Page 46 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Victoria slid an arm around his shouldersand squeezed.

“Well, we will all be there to help. We are most invested in ensuring Her Highness’s–and your–happiness.”

He offered her a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“Now,” Caroline said as she flicked open her portfolio, “let’s begin. The royal family will privately receive the Corinthian royal family. You will officially meet them at the state dinner. It will be a large affair. Same rules apply as they have for the first dinner you attended at the palace. Only this time, when you are introduced to the members of the Corinthian royal family, you should bow, gentlemen, and curtsy, ladies.”

“To all of them, correct?” Victoria asked.

“Correct. This is one place where you cannot follow the royals. The king and queen will not be bowing or curtsying, and Her Highness will only curtsy to the Corinthian king and queen out of deference. She will not curtsy to Prince Eric.”

“Wow, okay. This must be way more confusing for them than us. We just…bow to everyone.”

“That is correct, Mr. Kingsley,” Caroline said with a grin as she poked her pen at him. “Although, the rules will change for you when you marry Her Highness.”

Nate’s forehead crinkled. He hadn’t thought of that. How odd would it be to not bow to royalty because he was royalty. “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Well, don’t get too wrapped up in it yet. For now, you bow to everyone. The correct forms of address are Your Majesty for the king and queen, and Your Highness for Prince Eric.”

She checked off something on her page. “Now, the following day is the royal parade. Quite a spectacle. You will join Queen Sophia and Queen Elisabeth on the balcony for the event. They will wave to the crowd. You will not.”

“Got it, no waving,” Nate said. “Ellie won’t be with us?”

“Her Highness will be riding in the parade with her father, King Henry, and Prince Eric.”

“Right,” Nate said with a nod.

“And then that evening will be the royal ball. Now, this is important.” Carolina flicked her gaze to them, raising her pen in the air. “There will be a formal introduction of the royal family at the ball. They will process into the throne before they officially greet the Corinthian royal family.

“There will be a line formed as they process. You will join the line. You must bow or curtsy as they pass.Ifthey choose to stop to acknowledge you, you should not speak or create a fanfare, simply smile.”

“If they choose?” Charles asked. “Do they often do that?”

Carolina explained, “They do it for those they deem special. It’s an extreme honor. They may not choose to stop and merely process straight to the thrones. Do not be upset if they do not.

“Next, the Corinthian royal family will enter. You must bow and curtsy for them, too.” She flicked her eyes to them. “I doubt they will stop to say hello.”

Nate pressed his lips into a thin line as he nodded, realizing they’d likely know the reason for the Kingsleys visit. He wondered if Prince Eric would confront him.

“After the royal reception, the ball will begin with a waltz. The royal family will start, and then others will join in. Which is a perfect segue into our next lesson,” Caroline finished as a stern-looking woman strode into the room. “This is Madame Blanc. She will be instructing you in the waltz.”

Madame Blanc looked like a slave driver who expected perfection. Nate tugged his lips back in a wince as he studied her.

“I may not have had the honor of training Her Highness herself into the beautiful dancer she is, but Ihave trained her royal cousins. I made them excellent dancers, and I am to do the same with you. Now, pair off.”

Nate wrinkled his nose at her strict attitude as his sister shuffled toward him. “You’re stuck with me until Ellie’s back.”

“Don’t show me up,” Nate answered.

Madame Blanc strode closer, her hands clasped behind her back. “Gentlemen, you are the form for your ladies. They are to be showcased. The waltz is performed in closed position. Now, gentlemen, your right arm around the woman with your wrist high under the shoulder and hand on the left shoulder blade, fingers together. Donotspread your fingers or else you may look ‘gropey’.”

She strode around the room, eyeing the holds. “Your left arm is raised to the side, and your partner will place her palm in your hand. Do not bend her wrist. Do not grip her hand as though she is your lifeline.”

She smacked Nate’s arm. “Do not let your arm droop, and do not lean over your partner. You’ll look like a wolf ready to devour your prey.”

Nate tried to straighten his back, keeping his chest lifted high as he held on to his sister.

“Don’t spread your fingers, or you’ll look like a creep,” she teased.

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