Page 14 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

“You trying to make sure there’s not another situation where you and Dad have to ground the plane until I come to my senses?”

Victoria chuckled as she patted his hand. “So, he told you about that, huh?”

“He did, yes. Thank you.” Nate squeezed his mother’s hand. “I was being a complete idiot. And you’re probably right about this, too. I’ll make it a point to talk to Ellie aboutall of this. We’ll take some time to think about it and discuss it together. “

“Good,” she answered. “Well, I’ll let you get back to your packing. What time are you leaving?”

“Three,” he answered. “I’ll find you before I leave.”

Victoria rose. “And I will have a talk with Stephen. He’s not going to do anything to stop your wedding.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Nate said as he pulled a few more shirts from his drawer. His mind whirled as the door clicked closed behind his mother. He should buy something for Elena, something to surprise her with.

He glanced at his watch before he tossed a few more items onto his bed, raced to his closet, grabbed his suitcase, and tossed everything inside. He zipped it closed and left it behind as he raced from his room.

A few minutes later, he revved his engine and tore out of the driveway, heading back to the city. He swung into his spot at GenoTech and left the car behind, exiting onto the sidewalk and hurrying to the shopping district.

He pushed into the antique store and wandered to the window, holding his breath as he searched the display. His lips formed a grin as he spotted the item he’d seen when walking past the shop last week.

“Can I help you?” The owner approached, eyeing him over his reading glasses.

“I got what I needed.” Nate lifted the wooden box in the air.

“Oh, the carousel music box. Good choice. That carousel horse was hand-painted, you know?” The man led him to the register.

“My fiancé loves carousels. I saw this the other day and thought of her. I’m going to see her and wanted to take her something.”

The man peered over his glasses again. “Oh, you’re…you’re the one dating the princess.”

Nate shifted his weight. They weren’t supposed to be making an announcement about their official engagement yet. Was it wrong to admit it?

He grinned at the man. “Uhhh–”

The man waved his hands in the air before he announced the total. “You don’t have to say anything. I bet you value your privacy, but that’s about to change, I think. People love royals. And they love to know everything about them.”

“Well, Ellie…Elena…my fiancé loves carousels. So, I’m going to give her this the moment I see her.”

The man grinned. “I’ll be bragging to all my friends that I sold a carousel music box to a man for a princess.”

Nate matched his expression. “Yeah, definitely. Tell everyone.”

The man wrapped and bagged the item carefully before he handed it over.

“Thanks,” Nate said as he raised it in the air.

He left the store behind and hurried back to his car to make the trip back to his house. With the bag in hand, he pushed into the foyer.

Maddie skipped down the stairs, still in her school uniform. “Hey, I heard you’re ditching us for Ellie.”

“I am,” Nate said. “Just a few days early, that’s all. I’ll see you soon.”

“Can I go with you?” Maddie asked.

“No,” he answered over his shoulder as he ascended the stairs with her trailing behind.

“Come on. I can miss school. I’ll work on all my assignments and not get behind. I need a change of scenery.”

“You mean to Alexander? I don’t know if he’s there.”

---