Page 69 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Nate set his hands on his hips, worry etched into the lines of his face.

“He will not win it,” Elena added as she slid her arms around his neck. “I love you.”

Nate’s arms slipped around her waist. “I love you, too, but…”

“But? Are you having second thoughts?”

“No,” he answered with a shake of his head. “No, I’m not having second thoughts. Not at all. Ellie, I love you. But will I have the opportunity to have a relationship with you?”

“Yes, of course.” Her forehead creased as she caressed his cheek, understanding his fear.

He pressed his lips together. “I’m really trying to hold onto that belief, but, Ellie, he’s…so…”

“Aggressive? Obnoxious?”

“Princely,” Nate answered, the worry still floating in his eyes.

“Well, heisa prince.”

“Which makes him easily perfect to be your king consort. He understands everything. He doesn’t need to learn it. He doesn’t need…dance lessons, conversation pointers, reminded to call you Your Highness and your father Your Majesty.”

She pressed a finger over his lips. “Shh, Nathan, you are panicking over nothing. Father is not judging you on your dance moves or even a slip in protocol. Everyone understands you will become comfortable with that in time.”

“Really? Because I feel like that’s the point here. Making sure I won’t create an international incident.”

A grin spread across her features. “It’s not. I promise. What he is judging is how well you handle yourself in the face of adversity. How supportive you are to me. How well you handle the lifestyle. That is the point. Being a royal requires…many things. The protocols can be learned. The attitude cannot.”

He pressed his forehead against hers. “Why do things always seem so simple whenyou’re with me?”

“Because they are. Because we are meant to be. Because I love you.”

He brushed her lips with his. “I love you, too.”

“Eric cannot break us apart. Father will realize that despite his interest, he is not the best man to be my husband.”

With their arms wrapped around each other, they found comfort in each other’s embrace for a few moments before Elena pulled back. “With that crisis out of the way, I suppose we ought to speak about the other.”

Nate cleared his throat. “Chloe? Did you get anything from Julian?”

“I did. And I even got it on a recording.”

Nate’s eyes went wide. “Really? He admitted it?”

“He did. He is not in love with her. He’s only having a royal romp with her. According to him, she came on fairly strong, and he took her up on the offer.”

Nate pulled away from her, pressing a palm to his forehead. “I can’t believe this. Wait, no, I can. I mean…I know Chloe is after one thing. She’s seeing if she can springboard into bring a princess.”

“I wondered the same. Do you think she married Stephen just so she would be welcome here?”

Nate blew out a long breath, shaking her head as he crossed his arms. “I wouldn’t put it past her.”

“Have you decided what to do about it?”

“No,” he groaned, sinking into his armchair.

Elena perched on the edge of the other one. She reached for his hand, squeezing it to offer silent support. “Perhaps telling your parents is best. Allow them to break it to Stephen rather than you. Your relationship is so difficult, it may not go over well.”

He huffed out a breath. “The problem is…I keep second-guessing if I’m doing this because I think he needs to know what she is or if I just want her gone.”

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