Her Forbidden Prince – Introduction
Al-Sintra Family
Rafi’s Story…
“Hey!” Rafi whispered, ensuring they wouldn’t rouse their bodyguards.
Laith blinked sleepily but, upon seeing Rafi’s mischievous grin, quickly became alert. “What are we doing?”
“Remember how Angela stole our dessert tonight?” Rafi’s voice was a conspiratorial hush.
Laith’s eyes narrowed with playful determination. “Yeah. We’re getting her back tonight, right?”
“Absolutely! We can’t let her get away with her shenanigans,” Rafi affirmed, motioning for Laith to follow.
The twins moved with surprising stealth for their age, pausing only to ensure their bodyguards weren’t trailing them. Unbeknownst to them, the palace guards, familiar with the princes’ antics, maintained a discreet distance, allowing the boys their fun while ensuring their safety.
Navigating the ornately decorated corridors adorned with rich tapestries and gilded accents, Rafi led Laith to their cousin Angela’s chamber. Gently pushing open the door, they tiptoed inside, the soft glow of a nightlight casting gentle shadows. Suppressing giggles, they carefully gathered Angela’s beloved stuffed animals and dolls, tying them up with ribbons Rafi had pilfered earlier. To add a dramatic flair, they fashioned tiny “gags” for each toy, creating a scene of mock captivity.
Mission accomplished, the twins retreated to their room. As Rafi settled back into bed, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction, eagerly anticipating Angela’s reaction come morning.
Just as the sun was starting to lighten the room, Laith’s urgent whisper pierced the silence. “Rafi!”
Groaning, Rafi rolled over, fatigue weighing on him. “What is it, Laith?”
“Look!”
Opening his eyes, Rafi found himself face-to-face with one of his toy dinosaurs, now adorned with drawn-on “evil” eyebrows and a menacing grin. Startled, he sat up, only to discover his entire collection of toys—dinosaurs, soldiers, stuffed animals, even his cherished Mr. Potato Head—arranged around his bed, all bearing similar sinister expressions.
“How did she do that?” Rafi whispered, equal parts awe and confusion.
Laith chuckled softly. “She’s good.”
A moment of silence passed before Rafi broke into laughter, the sound echoing softly in their chamber. “She’s scary!” he admitted, admiration lacing his words.
The twins’ laughter subsided as they marveled at Angela’s swift and cunning retaliation, a testament to the hilarious rivalry that between the royals of Lativa.
Carys’ Story…
Carys couldn’t believe her eyes. A young boy, no older than eight or nine, stood in the middle of the animal shelter, clutching a stick with a determined look. Nearby, his parents watched with approving smiles as he approached a timid dog named Snoopy, who cowered in the corner of his kennel.
“Don’t do it!” Carys called out, her voice firm and urgent. She quickly moved toward the boy, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and anger. How had he even gotten a stick into the shelter? More importantly, why were his parents allowing this behavior?
The boy froze, his hand gripping the stick tightly. His parents turned to Carys, their expressions a mix of surprise and indignation.
“What’s wrong?” the boy demanded, his eyebrows knitting over piercing blue eyes.
Carys knelt to his level, gently but firmly taking the stick from his hand. “We don’t hit dogs,” she said, her voice steady but laced with concern. “That’s not how we teach them.”
The boy’s face twisted with defiance. “But that’s how they learn! I don’t want a dog that will poop on my bed!”
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Carys replied, “Dogs prefer to do their business outside. If they have accidents indoors, it’s usually because they weren’t given the chance to go out.” She then looked up at the parents, her gaze unwavering. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think adopting a dog is the right choice for your family today.”
The mother’s eyes widened in disbelief, her hand pressing against her chest as if personally affronted. “I beg your pardon,” she said, her tone dripping with disdain. “We came here to expand our family, and this is how we’re treated?”
Before Carys could respond, Maggie, the shelter manager, approached, sensing the escalating tension. “Is there a problem here?” she asked calmly, her eyes shifting between Carys and the family.
Carys stood, her cheeks flushed with emotion. “This young man was about to hit Snoopy with a stick,” she explained, her voice tight.
Maggie’s gaze hardened slightly as she turned to the family. “Is that true?”
The mother stepped forward, her posture rigid. “My son was merely trying to establish discipline. Boys will be boys, after all. And your employee,” she added, casting a scornful glance at Carys, “handled the situation with unnecessary aggression.”
Maggie maintained her composure, recognizing the type of confrontation from past experiences. “Why don’t we discuss this in my office?” she suggested, gesturing toward the lobby.
The mother huffed but nodded. “Very well. Come along, Raymond. Let’s address this… misunderstanding.”
As the family followed Maggie, the boy—Raymond—cast a smug glance over his shoulder at Carys. He thought he’d won, but Carys knew her boss.
Left alone, Carys felt a wave of frustration wash over her. She turned back to Snoopy’s kennel, her heart aching at the sight of the frightened dog. Entering the enclosure, she crouched down, extending a hand. “It’s okay, Snoopy,” she murmured soothingly. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Snoopy hesitated for a moment before inching closer, his large, soulful eyes reflecting a mix of fear and hope. As he pressed his head against her hand, Carys felt a surge of determination. She would ensure that Snoopy, and all the animals in the shelter’s care, found loving homes where they would be cherished and protected.
Holding Snoopy close, she made a mental note to contact other shelters in the area, warning them about the family. If a child exhibited such blatant cruelty at a young age, it was a red flag that couldn’t be ignored. Ensuring the safety and well-being of their animals was paramount, and Carys was committed to upholding that responsibility.
As Snoopy nestled into her embrace, Carys whispered, “Don’t worry, buddy. We’ll find you a family that deserves you.”
Snoopy responded with a gentle lick on her cheek, a small gesture of trust that reaffirmed Carys’s resolve to protect those who couldn’t speak for themselves.
