Page 70 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“Perhaps it is a bit of both. Is that so bad?”

He flicked a concerned glance her way. “I’m a pretty horrible person if I don’t mind hurting my own brother just so I don’t have to see Chloe.”

“You’re not,” she answered with a shake of her head. “You’re a normal person. A person who was terribly hurt by someone and no longer wishes to be reminded of that daily.”

“Yeah, but if I hadn’t been hurt, I’d probably never have met you. And that’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Aww, you are a flatterer.” She grinned at him. “Well, if you’d like to take some time to think about it…”

He sucked in a breath as he rubbed his hands down his pant legs. “I think I’m going to tell my parents.”

“I’ll go with you, if you’d like.”

He shook his head. “As much as I’d love to have you with me, I’ll do it on my own. I think that may be for the best. Could you send me the recording of Julian, though?”

“Absolutely.” She tugged her phone from her pocket and tapped on it to send the audio recording to him. “Are you certain you’d rather do it alone?”

“No,” he said with a laugh, “but I know I have your support whether you’re standing next to me or not.”

“Yes, you do. Well, I don’t mean to rush you, but if you plan to speak with your parents before the festivities begin, you should do it now.” She rose, offering him a consoling smile.

“Yes, and I’m sure you’ve got lots to do before the parade.”

“A few things,” she answered, unwilling to share what she planned to do when she left his room behind.

He stood and pulled her closer. “See you at dinner.”

They shared a kiss. With a sigh, she forced herself away from the comfort of his arms, leaving him behind.

She snaked around to another bedroomand banged on the door. Eric’s valet pulled it open, his eyebrows shooting up as he spotted her and bowed. “Your Highness, may I help you?”

“I’m looking for Eric.”

“His Highness has sought a word with your father. I believe you may find him in your father’s office.”

“Thank you,” Elena said with a fleeting smile before she spun on her heel and hurried through the halls to her father’s office.

Without bothering to knock, she pushed inside the opulent space, the air heavy with the scent of polished wood and aged leather, a tangible reminder of the responsibility she bore.

“Elena?” her father asked as she stormed closer to his desk, her narrowed eyes set on Eric.

“You have no business confronting Nathan. How dare you?”

Eric rose from his seat, buttoning his suit jacket, his gaze boring into hers. A surge of defiance rose within her, and she squared her shoulders, refusing to yield to his intimidation tactics.

King Frederick skirted the desk, his eyebrows tightly knit. “Elena, this is uncalled for.”

“What is uncalled for is that Eric visited Nathan’s room this morning to threaten him. And I will not stand for it.” She twisted to face Eric, her features tight. “You may wish to seek my hand in marriage, but you will never have it. This charade is over.”

“Oh, far from it, Elena,” Eric answered a smirk on his features that hinted at the tumultuous battles yet to come in Elena’s struggle for her independence. “Far from it.”

The statement sent a chill down her spine. She flicked her gaze from the prince to her father, wondering if her fate had already been decided. Had her battle already been lost?

CHAPTER 16

NATE

Nate shoved away the thoughts gnawing at him as Elena scurried from the room to go about her business before this afternoon’s parade. The loss of her comforting sent his stomach twisting into knots again.

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