Page 29 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“See you in the morning, darling. We’ll head to the country after breakfast, and things will be so much more relaxed.”

He wondered about the statement as he made his way back to his bedroom. How would being at a different estate make things any easier or more relaxed?

He stepped into his room and tugged off his jacket before he loosened his tie. He paused before going any further, his eyes studying the view from the French doors leading to the balcony.

A whooshing noise split the silence. He snapped his gaze to the door, spotting a piece of white stationary lying on the floor a few inches from it.

He crossed the hardwood floor and snatched it. He flicked it open, scanning the handwriting.

Nathan -

Meet me in the garden near the angel statue at ten. I can’t wait to see you.

Ellie

His heart lifted as he read the note, and butterflies swarmed in his stomach. They’d spent a few moments alone earlier, but this was a chance to quietly talk uninterrupted.

He checked his watch, then hurried to change into something more comfortable before he quietly slipped out of his room and hurried to one of the doors leadingto the garden.

He snaked through the hedges, bushes, and trees to the angel statue. His lips curled into a smile as he spotted Elena.

The moon shone down on her dark hair as she stared over the landscape, her back toward him.

He closed the distance between them, his heart thudding against his ribs. “Hey, you,” he said with a grin.

The woman turned to face him, throwing her arms around him. “Well, hello to you, too.”

His eyes widened as he noted that this was not Elena, but her cousin Isabelle. The woman planted a kiss on his lips as a bright light burst from his side. He pried himself away from her, glancing in the direction of the flash.

A dark figure bolted away, camera in hand. Nate's stomach dropped as a cold shock surged through him. He had just been caught in a passionate kiss with the wrong princess. The scandal would ruin any chance he had with Elena.

CHAPTER 7

ELENA

Elena’s heart pounded against her ribs, fury twisting her features into a deep frown as she slammed the incriminating photographs onto her father’s desk. Heat rose in her cheeks, matching the intensity of the anger roiling inside her, and she struggled to contain the torrent of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “What is being done about this?”

King Frederick raised his eyebrows as he stared down at the photographs before he raised his gaze to her. “What is this?”

“What does it look like?” She crossed her arms, her foot tapping on the floor as her nostrils flared.

The king shifted in his seat, appearing as uncomfortable with the conversation as Elena. “Well…” he began. “Really, Elena, must we engage in this exercise?”

Elena’s glare made him shift again.

“It appears to be the man you hope will gain my approval engaged in a…kiss with your cousin.”

“Do youreallybelieve that’s what you’re looking at?”

The king glanced down at the photographs again before he raised his gaze to Elena. “Is there some trickery that I am meant to catch?”

“Yes, Father, there is.”

He pressed his lips together before he rose from his seat and skirted around his desk. He placed his hands on her shoulders as she flicked her gaze away from him. “Elena, my darling, it can be very difficult when people disappoint us.”

“Interesting that you should say that just as I am experiencing the sensation.”

He heaved a sigh. “You can be angry with me if you wish, but I did not do this.”

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