Page 28 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“Sadly,” Alexander said as he shuffled from the sitting room, “you are seated next to my sister for this dinner party.”

Nate swallowed hard as Elena slid her arm into his. He stiffened, wondering if it was okay.

Alexander clapped him on the back. “You are permitted to escort a lady. Just don’t kiss her.”

“Right,” Nate said with a genuine grin. It seemed Alexander could be an excellent ally, just as Elena suggested.

He seemed friendly, down-to-earth, and eager to help them succeed. As they passed into the ornate dining room,he wondered why. Were he and Elena that close? Was he not jealous?

Nate hoped to find out over the course of their time in Eldoria. Elena led him to a place setting before she whispered a good luck to him and slid her arm from his, circling the table to find her own seat.

She sat across the table and two seats down, much to his chagrin. He offered a polite smile to Isabell who flanked him on his left. He turned to his right, pleased to find his mother there.

He flicked his gaze across the table, finding a red-cheeked Maddie grinning at Alexander.

King Frederick strode inside, his arm around Prince Julian as they conferred quietly before the king patted Prince Julian’s back and sent him on his way.

The king took his seat and everyone else followed, sliding into their seats after the king.

Queen Sophia twisted to her left to speak to Stephen. Nate recalled the protocol to follow her lead, turning to his left to say hello to Isabelle.

“Hello again, American,” she said with a smirky smile.

“Hello, Your Highness,” he said, proud of himself for getting that correct.

“And how are you finding our little hamlet?”

“It’s very lovely,” he said, his eyes flitting to Elena who spoke with Alexander.

Isabelle let her eyes slide to her cousin before she trained them on him again. “You know it’s very rude to ogle another woman whilst a lady is talking to you.”

Nate’s cheeks burned. “Sorry, uh–”

Before he could finish, the queen turned to speak with Chloe on her right. He quickly shifted to face his mother, blowing out a sigh of relief. “Tough crowd,” he whispered.

“I found theking very nice.”

As the first course was served, conversation became more general. Julian scooped a spoonful of soup before raising his eyes to the table. “Elena, perhaps you would care to regal the table with a tale from your trip to the States.”

Nate swallowed hard as he shot Elena a glance. Would she talk about their relationship?

A slight smile crossed her face as she focused on her cousin across the table. “It would be more entertaining to hear about yours. They were so…clandestine that I’m certain we’ll all find them intriguing.”

Silence reigned for a moment until Alexander spoke. “Maddie mentioned something about her prom…it’s a tradition we Eldorians are not quite used to. I’d love to hear more.”

Maddie eagerly gushed about the spring dance she’d attended.

As she finished, the king raised a glass. “I would like to propose a toast to our guests.”

Nate reached for his wine glass when Alexander cleared his throat, catching his attention. The man gave a slight shake to his head and puckered his lips before he tilted his head.

Nate furrowed his brow before he glanced at the glass in Alexander’s hand. He picked up the wrong wine. He quickly swapped them before he gave a grateful nod to Alexander who returned the gesture.

“How eager we are to learn more about you,” King Frederick said before he raised his glass.

They toasted, everyone taking a sip before conversation turned more general for the remainder of the meal.

The dinner wrapped up, and they retreated to another sitting room for after-dinner drinks. The night wound down, and, at Alexander’s urging, Nate escorted Elena to the door of her bedroom, offering her a quick good night kiss.

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