Page 50 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“Of course.”

“Let’s walk so that we have privacy.”

Elena nodded, allowing her mother to slide her arm around her elbow and pull her down the hall.

“You are having a difficult time since you’ve returned.”

“Because Father is being unfair!”

“Darling, life isn’t always fair. And as royals, at times, we must grin and bear it.”

Elena’s lips tugged into a pout. She understood bearing things for the sake of her crown, but this was too much.

Her mother led her into a quiet sitting room and eased her into a chair. “Is there something else, Elena?”

“Just Father’s unfairness. I feel as though I will be forced to marry Prince Eric no matter what. As if this entire visit with the Kingsleysis a charade.”

“It is not. Mr. Kingsley has every ability to prove himself worthy of your hand. Your father’s mind is open to the possibility.”

“Then why hasn’t he told the royal family that I will not be accepting Prince Eric in marriage?”

Sophia heaved a sigh as she perched on the edge of her chair. “Darling, other than simply not liking being told what to do, is there a reason why you are so off put by the idea?”

Elena’s eyes went wide. “You must be joking. You too?”

“Do not accuse, Elena. I am not suggesting you accept him. I am merely asking why you are so adamant about not accepting him.”

“I barely know the man, and what I’ve heard is…not something I’m keen on.”

“How can you know?” Sophia asked.

Elena’s shoulders slumped as she fought her way through the turmoil raging inside her. “But, Mother…”

“Elena,” her mother said, her voice smooth and even, “I understand how you feel about Mr. Kingsley. And, darling, I do hope it works out if he is the best man for you.”

Elena turned her tear-filled eyes to her mother. “But you do not believe him to be.”

“I did not say that. He has his good points. And he has some bad. Just as Prince Eric does and every other suitor.”

Elena chewed her lip as she listened to her mother’s words.

“You do not wish to hear this, I know. It was a difficult subject before you left. And is even more difficult now that your heart belongs to another man.”

“If you know my heart belongs to him, why must we continue with this nonsense?”

“Elena, it is not nonsense.” The firmness in her mother’s voice told her she meant the words she spoke. “Your role as queen is important. And your father and I want to ensureyou are supported in it. The last thing you need on the day you will ascend to the throne and the many that will follow is to worry that your spouse does not support you.”

“But Nathan–”

“Says he will, I know. But saying it and meaning it or doing it are two very different things, darling. When you must appear at six different places and it happens to fall on his birthday, will he understand?”

Elena opened her mouth to answer with an affirmative, but the words would not come. Her mind flitted back to their conversation yesterday. While he’d made it clear he hadn’t meant it, it still had been said. Perhaps he would not understand. Would their relationship fall apart over her royal duties?

Sophia gently rubbed Elena’s arm. “I’m glad you did not answer immediately, or I would have worried you had not given it sufficient thought.”

Elena’s features pinched as she glanced at her mother. “Truthfully, I worry he will not understand.”

Tears spilled onto her cheeks as she said the words, doubt twisting her stomach into a tight knot.

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