Page 1 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

CHAPTER 1

ELENA

Elena wrinkled her nose as her father spoke from the opposite side of his desk, though she tried her hardest to keep her face neutral.

She hadn’t succeeded based on the look settling on her father’s features.

“Have I said something…odd?” he questioned.

“Of course not,” she answered, forcing her features back to pleasant neutrality.

He heaved a sigh as he rose and paced behind the heavy mahogany desk. “Elena, need I remind you that–“

“That my engagement to Nathan Kingsley has not yet been approved. No, you need not remind me of that, Father.”

“Good,” he answered, centering his fatherly gaze on her again.

She fidgeted under his scrutiny, her lips tugging intoa slight frown.

“Do not fidget and do not frown. Heavens, Elena, such habits you have picked up from your time in the States.”

“I have not picked up any such habits. I only…” She shook her head. “Never mind.”

“No, please,” he said with a wave of his hand. “By all means, enlighten me.”

She shifted in her seat again. “There is nothing to say on the matter.”

“Which means you have plenty to say.”

She flicked her gaze to him before her features melted and she spat out her thoughts. “But, Father, why can we not simply announce the engagement? It’s rather silly, don’t you agree?”

“I do not which is why I have said as much.”

Her shoulders slumped, and she frowned again. “But, Father, I am an adult. If I was a normal girl, I would have made my choice and that would be that.”

“You arenota normal girl, Elena. You are a princess. One day, you will be queen. And on that day, it is vital that your king consort has the wherewithal to stand by your side and support you in overseeing a country.” He sighed as he clasped his hands behind his back. “Really, Elena, we have been over this. And to be quite frank, I am unimpressed with these latest outbursts. I am convinced they are a result of your time in the States.”

“They are not. I simply…” She paused to gather her scrambled thoughts. “I simply worry that this exercise is one in futility for Nathan and I.”

“And what exactly does that mean?”

“It means that you have no intention of accepting him or our engagement, and that this is merely a formality by which you seek to cancel our relationship.”

He pressed his lips together, his frustration obvious. “I will not continue to defend myself against these accusations.You have the same chance with him that you would have with anyone. No, that is wrong. You have more of a chance. You were intended to marry Prince Eric.”

“Who arrives in less than two weeks. Why?”

“That is a planned state visit, and you know it.”

She shot him a fiery glance. “Is it? It just so happens that planned state visit is the one where we were to announce our engagement. Have you informed the royal family of Corinthia that we will not be doing any such thing?”

Her father lifted his chin as he stalked to the nearby window and gazed out.

“So, you haven’t,” she answered.

He twisted to face her. “No, I have not. But it is not for the reason you think.”

“Then what reason?” she demanded.

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