Page 43 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

“That will never happen. You must produce an heir.”

“Then they ought to understand how a marriage of any kind works.”

“A wonderful point, Your Highness. When we arrive at the palace, I will make the arrangements for the flight, then come to assist you with the packing.”

Elena heaved a sigh. “And I will tell my father of my intentions to leave.”

Caroline nodded at her with a smile. “Very good, Your Highness.”

“Aren’t you going to tell me you are proud of me for facing my father?”

Caroline chuckled as she patted Elena’s hand. “I am so very proud of you, darling. Which is why I really hope the legislature pulls their heads out of their…you know what and revises this law. You will be an excellent queen for this country.”

“Thank you, Caroline. We shall see. But for now, I must help Nathan.”

The car rolled to a stop outside of the palace doors, andElena hurried inside, asking one of the staff for her father’s location.

She found him in his office, brooding at the window.

“Elena,” he said as he twisted to face her, “all finished with your busy schedule of events?”

“Yes and no. There is one more thing I must do. I have come to inform you of it, but I do not wish to argue.”

“Oh, dear, that sounds ominous.”

“I am flying to Sterling City tonight,” Elena announced, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. She watched her father’s face closely, bracing for the storm of objections she expected would follow.

His eyebrows raised toward his hairline. “What?”

“I spoke with Nathan earlier. Mrs. Kingsley was seen at Chloe’s apartment. He is afraid this may make her a suspect. I would like to go support him through this as much as possible. I feel my hands are tied while this far away.”

Her father stared at her for a moment before his features pinched. “I suppose you have made up your mind. There is nothing I can do to change it?”

“No, Father, there is not. I do hope to have your support on it, though.”

He flicked his gaze down to his feet. “I would like you here to help with the issue of the decree, though I have tied your hands on that, haven’t I?”

Elena offered him a fleeting smile and a soft chuckle. “You have. And if I am needed, I will return, but right now, you are handling the matter.”

“It’s just that…if someone should ask where you are…perhaps they would like to speak with you about the matter.”

“They may call. Father, this in no way affects my loyalty to this country. But I will also have an obligation to my spouse, whether he be of noble blood or not. Imagine if Iwere to marry Prince Eric. He has duties in Corinthia. My time would be split there, too.”

“A very wise point, Elena,” the king answered. “Well, then I shall make them aware of that. And of how sound my daughter’s logic is.”

He grinned at her.

She returned his expression before she crossed to him, slipping her arms around his neck for a rare embrace.

He slid his arms around her and rubbed her back. “Oh, Elena, when did you grow up?”

“A little here and a little there,” she said with a giggle. “But I will always be your little girl.”

“I hope so. Please give my best to the Kingsleys. Such a tragic situation from all angles.”

“Yes. And I will. I hope it is solved quickly, and we are back here to announce our engagement as planned. Please keep me updated on the issue with the decree.”

“I will. Oh, and do not be surprised if Julian will use your absence against you.”

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