Page 17 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

She nodded. “Yes, but have all the monarchs since this decree was made married noble blood?”

“Right. If not, the entire line could be thrown out.”

“Which helps Julian in no way,” Elena answered as she chewed her lower lip. “No, rest assured, there is no problem with Father’s reign, only mine.”

“Elena, we will tackle this,” Frederick answered.

“You believe the majority of the legislature will support a new decree, don’t you?”

Frederick rubbed his chin, his eyes staring into the darkness beyond the window. “To be fair, I do not know. If Julian has already shared this with them, he has likely solicited votes against any changes.”

Elena’s lips parted as the realization of what he’d said smacked her in the face. “Are you saying…”

Her father shifted his gaze to her, his eyes clouded with worry and conflict. “Yes, Elena. I am saying that this decree may stand. If you marry Nathan Kingsley, you may forego the throne.”

Elena collapsed into an armchair, her chest tightening. It wasn’t the loss of the throne so much as the way it was happening. She’d been groomed her entire life to run this country with the care and dedication it required.

To have that chance ripped away from her by Julian’s jealousy was maddening.

“We are not giving up,” Queen Sophia said, placing a gentle hand on Elena’s shoulder.

“We cannot,” Alexander answered. “We cannot allow the throne to go to Julian. He will ruin this country.”

“I don’t suppose we can ask you to postpone the wedding and the engagement announcement until this is fixed,” King Frederick asked.

Elena’s eyes went wide. “Father! I am set to announce my engagement to Nathan in days. What do you propose I tell him? After we fought so hard to receive approval, turns out we cannot marry?”

“No, of course not. But perhaps it would be an easier fight for me to get this decree through without the complication of a common husband already looming.”

“It is not only unfair—it’s downright cruel to both Nathanand me. While I grasp the enormity of sacrifice required for the sake of our country, I cannot, in good conscience, impose this burden on Nathan. Not after everything we’ve been through.”

“You nearly announced your engagement to Eric. Come, Elena, you’ve made difficult choices before.”

Elena curled her fingers into fists, a mix of outrage and anger brewing inside her. “I will not do this to Nathan.”

Her father let his head fall into his palm, rubbing his forehead. “Fine.”

“Perhaps, Frederick, it will help to announce the engagement, rather than hurt,” Queen Sophia suggested.

“How do you figure, Aunt Sophia?”

“Well, if there are reservations about marriages to a commoner, the legislature can properly vet Mr. Kingsley to determine that he is of good character and good standing. Perhaps it will allow some of them to vote in your favor once they see there is no threat to the kingdom.”

King Frederick sighed. “And perhaps they will not agree. I cannot see that this will help, but perhaps it will not hurt.”

“We could host a reception to meet Mr. Kingsley,” Alexander suggested. “Elena is most capable of ruling. It is unfair that she should be excluded merely because of her choice in husband.”

“A choice, I am told,” King Frederick said as he flicked his gaze to his advisors, “may be painted as selfish, foolish, and not in the best interest of Eldoria.”

“Not in the best interest of Eldoria!” Elena leapt to her feet, her fists tight at her sides.

“How is that?” Alexander asked.

“Well, the marriage to Eric secured a bond between Eldoria and Corinthia. A bond that may now suffer because of Elena’s choices.”

Elena clicked her tongue as she tossed her arms in the air. “This is ridiculous. Will our bond with any other country suffer as a result? Am I to marry the entirety of Europe to secure our place?”

“Of course not, Elena, but–”

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