Page 29 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

ELENA

As Elena smoothed her dress, she caught her reflection narrowing its gaze back at her. A flutter of excitement tangled with a trace of doubt in her stomach. “Caroline!” she called, her voice a mix of anticipation and concern.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Ugh, please stop calling me that. You’re going to forget and call me that in front of people. Remember, I’m Ellie.”

Caroline arched an eyebrow, giving her a head shake. “I’m sorry,Ellie, what is it that you needed?”

“That’s much better,” Elena said as she lifted her chin and stared back in the mirror. “Do you think this dress is too much for pizza?”

Caroline’s tone was playful yet pointed as she appraised Elena’s choice with narrowed eyes. “For a pizza date? It might be a touch over the top. You’re dressed as if you’re offto watch Prince Alexander at a polo match, not go to a pizza parlor.”

Elena heaved a sigh. “I knew it. I must change.”

She glanced at the clock, her shoulders slumping. “And I haven’t much time.”

She dashed to the closet, her hands flying through the array of clothes as a silent panic began to set in. Each piece she touched whispered a tale of a past life, none of which seemed to fit the narrative of the evening ahead. “I haven’t a thing to wear,” she lamented, the weight of the simple yet profound decision pressing down on her.

“Oh, Your Highness–”

“Ah!” Elena said with a wag of her finger.

“Ellie,” Caroline said, “perhaps something a bit more casual. Slacks paired with your emerald top, and the lovely scarf you received from your mother for your birthday.”

“Oh, yes, that might be quite lovely. Do you think Nathan will think so?”

Caroline tugged the shirt from the drawer with an amused sigh. “I think if Nathan does not find you lovely in any outfit, he is not worth your time.”

“Aren’t we snobby,” Elena said with a chuckle.

“When it comes to you, we are, yes. You, dear, are a special woman with or without your crown. I only hope he sees that.”

“I think he does. I think he sees the true me,” Elena mused, a hopeful lilt in her voice that quickly faltered into uncertainty. “But what if I’m wrong?”

The question hung in the air, a shadow over her burgeoning excitement.

“Then, you may have some unrequited feelings, I’m afraid. And you will experience what most average women do…a broken heart.”

Elena frowned as Caroline unzipped herdress. “But from the way he looked at you in the park, I don’t believe you’ll have to worry about that.”

Elena shimmied from the dress and spun to grin at her ladies’ maid before she tugged her top over her head. “I hope not.”

She pulled on the pants and slid into the shoes Caroline delivered to her before she stood. As her ladies’ maid styled the scarf around her neck, Elena’s phone chimed.

“Oh, that must be Nathan,” she said as she reached for it. “It is!”

She let out a squeal as she toggled into the app to read his message, her grin fading quickly.Hey…I have some bad news. I’ve got a change of plans.

Her heart, previously fluttering with anticipation, now sank with disappointment.

“What is it?” Caroline asked.

“Nathan. He says he has a change of plans.” She frowned as she typed a response.Oh no. I hope everything is all right with you.

He answered within seconds.Everything’s fine…it’s just that I’m stuck with my little sister. I’m sorry. I really wanted to see you tonight.

Elena crinkled her brow at the message.Does she not like pizza? I’m happy to switch. I’d like to see you, too.

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