Page 33 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Nate approached her again, his fingers gently brushing her arm. “Please tell me you aren’t mad at me.”

“I’m not,” she answered as she stared at her feet.

“Are you sure? Because you kind of seem mad.”

She raised her gaze to him. “I’m frustrated with my father and Isabelle.”

Her voice turned wistful, and she held back a sob. “I long for the days when things were simple. For pizza and hot dogs.”

He pulled her into an embrace, holding her close until she slid her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. “My mom says it’ll get easier. But honestly, I’ve felt the same way. I’m just so afraid to do something wrong and lose you.”

She tilted her head to study him. “You will never lose me.”

“But I may lose you anyway when I’m not allowed to marry you.”

Fresh worry swept through her. She knew his concern well, she shared it.

“Ellie,” he said after a moment when she didn’t respond.

“Yes?”

“Would you ever consider leaving Eldoria?”

“Leaving Eldoria?” she asked. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…” He shrugged as he searched the room with his gaze. “You don’thaveto be queen, right?”

Her features pinched. “Are you…are you asking me to abdicate?”

“Well, I mean…no. I just…if we really want to be together, and we don’t want anything to stand in our way…that’s an option.”

“Hardly,” she answered, a huff in her voice.

He rubbed her cheek. “But…you just said it yourself. You want to return to a simpler life. Hot dogs and pizza, no protocols, no expectations.”

“A silly fantasy,” she answered. “I cannot do that.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

Her eyes grew wide as she stared up at him. “Nathan, what answer are you expecting exactly? Do you wish me to say I would give this all up for you?”

He fluttered his eyelashes as his shoulders rose to his ears. “I’m just…”

“Just what? Asking me to give up my life to make things easier on you. But you would not give up yours, is that it? Your life would continue as normal.”

“No, you’re taking this all wrong.”

“Am I?” she cried. “Is it not what you said? Did you not say give up being queen if Ireallywant to be with you? That is insulting enough. As if that is some measure of my affection.”

“No, no, Ellie, no,” he said with a shake of his head. “No, that’s not at all what I meant. Look, I’m sorry. I just…was trying to take a little pressure off ofus. That’s all.”

Her features pinched as she wrapped her arms around his neck again. “I am sorry, too. It’s been a trying morning.”

“I’m sure. Let’s forget about it, okay?”

She offered him a tight-lipped smile and a nod as he stroked her hand and lightly brushed her lips. He pulled her closer, and she settled her head on his shoulder. She’d found solace in his arms so many times before. With the conversation behind them, she tried to relax, but the seed had been planted. This time the comfort of his embrace seemed slightly less comfortable.

Her father’s words echoed in her mind about keeping her mind open and making the right choice for her.

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