Page 86 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

She slid into the room. “You look unfinished. Need help with the tie?”

“As always,” Nate said with a shake of his head, retrievingthe black fabric. “Well, this is one of the last times I’ll be doing this, so at least I can feel useful.”

“Why? Do you think I’ll suddenly be able to tie my own ties after I get married?” Nate lifted his chin as she adjusted the fabric around his neck.”

“No,” she said with a grin. “But I think Ellie will do a fine job of it, and you won’t need your mother anymore.”

“Ellie seems like she does a fine job of everything,” he answered. “I can’t believe she found that evidence.”

Victoria grinned as she finished tying the knot and adjusted it to be straight. “And burst into the courtroom, waving it in the air.”

“I would have paid to see that,” he answered as he glanced in the mirror. “Thanks.”

He tugged on his jacket and buttoned it before he adjusted his cufflinks again.

“She was really something. I think the judge was flabbergasted when she announced who she was.”

Nate twisted to face his mother, an amused expression on his face. “She did?”

“Oh, yes. She dropped that royal title. The prosecutor tried to use that against her, but she just kept plowing ahead. Thank goodness the judge gave her some leeway.”

“Really,” Nate said with a nod. “King Frederick would have probably murdered me if Ellie would have ended up in jail.”

He creased his forehead. “That reminds me…we should find out if they have a dungeon here.”

Victoria crinkled her nose. “A dungeon?”

“Well, you never know. And the way luck runs in our family…”

“Nate, you’re about to become a prince. I hope they won’t imprison one of their own family.”

He shifted his weight from foot to foot. “Yeah, I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop on that.”

“Honey, we’re less than an hour away from the official announcement of your engagement. I think you’ll make it.”

“But will we make the wedding?” Nate shook his head. “Prince Julian is still fuming over what happened. I just don’t trust him not to interrupt the wedding with some new nonsense that throws everything into chaos. Or even the engagement party.”

“Maybe he’ll end up in the dungeon,” Victoria said with a chuckle.

“He’s not going to take kindly to being knocked down in the royal pecking order.”

“He’s really not yet. Not until you have children.” Victoria raised a finger in the air. “Which I have already spoken with Ellie about.”

“Mom,” Nate protested. “Give us a chance to get married after everything that’s happened.”

“Heirs are important to royals. I’m just chiming in with my support.”

He squeezed her hand as he smiled at her. “You will be the first to know when you’re going to be a grandma.”

“Actually, I would expect to be the second. I’m assuming Queen Sophia will take precedence.”

“Maybe we’ll tell you both together.”

Victoria kissed his cheek. “I don’t care which order you tell me in, I’ll be thrilled either way. Now, shall we head downstairs?”

“Sure,” he said, sucking in a deep breath. “I hope I don’t mess anything up. I’m still not used to all these royal protocols.”

“You’ll learn them. It sounds like you’re already doing quite well. You still haven’t told me the story of yourimpassioned speech that won the legislature,” she said as she looped her arm through his and led him to the door.

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