Page 48 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

He swallowed hard. He wouldn’t escape this. Elena would soon find out what a horrible dancer he was. Maybe she’d sideline him at the ball. It may be for the best.

He grabbed her hand with his sweaty palm, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Sorry, I’m a little nervous.”

Her gaze softened as she squeezed his shoulder. “Nathan, there is nothing to be nervous about. Relax. You are making more of this than it is.”

His features pinched as he stared down at her. “I just can’t get the hang of–”

“Shh. You are overthinking it. Pretend we’re the only two people in the room. Nice and easy, small little steps until you get the hang of it. One, two, three. One, two, three.” Her lips curved into a smile as they moved around the room. “There you go. See?”

“I’m doing it,” he answered. “Although, I think my arms are wrong.”

“Don’t worry about that, concentrate on your feet, I’ll hold your arms where they should be.”

“But…you shouldn’t–”

“Quiet,” she said. “I’m the princess here. I will say what goes.”

This time the smile came naturally to him. “You’re easier to dance with than Maddie.”

“And look at how well you’re doing. You told me you were terrible at this, but you’re quite good.”

“Yeah?” His grin wouldn’t fade. Maybe he could be a prince consort. Maybe he could make her proud.

He’d keep practicing so when they shared their dance at the ball, he’d be ready. All eyes would be on him and Elena as they twirled around the room. People would whisper, wondering who he was.

“That’s the man she’s going to marry,” someone would say.

His heart swelled as he glided a few more steps before they stopped.

“Excellent job, you,” Elena said with a wide smile as her mother and father entered.

Everyone stopped to greet them.

“Well,” King Frederick said, his hands clasped behind his back, “it seems the lessons are going well.”

“Very well, Uncle. They will be ready for the ball.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Nate said with a grin, pleased that he recalled the man’s correct form of address. “I will be ready to escort your daughter in the first dance, I promise.”

The man cocked his head, his eyebrows crinkling. “Oh, I am sorry, but that’s impossible. Elena’s first dance is spoken for. She will be escorted by Prince Eric.”

The words hit him like a physical slap. He’d been working so hard to make her proud, but he wouldn’t even have the chance. He was slowly being replaced by the person they wished her to marry.

CHAPTER 11

ELENA

Elena’s fingers curled into fists as she pinched her eyebrows together, staring at her father in disbelief. Her heart sank at the news. She had expected something different. Of course, she’d share a dance with the visiting royal, but she hadn’t expected to be obliged to share the first.

She’d wanted that honor to go to Nate, the man who would soon be her fiancé.

Was this deliberately drawn line in the sand more evidence that he never would be?

“What do you mean?” she demanded, her voice sharper than even she’d expected.

Her father, ever the calm diplomat, didn’t bat an eyelash as he responded. “You know full well a visiting prince is entitled to be shown the highest courtesy.”

Her jaw clenched at the words. “Let Isabelle dance with him.”

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