Page 20 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

“You worry it will color his decision.”

Elena stared into space, her features introspective. “Doesn’t it always?”

“Then you have your answer,” Caroline said as she leaned over the counter toward her charge. “Is he still sending you messages?”

The question brought the grin back to Elena’s face. “He is. He wants to know what impresses me.”

“Mmm, what an interesting question. And what have you told him?”

“Kindness, humor, and someone who is themselves.”

Caroline smiled at her. “What a perfect answer. Shall we get you dressed?”

Elena nodded as she hopped off the stool.

“And what is in the cards for today?Assuming you can stop looking at your phone?” Caroline asked as she brushed Elena’s hair.

“There is a painting class in the park. I’d like to go, and then I can send my father a picture to attest to my stellar behavior.”

“A very good plan, Your Highness.”

“Will you join me?”

“If you’d like, dear,” she answered as she finished with the ponytail.

“Yes, very much, I would. We can chat about boys.”

After pulling on her clothes, she and Caroline made their way to the painting class in Mariner’s Park. Warm memories of the night before floated through Elena as she strolled through the green space, appreciating the warmth of the late spring sun.

The park bloomed with vibrant hues of spring, a live canvas that contrasted with the stark white of hers. Elena dipped her brush into a swirl of blue and greens, attempting to capture the carousel’s whimsical motion, its lights a blur of colors.

As the light breeze tickled her skin, she swept her brush over the canvas, capturing the carousel in the distance that had provided so many smiles the night before.

“Yours is quite lovely,” Caroline said as they worked.

“Thank you. Although your work is much better than mine. It captures the fountain quite well.”

“Perhaps you should send mine to your father,” Caroline said with a giggle.

“He’d never believe that was my work,” Elena answered. “You are too fast, Elena, he always says. Take your time to really nurture the artwork.”

She flicked her gaze back to the carousel, trying to find some detail to bring her painting to life when she noted afamiliar form. Her heart skipped a beat, and she sucked in a breath.

“Oh, it’s not that bad, Your Highness.”

“Shh, first, stop calling me that in public. I’m Ellie. And second, it’s not that. It’s Nathan.” Ellie lifted her chin as Nathan’s form stalked down the path, a bag dangling from his fingers. “Should I say hello?”

“Oh, uh–”

“I will,” Elena answered before Caroline could.

She rushed off toward him, her heart thudding against her ribs. “Nathan!”

He didn’t answer, continuing at a fast clip that caused her to almost jog after him. “Nathan!”

He stopped and spun. She offered him a fleeting grin that faded as she read something clouding his eyes.

“Ellie,” he said, surprise lacing his voice as it cracked a little.

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