Page 65 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Nate’s pulse quickened, a surge of adrenalinecoursing through him as he anticipated the impending conversation with Prince Eric. What could the prince possibly want to discuss with him?

He stepped back motioning for the man to enter.

The prince strode into the room, his hands clasped behind his back as he studied the space.

“Uh, please, sit down,” Nate answered, waving at the chairs.

“No, thank you, I prefer to stand. I hope this will not take long.”

Nate forced a smile onto his face, searching for a brief response. “All right. What is it you wanted to speak with me about?”

“Princess Elena,” the man answered.

Nate’s heart thudded harder against his ribs. “What about her?”

“It is rather obvious that you are here because of a product of her time in the States. And if I am not mistaken, you are not merely a passing acquaintance who has had the good fortune of being invited to the palace. Am I correct?”

Nate’s mind whirled. What was the protocol? Was he supposed to admit he was here to pursue a relationship with Elena? Was that taboo before he’d been accepted as a potential suitor?

He hadn’t expected this subject to come up, so he’d never thought to ask.

Nate lifted his chin as he decided to answer truthfully. “You are correct, yes.”

“So, you are romantically involved. Or wish to be.”

His throat went dry as he hoped he wasn’t saying anything wrong. “We dated in Sterling City.”

“I see,” Eric answered. “This is what I assumed. Then, you have been invited here to be considered as a suitor?”

Nate’s stomach clenched as he faced off against the prince. “Yes.”

He pressed his lips together, switching his weight from one foot to the other. “I know that there was some sort of understanding or agreement between your families about you and Elena. I’m very sorry if–“

Prince Eric waved a hand in the air to stop his words. “Yes, there was. There was a plan for us to wed.”

Nate eyed the man, trying to read his features, but they remained stoic. Perhaps this was a show of support for their relationship. The man could be a powerful ally like Alexander.

“Yes, well, I can understand how that may be…less than desirable. I’m sure you would very much like to make your own choice for your spouse, like Ellie.”

The next words out of Prince Eric’s mouth smashed any hopes of them being friends. “Yes, I would. But the unfortunate situation is that my choice is Elena.”

Heat washed over Nate as the words sank in. Prince Ericwantedthe arranged marriage to stand. “You…want to marry Elena?”

“Yes, I do,” the man answered. “She is an excellent match. I am here to tell you I intend to pursue her. I feel it is only proper to warn you. If you expected no competition from me, I am sorry to ruin your day.”

Nate tried not to frown, but the words sliced at his soul. He was being challenged by a prince, a royal, someone far more suited to be Elena’s husband than he was. The man had been hand-picked by the king to marry Elena.

He could never compete.

The smarmy smile on Prince Eric’s features suggested that the man knew all too well that he held the upper hand.

Nate tried to force confidence into hisfeatures and posture, but he failed as fear and worry swirled within him. “Thank you for the warning.”

Nate forced out the words, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. Yet, beneath the surface, a flicker of determination burned bright, a silent promise to himself that he would not yield without a fight.

Prince Eric strode toward him, bringing their faces much too close for comfort. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to back off entirely?”

Nate lifted his chin, squaring his jaw. “No. I love her.”

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