Page 37 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Across the table from him, his mother stabbed a piece of lettuce before she raised her gaze to the royals. “Will the reception for the royal family from Corinthia be grand?”

“Mm, yes,” Elena answered. “Affairs of the state often are.”

“There will be a royal parade, followed by a state dinner, and the ball, of course,” King Frederick added.

“The traditions are really fascinatingto me,” Victoria added. “Although, I will admit, I was a bit surprised to hear about an arranged marriage. I didn’t think they existed in this day and age.”

The expressions on the faces of the king, queen, Elena, and Alexander were unmistakable. Nate slouched a little in his seat as he wondered if that subject was taboo.

“Actually,” Queen Sophia said with a soft chuckle, “Frederick and I are the product of an arranged marriage. My father and his father agreed on it when we were both under ten.”

His mother’s face blanched. “Oh, oh, I am sorry. I hadn’t meant to insult you.”

“Quite all right,” Sophia answered. “It is quite common among the royals, I assure you. And not quite as…difficult as you may expect.”

“How so?” Victoria asked. “Oh, I am sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but Charles and I…we learned about each other, then decided we were a good match. It feels backward to marry, then learn about each other.”

King Frederick offered her a fleeting smile. “I am certain it does, particularly for Americans. So much emphasis is placed upon romance, love, being swept off one’s feet, but this does not often lead to a good match. Good matches are made by sharing common values, having similar goals, desiring a similar lifestyle. Another royal, of course, has many of these traits in common. Love comes later.”

“That’s an interesting view,” Victoria answered. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

She shot Nate an apologetic glance as the topic changed to something more mundane and less explosive. They made it through the lunch without stepping onto any other toes.

The king and queen excused themselves to attend to other business, leaving Elena and Alexander with the Kingsleys.

“Well, what would you like to do?” Elena asked.

“Ah, that’s up to you, Ellie,” Nathan said. “We are open to whatever you’d like to do.”

“I had arranged for a ride if you’d all like to try your hand at it,” Elena suggested.

“Can we ride the carousel, too?” Maddie asked as nods met Elena’s plans.

Elena looped her arm through Maddie’s. “Absolutely.”

As the others shuffled behind Elena, Alexander motioned for Nate to walk with him.

“Hey, Alexander, I owe you a huge thank you. Ellie told me what you did with that photographer. I’m eternally grateful.”

“Of course,” Alexander answered as they spilled into the warm sun. “Glad to do it. Not just for you, but for Elena. Isabelle’s tricks are…a bit wicked. You did not deserve that.”

“I feel like a fool,” Nate said with a shake of his head as he swept his gaze across the sprawling grounds of the country estate, taking in the serene landscape and the quaint charm of the more rustic surroundings. Compared to the opulence of the palace, this place exuded a sense of tranquility that put him slightly more at ease.

“You could not have expected it.”

“I could have,” he answered. “Ellie warned me to watch out for her and Julian.”

“Mm, yes. I know you’ve already had the pleasure of meeting my brother.”

Nate chuckled as they strode down a path, leaving the house behind. “Yes, I did. He’s an interesting character.”

“He’s a character, all right. I wouldn’t say interesting. Rather, maddening.”

Nate huffed another laugh, pleased with a royal who was as open as Elena. “Well, anyway, thanks for all your help so far. I’m afraid I’m botching thisentire visit.”

“Don’t think anything of it. We are just people, Nathan. Be yourself, and you cannot botch anything.”

Nate tugged his lips back in a wince. “I doubt that. I hadn’t realized your aunt and uncle were an arranged marriage. I’m sure my mom insulted them.”

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