"You all go ahead," he instructed firmly. "I need to see someone first. And remember, be nice to her. Nnenna is one of us, and we all know that, whether we admit it or not."
Queen Chioma raised a brow at his words but said nothing. The other siblings exchanged glances, reluctant yet obedient, and began making their way inside.
Somto watched them for a moment, ensuring they complied, before adjusting his suit and heading toward another wing of the hospital.
Somto arrived at the director's office, his polished shoes echoing faintly in the hallway. He stopped at the secretary's desk, his face cold and firm.
"Good afternoon. Is Director Ikenna around? I would like to speak with him."
The secretary, a middle aged woman with sharp eyes and a meticulous demeanor, glanced up from her computer. "Do you have an appointment with the Director?" she asked, her tone professional and slightly guarded.
Somto shook his head slowly but confidently. "No, I don't. Just let him know that Somto is here," he replied evenly, his voice carrying the quiet assurance of someone who wasn't used to being turned away.
The receptionist smiled politely but firmly. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you go in without an appointment. He's the director, you know, and you'll need an appointment first," she explained before shifting her attention back to her screen, signaling the conversation was over.
Somto glanced at his phone, ready to call Ikenna directly, when the door to the office swung open with a loud creak.
"Did I just hear Somto's voice?" Ikenna exclaimed, his tone filled with surprise and excitement as he stepped out. His eyes lit up as they landed on the tall figure of the First Prince. "You're really here!"
The receptionist froze mid click, realizing her mistake. A wave of panic washed over her as she quickly pieced together what had just happened.
The warm and enthusiastic way Director Ikenna addressed the man before her made it clear that this wasn't just anyone. She had been too slow to act, and it was dawning on her that she might have made a huge error in judgment.
"When did you come back? Why didn't you tell Four you were coming back? Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? Is this about your sister again?" Ikenna fired off question after question in rapid succession, barely taking a breath between each one.
Somto remained calm, his tone as steady as ever. "I came back to see my sister, but I decided to check on you all first. I want to know how she's doing from you."
Ikenna nodded quickly, his words spilling out with his usual smoothness. "Oh, yeah, sure. But let's go see Four first. I'm pretty sure he would want to see you. And I can tell you everything on the way since her room's on the same floor as his."
With that, Ikenna gestured for Somto to follow him, already launching into explanations about Nnenna's condition and Four's activities, his voice animated.
Ikenna had been eager to see Somto for a while now, especially to find out if he had any information about the girl. Somto's agreement to visit Four gave him the perfect opportunity to address his curiosity.
"So, you see why we should check on Four too," Ikenna said, trying to sound casual but failing to hide his interest. "I mean, what's he still doing in the hospital? It's been months. Why isn't he walking yet? Shouldn't he have been discharged by now?"
Somto walked beside him silently, his mind seemingly elsewhere. But Ikenna's words stirred his curiosity too. Four's condition had indeed dragged on longer than expected.
As they approached the hospital wing, Ikenna continued talking, clearly trying to gauge Somto's thoughts on the matter.
From the wing, they walked to the VIP ward while Ikenna filled Somto in on Nnenna's condition.
"Everything is mostly fine," He continued with a reassuring tone. "She just needs to keep up with her physical therapy, and she'll be all right. So, no need to worry too much about her. Besides, I'm taking good care of her myself."
He paused for a moment, a hint of amusement in his voice, and added, "That sister of yours is... interesting, to say the least. You know, I always thought you were the most outstanding child in the royal family, but your sister? She's on another level. Are you sure your parents gave birth to her?"
Somto raised an eyebrow, but the director kept going, seemingly unaware of his reaction.
"I mean, her skin tone is different from you guys. She's even more beautiful than her so called twin sister. What did she do? Steal her twin's beauty in the womb?
"It's almost like she's not from the same family as your other siblings, her looks, her mannerisms, everything about her feels so... out of place. I've been observing her for months now, and honestly, are you sure she's your real sister?"
Somto's expression remained unreadable as he processed the man's words.
Ikenna's last question made Somto stiffen slightly, though he masked it well. No one was supposed to know. And now, because of this coma, these guys were starting to get suspicious. It wasn't time yet.
"She's my biological sister," Somto replied, his voice calm but firm. "My second sister. She's just different, that's all."
He didn't betray any expression, keeping his tone controlled as he continued. "Look at me, I'm tall and handsome, right? So why can't someone else in our family stand out too? Maybe she got the unique genes from our grandparents."
Ikenna blinked, taken aback by the sudden confidence in his words, but Somto wasn't done. "And about her intelligence, why can't she be smart? You're letting your suspicions run wild, and it's getting weirder by the day. Honestly, no wonder Four banned you from his room."
Somto's words had a subtle sharpness, leaving no room for further questions.
The last part of Somto's words had the desired effect, it distracted Ikenna completely. Just as Somto had planned.