Page 86 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Elena chewed the inside of her cheek, her stomach churning with upset. How could this happen? Why would he do this?

Something seemed off.

She’d hoped after the ball her father would accept Nate as her fiancé, but this was a setback that could cost them everything.

“Oh, honey,” Victoria said with a click of her tongue, “I think we should go.”

“No!” he shouted angrily, tugging his arm away from her as he stumbled to the side again. “I’m not drunk.”

King Frederick’s nostrils flared as his jaw clenched. He clasped his hands behind his back and stepped closer to him. “Go to your room, Mr. Kingsley.”

“I’m not–”

“I said go to your room,” King Frederick interrupted. “You are not welcome at this ball in your condition.”

“But I?—”

“I said go, Mr. Kingsley.” King Frederick firmed his jaw again as Victoria and Charles flanked him.

“Come on, Nate,” Victoria said, “let’s get youback to your room.”

“No,” Nate said, his voice desperate.

“I’ll go with you,” Elena answered.

“Elena, no. You are needed here,” King Frederick said.

Elena twisted her hands into fists. “Father, I am going with him.”

Queen Sophia laid a hand on her husband’s arm. “Let her go, Frederick, but do not dally, Elena, there are several people who would like to speak with you.’

King Frederick nodded. “Fine. Be quick about it.”

Alexander approached them as they started for the doors. “What happened? Is everything all right?”

“No, it isn’t,” Elena said, her voice quivering with upset.

She glanced behind her as Victoria and Charles shuffled along with an unsteady Nate. “Nathan appears to be drunk.”

“Drunk?” Alexander cast a glance over his shoulder before he took a step backward. “Here, let me help.”

He replaced Victoria, slinging Nate’s arm over his shoulder as he helped steady him.

“We can use the private sitting room if he cannot make it up the stairs,” Elena said.

Caroline rushed toward her. “Your Highness, is there anything I can do?”

“Perhaps coffee?” Elena shrugged.

“I’ll fetch it, though…I don’t recall seeing him have anything other than punch to drink. I’ve monitored him quite closely in case he needed help navigating anything.”

Elena’s brows pulled together before she nodded. “Please fetch the coffee, fetch a doctor, and meet us in the sitting room.”

They left the din of the ball behind and snaked through the halls to the sitting room. Elena pushed the double doors open and ushered them inside.

Alexander and Charles plopped Nate on the couch.

Elena perched on the sofa next to him, rubbing his backas he struggled to keep his eyes focused and open. “Darling? What happened?”

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