Page 51 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“Oh, dear,” her mother said, tightening her grip on her daughter’s hands. “Has something happened?”

Elena frowned at her mother as she shook her head before she let her gaze fall to their clasped hands. “He mentioned…”

“Yes?” Sophia asked, ducking her head to catch her daughter’s eye.

“He mentioned the option for me to abdicate.”

Her mother clicked her tongue, though her expression remained stoic.

“Please don’t tell Father. He said he did not mean it. He apologizedseveral times.”

“This will stay between us, but, Elena, he has said it. And it has bothered you.”

She pressed her lips into a thin line as she nodded. “Yes. Even if he did not mean it, his gut reaction to my lifestyle was negative. Will that change?”

“It could. Perhaps he was overwhelmed, but this, darling, is why Father is so insistent that you not hurry down the aisle with Mr. Kingsley.”

“No, but he wishes to drag me down it with Prince Eric.”

“Prince Eric is well-versed in what is expected. He would not ask you to give up your royal duties to suit his lifestyle.”

“But I do not love him.”

Her mother smiled at her. “This is a very difficult decision, darling. Do allow yourself the time to think about it carefully and make a sound decision.”

Her heart ached at her mother’s words, though she could not deny them. Despite her strong feelings for Nate, worry had begun to creep in, upsetting her peace.

When they were together, her heart soared. But when they were apart, her parents’ opposition worried her. Would she be condemning herself to a miserable life if she chose to follow her heart?

She sniffled as her mother offered her a handkerchief. Elena waved it away, withdrawing her own tissue. “Thank you, but I am always prepared. My mother taught me that.”

Sophia rose and kissed Elena on the forehead. “Your mother also taught you to be level-headed and make smart choices. If that means marrying Mr. Kingsley, so be it. But if your short temper of late is because you are seeing cracks in the facade, please, darling, do your due diligence and consider them carefully. That is all your father and I are asking.”

Elena licked her lips and nodded as her mother offeredher a tight-lipped smile. “Now, I will leave you to your thoughts.”

After another kiss on the head, her mother departed, pulling the door closed behind her. Elena heaved in a deep breath as quietness reigned around her.

Why had she confessed to her mother? She was certain despite her promise, she would say something to her father.

Perhaps she had done it because of the unease creeping through her every muscle since Nate’s suggestion. It had blindsided her.

She’d never expected him to say it, but his initial reaction to her lifestyle had been unaccepting. Perhaps he wasn’t the perfect match for her.

She leaned back in the chair, her finger rubbing her lips as she reflected. Her behavior of late had been terrible. While she’d always been fiery and defiant, questioning everything and insisting on knowing the reasons behind decisions, her recent antics had been more like a petulant child.

She’d demanded, accused, hollered, stopping just short of stamping her feet. It was behavior unfitting of a princess, to say the least.

And she had done it all because she had been uncertain of her own future. While she still believed Prince Eric was not a good match, she owed it to her parents to consider their advice before she ended up in a mess she could not escape. Or heartbroken.

She pulled herself from the chair, crossing to a silver tray and using it to check her reflection before she left the room behind.

With her fingers tightly clutching the tissue, she wandered through the halls to find her father’s office.

After a light knock, she waited to be told to enter, eyeing her father through the slightly ajar door.He poured over something on his desk. Without glancing up, he answered, “Come in.”

She pushed through the door, closing it behind her with a soft click. He finished making a note before he glanced up, his eyebrows tugging together.

“Elena.”

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