Page 6 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“It’s not misplaced,” Victoria said with a rub of his shoulder.

He didn’t answer her, his eyes fixed on the thick area rug under his bed,

“Are you at least looking forward to seeing her?”

The image of her smiling face appeared in his mind. He’d missed her, missed her beauty, her calm support. He missed being able to touch her hand or kiss her lips. He desperately wanted to see her. “I am. If we can actually see each other without some crazy royal protocol where we have to be chaperoned or sit six feet apart.”

Victoria threw her head back with a laugh. “Oh, Nate. I’m certain things will be very structured, but I’m also certain you’ll have some time alone. I think Ellie will insist on it.”

“That’s another thing,” he said. “Do we call her Ellie?Canwe call her Ellie? Or is it against the rules because she’s Princess Elena?”

“Maybe we should ask her what she prefers. She didn’t seem to mind Ellie. Maybe her parentscall her that.”

“I think they call her Elena. But I can ask,” he said with a sigh.

Victoria wrinkled her nose as she winced. “Can you ask her one other thing?”

Nate snapped his gaze to his mother. “What’s that?”

“Are there any colors that we should avoid for the royal ball? Maddie read somewhere that we cannot wear red, and nowI’msecond guessing my black dress and her red one.”

Nate chuckled as he pulled his phone from his pocket. “See what I mean about overthinking things?”

“Well, it’s different for women. You, your father, and Stephen aren’t going to be wearing a red suit. Dark suits are always appropriate for men. For women, the spectrum is so broad. And I don’t want to offend the royal family.”

“You and me both,” he answered as he tapped on his phone.

“I’ve been practicing my curtsy,” Victoria answered.

Nate winced at her. “I’m afraid my bow is woefully lacking. I can’t tell if I’m doing too little or too much.”

“Let’s see,” Victoria said.

Nate puffed out his cheeks, tossed his phone onto the cushion beside him, and stood up. He bent at the hips, nearly touching his toes.

Victoria winced. “Okay, umm, that’s…a little much, I think.”

“Really? I didn’t want it to look half-hearted.”

“Maybe stop at the hip. You know? Kind of like this.” Victoria rose and bowed.

“Oh, okay, uh, let me try that.” Nate tried again before he straightened and glanced at his mother with hopeful eyes.

“Better, yes. And don’t worry, I checked this against royal protocol because I’ve been helping your father.”

“And Stephen? Does he have to come?”

“Nate, he’s your brother. Butpleasedo not get into a fistfight with him while we’re there. We don’t want the royals to think we’re typical Americans. All violence and crudeness.”

“I won’t, as long as he doesn’t cause any trouble. Which is what I’m worried both he and Chloe will do. They don’t know how to behave. I don’t want to be sent packing because my brother is an–”

“Don’t say anything you’ll regret,” Victoria said with a wag of her finger.

“I wouldn’t regret it.”

“Well, treat it as a lesson in patience. As a King Consort, you’ll have to deal with lots of people you don’t like. You can’t punch them all.”

He sucked in a breath, mulling the words as his doubts swirled inside him again. The chiming of his phone split his thoughts, and he snatched it from the cushion. “Okay, Ell…Elena says there are no off-limit colors. She says you are both welcome to wear whatever formal attire you prefer.”

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