Page 60 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

Elena pinched her eyebrows together as she stared down at her clasped hands. Caroline had a point. She’d never sought approval so strongly before in her life.

And for the first time, she worried she wouldn’t receive it. In Eldoria, it came almost freely. Many people disagreed with her, of course, but acceptance was nearly guaranteed when you’d rule the country one day.

“You’re right,” Elena answered, her shoulders slumping. “And I am terrified I will not have it. This gift must be perfect.”

“No, it must be heartfelt. That is all. And if they do not accept it, then they are not worth your time, quite simply put, Your High–”

“Ah,” she said with a wag of her finger.

Caroline pressed her lips together with a grin. “Now, where shall we lunch? I, personally, am starving.”

“Oh, I see. The early lunch has little to do with my mindset and more to do with your stomach, is it?”

“Both,” Caroline said as she climbed to her feet.

They settled on a French cafe, enjoying the sweet crepes as they discussed options for the gift.

Elena poked a fork at her ladies’ maid after she scooped whipped cream off her plate and slid it into her mouth. “A charm bracelet for Maddie. With a charm of a teacup to symbolize ourride at the fair.”

“Oh, that’s quite a lovely idea. You see, the food helped.”

“I will admit, it did. And I hope I will be able to add to those charms with her.”

Caroline dabbed at the corners of her lips before she lifted her glass. “They would be fools if they did not accept you, darling.”

Elena raised her glass toward her ladies’ maid. “Then we shall hope they are not fools.”

“Now, what have you decided on for Mrs. Kingsley? Surely, not a charm bracelet.”

“Oh, no,” Elena answered with a shake of her head, “but I thought perhaps some teas. There are some lovely blends, and I could include a handwritten note about each.”

Caroline smiled at her. “That’s a lovely idea. I saw a teashop around the corner.”

“Yes, I saw it, too. I hope they’ll have some lovely choices there.”

“Well, if Mrs. Kingsley and Maddie do not love your gifts, they are mad,” Caroline said. “You’ve chosen quite well.”

Elena grinned at her. “Let’s go pick them out.”

They spent the rest of the afternoon completing their shopping. They carried their packages back to the apartment in a cloud of laughter. It came to a screeching halt as they rounded the corner to approach the apartment building’s entrance.

Leaning against the bricks near the door, stood her cousin Julian.

Elena’s posture stiffened as she tightened her grip on her packages, her jaw flexing.

“Oh, dear,” Caroline murmured.

He peeled himself from the bricks as they approached. “Well, if it isn’t my dear cousin Elena and her trusted ladies’ maid, Carolyn.”

“Caroline,” Elena corrected, her eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

“To visit your…what appears to be very modest living quarters.” He raised his gaze to the windows above them.

“My living quarters are none of your concern, cousin,” she said as she pushed past him toward the door.

“Aren’t they? They may be. I am…so very concerned for you, Elena.”

“I doubt that,” she answered as she whipped around to face him.

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