Page 35 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“But you do.”

Nate leapt from his seat and paced the floor in front of the cold hearth. “He doesn’t think so. He thinks I’m just a commoner who’s looking to trade up for a title. I mean, I’m not a prince like the guy he wants her to marry.”

“But she doesn’t love him,” Maddie said.

“I don’t know if that matters.”

“Of course, it does.”

Nate collapsed into the chair again with a shake of his head. “On top of that, we’ve had a few…incidents.”

“Incidents?” Maddie asked as another knock sounded at the door.

“Hold that thought while I answer this. And then I’ll tell you the whole sordid story.” Nate jogged over to the door and tugged it open, finding his mother on the other side. “Mom.”

“Hey, honey. This place is as incredible as the palace. I wanted to stop by and tell you our room is amazing before we head down for lunch.”

Nate bobbed his head. “Yeah, mine, too. All therooms are great.”

Victoria squeezed his arm. “Rooms are great, but you are not. Did something happen on the way here?”

“Not then, but something happened, all right. Come in. I was just about to tell Maddie about all the blunders I’ve pulled in the past twenty-four hours.”

“Oh, honey,” Victoria said as she caressed his cheek and offered him a consoling glance, stepping into the room.

“Hi, Mom,” Maddie called before she cocked her head, a playful smirk playing on her lips. “Okay, Nate. Spill it. What did you do?”

He heaved a sigh as his mother settled into the seat he’d just occupied. “Well, first, I got myself into some hot water last night. I got a note that Ithoughtwas from Ellie. Turns out, it was from her cousin, Isabelle, who planted a kiss on me while a photographer took pictures.”

Victoria’s features creased as she gasped. “What? Are you joking?”

Nate shook his head, his hands on his hips. “Not joking. Apparently, Alexander caught the photographer and saved the day. Elena demanded her father do something. I don’t know what he did, but…”

“Well, I hope something. That’s outrageous! At least Elena understood.”

He flung an arm in the air. “Yeah, she did, until I ruined that, too.”

“How?” Maddie asked.

His shoulders slumped as he slid his eyes shut. “When she came to see me, she mentioned wishing things weren’t so complicated.”

“Okay, that sounds reasonable,” Victoria said.

“And I answered…” He heaved a sigh as he rolled his eyes, recalling the words popping out of his mouth and cringing. “Maybe it could be easier if she decided not to be queen.”

His mother’s eyebrows shot up as Maddie guffawed. “No, you didn’t,” his sister said with a laugh.

“It’s not funny, Maddie. It was completely stupid. I can’t believe I said it.”

Maddie leaned forward, eager to hear the drama. “What did she say?”

“She wasnothappy. She accused me of wanting her to change her entire life while mine stayed the same.”

Victoria pressed her lips together. “I’m not entirely certain that’s a fair statement, but–”

“No, Mom, it was. I…it was stupid. I didn’t mean it to come out that way.”

“Did you tell her that?” Victoria asked.

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