Page 49 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“That is inappropriate. Mr. Kingsley will be matched with your cousin to join in after the dance has begun.”

“Father!” Elena protested. Beyond the one exclamation, though, words didn’t come. The pairing was wrong on so many levels, not to mention that Isabelle had just planted a kiss on Nate’s lips in an attempt to ruin both their relationship and his image.

“Elena,” he answered, his voice calm and measured, “the matter is decided. There will be other dances.”

“Yes, but not the first.”

“How are you finding the style?” King Frederick asked Nate. “I recall it being somewhat challenging as a young man. My arms went every which way.”

Next to Elena, Nate cleared his throat, his eyes darting back and forth between them. “Yes, uh, it’s…a challenge. But practicing with Ellie has made it a little easier. I’ll be ready for the ball, I think.”

“Excellent. Well, we will let you get back to your practicing and hope to be regaled with tales of how you’ve mastered it over our dinner.” King Frederick offered him a fleeting smile before he spun on his heel to cross the room with his wife.

Elena tightened her fists at her sides, heat rising into her cheeks as her father left her behind.

“Ellie, should we practice more?”

She barely heard his voice as anger coursed through her, and she glared across the ballroom.

“Ellie? We can share the second dance or whatever. It’s okay,” Nate tried.

“No, it isn’t.” She stormed after her father, slipping out of the ballroom and into the hall. “Father, we must speak.”

King Frederick twisted to eye her. “I have many things to attend to, Elena. If this is concerning the first dance–”

“It is,” she answered,her jaw setting.

“Then there is nothing to discuss. You, of all people, understand the nature of state visits. You realize how important cordiality is.”

“Is it unimportant to be cordial to the Kingsleys?” she asked.

With a sigh, he forced his features to remain neutral as his jaw betrayed his annoyance with her question. “I am quite surprised, Elena, that you have forgotten everything you have learned after your excursion to the States. You know exactly how these events play out.”

“I know that you could dance with Queen Elisabeth as a gesture of our hospitality, yet you are choosing not to do so. Instead, you are foisting the diplomacy onto me, likely in the hopes that one dance will send me into such a tizzy that I will fall madly in love with Prince Eric and wish to marry him.”

King Frederick sighed. “I do not expect you to fall head over heels for the man in one twirl around the floor. But I also do not expect you to be so clingy with your beau. He is being given the opportunity to prove himself.”

“Yet you are doing your best to see that he can’t.”

“Elena, a dance with the visiting prince is hardly a detriment to the man. In fact, quite the opposite. He will not be on display, and therefore, subject to less scrutiny. I am attempting to make this easier for you.”

“You are also misleading the Corinthian royal family. They believe we will announce our engagement, and this first dance is a signal that they should not alter their expectations.”

His nostrils flared as he angled his chin down, his eyes burning. “Elena, I have warned you already about your attitude. I had expected that to be enough to correct your behavior.”

Heat entered her voice as she refused to back down. “Perhaps you should have been given a warning to correct yours!”

His eyes went wide, and he tugged his chin back, startled by her harsh words. In seconds, his features turned stony. “My decision is final, and you will abide by it. And if you continue to carry on like this, I will no longer allow your relaxed schedule whilst the Kingsleys visit. I had provided you time to spend with them, particularly Mr. Kingsley, however, if you continue behaving like a child, I will be forced to make you learn as one.”

“Father!” she cried, ready to protest, when he bobbed his head.

“The matter is closed. Good day.”

He spun on his heel and strode away, leaving her behind, a mix of anger and frustration brewing within her. A warm hand slid around her forearm, drawing her attention.

She glanced down at it before she raised her eyes to her mother’s face, her own features pinching. “Mother…”

“Darling, may we talk?”

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