Page 59 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“Mmm, Mother says playing piano. Do you play?”

“Yes,” Elena answered with a nod.

“Perhaps we could play a duet sometime, then.”

“Of course,” she answered. “That sounds lovely.”

“Planning a piano duet? Perhaps during cocktails before dinner,” Queen Elisabeth suggested.

“Oh,” Elena protested when Eric nodded in agreement.

“Yes, Mother, that would be lovely. Elena, are you up for it?”

Elena shot a questioning glance at her mother who nodded. “Yes. Let us plan for that.”

Tea continued with light conversation before the event broke up with the two kings leaving to discuss state affairs along with Eric, and the women retreating to their rooms.

Elena huffed out a breath as she pushed into herbedroom. The roses sat on her bedside table, a reminder of Eric’s thoughtful gesture.

She wrinkled her nose at them.

Caroline emerged from her closet with a pair of shoes for the evening. “Well, it seems Prince Eric is eager to please.”

“Do not remind me, Caroline.”

“Soured on him still, are we?”

Elena slumped onto the bed, twisting away from the flowers. “I’m not soured. I am merely…uninterested.”

Caroline sucked in a breath as she smoothed the fabric on Elena’s dinner dress. “Despite his…change in looks.”

Elena heaved a sigh as she traced a line of gold thread decorating her burgundy bedspread. “So, you noticed, did you?”

“I noticed he is no longer a gangly, awkward boy, yes. I’m surprised you didn’t. You are normally quite perceptive, Your Highness.”

“Haha, Caroline,” Elena said as she propped her head in her palm, lounging across the bed. “Just because he is no longer a gangly boy does not mean I wish to marry him.”

“No, but it does make the prospect more appealing, doesn’t it?”

“I am in love with Nathan Kingsley. It is he who I wish to marry, despite Eric’s…handsome features.”

“So, you admit they are handsome.”

“So are Nathan’s. Nathan’s may be more handsome.” Elena lifted her chin.

Caroline’s features twisted with amusement. “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”

“I have nothing to convince myself of! I am quite in love with Nathan Kingsley. I am not fickle, Caroline. There will always be handsome men in the world. I do not mean to fall madly in love with eachof them.”

“No, but…”

“But what?” Elena asked.

“But you were intended to marry him. Is it of any more interest to you now that you have met and spoken with him?”

Elena refused to meet her gaze, focusing on her duvet again. “No.”

“My, we sound definite.”

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