Page 57 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

He spun in a circle, debating whether to continue down the hall or turn back, when voices caught his attention. He turned towards them, hoping he had wandered into friendly territory and that someone could guide him to the dining room.

Laughter filled the air as a door opened. Without realizing why, he sneaked back around the hall and peered around the corner. Maybe if he was caught in this hall, it was some social no-no.

Two figures appeared at a door, leaning closer to kiss.

His blood ran cold, and his eyes went wide as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Around the corner, Chloe backed into the hall, her arms around a man’s neck as she pressed her lips against his.

Only the man was not her husband. It was Prince Julian.

CHAPTER 13

ELENA

Elena smoothed her dress over her legs for the umpteenth time as they awaited the arrival of the royal family of Corinthia. Butterflies flitted in her stomach despite the regularity with which she greeted foreign dignitaries.

But greeting one she was supposed to be betrothed to by the end of the visit seemed particularly taxing. Especially when she had no intention of announcing her engagement to him.

To her knowledge, her father had not yet informed the royal family of the change in plans, likely because he had not yet approved her relationship with Nate Kingsley.

She wondered if he would ever. Her mind regressed to the conversations she’d had with her parents yesterday.

Things since Nate’s arrival had been tense. He’d been nervous about impressing her parents and had even gone so far as to suggest she not ascend to the throne.

Despite his apology, the comment still stuck with her. Her parents had a point about royals innately understanding the duties to which they were born.

She’d promised to keep an open mind, but as the motorcade of cars bringing the royal family snaked closer to the palace, she found herself desperately clinging to Nate’s proposal prior to her return to Eldoria.

Was she being foolish for continuing along a path that could lead to heartache?

She shoved the thoughts aside as the cars finally came to a stop. The last time she’d seen Prince Eric, she had been seven, and he had been eight.

He was a rail of a boy with a mop of dirty blonde hair on top of his head and a spray of freckles across his nose.

She hadn’t paid much attention to any news on him since, deliberately avoiding it as though it would change her circumstances. She wondered if he looked the same after all the years. An image formed in her mind before the car’s door was opened of a skinny, gawky boy with stringy hair.

Her father stepped forward as the door swung open, his hands clasped behind his back as King Henry stepped out and offered him a slight smile. “Frederick.”

“Henry,” her father answered with a nod. “Welcome to Eldoria. I trust your flight was pleasant.”

“As pleasant as these sorts of things can be. The real devil of it was waiting for Eric to arrive. The inconvenience of traveling separately due to the line of succession can be most irritating.”

Frederick grinned at him. “Yes, I know. At least Elisabeth traveled with you. When Elena was younger, Sophia traveled with her, so I had to manage it alone.”

“Tough break,” the man said before he greeted Elena’s mother.

As he approached Elena, she curtsied. “Your Majesty.”

“Hello, my dear. You are looking lovely. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman.”

“Thank you,” Elena said with a nod before she prepared to greet the queen.

“Isn’t she lovely, Elisabeth?” King Henry asked.

“Oh, yes, quite. You have your mother’s eyes, dear,” Elisabeth said.

Sophia wrapped an arm around Elena. “They are quite similar, yes. Other than that, she takes after her father, I think.”

“Oh, yes, the dark hair is most becoming with the fair skin.”

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