Page 64 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

“I’m not going to judge you. It’s fine. Why are you hiding in the hedges?”

She swallowed hard. “Well, I…have been hired by the newspaper…a freelance article covering a royal who happens to be in Sterling City. And I tracked him to this very cafe. I was trying to get a picture…for my article.”

“Prince Julian?” he asked.

The color drained from her face. “What?”

“Is it Prince Julian? Eh, from…Eldorado.”

“Eldoria,” she corrected.

He snapped his fingers, then pointed at her. “That’s it.Right. Good thing you were here, or I may have insulted him. Hey, I was going to call and ask since you’re from the UK…am I supposed to bow or something?”

“No, not when he is outside of his country, and you are in your own which does not recognize royal protocols.” She shook her head. “Wait, what do you mean you would have insulted him?”

“Well,” he said with a coy smile, “I actually scored a meeting with His Royal Highness. He’s interested in investing in a few of my projects.”

“He said what?”

Nate screwed up his face at her panicked words.

“I’m sorry. I’m just…nervous about this story.”

“Well, here’s the thing. I can get you your royal scoop. Hey, in fact, you could come with me. Meet him up close and personal. That’d be quite the scoop, right?”

“No, I can’t do that,” she said with a shake of her head.

“Why not? I’ll tell him you’re my girlfriend, and you are well-versed in royal protocols, so I brought you along.”

“Terrible idea. If I should print something private, he could become very angry and take it out on you. No, best you go on your own.”

“Oh, right. I hadn’t thought of that. And that’s very sweet that you did,” he said with a grin before he kissed her cheek. “No wonder I love you.”

She offered another nervous chuckle.

“Hey, maybe I could ask if he’d give you an interview. It would be great if he’s investing in the business.”

“No, no. Don’t do that. I’ll be fine. My article is due soon, and I have all the information I need. I just…wanted a picture.”

“I see. All right. Well, I hope you got what you needed. I better head in there before I’m late. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck,” she said, her voicebreathless.

“No bowing, right? Oh, and should I mention that I saw the crown he’ll wear?”

She shook her head. “No, because he’s not…I wouldn’t. Could be construed as tacky.”

“Oh, right, good point. I don’t know that much about royals. Good thing I have you.”

She pumped a fist in the air. “Good luck, darling.”

He flashed her his crossed fingers and a wink. She offered him a wave, a nervous smile on her features. Maybe he could learn something that would be interesting for her article and pass it along to her later.

He approached the hostess stand and asked for Prince Julian. The man led him to a table where the prince sipped tea, leisurely watching the people stroll past. He was the perfect picture of aristocratic nonchalance.

Nate chuckled to himself as he approached.

“Your Highness,” Nate said as he hovered at the table.

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