Page 105 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Elena’s forehead creased. “Yes, I know. Stubborn, bull-headed.”

“And intelligent, kind, warm, so many wonderful qualities, but one of his best is his ability to rethink a situation he has misjudged.”

Elena chewed her lower lip. She had already done that, rethinking her engagement to Eric and accepting it.

“You know, we had quite a row the night he collected you in Sterling City.”

Elena snapped her gaze to her mother. “You did?”

“Yes,” Queen Sophia said with a nod. “He was very angry about your behavior, but what he hadn’t considered was that forcing you to choose your country over your heart could be detrimental. And that there needn’t be any such choice.”

“So you…”

“Convinced him, yes. In a very…loud manner.” Her mother grinned at her.

Elena chuckled. “Mother, I have never known you to be loud.”

“Perhaps not. But I promise you, your father and I hadquite the argument about it. And after that he considered it all and changed course.”

“What are you saying, Mother?”

“I am saying that arguments can be terrible, but sometimes it can make you rethink, reevaluate, and grow stronger.”

“I think I have done just that,” Elena answered.

Her mother offered her a slight smile. “Then if you feel you have, that is all I can ask. Though, perhaps…”

Elena cocked her head, prodding her mother to continue.

“Perhaps your rounds ought to include Mr. Kingsley. I believe you two deserve the chance to speak one last time before he departs.”

Elena offered her mother a fleeting smile as the woman patted her hand. “And that is the end of my advice.”

“Thank you, Mother. I do appreciate you stopping to check on me, though I promise I am fine.” She offered another weak smile as they rose.

Queen Sophia pulled Elena into a tight hug before she gave her arms another rub and left her behind.

Elena swallowed hard as the door clicked shut. Her lower lip trembled as she considered her mother’s words. She had pivoted based on the argument this morning. She had rethought just as her father had. Would they be proud of her?

The last statement her mother made seemed to contradict everything else. She wasn’t certain she could face Nate one final time.

She hated to leave the angry words between them, but she couldn’t face him again. Not now. Not with her engagement to Prince Eric looming over her.

And she couldn’t face a painful goodbye. She’d used her anger to fuel her steps from the room when she’d left him behind, but with the strong emotion fading, she feared shewould fall apart.

Her stomach twisted into a knot as she imagined the conversation, the coldness that would exist between them where warmth had only been before, the stiff words when laughter had normally filled their space.

Her tongue darted nervously over her dry lips, a subconscious gesture betraying the tension coursing through her.

No, she couldn’t face Nate. With her decision made, she picked herself up off her bed and forced herself into the hall. Her knees wobbled as she made her way to the hall containing the Kingsleys’ bedrooms.

With a shaky breath, she knocked on the door of Nate’s parents. A moment later, Victoria opened it, her features softening the moment she spotted Elena.

Their suitcases sat open as they filled them with clothes.

Tears welled in Elena’s eyes, but she shoved them aside, plastering a polite smile onto her face. “Hello, Mrs. Kingsley. I assume you heard the unfortunate news.”

Victoria clicked her tongue, her forehead creasing as she nodded. “Yes. You and Nate had quite the argument. I’m so sorry, honey.”

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