Page 108 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

She raised her chin, trying to strengthen her resolve under the scrutiny of his gaze. “I will not call it off. I love Nathan, and our relationship is real.”

She shot Nate a pleading gaze, hoping he still wanted her. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer.

“Elena,” King Frederick said, his voice a warning. “I warn you not to test me.”

She interlaced her fingers through Nate’s. “This is not a whim, nor a game. Please, Father.”

“Neither is your duty to your country and your family.” The King’s measured words were both a king’s command and a father’s plea. “You know the weight of the crown and the sacrifices it demands. I will not–cannot–allow you to forsake your responsibilities for a…momentary infatuation.”

“Momentary infatuation? That is not at all what this is. You have been listening to Julian far too much. He only means to sow trouble between us.”

“Julian is not a part of this.”

“Isn’t he? Is it not him who alerted you to my…unseemly behavior?”

King Frederick’s voice carried a steel edge, tempered by years of rule but tainted by a father’s upset. “You are leaving me with little choice, Elena, though I had hoped to resolve this quietly for your sake and our family’s.”

“I cannot abandon my heart, nor pretend my feelings are fleeting. I will not. You must allow me my choice.”

For a moment, King Frederick’s expression softened, revealing the father beneath the crown. But his next words sliced through her heart, a decree that brokered no deals and offered no leeway. “I am sorry, Elena. Truly, I am. But the time for discussions has passed. You will return with me tonight. If you refuse…”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “If I refuse?”

“I shall take the necessary steps to secure your future and the future of our kingdom.”

The unspoken threat hung heavy between them. Her eyes flitted to the royal guards flanking herfather. She understood what would happen. If they had to, they would rip her from her fiancé and return her to Eldoria.

“That sounds like a threat,” Victoria answered. “And I–”

Elena stepped forward, her voice shaking as she held back sobs. “I will go with you, Father,” she conceded, her voice barely above a whisper.

Each word she spoke sliced a dagger through her heart. “But please, give me a moment.”

“Make it brief,” he answered.

She spun to face them, her eyes filling with tears again. She focused her bleary gaze on Nate. “Nathan–”

“Ellie, don’t go, please.”

“I have no choice,” she sobbed.

Victoria stepped forward. “Honey, if you need help, we have security, too.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Kingsley. But I haven’t a choice. You must know how deeply sorry I am. For everything. I…had the same misgivings you did when you gave me your fake name. But this is not how I wanted things to unfold.”

She sucked in a deep steadying breath. “I only wanted someone to see beyond my crown. Please know my feelings for you are real and profound. I love you, Nathan. And I am truly sorry for any pain I’ve caused.”

“Ellie–”

“Elena, we must go.” King Frederick waved at her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered again as she clapped a hand over her lips and hurried away from the gazebo.

“Ellie, wait!” Nate’s voice called, but she couldn’t.

Tears poured down her cheeks as she raced from the Kingsley’s property, slipping into the royal convoy’s car and burying her face in her hands.

King Frederick slipped inside next to her a moment later. “It is hard now, darling, but you will survive. You are my brave daughter. You will rally.”

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