The Billionaire’s Royal Challenge (Devotion and Dynasty Trilogy #2)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

ELENA

E lena bounded down the stairs, a grin on her features that slid into a frown in a split second. Her muscles stiffened and her footsteps slowed. She smoothed her dress as she lifted her chin and pounded down the remaining stairs.

“Elena, there you are,” her mother said from the foot of the stairs.

In front of her, two of Elena’s three royal cousins stood. The two she disliked. Noticeably missing was the one she couldn’t wait to see. Her heart pinched, a battleground of hope and dread. Perhaps she was wrong to drag Nate into the viper’s nest of royal intrigue like leading a lamb to the slaughter.

“Here I am. And here you two are. Where is Alexander?”

“Lovely to see you, too, cousin,” Julian answered with a smirk. “Your favorite cousin is coming in on the next flight. He should be here within the hour. ”

“Now, Julian,” Sophia said with a polite smile. “There are no favorites.”

Elena shifted her gaze to her cousin Isabelle, two months her junior, and the youngest of the Montclair cousins. She couldn’t forget the day, ten summers ago, when Isabelle had “accidentally” pushed her into the palace pond during a state gathering, ruining her dress and her evening.

“An error in foot placement,” Isabelle had claimed, though her smug smile told a different story.

Elena arched an eyebrow at her. “Welcome, cousins.”

“We are so pleased to be here,” Isabelle answered in her usual snippy tone.

“Yes, but so very surprised,” Julian added. “I hadn’t expected to be invited to meet…Americans.”

“Not meet,” Elena reminded him, ice edging her voice. “You have met Nathan, remember?”

“Yes, I do recall meeting Mr. Kingsley while in the States. How…interesting that he will be joining us here in Eldoria.”

Elena wrinkled her nose at the statement while her mother smiled graciously through it.

“We are very pleased to welcome the Kingsleys and get to know them better,” she said with a slight tilt of her head. “And so pleased to have you here as well.”

Elena held back rolling her eyes at her mother’s poised behavior. Why she did not put the royal pains in the rump in their places was beyond her.

“We are pleased to be here. Mother and Father send their regrets, but then I’m certain they’re hardly needed to greet…the Americans. They will be in attendance for the arrival of the Corinthian royal family.”

“Of course, they will be,” Elena answered with a sigh as she crossed her arms.

Her mother shot her a warning glance, and she dropped her arms to her sides. “You will, no doubt, wish to settle in. ”

“Yes,” Julian answered. “And prepare for the visit.”

Something about the way he said the word prepare sent a chill snaking down her spine. She added him to the list of worries along with her father. Julian could create trouble of an entirely different brand.

She had to be on her guard constantly to ensure the visit came off without a hitch. There would be someone lurking around every corner waiting for her to fail.

“We understand,” Sophie said. “I’ve had your bags placed in your usual rooms. Shall I expect you for tea later when the Kingsleys arrive?”

“No, Aunt, I have something pressing already, but I look so forward to reacquainting myself with Mr. Kingsley at dinner.”

“Good,” Sophia said with a nod before she shifted her pleasant gaze to Isabelle.

The brunette lifted a shoulder, her gaze sliding from Elena to Sophia. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Wonderful. See you both then.” Sophia followed their departure up the grand staircase before she set her sights on her daughter.

One eyebrow arched as the pleasant expression faded just slightly.

Elena shifted uncomfortably under her mother’s scrutiny, clasping her hands in front of her as she lowered her chin. “Well, I should go–”

“Elena,” her mother said, her soft voice filled with a warning.

“Yes, Mother?” she asked as though she hadn’t a clue what she was getting at.

Her mother waved a hand toward the sitting room off the large foyer. After closing the doors behind them, her mother whipped around to face her.

“Elena, you must stop being confrontational.”

Elena’s jaw unhinged as she wrinkled her nose. “But Mother…”

“Do not,” her mother warned with a single wag of her finger. “You know better than this, Elena. I am beginning to agree with your father that your time in the States has been a detriment.”

“Mother!” Elena shouted, her fingers curling into fists. “How can you say that?”

“I can say it because of the way you just behaved. Julian and Isabelle are your cousins.”

“Who are both troublemakers. Have you forgotten that Isabelle hates me openly. Or that Julian is the one who attempted to ruin my life by telling Father about Nathan and I?”

Sophia clicked her tongue, her features remaining in stoic check as she waited for Elena’s outburst to finish. “I have not forgotten, but Elena, you have been raised better than this. You will be queen one day. You cannot race about being rude when you disagree with someone or dislike them. Diplomacy is the best option always.”

Elena settled her arms across her chest. “Suppose someone invades Eldoria. I suppose you believe I should be diplomatic then, too?”

“Do not be flip with me, Elena. This is not an invasion.”

“ That is where you are wrong,” Elena shot back. “It is a full-scale invasion of my life. The Kingsleys are due this afternoon. There is enough tension already without Julian and Isabelle deliberately creating more drama.”

“Tension? Are you nervous about their arrival?” Her mother narrowed her eyes at Elena, reading her features.

Elena shifted her gaze to the floor, avoiding eye contact. “No.”

“Then why do you say tension?”

“I only meant…that is…Oh, Mother,” Elena said with a shak e of her head, tears shining in her eyes as she betrayed a rare moment of vulnerability.

Her mother crossed to her, cupping Elena’s cheek in her hand. “Elena, are you having second thoughts?”

“No!” Her eyes went wide as she snapped her gaze to her mother’s face. “No, I’m not. But I am nervous that something will go wrong. I feel as though Father is simply waiting to prove me incorrect.”

“Elena, that’s not true.” Her mother shook her head, a slight frown on her soft features. “Your father would not do that to you. He would not have agreed to allow Mr. Kingsley to come if he didn’t believe it could work.”

“Are you certain? Even to teach me a lesson?”

“You will learn those lessons on your own, darling. And you must. But do not think for a moment that your father is merely doing this to set you up for failure. He wishes you to succeed in all things.”

Elena sucked in a breath as she laced her fingers through her mother’s, the simple act providing her some measure of comfort. “Nathan is so nervous.”

Sophia stroked a lock of Elena’s hair, nodding in understanding. “Oh, darling, and that’s making you nervous?”

“Yes. We are used to this, but there are dozens of tiny rules and points of etiquette that they will not be aware of.”

“Yes, there are. It is important that they understand and respect them. If he is to become your consort–”

“Yes, I know,” Elena answered, a pout forming on her lips as she pulled away from her mother and stalked to the window. “He must be prepared for the duties that go along with it. I know, Mother.”

“Elena, I believe you may be shortsighted."

Elena whipped around to meet her mother's gaze. Was her mother also trying to dissuade her from marrying Nate?

“Do not give me those fiery eyes, Elena. I do not wish to say you are making a foolish decision nor that I disapprove. I have made no decisions on the matter having not met Mr. Kingsley. I trust your judgement, but…”

“But?” Elena prompted.

“Elena, your interest in protecting Mr. Kingsley and ensuring his ability to navigate royal life is…admirable. But who will assist you?”

“I need no assistance. I am quite good at navigating royal life. I have spent a lifetime preparing for it.”

Sophia offered her daughter a soft smile before she crossed to her and took her hands. “Yes, you have. But the crown weighs heavy, not just on the head that wears it but also on the heart. You will encounter difficult situations. Situations that require support. You should have a strong spouse who can offer you the assistance and loyalty you will require throughout your life.”

Elena heaved a sigh, unable to argue despite her desire to lash out.

“I know you do not wish to hear this. But when your father says to keep an open mind, he means to be aware that you will require support, too. Make the choice that gives you that.”

“How in the world can that choice be Prince Eric?” Elena said with a scoff.

“He is quite used to royal protocols. It will hardly be an issue for him. He is well-versed in diplomacy, in matters of state.”

“And we know nothing of each other. The support is overwhelming.”

Sophia offered her daughter a tight-lipped smile. “You may have more in common than you imagine. And marriages that begin like this often grow into very strong partnerships.”

She tugged one corner of her lips back as she eyed her mother. “And what of love? Is that not in the cards for a princess?”

“Love is not simply romance, darling. The true test of love is not butterflies in your stomach or the way your heart flutters when you find his eyes on you. The true test of love is that when you are at your worst, they are there with you to bring you back to your best.”

The words struck her as she found herself unable to imagine her mother at her worst. “Do you and Father bring each other back to your best?”

“We do,” her mother answered. “Though at times we are both at our worst. It is a fact of marriage, darling. You will hit rough patches. Even with your Mr. Kingsley. No matter how strong your love feels, there will be disagreements, arguments, differences of opinion.”

Elena squeezed her mother’s hands. “So far, we haven’t argued.”

“No, but you will. And I am not saying that to upset you. I am saying it to prepare you. Elena, darling, I know you believe love will be perfect always. But love is imperfect. People are imperfect. You will argue with Mr. Kingsley if he is your husband. You will argue with Prince Eric if he is your husband. You will argue with Mr. Smith from down the street if he is your husband.”

“You make marriage sound so lovely, Mother.”

Sophia laughed, a delicate sound that made her smile. “I am sorry, dear, but you must be prepared. Marriage is not easy. It can be very lovely. And it can also be very difficult. You are about to make a very big choice. I know you believe your mind is made up, but please take this time to observe Mr. Kingsley’s behavior while here to ensure he is the best match for you.”

Elena swallowed hard, her stomach twisting into a knot. Why did everyone seem to think Nate was not the right choice? At every turn, she faced opposition. No one assumed she could make the best choice for herself.

Despite herself, she nodded. “I will.”

Her mother smiled, patting Elena’s cheek. Before they could speak further, the doors burst open. The tension in Elena melted as she studied the figure filling the doorway. Tall, dark, broad-shouldered and stately, he was everything a royal should be.

A smile spread across her features before she broke away from her mother and hurried to the man. She flung her arms around him as he lifted her from the floor in a bear hug. “Alexander!”

He set her on the floor, pulling back and grinning at her. “Elena. Lovely to see you, little cousin.”

“It’s lovely to see you, too. Your lateness put me in quite an awkward position earlier.”

“Oh?” he asked.

“Hello, Alexander,” Sophia said as she crossed to him.

“Aunt Sophia,” he answered with a bow.

She kissed his cheek. “I’m sorry to rush off, but I have another appointment. Will we see you at the tea this afternoon?”

“Yes, of course. I am looking so forward to meeting the Kingsleys.”

“Wonderful.” She squeezed his arm before he stood aside to allow her to leave them behind.

He turned back toward Elena who grinned at him again. “Now, what is this about an awkward position?”

Elena rolled her eyes as she strode across the room to the grand piano, tapping a key. “I raced from upstairs when I was told my cousins had arrived only to find Julian and Isabelle.”

“Oh, my. I am sorry,” he said with a grin. “How awful. My siblings leave something to be desired.”

She plopped onto the piano bench. “They do. ”

“My goodness. What in the world has life in the States done to you? I’ve never known Elena Montclair to be this glum.”

“Oh, please, not you, too,” she said with a pout.

He clasped his hands behind his back, arching a dark eyebrow as he paced across the floor. “Me too?”

“Everyone keeps telling me of the woes of my Stateside visit. But the truth is my woes only began after I returned home.”

“Hmm. Tell me about it over a ride?”

“Only if you promise me a race,” she said with a grin.

“Challenge accepted. Shall we meet at the stables after changing?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

They parted ways and she hurried to her room to change into her riding gear and have Caroline pull her hair into a braid. When she arrived at the stables, her cousin awaited her with two saddled horses.

She climbed aboard hers, and they set off at a gentle cantor. When they reached the top of the hill, she set her horse into a full gallop, and they raced along together, laughing as they fought to reach the steeple in the distance. Elena arrived first, tugging her horse to a stop and spinning it to face him.

“Well done, Elena. You have beaten me again.”

“You let me win,” she challenged.

“I did no such thing.” He set his horse at a meandering pace. “Now, please tell me all about these woes you face in Eldoria.”

Her horse fell in line next to his. “Everyone knows what’s best for me. Except me.”

“Ah, yes. The pressures of being a princess. Your royal match is being closely monitored.”

“I wish it was not. I’m being told to keep an open mind at every turn. As though there should be no emotion involved whatsoever.”

“Emotion,” he repeated, sliding his eyes sideways as the horses walked under the canopy of trees making up the forest on the royal property’s back edge. “Are you in love?”

“Yes,” she answered before she snapped her gaze to him. “Do not laugh.”

“I am not,” he answered. “I think it is wonderful, Elena.”

“Do you? So, you will not tell me to consider my choice carefully?”

He sucked in a breath. “You likely should, though I will say I envy you.”

“Envy me?” she questioned, her brow furrowing as she pushed a pine branch aside.

As they rode through the dappled sunlight, Alexander confessed his own troubles to her. “You are making your own way. I am being asked to accept the attention of Lady Margaret.”

“No,” Elena said, her eyes wide as she shifted in the saddle.

“Oh, yes. She is quite poised, dear. She would make a lovely wife, dear. She’s very quiet. You would have no trouble with her.”

“No trouble with her? Heavens. If that doesn’t convince you to race down the aisle, what will?”

They continued through the forest, their horses slowly wandering the familiar path. “So, despite your woes regarding being told to keep an open mind, at least your parents are allowing you a choice.”

She sucked in a breath. “I am sorry, Alexander. I do hope you will find someone. But we are not wed yet. And I fear you are incorrect.”

“What do you mean?” he asked as he tugged his horse in a new direction .

“I fear my parents are only allowing me the illusion of a choice. I believe they are hoping Nathan fails in his bid to withstand royal life.”

Alexander let his head fall back before he nodded. “I see. Trying to show you the error of your ways but seem like they are giving in to you.”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm.”

She twisted in her saddle, her eyes pleading. “Alexander, please will you help him? Take him under your wing and guide him?”

“Of course, cousin. I am happy to help. I will do whatever is needed. Whisper in his ear, kick him under the table, give him obscure hand signals that no one could understand.”

She giggled as they emerged from within the trees, the bright sun shining down on them as the rode into the lush valley. “Thank you, Alexander. I knew I could count on you.”

“Of course, you can. We must stick together.”

“That sounds ominous,” she answered.

“Unfortunately, I believe there may be some trouble ahead. You may suspect your parents of hoping your interest wanes in Mr. Kingsley, but I wouldn’t put it past Julian to deliberately set out to ruin his chances.”

Her stomach twisted into a knot as he said the words she didn’t want to face. Julian’s mischief was no stranger to Elena. He’d tormented her while she’d dated Nate in the States. And she had no illusions that he may try to do it again.

Would Nate’s visit turn into an all-out royal war? And would they survive it or was she destined to sacrifice love for duty?