila heard the hesitation in her voice. “At least, we’re trying.” She was silent for a long moment, then she blurted out, “I need to pick a major pretty soon.” She grimaced, then made another face and wiggled the toy that Laith was trying to stuff into his mouth. “It’s weird trying to decide what direction my life will go when I’m not even old enough to vote.”

Tila chuckled, nodding her head. “I remember trying to decide what I wanted to study, and you’re right. It’s a bit overwhelming.” She handed Marianna another toy and grabbed one for Rafi. “Do you enjoy the classes you’re currently taking?”

“They’re fine,” she replied, looking sad. “I thought they would be more interesting. I graduated high school early because I was bored and wanted something more challenging.” She sighed. “So far, university classes haven’t done that yet.”

“The mandatory freshman classes are a bit…tedious, from what I remember.”

Marianna looked at Tila and grinned. “You don’t look old enough to have those fond memories.”

“Oh, I’m twenty-nine, so it wasn’t too long ago that I attended university. But it’s been long enough that I am able to reminisce about the easy-going lifestyle.”

“Yeah, that’s not something I’m going to experience.” Marianna glanced over her shoulder at the bodyguards that always hovered nearby. “You get used to them,” she told Tila.

For the next hour, Tila relaxed and chatted with Marianna, enjoying her company. They laughed at Laith and Rafi’s expressions and Tila slowly relaxed, enjoying the company of another woman. It gave her a bit of hope that the future here in this intimidating place wouldn’t be as bleak.