Page 85 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

“Yes, I’m very happy to have everyone here as well, though…I have already explained to your mother than we may need to postpone our engagement announcement,” Elena said ruefully.

“Actually…” Nate grinned at her. “We should be able to announce it as scheduled…unless there’s another reason to postpone.”

Elena furrowed her brow as she studied him. “No, not on my end. Whatever the end result with the decree is, it will not change my mind about us. Although, my father may wish to wait until after a vote as been held.”

“A vote has been held already, Elena,” Alexander said. “Earlier this afternoon. The matter is settled.”

Elena’s stomach twisted into a tight knot, each heartbeatlike a drumroll as her mind raced. The haunting question of what had happened with the vote loomed over her. “It is? It’s finished?”

“Yes. Nathan found a decree from our grandfather suggesting the previous one regarding royal marriages be rescinded and replaced with the freedom to choose one’s spouse. It went to the legislature for an immediate vote.”

Her heart hammered in her chest as she awaited the result. They needed a super majority. Had they gotten it?

“You tell her, Nathan.”

Nate grinned at her. “The vote passed. One hundred and thirty-seven to sixty-three.”

Elena’s jaw fell open as an excited exclamation escaped her. “Really?”

Alexander grinned at her, nodding. “Your Mr. Kingsley gave quite an impassioned speech that changed the minds of several legislators just before the vote. Had he not been here…we likely would have lost.”

Elena stared up at her fiancé with admiration filling her eyes. “An impassioned speech?”

He shrugged, color rising in his cheeks. “I just…told them how great a queen you were going to be no matter who you married.”

“Oh, Nathan,” she said with a grin as she flung her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on him. “This is excellent news.”

“Elena?” her father’s voice boomed from the top of the stairs.

“Father! Nathan has just told me the wonderful news.”

“Indeed,” he answered as he led her mother down the stairs to join them. His eyes fell on the Kingsleys. “And it appears you have good news, also.”

“Yes. Mrs. Kingsley has been exonerated of all charges,” Elena said.

A moment of silence stretched between them before Elena glanced at her father again. “So, may I presume with all our issues solved that we may proceed with the engagement announcement as planned?”

His lips twisted into a smile. “You may. Given the instincts Mr. Kingsley has shown today, I am proud to welcome him to the family.”

Elena beamed at her father before she kissed him on the cheek. In a matter of days, their relationship would be public, and in a few short weeks, she would wed the love of her life on Christmas Eve.

After all the struggles, her life was finally on track. And she intended to enjoy it.

CHAPTER 22

NATE

Nate blew out a shaky breath, his hands fumbling with the cufflinks again before attempting to tie his bowtie again. With a disgusted sigh, he tugged it from around his neck and tossed it onto the bed before he collapsed onto it.

Things had fallen into place for their engagement announcement, yet his stomach still insisted on tying into a tight knot. He only wished the silk fabric was as cooperative.

A quiet knock sounded at his door.

Nate huffed, crossing the plush, thickly carpeted floor to the door. He opened it a crack to find his mother already dressed on the other side.

She grinned at him as he opened the door further.

“You look nice,” he said with a tentative smile.

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