Page 87 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

“It wasn’t that impassioned. I thought for sure I had sunk any chance of that vote going our way.”

“Oh,” Victoria said with a shake of her head, “you were always good in the boardroom. Your father said you were quite persuasive. I assume that helped.”

They stepped into the empty hall and ambled toward his parents’ room. “I was a mess. They called me up to testify about finding the sealed decree. The next thing I knew, I was spilling my guts about how I loved Ellie.”

“I think that’s charming.”

Nate rolled his eyes at himself. “It wasn’t charming, it was embarrassing. I’m surprised the king didn’t put me in the dungeon after that. I just…didn’t know what to say, but I felt honesty was the best policy.”

“It usually is,” Victoria said as they reached her door, and she pushed inside. “Ready?”

Charles adjusted his lapel and buttoned his jacket. “I’m ready. Did you get his tie tied?”

“I did,” Victoria said, showcasing her handiwork. “Sadly, it’ll be one of the last times I do it.”

Her voice cracked as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Nate slid an arm around her. “Oh, Mom. First of all, I’m not dying, I’m just getting married. Actually, it’s only the engagement party. And second, you still have Stephen around.”

She waved a hand at her face as she sniffled. “Stephen can tie his own ties. He’s always been better at that than you. You never did get the hang of it. But my little boy is all grown up.”

She fled across the room to tug a tissue from the holder on the nightstand. Nate shifted uncomfortably as he shot a glance at his father.

Charles gave him a tight-lipped grin as he shoved hishands into his pockets. “You’ll see when Ellie does this over your kids.”

“Uhh, I mean…Dad, that’s…

“Pretty far away? Just yesterday, I drove your mom home from the hospital with you in her arms. Today, she’s weeping over your engagement. It comes sooner than you think, son.”

Nate crinkled his nose as he offered his father an awkward smile. “Gee, can’t wait.”

“Mom?” Maddie said as she hovered in the doorway. “Why are you crying? Did something happen? Did you get bad news about the case or something?”

Victoria gave her a dismissive wave as she dabbed under her eyes.

“Mom’s upset because I’m all grown up,” Nate told her.

“Huh?” Maddie asked. “He’s been grown up for a while.”

“Yeah, but I’m getting married,” Nate said as he poked her with his elbow, “which is apparently worse than me dying.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Victoria said with a sniffle. “But you’ll be here in Eldoria. I won’t see you at breakfast anymore. You won’t come home at night. Someone else will tie your ties.”

The last statement sent her into another crying jag. Charles wrapped an arm around her and patted her shoulder. “Now, Victoria, you’ll ruin your makeup.”

“I know. I can’t help it,” she sobbed.

“What is going on?” Stephen asked as he rushed into the room.

“Mom’s upset because Ellie’s going to tie Nate’s ties.”

“Huh?” Stephen asked with a confused expression.

“Never mind. You’ll all understand one day when your child is ready to leave you.”

“You didn’t cry when I married Chloe,” Stephen said.

Charles flicked his eyebrows up. “Let’s not bring that upagain, shall we? When you’re getting married to a real woman, then we’ll talk.”

---