Page 2 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

His jaw flexed as he crossed back to the desk, his fingers tracing the polished wood. “Because I wish you to keep your options open. Perhaps you will find that you cannot tolerate Nathan once you are no longer in the throws of a new relationship. When reality sets in, Elena, you may find you prefer Prince Eric.”

“Prefer Prince Eric? Over the man I love.”

“Love will only take you so far. And I suspect this is more infatuation than love.”

Her features crinkled as her jaw fell open, insulted at his suggestion that she did not know her own heart.

“Before you berate me over the comment, remember I was young once, too. Love is not flowers and chocolates, romance and fireworks, you know? It’s the daily things. You will not feel the way you did in six months, one year, ten years, thirty years.”

“You do not know that.”

“I do. And I only wish to spare you any pain. Youmust know that.”

Elena’s lips formed a pout as she stared at her lap.

“Oh, Elena, I am your father. I do not wish you any pain. I am not insisting on this caution to hurt you, quite the opposite. I very much wish for you to make the best match you can.”

He hadn’t wished for her to make the best match, she reminded herself. It had taken quite the effort to convince him to give Nathan Kingsley a chance. Her mind reverted to those painful moments when he’d ripped her away from him moments after their engagement.

The veiled threat he’d made had been enough to make certain that she’d followed him, dutifully slid into the royal convoy’s car, and left the man she loved behind for what she assumed would be an eternity.

The argument that had ensued had been epic. Lucky the royal family had rented the entire floor at the hotel, lest any neighbors may have gotten an earful. She’d fought for her relationship, but he hadn’t given in, even then.

She recalled her ladies’ maid, Caroline, had soothed her when she’d flung herself on her bed in tears. Her thumb caressed the emerald engagement ring Nathan had given her when he’d asked her to marry him.

"I have it on good authority that your mother might share your opinion, at least to some extent." Caroline said as she stroked Elena’s hair.

“Mother?” Elena wiped at her tears as she sat up.

Caroline gave her a hopeful smile. “Yes. It seems your mother may not be entirely happy with your engagement to Prince Eric.”

“Let us hope she succeeds. I wonder if you’ve managed to grab hold of my phone.”

Caroline shook her head. “No, but I have sent a message to Nathan already if that is your aim.”

She wrapped her arms around Caroline’s neck andsqueezed. “You are a darling, Caroline. That is very much what I wanted to do. He must be so devastated.”

The tears flowed freely again. “I don’t even know if he’s angry or upset or–“

“There, there, Your Highness. Remember, he did the very same to you. He should understand.”

“Yes, but…to find out the way he did. I should have told him sooner.”

“You did the best you could, darling. If he truly loves you, it will not matter.”

Elena’s features fell, her lower lip jutting out. “If he truly loves me, it may not matter at all. If Father has his way, we will never see each other again. I will wed Prince Eric, and life will move on.

“Except my life will end today.”

“Oh, my dear, your life will not end. It is painful now, yes, but it won’t always be. However, let us wait to see the results of your parents’ discussion, shall we?”

In the end, her soft-spoken mother had prevailed, convincing her father that Elena deserved the chance to explore her own options for marriage despite the promises that had been made at her birth.

“But Mother had to convince you. If she had not, I would be welcoming Prince Eric as my fiancé.”

Her father wrinkled his nose at the words. “I cannot always be right. Occasionally, I must be proven wrong so my head does not become too large for the crown.”

He grinned at her though she failed to return the favor, concern over his motives still roiling inside her.

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