Page 69 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

“It is decreed that henceforth, the requirement for a member of the royal family to contract marriage solely with persons of royal descent is hereby rescinded. Members of the royal family are permitted to enter in matrimony with any individual, of noble or common birth, who is deemed fit and proper by the reigning monarch.”

Nate sucked in a breath, his heart thudding faster against his ribs.

Alexander continued, “This amendment is made in recognition of the evolving nature of our society and the enduring principles of love, respect, and equality that bind our people. May this decree strengthen the bond between the Crown and its subjects, and usher in an era of continued peace and prosperity.”

“When is it signed?” Isabelle asked.

“Given under my hand and seal this fifteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord 1993. And signed by Frederick the ninth.”

“Who is he?” Nate asked.

“Our grandfather,” Alexander answered. “King Frederick’s father.”

Stephen peered at the decree. “Why was it never opened?”

“Grandfather died shortly after this. I’m guessing it got lost in the shuffle. This must have been one of his final decrees,” Isabelle answered.

“Yes, but he still wrote it, right? It still counts?” Nate asked, his voice catching in his throat. “This helps us, right?”

“It doesn’t hurt,” Alexander answered. “It is a testament to the progressive vision held even decades ago.”

“While this bolsters our case, it does not solve it.” Isabelle set her hands on her hips and shook her head.

Nate’s heart raced, each beat a loud echo of the turmoil swirling inside him. Doubt crept in as their behavior failed to match his hope. “This won’t help?”

“I think it will help,” Alexander answered. “I just don’t think it’s going to reverse the issue immediately.”

“Alexander is correct. According to the way the original royal decree was made, this change would still need to be voted on. Now, this makes it obvious that the royals were leaning this way the entire time, not simply asking for it now in a special circumstance.” Isabelle paced the floor as she spoke.

“Which may help,” Alexander answered.

“We should take this to Uncle Frederick.” Isabelle pulled the royal decree from Alexander’s hands. “He may be able to use it to convince the legislators to vote on this in our way.”

Nate bobbed his head at the words. “Should someone stay here and keep looking for other things that could help?”

“No,” Alexander said with a shake of his head. “If Grandfather wrote this in the nineties, there is nothing else that rescinded it. You would be wasting your time.”

Nate shifted his weight from foot to foot. “But this…it’s still the same thing. We still haven’t found anything that helps.”

Alexander clapped him on the shoulder. “You’ve found something tremendously helpful. Let’s present this to my uncle and allow him to move forward with it.”

Nate followed, each step heavy with the weight of the impending decisions that could alter not just his future but the entire kingdom’s. The frown etching his face reflected a turmoil much deeper than mere disappointment.

The elation he’d felt at the words Alexander read moments ago waned quickly when he realized they were meaningless.

“Smile, Nathan, you’ve done well. Elena will be very proud,” Alexander said with a grin as they stepped into the hall.

A man scurried past them, folders stacked in his arms and sweat beading on his brow. “Oh, Rueben, what luck,” Alexander said as the man passed.

He stopped, bowing slightly without toppling his folders. “Your Highnesses, is there something I can help with?”

“Is my uncle here?”

“Yes, His Majesty is in the royal office.”

“Good, we have something that must be brought to his attention immediately,” Alexander answered.

“Follow me,” Reuben said before spinning on a heel and leading them toward a wide set of marble stairs.

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