“For you,” Kayleen murmured.

The main door to the suite opened and a tall, gray-haired man strode into the suite.

“As’ad. There you are. Oh. You’re having dinner with your family.”

“Father,” As’ad said as he rose.

Father? Something nagged at the back of Kayleen’s mind, before bursting free. Father? As in the king?

She jumped to her feet and motioned for the girls to do the same. Once they were standing she didn’t know what to do next. Bow? Curtsy?

As’ad glanced at her, then the girls. “Father, this is Kayleen, the girls’ nanny.” Then he introduced each of the sisters. “Ladies, this is my father, King Mukhtar.”

Three mouths dropped open. Kayleen kept hers shut by sheer force of will.

The king nodded graciously. “I am delighted to meet all of you. Welcome to the royal palace of El Deharia. May you live long, with happiness and health in abundance. May these strong walls always protect you and provide solace.”

Kayleen swallowed. As greetings went, it was a really good one.

“Thank you so much for your hospitality,” she murmured, still trying to accept the fact that she was in the presence of a real live king. Which meant As’ad really was a prince.

She knew he held the title, but she didn’t think of him as royal or powerful. Yet he was.

The king motioned to the table. “May I?”

Kayleen felt her eyes widen. “Of course, Your Highness. Please. We weren’t expecting you, so the meal isn’t exactly…traditional.”

The king took a seat. As’ad motioned for them to resume theirs. Mukhtar studied the various serving bowls, then scooped some macaroni and cheese onto a plate.

“I haven’t had this in years.”

“It was my pick,” Pepper told him. “It’s my favorite. They make it really good here. Sometimes, at the orphanage, Kayleen would sneak us into the kitchen and make the kind in a box. That’s good, too.”

The king smiled. “So my chef has competition.”