Tasting
Chapter 368

368–Caught With The Royal Beta

Nora:

“They are here,” he whispered this time as we entered a grand mansion guarded by numerous sentries. He had to excuse them and guide me inside discreetly while they were preoccupied with him. Once inside the mansion, I was astonished to replace it completely deserted.

There was only one room with some light spilling from it, and as Rollo pointed towards it, I realized it was the room where my babies were kept. Rushing to the room, I intended to enter when Rollo grasped my arm and pulled me behind the wall. Our eyes met briefly. I hadn’t anticipated being so close to him. His gaze was fixated on my lips, and I had to look away to bring him back to the present.

He snapped out of it by shaking his head, then placed his finger over his lips, signaling for me to stay silent. “Stay here,” he mouthed before stepping out from behind the wall and entering the room.

“Royal beta Rollo,” one of the nannies said.

“What’s happening? Why are the kids crying so much?” Rollo asked in a serious tone. I could hear a lot of noise coming from inside. It seemed none of the babies were sleeping peacefully. My heart began to race, my hands trembling, yearning to hold and comfort them.

It was honestly so weird that I had taken on the role of mother so quickly. My world now revolves around my babies now.

“They are such a nuisance. Every time of the day they aren’t with their mother, they act like nothing can comfort them,” the nanny complained. I closed my eyes because it pained me to hear someone talk about my children like that. They were infants; of course, they were unsettled without their mother. But then again, these nannies were not at fault. I cannot hate them even if I want to. They have been taking care of my kids when I am not with them.

“It’s alright. Why don’t you three take a nap while I bring in someone else to care for them?” Rollo suggested. As he mentioned “three,” I realized that it was indeed true that one of my babies was not here. Roman was kept somewhere else. Sometimes I wonder what he might be thinking about me and why I don’t spend time with him.

Perhaps he is too young to question these things for now, but when he grows up–no! I am not going to dwell on that. By the time they are older, I will be with them all the time.

“But are you sure? Or should we wait for the other maids to arrive first?” The nanny seemed hesitant to leave. Their voices made me realize they were tired too.

“Yeah, it will be fine. It’s not like they can get out of their cribs and run away,” he joked, and the nannies began gathering their things to leave. They hurried out, and I got a glimpse of them–hair disheveled and clothes wrinkled. Of course, they had been with the babies all day. Normally, they would rest while I took care of them at night.

After they left, Rollo returned and leaned against the wall. “Go, your babies are waiting for you,” he said softly. I quickly sprang up and rushed inside to my babies.

Tears streamed down my face as I kissed each of them, smiling through my misty eyes. It took me a while to get them settled, but they eventually stopped crying. Every moment I spent with them was precious. Rollo remained outside, guarding the area and ensuring no one disturbed me.

I guess I was so happy that I didn’t realize three hours had passed before Rollo stepped inside the room. Seeing him was a reminder that my time was up, and I had to return to my room without my children.

“I’m sorry,” he said immediately.

“Don’t be. It was your decision too,” I replied bitterly. I was angry because everyone contributed to the idea that I shouldn’t be allowed near my babies. Even though it was early in my pregnancy, it still felt like they disregarded a mother’s feelings.

“I know, and I regret it every time I see you cry for them,” he said. His words were kind, but they didn’t affect me much. He only felt bad now because we had developed a bond. If we hadn’t, he would have been fine watching me cry every day for my babies.

“Mommy will see you again soon.” With a kiss to each baby’s forehead, I left the room. I felt overwhelmed and didn’t want to talk to Rollo for a while. But by the time I was back in the mansion’s backyard, I had gathered my composure.

“Thank you,” I said. As he turned around to respond, I noticed someone behind him.