Page 82 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

A rousing march played as the doors whisked open and King Frederick appeared with Queen Sophia. Behind them, Elena in an emerald green princess ballgown with a tiara on her head. The sight of her took his breath away.

“She looks beautiful,” Victoria said as the procession began. People bowed and curtsied in a wave as the family passed.

Queen Sophia reached out to someone on her right. King Frederick acknowledged someone on the left with a nod.

Elena walked behind them, poised and perfect.

Nate’s heart hammered harder as the procession approached them. He sucked in a breath as Caroline whispered behind them. “Now.”

He bowed, noting the shadows on the floor that hovered over him, unmoving. He flicked his gaze up to find the royal family in front of him.

King Frederick motioned for them to rise. “So pleased to have you in our company.”

Elena reached forward to squeeze Nate’s hand before they continued down the line.

“Well done, Kingsleys,” Carolina said from behind them. “You will be the talk of the ball after that.”

A smile spread across Nate’s features. Maybe he could pull this off. Was King Frederick coming around?

The royal family finished their procession, arriving at the thrones and taking their seats. The music stopped, and the man stepped forward again, announcing the visiting royals.

The second family processed down the aisle of people for another set of bows and curtsies. Nate forced his face to stop from tugging into a deep frown at the sight of Prince Eric who offered him a haughty grin as he passed.

“Pay him no attention,” Caroline whispered. “He is jealous as Her Highness has told him in no uncertain terms where her heart lies.”

The words bolstered him a little as the two royal families greeted each other with Eric giving Elena a rose and a kiss on the hand.

A “awws” rose from the crowd, and it took all in him not to roll his eyes.

After the fanfare, an announcement was made that the royal ball would commence with the dancing being led by King Frederick and his daughter, Princess Elena.

“Here we go,” Caroline answered. “The Queen will approach you just before others join in. I’ll prompt you. Are you prepared with your conversation topics?”

“Yes,” he said with a nod, butterflies filling his stomach.

“Don’t fret. She is very kind.”

He nodded, though the words did little to ease his nerves.

King Frederick led Elena to the dance floor. She curtsied to him as he bowed to her before they took up their form. The music began, and they floated across the floor, swirling in perfect time.

For a man who said he found the dance challenging, it looked to Nate as though he’d never had any issues mastering it. Elena appeared at perfect ease, too, gliding along with her father with a wide grin.

“She makes it look so easy,” Nate said to his mother.

She offered him a reassuring squeeze as the queen rose from her seat. His heart began to pound harder as she strode toward him.

“Good luck,” his mother whispered.

He bowed, his breath catching in his throat, as the queen stood in front of him.

“Hello, Mr. Kingsley, would you join me?”

“Gladly,” he said as Caroline offered him a wink and a nod.

She led him to the floor as other couples prepared to join in the waltz. “You look very lovely.”

“Thank you,” she answered as they took up their closed form. “Relax, it is not meant to be painful.”

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