Page 88 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“We can check for that,” Alexander said as he glanced over his shoulder at Nate. “We can search his pockets.”

“I didn’t see him with a flask, though,” Caroline said, her forehead wrinkling. “He was with you, then His Majesty, then he went for the drink. He had no flask then. Prince Eric spoke with him, gave him a glass, and left. He could have?—”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Elena said with a shake of her head. “Eric?”

Caroline bobbed her head. “Yes, he spoke with Prince Eric at the refreshment table.”

Alexander shifted his weight, his eyebrows crinkle. “Wait, spoke with Eric or received a drink from Eric?”

“Uhh,” Caroline said as she rubbed her forehead, “both. He spoke with Prince Eric, and then His Highness offered him a glass of punch before he left.”

Elena heaved a sigh, her gaze shooting to her cousin. “Do you think we can find the glass?”

“I’ll try,” he answered. “Wait here.”

“What are you thinking?” Victoria asked.

Elena tapped her toes on the floor as she crossed her arms. “That Nathan is telling the truth. He isn’t drunk. He was drugged to make him appear drunk.”

Victoria’s eyes went wide. “What? By whom?”

“Eric,” Elena answered. “He has made it clear that he hopes Nathan is not approved as a suitable spouse. This is the perfect way to achieve it.”

“But how would he know about Mr. Kingsley’s drinking?” Caroline asked.

Elena pressed her lips together as she searched for a way. Had it been public knowledge? “Were there any…incidents that would have appeared in the newspaper?”

Victoria shook her head with a sigh. “No, but…I have a feeling I know how he found out.”

“How?” Elena asked.

“You know about Chloe and your cousin?” Victoria asked.

Caroline’s eyes went wide as her jaw open. “What?”

“Yes. Julian admitted it.”

“We informed Stephen this morning. I’d guess he or Chloe spilled the beans, and it got back to Prince Eric.”

“And they used it against him.”

“Ellie,” Victoria said, “I hate to say this, but…as much as I want to believe this was a setup, Eric is right. He smells like a bar.”

“Yes, of course, he does,” Elena answered with a sigh. “Eric spilled a drink all over him earlier. He set him up. We just need the proof.”

The doors burst open as the family’s doctor strode in. “Your Highness, are you ill?”

“No, not me. Nathan. Can you test his blood? He has been accused of being drunk, but I believe he was drugged.”

The man’s thick eyebrows smashed together. “Well, yes, but…”

“Do it,” Elena said.

The man fluttered his eyelashes as he adjusted his grip on his medical bag and nodded before he crossed to Nate and sank onto the couch next to him.

“What are you doing?” Nate demanded.

Elena picked up her skirt and hurried toward him. “Just taking a blood test, darling.”

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