Page 3 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“I am joking, Elena. Even kings joke.”

“But do fathers?”

He skirted the desk and perched on the edge, gently lifting her chin to face him. “Elena, I wish for you to be happy. Truly, I do. And I have seen the errorof my ways with insisting that you accept Prince Eric. I will give your Mr. Kingsley as fair a shot as possible.”

“Will you? Please, Father, do not make his life impossible just to drive him away.”

“I will do no such thing, I promise.”

She grinned at him, her smile finally breaking through her gloomy mood. She rose from her seat and flung her arms around him. “Thank you, Father. Now, I must be off.”

“Is your afternoon schedule very full?”

“Yes,” she said with a nod. “I plan to make the final arrangements for the Kingsleys’ arrival tomorrow. Along with a few other…things.”

“Talking to Mr. Kingsley among them, no doubt.”

“I must prepare him for what is expected. I do want him to make a strong impression on you.”

Her father settled into his chair again as he studied her. “Elena, please keep your head about you during this. As open as you would like my mind to be, I ask that yours remain open, also.”

She frowned at the words before she nodded and slipped into the hall of the royal palace.

Caroline awaited her, leather journal in hand to assist her with her remaining tasks for the day. “And how did things go with His Majesty?”

Elena lifted a shoulder in response as she made her way down the hall toward the staircase. “As well as they could have, I suppose. I remain unconvinced that he will give Nathan a fair shot, but I suppose I must take him at his word.”

“You believe he wishes you to accept Prince Eric. But do you think he will really make it difficult on Mr. Kingsley?”

Her features fell as she studied the thick runner under her feet. “I sincerely hope not. And to make certain Nathan hasthe best chance possible, we should go over the events again so that we may prepare him and all of the Kingsleys.”

“Yes, of course, Your Highness. I have everything listed here.”

She pushed into her room and crossed to her writing desk, retrieving her phone. A grin spread across her features as she stared at the message beaming from her screen.

“I’m assuming there is a message from Mr. Kingsley?” Caroline asked.

“There is,” she answered as she read the text.

Just finished my packing. I can’t wait to see you. Any last-minute advice before I arrive?

Her face lit up with an excited grin.I can’t wait for you to be with me. Everything will be fine, my love.

She set the phone down and spun to face Caroline. “I just told Nathan everything will be fine, but we must make certain it is. There is no margin for error.”

“I understand, Your Highness,” Caroline said with a nod. “I have already reminded them several times that when they arrive and are greeted by any member of the royal family, yourself included, that they should bow or curtsy, and I will make every effort to intercept them before they are presented to ensure those gestures are up to snuff.”

“Thank you,” Elena said, resting her chin on her phone. “We must ensure the Kingsleys, particularly Nathan, are viewed as royal material.”

“I am certain they will be.”

“I am not,” Elena said, her voice a bit shrill. “I am still concerned my father is only allowing this to prove to me that Nathan and I will not work.”

“Because?”

Elena sucked in a breath, her mind recalling the details that had still bothered her. “He asked me to keepas open a mind as he when he allowed the Kingsleys to come for vetting. He hasn't told Prince Eric’s parents that we won't be announcing our engagement, and he says he prefers I keep my options open.”

“And you believe this means he hopes you will accept Prince Eric.”

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