Page 94 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“Well,” Elena said, her discomfort obvious from the lines etched into her features, “he…is being cautious.”

Nate puffed out an angry breath, shaking his head again.

“There is some concern about your past,” Elena murmured in a low voice before she stepped in front of him, her eyes pleading, “but he will see what I see. He will see that you’ve grown past it. I promise. We just must hang in there a little longer.”

“And what if he doesn’t? What then? Do I just pack my bags and go home?”

Elena shook her head. “He will.”

“He hasn’t yet. I think we need to discuss what’s going to happen here when your father finds me unsuitable.”

Elena licked her lips, her lower lip bobbing as she searched for words but found none.

“That’s what I thought. You have no answer.”

“You’re being unreasonable, Nathan.”

“Oh, really? Am I? Unreasonable because my supposed fiancée cannot answer what’s going to happen if we are not allowed to get married. I mean, what does that even mean when you’re an adult?”

“Things are different for me, though. And–“

“Yes, I know,” he said, his voice sharp, “you’re going to run a country. You’re going to be queen. Andthat means you have to have a husband above reproach. A saint among men who has never made a mistake.”

“That’s not true,” she shot back. “Although, it sounds as if you resent my position.”

“Maybe I do,” he said as he settled in front of the window, noting the tautness of his features in the reflection of the glass.

Elena stiffened, raising her chin at the words. “Unfortunately, it is a large part of who I am. No one said my spouse must come mistake-free, only ready to take on the challenges royal life brings.”

“Well, maybe I’m not ready for that. So, what happens when your father makes that call for us? You still haven’t answered me.” He whipped around to face her. “Are you going to leave for our relationship or are we over?”

Elena swallowed hard. “You’re being unfair, likely because you’re feeling unwell from the drug. Perhaps it is best that we continue this conversation when you are feeling better. I’ll leave you to rest.”

“I want to finish it now. I find it a little disturbing that you won’t answer me.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “I find it disturbing that you are being so selfish! I must give up my life for you, rather than you making the effort to assimilate into mine.” Her voice trembled with frustration and hurt.

“Your father won’t let me.”

“We don’t know that. But you continue to carry on as though he’s made his decision. Demanding to know what I will do. What would you have me do? Hmm? Leave my country, leave my throne because you had a setback?”

“What other choice will I have?”

“We will fight for each other,” she answered.

He flicked his eyebrows up as he shook his head. “Fightfor each other, or fight so you don’t have to marry Prince Eric?”

Her jaw unhinged. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what I said,” he shot back. “I’m starting to wonder if this has been more about avoiding your marriage to him than your feelings for me.”

Color rose into her cheeks as she set her jaw. Her voice went an octave higher, turning into a squeak. “How can you say that?”

“I don’t know, maybe because you’re a little too cavalier about the very real possibility that your father won’t accept me. Which makes me think that all you care about is escaping Prince Eric.”

Her features twisted as he said the words.

“How dare you?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

---