Page 36 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Nate nodded. “I did. I told her that.”

Victoria arched an eyebrow. “And?”

“She said it was fine, but…I just feel like I’ve added more tension between us.”

Victoria rose and crossed to him, rubbing his arms with a soft gaze filled with maternal concern. “Honey, there are going to be tense moments as you two figure things out and experience your real lives.”

Nate frowned, casting his gaze to the floor. “Things used to be so easy.”

“Things are always easy at the start. You can’t think of anything but each other, and the next time you’ll see the other person. Then, real life presses in. There are hardships, things you don’t want to do but you have to, distractions. Life isn’t perfect. What you need to learn is how to navigate it together.”

Nate heaved a sigh and nodded. “Right. We’re still…learning and figuring things out.”

“Yes,” Victoria answered, “just take your time. And take a breath. You’ll figure it out.”

He sucked in a deep breath. “Gosh, I hopeso. Well, I guess we ought to go down to the royal lunch and see what I can do wrong there.”

“You’ll be fine,” Victoria said as she patted his cheek.

“Wait, wait, you didn’t even get to see the view. I think it’ll cheer you up.” Maddie rose from her seat with a cheeky grin.

“Oh, right, I forgot that’s what you came to show me. Lead the way,” Nate said.

Maddie grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the French doors. She flung them open and pulled him onto the balcony before she poked a finger toward the ground.

His eyebrow arched, and a smile curled his lips. “A carousel.”

“Yep. Like the one you got her to remind her of your first date. I just wanted you to see it so you know how big of a connection you two had.”

He stared down at the horses, standing ready for their next ride. Memories of their first moments together, of that first spark that drew them to each other, flitted through his mind. They were a good couple. They made each other happy. And that was all that mattered.

He lifted his chin. He’d fight for her. They could do this. Together.

“If you’re done admiring the view, we should go before we all pull a faux pas by being late,” Victoria called.

“Right,” Nate said with a nod. “I don’t need to start off on the wrong foot.”

They met the rest of the family in the hall, though Chloe was missing. After Victoria asked Stephen, he indicated she’d be skipping lunch as she wasn’t feeling well.

“They’re sending something up for her so she can rest,” Stephen answered.

“Good,” Victoria answered as they descended the stairs.

Caroline met them at the bottom to lead them to a sunroom, decorated in rich woods and floor-to-ceilingwindows. Greenery surrounded the more intimate table setting.

Elena and Alexander already sat at the table with King Frederick and Queen Sophia. The men rose as the others entered the room.

“Please, sit anywhere you would like,” Queen Sophia answered with a smile. “This is a much more relaxed meal.”

Alexander clapped Nate on the shoulder as he froze, wondering if he should take a seat near Elena or if this was some sort of test. “I made certain to leave a seat for you next to Elena, Nathan.”

Nate grinned at him and nodded, thankful for the easy guidance. Elena grinned at him as he slid into the seat next to her. Under the table, she reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze as the staff arrived with a salad course.

He glanced around the table, noting Julian and Isabelle were also missing from the meal. Elena leaned closer to him to whisper, “Father forbade Isabelle from dining with us until she apologizes.”

Some of the tension between his shoulders released. At least the king had taken it seriously and didn’t blame him for it.

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the room as they settled into the food and conversation. The atmosphere was far more relaxed than at the palace, and for the first time, Nate found himself thinking he may fit into this life after all.

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