Page 109 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“No, uh…” He stared down at his feet, his mind racing. “Actually, yes, there is something you can help with.”

“Name it.”

His lower lip bobbed as he tried to force himself to ask about Elena’s engagement, but he couldn’t form the words.

“I know this isn’t my place,” Caroline said, her voice lowering as she leaned closer, “but…I do know you and Her Highness have had a terrible row. And…again…not my place, but I believe you both could benefit from a visit with each other.”

He swallowed hard, trying to reconcile her words with the news he’d just gotten. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“I am,” Caroline said. “She is reeling. I know I should not say these things because I am in her confidence, but, Mr. Kingsley, she is terribly hurt and upset. Perhaps if you could only talk–“

“Terribly upset?” He scoffed. “It doesn’t seem like that at all.”

Caroline’s eyebrows pinched. “What do you mean?”

Nate set his hands on his hips. “Prince Eric just told me they are engaged and announcing it tonight. It seems like she’s moved on already.”

Caroline let her gaze fall to the portfolio clasped in her hands.

“So, it’s true?” Nate prodded.

“I am afraid Her Highness is determined to ensure her own misery after your split.”

His jaw clenched as he looked for truth in Caroline’s words. Was Elena doing this out of some sense of loss, or had she merely moved on to accept that she’d need to marry another royal?

Caroline placed a hand against his arm, her eyes pleading. “She doesn’t love him, Mr. Kingsley. I know she is doing this because she is lost without you.”

“Yeah, well, her father didn’t give us the green light,” he retorted bitterly, his frustration seeping into his words. “So maybe she’s doing it because she has to. Maybe…” He tried to convince himself that her parents had forced the issue, but doubt gnawed at him.

“I am convinced he would have. King Frederick can be…pensive, though he always makes the right decisions.”

“Maybe he made his decision. Maybe she’s marrying Prince Eric because her father didn’t give us his approval.”

“No, I don’t believe so,” Caroline answered. “She would have said so. She was adamantly against being forced into a marriage.”

The words stung. “Yes, I know.”

Had that been the only reason she’d sought a relationship with him? Because she wanted to prove to her father that she could? Because she wanted to escape an arranged marriage?

“I know this is difficult, but if you just spoke...”

“I can’t,” he said with a shake of his head, resolve filling him.

“Oh, but, Mr. Kingsley–“

“I said I can’t. Look, I get that you want to protect her, Caroline. That’s your job. But Ellie and I…we don’t work. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t you? Or are you both just too stubborn to admit you love each other and say you’re sorry?”

He shook his head at the statement, though he couldn’t find the words to refute it. “Goodbye, Caroline. Thanks for all your help this past week.”

“Of course, Mr. Kingsley.” She stared at him for another moment, her eyes clouded with empathy before she finally turned away.

With a bitter frown, he did the same, retreating to his room. He closed the door behind him, emotions roiling within him. Would a visit to Elena make any difference?

The engagement news seemed to fit right in with his earlier assessment. Maybe she’d never cared for him. He desperately wanted to believe she had, but he couldn’t face it.

Even if she did love him, they had no way forward. Especially not now.

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